Chapter 286: What For?
“Utterly defeated.”
Liang Zhengping repeated with a smile.
“No, Chaosu, you are utterly defeated in the Liang family, but not in life.”
Liang Chaosu stared at him.
Liang Zhengping pulled over a stool and sat by the bed. “I believe in your abilities. Africa is wild and backward, violence thrives, and it’s a dangerous place for ordinary people, but it’s your playground.”
“Go there, change your identity, and your second half of life might be more joyful than in China. As father and son, I am genuinely merciful to you.”
“Is it your mercy, or are there other considerations?”
Liang Zhengping’s expression became stern. He scrutinized him intently, and after a long while, he moved his arm away and rested it on the back of the chair.
“You found out?”
“My mother is elderly and pregnant. It’s a huge joyous occasion. Those in the know can’t wait for me to congratulate you.”
Liang Zhengping had dyed his hair black. His face lacked the spirited vigor of previous years, and he was less sinister and resentful than when he first returned to the country, appearing much more relaxed.
At this moment, he seemed to have regressed, with three parts fierceness and seven parts brutality.
“You were unfilial and disrespectful in Iceland. Even after your mother became pregnant, you remained soft-hearted. Do you still want to exploit her, harm her again, and show no maternal affection?”
Liang Chaosu didn’t answer. He leaned back against the head of the bed and suddenly asked, “Father, what do you think I went back to Nan Province for?”
Liang Zhengping’s expression shifted subtly. The corners of his mouth curved upward almost imperceptibly, but his eyebrows lowered, filled with sarcasm, mockery, disdain, and a sneer.
“For a woman, a woman who doesn’t understand you, who doesn’t favor you, and who would lead you to eternal damnation, you’re willing to confront your own father with swords, to the death.”
“Unfortunately, everything you rely on was done by Zhou Dazhi alone. I am an innocent party who was deceived.”
Liang Chaosu was expressionless, his eyes dark and deep, possessing an unfathomable quality even more eerie than the sky outside the window.
“Father is cautious, but sometimes caution is misplaced. It’s not about adhering to principles or avoiding risks, but about seeking great gains quickly and using every means to cover up crimes.”
He swiped on his mobile phone, showing a video.
Liu Qingsong was in it, as was Liang Wenfei.
Liang Zhengping was initially astonished, but quickly regained his composure. Liu Qingsong was a minor player; whatever he revealed wouldn’t be of much concern to him.
Liang Chaosu played the video until the end, with Liu Qingsong chuckling.
“Chairman Liang is wary of me. He gave my mother ten million for her old age, considering me a prodigal son fulfilling his filial duty. But if he can buy me, he’s surely afraid Young Chairman Liang might offer twenty million, so I don’t know much.”
Xiao Da’s tone was flat. “Your mother asked me to give you a message. Once the ten million arrives, she’ll hand it over. If you go to prison for someone else’s crime, she’ll live on coarse food and water, stop her medication and avoid medical treatment, to atone for you.”
Liu Qingsong’s face changed. “It was Mo Shicheng. I overheard Liang Zhengping’s phone call. Before, he and Mo Shicheng exchanged something to collaborate—”
Liang Chaosu cut off the video. “Mo Shifu felt guilty and compassionate towards Liancheng, not bearing to see her die. With this sliver of hesitation, Mo Shicheng lacked assistance. Communication in prison was delayed, his subordinates were muddled, and Lin Xianzi won.”
“Now Mo Shicheng’s extradition is voided, and he’s involved in cases of armed kidnapping and illegal sentence reduction by mainland kidnappers. If he wants to protect his son, he needs to find a scapegoat with capital and capability.”
“Originally, I was the target, but I proactively took the bullet. The motive and logic didn’t add up for the police, so it had to be you and Gu Zhoushan.”
“Mo Shicheng is saving himself and is very willing for you to receive a life sentence. He generously copied that item for me.”
Veins bulged on Liang Zhengping’s forehead. He pressed his lips together and remained silent.
He finally understood the purpose of Liang Chaosu mentioning Yao Nianci’s pregnancy.
It was purely to set the stage. His elderly wife had a new hope, her emotions were easily swayed, and she couldn’t withstand tempests.
He hadn’t anticipated that a situation he was sure to win would devolve into mutual destruction. With his spirit crushed, the greater the new hope, the more distraught he became.
For a moment, his thoughts genuinely went into a dead end, unable to find a way to break the situation.
Liang Zhengping’s hand, resting on his leg, trembled involuntarily. “He also has evidence with me.”
The implication was that Liang Chaosu was bluffing him.
“He can distinguish between the legal integrity of Huaxia and Singapore. The items you have are useless in Huaxia. According to international law, they will only be transferred to Singapore, and Mo Shicheng will still have a chance.”
Liang Zhengping made a final stand. “As you said, I gave the recording to that old provincial governor in Qi Province. Although the person involved is not in the country and no case has been filed for investigation, it’s only a matter of time. Your reputation is ruined. Those upright individuals who used to support you are avoiding you. Even if you reclaim the Liang family, opponents in the business world who smell blood will not let you go.”
“You will still have nothing. Lin Xianzi will not allow you near her daughter. Without your claws and capital, you will never get close.”
Perhaps people who have been through the ups and downs of business for a long time cultivate sharp eyes that strike directly at the vital points.
Usually, they meander and strategize to maintain appearances, win gracefully, and minimize losses. Once the true intentions are revealed, and it’s a matter of life and death, they become direct, striking at each other’s deepest vulnerabilities.
“Why don’t we each take a step back? I’ll find a way to delay the domestic investigation. The Liang family will retain your title as chairman, and you can go to Europe to do what you want most.”
Liang Zhengping could only delay. Since Liang Chaosu was prepared in advance, if he had allowed him to plant traps everywhere these past few days without revealing or obstructing, it must mean that his preparations were not yet complete.
To play his cards openly now meant that he had a more urgent change of events. For example, hearing laughter in the corridor, he had to show his hand early to intimidate him into backing down.
Having fully understood and figured it out, Liang Zhengping couldn’t help but feel a chill in his heart.
His son’s intelligence was the peak of the Liang family’s third generation. He used to think of him as an unparalleled sharp blade, brilliant but lacking concealment.
Now, he was even more difficult to deal with than a poisonous snake—calm, lurking, and patient.
If he hadn’t panicked, who would have won or lost in the end is uncertain. After all, the recording was returned to him by Liancheng.
If the party concerned indicated they would not pursue the matter, there were many ways to circumvent such cases.
……………………………………………………
Far East Pharmaceuticals had new developments. Liancheng followed Lin Xianzi to Italy and settled into that wine manor.
The scenery in the Apennine region is world-renowned. This suburban village is sparsely populated; within a five-kilometer radius, there is only this wine manor.
Green hills rolled and undulated endlessly, stretching to the verdant foothills. The imposing gray mountains were illuminated by the sunlight, appearing golden.
Liancheng, wearing tall boots, walked through the grass, taking a breath of the fresh air.
The dew on the green grass, the fresh, nascent scent, and the fragrance of unknown yellow wildflowers were sweet, as if a soul had been sprinkled with candy.
Bai Ying flopped down. “Oh my god, working night shifts in China, what kind of miserable life am I living.”
Liancheng also lay down. “Shi En said the same thing yesterday.”
Bai Ying turned on her side, propping her head with her elbow and looking at her. “Don’t you think Big Feng looks a bit like Shen Lichuan? Of course, he’s a more mature version of Shen Lichuan. Aunt Lin is trying to set you two up.”
Liancheng burst out laughing. “You’re in love. Even passing dogs think we’re a match, but my mother definitely isn’t.”
Bai Ying stared at her for a few seconds, then snorted. “I’m not sure about Aunt Lin, but you’re definitely not interested in Big Feng.”
She flopped back with a clatter, raising her hand to gesture at the clouds. “Poor Big Feng is in unrequited love. He turned down his job in China to accompany you, secretly get medicine for you, take you to the doctor, and keep you company.”
Bai Ying unexpectedly thought of that video call. She really couldn’t understand why Lin Xianzi wanted her to send it to Liang Chaosu.
Wasn’t it clearly provoking Liang Chaosu to go crazy? What was the point?
The clouds resembling little pigs in the sky drifted away. Bai Ying’s arm also felt sore, and she lowered it.
She heard Liancheng quietly ask, without any warning, “Is he better?”
It was almost a whisper.
Bai Ying missed a word. “Who? Shen Lichuan?”
Liancheng pressed her lips together, then paused. The name welled up from the bottom of her heart, flowed through her being, and on her lips it became:
“How has Shen Lichuan been recently?”
