Volume One, Chapter 112: She Had to Pursue Him.

Zhao Nianqiao frowned, phone in hand, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows of the balcony. She asked her assistant, "Has he been taken to the hospital? What did the doctor say?"

The assistant replied, "The doctor said it’s likely cerebral vasoconstriction, leading to insufficient blood supply and oxygen to the brain tissue…" She hesitated, then added, "It’s… just that his emotions were too intense, causing an overreaction of the sympathetic nervous system."

To put it plainly, he’d been so angry that he fainted.

Zhao Nianqiao let out a breath. "So, it’s nothing serious then."

"Madam," the assistant asked, "aren’t you coming to the hospital?"

Zhao Nianqiao said, "Let me know when he’s dead."

She hung up and turned around, finding Xu Zhi had already come over. Xu Zhi asked what was going on. She didn’t hide anything and recounted everything in detail. At the end, she said, "If your dad really had something happen to him now, I’d be the one with the headache, what with all those debts. I can’t even bear to think about it."

Xu Zhi opened her mouth, but no words came out.

She recalled what Liang Jinmo had said before: that if Zhao Nianqiao divorced Xu Heping, he’d help her clear her debts. But times had changed. To borrow that money from Liang Jinmo now would be shameless, and she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Millions in debt—no matter how hard she worked, she might never be able to pay it back in this lifetime.

They returned to the living room. By then, it was already six in the evening, and Liang Jinmo and Zhou He were preparing to leave.

Liang Jinmo placed a card on the coffee table. "If you need anything for the house, you can use this card. The password is Xu Zhi’s birthday."

Xu Zhi froze for a moment and quickly said, "No need, I have my phone with me."

But Zhao Nianqiao picked up the card without hesitation. "Well, then I’ll just use it as I please."

"Mom—" Xu Zhi was a little exasperated. Zhao Nianqiao was acting very much like a difficult mother-in-law these days.

Zhao Nianqiao glanced at her sideways. "The password is your birthday, after all."

Xu Zhi’s cheeks flushed. As Liang Jinmo and Zhou He headed toward the door, she couldn’t help but look at Liang Jinmo.

But he didn’t look back at her. He only said to Zhao Nianqiao, "That’s all for today. We’ll be on our way."

Zhao Nianqiao replied, "Alright, I won’t see you out."

Liang Jinmo then turned and left. Xu Zhi stared blankly at his retreating back, still dazed after he had gone out the door.

Zhao Nianqiao shot her a glance. "If you want to see him off, go now!"

Xu Zhi bit her lip, still a little embarrassed, but she couldn’t help herself. Lifting her skirt, she hurried after him.

She was still wearing high heels, her footsteps echoing clearly in the elevator lobby.

Liang Jinmo and Zhou He were waiting for the elevator. Seeing her come out, Zhou He said, "I’ll go down first, then?"

Liang Jinmo was silent for a few seconds before replying, "I’ll find you in the parking lot later."

The elevator arrived. Zhou He went down first, but not before shooting Xu Zhi a meaningful look.

Once the elevator lobby was quiet, Xu Zhi stood before Liang Jinmo, unconsciously tense. She asked, "Are you going back to the hotel?"

"Yes," Liang Jinmo replied.

He sounded so cold.

Xu Zhi felt a little disappointed. In front of others today, even in front of her mother, Liang Jinmo’s every action was impeccable—he gave her plenty of face. But when they were alone, he reverted to his old, reticent self.

It was as if he didn’t even want to speak to her.

She looked up at him. "Your face…"

Liang Jinmo said nothing.

She had to ask, "Did Uncle Liang hit you?"

He nodded.

"It’s all swollen…" she said softly, feeling a pang of distress. She reached up, wanting to touch his cheek. "Does it hurt?"

But before her fingers could reach him, he stepped back, avoiding her touch.

Her hand hung stiffly in midair.

"It doesn’t hurt," Liang Jinmo said.

She let her arm fall heavily to her side, slowly clenching her fist. "Oh… that’s good then."

The atmosphere grew awkward. She tried to force a smile, but failed. After a few moments, she said, "You should go find Zhou He."

Liang Jinmo actually left, not even saying goodbye.

Xu Zhi stood in the elevator lobby, dazed for a while before returning inside.

How could it not hurt? His face was so swollen… She remembered once when her own face had been bruised by Xu Heping, and he had rolled a boiled egg over her cheek to help with the swelling. She had wanted to mention it just now, but his evasive movement made her forget everything.

When Zhao Nianqiao saw her come back looking dejected, she asked, "What’s wrong? He just left and you already look like this."

Xu Zhi stared at her toes, her mind in a jumble. Unsure how to explain her feelings about Liang Jinmo, she changed the subject. "Mom, why are you making things difficult for him?"

First, criticizing the house, then at the dinner table, nitpicking about him picking out dishes and peeling shrimp, and then accepting the card without hesitation.

Zhao Nianqiao said, "Feeling sorry for him?"

"No…" Xu Zhi replied haltingly. "I just feel bad for him… Today, he really helped me out. When Liang Muzhi ran off, I had no choice but to pull him up on stage with me. Because of that, he got scolded by Uncle Liang."

Zhao Nianqiao said, "Let me ask you—what exactly is this engagement? Are you just doing it temporarily to appease the guests, planning to break it off later, or do you intend to actually get married?"

Xu Zhi hesitated. "It’s not entirely up to me…"

Of course she wanted to be with Liang Jinmo, but she couldn’t read his feelings. He had insisted on not changing partners, but he was also so cold to her.

His behavior made her heart ache a little.

"Why isn’t it up to you?" Zhao Nianqiao said. "It’s actually very simple. If you don’t like him, find a chance to discuss breaking off the engagement—then you can go your separate ways. If you do like him, then go after him! You’re not even out of college—you’re in your early twenties! Why be so passive? If you want something, you should go for it. Love is no exception. That’s what being young is about."

Xu Zhi was stunned.

It was like a sudden revelation. She realized—yes.

From the moment she’d pulled Liang Jinmo into the engagement, she had already made her decision: she would no longer worry about others’ opinions, but chase after the life she wanted.

And in her heart, Liang Jinmo was an indispensable part of that life.

By that logic, of course she should pursue him.

Her eyes shone. She clenched her fists. "Mom, thank you. I’ll do my best!"

Zhao Nianqiao’s words had lifted the fog in her heart.

Seeing her daughter’s spirits rise, Zhao Nianqiao was in a good mood too. She waved the card in her hand. "Looks like you’re really going to pursue him—so I’ll just keep this card. I won’t be shy about it. Spending my future son-in-law’s money is only natural."

Money was another matter. Xu Zhi reached for the card. "No, I brought my phone and still have some savings. Use mine first!"

Zhao Nianqiao pulled the card away. "Are you silly? Do you really think Liang Jinmo gave this money to me?"

Xu Zhi blinked, confused.

"How many words have I spoken to him all these years?" Zhao Nianqiao chuckled. "He gave us this card and arranged a place for us to stay—all for your sake. It’s all for you. Because of you, he treats me as his future mother-in-law. Don’t think I’m making things hard for him. I just want to see how much he’s willing to put up with me, for your sake."

Xu Zhi felt a warmth in her heart. But still…

She said, "But he’s really not good with words, and he’s not like some men who put on a show. What you said… it’s really a bit much for him."

"Oh, listen to yourself," Zhao Nianqiao teased. "Not good with words is suddenly a compliment now, is it? Every word is in his defense."

Xu Zhi’s ears burned. She hurried to change the subject. "Let’s go buy what we need. We don’t even have toiletries yet…"

She and Zhao Nianqiao ordered some necessities online. By nightfall, Xu Zhi lay in bed, her nerves still buzzing with excitement.

She said she’d pursue him—but how?

She had never chased a boy before. Yang Xue was always after Cheng Yu, but the more she chased, the more annoyed he seemed…

Forget it. Yang Xue was a negative example—better not follow her lead.

At the very least, she should start by messaging him. Unable to resist, she picked up her phone and sent Liang Jinmo a message: Are you asleep?