Chapter 308: Cemetery
This news came from provincial media, on the front page, a large feature.
It criticized the work of the municipal departments in Nan Province, listing several negative impacts of the cherry blossoms in one city and concluding that they were flashy but not substantial. Finally, official media guidance was attached, sternly warning relevant public officials that governing requires pragmatism, not opening the doors wide for convenience.
“They are going after the Liang family now,” Liancheng murmured.
Benefiting from their upbringing in a wealthy family, Bai Ying and Liancheng both had political sensitivity and could understand the deeper meaning.
The official media was setting an example, clearly stating that the cooperation between officials and businesses was too deep, using public power for private gain, with profound and detrimental influences. Today it was cherry blossoms, what about tomorrow and the day after? Bad precedents must not be set.
The provincial media was firmly implementing the instructions from above, thereby demonstrating their determination to move against the Liang family and deterring their allies from a desperate struggle.
“My dad said that the reason they haven’t filed a case yet is that Liang Zhengping’s crimes have crossed the bottom line of those in power. They have to deal with the Liang family, whether it’s Liang Chaosu sooner or later, he can’t escape, so there’s no rush. They will both lose, and their chances of making a comeback domestically will be gone.”
Liancheng scrolled down. Some comments guessed it was the Liang family, hinting and revealing information. The cherry blossoms were the work of the striking young Chairman Liang, who spent hundreds of millions to win a smile from his beloved.
Bai Ying glanced at it. “Although netizens in China are all like Sherlock Holmes, they dare to joke under official media, and the comments haven’t been censored yet. I think it’s probably Liang Zhengping. He’s anxious to seize power, and those in power are happy to see his father and son exhaust each other’s strength.”
Liancheng lowered her eyes, remaining silent for a long while.
Bai Ying observed her expression. “Liang Chaosu didn’t get out of the car earlier, he was so cold. If he’s let you go, and you spend a few years inside, you’ll still have leverage for going abroad.”
Liancheng’s face showed no joy, no anger, no sorrow, excessively calm. “If it’s really like this, it’s quite good.”
Whatever mistake he made, whatever price he paid, and then let go of his extremism, the rest of his life would still be as Liang Chaosu.
Liang Chaosu, who was innocent before the age of twenty-four.
Feng Shien in the front seat suddenly lowered the partition. In the rearview mirror, his face darkened, tensing inch by inch. “Aunt Lin called and told us to turn around.”
Liancheng was startled.
Before they left, Lin Xianzi had clearly instructed that no matter what happened, boarding the plane was the priority, and she would never change her mind.
“Did Mo Shifu force my mother?”
“No, Aunt Lin is afraid Europe is unsafe.” Gloom gathered in Feng Shien’s eyes. “The Huang family intentionally warned her, and Aunt Lin sensed Mo Shifu’s unnatural reaction. He definitely has a backup plan in Europe.”
Liancheng knitted her brows.
Feng Shien’s gaze fixed on her in the rearview mirror. “Are you afraid Liang Chaosu is doing this intentionally?”
Liancheng gave a strained smile. “The Liang family is finished in China. Him coming to Singapore might not be for me.”
Mo Shifu and Liang Zhengping thought it best to strike first. Liang Chaosu won his counterattack, but at a cost of a thousand damages.
Given his nature of retaliating in kind and leaving no hidden dangers, he would definitely come to Singapore to deal with Mo Shifu before the case was officially filed in China.
“Aunt Lin also felt his attitude was indifferent, not like he wanted to continue to entangle. She asked us to return to Europe a few days later, and she would first investigate Mo Shifu’s backup plan.”
Liancheng agreed. “We’ll go back.”
Feng Shien remained silent. In the rearview mirror, his eyes were deep and dark, his amber pupils losing their clarity.
Like being trapped in a swamp, adrift and desolate, lingering with resentment in his self-control, yet unable to speak, fearing to disturb her or add to her burden.
Liancheng felt helpless. She wasn’t unfeeling or completely ignorant of romantic relationships.
The most important sense of security in a romantic relationship, she had never been able to give Feng Shien.
And because they had started too hastily, she hadn’t firmly chosen his exclusivity.
Moreover, the reasons widely approved by those around her were almost written on their faces. He was a tool to cover up and forget another man.
“Shi En—”
“Can we continue to develop our relationship?”
Liancheng was a little stunned. “Of course.”
Feng Shien pressed his lips together, his hand gripping the steering wheel, veins bulging. “I mean, openly and aboveboard.”
Bai Ying’s pupils widened as she looked at Liancheng, then at Feng Shien.
Is this dog trying to force his way to power and claim legitimacy?
Liancheng sat stiffly.
Feng Shien waited patiently for two minutes, during which he slowed the car, turned around, and drove back the way they came.
Waves crashed, and the wind blew gently.
This made the car interior even more silent, so silent that all one’s senses became exceptionally sharp.
“I’ve always believed that feelings come naturally,” Feng Shien said, looking at the road ahead. The rearview mirror reflected half of his face, refined and calm, like a gentle flame, burning nakedly and directly, yet without causing harm to others.
“Growing slowly step by step, liking someone more deeply, and starting to like someone you didn’t like, until both parties discard all extraneous things and merge into a pure whole.”
Liancheng was restless.
She understood that Feng Shien was referring to their impure beginning, that he had worldly considerations, and she was trying to escape the past.
It was like a typical blind date. In the beginning, it might be for wealth, beauty, or other reasons, but once a decision to develop the relationship was made, the depth of feelings would surpass these motives, and when the relationship was established, it should be pure and loyal.
“Do you mind?” Feng Shien asked. “Compared to that kind of violent and passionate emotion, I’m not pure enough and full of worldly concerns.”
“No,” Liancheng replied in a muffled voice. “The fact that you can bring this up shows that you are at least honest and serious about feelings.”
Feng Shien heard her confused evasion and chuckled. He looked at her again in the rearview mirror. “Aunt Lin has helped me a lot, and I can’t force you in terms of feelings either. I’m many years older than you, so you need to think carefully and tell me if you want me as a friend, a brother, or… or remember to tell me the answer.”
His eyes were elegantly shaped, lacking the deep, intense structure, with clear lines. Coupled with his light-colored pupils, he was so gentle and considerate, leaving a good impression on women.
Even Bai Ying couldn’t help but change her perception.
……………………………………..
Afternoon.
The main gate of the Mo family residence was open. Two rows of yellow and white chrysanthemums and lamp curtains extended along the road. Black-clad bodyguards stood solemnly at the entrance, and one person would step out to guide each arriving car.
Guests were like clouds, blocking the street.
Liancheng, sitting in the car, saw this scene and instructed the driver to take a detour to the cemetery.
At noon, the butler reported the list of guests attending the memorial ceremony, and Lin Xianzi immediately slammed the table.
Mo Jianhong made friends regardless of their background during his lifetime, with a wide circle of friends. However, the attendees were chosen based on their status, and sixty percent had shallow relationships with Mo Jianhong.
This so-called memorial ceremony, with its grand display, was all orchestrated by Mo Shicheng’s efforts.
Lin Xianzi’s emotions were heavy and suppressed. She gritted her teeth the entire way, without saying a word.
Upon arriving at the cemetery, Liancheng helped Lin Xianzi up the mountain.
This gentle slope was the Mo family’s ancestral burial ground. Singapore did not promote burial, so the rows of tombstones were similar to domestic burial grounds, with differences in distance and style.
Mo Jianhong loved plane trees during his lifetime, and a circle was planted around the tombstone. In front of the tombstone, only the flowers and fruit that Liancheng had offered a few days prior remained, the ashes of incense blown clean by the wind.
Mo Shifu had not even sent anyone to offer condolences.
“He’s shameless,” Lin Xianzi trembled all over. “This is to threaten me. If I insist, any goodwill from Jianhong will vanish, and he won’t consider his blood ties. Huang Shengnan was right. If I hadn’t called you back, he would have intended to make a move against you.”
Liancheng steadied her. “Gu Zhoushan is about to yield.”
“How soon is ‘about to’?”
A familiar male voice came from behind her. Liancheng turned around.
Gu Xingyuan stood about three meters away, the trunk of a plane tree blocking half of his body. Liancheng couldn’t see if anyone else was behind him.
“This is a private cemetery, how did you get in?”
