Chairman Husband, Too Boorish - 171

Chapter 171 : Still angry with me?

"... Xi Cheng, did you marry me only because of your father's evidence?"

Her heart trembled, but the question still involuntarily escaped her lips.

She desperately wanted to know. No woman wouldn't want to know. For a proud princess like her, who had longed for this man for so many years, what she desired wasn't just being "Mrs. Liang," but also his sincere heart.

This deep longing was like a shot of adrenaline for Ye Qing, giving her immense courage. She stepped forward, reached out and hugged Liang Xi Cheng's waist, burying her face in his chest. Her soft voice, combined with the scent of her latest perfume, deeply stimulated the man's senses.

“Xi Cheng, I know you might not have forgotten Bai Yan Liang. I know … deep down you definitely resent the Ye family. You're a high-and-mighty man; you like to control everything, and you have the ability to stand at the top. You naturally possess an air of superiority. I know my father … did things that hurt your Liang family back then. He was wrong, but it was all for me, his daughter, because I love you so much.”

“… Xi Cheng … I really love you so much. Even a little bit of kindness from you can make me so excited I don't eat or drink all day. Maybe you won't feel it even if I say this, but I really … From childhood to adulthood, the only man I've ever held in my heart has always been you, and that will never change. So, please, don't push me away again, don't push away the Ye family. Everything you want, I will get it for you. Even if you don't love me that much … that much, it doesn't matter. Just remember me, let me be your woman, that's enough.”

The true softness and fragrance of a woman were in his arms, her breath filled with a fresh and pleasant feminine scent. Her soft voice, in an almost pleading tone, spoke these words—

You don't need to love me too much, just let me stand by your side, and I will get you whatever you want.

Such temptation would probably be fatal to any man, right?

However, for Liang Xi Cheng, it wasn't like that.

No matter how pleasant the scent, it wasn't hers; no matter how soft the voice, it could never be hers. The woman in his arms wasn't her, and therefore would never be her.

"... Xi Cheng."

Liang Xi Cheng reached out and pressed Ye Qing's shoulder, pushing her slightly away from his embrace. He stepped back, widening the distance between them by a few paces. Ye Qing's slightly flushed cheeks stiffened slightly, and Liang Xi Cheng released his hand from her shoulder.

"If what you want is truly as you say, then I can choose not to answer your question."

"…"

Ye Qing's face suddenly paled. Her heart, which had just been warmed, turned cold again. Unwilling to give up, she stepped forward uncontrollably, grabbing Liang Xi Cheng's wrist tightly. Her voice trembled slightly, "Can't you even lie to me for a moment? Do you still really love Bai Yan Liang? She … you've been separated for five months. You and her … it's impossible."

"I know." Liang Xi Cheng nodded, his deep eyes unfathomable. His low, somewhat hoarse voice said, word by word, "Let's not drag her into our affairs anymore. Since I agreed, then I agreed. You don't need to think too much. As for Yan Liang, she's in England. I know you've always wanted to find someone to do something to her. Ye Qing, this is the last time I'll say this to you, and I hope you remember it—

"Marriage, if you want to get married, I will marry you, as we agreed before." "But don't send anyone to bother Bai Yan Liang anymore, okay?"

"…"

Ye Qing's tightly pursed lips trembled slightly. She wasn't truly oblivious; even the deepest love, because of unrequited desire, becomes an obsession.

That's how people are. Often, what you most want is what you can't have. It can shatter your heart and soul, and ruin a person's life. And the most tragic thing is when someone turns that desire into an obsession, and in the end, it seems they've even forgotten what they initially longed for, without realizing they've already gone down the wrong path.

Liang Xi Cheng turned and walked out of the stairwell. Ye Qing stood quietly on the steps, hearing the sliding door behind her slam shut with a bang, plunging the corridor into darkness.

For a moment, she felt cold.

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, and she subconsciously bit her lip. A thought gradually surfaced in her mind—was it true that as long as Bai Yan Liang lived in this world, she, Ye Qing, would never be able to enter Liang Xi Cheng's heart?

***

When Liang Xi Cheng walked out of the hotel, the driver respectfully opened the car door for him.

He unbuttoned two buttons on his suit jacket, bent down, and sat in the car. Liang Qi Cheng was already sitting beside him.

“Father, didn’t you go back?” He thought Liang Qi Cheng would have gone back first, but he hadn’t expected him to be waiting for him in the car. Clearly, he had something to say to him, but Liang Xi Cheng probably already guessed some of it.

Liang Qi Cheng nodded, his brows slightly furrowed. "I have something to say to you."

Seeing his son remain silent, Liang Qi Cheng turned to look at him, his eyes and brows weary. He sighed. "I've always opposed your marriage to Bai Yan Liang. Back then, I wholeheartedly hoped you and Ye Qing could have a happy ending, but so many things happened afterward … Now, I won't interfere in your life's most important matter. I know you might think saying this now … is futile, but as your father, I still have to say it."

"… A-Cheng, you don't really need to make such a sacrifice for me."

Liang Xi Cheng pressed his temples, still feeling restless. He took out another cigarette, lit it, and took a couple of puffs. The nicotine slightly numbed his nerves. As he exhaled the smoke, he spoke, "You are my father, and I can't ignore you. But Father, you don't need to feel so much pressure. Liang's Group is now in my hands. I can only make it stronger, not decline under my watch."

"…"

Liang Qi Cheng seemed speechless. He paused, then sighed softly. "Although you're my son, I'm genuinely proud of you sometimes. A-Cheng, thank you."

"... Also, if you have time, come home for a few days. Your mother ... she misses you very much." He glanced at Liang Xi Cheng, paused, and then said, "She's been regretting what happened with Qin Mu Hua. She's lost a lot of weight these past few months. We're family after all. Qin Mu Hua said she won't pursue it anymore. Shouldn't you let it go?"

Liang Xi Cheng rolled down the car window, flicked the ash from his cigarette, and nodded. "I understand."

***

Oxford, England.

A small town, with many charming cafes along the roadside.

Ning Zhi Yuan sat by the window, a warm feeling welling up inside him.

It's been so long, more than half a year, hasn't it? He never expected to see her again. Looking at her flat stomach, Ning Zhi Yuan felt a surge of joy. When he first heard she was pregnant with Liang Xi Cheng's child, he didn't believe it, and of course, he didn't want to believe it.

Then, on the day of his wedding to Liang Jing Shan, he was suddenly forcibly taken away from City A. During that time, he was imprisoned in a small town in Seattle. Two months ago, by chance, he finally left. He tried many methods and traveled to many places, but he dared not return to City A.

He knew that the person who made him leave City A was Liang Xi Cheng. His influence in City A was too great; he was no match for him.

After wandering through so many countries, he finally arrived in England, only to encounter Yan Liang.

Was this fate?

A flicker of excitement flashed in Ning Zhi Yuan's eyes. Although he still didn't know why she was in Oxford, England, seeing her again meant he wouldn't let go this time.

"Yes, thank you, Teacher KK. I'll definitely be there on time this afternoon ..." Yan Liang had asked for leave, and as she turned around, she saw Ning Zhi Yuan looking at her eagerly, his eyes gleaming with intense passion.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, a strange feeling flashing through her heart.

Actually, the two of them had dated for so many years, and they understood each other quite well. They had even reached the point of discussing marriage. If it weren't for Liang Jing Shan's appearance, they would be now …

Yan Liang took a deep breath, interrupting her own thoughts. More than half a year had passed, and looking back now, it felt like something from the last century.

She put away her phone and sat down opposite Ning Zhi Yuan.

A moment of silence followed, before Ning Zhi Yuan spoke first, “… Liang Liang, why are you here?”

“Going to school.” Yan Liang smiled faintly, politely and gently, yet with a hint of distance. “I’m studying at SGA. What about you?”

Ning Zhi Yuan was taken aback, somewhat surprised. “SGA?”

A designer couldn't possibly be unaware of SGA. Ning Zhi Yuan knew about this school when he was dating Yan Liang; it was special, and those who got in were destined for greatness.

He hadn't expected her to have undergone such a transformation.

Ning Zhi Yuan stared at the woman opposite him with a dazed look. Had she truly undergone a complete transformation?

She was more beautiful and more feminine than before, exuding a unique charm. Yan Liang had always been pretty, but perhaps her taste in clothing and style had changed, making her seem softer and more alluring.

Ning Zhi Yuan couldn't control his thoughts.

Afraid of startling Yan Liang, he quickly averted his gaze, tightened his grip on the glass, coughed lightly, and said, "I left City A before and have been traveling ever since. I never expected to meet you in a place like Oxford, England … Perhaps it's fate."

Yan Liang smiled but said nothing. Actually, when he suddenly disappeared after marrying Liang Jing Shan, she still harbored reservations about his actions.

Regardless of what had happened between them before, Liang Jing Shan had been devoted to him, even becoming pregnant, yet he just left …

Yan Liang couldn't help but ask, “… Have you contacted Jing Shan?”

Ning Zhi Yuan frowned, seemingly reluctant to mention the name, but still shook his head. “No.”

“When you left, she was four months pregnant with your child.” Yan Liang's voice was low, but each word struck Ning Zhi Yuan's heart like a heavy hammer. “Now, I've been in England for five months, meaning she's almost due. Don't you feel any guilt at all? A woman bearing your child is a very brave thing to do.”

"Liang Liang ..."

"Zhi Yuan, call me Yan Liang."

"…"

Ning Zhi Yuan gripped his cup tightly, hesitated for a moment, and then asked in a low voice, "Don't you really blame her at all? If it weren't for her, you and I wouldn't have ..."

"What happened between you and me actually has little to do with Jing Shan." Yan Liang shook her head. Perhaps it was truly because time had passed, or perhaps, Jing Shan, she had always been her friend, and now she was Liang Xi Cheng's sister. Even if she loved the person and loving it all, she didn't want to blame her anymore. If it weren't for Jing Shan's scheme, she wouldn't have met Liang Xi Cheng ...

"How can it have nothing to do with it? It was clearly her ..."

"Forget it, Zhi Yuan, don't say things like that anymore. You should know that nothing lasts forever. Do you think everything was Jing Shan's fault? Even if it was, it's all in the past, you know? She's been a pampered young lady since childhood, but because of you, on her wedding night, the groom disappeared without a trace, the whole city knew, and she ended up like this. She's been punished. Now, the child in her belly is yours, Ning Zhi Yuan's. If my calculations are correct, she should be giving birth soon. You should go back."

"I can't go back."

Ning Zhi Yuan retorted somewhat resentfully, opening his mouth to say, "... Do you think I wandered abroad because I wanted to? It's all because of Liang ..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yan Liang's phone rang.

Ning Zhi Yuan's words were naturally cut off. He paused, watching Yan Liang take out her phone, glance at the caller ID, and then saw her expression change slightly. Although it was a subtle change, he still caught it.

It was an expression of joy. Then she stood up and said to herself, "I'm going out to take this call." She turned and walked out of the coffee shop.

The call was from Liang Xi Cheng. Actually, Yan Liang had changed her number after arriving in England, but she naturally remembered Liang Xi Cheng's number. She left the coffee shop without immediately answering the phone, just watching the flashing numbers on the screen and listening to the cheerful ringtone—"... But my dear, why aren't you by my side? How much time can we waste? No matter how sweet the phone call, no matter how comforting the fax, it's not enough to cope with the distance of not being able to embrace you … My dear, why aren't you by my side? A day alone feels like a year …"

These lyrics, for some reason, made Yan Liang's heart ache suddenly. Almost instinctively, she pressed the reject button.

Biting her lip, she stared at the black screen of her phone. Less than ten seconds later, the phone rang again—the same number. A slight smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.

This time, she didn't press the reject button; instead, she answered.

She held it to her ear, saying nothing.

Through the phone, it felt as if half the world was separating them, yet their breaths were so close, as if intertwined in each other's hearts, throbbing with excitement.

"Are you still angry with me?"

Chapter 170        |        TOC        |        Chapter 172