Chapter 68: No Banquet Without Trouble

Although Yuan Xi’s words made her meaning clear—it wasn’t for Shang Yucheng’s sake that she helped Liang Jinshang—Liang Jinshang couldn’t imagine any “benefactor” aside from Shang Yucheng, with whom both she and Yuan Xi had ties, who might have asked Yuan Xi to look after her.

She disliked being kept in suspense and wanted to see Shang Yucheng in person to ask him directly.

The opportunity soon arrived.

September tenth was the seventieth birthday celebration of Bu Qingqing’s grandfather.

Old Mr. Bu was a respected elder whose birthday banquet was attended by distinguished guests from all walks of life.

Zhao Jingyu invited Liang Jinshang to accompany him as his date.

“You look as if you’re a little troubled by this?” Zhao Jingyu remarked, not quite understanding his own feelings. In truth, Bu Qingqing was unlikely to act willful enough to pursue him openly at her grandfather’s birthday banquet.

Still, he extended the invitation to Liang Jinshang.

If she refused, Zhao Jingyu would henceforth retreat to the safe position of “attending physician.”

“It’s not really trouble,” Liang Jinshang replied. “I just haven’t attended this kind of event before, and I’m worried I’ll embarrass you.”

The last time she had attended such a grand society gala, she’d been barely in her teens. Back then, Fang Xin’ou was a renowned figure with a thriving career who would bring his young daughter along to all manner of high society gatherings.

Zhao Jingyu looked at Liang Jinshang, dressed elegantly and ready, and did not hesitate to praise her. “You’re far too modest. I’d conservatively estimate that ninety percent of the men here tonight will be looking at me with envy.”

She knew his words were somewhat exaggerated.

Beauty was never in short supply in the upper echelons of society.

Yet the reflection in the mirror—a rare sight of herself in formal attire—confirmed that she was indeed one of the evening’s highlights.

Her backless rose-embroidered gown, so graceful and poised, might have appeared gaudy on a more striking beauty, but Liang Jinshang’s irrepressible innocence tempered the vividness of the dress, giving her an elusive, ethereal quality that made her unforgettable.

Unaccustomed to very high heels, she wore a slender five-centimeter pair.

Le Quan, already taller than her, wore a perfectly tailored black gown and high heels as well. Standing across from her, Liang Jinshang’s presence seemed a little subdued.

The two men, however, standing face to face, matched each other in bearing.

Shang Yucheng was aloof and dignified; Zhao Jingyu, polished and charming. Upon meeting, they naturally exchanged a few words.

Outside on the lawn, a waiter offered champagne, and each took a glass.

Le Quan, who rarely mingled with their circle, had unusually agreed to be Shang Yucheng’s companion tonight. Zhao Jingyu complimented her on her beauty.

Le Quan glanced at Shang Yucheng with a half-smile. “I’ve been basking in President Shang’s light recently; that’s why I’m glowing these days.”

Even Liang Jinshang, a low-level employee, had heard about the major moves recently orchestrated by Lehai and Shang’s corporation.

Shang Yucheng was known for his ruthless and decisive tactics and, judging by his complete silence regarding the recent “mistress scandal,” he seemed not to care about his personal reputation.

On the surface, the main battleground pitted Lehai Construction against the Gong family, but everyone knew Shang’s corporation had contributed significantly behind the scenes.

He was helping outsiders carve up his “fiancée’s” family’s business interests, and tonight, he openly brought Le Quan as his companion, paying no mind to Gong Xueyuan, who was left alone.

It was obvious to all that the nominal “alliance” was on the verge of collapse.

Things had been harmonious enough before, but the “mistress scandal” hyped up by the Gong family had evidently enraged Shang Yucheng.

He chatted idly with Zhao Jingyu, never once glancing in Liang Jinshang’s direction.

Liang Jinshang, meanwhile, held Zhao Jingyu’s arm, her gaze fixed on the distance, presenting these people with a demure profile—where Bu Qingqing and Gong Xueyuan were huddled together, deep in conversation.

Had Le Quan not known of the secret rendezvous between Shang Yucheng and Liang Jinshang, one might have thought these two, who didn’t even acknowledge each other, were strangers.

Le Quan frowned irritably. “President Shang, you all talk—I’m going to get something to eat.”

Shang Yucheng finally glanced at Liang Jinshang, but his look was as cool and fleeting as moonlight skimming water. He turned to follow Le Quan. “I’ll go with you.”

As they walked away, Zhao Jingyu glanced down at Liang Jinshang. “Are you hungry? Should I get you something?”

“No need.” Her dress, cinched tightly at the waist, demanded she sacrifice her appetite for the sake of beauty.

Dusk was falling. Zhao Jingyu, seeing how the wind seemed to favor her, couldn’t resist reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Are you uncomfortable?”

“Not at all—it’s much freer than I expected.”

At some point, Bu Qingqing approached. Seeing Zhao Jingyu’s gentle gesture, her gaze darkened, but she quickly composed herself.

She summoned a waiter and proposed a toast to Zhao Jingyu and Liang Jinshang.

A toast was nothing, but since both Zhao Jingyu and Liang Jinshang already held champagne, Bu Qingqing’s insistence that they exchange their glasses was intriguing.

Zhao Jingyu didn’t expose her motive; he merely smiled and raised his glass, signaling Liang Jinshang to clink glasses with Bu Qingqing as well.

They both drank without hesitation. “To Old Mr. Bu’s health and long life.”

Bu Qingqing cast a plaintive glance at Zhao Jingyu.

“If you want to toast my grandfather, you can do it later in front of him. This toast is from me to you two.” She pointed at the three glasses. “Once you’ve finished, I’ll offer only blessings from now on—nothing more.”

Her voice trembled with tears. “It’s all the same wine; you two can choose first. Zhao Jingyu, do you truly lack even this last bit of courtesy toward me?”

Liang Jinshang reached out and took the closest glass to Bu Qingqing.

From her first cameo in this drama to what was now nearly a saga, she saw the only audience member call “cut” and was happy to oblige.

Zhao Jingyu followed suit. The three of them drank.

Bu Qingqing turned and left. Before Liang Jinshang could catch her breath, Gong Xueyuan approached.

Liang Jinshang noticed that Gong Xueyuan had lost considerable weight since they last met and looked unwell, her expensive makeup sitting atop her face rather than blending in.

“Jingyu,” Gong Xueyuan said, “when you go to congratulate Old Mr. Bu later, may I go with you?”

At such occasions, the importance of a companion was undeniable; standing alone was conspicuous.

Especially considering Gong Xueyuan’s awkward situation—she was practically serving herself up as fodder for gossip.

It was a credit to her thick skin that she hadn’t left early.

It was rare for Gong Xueyuan to show such vulnerability, and given the longstanding friendship between their families, Zhao Jingyu wouldn’t refuse her.

“Of course, let’s go together.”

Liang Jinshang said, “You two go ahead—I’ll wait for you here.”

After all, Old Mr. Bu didn’t know who she was, and she had no intention of forging connections.

She took a step back—only to bump into someone who seemed to appear out of nowhere, and was instantly drenched in wine.

She looked up, about to speak, but immediately stepped back three paces.

Hu Zhinan! How could he be here?!