Volume 1, Chapter 138: Actually, Xu Zhi never pushed me that day at the ski resort.

To see Xu Zhi, Liang Muzhi was unusually compliant this time. The very next day, he went to the hospital to visit Old Master Liang.

The old man lay in his hospital bed. Although his condition had stabilized, he looked utterly listless and pale, appearing to have aged significantly in just a few short days. Seeing his grandfather like this, Liang Muzhi felt a pang of guilt.

Following Liang Zhengguo’s instructions, he apologized, "Grandfather, I’m sorry. About the engagement day... it was my fault."

The old man leaned against the headboard, watching him for a long time before speaking, "I haven't the strength to cane you anymore. Whatever I say, you remain indifferent. I truly can’t control you anymore... You left our entire family, so many guests, and Zhizi abandoned there... Did you ever think about what would happen to them?"

Liang Muzhi bowed his head, unable to speak.

"You just want to be the death of me," the old man said, looking away, visibly weary. "Now the Liang family is a laughingstock in everyone's eyes. Your fiancée has become your sister-in-law..."

Liang Muzhi couldn't help but interject, "They aren't married yet. They can call off the engagement."

The old man frowned, "Call it off? After so many people witnessed it? Calling it off now would be even more shameful!"

Liang Muzhi’s heart turned increasingly cold. "Grandfather, do you really want Zhizi to marry Liang Jinmo? You dote on her so much—can you bear it? Haven't you always wanted me to marry her?"

For the longest time, his grandfather had been the staunchest supporter of the arranged marriage between him and Xu Zhi. He never imagined that even the old man would eventually side with Liang Jinmo.

The old man looked at him with cold eyes. "Wasn't it you who rejected her?"

Liang Muzhi’s face turned pale; he was struck speechless. After a long moment, he said hoarsely, "I... I didn't reject her. I just..."

He trailed off. It was as if, at this very moment, he was finally realizing what losing Xu Zhi truly meant to him. It wasn't merely the loss of a friend.

He pleaded, "Grandfather... you cannot let them marry. Liang Jinmo won't treat Zhizi well. She will suffer with that man. You have to help her."

Old Master Liang shook his head and sighed deeply, "I can't even manage you, so how could I manage Jinmo? I never looked after him in the past; what face do I have to make demands of him now? Things have come to this... I am powerless. I am old, and I cannot withstand any more turmoil. While I am still alive, I do not want to see the Liang family mired in gossip because of you children. If you still recognize me as your grandfather, stop stirring up trouble. Do not get involved with your sister-in-law in name. At my age, I truly cannot afford this level of disgrace..."

The old man said much more, but Liang Muzhi’s mind wandered, and his words blurred into a dull hum. However, one thing was clear: even his grandfather had changed his stance. No one would support him and Xu Zhi being together anymore.

He and Xu Zhi had once been seen by everyone as a perfect match. He remembered friends in college saying they envied him for having such a betrothal, a sentiment he had viewed with utter disdain at the time.

*Who wants to follow their parents' arrangements to get married?* he had thought back then.

Now, no one would ever ask him to marry Xu Zhi again, yet he couldn't feel happy at all.

That afternoon, accompanied by his bodyguards, Liang Muzhi went to see Chen Jing. If he wanted to settle the breakup properly, they had to talk in person, especially since she was still living in his apartment.

In the car, he calculated quickly: he would give the large luxury condo to Chen Jing. In their social circle, it was common for playboys to settle breakups with cash, properties, or cars. But rich men were not fools; the settlement depended on the woman’s background and what she had contributed.

He and Chen Jing hadn't had a physical relationship, so technically, a sum of money should have sufficed. The condo was an overpayment, but since he hadn't initially treated her as a mere fling, he didn't mind the excess—as long as she stopped causing trouble.

However, when it came to the actual conversation, things did not go as smoothly.

Chen Jing had also returned to Beicheng and was staying in the apartment. When Liang Muzhi arrived and entered, she rushed over to embrace him. "Muzhi, you finally came to see me... I’m so happy. You don't know how I've been waiting for you these past few days..."

Liang Muzhi felt deeply uncomfortable and pushed her shoulders away. "Sit down first. I have something to tell you."

Chen Jing’s body stiffened. She wasn't stupid. After everything that had happened and Liang Muzhi’s attitude over the past few days, she already knew what he was going to say.

But what else could she do? Her mind was in chaos; she tried to formulate a strategy but found herself unable to think. She was the daughter of a corrupt official, and snagging a wealthy heir like him had been no small feat. No one in the upper-class circles of Beicheng would want to be associated with her. If Liang Muzhi discarded her, she would have to return to her previous life, working a low-paying job with no hope of ever hooking another wealthy man.

She clung to him, refusing to let go, panicked and distraught. "I... I'll go racing with you? You haven't played in a while, right? Or we could go bungee jumping—didn't you say you wanted to try that?" She tried to recall what he wanted—wasn't it just for her to play along with him? She could do that. "Rock climbing is fine too, we could..."

"Chen Jing!" Liang Muzhi’s voice rose. "What time do you think this is? Do you really think I’m in the mood to play?"

Tears welled up in Chen Jing’s eyes instantly. Liang Muzhi shoved her away. She was caught off guard and hit the corner of a cabinet as she stumbled back.

A sharp pain shot through her, and her tears fell even faster. Liang Muzhi merely glared at her coldly, not even offering to steady her.

He was a pampered young master by birth and had never truly been one to cherish others. He had been patient with her before only because the novelty hadn't worn off. But now...

Looking at the tear-streaked Chen Jing, he suddenly realized she wasn't particularly special. At this critical moment, she was just another woman crying and begging a man to stay, not the cool, independent person he had imagined.

He couldn't understand how he had ever thought she was unique, or why he had hurt Xu Zhi for her sake—more than once.

"Let’s break up, Chen Jing," he said. "I’ve thought about it. I am a member of the Liang family, and I have responsibilities. I can’t be with you. Because of the engagement incident, my grandfather’s health has worsened. You know what people are saying about the ceremony... It’s all because of me. The whole family is humiliated, and I must take responsibility. I have to part ways with you."

Chen Jing’s vision was blurred with tears. She held her lower back and looked at him. "Is it really because of that? I told you long ago, let's go abroad together. Once the storm blows over, you wouldn't have to face this... But did you ever listen to me? You were in such a hurry to rush back for Xu Zhi..."

She sobbed, feeling like she was on the verge of a breakdown. She had tried everything, yet she couldn't keep this man. Now that he was dumping her, he could still make it sound so noble and righteous.

"Liang Muzhi, why are you so hypocritical? You’re doing this because of Xu Zhi! You’ve fallen in love with her, haven't you?!" She couldn't help but scream what was in her heart. "It’s a pity that she’s your sister-in-law now! Everyone in Beicheng knows it. You can never be with her in this life, or it would be incest..."

Before she could finish, Liang Muzhi grabbed her by the collar, his other hand raised high.

"Liang Jinmo is not my brother, and Zhizi will never be my sister-in-law!" He stared at her with bloodshot eyes. "Chen Jing, say one more word, and don't blame me for being ruthless."

Chen Jing looked at his hand, frozen in mid-air but clearly struggling to restrain itself. Suddenly, she felt a profound sense of desolation and irony. She tilted her head back and asked, "Are you going to hit me?"

Liang Muzhi’s hand tightened into a fist, and he released her collar. "I don't hit women, but you must stop challenging my bottom line. I originally intended to leave this apartment to you, but now I see there’s no need. You are moving out today!"

He had genuinely wanted to strike her just now. Had she been a man, he would have done it already.

Chen Jing retreated a few steps, her back against the wall, staring at him. She was still unwilling to give up, but she felt only hatred. Seeing that there was no hope of keeping him, she suddenly thought of a way to strike back.

"Liang Muzhi, there is one thing I have never told you."

Liang Muzhi ignored her and began modifying the door lock’s security settings.

Chen Jing burst into laughter, a sharp, piercing sound. "You would never guess—actually, that day at the ski resort, Xu Zhi didn't push me at all. I fell by myself."

Liang Muzhi’s hand stopped in mid-air. His entire body went rigid. After several seconds, he looked up at Chen Jing, his eyes wide with disbelief.