Chapter 36: Like a Monster

Most of the injuries on Liang Jinshang’s body were bruises rather than open wounds; as long as her spirit recovered, walking shouldn’t be a problem. Chao Jingyu had been hesitating, but the way Shang Yucheng watched her—like a predator eyeing its prey—made him feel it was safer to keep Liang Jinshang close.

Chao Jingyu did not know exactly what had transpired between Shang Yucheng and Liang Jinshang before, but with his sharp mind, it wasn’t difficult to guess that the recent video incident had something to do with her. Shang Yucheng’s attitude toward Gong Xueyuan remained ambiguous; given his pride, such humiliation would only be met with temporary coldness, which was already a sign of deep sentiment. But his feelings toward Liang Jinshang were clear to Chao Jingyu: he’d come here in anger, confrontational and sharp—if she fell into his hands, she would surely suffer.

“Let’s go together then,” Chao Jingyu said, leading Liang Jinshang ahead.

Shang Yucheng hadn’t been wrong—Gong Xueyuan had always been fond of dramatic gestures since childhood, so searching for her where things seemed most exaggerated was a sound strategy. They reached the highest rooftop of the hospital’s administrative building and, as expected, saw Gong Xueyuan perched precariously on the edge.

“Xueyuan! Stop this nonsense, come down!” Chao Jingyu called out immediately.

Gong Xueyuan glanced at them, her gaze lingering on Liang Jinshang with resentment, then upon seeing her injuries—assuming they were inflicted by Shang Yucheng—she burst out laughing, “Yucheng, you finally saw this wretch’s true colors, didn’t you?! Hahaha!”

Chao Jingyu glanced at Liang Jinshang, noting she stood straight and steady. Though her complexion was poor, her emotions were far more stable than Gong Xueyuan’s.

Gong Xueyuan fixed her gaze on Shang Yucheng. “Yucheng… don’t blame me… That man, Hu, isn’t a good person. He… he forced me…”

She faltered, realizing her excuse couldn’t hold—everyone had seen the video and her demeanor within it. She added, “No—it was just that one time. Really, only once. I was angry with you that day; if you had taken me home, I wouldn’t have gone to the bar…”

The afternoon sun blazed fiercely; who knew how long she had sat there, muttering and seemingly losing her senses. One misstep, or blinded by sunlight, and a fall from this height would send her straight to the morgue.

Shang Yucheng stood by, his expression unreadable, as if he hadn’t absorbed a word. He replied calmly, “I understand. Come down first.”

Hearing Shang Yucheng finally speak to her, Chao Jingyu relaxed a little. Shang Yucheng did still care for her, after all.

Yet Gong Xueyuan’s expression was strange—half laughter, half tears. “Do you really worry about me, Yucheng? Forty minutes ago, I saw your car… You took so long to come find me. Were you not worried I’d get hurt?”

Chao Jingyu was about to say something to comfort her when Gong Xueyuan suddenly grew agitated. “Did you go to find that wretch first?! Why did you bring her here?!”

“Dr. Chao, this isn’t working… She’s not listening to you,” Liang Jinshang whispered behind him.

Chao Jingyu noticed the problem as well; Gong Xueyuan was lost in her own world.

The midsummer afternoon was unbearably hot; any longer under the sun and something dreadful could happen.

He nudged Shang Yucheng, signaling him to speak up, at least to stabilize Gong Xueyuan for now.

Chao Jingyu glanced around and spotted a natural gas pipe about as thick as a person’s torso. If he could circle around it, he could approach Gong Xueyuan from behind, grab her, and with the help of another, bring her down safely.

But the pipe didn’t seem sturdy. He and Shang Yucheng were of similar height and build; he whispered, “Yucheng, help me out.”

Years of tacit understanding meant just a glance told each other’s intentions.

Chao Jingyu moved, and Liang Jinshang, seemingly afraid to be alone with Shang Yucheng, followed him to the gas pipe.

He began to climb nimbly, but Liang Jinshang said, “Dr. Chao, I’m lighter—let me do it. I’m worried about your safety.”

How could Chao Jingyu let a young woman take such a risk?

“Wait here for me. It’s fine, don’t worry.”

But just as Liang Jinshang had feared, the pipe wobbled dangerously as soon as he climbed onto it.

“Dr. Chao, it really won’t work, come down!” Liang Jinshang’s fair face was flushed and sweating, gentle and kind, “If anything happens to you, my brother won’t have anyone to save him. Let me go, I’m agile!”

Chao Jingyu hesitated—if he forced his way, he might end up hurting himself first.

“Try it, but if you feel even a little uncomfortable, come right back. Your safety matters, too. We can think of another way,” he said seriously.

Liang Jinshang avoided his gaze. “Okay.”

Before climbing, she took a deep breath, as if mustering courage.

Chao Jingyu felt uneasy—how could he let such a timid, delicate girl risk herself at such a height?

But Liang Jinshang seemed resolute. She grasped the pipe and deftly leapt onto it, so light that it didn’t even budge.

She crawled forward, but before she reached the overhanging section, a sudden force yanked her down.

The strength was overwhelming; Liang Jinshang, absorbed in her task, was caught off guard and crashed into someone’s arms.

The familiar scent of cedar enveloped her, and she struggled instinctively.

“Yucheng! Why are you here?!” Chao Jingyu hissed in disbelief, his worried eyes darting toward Gong Xueyuan.

Shang Yucheng’s gaze was dark and deep. He spoke in a low voice, “It’s too dangerous.”

“Yes…” Chao Jingyu exhaled slowly, “It’s wrong to let her take such a risk. We should call the police.”

Shang Yucheng let out a cold snort.

But the danger he spoke of was not this.

Chao Jingyu stepped aside to make the call, watching Shang Yucheng and Liang Jinshang pressed tightly together. He shook his head and walked toward Gong Xueyuan.

Not one of them was acting properly!

If it weren’t for the suicide attempt at his hospital, he would have left them behind. But now, he couldn’t let Xueyuan see this scene.

Unless he wanted her to jump with even more resolve.

Liang Jinshang couldn’t break free from Shang Yucheng’s grip. She lifted her eyes to him, but the blinding sunlight kept her from opening them fully.

She said nothing, yet Shang Yucheng lowered his head, his usually mesmerizing voice delivering words that chilled her to the bone—

“Do you really think pretending you failed to grab her would cover everything flawlessly? Even in suicides, the police investigate… Fang Jiabao, don’t forget, you have a motive for murder…”

The words were soft, but struck like thunder.

Liang Jinshang’s eyes widened instantly, panic flooding her like a deer caught in a hunter’s sights.

He had discovered it! He had seen through her!

For several seconds, her mind went completely blank. After a moment, she let out a soft cry and collapsed.

Shang Yucheng stepped back, regarding her with a calm gaze, as if she were some kind of monster.