Chapter 306: To Go Or Not To Go
“This morning your uncle inquired about the case filing. Liang Zhengping’s crimes are more severe and detrimental than his son’s personal misconduct. Nan Province fears losing face over a minor issue and plans to use the case against Liang Chaosu to keep him in check.”
“But the police have confirmed Liang Chaosu is not in Dian Province, and likely not even in the country.”
Lian Cheng’s arm involuntarily lifted, wanting to turn on the light and observe Lin Xianzi’s expression.
The next moment, it inexplicably lowered again, her silhouette hidden in the dimness.
Lin Xianzi understood; Lian Cheng was afraid the light would be too bright, allowing him to see her clearly, and also to see himself.
“Tell Xiao Ying to pack her luggage too.”
She had never been intimidated by anyone, but Liang Chaosu was different. Filing a case against him domestically was a decision made at a high-level meeting.
It involved the stable transition of a region. The Liang Family’s scale had expanded nationwide over four years, employing countless people, and their industries were closely partnered with the government, with extensive and deep connections.
A sudden collapse would not only affect employment but also government projects.
They would handle the smaller issues first, then the larger ones, one by one, to minimize losses and ensure a smooth landing.
But now, the provincial government’s strategy had been issued and then changed, undoubtedly due to Liang Chaosu’s actions as the main cause. She couldn’t figure out which step he had taken, yet he managed to target Mo Shifu’s pressure points and understood the principles of political figures’ actions.
No wonder Liang Chaosu had achieved so much in four years.
The curtains were drawn, the darkness thick and heavy.
After a long silence, Lian Cheng hesitantly reached for Lin Xianzi’s hand. “Are you sure you want me to leave? Is his purpose in coming to Singapore me?”
“I don’t know.” Her palm was ice-cold. Lin Xianzi clasped it back, warming it. “I just don’t want to gamble.”
When fate is on your side, heaven and earth lend their strength; when it’s against you, even heroes are not free. Liang Chaosu’s masterful manipulation of momentum and leverage was extraordinary.
She could accept utter ruin, but she didn’t want Lian Cheng to be repeatedly questioned and worn down by emotions and logic.
“Don’t worry about me. International police have noticed Lian Yingying. It’s only a matter of time before Mo Shifu hands her over. Mom will join you in Europe soon.”
Lian Cheng didn’t know what to say; it seemed there was nothing to say.
She had started something at the airport; she should see it through. Lingering hesitantly and being pulled back and forth was worse than leaving decisively. Only when escape was impossible would she appear ruthless and unfeeling.
“Then I’ll go back to Europe and help you deal with the impact of the parade. The British media is too harsh; I don’t want them to keep scolding you.”
Once international police apprehended Lian Yingying, Jin Tonghai’s case would see significant progress. After the EMA people finished examining the evidence, the European prosecution case would formally enter the trial stage.
As a great man once said, if we do not occupy the battlefield of public opinion, the enemy will.
Now, it was their turn to counterattack.
Lin Xianzi turned on the lights, illuminating the room. Her expression relaxed, her emotions less somber. She raised her hand and touched Lian Cheng’s cheek.
“I’ll have the butler arrange the itinerary. Will you notify Shi En and Xiao Ying?”
Lian Cheng responded with a hum and got out of bed.
The next day, the flight was scheduled for seven. As soon as dawn broke, the villa became bustling with activity.
Lian Cheng was the first to go downstairs, thinking she was early, but was surprised to find Feng Shien already waiting.
Sometimes she felt men were truly an alien species – neat or messy, diligent or languid, regardless of distance, their luggage was just a small suitcase.
And they always stood by the door.
Feng Shien also held two breakfast boxes, one small and one large, in insulated containers.
Since Iceland, Lian Cheng’s appetite had been smaller. She took the smaller one, intending the larger for Bai Ying.
Bai Ying had been infatuated with James Bond last night. Lian Cheng, using like cures like, recommended she rewatch 007, or watch Thor, plus packing her luggage, meant she hadn’t slept all night.
She took the lunchbox and started eating on the spot, still groggy.
“Wait a moment.” Feng Shien stopped her, trying to avoid her hand, but Bai Ying, protective of her food, grabbed his hand as well.
The scene fell silent. Bai Ying looked as if she had been struck by lightning, staggering back six or seven steps, abandoning the lunchbox. “What are you doing?”
Feng Shien, quick-eyed and quick-handed, caught it and handed it to Lian Cheng. “This one is yours.”
Lian Cheng took it blankly. “I can’t eat this much.”
Bai Ying realized what was happening and was furious. “What era are we in? Are you showing favoritism? Come up with something interesting. Whether the food is a lot or a little, it’s not like we’re competing for mates in a famine!”
Lian Cheng also found it amusing. “Shi En, you don’t have to—”
“Open it and see.” He pursed his lips, his gaze elsewhere.
Lian Cheng happened to catch sight of his profile: fair skin, a tense jawline, an unnatural hint of redness.
She suddenly remembered Shen Lichuan. After the hyacinths, he had been like this too, another point of similarity to an alien creature.
Regardless of age or experience, emotions, when accumulated to a certain point, would turn into pure love.
Lian Cheng suddenly felt a sense of guilt. She had been loudly advocating for a formal relationship, waiting for Feng Shien’s agreement.
But now that things were progressing well, she questioned herself. She clearly felt the same amount of fondness as before, yet she was hesitant and unable to speak up.
She opened the lunchbox.
Corn sandwich, corn pancakes, corn kernel salad… each portion was small, but the variety of dishes in the platter was extensive.
“Aunt Wang was supposed to arrive today to give you a surprise, but we decided to go to Europe temporarily, so she changed her flight last night.”
Lian Cheng was stunned. “I remember Mom was going to pick her up in Hong Kong after she returned.”
Aunt Wang didn’t speak English and disliked abroad. The food was too coarse, people’s body odor too strong, and their conversations too unrestrained. Once, Yao Nianci had taken her on a trip, and upon returning to China, she had acted like someone returning from exile, with tears of joy.
“She heard about your illness and was very worried.”
A gust of wind blew in. Feng Shien reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. “She said you liked these. I’m slow at learning, so I could only manage to make them today.”
Lian Cheng’s expression was unnatural. She didn’t ask him when he started. “Thank you, I appreciate the thought. But please don’t do it again next time.”
“Why?”
“…It’s troublesome.”
“It’s not troublesome.” He smiled. Lin Xianzi also came downstairs. Bai Ying, already covered in goosebumps from the saccharine interaction, shook them off and got into another car with Lin Xianzi.
Feng Shien put his arm around her and followed. “Aunt Wang also told me you used to make them yourself and loved corn very much. When I didn’t live with my mom and grandma at the Feng family’s, I was used to men cooking. If you like cooking, you can direct me on anything from pots and pans to dealing with cold water.”
Lian Cheng’s steps felt heavy.
After getting into the car and driving out of the coastal curve, a black Rolls-Royce heading towards them suddenly changed lanes and forced them to stop.
Feng Shien had already sensed it. Just as he applied the brakes, he sharply turned the steering wheel and simultaneously accelerated, making a rapid U-turn.
As a result, Lin Xianzi’s car behind them was also blocked.
Lian Cheng, in the co-pilot seat, tensed up, observing back and forth. There was one more Bentley blocking Lin Xianzi’s car.
Three luxury cars, with a combined value of over ten million, meant these couldn’t be kidnappers after money. If they weren’t after money, they wouldn’t drive such expensive cars. But they controlled their force, not intending to kill, and they were in a busy area, acting openly.
Lian Cheng thought it over and concluded it must be Mo Shifu’s people. “Lock the car doors. I’ll call them and ask what’s happening.”
Feng Shien carefully looked her over and breathed a sigh of relief. “Don’t worry, Aunt Lin’s driver is a retired race car driver—”
Mid-sentence, he noticed something was wrong and followed Lian Cheng’s fixed gaze back.
The rear car door of the Rolls-Royce opened. A bodyguard respectfully carried a black ebony golden eagle cane and helped an elder with unsteady legs out of the car.
