A burst of mocking laughter abruptly echoed through the silent confinement room.
"It's me, Feng Lang. Didn't expect me to come see you, did you?"
"You?" Feng Lin's face was hidden in the darkness, his expression unreadable.
"A lowly clansman like you, why on earth did you have to go against the Head Steward? Isn't that just asking for trouble?" Feng Lang stood outside the confinement room, nagging with feigned earnestness.
"What, are you here to mock me?" Feng Lin suddenly cut him off coldly.
"You've misunderstood!" Feng Lang said calmly. "I have no intention of mocking you at all. I actually admire you!"
"Heh!" Feng Lin let out a dry laugh. That statement couldn't be more false, and he didn't believe a word of it. "Admire me? Are you joking? You, the clan leader's legitimate grandson, a high-ranking member of the family, admiring a lowly clansman like me?"
"It's true!" Seeing his disbelief, Feng Lang's tone became incredibly sincere. "You have no idea, you've become quite famous in the clan! For so long, no one has ever dared to openly defy the Head Steward, let alone boldly make a pact with him. Plenty of brothers and sisters in the clan want to get to know someone like you..."
He rambled on and on, nine out of ten words being lies!
Even through the confinement room, Feng Lin could imagine his hypocritical smile.
"No need!" Feng Lin said flatly, politely declining the goodwill implied in Feng Lang's words. He sat cross-legged on the cold floor and fell silent, refusing to say more.
This Feng Lang was nothing but a spoiled brat of the Feng clan, coasting on his status as the clan leader's legitimate grandson without any real skill. What good could come from associating with someone like him?
Feng Lin had neither the interest nor the time to play childish games with these wastrels.
Not to mention, Feng Lang was no friend of his.
They had clashed before, and now he was coming to him for no reason. Anyone with half a brain could tell something was off.
Feng Lin wasn't foolish enough to be led by the nose without realizing it.
Seeing that his flattery was getting him nowhere, even a spoiled brat had his pride. Feng Lang's face instantly darkened, turning ugly.
But his face was hidden outside the confinement room, out of Feng Lin's sight. After a moment, his expression shifted, eventually settling into a calm, unreadable stillness that made it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
"Feng Lin, we've had our disagreements, but that's just how it is—we fought and got to know each other! After seeing your courage in standing up to the Head Steward, I want to befriend you!" he said.
Feng Lin's face, hidden in the shadows, curled into a cold smirk. Still trying to play mind games with me? Who do you think you're fooling?
Seeing that Feng Lin completely ignored him, Feng Lang gritted his teeth in frustration. He knew this man was wary of him, and tricking him wouldn't be easy.
How infuriating!
As the clan leader's legitimate grandson, he had always walked through the clan like he owned the place. When had he ever suffered such humiliation, having to grovel to a lowly clansman and be so blatantly ignored?
If it were his usual temper, he would have exploded by now.
But for the sake of his goal, he had to swallow his pride. No matter how angry he was, he had to endure.
Feng Lang, you're the angriest—no, the best!
Endure. I'll endure. I'll endure some more!
After a fierce internal struggle, Feng Lang finally managed to suppress his rage.
"Feng Lin, we may have some grudges, but they're nothing—just youthful hotheadedness. We can totally be friends!"
"Don't think you're the only one who's had enough. The Head Steward is too domineering. He's crushed me mercilessly before too!"
"In that regard, we're kindred spirits..."
Feng Lang kept talking, desperately trying to cozy up to Feng Lin.
But no matter how glib his tongue, Feng Lin's ears were as good as deaf.
These noises went in one ear and out the other, not a single word sticking.
Unsolicited kindness reeks of ulterior motives.
Feng Lin would believe him only if pigs could fly.
The guy painted himself as pitiful, making it sound like he lived a hellish life.
But in reality, Feng Lang, as the clan leader's grandson, got a monthly allowance of tens of thousands of star coins.
When something's out of the ordinary, there's bound to be a catch!
This guy suddenly trying to befriend a lowly clansman like him must have some hidden agenda.
Feng Lin wanted to see what he was up to, but he couldn't be too eager.
It was a battle of wits. If he could turn the tables, he might use this guy to escape his current predicament...
So no matter how sweetly Feng Lang spoke, spittle flying everywhere, Feng Lin remained unmoved.
In the end, Feng Lang's mouth went dry, and it was all for nothing.
Standing outside the confinement room, Feng Lang panted heavily, his face twisted in fury. He wanted nothing more than to turn and leave.
But his feet seemed glued to the ground, itching to move yet never taking that step.
Grudges were minor; the goal was paramount!
He couldn't bear to leave until his goal was achieved.
Yet Feng Lin was like a stubborn, foul-smelling rock, completely ignoring him, leaving him with no way in and no solution.
The two fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the faint sound of their breathing, reminding them of each other's presence.
Just as Feng Lang was about to give up and turn away, Feng Lin let out a light laugh, shattering the stillness. "Spit it out already. Don't try your petty tricks on me."
Feng Lang's foot, already mid-step, froze in the air. He was utterly exasperated.
Hey, are you doing this on purpose? You ignored me for ages, and now you're the one reaching out?
Are you messing with me?
Definitely intentional!
In truth, both of them knew this was an invisible game of chess. Who was the hunter? Who was the prey?
Whoever had more patience held the advantage!
And now, it was clear that Feng Lin had the upper hand.
So this Feng Lin really wasn't easy to fool!
Feng Lang silently lamented. What a waste that someone with such a cunning mind was a lowly clansman, born into such a low status!
But that was fine. Only someone with such deep cunning wouldn't mess things up, and only someone of such low status would be easier to control.
And wasn't that exactly why he had swallowed his pride to come here?
Hearing Feng Lin's words, Feng Lang knew his intentions had been seen through. Playing mind games was useless.
He grew serious, dropping the pretense, and got straight to the point. "Did you know? The year's almost over! At the end of the year, the clan holds a family ceremony, and there's an internal ranking match. Any Feng clan member taking the college entrance exam next year can give it a shot. Those who rank high get the clan's full support to ace the exam!"
"What does that have to do with me?" Feng Lin said flatly, unmoved.
He knew perfectly well that this family ceremony wasn't unique to the Feng clan. Every small interstellar human family held similar rituals—honoring ancestors, tracing bloodlines, sharing genes, and strengthening clan unity.
But what did any of that have to do with a lowly clansman like him?
He didn't believe for a second that the clan's high-ups would treat him as an equal.
"Have you forgotten?" Feng Lang smirked triumphantly. "The Head Steward is always going on about the family rules, acting like their guardian, right? And those rules state that every clan member has the right to pursue equality—no one can stop them, not even the Head Steward! So in theory, this ranking match is open to all Feng clan members, regardless of status!"
Feng Lin's eyebrows shot up, finally showing a reaction.
"You mean...?"