Xiao Man was somewhat taken aback. Ten years as one, what a joke. How old was Xiao Man ten years ago? How old was Wen Mohan? She should at least have a draft for her lies! Cen Yu’s words were only believable to a three-year-old!
"Do you think I'm lying?"
"Ten years ago, I was only seven."
"Yes, ten years ago, you were only seven, and he was just eleven, yet he was already a well-known prodigy. He could compose essays at the age of five and write policy papers at seven. Even scholars who had studied for many years might not have been his match."
Xiao Man nodded in agreement. When Wen Mohan was young, he was the child from another family, excellent in everything, a good student in the Grand Tutor’s eyes, an outstanding child in others’ eyes, and an object of envy for his peers. The assignments given by the Grand Tutor were so difficult that they would chew through their penholders, but Wen Mohan completed them with ease. At that time, she was very mischievous. The Grand Tutor said that if she failed to submit her homework again, he would report her to her father.
So, she clung to Wen Mohan’s leg, insisting he help her, spouting a lot of nonsensical arguments, and bribing him with a large pile of snacks. She threatened and cajoled him into doing her homework.
"I really can't understand. One is the most outstanding student in the Imperial Academy, and the other is a scoundrel in the Imperial Academy. How did you two get together?" Cen Yu was very confused. "With people like you, shouldn't you be worlds apart?"
"Nonsense!" Xiao Man retorted. "Although I'm not as good as him in my studies, I'm also very eager to learn!"
"Have you forgotten about being expelled from the Imperial Academy?"
"Nonsense! When was I ever expelled from the Imperial Academy? I just didn't want to stay there anymore!" Xiao Man argued. Although she didn't like studying, she wasn't a slacker. She just didn't want people to know her true capabilities!
"Mohan told me every time he came back from the Imperial Academy about the trouble you caused there!" Cen Yu said slowly. "Putting chili powder in the Grand Tutor's teacup, scaring classmates by pretending to be a ghost, stuffing mice into the Crown Prince's drawer, tying the Prince of Qi's shoelaces to his stool... The things you did at the Imperial Academy are too numerous to list!"
Xiao Man was momentarily at a loss for words, as it was all true. "I did all those things, and it has nothing to do with Mohan. If you have any issues, come at me. Why drag him into this?"
"Am I dragging him into this? He jumped in himself!" Cen Yu raised his voice, his anger evident. "As a pampered young lady who has been doted on since childhood, how can you understand the plight of us illegitimate sons? Even if we try our best, we can only barely survive!"
"Don't act like you're so pitiful. Mohan helped you gain a foothold in the Cen family, allowing you to avenge yourself and become the richest person in the capital. And what did you do? You sowed discord, poisoned him, and acted as if everyone had wronged you. Where do you get the nerve?"
Cen Yu heard this and did not refute it. "Xiao Man, there's something else I haven't told you. Before you arrived, Mohan begged me not to tell you. Tell me, should I tell you or not?"
"Since Mohan asked you not to say it, then you don't need to," Xiao Man said without hesitation. This person never spoke the truth.
"It concerns your father's death. Don't you want to know the truth?"
Xiao Man sat down beside Wen Mohan, leaning against the wall, seemingly giving up resistance, but actually calculating how long it would take for Dongfang Wei to arrive.
"What is truth? Is what you say the truth?" Xiao Man said lazily. "I don't believe my enemy."
"Believe it or not, I'm just telling you what I know," Cen Yu cleared his throat. "It wasn't just one person who killed your father."
Xiao Man's pupils contracted slightly. Of course, she knew that her father's death was not the work of a single person, but a collaboration of multiple forces. And the person secretly orchestrating it all was Feng Tianlan!
"And one of the murderers involved in your father's death was..."
"Cen Yu, don't make me hate you!" Wen Mohan woke up at this moment and interrupted Cen Yu. "Man'er, don't believe him!"
Cen Yu heard this and laughed, tears streaming down his face. "Wen Mohan, I can understand you protecting Xiao Man, but why are you protecting a murderer?"
"Man'er, do you believe me?" Wen Mohan ignored Cen Yu and looked at Xiao Man, asking earnestly.
Xiao Man nodded. "Of course, I believe you!"
"Cen Yu has ill intentions. If he tells ten sentences, one of them might be true. For you, he might not even speak half a true sentence. So, no matter what he says, don't believe him!" Wen Mohan was very nervous. He said not to believe Cen Yu's words, but in his heart, he had already started to believe them.
Cen Yu's eyes were filled with hurt. In Wen Mohan's eyes, he was a complete liar. In ten sentences, only one was true. But he had never lied to him, nor had he ever deceived him!
Even if he had a thousand faults, even if the whole world cursed him as a despicable and shameless villain, Wen Mohan should not be among them!
"Yes, I am a liar, a despicable and shameless villain. You are a gentleman, as pure as the moon. Have you never lied, never deceived anyone?"
Wen Mohan remained silent. He was also just an ordinary person. He would also lie or deceive to achieve certain goals, but he had never intended to hurt anyone!
"You don't want Xiao Man to know who the murderer is, but I will tell her!"
"Cen Yu, how dare you!"
Cen Yu sneered. "What am I afraid of? Who are you to meddle in my affairs!"
"You... you... you can't treat her like this!"
"How am I treating her? I just want to tell her the truth about her father's death!" Cen Yu sneered. "Xiao Man, do you know who shattered your father's sternum..."
"Found you, you son of a bitch!" At this moment, Dongfang Wei's voice rang out. "Catch him, don't let him escape!"
Xiao Man winked playfully at Wen Mohan. "Reinforcements have arrived!"
Wen Mohan smiled weakly. "I was really worried you'd be tricked by Cen Yu."
"I know there's a hidden story behind my father's death, but I want to catch the mastermind," Xiao Man said slowly. "There are some people who never kill with their own hands. They always instigate others to kill, to harm, and they reap the benefits from the sidelines. Such people, who seem innocent, are actually the ones most deserving of death!"
"Man'er, I'm here," Wen Mohan comforted Xiao Man, but in the current situation, his words lacked conviction. After all, his appearance was too pathetic. Forget protecting Xiao Man, he could barely protect himself.
"That's my line. Don't worry, I've got this."
Wen Mohan lowered his gaze and chuckled, reaching out to grasp the hem of Xiao Man's clothes. "Then, I'll leave everything to you, Man'er."