Chapter 75: The Official Boyfriend

All eyes turned toward Shang Yucheng.

Aside from Li Jianguo, whose face betrayed only shock, the others’ gazes held varying degrees of surprise.

In the eyes of Chao Jingyu and Le Quan, Shang Yucheng had an official “fiancée” on the surface, and in his heart there was always a certain white moonlight he seemed to pine for. Even if he’d recently become entangled with Liang Jinshang, it seemed more a pastime than anything serious.

So why had he suddenly stepped forward in her defense, exuding such boyfriend-like authority?

Liang Jinshang herself was even more astonished. Chao Jingyu and Le Quan might not know, but she was well aware: Shang Yucheng could be genuine with anyone else, but with her, it was utterly impossible. It wasn’t just a matter of mismatched backgrounds—he had gone so far as to brand her, without hesitation, as the “daughter of a reformed convict.”

Yet, no matter the reason, Shang Yucheng’s actions and words had indeed rescued her from a bind. For Liang Yuanhan, it was nothing short of a shot of adrenaline.

The dullness in his eyes seemed to fade, replaced by a faint spark of hope.

Liang Jinshang recalled the O. Henry story of the terminally ill patient waiting for the last leaf to fall outside the window. At this very moment, she needed to paint a leaf herself, to restore Liang Yuanhan’s will to live.

“Godfather, his name is Shang Yucheng. He treats me very well. You really don’t need to worry about the money.” Liang Jinshang gently rested her hand on Liang Yuanhan’s chest to help soothe his breathing. “He’s been caring for me through this whole ordeal, and he’s also done the most to help with your illness.”

Her tone was so firm it even convinced herself.

Next, Shang Yucheng arranged with impressive speed for Liang Yuanhan to be transferred to a VIP single intensive care suite.

Amid the flurry of activity, everyone overlooked one detail—

This was Shang Yucheng’s first appearance as Liang Jinshang’s “official boyfriend.” He had handled all of Liang Yuanhan’s predicaments with decisive efficiency, yet he hadn’t uttered a single “Uncle.”

…

Liang Yuanhan’s new ward was exceptional, the kind of place money alone couldn’t secure.

Liang Jinshang stayed by his side until his condition stabilized and he’d fallen asleep, then went to Chao Jingyu’s room—both to visit and to apologize for the day’s events.

Just as she reached the door, she overheard Chao Jingyu’s voice.

“Yucheng, you always act with a safety net, so you can afford not to care about consequences. But have you considered what impact this might have on Miss Liang? Never mind that you’re still formally engaged to Xue Yuan—even if you were single, are you genuinely committed to Miss Liang? You just ran to her parents and claimed you’re in love. There were certainly other ways you could have helped her.”

Shang Yucheng noted his choice of address: “Miss Liang.”

“I’m not asking for your thanks. Spare me the sanctimonious lecture,” Shang Yucheng replied in his usual, unhurried manner. “If it weren’t for getting you out of trouble, would I have needed to step up?”

Chao Jingyu asked, “How is this about getting me out of trouble?”

“Come on, the reason you’re so eager to distance yourself is exactly why I had to step in. I’m taking the fall for you.”

Liang Jinshang’s hand paused on the door.

Shang Yucheng always favored the most efficient solution.

Indeed, if Chao Jingyu wanted to completely sever ties and protect his reputation, merely denying a connection to the Liang family would be useless. At this point, only someone more powerful and influential than Chao Jingyu—someone like Shang Yucheng—could intervene.

Only then would Li Jianguo resign himself and stop dragging Chao Jingyu into the matter, having witnessed with his own eyes that the Liang family had another, mightier backer.

After a long pause, Chao Jingyu finally said, “You only need to say ‘taking the fall’ once. Liang Jinshang is only receiving a moment of your insincere favor; you don’t need to insult her like this. And as for why I denied it, I know my reasons. As for you in the future…”

Liang Jinshang heard this much and listened no further.

She stepped away, dazed for a while before calling Chao Jingyu to ask if it was convenient for her to visit.

When she entered the ward, she walked straight to Chao Jingyu’s bedside, her expression calm and composed.

Chao Jingyu studied her face, found nothing unusual, and breathed a subtle sigh of relief. He asked, “How’s your father now?”

“Much better. There’s someone tending to him in the ward, so I came to see you.”

Chao Jingyu said, “I’ve been telling you I could get you into the VIP ward, but you always refuse out of politeness.”

He’d suggested it several times before. As a hospital insider, though, Liang Jinshang had worried about accusations of favoritism and had politely declined.

“You haven’t told me—how did you injure your leg?” Liang Jinshang asked, puzzled. “How did it get so bad you needed to be hospitalized?”

Chao Jingyu lowered his head and smiled. “Don’t ask, it’s a minor injury. I suspect the surgeons insisted I stay just to wring more work out of me day and night.”

A stack of patient files sat on his bedside table; even in the hospital, he hadn’t been idle.

Seeing his smile, Liang Jinshang guessed the truth—it probably had something to do with Bu Qingqing’s drink last night. She knew better than to probe further.

Chao Jingyu then discussed Liang Xizhou’s condition. He’d been in Chao Jingyu’s department for a long time, but every treatment had yielded minimal results. Now, apart from external neuronal implants, there seemed few options left.

“But that technology isn’t available in the country; he’d have to go abroad for treatment. Besides the high costs, the main concern is the considerable risk. Of course, if the prognosis is good, there’s still hope for him to walk again.”

…

When Liang Jinshang bid Chao Jingyu farewell, Shang Yucheng stood up as well.

They waited for the elevator together. Liang Jinshang asked, “Are you going up or down?”

Shang Yucheng raised an eyebrow, as if finding her question redundant. It was already past eight in the evening—surely, they were leaving together?

Liang Jinshang patiently explained, “I’m heading to Liang Xizhou’s ward. So I’m going up. You must be going down? Why don’t you go first?”

Shang Yucheng looked back at her. “I’m going up too.”

Before she could ask, he added, “I’m coming with you, to see my ‘brother-in-law.’”

She was used to hearing him refer to Liang Xizhou as “the cripple,” so to hear “brother-in-law” sounded almost like a joke.

Expressionless, Liang Jinshang said, “Actually, just now I…”

“Actually, just now you heard everything outside Chao Jingyu’s ward,” Shang Yucheng continued unhurriedly.

That phone call she’d made before entering the room had been entirely superfluous.

Liang Jinshang didn’t deny it, remaining silent.

Shang Yucheng looked at her with interest. “So, you’ve been ignoring me since then because you’re angry?”

“I’m not angry.”

She’d always had a clear sense of her position. Besides, she wasn’t particularly eager to have him as her boyfriend.

Shang Yucheng pressed on, “You seem disappointed.”

“If you want to talk about disappointment,” Liang Jinshang looked up at him with a faint smile, “I was far more disappointed when I heard Dr. Chao deny being my boyfriend… The qualities you have, he has as well, and the ones you lack, he doesn’t. Most importantly, he doesn’t engage in casual affairs and is perfectly capable of having a serious relationship.”

Shang Yucheng narrowed his eyes. “No wonder you’ve always been so interested in his… well-being. He really does suit your tastes.”