Chapter 27: Once in Love

Shang Jinshu was the youngest daughter of Old Madam Shang. As a free-spirited artist whose whereabouts were always uncertain, she possessed a romantic and unrestrained nature, spending most of her years abroad, seeking inspiration and creating art. This time, she happened to return to the country for an art exhibition.

Her information was so out of date that she hadn’t even figured out whom her nephew would be marrying in ten days. Yet, it was precisely this most ill-informed person who mentioned something no one else had ever noticed—a child?

Amidst the heavy silence, it was Shang Yucheng who first spoke with controlled calm. “All the guests have arrived. Let’s go down and begin the banquet.”

But who could still bring themselves to attend the banquet now?

As the person with the strongest grounds for questioning, Gong Xueyuan merely clung tightly to Shang Yucheng’s arm. Her beautiful large eyes glared at Liang Jinshang, brimming with resentment and malice.

To so openly reveal her feelings before even knowing the truth—so shallow and so scheming.

This display left a bad taste in Old Madam Shang’s eyes.

She had no choice but to step forward and steady the gathering. “Yucheng, give me a straight answer. Is there, or isn’t there, any child?”

“No.” Shang Yucheng replied without expression, not a moment’s hesitation.

All eyes then turned to Shang Jinshu, who managed a strained smile. “I must have confused things. Miss Liang here looks so much like my friend’s daughter, who recently had a baby.”

Old Madam Shang settled the matter with finality, chiding her, “You’ve always been so scatterbrained! First time meeting your nephew’s wife, and you’re already causing a mix-up. Go on, give your new niece-in-law a gift and make it up to her!”

Even if Shang Jinshu was usually oblivious, she could now see that Gong Xueyuan was indeed the legitimate niece-in-law.

She hurriedly linked arms with Gong Xueyuan, offering to show her a limited edition handbag she had brought as a meeting gift.

Whether or not anyone truly believed it, under Shang Yucheng’s imposing presence, no one dared to challenge him.

Everyone played along with Old Madam Shang, sharing stories of Shang Jinshu’s past mischiefs as they escorted Shang Aor down the stairs.

Old Madam Shang lingered at the rear, her gaze sweeping coolly over Shang Yucheng and Liang Jinshang. “You two, I expect an explanation after the banquet.”

Leaving aside the matter of the child, there was something else: just now, in front of everyone and without any introduction, Shang Jinshu had directly addressed her as “Miss Liang.”

In the two years Liang Jinshang had served as a tutor in the Shang household, she had never once crossed paths with Shang Jinshu.

So, there must be some connection between the two that Old Madam Shang did not know.

...

The birthday banquet was splendid and concluded smoothly. Aside from those directly involved, nobody else paid much attention to the rumors about a child.

In families like theirs, illegitimate children were no longer considered scandalous.

After the banquet, a few of them sat together on the sofa.

Shang Yucheng and Gong Xueyuan sat on one side, Shang Jinshu accompanied Old Madam Shang, and only Liang Jinshang sat alone.

In this moment, Liang Jinshang truly understood the meaning of “alone and outnumbered.”

Though, she felt no guilt.

Old Madam Shang spoke. “Who will start?”

When no one answered, she singled out Shang Jinshu. “You.”

Shang Jinshu looked to Shang Yucheng, somewhat helpless. “Yucheng, perhaps you’d better explain. Honestly, I’m completely muddled now.”

Shang Yucheng curled his lips indifferently. “What is it you all want to hear?”

“About the child, of course!” Gong Xueyuan, her nerves taut ever since she saw Liang Jinshang’s evening gown, was on the verge of collapse. “And you and Liang Jinshang—what exactly is your relationship?!”

Shang Yucheng gently handed her a tissue to wipe her tears. “There’s no relationship.”

Liang Jinshang felt the air conditioning in the living room was a little too cold, or perhaps that was just the chill in her chest.

No one could possibly be satisfied with that answer.

“Don’t try to sidestep this! The Gong family is not one to be fooled. We won’t let our daughter marry you in confusion and suffer grievances.” Old Madam Shang paused, eyeing Liang Jinshang’s blank expression.

She added, “If you’ve wronged Miss Liang, now that I know, I won’t let such a good girl suffer for nothing. Miss Liang, perhaps you should tell us—what’s the matter with the child?”

Liang Jinshang opened her mouth, but her voice caught in her throat. After a moment, she managed, “There is nothing between Mr. Shang and me. As for the child… I didn’t want it.”

So it was true! There really had been a child between her and Shang Yucheng!

Gong Xueyuan shook off Shang Yucheng’s arm and suddenly leapt to her feet, ready to confront Liang Jinshang.

Shang Yucheng could have stopped her with a single gesture, but if he intervened now to shield Liang Jinshang, it would only add fuel to the fire.

He did not move.

Fortunately, Liang Jinshang was not one to be bullied. She caught Gong Xueyuan’s flailing hand and quietly retorted, “And what right do you have to hit me? Hah—when I was with him, you were nothing.”

No one else overheard, but everyone could guess it was something inflammatory.

Because in the next instant, Gong Xueyuan burst into tears at Shang Yucheng. “I’m not getting married! I won’t! The wedding is off! Shang Yucheng, go marry that wretch if you want!”

Shang Yucheng shot Liang Jinshang a warning look.

Then, in a calm voice meant for Gong Xueyuan and everyone present, he said, “Our wedding will proceed as planned. Even when Liang Jinshang had a child, I never considered marrying her, and I have even less reason to now. Enough. As for children, if you want them, you can have as many as you wish.”

Hearing this, even Shang Jinshu felt a chill on Liang Jinshang’s behalf; she dared not imagine how Liang Jinshang must feel.

More than half a year ago, Shang Jinshu had run into Shang Yucheng at the Laang Cathedral. At that time, he was with a cheerful, smiling girl—Liang Jinshang.

Beneath the stained glass roses, the two embraced and kissed in the dazzling light, so beautiful that even the Western onlookers smiled and watched.

Shang Jinshu had waited with a gentle smile, but the young couple remained lost in each other, until she finally had to call out Shang Yucheng’s name.

Shang Yucheng introduced Liang Jinshang, and they all had a meal together.

Although Shang Jinshu had been single for many years, she was no stranger to love.

Anyone witnessing their interactions would be hard-pressed to believe they were not in love.

...

Old Madam Shang scolded with several sharp “nonsense” rebukes, but her grandson was already a man of his own. Even if she wished to discipline him, he would never heed her now.

She dismissed everyone else, leaving only Liang Jinshang behind.

“Miss Liang, let me first apologize on Yucheng’s behalf.”

Liang Jinshang waited quietly, knowing there was more to come.

Sure enough, Old Madam Shang’s next words grew sharper. “May I ask why you chose not to keep the child back then? Yucheng, because of past experiences, values children more than most men. If you had kept the child, the benefits would have been clear. You might even have used it to marry into the Shang family.”

Liang Jinshang replied calmly, “Not every woman puts marriage and motherhood above all else.”