669 An Opportunity (1/2)
”Welcome back, brother Wang Tong!” Li Shiming extended a welcoming hand. Wang Tong held his hand and pumped it rigorously. ”Nice to see you again, Brother Li.”
The two of them both had poised bearings, and the situation filled Li Shiming's heart with wistful emotions. Like Lie Jian, he could have risen to power without much consideration for humans' unity, but he had chosen the right but the more difficult path of helping Wang Tong.
”Why are you two so formal? Men are strange creatures.” Li Ruoer's remark amused the two.
”Someone needs to teach my brassy sister a lesson.” Li Shiming put in. Over the years, Li Ruoer's affection for Wang Tong was no longer a secret. No matter how Porten tried to win Li Ruoer's heart, his efforts had all but failed. After getting fed up of Porten's unwanted attention, Li Ruoer told him straight out that she would marry him if he could defeat her in a one on one battle. Porten never showed up at her doorstep again after that.
And now, whatever little chance he might have had in winning Li Ruoer over was gone with the return of Wang Tong.
It was the first time in six years that Li Ruoer, Ma Xiaoru, Zhang Jin, Zhou Sisi, and Wang Tong had sat in the same room. Their friendship went way back, particularly that among Ma Xiaoru, Zhou Sisi, and Li Ruoer. As they caught up with each other about what they had been up to in the six years, memories of their academy life flooded back and bonded them tightly together. The topic of discussions was mainly about Zhou Sisi's escape; however, the focus of the discussion quickly shifted to Wang Tong.
”Xiaoru, believe me, you have to be careful with those Martian women. Wang Tong is a nice guy, but all men are the same. It's true!” Li Ruoer said hotly. She didn't just resent the martian girls around Wang Tong, but also Zhou Sisi. However, Ma Xiaoru's acquiescence about Wang Tong and Zhou Sisi's affair seemed to legitimized her own outward affection for him.
Zhou Sisi knew what had happened between Li Ruoer and Wang Tong, and only she knew that he liked Li Ruoer deep down. Otherwise, Li Ruoer would have long since given up her pursuit. She lacked the courage of dissing Li Ruoer for doing what she was had done. At any rate, Li Ruoer would have to gain Ma Xiaoru's approval first; without her permission, Wang Tong would scarcely dare to get near Li Ruoer.
”Good point! He had been reveling on Mars, surrounded by field medics and even princesses. We need to keep a close eye on him.” Zhou Sisi chimed in.
Ma Xiaoru cracked a smile. Six years ago, she would not have to take the two girls' advancements on her man so kindly. But after having experienced so many things while living on the edge, she had changed her perspective. She knew that, with her permission, Wang Tong would gladly take Zhou Sisi as his mistress. But, she was less sure about what he would do with Li Ruoer.
Li Ruoer had been her best friend ever since college, and Ma Xiaoru knew that she never lacked male admirers. However, as fate would have it, Li Ruoer had her mind set on only one person.
The war was coming; Ma Xiaoru realized that it was an inappropriate time for gossips and frivolous sentiments.
”This is a great plan!” Li Shiming nodded as he agreed to Wang Tong's proposal. Although Li Shiming prided himself as an astute strategist, he marveled at Wang Tong's plan for its simplicity and comprehensiveness. If he had doubts about Wang Tong's leadership skills before this meeting, they were gone by then.
”Haha, you would do the same planning if you were me.”
”I bet Lie Jian is feeling kind of down for being out-matched by you.” Li Shiming remarked. He conceded that Wang Tong was the only person who was able to lead the human world, since neither Li Shiming nor Lie Jian would be able to force either one into submission.