Chapter 42: Hu Yangxuans Ploy (2/2)
”Ha! Not at all. You are lucky today, it's all on me! Don't miss this rare opportunity!” Wang Tong smiled. After seeing what had just happened, Wang Tong's feeling toward Hu Yangxuan had improved significantly.
”I am honored, thank you!”
Hu Yangxuan started to help himself with the meal, although he was eating as much as Wang Tong, his table manner was more polished thanks to the cultured environment in which he grew up.
Two of them picked the table clean in just ten minutes. Wang Tong rubbed his mouth and patted his bulged belly, ”That was a good show you put on, and rightfully so.”
”I am glad you liked it, would you consider a kind donation then?” Hu Yangxuan deflected the topic of the conversation, alluding to his real intention.
Wang Tong watched as Hu Yangxuan dappled his mouth with a piece of clean napkin, and sensed that something was lurking behind the words. Hu Yangxuan's appearance today must not have been coincident.
Wang Tong cheered up and said, ”You are trying to rob a beggar.”
”Just kidding. I am here today to challenge you.” Hu Yangxuan's face suddenly became serious.
”Oh, what of me made you want to do that?”
”Everyone knows that I am here for Ma Xiaoru. Furthermore, I am not after her inheritance, I truly like her just the way she is. A girl like her is hard to find so I would not give up so easily. If I were in Capth or Yalden, I would have too many opponents, but here in Ayrlarng, I have only one.” Hu Yangxuan stared directly into Wang Tong's eyes.
”I am flattered. Aren't you afraid that your praise would boost my confidence, and I might as well make a move on Ma Xiaoru, even though I might have never thought of it?”
”Haha, Wang Tong, I wouldn't be here if you hadn't thought of it. Don't overlook my ability to pick up on things.”
”Fine, I did think of making a move on her, but the fact that you knew it wouldn't deter me the slightest. You might as well assume that I do and keep it to yourself.”
”Hehe. To assume is to make an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'. I never liked guessing games, neither could I keep anything to myself. You would know that if you knew me well. Anyhow, lately I have felt as if I have come to a dead end, competition might shake things up a little bit. A change is as good as a rest after all.”
Wang Tong felt that what he said seemed convincing; almost too convincing. As far as Wang Tong knew, only children and fools told the truth, but Hu Yangxuan was neither.
Hu Yangxuan's strenuous efforts had failed to draw Ma Xiaoru's attention. He, therefore, decided to shift gear and publicly compete with Ma Xiaoru's current interest, Wang Tong. Hu Yangxuan was convinced that he has everything that Ma Xiaoru was looking for: strength, personality, talents, and look. In comparison, Wang Tong's only advantage was his mysterious façade which would eventually fade away over time.
”I won't give up what I have started.” Wang Tong threw a searing glance at Hu Yangxuan. Ma Xiaoru had already won his heart, not because of her glaring family name, but her personality. She seemed meek at first glance, but her words were often laced with rebellious spirits. She perhaps was innocent to the bone, but the effect of the Tactics of the Enchantress had shrouded her actions under a veil of mystery. She was the embodiment of a tantalizing riddle, enchanting in her unique ways. Not to mention her angel's face and devil's body which would make any boy's heartache.
Generally speaking, there would be only two types of reactions to a girl like her among the male students: admiration and the feeling of inferiority. The first would drive them into action, and the second would make them crying over their slim chance. Most male students in Ayrlarng had chosen the latter; they worshiped Ma Xiaoru but dared not to approach her. On the contrary, Hu Yangxuan had chosen to be proactive thanks to his self-confidence. However, Wang Tong was neither. Although he acknowledged the gap between him and Ma Xiaoru, he also wondered if Ma Xiaoru would truly live up to her reputation. He would not care the difficulties nor the differences, as long as she could prove herself worthy.
After having escaped the death's clutch on Norton, Wang Tong learned to measure people on a much deeper level.