Chapter 72: Daring to Speak, Daring to Believe

Qingqing Bu had just echoed that she had something to discuss with Cheng Shangyu, entirely because she was feeling guilty after doing something wrong and instinctively wanted to please him. She had no idea what he wanted to talk about. So when she heard his question, she was a little confused.

How should she respond to the police? Of course, tell the truth and make that wretch pay the highest price!

Cheng Shangyu’s gaze was so intense that Qingqing Bu couldn’t help but avert her eyes, looking toward the side where the air felt less sharp. Unexpectedly, she saw Cheng Shangyu and Liang Jinshang holding hands, then took in their matching evening attire.

“You two…” Qingqing Bu hesitated and looked at Liang Jinshang, “You didn’t go with Jingyu Chao…”

According to the scheme she and Xueyuan Gong had plotted, Zhinnan Hu was supposed to deal with Liang Jinshang, and they’d record the whole thing as payback! Qingqing Bu, on her part, had arranged the media in advance. If she could capture herself and Jingyu Chao consummating their relationship at Old Bu’s birthday banquet, this marriage would be guaranteed!

But everything had gone awry!

Qingqing Bu felt regret and hatred, and under the pressure, burst into manic laughter. “Hahaha! I thought I’d suffered a huge loss, but you, Liang, your disaster is even bigger than mine! You actually went and slept with Jingyu Chao’s best friend! Let’s see how you and Jingyu Chao carry on now! Retribution! Hahaha!”

Liang Jinshang was speechless. “You still have the energy to mock me?”

If nothing else, just speaking of the quality of partners—could Zhinnan Hu compare to Cheng Shangyu?

“Oh?” At this moment, Cheng Shangyu spoke calmly. “What loss did you suffer?”

Qingqing Bu was stifled by this question, her face full of anger she dared not express. But this man was really tasteless—must he rub salt into her wounds?

Qingqing Bu hadn’t yet reacted, but Liang Jinshang had caught the nuance in Cheng Shangyu’s words. She knew him well; he wasn’t the type for idle banter. She looked at him in astonishment, and though his demeanor remained steady and deep, a thought surfaced in her mind.

Liang Jinshang coughed lightly. “Well, Qingqing Bu… can you really not feel the difference… whether something happened or not?”

Regardless of whether it was Qingqing Bu’s first time, based on her own recent experience, Liang Jinshang could guarantee that the person involved could not be oblivious to it. Unless Zhinnan Hu was all show and no substance.

Qingqing Bu was stunned by Liang Jinshang’s question. She only remembered that when the drug took effect, she was in a haze. All she felt was someone touching her, and when she came to, she saw Zhinnan Hu lying beside her. Naturally, she instinctively believed everything had happened!

Qingqing Bu said incredulously, “How… how could that be! But, President Shang, how did you know?”

She suddenly stopped, recalling how she had ended up here—it was after asking where Jingyu Chao was and receiving the room number he sent.

“Was the room number from you?!”

So, it had all been orchestrated by Cheng Shangyu.

A mocking curve appeared on Cheng Shangyu’s lips. He said nothing, but instead remarked, “Everyone saw it: Zhinnan Hu did something unforgivable to you. If you insist on your previous accusation, he’ll be condemned as the sole villain. But if you incapacitated him first, and now recant, claiming he didn’t assault you, then you’d better prepare for him to counter-sue for intentional harm.”

Qingqing Bu’s lips trembled; she didn’t know whether to be glad she escaped disaster or to fear this man’s unfathomable methods.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll implicate you?”

Cheng Shangyu looked at her with amusement. “What does any of this have to do with me?”

She’d spiked her own drink, asked for the room number, and walked in herself. Cheng Shangyu’s men had only given Zhinnan Hu a muscle relaxant, rendering him unable to struggle or even move his tongue, then dragged him over.

Unfortunately, no one knew this—because, to carry out tonight’s plan, Qingqing Bu had ordered the hotel surveillance disabled well in advance.

What was supposed to be a double win had, due to Cheng Shangyu’s intervention, completely reversed fortunes.

Cheng Shangyu saw the look on Qingqing Bu’s face and knew she now understood what to say and what to do. He pulled Liang Jinshang away.

The two walked quietly down the corridor. Suddenly Cheng Shangyu said in a leisurely tone, “Why do you keep looking at me?”

“Nothing!” Liang Jinshang lowered her head, hiding the slight curve of her lips.

For some reason, if Cheng Shangyu had ruthlessly let Zhinnan Hu ruin Qingqing Bu, Liang Jinshang wouldn’t have been surprised. He was cold-blooded to the core. But he’d actually given Qingqing Bu an escape, and though Liang Jinshang and Qingqing Bu had their grievances, Cheng Shangyu’s actions made her heart flutter, despite herself.

Perhaps it was just excessive hormones clouding her mind.

If a good person does one bad thing, people call it revealing their true colors; if a bad person does one good thing, it’s called a prodigal’s return. It’s really unfair to good people!

They walked to the garden, where they saw Jingyu Chao and Le Quan not far off. Jingyu Chao was seated, while Le Quan stood by him.

Liang Jinshang wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but the atmosphere between them felt odd. At least, Le Quan had never acted so awkwardly in front of her.

As they approached, Liang Jinshang voiced her main concern. “Doctor Chao, what happened to your leg?”

Jingyu Chao replied lightly, “It’s nothing, just a minor injury. I’m waiting here for you—shall I take you home?”

Liang Jinshang agreed.

Since Le Quan was also waiting here, presumably for Cheng Shangyu to drive her, it was certainly more pleasant to ride with Jingyu Chao than to share a car with Le Quan and endure her cold demeanor.

Le Quan burst out laughing, looking at Liang Jinshang. “One dares to say it, and the other dares to believe it!”

Liang Jinshang realized the remark was aimed at her and immediately met Le Quan’s gaze.

Le Quan accepted the scrutiny graciously. “Director Chao, I think you two should call an ambulance and head straight to the ER!”

Liang Jinshang immediately turned back. “Doctor Chao, what really happened to your leg?!”

Jingyu Chao didn’t answer, just gave a reassuring smile.

“Shangyu, perhaps you could give me a ride.” Jingyu Chao glanced helplessly at Le Quan. “Jinshang, I’ll leave you in Miss Le’s care.”

Le Quan had no objection, simply said, “Let’s go,” and strode ahead.

If Liang Jinshang hadn’t known about Jingyu Chao’s injury, she would have seized this opportunity for reconciliation with Le Quan. But the more he concealed, the more uneasy she felt, and she couldn’t help following Cheng Shangyu to his car.

Cheng Shangyu rested his hand on the open driver’s door, raising his brows in mild inquiry. “Want to ride with me?”

Liang Jinshang nodded. She wouldn’t rest easy until she saw for herself that Jingyu Chao was truly fine.

Cheng Shangyu gave a low chuckle, and Liang Jinshang sensed something was off from his expression.

Sure enough, the next moment, Cheng Shangyu got into the driver’s seat right in front of her, slammed the door shut, and drove off without a backward glance.