Volume One, Chapter 46 Liang Muzhi, our twenty years together ended yesterday.

Liang Jinmo also saw Liang Muzhi.

But he and Liang Muzhi had barely spoken before; meeting now, they still seemed like strangers. He lowered his head and continued watching the surveillance footage.

Xu Zhi only hesitated for a moment when she first saw Liang Muzhi. She quickly regained her composure, turned her face away, and also kept her eyes on the monitor.

She did not greet Liang Muzhi.

Liang Muzhi’s expression was taut. As a young master, he had never been slighted like this.

Suddenly, Liang Jinmo pointed at a spot on the computer screen. "Here, this should be when you entered the venue."

Xu Zhi saw it as well, and her attention focused on the footage.

Liang Muzhi said nothing, walked over, and stopped behind them, watching the computer screen from there.

Xu Zhi carefully dragged the progress bar back, soon finding the moment when Liang Muzhi went skiing and she stood with Chen Jing at the top of the slope.

However, the angle captured by the surveillance was from her side and behind.

They could only see Chen Jing sliding backward, but their hands were out of view.

Xu Zhi’s spine stiffened. She knew Liang Muzhi was watching all of this behind her.

She searched through other camera views in the venue but could not find a better angle.

The center of the ski resort had few places for surveillance cameras, to avoid obstructing people.

Pressing her hand to her forehead, she watched the segment where Chen Jing leaned close to her ear—this was when Chen Jing had said, "Don't blame me."

But the footage had no sound, and Xu Zhi had no way to prove any of this to Liang Muzhi.

The atmosphere was deathly silent.

After a long time, Xu Zhi released the mouse and turned to Liang Jinmo. "Let’s go."

Liang Jinmo asked, "You’re done?"

"Yes, there’s nothing useful here." She rose from her seat, glanced at Liang Muzhi. "That’s all we can do about this."

Liang Jinmo stood as well.

Xu Zhi had just taken a step when her wrist tightened.

Liang Muzhi grabbed her wrist and said, "Xu Zhi, we need to talk."

Xu Zhi had no idea what he wanted to say. Was he going to keep blaming her? Her expression was blank as she retorted, "Didn’t you say enough yesterday?"

Liang Muzhi frowned, glanced at Liang Jinmo, then asked Xu Zhi, "Why are you involved with him again?"

She hadn’t expected his focus to be so off. Her tone was calm. "That’s none of your business."

Liang Muzhi’s anger surged again. His gaze at Xu Zhi grew cold. "How did you become like this?"

He seemed deeply disappointed in her. At this moment, she felt numb, not even having the strength to argue. "People change."

Her reckless attitude made Liang Muzhi even more agitated. He gripped her wrist tightly, dragging her toward the door.

Xu Zhi felt pain, twisted her wrist, but couldn’t break free.

Liang Jinmo followed, intercepting them in the corridor, his expression cold. "She doesn’t want to go with you."

Liang Muzhi looked at him and sneered, "Who do you think you are, trying to stop me? Don’t think that just because you work at the company, you can boss me around. If I want you out of the Liang Corporation, it’s just a word."

Xu Zhi grew anxious at his words.

She couldn’t let Liang Jinmo be implicated. She bit her lip and said to him, "It’s fine… It’s not convenient to talk here. I’ll step out with him for a bit and be right back. Wait for me."

Liang Jinmo frowned, about to say something, but Liang Muzhi dragged Xu Zhi away.

Liang Jinmo raised his hand, blocking Liang Muzhi. "Let go first."

Liang Muzhi’s face was icy, his grip tightening.

Xu Zhi felt as if her wrist bone would break. She couldn’t bear it. "Liang Muzhi, I already agreed to go outside and talk—what more do you want? Do you have to break my hand to vent for Chen Jing?"

Liang Muzhi snapped out of it.

He realized he’d been too rough; Xu Zhi’s face had turned pale.

But he never yielded; the way he released her wrist was as if he was tossing it aside in disdain.

Xu Zhi rubbed her reddened wrist and said to Liang Jinmo, "Go ahead and work. I’ll call you later."

Liang Muzhi found it absurd—these two, still so sticky in front of him. Were they close?

He strode out, tossing, "Xu Zhi, come get your luggage, or I’ll throw it away."

Liang Jinmo wanted to speak; Xu Zhi had already hurried after Liang Muzhi.

He hesitated for a moment, then followed toward the exit.

Liang Muzhi walked quickly, Xu Zhi trotted behind.

He never looked back. She wondered how she’d ended up so wretched. Surely, this would be the last time. This young master wasn’t someone she could curry favor with by simply enduring.

Liang Muzhi walked all the way to the hotel parking lot, turned, and saw Xu Zhi running after him, breathless.

She stopped, still catching her breath, saying nothing.

"Liang Jinmo has always disliked me," he said. "He wants revenge, that’s why he’s close to you. And you—are you trying to get back at me too? For what? Chen Jing’s hand was injured, I haven’t settled that with you yet. Now you’re mixing with that bastard from my family. Are you, as my childhood friend, trying to slap me in the face?"

Xu Zhi finally caught her breath, looked deeply at Liang Muzhi. She no longer wished to debate whose fault Chen Jing’s injury was; he would never believe her.

"If you’re done," she said, "can I have my luggage back?"

Liang Muzhi unlocked the car with his key, but didn’t immediately open the trunk. Leaning against it, he stared at her, his expression hostile. "Let’s be clear. What do you mean by all this? I thought we could just coexist peacefully in the future. Now you’re siding with Liang Jinmo—are you trying to be my enemy?"

Xu Zhi was silent for a moment, then spoke solemnly, "Jinmo is my friend..."

She paused. "A very important friend."

"How important?" Liang Muzhi mocked. "More than twenty years of friendship between us?"

Xu Zhi pressed her lips together, suddenly smiling, though her smile was sorrowful. "Liang Muzhi, our twenty years ended yesterday."

Liang Muzhi’s expression froze, as if a knife had pierced his heart.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, but he still refused to let go of his pride, scoffing coldly, "Funny, I feel the same. At least my friends won’t hurt my girlfriend or mix with my family’s bastard. That guy’s blood is filthy. You spend all your time with him... I find you pretty disgusting now."

Xu Zhi’s face turned ghastly pale at his words. Suddenly, she realized something.

Liang Jinmo had grown up in the Liang family hearing words like these.

She didn’t know if he ever fought back, but now, at this moment, she couldn’t stand it.

Her voice was unwavering with conviction. "Jinmo is not a bastard’s child. He is innocent. He is your victim, bullied by you, but he grew up strong and resilient. He is kind to me, while you—you're nothing but an idle wastrel, knowing only how to play. What else can you do?"

Liang Muzhi was stunned.

Xu Zhi had never spoken to him like this; his mind couldn’t even process her sharp words.

"You and Chen Jing are well matched. Let her keep you company from now on." Xu Zhi smiled, took out her phone, deleted Liang Muzhi’s WeChat and phone number, and showed him the screen. "I wish you both happiness. Liang Muzhi, some things end here. I’ll do my best to stay away from you; I hope you do the same."