Chapter Twenty: Don't Lie to Me (Third Update)

The days were drawing close to the winter solstice, and Liu Mengchao noticed that darkness was falling earlier and earlier. He had just escorted Gui Yanye home, and already the moon had risen in the sky.

The streetlights seemed to embrace the tranquility of the night, quietly casting their gentle glow along the road. Hua Weiwei leaned against a lamppost, gazing into the distance, her expression full of anticipation, like a devoted wife awaiting her husband's return through the wind and snow of a wintry night.

At last, Liu Mengchao's figure came into her view.

“Brother Liu!”

The moment she saw him, Hua Weiwei ran toward him excitedly. Her slender silhouette, illuminated by the streetlight, appeared even more alluring.

“Oh?”

Liu Mengchao halted, looking with amusement at the girl before him. Did she not know what he had done to Makoto Itō? Was she unaware that any clumsy lie before him would be useless?

Or perhaps... Hua Weiwei, do you really think your acting skills can deceive my eyes?

“I...” Hua Weiwei stopped in front of him, her voice catching in her throat. “I’ve been waiting for you to come back.”

Before he could react, she threw herself into his arms, burying her face in his chest and bursting into tears.

Is this an attempt to keep me from seeing your expression, so I can’t read your thoughts? Or have you truly suffered some great grievance?

Liu Mengchao frowned. With her face hidden as she wept in his arms, he couldn’t see her expression, making it impossible to analyze her state of mind.

“Please help me... Brother Liu... Save me...”

Seeing that Liu Mengchao remained silent, Hua Weiwei’s sobs grew even more intense. Her tears flowed freely, soaking his clothes.

System panel.

While gently patting her back, Liu Mengchao called up the main system panel of the Lord God’s space.

Jackpot value: 11,000.

The amount was exactly the same as when he’d checked earlier on the train, not a single point more.

Still lying to me? Liu Mengchao sneered inwardly. When will these actresses ever learn? In this world, survival isn’t just about acting; you need a bit of sense, perhaps from reading more books.

“All right, tell me what happened. No matter what, I can’t just do nothing while watching a girl cry. That’s not what a man should do.”

As he spoke, he placed his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her away, his gaze fixed on her brow as he spoke softly.

Let’s see who can expose whose lies first.

“Brother Liu...” Hua Weiwei took a step back, her face full of gratitude as she looked at him, unconsciously crossing her arms over her chest. “Thank you, really, but... I don’t want to get you involved...”

Jackpot value: 11,500.

Liu Mengchao noticed the five hundred point increase. Was it genuine gratitude, or was she excited that he seemed to believe her lie?

He observed the expression on her face: tears hung from her lashes, her brows knitted lightly—her imitation of sorrow was nearly flawless.

But, Hua Weiwei, you shouldn’t have suddenly stepped back and crossed your arms when you spoke. That’s a classic gesture of psychological resistance.

In other words... you’re lying.

Deception indicator: detected.

Let me teach you how to lie, Hua Weiwei.

Every lie, just from analyzing the language, is made up of four parts: the verb, the reaction speed, personal pronouns, and, finally, the story itself.

If you plan to lie, don’t answer too quickly. Fast answers are usually lies, and quick responses also make the questioner instinctively resist and disbelieve.

Wait three seconds, bearing the psychological pressure, and observe the other’s reaction.

On the system panel, the jackpot value changed again.

11,600.

An increase of one hundred.

Liu Mengchao knew that the time was right. People most easily forget their original intent when waiting, and so do questioners. Perhaps their initial purpose was “Is it possible that she...?” but after a short wait, it becomes “Why isn’t she answering yet?” Once that shift happens, they subconsciously start to believe your answer.

The rise in the jackpot was proof of Hua Weiwei’s psychological shift.

Next, it was time for eye contact.

Liu Mengchao’s eyes first glanced down to the left, then to the right, and finally lifted to meet Hua Weiwei’s gaze. He knew this was the moment to boldly speak the lie he’d prepared.

“I... will definitely help you.”

“Really!?” Hua Weiwei gradually stopped sobbing. She didn’t care about the tears still on her face; her expression was filled with happiness. “That’s wonderful! I thought, after what happened today, you’d hate me. I really was forced!”

As she spoke, her arms dropped from her chest.

“After you all left yesterday, at about eight o’clock, Zhang Qingqing forced me to spread rumors in class about you and me having a past relationship. I’d only seen her once at school before... But last night, Liu Li suddenly came to our room. The two of them wanted to keep all the rewards for themselves. They even said they’d kill me if I didn’t comply!”

Heh... Still lying.

Liu Mengchao noticed that although Hua Weiwei was trying to maintain a calm expression, her shoulders betrayed her. The Chinese are generally reserved in facial expression, so they focus on their faces and neglect body language.

Her shoulders drew back—an involuntary sign of the pressure brought on by lying. And that pressure originated with him.

She had no idea her actions had given her away. At this moment, she was filled with confidence, thinking that because Liu Mengchao hadn’t exposed her lie on the spot, perhaps she’d already deceived him.

The thought emboldened her, and she looked directly into his eyes. She’d heard that liars seldom meet another’s gaze. Of course, if she’d actually studied psychology, she’d know that wasn’t true.

Observing my reaction, is she trying to see if I’ve been fooled? Liu Mengchao almost laughed. Putting on amateur theatrics before him was still better than these half-baked psychological tricks.

Very well, let me show you what a real lie looks like.

His eyes fixed on three points—her brow and shoulders—to ensure his gaze would not give him away.

His tone, slightly louder than usual, suggested suppressed emotion. The other party would instinctively believe he was holding back anger, and, feeling guilty, would be more likely to trust his words.

Finally, body language: to be believable, one’s shoulders must remain level, not tremble or hunch. A deep breath, setting them square...

Then, it was time to tell the lie.

Keep the timing vague.

“I met someone at noon today...”

Make the details specific.

“She told me on the rooftop that everything was your doing, and that I should be wary of you.”

“Who was it!?”

Liu Mengchao did not answer, simply looking quietly at Hua Weiwei. He knew that in this moment, her mind would be racing, suspecting someone. The longer the pause, the more likely she would find someone to doubt, and soon she’d find evidence of betrayal among them.

The time was right.

Suppressing his voice further, Liu Mengchao gave the impression he was holding back his anger—a minor but effective trick.

“Zhang Qingqing.”

Betrayal!

Rage!

Jackpot value: 13,000.

Heh, your nerves are sorely lacking, Hua Weiwei.

Under the lamplight, Liu Mengchao looked at the panicked Hua Weiwei and laughed inwardly. Never lie to me—for none of you have ever seen through my lies.

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So much for the promised ten thousand words today... Wait—there’ll be another chapter around ten, eleven, or twelve... By the way, was my last chapter’s joke really that bad...? ╭╮

Still asking for recommendations, favorites... Oh, and don’t forget the reader’s group: Penguin number...