Chapter 52: Heartbroken to the Core

Why was Shang Yucheng dragging her into the conversation when the topic was clearly about Yuan Xi? Liang Jinshang’s mood soured, and Chao Jingyu quickly sensed something was off.

He assumed she was anxious because Gong Xueyuan hadn’t arrived yet at the Snow Garden. “She’s always been rather particular,” he said gently, “perhaps something delayed her in the dressing room. Why don’t I take you to find her?”

Liang Jinshang nodded without hesitation. What she wanted to discuss with Gong Xueyuan was not suitable for the public eye. To be honest, even if she were to be insulted or mocked, she would rather it be out of view.

She followed Chao Jingyu to the dressing room, only to learn that Gong Xueyuan had already ridden out.

Chao Jingyu comforted her, “Let’s pick a horse. I’ll take you to look for her.”

Liang Jinshang didn’t know how to ride, nor was she in the mood to learn. Still, searching on horseback would be faster.

“If you don’t mind, I can ride with you,” Chao Jingyu offered sincerely. “I admit I’m being selfish—this way, we’ll look more the part.”

More like a couple.

Liang Jinshang changed into a riding outfit—white with gold accents. The staff explained it was the latest French design. Gong Xueyuan had specifically requested to wear it earlier, but after much effort, had to give up.

The implication was clear: Gong Xueyuan couldn’t fit into it.

Dressed in the elegant attire with her hair swept into a high bun, Liang Jinshang received a stream of compliments from the staff. The finely tailored riding suit made her look pure and noble.

Chao Jingyu smiled, “You look like a medieval princess untouched by the world’s hardships.”

Liang Jinshang couldn’t stand the compliment and hid her face. “You’re overdoing it, Dr. Chao.”

Untouched by hardship? No—she had tasted them all.

Gong Xueyuan hadn’t ridden far. In an open field, Liang Jinshang saw Shang Yucheng standing by Gong Xueyuan’s horse from a distance.

She couldn’t tell what they were discussing, but the scene was harmonious—a striking woman perched gracefully on horseback, a tall man looking up at her.

Hearing the approaching hooves, they both turned.

Liang Jinshang didn’t know how she and Chao Jingyu appeared in that moment—white horses, fiery clouds, a perfect couple—far outshining the other two.

Gong Xueyuan could hardly believe her eyes.

Chao Jingyu’s arms shielded Liang Jinshang, his protectiveness on full display. Once, that had been reserved for her alone.

She had suspected Liang Jinshang’s identity since that night at the bar, and later confirmed it through Hu Zhinan. Of course, Liang Jinshang had never tried to hide it; it was only Gong Xueyuan’s own limitations that had kept her in the dark.

Seeing now the person who had caused both old and new grievances, malice rose in Gong Xueyuan’s heart.

Without hesitation, she lashed out with her riding crop.

No one expected her to act so impulsively. If the whip landed, it would be no minor matter.

Both men frowned at once.

Liang Jinshang sat in front of Chao Jingyu; even if he wanted to shield her, there was no way.

In a flash, Chao Jingyu shouted, “Jinjin!” Gripping her with one arm, he hoisted her behind him, using his body as a barrier.

Liang Jinshang spun in midair, then clung tightly to the horse’s sides and wrapped her arms around Chao Jingyu’s slim waist.

She was shaken—not so much by the whip, but by Chao Jingyu’s unexpected strength and decisiveness.

The tip of the whip lashed across Chao Jingyu’s face, immediately raising an angry red welt—even though Shang Yucheng had intervened to catch the blow.

The sharper the pain in his face, the more Chao Jingyu realized that if that whip had struck Liang Jinshang, disfigurement would have been inevitable.

He rebuked her angrily. “Xueyuan, you’ve gone too far!”

Seeing Chao Jingyu’s swollen face, Gong Xueyuan felt a pang of guilt and fear. But she had always been willful with him. “Ayü, what are you doing? Why shield that wretch? Don’t you know she’s the one I hate most? How can you side with her?”

Liang Jinshang buried her head against Chao Jingyu’s back. She’d expected Gong Xueyuan to make things difficult, but to resort to violence immediately—despair surged inside her.

There was no point lying to herself anymore. Gong Xueyuan would not help her. Even if she knelt and begged, Gong Xueyuan would only laugh at her misery.

Feeling the slight tremor on his back, Chao Jingyu thought she was frightened. He patted her hand to comfort her. “It’s all right. Don’t be afraid. Let’s dismount first.”

Shang Yucheng hid his wounded hand behind him, his eyes narrowing as he watched Chao Jingyu’s careful attention to Liang Jinshang.

This woman—capable of murder—yet in front of Chao Jingyu, she could act so weak and timid. Was there any purpose besides seeking pity?

Chao Jingyu approached. “Xueyuan, dismount!”

Never before had Gong Xueyuan seen Chao Jingyu so stern. Unconsciously, she obeyed.

Chao Jingyu placed himself between them and explained about the kidney donation.

As expected, Gong Xueyuan refused outright.

“This is a matter of life and death! Xueyuan, can’t you set aside your grievances? The person waiting for the kidney is fighting for his life—don’t see him as Liang Jinshang’s foster father.”

Gong Xueyuan had once been Liang Yuanhan’s student and knew well how much his life meant to Liang Jinshang.

“But he is her foster father,” Gong Xueyuan said regretfully, though she couldn’t hide her smugness. “Besides, even if I were generous enough to forgive, Yucheng wouldn’t agree, would he?”

Liang Jinshang looked at Shang Yucheng in disbelief.

What did she mean, he wouldn’t agree? The debts between them were a tangled mess, but was it worth paying with Liang Yuanhan’s life?

If Shang Yucheng was truly so cold, selfish, and blind to right and wrong, then her once-genuine love was nothing but a joke.

Yet Shang Yucheng left her no room for hope. Under her pained, helpless gaze, he nodded without hesitation and said coolly, “This kidney cannot be given to you.”

What was this?

Liang Jinshang could only steady herself by gripping Chao Jingyu’s arm.

“Shang Yucheng… why are you doing this?” she asked, voice trembling.

She no longer needed, nor had the strength, to hide her feelings for him in front of the others.

Not to mention the past—how could he treat her so intimately one moment and so cruelly the next?

“Sorry.”

With that single emotionless word, Shang Yucheng shattered her to pieces.