Chairman Husband, Too Boorish - 174

Chapter 174 : Don't Stop Me, I'm Afraid I Won't Hesitate to Use Any Means!

What wasn't said aloud was probably—Yan Liang, I'm good too, can't you see how good I am?

Liang Xi Cheng has money, and so do I, Chu Yi Sheng. What Liang Xi Cheng doesn't have, I can have too. And what Liang Xi Cheng can give you, I can give you as well. What Liang Xi Cheng can't give you, I can still give you …

But you can't see how good I am, you can't see that I've always stood by your side, you can't see that I also want to hold your hand and give you happiness.

Yan Liang could understand Chu Yi Sheng's words, both the literal meaning and the deeper meaning he wanted to convey.

To be honest, she was a little flattered.

It's impossible for a woman to be completely unmoved when faced with a confession from an outstanding man, whether directly or indirectly. She no longer disliked Chu Yi Sheng, so his words still had a certain impact on her. But for her, love wasn't something that could be achieved with just a sudden burst of energy.

And her heart, just as he had said, had already been given to another man; there was simply no room for a second person in such a small space.

Yan Liang lowered her eyes, her hands tightening on the table. She took a deep breath and finally, slowly said, "You're right. My life has long since become a road, and at the end of that road, there's only Liang Xi Cheng. Actually, I never knew I was such a persistent person, nor am I the kind of woman who puts love above all else. But my love is very rational—you said, regarding the grudges of the previous generation, I did harbor resentment towards him, but I know very well that he suffered more than I did. I can't simply find relief by hating him, or return everything to its original starting point."

"Perhaps it was all destined, something no one can change. It's like fate played a cruel joke on me, forcing me to meet him, fall in love with him, and ... become unable to let go of him. You said his sister stole my boyfriend. I don't know what to say. What's mine is mine, and what's not mine, whoever steals it will leave anyway. You mentioned his mother ... Yes, that's definitely the thing that bothers me the most. I admit, I genuinely felt he was too biased. Family was probably the most important thing to him; he wanted to protect his mother and abandon mine, his principles, and even me ..."

Chu Yi Sheng frowned, probably knowing she wouldn't object to him smoking in front of her. He lit a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and took two puffs.

Then he heard her continue, "But later, I realized ... it wasn't like that at all."

"... Perhaps everyone would think that in that matter, between love and family, Liang Xi Cheng would ultimately choose love without hesitation. But what I saw wasn't like that—he chose to downplay the situation, which did hurt me, but he desperately apologized to me, holding my hand and refusing to let go. I finally understood that when he stood at that level, he didn't just need to consider himself; he also had to consider everyone in the Liang family, including his grandfather ... father, and his mother."

"No, I'm insignificant. Who doesn't yearn for devoted love? But who can say that the love he gave me wasn't devoted? He has wronged me, but I also saw his efforts for me. When we couldn't be together, the Liang family was against it, yet he resolutely put a ring on my finger and proposed."

"…"

"Actually, to put it bluntly, love is nothing more than tolerance, compromise, and understanding … Maybe I haven't done enough, but I've always been trying."

Chu Yi Sheng's hand holding the cigarette paused, a trace of pain flashing deep in his lowered eyes.

—What he envied most was the unwavering devotion in her eyes for another man.

Reaching out, he flicked the ash from his cigarette, then looked up again. All the emotions in his eyes had been suppressed. He looked at her with a deep gaze, revealing no emotion whatsoever. "I know what you're thinking. This trip, I think, wasn't in vain."

"…"

Yan Liang was somewhat confused, frowning as she looked at him.

Chu Yi Sheng smirked, tossing the remaining half of his cigarette into the ashtray. "I used to think that if you wanted something, you had to get it; that was the right thing to do. The idea that 'to love someone is to fulfill their happiness' was bullshit; that's something only cowards do. But when it comes to you … Yan Liang, I really can't bring myself to hurt you, to kick Liang Xi Cheng when he was down, to try every trick in the book to make you throw yourself at me. So in the end … I still choose to be a coward."

"…"

Chu Yi Sheng stood up, picked up his coat from the side, and hung it on his wrist. Looking down at Yan Liang, before she could fully process what he had just said, he smiled and said, "Today's meal is on you. Also, I'll take care of Ning Zhi Yuan's matter. Remember everything I've done for you. If I ever come looking for you, no matter where you are, remember to treat me to a meal. Okay, I'm leaving. Take good care of yourself in England."

"Chu Yi Sheng!"

Yan Liang quickly stood up. Chu Yi Sheng had already left his seat. She walked around the table and caught up with him, blocking his way. She couldn't understand what he meant by his words.

"Shouldn't you explain yourself clearly?"

"Huh?"

"What coward ... Can you explain yourself clearly? I don't really understand, and besides, you didn't seem to eat much of this meal." Yan Liang pointed behind him to the seat he had been sitting in, and sighed. "You came all the way from City A to England, just to say a few words? I'm completely confused."

"Don't stop me, Yan Liang."

Chu Yi Sheng's voice was deep, his gaze towards Yan Liang burning with barely suppressed intensity. He said, word by word, "Actually, you don't need to understand, just listen and remember what I say. But don't stop me, or I won't be able to resist using any means necessary against you."

"…"

Perhaps genuinely startled by the burning light in his eyes, Yan Liang still harbored some fear of Chu Yi Sheng deep down, so she subconsciously shrank back and actually moved to the side.

Seeing this, Chu Yi Sheng chuckled, took a step forward, and suddenly reached out, hesitating for a second in mid-air before gently placing his hand on Yan Liang's shoulder.

"From now on, no matter what happens, remember the unwavering devotion you showed to that man far away in City A when you were facing me today. Don't waver. I will wish you well."

"…"

Chu Yi Sheng walked out of the restaurant. A driver quickly got out of his car parked on the side of the road and opened the door for him. Before getting in, Chu Yi Sheng took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, took a couple of puffs, and then bent down to sit down.

As the car slowly moved forward, he took out his phone and dialed a number.

"Tell Ye Sheng Ming I have time tomorrow. If he wants to see me, then tomorrow."

***

Having skipped all her classes, Yan Liang checked the time as she left the restaurant. She figured SGA students had already finished their classes, so she simply rode her bike back to her apartment.

She hadn't gone to class for two days, not because she was worried about falling behind. SGA provided textbooks, so the daily content was generally covered in them. Yan Liang ate something, flipped through a few pages of her book, and when she was almost finished, her phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID and hesitated, wondering if she should answer. It was Demon's calling. He'd disappeared without a word that morning, and now he was calling again. Yan Liang felt a headache coming on. What would he say?

But her phone kept ringing. Yan Liang thought, she couldn't possibly avoid Demon for months, could she? She still had to go to class; they were bound to run into each other eventually. Besides, foreign young people probably weren't the type to be shy …

After some self-consolation, she finally pressed the answer button on the second ring.

As soon as Demon heard the call connect, he eagerly asked, "Liang, why didn't you come to class today? Was it because of me?"

Yan Liang, "…"

"Sorry, did I put a lot of pressure on you? If so, I'd like to apologize. I really didn't know you had a husband … I'm also very troubled, Liang, I …"

"No, Demon, don't think too much about it. I didn't come to class today because I had some personal matters to attend to. I'll go to class tomorrow."

"Really?"

"Absolutely!"

"Then … you don't hate me, do you?"

Yan Liang chuckled. "Why would I hate you? I like you a lot—" Realizing her words were a bit off-topic, Yan Liang quickly added, "I mean, I think you're a very good friend. If you don't mind, we'll always be good friends."

The man on the other end of the phone was clearly a little disappointed, but he didn't say much. After a few casual words, they seemed to have reached an understanding. Yan Liang thought that her thinking was correct; people abroad are more carefree.

After hanging up the phone, she felt that she had finally gotten rid of a worry, and she wouldn't feel awkward facing Demon anymore.

Holding her phone, staring at the now-black screen, Yan Leng's mind involuntarily drifted to the phone call Liang Xi Cheng had made to her that morning. Before she hung up, she seemed to have said, "I'll call you tonight, okay?"

Should she call?

At this hour, in City A, it should already be nighttime, right?

Is he … still at work? Or eating? Or perhaps doing something else?

Longing, when left unexpressed, will swell within one's very being, the door closed, not revealing a trace. But once that door is opened, it can no longer be held back.

She missed him terribly. For the past five months, she had missed him constantly, but during those five months, they hadn't contacted each other, so the longing had remained hidden in her heart. But now …

Shouldn't she … give him a call?

Yan Liang rubbed her temples, a slight headache forming. She'd never imagined that making a phone call would require so much deliberation—Liang Xi Cheng, wasn't that her husband? What was wrong with her, as his wife, calling him?

Frowning, this thought spurred her on. She quickly found Liang Xi Cheng's number, dialed it in one go, and waited for the man on the other end to answer—

***

In a hotel private room in City A.

Ye Qing had just put down her chopsticks when her phone vibrated.

It was Liang Xi Cheng's phone.

She glanced at the bathroom sliding door; it was closed. The man's tall figure was vaguely reflected in the glass. He probably wouldn't come out yet. Ye Qing subconsciously looked at the phone screen, and the name flashing there made her expression change abruptly. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes—

Bai Yan Liang, she really wasn't giving up! She actually dared to call Xi Cheng?

Was it because she knew she was about to marry Xi Cheng, and was she impatient? Couldn't contain herself?

Ye Qing glanced at the still-closed bathroom sliding door, and almost instinctively picked up Liang Xi Cheng's phone and pressed the answer button.

"Hello, who is this?" Her voice was soft, deliberately feigning ignorance of the caller's identity, behaving like a typical mistress of the house. "Looking for Xi Cheng? He's taking a shower. If you need anything, I can pass on the message."

"…"

"Hello? Who are you?"

"…"

"I'm sorry, Xi Cheng doesn't have your number saved here, but this is my husband's private phone, so I think anyone calling must know him. Could you please tell me your name? I'm Ye Qing, Xi Cheng's wife."

"…"

"Hello …"

"Beep beep beep—"

The call was disconnected. A smug smile spread across Ye Qing's face. Suddenly, the bathroom door slid open with a whoosh. She quickly deleted the call log, and just as she was about to put the phone back, Liang Xi Cheng walked over. Seeing her holding his phone, Liang Xi Cheng frowned. "A call?"

He strode over, trying to take the phone from Ye Qing's hand.

“No phone call.” Ye Qing didn’t return the phone, smiling and waving it around. “I was bored, so I just played around with your phone. By the way, isn’t WeChat quite popular lately? I downloaded it a couple of days ago, let me download it for you?”

“No need.”

Liang Xi Cheng was clearly displeased. He reached out and snatched the phone from Ye Qing’s hand, his thick eyebrows furrowed, his eyes and brows showing displeasure. His words were stern, “From now on, don’t touch my phone. This is my personal phone, understand?”

“Personal phone …” Ye Qing’s tone immediately fell, then became sharp the next second, “Your personal phone, so I can't touch it? Why? We're getting married, is there something you can't tell me? Xi Cheng, I …"

"Yes!"

Liang Xi Cheng nodded honestly, looking at Ye Qing's mournful face, frowning. "Everyone needs their own space, including you and me. Ye Qing, you also have things you can't tell me, don't you? I hope you understand that marriage isn't childish. It's like a crystal ball, allowing you to see everything about each other. I won't pry into your privacy. And you, remember, don't overstep the boundaries in the future!"

Chapter 173        |        TOC        |        Chapter 175