Chapter 26: A Child?!
Just as Liang Jinshang was hesitating over whether to attend the birthday party, Gong Xueyuan reached out to her first, requesting a video call.
After the recent incident, once Liang Jinshang’s advisor provided proof, the university promptly revoked the disciplinary action against her. At least within the academy, her name was cleared.
He Huan, on the other hand, became a pariah. After moving out, she didn’t even return for her graduation defense. Of course, whether she came back or not, her expulsion was inevitable.
As for the academic journal, Gong Xueyuan had exerted some effort. An official statement was released, retracting the plagiarism accusation against Liang Jinshang and restoring her reputation.
In the end, the danger had passed without lasting harm, and Liang Jinshang was nearly finished with all her graduation requirements.
Next came the job search.
Gong Xueyuan messaged: [I’ve done everything I promised. When will you give me the video?!]
Liang Jinshang counted the days—Gong Xueyuan’s wedding was in just over ten days.
She replied: [Thanks to you, I’ve been swamped lately. Once I’m done, in at most ten days, I’ll destroy the video in front of you.]
In front of everyone, it would be destroyed completely.
After that, Gong Xueyuan never reached out to her again. Liang Jinshang didn’t care if she was furious.
—Let her be angry!
After finishing the conversation with Gong Xueyuan, Liang Jinshang made up her mind.
She would go.
Was she afraid of them?
She’d show her face, honor the friendship she’d had with Shang Ao’er these past two years, and then bid farewell to the Shang family for good.
Comparing two dresses, Liang Jinshang, never one for ostentation, decided to wear the white fishtail gown given to her by Shang Yucheng.
To avoid running into Shang Yucheng directly, she purposely informed Shang Ao’er ahead of time, arranging for someone to bring her in through another entrance.
Downstairs, the hall was filled with elegantly dressed guests, but Liang Jinshang went straight upstairs to meet Shang Ao’er in Grandmother Shang’s room.
Inside, several elegantly dressed ladies sat together—most were elders from the extended Shang family, all doting on Ao’er.
Surrounded by these bejeweled ladies, Ao’er looked as fresh as a lotus in June.
Dressed in her finery, radiant and brimming with vitality, this girl was the very image of a favored child of fate, having grown up under the sun—so different from what Gong Xueyuan had been in her day.
“Happy birthday, Ao’er,” Liang Jinshang said softly.
May your life always be bright, your heart forever pure.
Ao’er rushed over and hugged her. “Sister, thank you for coming! …But why aren’t you wearing the dress I picked out for you?”
Liang Jinshang simply replied, “That one was too extravagant. I prefer this one.”
“But this one is even—” Ao’er abruptly stopped, a look of sudden understanding dawning on her face.
“Oh…” she drawled mischievously, “you’re terrible!”
Liang Jinshang was puzzled. “…Hmm?”
Ao’er didn’t explain, instead pulling her to sit beside Grandmother Shang.
Grandmother Shang had a good impression of Liang Jinshang and smiled as she said, “I heard from Yucheng that you’re about to graduate and won’t be tutoring Ao’er anymore?”
What a tactful excuse.
Liang Jinshang didn’t contradict her. “Yes, madam. Thank you for your kindness these past two years.”
“Even if you’re not teaching anymore, you’re always welcome to visit. I think you and Ao’er get along quite well.” Grandmother Shang had always been courteous, but never more than that.
But today, there was something different. As she chatted with the others, Grandmother Shang kept glancing at Liang Jinshang’s dress.
Liang Jinshang was anything but oblivious. On the contrary, years spent depending on others had made her acutely sensitive to subtle expressions.
She could feel that something was off in the way everyone in the room was looking at her.
Combined with Ao’er’s earlier hesitation, she began to suspect that perhaps the dress was too conspicuous.
Did she stand out too much?
These covert glances made her uneasy, so after a brief stay, she stood and prepared to leave, saying goodbye to Ao’er.
Ao’er tried to stop her. “Why are you leaving so soon? The banquet will start soon!”
Liang Jinshang smiled gently but firmly declined, saying she had other matters to attend to.
To her surprise, as she turned, she saw Shang Yucheng and Gong Xueyuan approaching together.
The moment she saw Shang Yucheng, Liang Jinshang finally understood the strange looks.
The dress she was wearing clearly matched Shang Yucheng’s suit!
That night, he’d handed her the dress, saying it was a custom piece meant for Gong Xueyuan, but he hadn’t mentioned he had a matching suit.
And as luck would have it, he wore it today!
Meeting Shang Yucheng’s inscrutable, icy gaze, all Liang Jinshang wanted to do was run. Beside her, Ao’er, oblivious, giggled in her ear, “Did you and my uncle plan this? Look at Gong Xueyuan’s sour face!”
…Young lady, have you seen your uncle’s face?
Shang Yucheng probably hadn’t expected Liang Jinshang to show up at the Shang house after his warning, let alone wearing that dress.
His expression was colder than ever.
Liang Jinshang turned and headed for the elevator at the other end of the corridor. “Ao’er, I’ve given you my wishes, I’ll be leaving now!”
“Stop,” Shang Yucheng commanded coldly. “You can’t go down now. Go upstairs.”
His tone was forceful, brooking no argument.
Upstairs, only Shang Yucheng’s room awaited.
In full view of everyone, he was telling Liang Jinshang to go to his room!
Those who had already harbored doubts about her identity exchanged even more meaningful glances now.
“Yucheng, are you crazy?” Gong Xueyuan hissed, trying to pull him back. Had it not been for the elders present, she would have lost all composure.
Shang Yucheng ignored everyone, grabbing Liang Jinshang to take her upstairs.
Of course, Liang Jinshang resisted. The three of them tussled in front of Grandmother Shang’s door.
At that moment, a woman’s voice rang out, “Oh? What’s happening here?”
Liang Jinshang looked up and, for the second time in as many moments, was utterly stunned.
This time, it was even worse. Her heart pounded wildly, her limbs went numb.
She finally understood why Shang Yucheng wouldn’t let her go downstairs now—
Because she couldn’t be seen by this woman!
It was Shang Yucheng’s aunt, Shang Jinshu.
Shang Jinshu’s gaze swept over their clasped hands, their matching outfits, and Liang Jinshang’s slender waist. She smiled, “Oh? Has the child been born already? Bring the baby here for me to see!”
A bombshell.
The entire room fell silent.
No one present could have expected Shang Jinshu to say such a thing.
No one dared to consider what her words implied.
It was obvious, after all, that she was speaking to Shang Yucheng and Liang Jinshang.
Liang Jinshang felt as if the ground had dropped from beneath her. She bowed her head, her expression hidden from all.
No one dared to look at Shang Yucheng’s face, either. Only Grandmother Shang, leaning on her cane, stood up. “Jinshu… what did you say? What child… whose child?”
Shang Jinshu realized, too late, that she had asked a question she never should have voiced.