Chapter 206: Lack Of Oxygen
Bai Ying froze, barely calming herself.
Liancheng was resolute from beginning to end, with clear goals after returning to the country.
But it was too fast.
It exceeded her father’s predictions; he thought it would be a long tug-of-war, a prolonged attrition.
Or perhaps Liang Chaosu would employ the same tactic again, like the wound inflicted in Iceland. If Liancheng were torn to shreds, he would also be torn to shreds in return.
She hadn’t expected Liancheng to be so swift.
Now, unprepared, how would Liang Chaosu react upon hearing this, and would he try to stop it?
He was known in the business world for his deep schemes, handling affairs flawlessly, and all those who threatened him ultimately turned against themselves.
There were many men and women in wealthy families who had been imprisoned, but most were economic criminals. In the social circle, although it was a huge joke, it could be considered a momentary lapse, not a complete loss of dignity.
But rape, and triggering a media storm, accusing him and making him famous nationwide. For the rest of his life, his name would be permanently labeled as a pervert, incestuous rapist.
Mentioning him would evoke disgust and contempt from everyone.
Liang Chaosu’s glory and brilliance of the past thirty years would be utterly destroyed and devalued in the next few decades.
Especially in their circle, dignity and reputation sometimes mattered more than life itself.
For his strong sense of self-worth, it was no different from being flayed alive for decades, with his bones exposed, subjected to vulgar slander, spit upon, even defiled.
How could he endure that?
“So you’ve already called the police?” Bai Ying held Liancheng’s mobile phone in one hand and supported her with the other, urging her on with bustling energy.
“Pack your luggage. After the police arrive, we’ll go directly to the police station. Once your statement is recorded, we’ll return to Nan Province. Liang Chaosu has immense influence; you must apply for police protection.”
Liancheng remained still. “He knows I’m recording evidence; he admitted it himself.”
Bai Ying was stunned.
Liancheng took back her phone. “I haven’t called the police either.”
Bai Ying fell into confusion. “Why?”
“He said if I could forgive him, he would willingly accept punishment.”
Liancheng’s hands trembled, and uncertainty and struggle filled her eyes, almost tearing her in half.
Bai Ying grasped her hand. “Are you wavering? Have you realized he also had good qualities, and you don’t hate him anymore?”
“No,” Liancheng’s breathing hitched. “I’m considering the most appropriate timing.”
“My ultimate goal is to escape him completely and live a peaceful and free life thereafter. But judging by his words, he clearly has no intention of letting me go.”
Liang Chaosu’s statement could be considered a promise. He might have even thought it was fair, trading what he had for what he wanted.
This was vastly different from Liancheng’s original plan; she was supposed to be hard-hearted and ruthless, focused solely on destroying him.
For any normal person, even one deeply in love, this would be enough to cool their ardor, turn them into enemies, and possibly incite them to seek her life in their rage.
But Liang Chaosu was not normal; he still wanted to be with her.
Bai Ying also couldn’t believe it. “He could gamble his life, enough to drive him to madness if you stabbed him, so how could he willingly let you ruin him for decades?”
Liancheng’s face was ashen, shrouded in vibrating confusion. “I don’t know.”
Bai Ying fell silent.
After a long while, she asked again, “Then what timing are you preparing for?”
Liancheng unlocked her phone and opened her gallery.
Bai Ying leaned over to look; there were file snapshots, an Iceland police statement, and a few pictures of a bamboo forest and a stream.
Liancheng tapped on the file snapshot. “You know why my teacher was hospitalized. My senior martial brother told me that the person behind Liu Li Village is likely connected to the opponent Liang Chaosu defeated in the North two years ago.”
Bai Ying quickly browsed. “So?”
“This is just a diversion.” Liancheng pointed to a file. “See this name? Liang Zhengping went to the North to take charge, I mentioned it to you then.”
“I remember,” Bai Ying recalled. “You said at the time that among the Liang family, Liang Chaosu was the only degenerate. His father’s methods were much gentler than Liang Chaosu’s forceful acquisition. Commerce itself is only about interests, not grudges. Once Liang Zhengping arrived in the North, he could make peace with others, showing great magnanimity. Is that him?”
“It is him.” Liancheng swiped to another picture. “I suspect Liang Zhengping is actually involved this time. He wants to destroy me and has been instructing Zhou Dazhi to act on his behalf throughout. The Iceland police lacked sufficient evidence and didn’t even find Zhou Dazhi.”
“But after returning to the country, according to the tacit rules of the Liang Family, the secretary follows the direct superior. Liang Chaosu himself is cautious and rarely trusts anyone, yet he transferred Su Chenghuai and kept Zhou Dazhi.”
Bai Ying was confused. “Didn’t Su Chenghuai openly mock you, and Liang Chaosu punished him?”
Liancheng had adamantly denied this before, thinking it was a pretense to fool outsiders, but Liang Chaosu was capable of going to prison and even gambling his life in her hands.
She now faced it directly; she still didn’t understand, but she couldn’t deny his madness.
“It might be killing two birds with one stone.” She glossed over it. “Liang Zhengping owes Zhou Dazhi a favor, and Zhou Dazhi is extremely loyal.”
“By keeping Zhou Dazhi, Liang Chaosu is likely trying to make Zhou Dazhi make a mistake, thus threatening him into betraying Liang Zhengping and instead identifying Liang’s father. Then he would hold this crucial leverage, and would no longer fear Liang Zhengping’s restless machinations and constant attacks.”
Bai Ying seemed to understand, but not entirely. “So, it’s still father killing son?”
Liancheng nodded. “And Qingxi Valley. Based on my understanding of Liang Zhengping, he will certainly take ruthless action. Even if he cannot defeat Liang Chaosu, he will force Liang Chaosu to let him return to the country.”
Bai Ying suddenly understood. “I now understand why you’re hesitating about not calling the police.”
“If you send Liang Chaosu in now, you’ll be playing right into Liang Zhengping’s hands. He’ll return, regain control, and then target you?”
“My father also said that Liang Zhengping is a snake with a benevolent face, difficult to shake off once you’re involved. And Liang Chaosu’s mother, her family is more important than anything in the world; if she dies, she dies. She believes you are the culprit. If she finds another person to take the blame, like Zhou Dazhi, she’ll immediately make your life miserable.”
Bai Ying found the thought terrifying. “That old witch only suspected you were involved with Liang Chaosu and married you off to an AIDS patient. That shows how low her standards are; she might even sell you to a foreign red-light district.”
“And Liang Wenfei, she’s cowering now, like a rat crossing the street. If she regains power, she’ll be a monstrous ghost and will surely cling to Shen Lichuan until death.”
That’s one part of it.
Liang Zhengping’s true nature was fully exposed in serene Iceland, along with Yao Nianci.
It’s likely that her life alone wouldn’t be enough for this couple to vent their anger. Shen Lichuan, the Bai Family, Aunt Wang, the butler…
Those who helped her would all suffer.
Liancheng fell silent again, and Bai Ying’s voice gradually faded.
The indoor heater made the air dry and hot, the doors and windows were shut tight, making it stuffy and oxygen-deprived.
Liancheng gripped Bai Ying’s fingers in return. Her hands, like her person, were dry and warm, full of vitality.
Liancheng shifted her posture, covering her hands with hers. The warm temperature penetrated her skin, giving her the strength to speak. “I’ve always longed for this day, but now that it’s truly here, I’m not prepared enough.”
She was too idealistic, her desire for revenge aligned with her values and procedural justice.
If she killed Liang Chaosu, she would pay with her life.
If she sent Liang Chaosu to prison, it had to be for his actual crimes; she had never considered manipulating business dealings.
But reality is complex, human nature is diverse, and her weak and powerless justice cannot defeat the evil dragon.
The most likely successful approach now is to fight evil with evil.
She would use Liang Chaosu to dig out evidence of Liang Zhengping hiring assassins, to take down the old evil dragon.
Then, using the existing evidence, she would take down the mad evil dragon.
