Embezzlement

Synopsis: Three years after Liang Chi was driven out of his stepfather’s home, he received a call from his stepsister. Her voice was barely audible. “Dad was arrested, and the house was seized and auctioned off. I have nowhere to go, Brother… Could you let me stay with you for a while?” Her words were broken by sobs and intermittent coughing. He remembered that she had been diagnosed with congenital pulmonary hypoplasia from birth and had needed medication for years. His mother had named her Liang Jing because whales had powerful lungs. — Later, at the rented apartment where he lived, Liang Jing emerged from the shower in a spaghetti-strap dress. Liang Chi glanced at her, his voice curt. “Change.” Confused, Liang Jing said, “I used to dress like this at home.” Liang Chi turned his back to her. “It’s different now.” — Later still, they went from having nothing to their position at the top of the industry, from a rented apartment to a private estate. One day, a servant told her that Mr. Liang would be coming home that evening. Liang Jing paused, then said, “Okay.” She pushed open the window and looked outside. The estate was warm year-round, with systems that maintained constant temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels. A medical team was permanently stationed there. Yet she found herself remembering how, many years ago, Liang Chi had braved a heavy snowstorm and run all over half the city to find medicine for her. That evening, Liang Jing said, “Dad will be getting out of prison soon.” “So?” Liang Chi asked. “You want to go find him?” Liang Jing did not answer. She turned her face away. Liang Chi caught her chin and pressed his fingertip firmly against her lips. “Remember this. From the day you called me, I’ve been the only person you can rely on.” — Description from novelcodex.orgFull novel: Embezzlement — read the rest free on N​o⁠v​e⁠l​C⁠o​d⁠e​x⁠.​o⁠r​g⁠