Volume One, Chapter 72 "Jinmo, would you... be willing to give me some time?"
Xu Zhi’s voice was thick with congestion, and Liang Jinmo sensed her low spirits. He asked, “Is your father insisting you get engaged to Liang Muzhi?”
He’d heard rumors of the marriage talks today. The source could not have been more direct—Liang Zhengguo himself had informed him.
That afternoon, after a company meeting, Liang Zhengguo kept him behind and told him simply, “This morning I brought Muzhi to the Xu family to discuss his engagement to Zhi. Barring any surprises, the matter will be settled in the next few days. I’ll be busy with this for the next half month, as well as visiting your grandfather in the hospital, so I won’t be at the company much. You’ll need to keep a closer eye on the project department.”
The conference room was quiet. Liang Jinmo’s expression remained calm as he replied, “Alright.”
Seeing him about to leave, Liang Zhengguo abruptly spoke again, “Jinmo, you…”
He paused, then continued, “I haven’t seen any girls around you. You’re old enough now—haven’t you dated anyone?”
It was an awkward question. Liang Zhengguo, as a father, knew precious little about his own son.
His marriage to Fu Wanwen had been a union of powerful families, and when he discovered that Liang Jinmo had a woman and an illegitimate son, Fu Wanwen had made a scene. But she was pragmatic and, after her outburst, accepted the child—at least outwardly.
Over the years, Liang Jinmo’s life in the Liang household had not gone unnoticed by Liang Zhengguo. At first, he’d tried persuading Fu Wanwen to treat Jinmo better, but their conversations always ended in arguments. That was when Liang Muzhi began to see Jinmo as an intruder ruining the family's peace.
Eventually, Liang Zhengguo stopped interfering, letting Fu Wanwen do as she pleased, trusting her to know her limits.
Liang Jinmo lived in the Liang home yet didn’t belong to it. He watched his son grow more withdrawn. He’d considered sending him back to his mother, but she was even harsher, adamantly refusing to take him.
Their relationship was twisted—after so many years, Liang Zhengguo had never truly cared for Jinmo, so now his question seemed particularly abrupt.
A flicker of surprise crossed Liang Jinmo’s eyes. He couldn’t guess Liang Zhengguo’s true motives—certainly not concern. It was likely a test, or a warning.
He replied, “There’s someone. I’m pursuing her.”
Liang Zhengguo asked, “Who? Have I met her?”
Such ordinary father-son conversation felt unnatural between them. Jinmo, inwardly mocking, said, “You’ll meet her when it’s time.”
He wouldn’t say more.
Liang Zhengguo’s face stiffened. He forced a smile, unable to press further given their strained relationship. “As long as you have someone in mind. Go on, get to work.”
Leaving the conference room, Liang Jinmo concluded that Liang Zhengguo must have learned something.
After work, Jinmo didn’t leave; he sat in his office and called Xu Zhi.
Her voice sounded as if she’d been crying, and his chest tightened.
Unlike his own indifference toward the world, Xu Zhi, in his eyes, lived cautiously—always shrinking into a safe space, afraid to provoke others.
He knew that, for her, simply refusing an engagement approved by all the elders required immense courage.
On the other end, Xu Zhi murmured, “I feel so tired. I can’t communicate with them at all. My father wants to use the Liang family’s influence; Uncle Liang and Aunt Liang want to drive Chen Jing away, and…”
She paused before continuing, “Last night, when you brought me home, Liang Muzhi saw it. He told Uncle and Aunt when he got back. Now my father and they have reached an agreement—they think I used to spend all my time with Liang Muzhi, and now that I’m in contact with you, people will gossip.”
“They’re afraid something might really happen between us, so they think if I get engaged to Liang Muzhi, it’ll stop any unnecessary rumors.”
Liang Jinmo finally understood why Liang Zhengguo had said what he did.
The engagement was meant to drive Chen Jing away and, on the other side, to drive him away as well, while also helping Xu’s company. All in all, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
He asked her, “Are you afraid of gossip too?”
Xu Zhi was silent for a moment. “Yes, I am.”
Liang Jinmo’s fingers tightened around his phone as he listened to her voice.
“But I want to learn not to be afraid.”
He held his phone, even his breathing lighter.
“I know I used to be very timid,” Xu Zhi said. “Because of that, I’ve made many mistakes…some hurt myself, some hurt you. I hope one day I’ll be strong enough inside not to care about others’ opinions. But…”
She paused, “I need time. I don’t know if it’ll take a year, two years, ten, or twenty.”
People’s personalities are often shaped by their families; we understand so much with reason, yet can’t live well because our natures don’t change easily. She wanted to change, but knew it wasn’t simple.
“Maybe I’ll still have moments of fear, of weakness, maybe I’ll even backslide… But I’ll try,” her voice slowed, “Jinmo, will you give me time?”
Time seemed to stand still.
Electromagnetic waves ought to be cold, mechanical, but the words carried across them gave Liang Jinmo a strange feeling.
It was as if a kitten was tentatively stretching its paw, lightly scratching at his heart.
He didn’t answer directly, but asked, “Where are you?”
Xu Zhi was taken aback—the man suddenly changed the subject, leaving her unsettled.
He said, “Let’s talk in person.”
She sounded despondent, “My father has locked me up.”
Liang Jinmo: “…”
Suddenly, she thought of something, “Could you come pick me up later tonight?”
“You’ll be able to get out tonight?”
“I’ll find a way.”
“Alright.”
After hanging up, Xu Zhi’s heart, which had felt stagnant all day, beat restlessly.
Sneaking out—she’d never done such a thing before. But things were different now. If she didn’t act, Xu Heping really would force her into an engagement.
At dinner, Zhao Nianqiao brought her food, saw her swollen face, and fetched some ice water.
As Xu Zhi applied the cold compress, Zhao Nianqiao muttered curses about Xu Heping.
That morning, Xu Heping had sent Zhao Nianqiao away, fearing she’d interfere, so he could receive the Liang family.
Zhao Nianqiao said angrily, “He calls my daughter useless, but now he wants to use you and won’t let me interfere!”
She looked at Xu Zhi, her expression dim. “I can’t help you with this engagement, sweetheart.”
Xu Zhi replied, “I understand. I’ll think of something myself.”
Zhao Nianqiao only sighed—Xu Zhi had always been meek; what could she possibly come up with?
Xu Zhi forced herself to eat a little, and after Zhao Nianqiao left, she opened her suitcase to pare down her belongings, then sent Liang Jinmo a message.
Close to midnight, Xu Zhi knew that Xu Heping and Zhao Nianqiao should be asleep by now. She tried to open the door.
It didn’t budge—unsurprisingly, it was locked tight.
The spare key was downstairs; she wouldn’t be able to get it.
Xu Zhi turned, her gaze falling on the window.