Calculated Deception

Cold-blooded, arrogant, and putting profit above all else: the heir to a conglomerate, the uke X a rebel leader from a junk planet who acts like a harmless fool but is really a master strategist, the seme

The first time Ji Luan met Shen Shu was in the notorious slums of the capital planet. The cramped, dim shack was less than ten square meters, with a First Military Academy uniform and schoolbag set among all kinds of mechanical parts that looked like junk.

Ji Luan handed the young cadet across from him an electronic check, gesturing for him to fill in the amount himself.

He had no choice. His useless little brother, who could never get anything right, chased after Shen Shu every day and even wanted to bring him into the Ji family.

The young man took the check with both hands, his movements polite and gentle, but he didn't hesitate at all as he picked up the pen. Ji Luan scoffed inwardly. So this was the slum's White Rose his brother had talked about.

Then he watched the young man fill in a nine-digit sum in the amount field, down to the last cent. He set down the pen and pushed it back.

"You can cash it at the bank yourself. I've signed it."

The young man reached out and took hold of Ji Luan's wrist. Before Ji Luan could frown and reprimand him, he slid the thin electronic check beneath Ji Luan's hand.

"Here's my contact number. If you ever need anything, Mr. Ji, get in touch."

The second time they met was still because of Ji Luan's useless little brother, who did nothing but squeal and shout. During a joint military academy exercise, the kid nearly got blown away by a particle cannon, and Shen Shu saved him.

The impoverished cadet, already guaranteed a spot in the military, instantly drew everyone's attention. Under the media's barrage of cameras and microphones, Ji Luan had no choice but to visit Shen Shu, who was still lying in the hospital.

He sat beside the bed with a calm, faint smile, offering nothing but concern and gratitude. Shen Shu, pale-faced and with gauze against his skin, gave a slight nod to show it was all right.

But where the cameras couldn't see, Shen Shu circled Ji Luan's wrist with his hand, gently rubbing the skin on its inner side.

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