Chairman Husband, Too Boorish - 147

 Chapter 147 : A Part Hidden Twenty Years Ago

“Chairman Liang …” Guan Jiu’s voice was filled with unprecedented panic, each word trembling slightly, “… Mrs. Liang, Mrs. Liang suddenly has a fever, it’s already over 40 degrees Celsius …”

Liang Xi Cheng’s eyes sharpened, “What happened?”

Guan Jiu had been by his side for so many years, naturally absorbing some of Liang Xi Cheng’s composure and restraint. This panicked tone was unprecedented. Liang Xi Cheng’s heart sank; he vaguely sensed that something was amiss.

"... She was perfectly fine before. I don't know why she suddenly developed a fever. An hour ago ... Mrs. Liang went out, and when she came back, she said she took a shower and then went to sleep. But just now ... she suddenly complained of feeling unwell. I called the doctor, and that's when we found out she'd had a high fever for half an hour." Guan Jiu seemed extremely remorseful. "... Chairman Liang, I'm sorry, it was my mistake. I ... I didn't know before, otherwise Mrs. Liang wouldn't have had such a high fever for half an hour."

Liang Xi Cheng raised his wrist to check the time. "I'll be right there." After hanging up, he looked at his watch. 9:50. He put his phone away and turned to go into his study.

Liang Qi Cheng had just stood up when he looked up and saw his son push open the door. His expression was grave, but his eyes flickered for a moment. In reality, it had only been a short two or three minutes. It was something from over twenty years ago; Liang Qi Cheng hadn't had time to think too much about it, but that incident from back then had always been a thorn in his side.

Actually, it wasn't about anything in particular, just the courage to face it.

"... Ah Cheng." Liang Qi Cheng frowned, somewhat hesitantly beginning to speak, "... It's been over 20 years. I didn't intentionally want to hide it from you. I once thought I could never have to bring it up again, but I never expected this day to come. Now I'm telling you ..."

"Father." Liang Xi Cheng interrupted him decisively, "No need for preambles. I just need to know the whole truth. I only have 30 minutes. Get to the point."

Liang Qi Cheng noticed the urgency in his expression and assumed something important had happened at the company. After all, this was a crucial moment. Both morally and logically, he felt guilty towards his son. The Liang family's problems were being handled alone, and he was undoubtedly becoming a burden to his son ...

With a sigh, Liang Qi Cheng didn't give himself a chance to back down and nodded, "... More than 20 years ago, the Liang family was only considered moderately well-known. I met Ye Sheng Ming on a collaborative project. Back then, he wasn't as profit-driven as he is now. We were working together on a resort development project. The designers were found by the Liang family. Because neither the Liang nor the Ye family were large companies at the time, the designers we hired were only third-rate architects. I had two architects found, but I was also handling another project at the time, so I had my assistant and people from the Ye family handle all the liaison work ..." Liang Qi Cheng paused, his gaze distant, but a flash of regret crossed his face. "... Of course, actually, if I had put in more effort back then, perhaps things wouldn't have turned out this way."

Liang Xi Cheng frowned slightly, his deep voice carrying a hint of coldness, "What happened later?"

"... Later, there was a communication problem between the two architects. The resort's design was done by both of them, but one of the buildings had a problem. Before that, my assistant did mention this issue to me, but I don't know much about design. At the time, I was only thinking that whatever we did, the main goal was to make a profit, so I didn't pay any attention to it. It wasn't until the resort started operating normally that I realized there were many problems."

"Just one year after the resort was completed, a storm struck one night, and the problematic building collapsed halfway. There were people inside at the time, but fortunately, no one died. However, both the Liang and Ye families suffered heavy losses, the resort was shut down, and the Liang family's reputation was severely damaged."

"... After that incident, I was furious. It was all the fault of those designers. The entire design was flawed, yet they still built the resort, resulting in huge losses for the Liang family. I secretly went to find the two designers, only to learn that after the incident, one of them ran away, while the other proactively came to me. He told me that the resort's design wasn't his fault; he ... They insisted on the original drawings, but our team didn't modify them to save costs. Hearing this made me even angrier—one of them ran away, and the one who didn't, of course, gave his own version of events. Who knows if he's telling the truth or not?"

"I wanted him to step forward and take full responsibility to clear Liang's name, but he refused. At that moment, I wasn't thinking about anything else; I just thought that someone had to step forward. No matter how bad the blame was, someone had to take it. It wouldn't be Liang's, nor Ye's, it had to be those two designers. Anyway, they're not exactly famous figures. Getting them to step forward and then giving them some money wouldn't be a bad deal for them.”

“Who knew that guy would be so stubborn, you couldn’t reason with him no matter what. But he was just a third-rate designer after all, so making him take the blame wouldn’t have been a big problem. He wouldn’t agree, so I figured I could save on hush money. After discussing it with Ye Sheng Ming, we came to the conclusion that we’d find someone to smear that designer first, and then spread the word that the resort’s design was his work, and all the problems were his fault …”

“I thought that this would at most teach him a lesson, a warning, and make him take the blame, but I never imagined it would … kill someone.”

Liang Qi Cheng’s voice choked as he spoke, recalling that day when he returned home and saw the man lying at the entrance of the Liang residence. He felt a chill run down his spine, and even after more than 20 years, the memory still haunted him.

In truth, he was just an honest businessman. Perhaps doing business does require unscrupulous means, but he truly wouldn't, and dared not, do anything immoral or unethical. What he didn't know was that, after a moment of misplaced righteousness, he and Ye Sheng Ming had conspired to scheme against that designer. Yet, he possessed an unyielding pride, refusing to admit defeat or bow his head, and ultimately chose the most drastic method—death—to prove his innocence.

"... I was genuinely terrified at the time. My first thought was to call Ye Sheng Ming. He was involved in this matter too. After what happened, I felt he needed to take responsibility! I was in a state of panic and couldn't handle it, so he took care of the aftermath. After that, the whole thing seemed to be covered up, and no one mentioned it again. City A remained calm. Although the resort could no longer operate, the Liang family gradually grew stronger after cooperating with the Ye family."

"That incident ... I think it's over. I don't want to think about it anymore. So, I know nothing about that designer, and I don't want to investigate. I'm a person with a conscience. Someone died in front of me ... I can't pretend nothing happened. For the past 20 years, I've been tormented by my conscience ..."

"But what I didn't expect was that Ye Sheng Ming ..."

...

“You didn’t expect that Ye Sheng Ming actually had a backup plan. All that help he gave you back then was actually for his own benefit. He’s always been cunning and treacherous; you just fell into his trap.”

Liang Xi Cheng took a deep drag on his cigarette, his eyes narrowed, and he answered Liang Qicheng’s words with a heavy expression. He tossed the cigarette he’d finished smoking into the ashtray, checked his watch, and then stood up.

“Father, if possible, I’d like the designer’s information from back then, even just his name would be helpful. But there’s no rush now; I have important matters to attend to. Don’t worry about Ye Sheng Ming; I’ll handle it.”

Liang Qi Cheng was about to say something when Liang Xi Cheng, his face grim, opened the door and left.

… Designer, accident, death … These words kept flashing through Liang Xi Cheng’s mind. His refined features were clouded with gloom; over twenty years, he had hidden such a bloody past. No wonder his father had always been so accommodating to Ye Sheng Ming all these years; having his weakness exploited, he had no room for retaliation. ... And now, it seems he himself has become the one with no room for retaliation.

The saying "the son pays for the father's debts" probably refers to this.

Liang Xi Cheng steadied his thoughts, got into the car, and then took out his phone to call Guan Jiu. "How is it now?"

Guan Jiu didn't know Liang Xi Cheng hadn't gone to America and assumed he was on his way back. "Chairman Liang, the fever hasn't gone down yet. The doctor said it might be a viral infection, and we need to wait for the test results."

"How long?"

"At least until tomorrow morning."

"I'm coming over now."

After hanging up the phone, he pressed his aching nose with one hand, while his long fingers traced the screen, lingering on Ye Sheng Ming's name. A sinister glint flashed across Liang Xi Cheng's deep features as his gaze remained fixed on those three words.

Ye Sheng Ming … Ye Sheng Ming … Old fox, it's time to start bringing everything to a close.

At 10:15, Liang Xi Cheng arrived at the hospital. Yan Liang still had a high fever. Her face, which had been slightly pale, was now flushed red. Her dry lips were slightly cracked, and she kept muttering something, but it was all indistinct and unintelligible.

Liang Xi Cheng reached out and touched her palm; it was burning hot. His thick brows furrowed even more. "No cold, just suddenly got a fever?"

Guan Jiu, standing beside him, looked anxious, his expression changing slightly. He nodded stiffly, "... No cold. Mrs. Liang was fine before, I don't know why, she suddenly got a fever."

"What were the test results?"

"... They drew blood, went for testing." Liang Xi Cheng sat down on the edge of the bed, taking her burning hand in his own, gently stroking it, his eyes filled with heartache and worry.

"... Chairman Liang, I'm so sorry, it was my oversight. I was probably too tired and fell asleep, otherwise I could have found out about Madam's fever sooner ... about your trip to America ..."

"It's alright." Liang Xi Cheng waved his hand. "You can go and rest now. Leave things here to me."

"What about the company ..."

"I know the company's affairs are very well. I'll be at the board meeting tomorrow at 9 o'clock." Guan Jiu knew Liang Xi Cheng never fought a battle he wasn't confident of winning. Since he said that, he must already have a plan. Now that he was here, it's useless for him to stay around Yan Liang. "Well then, Chairman Liang, I'll go now."

***

At the end of the hospital corridor, a young nurse hesitated, reluctant to go in. Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind and forcefully pulled her into a nearby room.

"... Ah, Dr. Zhang!" the young nurse cried out in a panic. "Aren't you afraid someone will come?!"

"Afraid of what?"

Dr. Zhang chuckled, his large hands already supporting the nurse's slender waist, pulling her into his arms. "How's it going? Did you get everything done?"

"You're so naughty!" the nurse exclaimed coquettishly, nestling limply in Dr. Zhang's embrace, her fingers tracing the man's chest. "... Of course I got everything done for you. The baby in her belly is definitely going to die. When she bumped into me, something cut her finger. Those viruses, once transmitted through the bloodstream, will definitely affect the baby. And she still has a persistent high fever ..."

"My little darling, you did a great job. There's a reward." Dr. Zhang smiled and pressed his lips to the nurse's. The two of them, the man who looked to be in his forties, were passionately embracing a young woman who looked to be only in her early twenties. This was a doctor's clinic, yet the door was locked, and they were lost in a passionate kiss.

After they separated, panting, the nurse clenched her fist and placed it on Dr. Zhang's chest, saying sweetly, "... You rascal, you're so annoying! Is this your reward? I won't accept it! You said before that as long as I help you get this sorted out, you'd divorce your wife, you can't go back on your word! Now that we're halfway there, shouldn't you show me some sincerity?"

"Baby, what are you worried about? Don't I love you enough? Look at me ... um, my little brother is dying for you, how about I do it once ..."

"No! If you don't divorce your wife, I won't let you touch me!"

“Good girl, you have to listen to me. This is just the beginning. There’s a long road ahead. If I divorce now and register our marriage, people will definitely find out. So remember, in the hospital, don’t get too close to me, especially that Liang Xi Cheng. We can’t afford to offend him, you know?”

The nurse snorted, seemingly unconcerned. “How powerful can he be? Don’t you have an even more powerful backer? Oh well, I don’t care anymore. Anyway, I got that woman’s child for you, so you have to marry me, or I’ll expose this whole thing …”

“You dare!” Dr. Zhang’s expression changed. He grabbed the nurse’s waist and said sharply, “Are you crazy? How can you say such a thing? You just said it casually? Let me tell you, we're in the same boat now. If you say anything carelessly about this, we'll both be in deep trouble, understand? If anyone investigates you, remember what you're supposed to say?"

"Okay, okay!" The nurse pouted, seemingly dissatisfied but unable to vent, so she could only tug at Dr. Zhang's white coat resentfully, "Then remember, I helped you, you can't break your promise to me, okay? I ... I've really pinned my whole life on you."

Dr. Zhang smiled contentedly, "Sweetie, how could I break my promise to you? Be a good girl, and don't panic in front of Liang Xi Cheng, understand?"

Chapter 146        |        TOC        |        Chapter 148