Chairman Husband, Too Boorish - 198

Chapter 198 : Chairman Liang, please do it yourself.

"Director Bai, bring it here, and explain it to me while you're at it." Liang Xi Cheng tapped the table lightly with his long, elegant fingers, raising one eyebrow. His tone, seemingly businesslike, clearly betrayed his ulterior motives to Yan Liang.

"…"

Yan Liang was startled, looking at Liang Xi Cheng. The man opposite her had dark eyes that were also staring intently at her.

She could see a hint of emotion in his eyes. He seemed angry, and, even a fool could tell, he was doing it on purpose!

Yan Liang pursed her lips, frowned, and averted Liang Xi Cheng's aggressive gaze. She didn't move, clutching the design drawings in her hand. Her assistant, hearing this, naturally stepped back. Everyone in the conference room was watching her. A surge of anger burned within Yan Liang, seemingly reaching her stomach. She hadn't eaten or drunk anything all day, which had already made her feel quite uncomfortable; now, with this surge of anger, her stomach felt even more painful, cramping.

"... Um, cough, well, Director Bai, why don't you go up and explain to Chairman Liang yourself?"

Seeing that neither of them was willing to back down, Zhuo Hui felt a headache coming on. It was unusual for him not to be watching the drama unfold at this moment; but work was more important. This open and covert competition between the two, in front of so many people, made it somewhat difficult for him, the person in charge of Lati.

Yan Liang knew that once Liang Xi Cheng spoke, she couldn't escape.

"Never mind," she told herself. Work comes first; she was just working anyway.

He wanted her to explain it to him personally, didn't he? Well, she'd do it!

Clutching the folder in her hand, Yan Liang stood up. The movement seemed to intensify her nausea. She gritted her teeth, enduring the discomfort, and walked towards Liang Xi Cheng.

Perhaps the conference room lights were too bright. Liang Xi Cheng, with his sleek chin raised, watched the woman approaching him. He noticed her pale face, but didn't think much of it, assuming it was just the lighting.

As she drew closer, her fragrance filled the air. Liang Xi Cheng's adam's apple bobbed. His grip on the pen tightened slightly. He pushed off with his foot, moving his executive chair aside, and turned to his assistant, saying, "Bring over Director Bai's chair."

Yan Liang, "…"

The people seated below were mostly influential figures from the partner companies. Those with some standing in the company were seasoned veterans, shrewd and experienced; they'd seen it all. Everyone immediately noticed—Chairman Liang treated this Director Bai very differently.

Yan Liang was most afraid of this kind of prejudiced gaze, but now, everyone below was looking at her with obvious interest.

She felt incredibly uncomfortable, but because of her position, she couldn't lose her temper.

She tossed the design draft in her hand in front of Liang Xi Cheng, took a deep breath, and tried to control her tone, "… Chairman Liang, it's actually not particularly complicated. Originally, it was just two designs that we combined. I personally think there aren't any major problems. Chairman Liang, please take a look. If you find any issues, I can explain them to you."

"Sit down."

Liang Xi Cheng suddenly reached out and grabbed Yan Liang's wrist, gesturing for her to sit beside him. His assistant had already moved her chair aside.

Yan Liang, “…”

"Chairman Liang, what are you doing?” Yan Liang panicked. Already very sensitive, Liang Xi Cheng’s actions in front of everyone made her heart pound even faster. Her delicate brows furrowed, her expression full of resistance and rejection. “… Chairman Liang, let go!”

“I told you to sit down and explain yourself. Why are you so nervous?”

Liang Xi Cheng flicked the design sketch in front of him with his finger, frowned, and said emotionlessly, “I don’t usually talk to people with my head tilted back. Director Bai, sit down, okay?”

His last sentence wasn’t a suggestion at all. As soon as he finished speaking, he forcefully grabbed Yan Liang’s hand and made her sit down.

Yan Liang’s stomach churned with anger, making her face even paler. She clenched her hands at her sides, her slender brows furrowed, took a deep breath, and then stiffly sat down.

"Tell me, why is it arranged like this? Do you think it's appropriate?"

Liang Xi Cheng held a pen between two fingers and tapped it on the top of the drawing. Yan Liang knew he wasn't unfamiliar with design. A year ago, when she was at EC, he had pushed himself onto the design path. He was a master at interpreting drawings, but now that he was in a leadership position, he rarely touched them. Yan Liang remembered that back then, he had found some classic design books for her, some of them limited editions. It could be said that Liang Xi Cheng was no less capable than her. Moreover, Yan Liang had heard from Rex a year ago that Liang Xi Cheng had studied architectural design in school, but due to family needs, he ultimately studied business administration.

So, he's either nitpicking or doing it on purpose.

However, if he really is nitpicking, Yan Liang hopes to make up for her shortcomings.

She pursed her lips and explained earnestly, "We feel that since it's going to be built in the largest shopping mall in C City, the design needs to be bolder and more unrestrained. The use of color, and every angle and line, should reflect something unique, so we ..."

"We?"

Liang Xi Cheng seemed somewhat dissatisfied with her choice of words. He frowned, interrupting Yan Liang, his gaze seemingly sweeping across her face before quickly glancing at Han Qi Ming, who sat nervously on the other side. A thin smile played on his lips. "Director Bai is referring to—you and Designer Han?"

Yan Liang, "…"

This guy is definitely deliberately picking a fight!

Bai Yan Liang couldn't hold back any longer. A surge of anger rose in her chest, burning her stomach and making her throat feel sore. She forced a breath and said stiffly, "So what? Chairman Liang, you should actually understand design quite well. In that case, I don't need to explain it to you anymore. Just watch. If there are any problems, Chairman Liang, please revise these drawings yourself. Originally, Lati and Designer Han's company only contributed a part of the work. Your Liang Group is also involved in design, isn't it? Chairman Liang, you're such a decisive person, we can't overstep our bounds. So, Chairman Liang, please handle the following steps yourself."

Everyone, "…"

The people below gasped. Everyone could hear how nasty Bai Yan Liang's tone was. This wasn't communication; it was clearly a confrontation. This woman … she certainly had some nerve.

Although she was Lati's design director, frankly speaking, the Liang Group was spearheading this project. The Liang Group was incredibly powerful, and after its marriage alliance with the Ye Group a year ago, it was at its zenith. Now, they even had a branch in City C. The Liang Group was determined to win this project. Liang Xi Cheng personally came to City C and attended every meeting. In everyone's eyes, this naturally meant that Chairman Liang attached great importance to this project.

"Director Bai, you seem to remember things from a year ago very clearly."

Liang Xi Cheng, instead of being angry, smiled, raising one eyebrow meaningfully, "... Sometimes the most tragic thing is remembering what should be forgotten, yet forgetting what should be remembered. Director Bai, tell me, am I right?"

Yan Liang's lips trembled. She could tell that his words were loaded with meaning.

But what she couldn't understand was, what right did he have to speak to her like that? Had he considered her position? Had he considered her feelings?

One year ago, one year ago ... He kept talking about one year ago. It was true that she insisted on getting a divorce a year ago, but her beloved husband was going to marry another woman. Who could stand that?

He could say he didn't love that woman, but he still married her, for something more important than love. Now that he'd let go, why couldn't he let go of her?

Having considered her difficulties, pushing her so relentlessly?

She was beaten today; the pain wasn't just on her face, it was in her heart. If she had known that returning to C City would mean facing this, she would have preferred to stay in England forever.

Liang Xi Cheng, do you know how despicable you are?!

Yan Liang bit her lip tightly, probably truly enraged. Her already uncomfortable stomach ached even more, her face paled inch by inch, her delicate brows furrowed, her body swayed precariously, and cold sweat beaded on her forehead.

Seeing her remain silent, Liang Xi Cheng subconsciously looked up at her, only then realizing something was wrong.

He abruptly stood up, grabbed Yan Liang's wrist, his voice filled with anxiety, "What's wrong?"

"…"

"Yan Liang …"

"…"

Yan Liang opened her mouth, her voice weak, "... Chairman Liang, let go."

"Let go of what? What's wrong? Where do you feel unwell? You look terrible …"

No one had expected Liang Xi Cheng to suddenly change like this. Now, gripping Yan Liang tightly, looking so anxious, who would believe there wasn't something fishy going on between them?

However, Yan Liang truly didn't have much strength. Her stomach pain was unbearable. She wanted to say that she had stomach medicine in her office, but before she could speak, Liang Xi Cheng cursed under his breath, bent down, picked her up, and rushed out of the conference room.

In the end, she was forcibly taken to the hospital. At Liang Xi Cheng's insistence, Yan Liang was taken to the emergency room, where several of the hospital's most elite doctors were called in. The examination revealed that she had a stomach problem.

Yan Liang had previously experienced stomach problems in England, undergoing surgery for a perforated stomach. Therefore, she couldn't afford to go hungry and had been very careful lately, consistently taking her medication and never skipping meals. Today's situation was unusual, compounded by her excessive rage, which led to her current state.

When she was brought to the ward, she was already awake, with an IV drip in the back of her hand, making her look even more haggard.

After completing the formalities, Yan Liang was admitted to a VIP ward. Seeing that it was getting late, and having spent the entire day without making any progress at work, she struggled to sit up, took out her phone, and was about to call Qin Mu Hua when she suddenly heard steady footsteps at the ward door.

Just by hearing the footsteps, Yan Liang knew who it was.

She put her phone under her pillow, curled up, and lay down under the covers.

When Liang Xi Cheng entered, he saw her curled up on the hospital bed, her back to the door. A flicker of guilt crossed his brow, and his eyes filled with heartache.

He tightened his grip on his hands at his sides, strode to the edge of the bed, and stood there for a while. She didn't move, so he had no choice but to walk around to the other end.

Yan Liang's eyes were closed. Liang Xi Cheng sat down in front of her, reaching out to touch her hand. Yan Liang flinched and pulled her hand away.

Liang Xi Cheng, "…"

"You blame me, don't you? It's understandable that you blame me, but why didn't you tell me?"

The man's voice was low and tinged with helplessness—a genuine helplessness. Everything had fallen apart since he met her. He didn't want things to be this way, but he didn't know why things had turned out this way. Perhaps it was because before, when he had her, she was always so obedient, always understanding and forgiving, always choosing to compromise and accommodate him in many ways. That's why he was like this this time.

In his heart, he always thought that as long as he kept moving forward, she wouldn't be able to escape him. Chu Yi Sheng's words were like a shot of adrenaline for him. If he had been somewhat hesitant before, after hearing those words, he was even more certain that she must deeply love him.

Therefore ... he became even more unable to control himself.

But when she fainted in his arms, he was truly terrified. Hearing the doctor say that she had a stomach problem, and that it was a long-standing issue, felt like something hard had struck deep within his heart, causing excruciating pain.

Why ... did things turn out this way between them?

“Yan Liang …”

Liang Xi Cheng suppressed the urge to sigh. He never wanted to bow his head to anyone, but now, he truly and willingly bowed his head before her. “I really didn’t know your stomach was upset. I know what happened today was because of me. It’s understandable that you’re angry. You can do whatever you want, I’m sorry.”

“…”

“But you should tell me, Yan Liang, why aren’t you taking better care of yourself? The doctor said your problem is cumulative. I remember you didn’t have this problem a year ago …”

“If you really feel sorry, leave now. I don’t want to hear you talk, and I don’t want to accept your apology.”

Yan Liang kept her eyes closed, only her dry lips moved, her voice somewhat hoarse, “So don’t waste your energy, just go.”

“…”

Liang Xi Cheng frowned, head down, looking at the woman with her eyes tightly closed before him. He suddenly remembered what Zhuo Hui had said to him at the emergency room entrance.

"—I know you're eager to win her back, but even I, who's only known Bai Yan Liang for a few days, can see she's incredibly stubborn. You've been on and off with her for over a year; don't you know what kind of person she is? You're pushing her too hard, it's backfiring, you're being too hasty, you know?"

"… Sigh, everyone says you're a business genius, but you seem like a love idiot? A woman with such strong self-respect, and you have a wife by your side—and she's still your ex-wife—how could she possibly be obedient?"

***

(T/N: This is the first time for me, to actually dislike a ML from a story. Liang Xi Cheng is really getting on my nerves. He makes Yan Liang suffers too much. If I’m Yan Liang, I would have stay in England, never ever coming back. Liang Xi Cheng is the worst ML I’ve met as far as I read Chinese Novel.)

Chapter 197        |        TOC        |        Chapter 199