Chapter 29: The Day of Commitment

Liang Jinshang reacted quickly enough. As soon as the pink-haired man finished those three words, she instantly understood the implication behind his unfinished sentence.

But behind her, the door to the hospital room had already been pushed open.

Clearly, this room was under surveillance.

Before she could see who it was, Liang Jinshang swiftly stepped back, grabbed a glass bottle filled with glucose from the cabinet, and held it protectively in front of the pink-haired man's bed.

The man who entered saw her ridiculous attempt at self-defense and shook his head with a smile. "What's this for? I'm a civilized man, you know."

Liang Jinshang dared not relax for a moment.

This was Gong Xueyuan's lover, Hu Zhinan. Eight years ago, he was a notorious gang leader; now, eight years later, he was known as President Hu.

Perhaps it was because of his name, but he'd started growing a beard in his twenties and had kept the habit ever since. After that incident years ago, he went to prison, Gong Xueyuan went abroad, and yet, as soon as he was released, the two of them fell in together once more, just like rats and snakes.

"You must be the one Xue'er mentioned..." Hu Zhinan swallowed the words "little slut" and, with amused interest, uttered three words, "with the surname Liang?"

Liang Jinshang remained silent, listening to the pounding drumbeat in her chest. Seeing that cold, sinister face brought back memories she couldn't control—of being chased through an alley, hunted like a stray dog.

Knowing what would happen if she was caught, she had run until she was out of breath, clinging to life by a thread.

"Miss Liang." Hu Zhinan's tone held a subtle implication whenever he called her name. "I don't mind a bit of an audience for what happens on the bed, but my woman is shy, so I'd appreciate your cooperation in returning what belongs to me."

"Your woman?" Liang Jinshang, fearless, taunted him. "Does Shang Yucheng know you call his wife that?"

"That Shang fellow is nothing!" Hu Zhinan snapped a cigarette between his teeth. "I sleep with his wife, that's all!"

Despite her nerves, Liang Jinshang couldn't help but press her lips into a brief smile.

Hu Zhinan narrowed his eyes, and seeing that smile, confirmed his suspicions. "Miss Liang, you look familiar... I suppose I should call you Miss Fang?"

A man's gaze is sharper when judging a woman.

Gong Xueyuan had seen her many times without recognizing her, but Hu Zhinan saw through her at a glance.

The pink-haired man sat up nervously. "Brother Nan! President Hu! You can't touch her!"

Hu Zhinan's snake-like eyes locked onto Liang Jinshang. He sneered, "That little girl put me away for eight years, and you think I’d let you stop me with just a word?"

Liang Jinshang tightened her grip on the glass bottle.

The pink-haired man ripped out the needle in his hand and sat up, breathing hard. "This is a hospital, you can't cause trouble! Think about Brother Que! If you hurt her, he won't let you get away with it!"

"Ah, He Xiaoque's girl..." Hu Zhinan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Little miss, you heard me just now—I like nothing more than other men's wives. I heard He Xiaoque disappeared for years after I got out. That guy’s got guts, but he won’t be able to protect you this time. Why not come with me?"

His lascivious tone made the pink-haired man tremble with anger, ready to fight him despite his frail body.

Just then, the door to the hospital room was knocked, and Chao Jingyu entered.

Chao Jingyu had both hands in the pockets of his white coat, dignified and elegant.

He looked around at the tense atmosphere in the room, his expression unchanged, and said to the pink-haired man, "At least today you have friends visiting. But your body needs rest, so visiting hours are over."

Chao Jingyu’s arrival was like a savior, dispersing the undercurrents swirling in the room.

Hu Zhinan held up two fingers to Liang Jinshang. "Within two days, give me what I want. No. 15, Mian An Alley, right? Don’t make me come find you."

No. 15, Mian An Alley—that was the Liang family’s address!

Liang Jinshang’s expression changed instantly, but she could only watch helplessly as Hu Zhinan left.

"Miss Liang?" Chao Jingyu asked. "Are you all right?"

Liang Jinshang forced a smile. "Dr. Chao... You know Liangzi?"

"Yes, I often go to his bar for drinks. We became friends."

Liang Jinshang was about to leave, but the pink-haired man, worried that Hu Zhinan might have someone waiting outside, asked Chao Jingyu to escort her home.

"Miss Liang, are you in trouble?" Chao Jingyu immediately sensed the hostility radiating from Hu Zhinan, which was why he’d stepped in to help.

Liang Jinshang’s mind was a mess.

Hu Zhinan had given her only two days. Right now, she was full of vulnerabilities, struggling alone.

Not to mention that Liangzi, thanks to her, was now lying in the hospital with a broken leg; even the Liang family was like a thatched hut, barely able to withstand any storm.

But how could she simply hand over that video and let Gong Xueyuan off so easily?

Liang Jinshang looked at Chao Jingyu’s handsome profile and suddenly asked, "Dr. Chao, why do you like Gong Xueyuan?"

Chao Jingyu hadn’t expected her to turn the question on him. "Is it that obvious?"

Liang Jinshang raised an eyebrow; he’d never tried to hide it.

"There’s no real reason. She’s the little sister who grew up with me, always following behind, and she’s so beautiful. Even if her temperament is a bit spoiled, I’ve gotten used to indulging her over time."

The look in Liang Jinshang’s eyes made him laugh and cry. "You don’t have to look at me with such pity. I’m quite popular, you know. I get chased by people like Bu Qingqing—have to fend off four or five admirers every month on average."

It wasn’t pity for him that Liang Jinshang felt. She pitied that he was blind enough to choose Gong Xueyuan out of everyone.

"Is she really that beautiful?" Liang Jinshang looked ahead, as if asking casually. "Who’s prettier, her or me?"

"In my eyes, she’s still prettier." Chao Jingyu made a smooth three-point turn. "But you’re very attractive too—just a different style."

A different style.

Liang Jinshang smiled.

Yes, her style was nothing like Gong Xueyuan’s.

Hu Zhinan had already learned that lesson eight years ago. When pushed to the edge, she was capable of anything.

...

The next evening, Liang Jinshang arrived at Yunshui Residence.

She’d intended to take a taxi, but walking along the street, she always felt someone was following her.

Someone had once taught her: never take a taxi in such situations—"the car you hail might be one that’s been waiting for you."

So Liang Jinshang took the bus. Yunshui Residence was a luxury riverside apartment complex, with no direct bus routes.

Fortunately, it was downtown, and a short walk from the stop brought her there.

This was one of Shang Yucheng’s private properties, strictly controlled—no one could get in, even if they were following her.

Liang Jinshang had the access card for the building, the elevator code, just missing one thing—she hadn’t registered her fingerprint.

Fingerprint registration was reserved for “family.”

But Liang Jinshang knew the door code by heart.

Rumor had it that this was the home Shang Yucheng had originally prepared for his marriage to Si Rong, and the code was their anniversary.

Coincidentally, it was also Liang Jinshang’s birthday.

She couldn’t forget it, even if she wanted to.

“Beep—” The door swung open.

So it was truly the day of their promise, one he couldn’t bear to change.