Volume One, Chapter 115: When she graduates, we will get married.
This action might have seemed insignificant if performed by someone else, but for Xu Zhi, it was daring in the extreme. And it happened on the busy roadside, with people passing by.
Liang Jinmo clearly hadn’t expected it; for a moment, he was caught off guard.
Zhao Nianqiao coughed loudly.
Xu Zhi snapped back to herself, realizing what she had done. She hurriedly withdrew her hand and stepped back. “I... I...”
Her face flushed bright red, her mind a chaotic mess, unable to think of any excuse to defend herself.
She was simply too excited. In all these years, she had never felt so liberated, so free to say whatever she wished. Before, she had always watched people’s expressions, careful with her words. But just now, Liang Zhenguo’s face had darkened, Fu Wanwen was so enraged she resorted to insults, and yet Xu Zhi, heedless of it all, unleashed her words with abandon.
She realized that it truly felt exhilarating to lose control; there was a sense of victory, and in her excitement, she hugged him.
She even wanted to share with him how she had won this battle, how she had accused Liang Zhenguo of his failings as a father, how hard she had fought for him.
But now, clarity returned, and shame washed over her. She wished she could disappear. To embrace him so boldly in broad daylight, on the roadside—would he think her reckless?
Carefully, she glanced up at the man before her.
Liang Jinmo’s expression was a little tense, making her even more uncertain.
Zhao Nianqiao, sensing the awkward atmosphere, stepped forward with a smile to answer Liang Jinmo’s earlier question. “Don’t worry, our Zhi was formidable today. Your father was left speechless by her.”
Xu Zhi’s face burned even more. “Mom—”
Her voice was soft and sweet, the kind of coquettish tone unique to young girls, trying to stop Zhao Nianqiao from continuing.
Liang Jinmo couldn’t help but look at her again.
He truly hadn’t seen her like this before—slightly spoiled, yet utterly charming.
Zhao Nianqiao chuckled at Xu Zhi, “I’m not exaggerating. Even I, your own mother, was startled by you. You noticed I didn’t speak for a while? That’s because I couldn’t process it—you were incredible.”
Deep down, Xu Zhi felt a hint of pride, though she kept it restrained. She quickly shifted the topic, asking Liang Jinmo, “Why are you here?”
Liang Jinmo hesitated before answering, “I heard from my father’s assistant at the company that he was coming to see you, so I came by, just in case you couldn’t handle it…”
He didn’t finish his sentence.
Xu Zhi said, “Don’t worry, I can handle it myself.”
She was more than capable. Right now, she felt terrifyingly strong—she could face several more opponents just as easily.
Liang Jinmo gazed at her deeply. “My car is parked in the lot across the street. You two go ahead.”
Xu Zhi paused. “Do you have other business?”
“I need to speak with my father for a few minutes. I’ll be right there.”
He handed her his car keys directly.
Xu Zhi frowned, a little worried, but Zhao Nianqiao tugged at her sleeve, saying, “Let’s go.”
After a brief hesitation, Xu Zhi left with Zhao Nianqiao.
Once they had walked a short distance, Zhao Nianqiao whispered, “This is a matter between father and son. It’s not right for you to interfere too much now.”
Xu Zhi felt dispirited. “I know, but… Uncle Liang treats Jinmo terribly.”
Zhao Nianqiao said nothing; she understood this all too well.
Suddenly, she realized why these two children had come together—perhaps it was their similar circumstances that made them understand each other so well.
In that moment, she felt a pang of sympathy for Liang Jinmo, for he was just like her daughter.
Neither of them had done anything wrong, yet both had endured so many hardships while growing up.
When Liang Zhenguo exited the café, Liang Jinmo took out his phone, intending to call him.
Seeing him approach, Liang Jinmo put his phone away.
Liang Zhenguo walked over, guessing his purpose. “Are you worried about Xu Zhi?”
Liang Jinmo replied, “The engagement was my idea. I’ll take full responsibility. There’s no need to involve her. You know she lacks initiative—she just follows my lead.”
Liang Zhenguo: “…”
Neither son was easy to handle. One had the audacity to run away on the day of his engagement, and now this one was lying without batting an eye—Xu Zhi was anything but passive.
Xu Zhi had tried to shoulder the blame herself, and now Liang Jinmo was doing the same…
These two—who knows when they developed such a tacit understanding.
It would be hard to get to the truth, and Liang Zhenguo felt a headache coming on. Seeing Liang Jinmo standing before him, determined to take all responsibility, he spoke coldly, “You’ll take responsibility? Can you handle it? Because of this engagement, our family is bound to face criticism, not to mention your grandfather…”
Old Mr. Liang had been taken to the hospital in time yesterday, so his life wasn’t in danger, but the ordeal had been taxing. He was still receiving IV treatment, and the doctors said there could be further complications.
The incident had struck him hard. Though he opened his eyes briefly today, his spirit was dazed and muddled. Given his age, even the doctors admitted he couldn’t withstand further shocks.
Liang Zhenguo was not blind to the real issue. If you traced it back, the biggest problem lay with Liang Muzhi. Had he not run away, none of this would have happened. But now, Liang Jinmo was slipping beyond his control, too. He had to assert his authority, his tone icy. “Tell me, how will you take responsibility for all this?”
Liang Jinmo was silent for a few seconds before speaking. “I can take Zhi and leave Beicheng, never return.”
“You…” Liang Zhenguo was furious. In this, Liang Jinmo was quite different from Xu Zhi—he said he would leave as if it were nothing.
But leaving now? That was nonsense. Several key projects in the operations department were handled by him; crucial channels were under his control. The Liang family’s transition from traditional business to the new mobile terminal relied heavily on his team.
Liang Zhenguo’s face was grim. “How are you worse than Xu Zhi, a young girl? When trouble arises, all you think to do is run away.”
Liang Jinmo said, “I thought you’d want us gone.”
Liang Zhenguo frowned. “Leaving won’t solve the problem.”
Liang Jinmo nodded. “Then I’ll wait until Zhi graduates, and marry her immediately, silencing the gossip.”
Liang Zhenguo considered this and realized it was the only option. Otherwise, if any further scandal, like a broken engagement, occurred, it would be even more humiliating.
“I don’t care what’s going on between you and Xu Zhi,” he said. “This scandal ends here. She used to be close with Muzhi—you know that, right?”
Liang Jinmo paused before nodding.
“Tell her from now on, she’s not to have any contact with Muzhi,” Liang Zhenguo said sternly. “You’re my son, and she’s now the future daughter-in-law of the Liang family. As long as she stays by your side, we won’t treat her poorly. Once you’re married, I’ll consider helping her company. And…”
He looked at Liang Jinmo deeply. “When your grandfather’s health improves, you must both visit him in person, explain everything, and apologize.”
Liang Jinmo agreed.
In truth, the outcome was lenient for him and Xu Zhi, but he knew it wasn’t because Liang Zhenguo cared for them.
Liang Zhenguo was a sly old fox, adept at reading the situation. With Liang Muzhi gone and so many channels in the company under Jinmo’s control, there was no way he’d let him leave now.
His suggestion to leave was simply a test, a retreat to probe for leverage.
When saying farewell to Liang Zhenguo, he caught sight of Fu Wanwen coming out of the café.
She looked noticeably haggard, and when she saw him, her gaze was full of resentment.
He was long accustomed to it and glanced at her indifferently, then turned and left.
Upon reaching the parking lot and getting into the car, Liang Jinmo heard Xu Zhi’s phone ringing.
Xu Zhi and Zhao Nianqiao sat in the back seat. Xu Zhi, a little embarrassed, took out her phone and rejected the call.
Zhao Nianqiao asked, “Who is it? You’ve hung up three times already.”
Xu Zhi glanced at Liang Jinmo before answering softly, “It’s Liang Muzhi. I don’t know what’s gotten into him—I don’t want to answer.”