Chapter 234: The Most Annoying Wedding Dresses With Long Trains
The next day, as Liancheng exited the bedroom, Liang Chaosu happened to return from outside.
The old residential community had wide building spacing and ample sunlight. He stepped out of the foyer, and in the clear light and shadow, he, rarely seen, wore a complete set of off-white sportswear. His stubble was shaved, and he looked completely relaxed and radiant.
Liancheng asked doubtfully, “Aren’t you going to work?”
Liang Chaosu walked towards the dining table, and only then did Liancheng see the food container in his hand.
“I went for an early morning stroll and brought you breakfast.”
Liancheng had heard from Xiao Da that after three months of heart surgery, he could gradually resume his normal life, and Liang Chaosu couldn’t go for fitness runs.
Strolling doesn’t count.
“I only have three hours free this morning.” He opened the lid. The red date flavor was rich and domineering, spreading towards her, along with his voice.
“To avoid wasting time on store turnover, we’ve chosen the Liang family’s place to select styles. Those few brands are ready. After you eat, we’ll depart.”
Liancheng walked over. It was the same red date soy milk, egg dumplings, and chicken soup dumplings as yesterday.
“I can’t eat.”
Liancheng truly couldn’t eat. She hadn’t slept all night, witnessing the online storm escalate to public frenzy. The Liang family, from top to bottom, inside and out, had been thoroughly scrutinized.
In the latter half of the night, villagers from Liu Li Village collectively posted videos, each holding their ID cards, reporting in their real names that the Liang family had deep backgrounds, had damaged water sources, and had incited bodyguards to beat villagers.
Public opinion escalated from personal moral failings to a crackdown on organized crime. The Qi Province Public Security Bureau issued a notice at three in the morning, launching an investigation.
Previously, his marriage as a lure to overthrow the Liang family was something Liancheng had believed only partly. Now, with this momentum, anyone aware of even the slightest implications understood the magnitude of the trouble.
Liang Chaosu’s jaw tightened, a chill emanating from him, “You can’t eat, or you regret getting married?”
His face turned cold, his high brows and deep-set eyes becoming even sharper, exuding a dominant aura and aggressive pressure.
Liancheng remained silent, gazing at him quietly.
She felt an indescribable sensation. She clearly did not forgive him, and though she felt suppressed by him, she no longer had the fear and unease she once did.
This was very strange.
If she was emboldened by knowing his thoughts, she clearly understood Liang Chaosu’s dangerous nature.
If she didn’t want to accept it, Liang Chaosu would eventually lock her down again.
“The engagement—”
“The engagement; you have no option to regret it.” Liang Chaosu cut her off forcefully, pushed her to sit down, and placed chopsticks and a spoon into her hands.
“News of our marriage has spread across the internet. Tomorrow is your birthday. We’ll hold a press conference in Qingxi Valley to make a public confession.”
Liancheng knitted her brows.
At the height of the storm, he refused to retreat even an inch.
A shrewd businessman wouldn’t fail to calculate gains and losses. For him to self-destruct in this way, his objective must be far greater than the cost.
“What exactly are you after?”
The man’s state relaxed. “You.”
It was as if he said it casually, as if it were always the case, and therefore he spoke so lightly.
Liancheng became inexplicably flustered.
She couldn’t help but recall all her grievances and past hatreds. That time in Hong Kong, it was considered good that it led to her mental persecution, forcing him to voluntarily surrender.
As for the remaining child, the responsibility was shared equally. Coupled with his obstruction of their family recognition and his coercion and inducement to marry, all these scattered incidents accumulated together, were they enough to bankrupt the Liang family, valued at tens of billions?
Was he changing his strategy, trying to buy her conscience with guilt?
……………………
When Liancheng’s romantic idealism was at its peak, she had secretly tried on wedding dresses.
She had tried on fairy-tale A-line styles, alluring mermaid silhouettes, princess ball gowns with long trains, in black and red hues.
At that time, Shen Lichuan was still her fiancé, and the brand designer strongly recommended he try on a white groom’s suit.
The cufflinks and brooch were ruby emblems shaped like a scepter and sword hilt. He wore clear-lens glasses, a stark contrast to his usual gentle and refined demeanor.
He was refined, alluringly beautiful, with handsome features that held a hint of wickedness, like the male lead of a Japanese school-vampire anime.
She had kept a photo from then. Three years ago, she stumbled upon it by chance, and afterward, it disappeared without a trace.
She had always suspected that Liang Chaosu had found it.
But she dared not ask.
At this moment, he descended from the third floor, wearing a double-breasted white suit with wide peak lapels. A vibrant red rose was pinned to his chest, and his bow tie was red velvet.
His hair had also grown longer, styled back with wax. Normally, he was dark and unadorned, but when dressed up, his demeanor was captivating.
He had deliberately dressed up. His physique was broad and upright. As he descended the stairs step by step, illuminated by the colorful reflections from the crystal chandelier’s bead strands, his entire presence exuded noble solemnity, immense power, and an unattainable aura.
He was exceptionally eye-catching, inspiring admiration, and making one want to test the depth of his gravitas and be touched by his uniqueness and greatness.
Liancheng took a silent breath. The mystery was solved; it was indeed him.
“Have you decided on the style?”
He was cold, and his voice was low. The brand staff jolted, suddenly regaining their senses. “Not yet. Madam Liang felt the long train was too heavy, so next, she will try the A-line styles.”
Liang Chaosu walked down the last step of the stairs, his gaze sweeping from Liancheng’s high bun to her delicate, fair neck, and then down to her slender waist that could be held in a single grip, his eyes burning intensely.
The elaborate skirt, the shimmering pearls and diamonds, the white, ethereal long veil – none of it surpassed her, adorned with only a light dusting of makeup.
She was sacred, translucent, serene, and bright.
Simply standing there, gazing at him with a cool demeanor, was like a long, flowing stream, offering infinite peace.
“Is the long train heavy?”
His expression was good, but there was an imperceptible displeasure in his tone.
Liancheng understood and didn’t want him to openly bring up old scores.
“Not as heavy as when I was younger. Thousands of tiny diamonds and pearls, with the skirt weighing thirty-nine catties, plus the veil. Even the Peacock King would struggle to drag this train.”
Liang Chaosu looked at her silently, his gaze lingering for a long time, and asked the brand staff, “If half the decorations are removed, how much weight can be reduced?”
The brand staff’s eyes widened in astonishment, seeing Liang Chaosu’s serious expression, not joking.
“Apologies, Director Liang.” He deliberated carefully. “Madam Liang is trying on this main gown, which is a global limited edition of only five pieces. Three clients have previously requested modifications, usually for beaded or embroidered styles and patterns. Removing the beadwork design is something we have never attempted. I’m afraid I cannot provide an accurate numerical answer.”
He then tactfully added, “Madam Liang is tall and slender, graceful and elegant. If the wedding venue is very grand, a long train can indeed be tiring. While the A-line style is simpler, its design is more ethereal and better complements Madam Liang’s temperament and charm.”
The veil was at least three meters long, fastened with a diamond hairpin that was causing her scalp to ache. Liancheng reached up and removed it.
“The A-line skirt is also troublesome with its layers. Is there anything simpler?”
The next moment, Liang Chaosu grasped her wrist. The veil fell into his arm, his strong, firm arm contrasting with her delicate bonelessness. He carefully smoothed and gathered it, gently placing the sheer fabric aside.
Then, he interlocked their fingers, tightened his grip around her waist, and pulled her entire body close against his tall physique, as if carefully treasuring her.
“Why simpler? Back then, you married—”
Liancheng covered his mouth.
Shen Lichuan and the Shen family had just emerged from the whirlpool. Although some people had followed the trend and scrutinized him,
he wasn’t the main target. The Shen family’s publicity department wasn’t incompetent either; they had guided public opinion in time, so he was unaffected.
If Liang Chaosu were to mention him in front of everyone, unless a gag order was imposed, the brand staff would likely spread the news once they stepped out of the Liang family’s door, adding more to the online revelations.
“Why are you still entangled with him?” Liancheng squeezed the words out from between her teeth. “My aesthetic has simply changed. I used to like princess styles, but now I’m more mature. I prefer simplicity and returning to the basics.”
Liang Chaosu lowered his head to look at her, coldness accumulating in his eyes. He pulled her hand away.
“Are you simplifying, or are you deceiving me? Am I the one persistently entangled, or are you the one protecting him?”
His volume was neither too high nor too low. The brand staff a few steps away could hear him. On the other side of the living room, the remaining brand staff could hear indistinctly and were peeking.
Liancheng was exasperated.
At this moment, the butler rushed around the foyer screen, “Mr. Liang, Miss Liang Wenfei has returned.”
