You smile more often now than before
In the awkward atmosphere, Liang Huaixu quickly got up and went to the bathroom to wash up first.
During breakfast, he told Aunt Yuan, “Have the whole house treated for mosquitoes during the day, especially her room. Also, air out the bed in the guest room. Even when no one is staying there, the bedding still needs to be dried and regularly taken care of.”
Liang Huaixu gave a long list of instructions, only hoping that a situation like last night would not happen again.
After arriving at the company, the downside of not resting well the night before became apparent.
There was a faint tiredness in Liang Huaixu’s eyes and brows. He asked Assistant Zhou to make him a cup of coffee.
Assistant Zhou was slightly surprised.
President Liang had quit coffee for a long time. Even during the busiest period at the end of the year, President Liang had not broken this habit.
What was going on today?
Zhou Ting had studied for a Master of Business Administration at Jiang University during graduate school and had known Liang Huaixu back then. After graduating, he joined Changting.
So their relationship was not only that of superior and subordinate but also somewhat like teacher and friend. Zhou Ting was bold and dared to say many things.
“What did you do last night?”
Liang Huaixu rubbed his temple. “I had a late-night snack, then had some trouble sleeping.”
“You even had a late-night snack?!” Zhou Ting was shocked.
Liang Huaixu asked, “What about it?”
Zhou Ting shook his head. “Nothing. It’s just that it finally feels like you have some human presence.”
Liang Huaixu had known Zhou Ting for many years, so he did not take offense and even found it a bit amusing. “What kind of description is that?”
“We all privately think you have a strong ‘AI vibe.’” Zhou Ting was worried that President Liang did not spend much time online and might not understand the term, so he explained, “These past few years, you’ve lived too self-disciplined, like an AI with no desires…”
Even emotionally, there had been nothing at all.
“Nonsense.” Liang Huaixu let out a low laugh. “Just because I had a late-night snack and a cup of coffee, I’ve gone from AI to a living person?”
Zhou Ting said, “Look, you’re already smiling more often than before.”
After noticing that President Liang’s smile disappeared as soon as he said that, Zhou Ting quickly changed the topic. “I’ll go make the coffee.”
A little after three in the afternoon, Zhuang Fuyao drove to the neighboring city.
Liang Chaoluo had messaged her to ask her out for dinner, saying he had something to tell her. But his company suddenly required overtime, so Zhuang Fuyao had to drive to the neighboring city to see him instead.
After nine o’clock, Liang Chaoluo arrived looking travel-worn. His hair had clearly not been trimmed for a long time and had grown much longer than before, and there was some stubble on his chin.
This appearance was a bit too unkempt.
The last time, he had still been a fresh and handsome young man.
Zhuang Fuyao teased, “I didn’t know management trainees at Changting also have to go down into mines to dig coal.”
“Mom, don’t make fun of me.”
Liang Chaoluo lowered his eyelashes slightly, casting a faint shadow.
A couple of days ago, Yi Han had come to see him. During their conversation, Yi Han’s words revealed her closeness with his family.
For example, the bag she was carrying had been casually bought for her by Madam Zhuang during a past trip together.
Then she took out a unique manuscript draft from several hundred years ago that recorded the design concepts of a certain historical building, which she had obtained at an auction.
She said her family had acquired it and asked him to pass it on to Uncle Liang.
Liang Chaoluo knew that Yi Han had always had a good relationship with Madam Zhuang and Old Liang. Compared with her, Shu Run was clearly not well-received in front of them.
This was also why he had delayed arranging a meeting between the two families.
It was not that he did not want to. It was that his current ability was not yet enough to stand on his own.
For now, he could not fulfill the promises he had made while in school. He could only strive to become better while doing his best to resist pressure from his family.
But what Yi Han brought out next shook the firmness he had always maintained.
The photos showed Shu Run chatting and laughing with a young man on the street.
He glanced at Yi Han, his tone unreadable. “What’s the meaning of this?”
Yi Han raised her eyebrows. “Keep scrolling.”
Liang Chaoluo continued to scroll. When he saw the photo of Shu Run getting into a car together with that man, his fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly.
Late at night, a lone man and a lone woman. Although he did not want to admit it, the man in the photo was indeed good-looking.
He looked like the type Shu Run would like.
He steadied himself and controlled his emotions. “You asked me out just to show me this?”
Yi Han took a sip of coffee unhurriedly. “From this, it seems your girlfriend may not be worth you going to such lengths to oppose your family.”
“You should have heard about the recent turbulence at Changting. Although Changting has developed well domestically in recent years, its national recognition still cannot compare to some long-established local enterprises. If it could form a strong alliance with the Yi family, development would surely go to the next level. And once news of a family marriage alliance is released, it would not only resolve this crisis but also drive up the stock price…” Yi Han smiled. “And it would make both sides’ parents happy. Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone?”
“As for your girlfriend…” Yi Han’s tone was tolerant. “I won’t interfere with your life outside. You can continue dating her. We don’t even have to be a real married couple. We can just be business partners.”
“Ah Luo, think it over.”
…
Of course Liang Chaoluo refused Yi Han, but the defenses in his heart had also loosened a little.
Before discovering that ‘Private Coach Xiao Z’ in the game records, he had already noticed other warning signs.
For a period of time, Shu Run often held her phone and smiled. She kept the phone close to her, checking it every now and then.
She even brought her phone into the shower.
He knew very well that this was a typical sign of being in the honeymoon phase of a relationship.
If all of this could still be explained away as a coincidence, then these photos were essentially solid proof.
After he and Shu Run started dating, they shared their social circles. They knew each other’s friends. Now, all of a sudden, there was a man close to her whom he did not know at all. There had to be a problem.
He fell into a slump for two days. Other than working, he just slept. Then he realized that as long as he did not contact Shu Run, Shu Run would not contact him either.
At one point, he even wondered whether Shu Run had long wanted to break up, but did not dare to say it outright, so she chose to give him the cold treatment instead.
Adult relationships sometimes do not need everything to be said so clearly.
“Mom,” Liang Chaoluo said, fatigue evident in his voice. “I saw the news a few days ago. Is Changting’s situation not very good right now?”
Zhuang Fuyao was slightly stunned. She did not know either. From Liang Huaixu’s side, she had not noticed anything unusual.
Liang Huaixu’s fist tightened slightly. Seeing Madam Zhuang fall silent, he immediately understood how serious the situation was.
Old Liang had been right. He should not stubbornly pursue only his own happiness. He also had to contribute to the family and to Changting.
He made up his mind. “If Changting needs me, I’m also willing to enter into a marriage alliance.”
“Huh?”
Zhuang Fuyao was a bit confused.
The original plot had never mentioned Liang Chaoluo entering a marriage alliance with anyone. Although Yi Han had appeared midway and interfered with their relationship, it had never escalated to the point of a marriage alliance.
Could it be that her transmigration had caused a butterfly effect?
But she did not seem to be involved in it at all.
She had not even expressed opposition. She had even kindly hoped that Liang Chaoluo would bring his girlfriend to meet her.
Zhuang Fuyao said, “Chaoluo, I don’t have any information about a marriage alliance right now. But did something happen between you and Shu Run?”
Liang Chaoluo showed a trace of disbelief. “You don’t know?”
Given Madam Zhuang’s position in the family, how could she not know?
He clenched his teeth and decided to tear open this layer of paper. “Mom, to be honest, do you not like Shu Run and want me to be with Yi Han instead?”
This was a question Zhuang Fuyao needed to think carefully about before answering.
She paused for a few seconds. “I used to feel that way. But people’s thoughts can change. Now I think that a girl like Shu Run is actually quite good. And since you like her, I won’t oppose it. When I asked you to bring her over to meet me before, that was sincere.”
Her tone softened. “So did something happen between you two?”
Out of Madam Zhuang’s sight, Liang Chaoluo pinched his thigh hard.
Hiss.
It hurt. It was not a dream.
“No,” he shook his head. He did not bring his conflict with Shu Run to Madam Zhuang, because deep down, he still held onto a sliver of hope.
What if it was just a misunderstanding?
After meeting Madam Zhuang, he was arranged by the branch office to go on a business trip to the headquarters on Friday.
After finishing work matters, he slipped up to the top floor to find Old Liang. Many people at headquarters recognized him, so the trip went smoothly.
Seeing that President Liang was still in a meeting, Secretary Cheng asked whether the young master would like tea or coffee.
“Coffee.”
“Alright.” Secretary Cheng smiled. “President Liang is still in a meeting. You can wait for President Liang in the office for a bit.”
“Okay.”
Sitting on the black leather sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, Liang Chaoluo looked around. Fortunately, the office décor was fairly normal.
It was not like home, filled with girlish touches. He hardly dared to go home casually now.
Half an hour later, Liang Huaixu arrived.
He glanced at the person slumped on the sofa with clear displeasure. His tone was stern. “Sit properly. Look at the way you’re sitting.”
“Oh.”
Liang Chaoluo straightened up reluctantly.
He was currently in a low mood from heartbreak. Who had the energy to care about these things?
“And what’s going on with your hair and beard?” Liang Huaixu continued. “Look in the mirror. What kind of mess do you look like right now?”
As soon as he met Old Liang, he was scolded.
Liang Chaoluo irritably raked a hand through his hair.
Old Liang continued delivering verbal blows. “If you went somewhere people didn’t know you, they might think you’re even older than me.”
“…”
There was no way for him to refute that.
Old Liang indeed did not look old. His skin was fair, and if not for his steady, mature style of dress and the commanding presence that came from being in a high position for many years, he would not look much different from a male college student when walking outside.
“Dad.” Liang Chaoluo lowered his eyes, his tone carrying a hint of hurt. “I’m practically about to be heartbroken, and you’re still scolding me.”
Liang Huaixu was taken aback. “Did you break up with Shu Run?”
“Not yet.” Liang Chaoluo let out a self-mocking laugh. “But it’s probably coming soon.”
“So if the family needs me for anything, you can just tell me. I’ll probably be single before long. A marriage alliance…” He paused. “It’s not completely out of the question.”
Liang Huaixu frowned. “When did I ever tell you to go into a marriage alliance?”
“Isn’t that the case?” Liang Chaoluo froze for a moment. “Didn’t you say before that I should contribute to the family? And both you and Mom didn’t think highly of Shu Run. When I was young, you even joked about Yi Han and me. I thought…”
“…Actually, you don’t have to hide it from me. I’ve recently learned that Changting has run into trouble. I’m not that immature. If there’s a time when you need me, I’ll step up.”
“Oh, right.” Liang Chaoluo corrected himself. “I got one thing wrong just now. Mom doesn’t dislike Shu Run. I talked to her a couple of days ago. She doesn’t oppose it and even said she wants to meet Shu Run.”
After hearing all this, Liang Huaixu seized on the key point. “What trouble did Changting run into?”
“The news from a few days ago.”
Hearing that, Liang Huaixu shot him a cold glance. “Where did you throw away your business instincts?” He said patiently, “Think about it carefully again.”
Liang Chaoluo was puzzled. He reopened the earlier news and read it again. The more he read, the more realization dawned on him.
So that was it.
His mind had been muddled these past few days, and he had failed to see that Old Liang was using negative news about senior executives to carry out internal restructuring.
His voice weakened. “I see it now.”
“Mm.” The fact that he could still see it meant his brain had not gone bad.
“You just said your mother doesn’t oppose you and Shu Run and even wants to meet her?”
Liang Chaoluo nodded. “Now the only one holding an opposing view is you.”
Liang Huaixu fell silent for a few seconds.
That was also within expectation. With Zhuang Fuyao’s temperament at twenty-two, she would probably get along quite well with Shu Run.
Cheng Beibei’s personality had been very similar to Shu Run’s.
If Zhuang Fuyao agreed, then he would also have to readjust his attitude toward Shu Run.
“I don’t oppose it either, and I never asked you to enter a marriage alliance. I only hope that you strive to improve yourself. As for childhood matters, that was ages ago. I didn’t see you being this obedient back then.”
Liang Huaixu glanced at him and used this incident to teach his son a lesson. “You’re already an adult who’s entered society. You need to learn to control your emotions. You let yourself get into this state over a little quarrel between lovers. I’m very disappointed in you.”
Liang Chaoluo took a long time to react.
The situation had developed further and further beyond his control.
How had it suddenly become that Changting was fine, the family did not need him to enter a marriage alliance, and neither parent opposed his relationship…
In the end, had he just been overthinking everything on his own?