Chapter 314: I Can
Huang Shengnan was also frightened by the doctor’s presence and became anxious.
“Xiao Da was also at the scene and told me Mr. Liang only hit his head and had no other external injuries.”
Lian Cheng saw the doctor.
“Mr. Xiao Da is right, the impact injury isn’t serious. The injured person is unconscious, his heart rate is a bit irregular. The main concern is a surgery like a heart bypass; excessive fright could cause adverse reactions.”
Lian Cheng forced herself to stand, her reason returning.
In just half a year, Liang Chaosu had narrowly escaped death twice.
Fate had favored him.
It was just a car accident, and Huang Shengnan had brought him back; he wouldn’t be on the verge of death.
“I don’t mind.”
Her voice was too soft, Huang Shengnan almost missed it, “You agree to let Mr. Liang stay?”
Lian Cheng managed a slight smile after a long while, both out of courtesy and amusement. The complex exhaustion was too much for her; her smile was superficial, making her face appear blank and indifferent.
“The manor is yours, I am just one of the guests.”
That was her way of speaking too.
………………
The next day, Xiao Da finished breakfast at the manor and went upstairs, coincidentally meeting Bai Ying at a corner on the second floor.
It was the first time they were alone since unfriending each other.
Bai Ying clearly had something to say.
Xiao Da checked his watch. An awkward, shamed, and heated atmosphere filled the air.
“Are you trying to drive me away?”
Xiao Da froze, “What?”
“You’re looking at your watch, implying you’re busy and I should be sensible and leave.”
Xiao Da gazed at her, paused for a second, and said gently, “Mr. Liang needs to have his dressing changed.”
Unhappy one moment, stable in emotion the next, Bai Ying said sheepishly, “I’m sorry, I misunderstood you.”
Quick to get angry, quick to apologize, like someone being unreasonable yet understanding principles.
Xiao Da pulled down his sleeves and took out his phone, “After Mr. Liang has his dressing changed, I’ll have time. Add me, and we can meet or chat online, whatever is convenient for you.”
Bai Ying pressed her lips together; she couldn’t add him, but she couldn’t refuse either.
Last night, after Liang Chaosu returned, there was a storm outside. Lian Cheng had asked Huang Shengnan to understand the situation, and Huang Shengnan had left early in the morning and hadn’t returned until now.
She could add him as a friend and re-establish contact.
Fortunately, Xiao Da was very capable and knew how to read people, understanding their moods and being very considerate, “After we finish chatting, you can delete me again.”
Bai Ying stepped down the stairs. The distance was close. Her breath didn’t carry a woody scent, but rather the bitterness of disinfectant, or perhaps a mixture of both. Her ears inexplicably felt warm.
She scanned the code and walked downstairs dejectedly. The wind was cool, and Xiao Da was nowhere to be seen. The heat in her ears subsided.
Xiao Da accompanied the doctor into the room.
Liang Chaosu was already awake.
The servant brought breakfast and placed it on the round table by the window. He leaned back in his chair, gazing out at the vibrant, flourishing garden, lost in thought.
“The porridge is cold,” Xiao Da called to him, “You didn’t eat much, should I have the kitchen send another portion?”
He turned his head. That trace of vacant bewilderment vanished, “No need, take it away.”
The doctor checked the wound and administered an IV drip. Xiao Da escorted the doctor out and then returned.
“Miss Bai was waiting for me at the top of the stairs half an hour ago,” Xiao Da knew Lian Cheng had tried to see Huang Shengnan several times without success.
“Gu Zhoushan was also sent onto the Special Task Force’s private jet. Mo Shifu only confirmed at eight in the evening, and by late night, he had visited the residences of several key figures in the workers’ party. Miss Lian Cheng has helped Lin Xianzi several times, and her actions bear your imprint. This time, she must have fully recognized the seriousness of the situation. I’ve added Miss Bai back as a friend; should I tell them everything?”
Liang Chaosu caught his hidden meaning, “You suspect she’s orchestrating Bai Ying behind the scenes to get information from you?”
Xiao Da understood Bai Ying; she was blustering, cared about her pride, and had previously threatened him, saying that any dog the young lady decided to abandon was as good as dead and would be licked to death. She would rather jump off a cliff in front of him than glance at the dog.
Moreover, he had taken the initiative to re-add the dog.
There were two faint rustling sounds at the door, imperceptible. Xiao Da hadn’t noticed at all. Liang Chaosu’s words changed from what he was about to say to a command, “Open the door.”
Xiao Da opened it hesitantly.
Lian Cheng was tentatively walking, her upper body turned, her lower body still, in a strange, twisted posture.
It was the first time Xiao Da had seen her in such a pose, “What are you—”
“Doing exercises.” Liang Chaosu, behind her, had a stern expression and said calmly, “Are you coming in?”
Xiao Da subconsciously observed Lian Cheng’s reaction. She was more composed and decisive than Bai Ying. In a blink, she calmed down, “Is it convenient?”
Liang Chaosu’s tone softened slightly, “I’m getting dressed, and Xiao Da is here too.”
Lian Cheng understood; he was indicating that it was not an enclosed space with just a man and a woman, emphasizing he was fully clothed, to prevent her usual panic response and to put her at ease.
So she wouldn’t be afraid.
“Xiao Da,” she took a step forward, “I won’t exploit Bai Ying. Her adding you might be to help me, or it could be for something else.”
Xiao Da couldn’t help but look at Liang Chaosu.
He sat upright on the sofa, his face pale and bloodless, his lip line faint, forming a straight line. The indoor lights shone on him, and the sunlight from outside warmed him, but he showed no intention of speaking.
One casual “What a coincidence,” and another “I know.” He remained silent, and only the two of them knew.
“I apologize,” Xiao Da was by nature never one to overstep or gossip, “I misunderstood you.”
As he finished speaking, he froze.
Lian Cheng looked at him strangely, “You…”
“I just thought of something personal.” He touched his nose, embarrassed and trying to conceal it, “You come in, and I’ll close the door.”
Lian Cheng sat on the side, to Liang Chaosu’s right. Xiao Da brought over tea.
It was warm and served with courtesy. She held the teacup self-consciously, like any unexpected guest.
The atmosphere was like a string without elasticity, constantly being pulled and stretched.
On one end of the string, she inexplicably didn’t speak, and on the other, Liang Chaosu inexplicably didn’t ask.
A gust of wind blew in from the window, carrying the scent of flowers from the front of the manor. White sheer curtains fluttered. The room was so quiet that only beams of white light illuminating millions of dust motes remained, strangely clear and serene, as if transporting them back to a summer many years ago.
She was there, he watched, and cicadas chirped all afternoon in the back hills.
Liang Chaosu could clearly hear it; he was still collapsing, hopelessly, relentlessly.
Inch by inch, without end.
“What do you want to ask?”
Xiao Da hid in another part of the room. Hearing this, he was stunned. He had thought Liang Chaosu would be direct and honest, laying out the current progress and his strategic victories, which would be enough to reassure Lian Cheng.
It would make her smile, perhaps even praise him, maybe even admire him.
Lian Cheng came back to her senses. She had been looking down, and in her line of sight, the man’s hand had dark skin, with winding blue veins beneath where a needle was inserted, forming a thick bulge. Yet, the skin was thin.
It looked transparent, as if one could see the bright red blood surging in the veins.
How had it become so thin.
“Lian Yingying has returned to the country.”
Liang Chaosu laughed, a desolate, habitual laugh, so complex, “Gu Zhoushan has also returned. If your mother asks, tell her it’s because the timing is right, and the progress is smoother than expected.”
Lian Cheng sat there.
Yesterday, Bai Ying had guessed he was falling in love. Then, after his car accident and return, she suddenly realized she’d been tricked and cried out in dismay.
This kind of tactic was not new; it was common in TV shows, novels, and in real social circles. Gu Xingyuan was recently pursuing his wife, and three sweet, hot-bodied secretaries had suddenly appeared around him.
