Chapter 70: Father Liang Makes A Move, Wind And Rain Are Coming
Mother Liang said, “Before, Chaosu wanted Feifei to go abroad, hoping she would accumulate a bond of shared hardship with Lichuan. Madam Shen knew, and she specially thanked me for teaching well, looking at Feifei with new eyes.”
“So, I promised her that after returning, I’ve been struggling with how to smooth things over with the Shen family. Mother Liang said this, feeling her own thinking was limited, ‘As a result, your suggestion turned out to be thinking of Lichuan.'”
Father Liang laughed, “I thought it was some difficult matter, get you to praise me this time. If Feifei truly wanted a bond, she would naturally stay by his side until the end, solidifying her reputation for the better, but since she’s called, with her temperament, she’s likely argued with Lichuan many times already. Staying longer would only breed resentment.”
He pondered, “But the improved impression the Shen family has cannot be lost. This way, when she returns, while she’s still tanned from Africa and feeling the fatigue of the long flight, take her to visit the Shen family first. Don’t explain anything else, just say sorry to Lichuan, Feifei is too delicate to accompany him.”
Mother Liang, also a noblewoman with extensive experience in wealthy families, immediately responded, “Retreat to advance!”
Father Liang just smiled without speaking.
Mother Liang, in her sixties, still had bright eyes, but she playfully chided, “No wonder I felt I couldn’t deal with Chaosu, so he inherited all ten parts of your cunning.”
“It’s not that you can’t deal with him, your strength is among the other ladies.”
The atmosphere in the small flower hall was good. The butler led a man in a suit and leather shoes to stand at the door, “Sir, Secretary Zhou is here.”
Father Liang’s expression softened, and he went upstairs to the study.
“As you instructed, the search scope for Miss Lian Cheng has been expanded to surrounding counties and cities. Aunt Wang, since arriving at the eldest young master’s residence, has not left the house. The only time she went out to buy ingredients was with the eldest young master’s assistant, Xiao Da. We had no opportunity to approach.”
Father Liang’s expression imperceptibly darkened. He opened the drawer and took out a cigar case.
Secretary Zhou stepped forward and clipped the cigar tip, “Madam doesn’t like you smoking, don’t smoke too much.”
Father Liang ignored him, exhaling smoke from his nose, “Where has Chaosu been staying these past few days?”
“Yes,” Secretary Zhou stepped back. “The eldest young master has been busy with Gu Corporation’s business these past few days, inspecting the group once. The remaining time he spent at the Jade Mansion.”
Father Liang’s smoking action was vigorous, and a large plume of smoke entered his lungs, making him choke.
Secretary Zhou stepped forward with concern to pat his back. Father Liang waved him away, “Since he’s coming back today, go up and take a look for me.”
Secretary Zhou hesitated, “The eldest young master—has strict rules, separates public and private life, and doesn’t like secretaries entering his private life much.”
Generally, in wealthy families like theirs, secretaries, after working for a certain number of years, find it hard to distinguish between public and private matters. They handle the group’s affairs, and they also handle the employer’s private matters.
Over the years, the only exception was Liang Chaosu; there was no one around him who could get close.
Secretary Zhou privately believed that if the Liang family’s eldest young master were born in ancient times, he would definitely be a master of imperial strategy, with all the civil and military officials trembling, constantly trying to guess their lord’s preferences and thoughts.
They could only diligently adhere to the rules he set, desperately complete the missions he assigned, and take pride in being a chess piece that played its part to the fullest.
Father Liang said, “With me here, what are you afraid of?”
This was the benefit of working for the Liang family: high standards, strict rules, but never shirking responsibility or blaming others, with generous compensation.
Secretary Zhou smiled respectfully with great sincerity, “I guarantee I will complete your instructions.”
He exited the door and collided with the man standing in the doorway.
He wasn’t wearing formal attire today, but a casual jacket and black wool pants. His hair was not styled with hairspray, and a few stray strands were scattered on his forehead. He was a thousand miles away from his usual stern, unsmiling demeanor.
His whole being was spirited yet gentle, with a trace of leisurely ease. Although he still had no smile on his face, this slight change, if it were for a woman, could drive anyone mad just thinking about it.
It’s just that, preferably, that woman wasn’t the one.
And ideally, that person wouldn’t be at the Jade Mansion.
“Eldest Young Master.”
Liang Chaosu glanced at him and nodded as he entered.
………………
Lian Cheng woke up.
The entire house was empty and quiet.
Liang Chaosu was gone, and Aunt Wang also didn’t know where she had gone.
She served herself porridge and sat alone in the restaurant. Bright sunlight slanted across the tabletop, with dust motes dancing in the light, thousands upon thousands of them.
She wondered if her words from last night had had any effect.
Her menstrual period, having lasted for four days, was like a maxed-out credit card, almost at its limit.
And then there was the black clinic; once the chestnut cake was out, she truly felt uncertain. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe Shen Lichuan; in terms of character, Shen Lichuan was eight lifetimes ahead of Liang Chaosu.
In terms of methods, not to mention Liang Chaosu, even his assistant Xiao Da, if Shen Lichuan were truly pure and kind, he wouldn’t be able to play them.
“Lian Cheng,” a familiar voice suddenly came from the foyer. “Why are you only drinking porridge? There are still dishes in the warming drawer.”
Aunt Wang bustled over, washed her hands, and brought over several dishes: steamed sea bass, blanched prawns, stir-fried zucchini with egg, steamed dumplings, taro cake, and milk.
Lian Cheng was a little confused, “Aunt Wang, he’s not here.”
“I know,” Aunt Wang wiped her hands with her apron. “The eldest young master left early this morning. These are for you to eat alone.”
Lian Cheng didn’t think much of it and pulled Aunt Wang to sit down. “I can’t finish this, Aunt Wang, please eat with me.”
Aunt Wang didn’t decline and sat next to her, but didn’t pick up her chopsticks. “Lian Cheng, Aunt Wang wants to ask you something.”
As Lian Cheng’s gaze shifted, Aunt Wang suddenly added, “I know the rules for servants. If you don’t want to say, just pretend I didn’t ask.”
Lian Cheng was startled and put down her chopsticks.
Aunt Wang stammered, “Lian Cheng… you, are you pregnant, with the eldest young master’s child?”
Lian Cheng’s hand suddenly tightened, becoming stiff as ice.
She had forgotten that Aunt Wang, having worked at the Liang family for twenty years without error and with an impeccable reputation, was first, honest, and second, meticulous. What others couldn’t think of or perceive, by the time she discovered it, she had already silently prepared and done it.
“I—”
Lian Cheng’s throat felt constricted. Her many lies to Liang Chaosu were like barbs she used for self-preservation.
But towards Aunt Wang, who protected her with her career and retirement benefits, any pretense from her was a betrayal, and a single lie felt like swallowing a thousand needles.
“It’s that obvious?”
“Not obvious, not obvious,” Aunt Wang waved her hands repeatedly.
Lian Cheng was tense, and she was even more tense, her voice barely audible, “I discovered your menstrual period was fake when I took out the trash, yesterday you couldn’t drink the chicken soup, plus you’ve been sleeping a lot these past few days. Most importantly, I have experience.”
Lian Cheng said nothing.
She suddenly realized that every bad situation Bai Ying had predicted was coming true, one by one.
Following a pile of messes, pregnancy reactions arrived as scheduled.
One instance of gagging at chicken soup was due to an upset stomach. Seeing meat and fish every time, even a fool would know there was a problem.
“Then why are you hiding it…” Aunt Wang’s voice trembled slightly. “Does he not want it? Lian Cheng, what are your thoughts between you and him?”
At this point, any further excuses from Lian Cheng would be less effective than straightforward confession. “I want to leave, to disappear with the child—”
These past few days, Liang Chaosu hadn’t been working, and Lian Cheng had been exhausted just dealing with him. When he occasionally went out, Lian Cheng would catch up on sleep and recover. Aunt Wang’s information was pieced together bit by bit.
Hearing Lian Cheng finish explaining the past four years, Aunt Wang felt she couldn’t breathe, was in disbelief, and remained stunned in immense shock for a long time.
“Aunt Wang,” Lian Cheng said calmly, holding her hand. “My child and I only have one life, but there’s no shortage of life-threatening matters. The most urgent one right now is, when he left this morning, did he pack any luggage?”
Had her tactic last night worked at all?
