Chapter 81: Surrendering Love

Lequan noticed the forlorn look on Liang Jinshang’s face.

Even though she was well aware that Liang Jinshang was a woman with a stark contrast between appearance and reality, her striking beauty inevitably softened people’s hearts toward her.

A man like Shang Yucheng—perhaps Liang Jinshang never truly held his affection while she was with him—but she must have experienced dazzling dreams that ordinary men could never offer.

Now, seeing Shang Yucheng show such tenderness to another woman, how could there not be a sense of loss?

Lequan said, “Forget it, I’ll buy a set for you. Isn’t your birthday coming up soon? Consider it an early birthday gift.”

But Liang Jinshang shook her head. If Yuan Xi could talk about “competing fairly for Shang Yucheng,” why couldn’t she fairly compete for a model set?

Yuan Xi still had to rely on the great advantage by her side—Shang Yucheng—whereas she had fought her way up on her own.

“Halfway at ninety miles, the journey is not yet done. Lequan, do you know how I made it to where I am today?” She had gone from a girl abandoned by all to where she stood now, and it wasn’t luck that brought her here. “It’s because I never stop in the last stretch, even when I can’t see a sliver of hope.”

Liang Jinshang flashed Lequan a radiant smile, bright as the midday sun. “Life has shown me that those who persist to the end will be rewarded.”

With that, she lifted her feet and started up the mountain.

Lequan watched her go, dressed in a white tracksuit, her round head held high, the very picture of grace and allure.

It was no wonder someone like Chao Jingyu would fall for her.

In fact, on the day of Elder Bu’s birthday banquet, Lequan had spent time with Chao Jingyu. Though she was free-spirited, she was still a woman, and only a passing acquaintance of Chao Jingyu’s—she never expected to witness something so private.

Although Chao Jingyu didn’t lose much composure in front of her, it was the first time in Lequan’s life a man had left her flushed and embarrassed.

Later, in order to quickly regain his composure and go to Liang Jinshang’s aid, Chao Jingyu had, without so much as a blink, slashed himself twice.

It utterly upended Lequan’s impression of that elegant, refined gentleman.

...

Lequan was not far behind Liang Jinshang and soon reached the summit.

She was mainly worried that after Liang Jinshang reached the top alone, she would have to face Shang Yucheng and Yuan Xi together.

A new love facing an old flame—anyone could see the pecking order.

No matter whether Liang Jinshang won or lost, ultimately, she’d have to gauge Yuan Xi’s mood.

But the scene Lequan feared didn’t materialize. All she saw was Liang Jinshang circling the model set with a smile as bright as a child receiving candy.

So clueless—she actually dared to win.

“President Shang, Inspector Yuan.” Lequan greeted them and hurried to Liang Jinshang’s side. “Tell me, how do you feel?”

Liang Jinshang pressed her lips together, leaned in, and whispered, “The wedding night, the scholar’s success, and rain after a long drought...”

“Alright, that’s enough, you rascal!” Lequan couldn’t help but smile as well. “But, Inspector Yuan just let you have it so easily?”

Liang Jinshang pouted. This model didn’t have Yuan Xi’s name on it, after all.

How was it ‘letting’ her win?

“She twisted her ankle and fell behind. And you’re underestimating Yuan Xi—she just congratulated me, you know.”

Lequan glanced back. The wide brim of Yuan Xi’s hat shaded her face; her expression was unreadable. The hem of her skirt fluttered against Shang Yucheng in the mountain breeze. The two of them together truly looked like a perfect pair.

Lequan sighed. “Perhaps, now that she has Shang Yucheng, she wants nothing else?”

Liang Jinshang’s fingertips lightly traced the white walls and grey tiles, her mind elsewhere. “...Maybe.”

...

After many had climbed the mountain, the weather prompted most to descend after a brief rest.

Camping was optional, so only a small group stayed behind.

Lequan thought that with such a heavy model in her arms, Liang Jinshang would definitely be eager to descend early. To her surprise, Liang Jinshang simply handed the model over, asking her to take it down the mountain.

“You’re going to camp?” Lequan, used to luxury, couldn’t understand. “After a whole day of climbing, don’t you want a hot bath to relax?”

“I don’t.” Liang Jinshang didn’t elaborate. “Take good care of the model for me. Those male colleagues have been waiting to help you—go on.”

The full linden wood model was heavy; Lequan couldn’t carry it alone and had already lined up help.

Lequan had no choice but to head down the mountain.

As she passed Shang Yucheng and Yuan Xi, model in hand, she smiled at them a bit sheepishly, as if she were the one who had taken away their prize.

When Lequan was out of sight, Yuan Xi spoke slowly. “Yucheng, just now Lequan kept staring at my foot.”

“Mm,” Shang Yucheng replied. “Is your foot better?”

“There’s nothing wrong with it. You’re so clever—surely you know twisting my ankle was just an excuse.”

Shang Yucheng glanced at her, half smiling, half not, but said nothing.

Yuan Xi continued, “If you’d helped me along a little faster, I’d have come in first.”

Shang Yucheng replied calmly, “Didn’t I help you?”

He had helped her, several times during the climb. When Yuan Xi ran out of strength, it was always Shang Yucheng, ever the gentleman, who offered his hand.

If Shang Yucheng had shown the slightest intention of helping her win, no one else would have dared to challenge her for first place.

...

For much of the hike, Yuan Xi was both delighted and unsettled by how quickly Shang Yucheng’s attitude had changed.

He had always kept her at arm’s length, never so blatantly showing favoritism.

But when Liang Jinshang bit her lip and chased after them, Yuan Xi suddenly had a wild, yet oddly logical, suspicion.

All of Shang Yucheng’s actions could, of course, be explained as him using his authority to remove any competition for her.

But what if Shang Yucheng knew Liang Jinshang well enough—knew that she wasn’t the sort to be cowed by authority?

Then everything he did could also be interpreted as using Yuan Xi as a cover to fend off others, only to help Liang Jinshang win in the end.

That’s why, just as they were about to plant the flag, Yuan Xi feigned a twisted ankle.

If Shang Yucheng had truly wanted her to win, whether by supporting or even carrying her, victory would have been hers.

But if he’d rather Liang Jinshang win...

He did help Yuan Xi, but she was testing him all along. Naturally, she could easily discern Shang Yucheng’s true intentions.

Yuan Xi twirled her hair, then suddenly said, “President Shang, I’ve been looking into something lately and stumbled upon a rather interesting secret.”

She leaned in and whispered into his ear.

A sudden, deep chill settled across Shang Yucheng’s usually calm brow. “Yuan Xi, you’re very clever—that’s why I chose to work with you. But don’t overplay your hand. This is your last warning.”

...

Liang Jinshang took a short nap in her tent. When she emerged, night had fallen.

She poked her head out and immediately looked for the tents of Shang Yiming and Nan Yi, but saw only one person.

She’d chosen to camp because she noticed Shang Yiming and Nan Yi had stayed and was worried about them.

“Shang Yiming, where’s Nan Yi?”

Shang Yiming’s gaze glinted in the darkness. He pointed to a spot in the distance. “See over there? Nan Yi heard there’s a wishing temple up on that mountain and went to pray.”