Chapter 41: You've Made Something of Yourself
Liang Jinshang was well aware of why Shang Yucheng wanted to humiliate her in this way.
He believed she had defied his wishes, forcibly terminating his child, and that was not something he could easily forgive.
Shang Yucheng cared deeply about children.
When Liang Jinshang first began tutoring Shang Ao’er, she noticed the unusually close relationship between uncle and niece.
Strictly speaking, Shang Yucheng was only nine years older than Shang Ao’er. Though their age difference was more akin to siblings, their interactions resembled that of father and daughter.
Certainly, part of this stemmed from Shang Ao’er losing her parents early in life, but according to Shang Ao’er herself, Shang Yucheng once had a younger sister who died young—his lingering heartbreak.
Children were his Achilles’ heel.
Precisely because she knew this, Liang Jinshang chose such a decisive path, forcing herself to sever ties without looking back.
Of course, it was only much later that she discovered Shang Yucheng’s vulnerability was not limited to this alone.
...
The day’s lengthy tour left Liang Jinshang half dead, even though she wore flat shoes.
Shang Yiming helped carry her heavy belongings. “Looks like you’re not very robust, fairy. You seem exhausted.”
Liang Jinshang thanked him, but disliked the nickname “fairy,” asking Shang Yiming not to call her that.
“So what should I call you?” Shang Yiming leaned in, smiling, his handsome features radiating charm. “Should I call you Jinshang?”
Liang Jinshang couldn’t help but frown slightly; he was standing too close.
Just then, Yuan Xi and Shang Yucheng walked by side by side. Shang Yiming was one of Yuan Xi’s reliable associates, and they got along well.
Yuan Xi glanced at their identical company shirts—a uniform for all employees—and teased, “Yiming, I don’t think the company allows office romances, does it?”
Shang Yiming grinned, “Ah? No!”
His response was ambiguous, leaving it unclear whether he meant “no such rule exists” or “I’m not dating anyone.”
If Liang Jinshang refuted him directly, it would only turn into a joke, so she remained silent.
With his long legs, Shang Yucheng strode ahead as if he’d heard nothing, Yuan Xi following in high heels.
He in his suit, she in her long dress—they created a stark contrast with the rest of them in company shirts, as if belonging to two distinct worlds.
The final stop of the tour was a hot spring retreat for entertaining foreign guests.
Though surrounded by mountains, the palace built around the hot springs was truly extraordinary, with an air of exclusivity.
...
Luo Quan, who had been missing all day, appeared suddenly. She was a habitual pleasure-seeker, so it was no surprise she found her way here.
The place specialized in luxurious private baths, with both single and double pools.
For some inexplicable reason, Luo Quan kept encouraging Shang Yiming and Liang Jinshang to share a couple’s bath.
Liang Jinshang shot her a look—“Are you out of your mind?”
Luo Quan pretended not to notice, and promptly booked one double and one single bath.
Even Shang Yiming hesitated, “...It doesn’t seem appropriate.”
After spending the whole day together, he’d become notably considerate toward Liang Jinshang and felt confident about pursuing her.
But this was too abrupt.
He didn’t want her to think he was too eager, and was about to refuse when Yuan Xi’s laughter rang out behind him.
Yuan Xi, arm in arm with Shang Yucheng, approached and asked, “Why are you three standing here? Aren’t you going in?”
“Of course!” Luo Quan grabbed the wristband for the single bath and pointed to the staff. “The couple’s bath is for these two!”
Her voice was loud enough to attract the attention of both Shang Yucheng and Yuan Xi—Yuan Xi’s gaze was playful, while Shang Yucheng’s was unreadable.
Liang Jinshang snatched the wristband and chased after Luo Quan. Yuan Xi, clearly entertained, said, “Yucheng, the couple’s baths here are quite famous. The environment is much nicer than the singles. Shall we book one as well?”
“You decide.”
...
Liang Jinshang finally caught up with Luo Quan at the bend, just in time to hear her curse, “Scumbag!”
“Hm?”
“Barely days after establishing a devoted persona, he’s already fooling around with other women. Gong Xueyuan must have grown her brain cells for that face of hers. If it were me, I’d break up the moment the video leaked. Clinging to a man who feels nothing for her, she doesn’t even have the courage to confront him for his infidelity!”
Liang Jinshang knew Luo Quan was probably close with Si Rong. She wasn’t concerned about what Luo Quan said, but rather, “What did you mean earlier? Is that kind of joke amusing?”
Luo Quan replied with unshaken confidence, “You wouldn’t tell me who you spent last night with, so I had to use process of elimination.”
Liang Jinshang had suspected as much. “So Shang Yiming...”
“He’s basically ruled out.” Luo Quan declared, “Didn’t you see his eager expression when I suggested you two share a bath? He looks like someone who hasn’t gotten what he wants yet.”
Liang Jinshang had no energy left to argue. She urged Luo Quan to hand the single bath wristband to Shang Yiming, then the two girls entered the double bath together.
About an hour later, a commotion erupted in the lobby—someone shouted for an ambulance.
As tonight’s guests were all summit attendees, and Shang Yucheng was one of the event’s principal hosts, he naturally came out to investigate.
...
Shang Yiming was cradling a woman with delicate bones and pale skin.
—It was Liang Jinshang.
Shang Yiming called out, “Hurry, get an ambulance! Her stomach hurts badly!”
The attendant was anxious. “Sir, I’ve already dialed 120! But the ambulance will take about forty minutes to reach us in the mountains... If you have a private car, the fastest way is to drive down first!”
Shang Yiming was frantic. “We came up by bus! Shouldn’t you provide a car?!...”
The attendant explained helplessly that only buses were available.
At this moment, Luo Quan turned to Shang Yucheng. “Mr. Shang, could we borrow your car? My friend is about to faint!”
Shang Yucheng’s gaze swept over their attire—Shang Yiming and Liang Jinshang wore logo-embroidered bathrobes, while Luo Quan was still in her own clothes.
So, she really did share a bath with a man.
Luo Quan grew even less fond of Shang Yucheng as he hesitated to lend his car.
Liang Jinshang wasn’t fully unconscious yet. Her half-open eyes met Shang Yucheng’s, sweat streaming, lips pale except for where she’d bitten them.
She was in such pain, she couldn’t even hide her disappointment.
Disappointment, nothing more—no pleading.
Luo Quan noticed Yuan Xi following Shang Yucheng and decided to try her luck. She appealed to Yuan Xi.
Yuan Xi had a good impression of Liang Jinshang, both professionally and personally—she was clever. She spoke to Shang Yucheng, “Yucheng, just lend them the car. Yiming is an experienced driver; he won’t scratch it.”
Shang Yucheng nodded after Yuan Xi’s persuasion.
Shang Yiming carried Liang Jinshang to the back seat and took the driver’s seat. As Luo Quan was about to slide in beside Liang Jinshang, Shang Yucheng ordered, “You sit in the front.”
“Huh? Who’ll look after Liang Jinshang?”
To her surprise, Shang Yucheng slid into the back seat himself.