Chapter 76: Where Have We Met Before

Liang Jinshang couldn't help but say, "But he hurt his leg..."

Although the leg is part of the lower body, it was clear that Shang Yucheng meant something else entirely.

"Who told you Chao Jingyu is that rare species of man who doesn't fool around?" Shang Yucheng replied lazily, "Someone who's used to holding a scalpel wouldn't even blink cutting himself."

Despite having mentally prepared herself, hearing Shang Yucheng say this made Liang Jinshang hold her breath.

At least, if it were her, she couldn't have done it.

That was why the person before them had found an opportunity.

"Scared now? I've told you, the Liang brothers from the Chao family aren't easy to deal with."

"Not scared at all!" Liang Jinshang exhaled slowly, "Actually, it makes me feel safer. I doubt many men can be as self-disciplined as Chao Jingyu. At least, if it were you, could you?"

Shang Yucheng snorted and retorted, "Would I need to?"

Then he brazenly looked her up and down, his gaze almost breaking all the rules.

...

In the end, Shang Yucheng didn't go to Liang Xizhou. After taking a work call, he left.

The next few days, he was so busy he seemed to vanish without a trace.

But this time, Liang Jinshang knew he was probably busy with the Lehai cooperation.

Capital entanglements are cruel.

Liang Jinshang didn't understand much, but from the news of the Gong family's falling stock prices and shrinking assets, she could see that Shang Yucheng was ruthless.

On the surface, all the benefits flowed to Lehai, but behind the scenes, the Shang family devoured much. From how Shang Yucheng was so busy he couldn't be seen, one could glimpse the truth.

He was a man who never rose early without profit.

With Lehai covering the front, at least publicly, the Shang and Gong families hadn't torn each other apart. Even canceling the engagement, such a major event, was handled privately.

The general public was unaware; the grand alliance began with a bang, but ended in gloom as the Gong family was kicked out of the city's elite circle.

...

Today was the day the Liang father and son were discharged from the hospital.

Liang Yuanhan had passed the rejection phase; now he needed rest and regular checkups. He insisted on going home to recuperate. Because of his health, he hadn't been home in ages and couldn't bear to stay another day.

Liang Xizhou followed Chao Jingyu's advice, returning home to consider whether to seek treatment abroad.

If he decided, Chao Jingyu would help make the arrangements.

Liang Jinshang drove to pick them up.

She had originally thought to pick any car from Shang Yucheng's garage, but the cars were all too flashy. In the end, she borrowed Xiao Wang's runabout, Shang Yucheng's driver.

Unexpectedly, Shang Yucheng himself drove the car over.

He sat in the driver's seat; even an ordinary sedan seemed upgraded.

Liang Jinshang helped her father and Liang Xizhou into the passenger and back seats, then stowed the luggage and wheelchair in the trunk.

She worked up a sweat before finally getting in.

Instinctively, she reached for the car fridge, wanting a bottle of cold water, only to find it empty.

Liang Xizhou handed her a bottle from the bag, "I think your boyfriend bought this."

Hearing "boyfriend," Liang Jinshang's hand hesitated, and she failed to catch the bottle, which struck Liang Xizhou's leg.

She blurted out nervously, "Sorry, did that hurt—"

She stopped abruptly, remembering.

Liang Xizhou's leg no longer felt pain!

He usually hated anyone mentioning his injured leg, especially today, leaving the hospital with no progress. Liang Jinshang had been vigilant about him getting stubborn.

But distracted by Shang Yucheng personally coming to pick them up, she made such a slip.

"Silly girl," Liang Xizhou said casually, wiping her sweat, "You wear yourself out, yet even with a boyfriend, you don't know how to ask for help. If someone didn't know, they'd think your boyfriend wasn't considerate."

He kept calling him her boyfriend, making Liang Jinshang's heart race—

Afraid her "boyfriend" might react, and Liang Xizhou might lose his temper.

But both remained surprisingly calm.

Especially Shang Yucheng, who even apologized sincerely, "Sorry, I rarely do these things, didn't consider it thoroughly."

Though his face was still cool and distant, Liang Jinshang felt unsettled.

This was Shang Yucheng's first apology!

Today, they were returning to Mi'an Alley. Hu Zhinan was already in detention, facing legal proceedings. For a long time, she wouldn't have to worry about break-ins or vandalism.

When they parked, Shang Yucheng actually took the luggage out of the trunk for her.

Liang Xizhou maneuvered his wheelchair ahead, her father invited Shang Yucheng inside, and also went ahead.

Left alone, Liang Jinshang quickly reached for the luggage, "Let me, let me!"

Shang Yucheng didn't let go, instead watching the Liang father and son enter the house—a ground-floor apartment for convenience.

"You..." Liang Jinshang couldn't tell what he was looking at. "Are you coming in?"

The Liang home was shabby; it was obvious from the outside.

Liang Jinshang thought Shang Yucheng had never been in such an old house and guessed he wouldn't enter.

But Shang Yucheng answered naturally, "Of course. Are you trying to burn the bridge after crossing it?"

He emphasized that phrase.

Liang Jinshang tried not to understand, but she couldn't figure out what was wrong with Shang Yucheng today.

"Shang Yucheng, I'm grateful you cooperated today. But the house is too small, you really don't need to come in." She lowered her voice, speaking quickly, "You've shown up, so my foster father should feel reassured. Next time, I swear I won't 'burn the bridge after crossing,' I'll thank you properly!"

She stressed the phrase herself, promising to repay him generously.

But Shang Yucheng was already heading to the door with her things. "I was just thinking about something."

Liang Jinshang asked, "What?"

"If your family didn't live on the ground floor, who would carry your 'brother-in-law'?"

She realized she couldn't stop him from entering now and watched as Shang Yucheng carried items that clearly didn't suit his status. She felt her heart soften—just for a second.

She dared to say, "...That would be you, of course. Aren't you trying to impress today?"

Shang Yucheng shot her a dangerous look.

She thought she had crossed a line and was about to make amends when he said, "Not just anyone surnamed Liang can ride on my back."

Liang Jinshang fell silent.

In truth, she never had—perhaps the one thing she defied Shang Yucheng most often.

She found it exhausting.

...

Shang Yucheng entered the house. Liang's mother was cooking; the welcome dinner was already lavish.

But hearing that her daughter's "boyfriend" was visiting for the first time, she hurriedly added more dishes, afraid to slight this impressive "boyfriend."

Liang Jinshang sat in the living room with Shang Yucheng and Liang Xizhou, watching TV.

A cozy three-bedroom apartment, but with Shang Yucheng sitting grandly on the biggest sofa, everything felt crowded.

Suddenly, Liang Xizhou spoke up, "Mr. Shang, I feel like we've met somewhere before?"