That time, Meng Jingwei thought it was a chance encounter.
Thinking back now, how could it be fate?
It was merely deliberate calculation.
Faced with the question, Han Junyan pursed his lips, his jade-like knuckles tightening restlessly, and chose to change the subject. "I asked you to come today because the Hidden Master has something to say to you."
"You're clearly on the same path as Li Yun'er. Why are you looking for me now?"
"I'm not on the same path as her; it's merely driven by mutual interests."
"Heh, you're quite honest. I don't even know if I should praise you." Meng Jingwei shook her head, with a touch of helplessness.
"We can discuss our matters later. Let's talk about the important things first."
Han Junyan tilted his head towards He Ka Qing Tang and said, "Feel free to voice your thoughts. Ling Chuan and I will help you translate."
He Ka Qing Tang nodded, her brows furrowed, her shrewd eyes holding a hint of complex depth.
After a moment of contemplation, she slowly spoke, "I don't like beating around the bush. Let me be direct: I want to cooperate with you."
As her words fell, He Ka Ling Chuan eagerly stepped forward to translate.
"I'm all ears," Meng Jingwei said.
"I am well aware of He Xiao Lan Ya's relationship with you, and I know a little about what you've been up to in Lan Cheng over the years. However, as parents, I truly believe He Xiao Lan Ya's actions are extremely selfish and excessive. Your family is in Lan Cheng, yet she insisted on bringing you to the Hidden Clan, wanting you to put down roots here. As far as I know, her next plan is to bring your adoptive parents and your two children to the Hidden Clan."
It had to be said, He Ka Qing Tang was overly astute.
Every word she spoke seemed like idle chatter, yet each sentence struck directly at Meng Jingwei's soft spots.
This was what was meant by killing with a single blow, or rather, sowing discord.
However, He Ka Qing Tang underestimated Meng Jingwei, mistaking her for a naive young girl, inexperienced and ignorant of the world.
"Oh."
After listening to her, Meng Jingwei nodded, raised her hand, and rested her elbow on the table, propping her chin. She tilted her head, appearing attentive like a student in class.
"And then?" she asked back.
He Ka Qing Tang: "..."
A moment of stunned silence, a flash of surprise in her eyes.
This young lass wasn't playing by the rules at all?
A normal person, upon hearing the truth, would become angry, perhaps even curse He Xiao Lan Ya for her despicable and outrageous behavior.
She had been eagerly anticipating Meng Jingwei complaining about her dissatisfaction, only to be met with a nonchalant "And then?"
This had completely stumped He Ka Qing Tang.
"Uh... I know your heart isn't in the Hidden Clan, so I want to help you," she replied.
Her demeanor remained sincere, her genuine expression far more convincing than when she spoke to He Xiao Lan Ya earlier that morning.
Indeed, they were all actors.
"How?"
"I will ensure your smooth departure from the Hidden Clan and make sure they never have the opportunity to bring you here again."
"Oh? Those are very tempting conditions. But... who told you I wanted to leave?"
Meng Jingwei curved her red lips into a faint smile, raising a hand to brush aside a stray strand of hair from her forehead. "You may not understand me. My adoptive parents were born in a poor mountain village and lived a life of hardship their entire lives. I'm tired of that. Look how good it is in the Hidden Clan – wealth, power, exquisite food and clothing. Why would I want to leave?"
She had spoken words against her will.
After she finished, He Ka Qing Tang's expression suddenly darkened. She tilted her head and asked Han Junyan, "Didn't you say she wasn't greedy for money?"
She spoke in the Hidden Clan's language.
Neither He Ka Ling Chuan nor Han Junyan translated her words.
The three of them assumed Meng Jingwei couldn't understand their conversation at all.
Han Junyan, completely lost, shook his head blankly. "No, she's lying. I've known her for many years and know her character. She's lying about everything."