Volume One, Chapter Seventy But the person I love is Liang Jinmo.

Before Xu Zhi could speak, Xu Heping was the first to break the silence. “They must have just run into each other and hitched a ride. After all… all these years, I’ve never seen her exchange any words with Liang Jinmo. Have any of you?”

Xu Zhi’s tightly clenched fists turned pale, her mind unable to think.

How could she explain? Her relationship with Liang Jinmo was far from innocent.

She had never truly accepted him—not because she didn’t care, but because she had too many concerns. Just as now, faced with these people, she lacked the courage to lay bare what existed between her and him.

Liang Zhenguo’s expression was somewhat severe. “Since we’ve come this far, I’ll speak plainly. I believe this engagement benefits both our families. Let’s set aside the matter of feelings between the two children for now. My son here has been associating with the daughter of a corrupt official, and this news must be contained. That Chen Jing must disappear…”

“Dad!” Liang Muzhi couldn’t help but interrupt.

“I’m speaking—who said you could butt in?” Liang Zhenguo’s tone turned sharp. “Are you looking for a fight with me now?”

Liang Muzhi gritted his teeth but ultimately held back.

In the past two days, he and his parents had argued over Chen Jing countless times, to no avail. Instead, it had left everyone exhausted.

Liang Zhenguo turned to Xu Zhi. “You and Muzhi should get engaged. Hold a grand engagement ceremony. From then on, Muzhi will be a man with a fiancée. If Chen Jing has any dignity left, she’ll know to step back. Likewise, your past interactions with Jinmo will not be held against you, but from now on, you mustn’t see him again. You’ll also be someone’s fiancée, which will put an end to any rumors that might harm you or Muzhi. Furthermore…”

He paused. “This isn’t just about protecting you two; it’s about our families’ reputations. I know your company is facing some cash flow issues, Zhi. As long as you agree to the engagement, I’ll use my network and resources to help your family through this hardship.”

Xu Zhi was stunned, staring blankly at Liang Zhenguo.

So this engagement—when had it shifted from a matter of affection to one of advantage?

Once everything was stripped bare, it was nothing but a transaction.

Liang Zhenguo wanted to prevent his family from being linked to a corrupt official through his son’s recklessness.

Xu Heping’s face was dark, but he held his ground, about to say something when Liang Muzhi suddenly spoke up.

“Are we talking about marriage, or are we talking business?”

The spacious living room fell into silence.

After a moment, Liang Zhenguo looked at his son, his tone serious. “You and Zhi can build affection after marriage, but let me be candid: this decision is not just about family reputation. I’m also considering your grandfather’s feelings. Your grandfather values Zhi, which is why she’s our first choice.”

Xu Zhi asked, “So there are other candidates?”

Fu Wanwen answered her. “If you insist on not getting engaged to Muzhi, I’ll find another suitable girl. But in any case, Muzhi’s name will not be connected to Chen Jing.”

Liang Muzhi was taken aback.

Everyone fell silent.

Xu Zhi felt disoriented. When everything was laid so bare, she realized that, in some sense, Liang Muzhi was no freer than she was.

Just like her, his feelings counted for nothing—they could be sacrificed entirely for the family name.

And as for her…

In Xu Heping’s eyes, she was a tool. In Liang Zhenguo and Fu Wanwen’s eyes, she was the same.

It didn’t matter whom she loved.

Fu Wanwen looked at her and continued, “The ideal outcome, of course, is for you and Muzhi to marry. But if that can’t happen, we’ll find someone else for him. You also must never see Liang Jinmo again. If both brothers have had feelings for you, it will not only ruin your reputation but also bring scandal to our family. So, Zhi, you’d better think carefully. Make the wrong choice, and you’ll end up with nothing.”

Xu Zhi’s face was paper-white, her lips sealed.

Fu Wanwen’s meaning was clear: if she refused the engagement, she would lose both the marriage to Liang Muzhi and the possibility of being with Liang Jinmo.

Fu Wanwen sighed. “You’re a good child… Auntie believes in you. You’ll make the wisest decision. If you marry Muzhi, it’s a win-win for both our families. You won’t lose out.”

Xu Zhi didn’t know what expression to wear; even her facial muscles felt numb.

The Liang family’s words, though seemingly gentle, were saturated with an unmistakable sense of superiority.

Xu Heping gave Fu Wanwen a fawning smile. “What is there to think about? Young people don’t understand—sometimes we have to make the decisions, or things would be chaos.”

Suddenly, Xu Zhi was overwhelmed with loathing for Xu Heping’s obsequiousness. Her heart felt as if it were being crushed by a boulder, suffocating her.

“That may be true,” Liang Zhenguo said with a smile, easing the tension a little. “As a father, I can force my son into an engagement, but I can’t force Zhi.”

Xu Heping was so anxious he almost blurted out that he could, but managed to restrain himself. “I’ll talk to Zhi. She’s always been obedient—this is just a brief rebellious phase. Don’t worry.”

With everything said, Liang Zhenguo didn’t linger. He rose. “You discuss among yourselves. It would be best to give us a clear answer in the next few days. Wanwen is already making arrangements for the engagement ceremony.”

The implication was clear: if Xu Zhi refused, they’d replace her in no time.

Xu Zhi felt just like an object. Liang Muzhi wasn’t much better off.

He still hadn’t fully processed what had happened; his parents were far more forceful than he’d ever imagined.

They had always indulged him before.

After leaving the Xu house and returning home, he finally found his footing. “I thought you were going to force me to marry Xu Zhi. Now what, if she refuses, you’ll just pick someone else?”

Liang Zhenguo ignored him and went straight to his study.

Fu Wanwen sat on the sofa and looked at him deeply. “That’s only because you insist on being with Chen Jing. The Liang family cannot be associated with a corrupt official. Don’t worry, your mother will choose someone for you herself; you won’t be wronged.”

Liang Muzhi laughed angrily. “Unbelievable… Does the family’s reputation really matter more than my actual happiness?”

Fu Wanwen gazed at her son, sighing inwardly.

Liang Muzhi truly had been spoiled. In prominent families, nothing is more feared than the loss of reputation. She softened her tone, coaxing, “Muzhi, you’re in your twenties now. There are things you need to understand. Life is about gains and losses. You can’t enjoy everything the Liang family gives you and then refuse to compromise when it matters…”

She paused. “I’ve always hoped you’d join the company and accomplish something, but since you wanted to play around, I didn’t force you. Now, when it comes to marriage, you have to listen to your mother. This is our compromise. You can’t have it all.”

Liang Muzhi’s face was livid with anger. He turned and strode toward the door.

He was blocked by bodyguards at the entrance, unable to get past them. Annoyed, he circled back to the living room, then stormed upstairs, even more furious.

He slammed his door shut.

Meanwhile, at the Xu home.

After the Liang couple had left with Liang Muzhi, Xu Zhi remained silent.

Xu Heping asked her what she thought, but she said nothing.

She felt as though her understanding of the world had been completely overturned. Did elders like Liang Zhenguo and Fu Wanwen really deserve her respect? She had planned to refuse the marriage with dignity.

But…

They were all so selfish, concerned only with their own faces. They didn’t really care about her wishes. If not her, they’d just pick someone else—that was their way.

Everyone only cared about themselves; no one cared about her.

That overwhelming loneliness, as if abandoned by the whole world, enveloped her again. It turned out there wasn’t even a single person willing to listen to her here.

No—except…

Liang Jinmo.

Only with him did she ever feel noticed and respected.

Her thoughts drifted until Xu Heping’s voice pulled her back.

“What are you thinking? We’ve laid out all the pros and cons,” Xu Heping frowned at her. “Marrying Muzhi is good for you and our family.”

Xu Zhi’s lips parted, and after a few seconds she managed to speak. “But the one I love is Liang Jinmo.”