Chapter 72: Discovered By Father Liang’s Secretary
And because Feng Shien had helped her when she was in a state of disarray in the corridor of Shengyuan, she also saw his embarrassment at this moment.
More importantly, it was the address. When he emphasized the abbreviation “Shi En,” the fleeting resistance on his face seemed more like resisting being associated with the surname Feng, rather than narrowing the distance.
After Lian Cheng’s momentary pause, the words “Lian Cheng” came out, as if she also agreed that Lian Cheng was her name.
This difference was very small, and not something easily perceived by those without shared feelings.
But Shi En’s calling her Miss Lian Cheng was a measure of propriety and also thoughtfulness.
Lian Cheng linked arms with Aunt Wang, “Just a stroll, the east side is on the way, and the west side is too.”
Feng Shien accommodated the speed of the two ladies, “What about north and south?”
“South is not possible, there is water to the south. North is okay, but the grass is green, and one must tread lightly, so please go around.”
Feng Shien was stunned at first, then took a few steps and happened to see the sign on the lawn, and chuckled, “Miss Lian Cheng is an interesting person.”
“Thank you,” Lian Cheng replied with poise, “Mr. Shi En is also a person of great cultivation.”
Considering the blind date that day and these two encounters, whether under the imposing pressure of Liang Chaosu or the implicit sarcasm of the secretary just now, his demeanor was rarely steady and peaceful, adhering to etiquette and cultivation.
He possessed no sharp, stinging aggression, like a spring breeze.
“Miss Lian Cheng’s compliment makes me ashamed,” his voice was clear and resonant, his caramel-colored eyes full of apology and frank sincerity. “Regarding the misunderstanding on the blind date that day, I should have stepped forward to explain from the moment Madam Liang appeared. It was I who misled you into entering the wrong room.”
Lian Cheng shook her head, “It can’t be called misleading. I didn’t even clarify who my blind date was. You only mistook the surname, and in a sense, I also delayed your blind date once.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Lian Cheng felt the arm of Aunt Wang, which she was holding, suddenly stiffen.
She was about to ask when a surprised voice came from ahead, “Miss Lian Cheng? Sister Wang?”
A man walked up to them, “Miss Lian Cheng, why are you here? Have you been staying here since you left the Liang family these past few days?”
Lian Cheng’s back straightened, and after freezing for two seconds, she composed her expression and asked casually, “Secretary Zhou, what about you? Did you buy a house here?”
She hadn’t expected that her attempt to gauge Liang Chaosu’s attitude by going downstairs would instead reveal someone from Liang’s father’s side.
However, she had already planned to cooperate with Liang’s father and break free from Liang Chaosu’s control. She had just been suppressed and unable to go out, and she couldn’t contact Liang’s father directly from Liang Chaosu’s residence.
Secretary Zhou’s appearance was both a danger and an opportunity. It was impossible to avoid now, so it was better to confront it head-on, take the initiative, break through, and leave again, which was just around the corner.
Secretary Zhou was amused.
The smallest three-bedroom, two-living-room unit in Jade Mansion, with a listed transaction price of forty million, and Secretary Zhou’s annual salary of five million, meant that if he gritted his teeth and took on a decades-long mortgage, he could also become a “distinguished” owner of a luxury residence.
But he was an economical and practical person, famous in the Liang family over the years, and Lian Cheng surely knew how stingy he was.
Secretary Zhou simply went along with her words, “My limited salary hasn’t increased in three years. On the other hand, Miss Lian Cheng, did you buy a house here?”
“Not quite,” Lian Cheng managed a slight smile, “although I am financially independent, it’s often not in my account.”
Even though he knew she was beating around the bush, Secretary Zhou couldn’t help but laugh, “It seems Miss Lian Cheng has suffered recently. Why don’t I give you a ride home, and you can complain to Director Liang, so it can return to your account?”
His gaze shifted to Aunt Wang, “Sister Wang, you should also go back. Madam is worried about the Eldest Young Master’s injury and wants to hear your report personally.”
Aunt Wang instinctively looked at Lian Cheng.
Lian Cheng steadied her.
Seeing that she didn’t refuse, Secretary Zhou relaxed his mind and then focused his attention on Feng Shien.
He was always reliable in handling affairs. In a situation that clearly involved a triple interrogation upon returning, he would definitely have to explain the incident and the details of who was present thoroughly.
“I apologize, I was in a hurry and negligent, I have kept you waiting,” he extended his hand to Shi En, “May I ask who you are?”
“Feng Shien,” the man replied, shaking his hand, “My father is Feng Kaijiang, a director at Wantai.”
“It’s an honor to meet you,” Secretary Zhou said with a professional smile, “And you are Miss Lian Cheng’s…?”
Feng Shien looked at Lian Cheng inquiringly, and seeing her calm expression, replied, “Friend.”
Secretary Zhou’s gaze flickered between the two, “Forgive my presumption, but when did you two meet?”
“Secretary Zhou, that’s a bit too presumptuous,” Lian Cheng put on airs, “I’ve missed my father and mother these past few days. If you don’t have anything else to attend to, why don’t we go back now?”
Secretary Zhou raised an eyebrow and asked no more.
Lian Cheng apologized to Feng Shien and bid him farewell, then got into Secretary Zhou’s car to return to the Liang family.
On the way, Secretary Zhou called Liang’s father to report in advance.
Lian Cheng prepared herself to face a storm as soon as she entered the house.
Upon entering the living room, not only were Father and Mother Liang seated with solemn expressions, but Liang Chaosu was also sitting alone on a single-seat sofa, with Liang Wenfei standing beside him.
Lian Cheng’s gaze swept around, then lowered her eyes, her palms sweating profusely.
She seemed to be having bad luck recently; the actual situation was always worse and more difficult than she had anticipated.
“Father, Mother.”
Lian Cheng greeted them first. When she met Liang Chaosu’s gaze, it was as cold as it could be, making the word “Brother,” which was a pretense, catch in her throat, daring not to come out.
Finally, she forced herself to address him, “Sister Feifei.”
“Sister Feifei? You left so assertively that day. I thought you finally had some backbone and knew dignity,” Liang Wenfei scoffed. “Dad can’t bear to part with you, so it’s not impossible to have one more mouth to feed when you return. But I’m stating beforehand, behave meekly in front of me, and if you act like before, I’ll still kick you out.”
“Feifei,” Father Liang warned, but didn’t say much more before turning to Lian Cheng.
“Lian Cheng, where have you been these past few days? I had people from the city bureau look for you, but there was no news of you.”
Father Liang’s tone was amiable, and Lian Cheng’s spirits lifted slightly, “I was staying with Bai Ying. I was feeling unwell and hadn’t gone out.”
This was something she had quickly discussed with Bai Ying using Sister Wang’s phone on the way back to the Liang family.
Lian Cheng felt very guilty towards Bai Ying.
Since her medical examination, she had been like a ghost rotten into mud, decaying herself and repeatedly dragging her friends down with her.
The room was silent. Mother Liang was waiting for Father Liang to speak, while Liang Wenfei looked at Liang Chaosu with eager anticipation.
Because her brother’s expression was extremely gloomy and sinister, the hatred and anger in his eyes were unconcealed.
“Zhou Dazhi reported that you were found at Jade Mansion.”
Amidst the expectant silence, Liang Chaosu spoke first, “As far as I know, Bai Ying is not the owner of Jade Mansion.”
As soon as he said this, not only Lian Cheng but also Father and Mother Liang looked at him, stunned.
After Secretary Zhou’s report, Mother Liang was the first to suspect that Liang Chaosu and Lian Cheng were living together, and the transferred Aunt Wang became corroborating evidence.
Everyone in the Liang family knew that since Liang Wenfei returned to the two families, the only person in the household who had been consistently close to Lian Cheng without wavering was Aunt Wang.
Second, there was the butler.
Yet, Liang Chaosu, instead of being defensive as the suspect, had become the vanguard of criticism and interrogation.
Even Father Liang, who understood people so well, began to find it unbelievable.
Lian Cheng forced herself to remain calm and met Liang Chaosu’s gaze.
“I was looking for Aunt Wang.”
A smile appeared on Liang Chaosu’s originally sinister face, extremely sarcastic, “Wearing house slippers?”
Mother Liang immediately leaned forward to look at Lian Cheng’s feet; white, fluffy indoor slippers were barely visible, revealing her heels and ankles intermittently.
