Chapter 28: Go, Now!
“But he’s Shang Yucheng…” Old Madam Shang did not wish to extol her own grandchild to the skies, but those three words—Shang Yucheng—were etched into the dreams and hearts of countless women in Jin City.
She changed her approach and asked, “If you don’t wish to marry him, why did you…?”
Does Liang Jinshang not want to marry Shang Yucheng?
No. Once, she had wanted it very much.
But later, she stopped wanting it.
If you asked her when she finally gave up that hope, it was precisely when she discovered her pregnancy.
At that time, Shang Yucheng touched her belly and said, “Quit school. Give birth to the child properly. I’ll take care of you.”
If she had only overheard him say to someone else, “A convict’s daughter still dreams of being Mrs. Shang,” perhaps there could have been some misunderstanding.
But his words and actions after learning of her pregnancy left no room for doubt.
He would never marry her, yet expected her to drop out of school and bear his child.
Anything less than clarity on her part would be sheer self-debasement.
But Liang Jinshang saw no need to share these details with Old Madam Shang.
This kindly-faced old lady hadn’t kept her behind to apologize, but most likely to pry for information.
“In this day and age, men and women seek pleasure and not always marriage,” Liang Jinshang lowered her gaze and laughed, more nonchalant than she’d ever been. “Madam, if you press further, I’m afraid you may find my words offensive.”
Old Madam Shang regarded her for a long moment before sighing, “Whatever your intentions, Yucheng is about to be married. Miss Liang, I’ve heard a little about your family. For you to have achieved what you have is no small feat. I admire you and hope you cherish yourself.”
Looking at the gentle features of the old lady, Liang Jinshang almost doubted whether the faint threat she sensed in those words was merely her own imagination.
“I no longer want anything from him. Rest assured.”
Old Madam Shang watched Liang Jinshang’s slender, upright figure. If this girl had been born into a good family, she might have suited her grandson more than Gong Xueyuan.
But, alas…
…
In the scenic garden, Gong Xueyuan was still sulking with Shang Yucheng.
“So you said you hadn’t touched her that day, but clearly you had long before!” Gong Xueyuan could barely contain her disgust at the thought of Liang Jinshang’s feigned innocence. “You like the innocent act, do you? It’s all an act! You should see what she’s like in a nightclub, it’s all an act!”
She had underestimated Liang Jinshang, which was why she was still at her mercy.
Taking a fall once was infuriating enough, but now to learn that Liang Jinshang and Shang Yucheng had once been so intimate!
A woman’s intuition is truly sharp. From the first time she saw Liang Jinshang walking in the rain, she’d felt a sense of wariness.
“Shang Yucheng, there are only ten days until the wedding, but don’t think I, Gong Xueyuan, have no grounds for regret!” Gong Xueyuan, long accustomed to pride, was not so easily appeased this time. “My admirers line up all the way to the Fifth Ring Road! I need to reconsider this marriage—because I seriously doubt your fidelity…”
“You care a lot about fidelity?” Shang Yucheng suddenly asked, his tone idle. “Then why not ask if I do?”
Gong Xueyuan froze, like a beautiful but foolish goose.
A chill crept over her, panic flickering in her eyes.
“Afraid now?” Shang Yucheng drew her closer, lowering his head to kiss her hair. “Then be good from now on, hmm?”
Leaning in his warm embrace, Gong Xueyuan felt none of her usual security—so disoriented that she forgot what they’d been arguing about moments before.
What did Shang Yucheng mean by that? Did he know about her affairs?
Yet he never questioned her, was it because he loved her enough not to care, or because he didn’t care at all?
…
When Liang Jinshang walked out, she caught sight of the two of them embracing in the sunset—a beautiful, perfect scene.
It seemed they had reconciled.
She withdrew her gaze and walked on. Shang Jinshu was waiting for her at the other end of the garden.
“Miss Liang, I’m truly sorry. My mother didn’t make things difficult for you, did she?”
Liang Jinshang shook her head and bid her a polite farewell.
“Wait!” Shang Jinshu called out. “I painted a portrait of you two earlier, intending it as a… gift.”
She swallowed the word ‘wedding.’
This trip home was originally for Shang Ao’er’s birthday and for Shang Yucheng’s wedding, hence the timing of her art exhibition.
Who could have imagined there would still be a wedding, but the bride would not be the person she’d expected.
Shang Jinshu still didn’t understand. She had watched Shang Yucheng, who never parted with his jade, hang it around Liang Jinshang’s neck. Even if Liang Jinshang didn’t see the significance, as a member of the Shang family, she did—Shang Yucheng was not impulsive. That was a lifelong promise.
So how had things changed so suddenly, leading to this alliance with the Gong family?
Liang Jinshang said no more, refusing to accept the painting, which was worth a six-figure sum.
Had it not been for Shang Jinshu today, Liang Jinshang wouldn’t have recalled so many things she’d rather forget.
Six months ago, she had hurt Shang Yucheng deeply by terminating the pregnancy. The ever-calm man had trashed the entire hospital room like a typhoon and then yelled, “Get out!”
But that was her desperate “Seven Wounds Strike.”
Wound yourself first, then the other.
She had been in agony too.
…
Had Liang Jinshang not seen the local news report—“Bar suffers malicious provocation, repeated acts of vandalism”—she would never have known how much Pinky had endured these past few days.
She rushed to the Night Breeze Bar. The place was in even worse shape than reported on the news—apparently, it had been vandalized several more times since.
Such brazen attacks—aside from Gong Xueyuan’s lover, Liang Jinshang could think of no other culprit.
She grabbed a waiter. “Where’s your boss, Liangzi?!”
“At… at the hospital.”
Liang Jinshang hurried to the hospital, finding Pinky lying alone in bed, no one at his side.
His face was swollen as if he’d gained thirty pounds; his pink hair looked like a pile of dry straw, dull and lifeless.
Seeing Liang Jinshang hesitate at the door, he rasped a laugh. “You know you did wrong, so now you’re afraid to come in?”
His words only confirmed her suspicions.
It had to be about the video!
Liang Jinshang stepped forward, mumbling, “Brother Liangzi.”
“Tch, you only call me that when you’re in trouble.” Pinky had her raise his hospital bed. His leg was in a cast, and the sight made Liang Jinshang go pale.
Yet Pinky showed no mercy. “See? That guy named Hu did eight years behind bars and hasn’t changed a bit! I never should’ve listened to you about recording that video! Tell me, why did you have to provoke him?”
Liang Jinshang couldn’t explain that she’d been forced by Gong Xueyuan, nearly losing her degree, and had no choice but to fight back.
She had been careful not to hand over the video itself—only a still image. How had Gong Xueyuan and her people traced it back to Pinky?
“He didn’t have to trace it,” Pinky said coolly. “Once he knew the footage came from a security camera, it was obvious the person who filmed it was connected to my bar. All he had to do was grab me, and…”
“No, this isn’t right! You have to get out of here—now!”