Volume One, Chapter 69: Do You Like Liang Jinmo?

Xu Heping did not lash out immediately; speaking in the courtyard risked being overheard by the neighbors. He rose in silence and returned to the house, and Xu Zhi lingered for a moment before following him inside.

Once the door was closed, apprehension gnawed at Xu Zhi. She wanted to diminish her presence and slip upstairs, but as she reached the foot of the stairs, Xu Heping called out to her.

"You went out today—was it to see Liang Jinmo?"

He stood by the sofa, gazing at her, his expression dark and grave.

So he had heard everything. Xu Zhi’s mind raced, but she could not think of a suitable excuse. She was not adept at lying, and in this moment, any lie would ring hollow.

“I…” She paused. “I borrowed something from him. I went to return it today.”

“You borrowed something from him?” Xu Heping frowned, as if unable to comprehend. “What could you possibly need to borrow from him? Haven’t I told you not to associate with him?”

Xu Zhi’s face went pale, and she lowered her head, saying nothing.

Xu Heping’s fists clenched tightly. “Is what Mu Zhi said true? Do you like Liang Jinmo?”

Her mind was in turmoil, but instinct told her she absolutely could not admit it.

Feeling guilty, her voice was barely audible. “No, we’re just friends.”

“Friends?” Xu Heping struggled to contain his anger. “Are you planning to date him next? Where is your sense of shame? You used to follow Mu Zhi everywhere, and now you’re still engaged to him, yet you’re entangled with Liang Jinmo. How do you think others will see you? Tangled up with two brothers who share the same father but not the same mother?”

The words cut deep, draining all color from her face.

“If you have no shame, your mother and I still do,” Xu Heping said, his tone bitterly disappointed. “Your Uncle Liang called me today. Tomorrow he’ll come to discuss your engagement to Mu Zhi. Even if you don’t care about our family, you should care about your reputation. Mu Zhi is the legitimate heir of the Liang family. And what is Liang Jinmo? He’s just an illegitimate child, unrecognized by his own family…”

He had not finished before Xu Zhi interrupted him.

“Being illegitimate wasn’t his choice! And compared to Mu Zhi, he’s worked so much harder. Why do you insist on holding that against him?”

Her voice rose sharply, her chest heaving with emotion.

She had not intended to quarrel, but Xu Heping’s words about Liang Jinmo…

She had endured it in the past, but now, she could not.

Xu Heping’s eyes blazed with anger. “Don’t tell me you really fancy that illegitimate son, speaking to me like this for his sake! Let me tell you, I don’t want to argue with you today. If you have the guts, wait until your Uncle Liang comes tomorrow and tell him you’re in love with that illegitimate son. See if you can even say it aloud!”

Xu Zhi’s fists clenched at her sides, her whole body rigid with fury.

After a long moment, she turned wordlessly and went upstairs.

She was utterly weary of quarrels. Returning to her room, she lay helplessly on her bed, wondering why.

It seemed the entire world was against her and Liang Jinmo being together, when neither of them were at fault.

She faced a bleak truth: Xu Heping would never approve of her and Liang Jinmo. She would have to make a choice, one that would cut off her retreat.

That night, tossing and turning until the small hours, she found no answer.

Xu Zhi was conservative, bound by certain rigid principles—for example, even if her parents did not love her, having a home was better than not having one.

Though she longed to break free from her shackles, she discovered, with sorrow, that she lacked the courage—lacked the reckless bravery—to do so. She had feelings for Liang Jinmo, but…

Those feelings were not enough to sustain her.

She was afraid, afraid Liang Jinmo’s motives were driven by revenge.

Such questions could not be asked outright; what avenger would confess before their plans succeeded?

She had not decided what to do, and the next day, Liang Zhengguo arrived as promised.

Fu Wanwen and Liang Mu Zhi came along with him.

Xu Zhi was called downstairs by Xu Heping; her mind was still muddled as she descended, unsure of what Mu Zhi might have said after returning home last night.

After exchanging greetings, everyone took their seats on the sofa.

Liang Zhengguo spoke first. “I’m here today for the marriage between Zhi and Mu Zhi. This engagement was arranged long ago. Now my father’s health is failing, and he’s eager for the children to marry soon. We’ve discussed it—if you have no objections, we’ll hold the engagement ceremony in half a month, before the New Year. Zhi will graduate in June next year, and then they can register the marriage and hold the wedding in July. Is that agreeable?”

Accustomed to leadership, Liang Zhengguo spoke with the air of a seasoned professional; though he seemed to be seeking approval, his tone was firm and resolute.

Xu Heping replied, “Of course I have no objections. The two children grew up together, we know them well, and they’ve gotten along for years. I trust Mu Zhi.”

Xu Zhi’s hands, resting on her knees, slowly clenched. Out of the corner of her eye she glanced at Liang Mu Zhi.

His lips curved slightly. She couldn’t help but turn her face to look—he was sneering.

With obvious disdain, he raised his hand. “I object!”

Liang Zhengguo said, “You don’t have a say.”

Liang Mu Zhi shot Xu Zhi a glance. “I don’t have a say in my own marriage? What about her?”

Liang Zhengguo frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Ask Xu Zhi,” he replied mockingly. “Her mind is full of thoughts, she’s nothing like the obedient girl you expect. You don’t even know—”

“Liang Mu Zhi!” Xu Zhi could not help but interrupt.

He stared at her, his expression instantly cold. “I thought you were mute. Since you can speak, go ahead—tell us your thoughts on this marriage. Don’t be one person with me and another in front of my parents.”

Liang Mu Zhi’s attitude left her feeling humiliated.

Liang Zhengguo’s face darkened. “Mu Zhi, mind your manners. You never treated Zhi like this before.”

Liang Mu Zhi scoffed, his gaze fixed on Xu Zhi.

She pressed her lips together, took a deep breath, and slowly spoke. “Uncle, Aunt, I… Mu Zhi and I are not suitable for each other. You can see that—things are like this now, how could we possibly marry?”

“You see? She’s unwilling,” Liang Mu Zhi said, spreading his hands. “No one listens to me—but what about her?”

Xu Heping’s expression soured as he turned to Xu Zhi. “You two are just having a little disagreement, that’s all. It’s nothing serious. You’ve had quarrels before; marriage always requires adjustment.”

Xu Zhi found it bitterly ironic—at this moment, Xu Heping wore the mask of a loving father, and it disgusted her.

“Actually…” Liang Zhengguo hesitated. “I hadn’t intended to bring this up, but Mu Zhi told me that last night, Zhi, you came home in Jinmo’s car. Is that true?”

Xu Zhi’s heart skipped a beat, her face instantly drained of color.

Xu Heping’s composure faltered as well.

Liang Zhengguo watched Xu Zhi, noting her evasive gaze, and sighed with disappointment. “You used to spend all your time with Mu Zhi, and many people knew about your childhood engagement. Now, your association with Jinmo could easily become fodder for gossip, which wouldn’t be good for you, for Jinmo or Mu Zhi, or for the reputation of our families.”

Xu Zhi felt her heart sinking into an abyss; she wanted to speak but could not find her voice.

Fu Wanwen looked at her, her gaze complex. “Zhi, speak to your aunt honestly. Last night you just happened to ride home with… Liang Jinmo, is that right?”

In front of Liang Zhengguo, Fu Wanwen carefully swallowed the words she nearly uttered: “illegitimate son.”

All eyes were fixed on Xu Zhi, their scrutiny almost tangible, suffocating her. She remembered the evening at the Liang family banquet—it was the same then.

She was like a criminal, standing trial before them.

The difference was, last time it was for a lie; this time, it was simply for riding in Liang Jinmo’s car.

Suddenly, she wondered—if such a trivial matter could provoke such alarm, what would happen if she admitted that her relationship with Liang Jinmo was already intimate?