Chapter 196: Xiao Da Is A Good Person
The next morning, Lian Cheng got up and washed up, then received a call from Bai Ying.
“I told you that Crazy Liang would obediently issue a statement, pretending to be courteous to you.” Bai Ying’s tone was indignant, “Behind your back, he had your former boss, Bai Xiwen, express his stance for him within the social circle.”
Lian Cheng paused and spat out the toothpaste water, “What stance?”
Bai Ying had just finished her night shift, barely able to stifle a yawn. “He values your attitude very much. Bai Xiwen revealed it at a proper dinner party. I wasn’t present, but my third uncle was. He said that Bai Xiwen conveyed that your status in the Liang family is extremely important, and Liang Chaosu regards you as more important than his own biological sister, Liang Wenfei, to the point of treating you like his own.”
Lian Cheng turned on the faucet and splashed water on her face. The cold water, even colder than the ambient temperature in the mountains, completely sobered her up. “It was spread last night?”
Bai Ying hummed in affirmation and added, “My third uncle said that no one in the circle is foolish. If someone goes back on their word, it’s real. He’s still harboring ill intentions.”
“I understand,” Lian Cheng said, exiting the restroom. “Anything else?”
Bai Ying hesitated. Lian Cheng had forbidden her from investigating her background, but Bai Ying had been quietly paying close attention to many things in private.
Now that she had some new findings, she was unsure whether to speak them.
“If—” Bai Ying hypothesized, “I mean, if there’s a clue suggesting your parents are indeed overseas Chinese from the Mo family, would you change your mind and investigate further?”
“Bai Ying,” Lian Cheng let out a laugh. “Just say it directly.”
Bai Ying gave a sheepish laugh. “I discovered it by following Xiao Da. He investigated Feng Shien and found that Feng Shien went to the Gu family to see Lian Yingying, the niece of the Gu family’s third uncle, who looks strikingly like you.”
Lian Cheng frowned. She knew that the Gu family’s third uncle was Gu Zhoushan. She hadn’t met Lian Yingying, so she couldn’t help but ask, “If it’s just a similar contour, it’s not really like her.”
“It’s not just the contour.” Bai Ying grumbled, “I don’t have a photo, but Lian Yingying visited the Liang family before and even went on a blind date with Crazy Liang.
She recalled, “After Crazy Liang’s birthday banquet last year, some young ladies in the social circle privately discussed that Liang Chaosu didn’t like women. His mother found out and publicly refuted them. Crazy Liang was instantly attracted to Lian Yingying and stared at her for several glances, clearly liking her.”
Lian Cheng’s frown deepened.
Bai Ying speculated, “I have a deep opinion of Crazy Liang, but he’s seemed disillusioned with other women for the past few years, living like a recluse. I suspect he looked at her those few times precisely because Lian Yingying resembled you so much.”
Lian Cheng asked about Lian Yingying, “So was she noticed by the Mo family because of her appearance?”
“I think so.” Bai Ying was somewhat annoyed. “Xiao Da is such a blockhead, cursed by Crazy Liang. I can’t pry any more information out of him.”
Lian Cheng: “…”
“Xiao Da…” Lian Cheng said with a tone of veiled sarcasm, “Xiao Da is such a good person.”
Bai Ying exploded, “Am I insignificant? Am I a rich woman from Myanmar? Am I supposed to scrub myself with steel wool and be happy?”
Lian Cheng, who had been unsure, was now certain. It was hard to believe, and she was shocked for three seconds. “…You have a crush on Xiao Da?”
Bai Ying’s confidence wavered. “He’s… he’s a good person. He didn’t even approve of Crazy Liang’s behavior, even for money. Our values align.”
For a moment, Lian Cheng was speechless.
Bai Ying, emboldened, confessed honestly, “Back in Iceland, he made dumplings. My father also said he’s a rare talented and virtuous man. I thought that in the future, when I work the night shift, he could bring me late-night snacks, so I added him on WeChat. But he’s always been busy and doesn’t reply to my messages. I haven’t made any progress, so I was embarrassed to tell you.”
The main reason was that after three years, a relationship was finally blooming, and it was blooming with her best friend’s nemesis, Bai Ying felt it shouldn’t be.
After hanging up the phone, Lian Cheng changed her clothes and was still reeling from the various shocks.
She was not surprised that Liang Chaosu had instructed Bai Xiwen to show his stance; she simply felt it was as expected.
People don’t change their nature.
Liang Chaosu’s return to the country and his submissive posture were within her control, and she followed his predetermined path. Her resentment, anger, and expressed disdain and coldness were all within his acceptance.
However, when it came to her background, something beyond her control, her firm refusal and protests did not sway Liang Chaosu at all; he would still investigate as he saw fit.
If he were to uncover her background, for ordinary couples, it would be leverage. But for a prestigious wealthy family like the Mo family, it would be different.
Liang Chaosu would not give her the capital or opportunity to leave.
Lian Cheng concluded that the evidence would be silently destroyed.
Therefore, she needed to at least confirm if the Mo family might be related to her before deciding whether to continue investigating her background.
……………………
Lian Cheng finished her breakfast in her room. The wall clock showed 7:40.
She prepared the documents and went out to find Liang Chaosu.
Today’s schedule was packed: a morning inspection of the new ancient town construction site, with a report from Gu Corporation personnel. In the afternoon, there would be a meeting with the Environmental Protection Bureau and a small meeting for project financial reports.
With about ten hours of continuous work, Lian Cheng opted for athletic wear and sneakers instead of a uniform suit.
Upon arriving at Liang Chaosu’s courtyard, he was not in the restaurant or study. Faint sounds of conversation could be heard from a small window on the second floor.
Carrying her documents, she followed the sound upstairs. The door to the tea room on the right side of the stairs was open. A silk screen was painted with ink wash landscapes, and pink wild cherry blossoms drifted with the wind, casting flickering shadows of Liang Chaosu.
Opposite him sat a man in a disheveled suit, around thirty years old. His facial contours were somewhat familiar, and Lian Cheng felt she had seen him before.
“You are Director Liang now, successful and renowned. Not only did you oust my uncle from the project, but you also overshadowed him and took control of the Gu family using my name. This means you still need me as a chess piece.”
Liang Chaosu picked up his teacup but did not drink or speak.
His hair had grown, with stray hairs framing his forehead, softening the sharp, resolute aura he had with his short hair.
Yet, he showed no expression, his demeanor exceedingly cold and solemn.
Lian Cheng now recognized the man. She had met him briefly at the bus stop near the black clinic; he was the heir of the Gu Corporation. Later, at Jade Mansion, she had overheard him on a call with Liang Chaosu.
Gu Xingyuan’s fingers tightened around his teacup. “I know you won’t trust me anymore. You went to Iceland before, and I fled at the last minute, which affected your plan.”
He inhaled, then exhaled deeply, looking utterly confused. “But by then, your African company was ready, and the funds could have flowed into the country once your sister’s original wedding on the ninth day of the first lunar month was completed.”
“Even if the Shen Corporation ultimately betrayed you, with such a massive influx of real capital, you would have won the game, and your father wouldn’t have been able to threaten you at all.”
Lian Cheng held her breath, unable to think clearly.
Liang Chaosu caught sight of her shadow and immediately looked over.
Lian Cheng circled past the screen. “Director Liang, President Gu.”
Gu Xingyuan was briefly stunned and avoided her gaze, greeting her, “Hello.”
His gaze discreetly swept over Lian Cheng’s lower abdomen, and his expression became even more somber. “Miss Lian Cheng.”
Lian Cheng replied politely, “I am Director Liang’s secretary now. President Gu can call me Secretary Liang.”
Gu Xingyuan chuckled uncomfortably. He looked at Liang Chaosu, whose expression had grown colder, showing three parts displeasure and seven parts impatience.
He knew he should obediently take his leave, but this was his only chance. If he didn’t seize it, he would truly lose everything, and Xiao Rou would have no chance to turn back.
“Director Gu, Miss Lian Cheng bears a strong resemblance to my cousin, Lian Yingying.”
