Chapter 47

 

Liang Jiancheng stood up, walked to the wooden coat rack near the office window, picked up a pure black suit jacket, and left the office.

He had just gotten off the plane this morning. The moment he turned his phone back on, he received a text message—

Zhang Min’s grandfather, Zhang Qiushi, suddenly suffered severe heart failure the day before yesterday and passed away at 3:00 AM Beijing time at Tianjin Hospital in Haigang.

The text message was sent to him personally by Zhang Min.

He had been flying for more than ten hours and had not been able to receive any calls or text messages; while waiting for his car at the airport, the first thing he did upon seeing the text message was to offer Zhang Min simple words of comfort.

Their relationship had become extremely simply, so his words of comfort were also very simple.

“My condolences.” Just two words—so calm that not even ordinary friends would say it like that.

On the other end, Zhang Min felt disappointed, yet faintly relieved.

“After my grandfather’s funeral, let’s tell both families everything clearly.” Zhang Min sent this text message again at noon today.

“Alright.

“Let’s talk in person.” ”

During this trip to the US to resolve business issues, Liang Jiancheng naturally met with his old local friend Henry. Henry invited him to a bar he had recently invested in. In that noisy, chaotic place, Liang Jiancheng remained as still as a Buddha.

Besides Liang Jiancheng, Henry also often met with business owners from other countries. Some of them would take the opportunity during their trips to have fun—experiencing “local flavors,” so to speak. But Henry knew Jiancheng. Back in school, many female friends had wanted to take down this gentlemanly Chinese man, but Liang Jiancheng could never accept any relationship that had the intention of leading to bed. For someone that unresponsive to flirtation, Henry actually respected him.

So he certainly wouldn’t arrange any “special entertainment” for him.

Besides, Liang Jiancheng had a fiancée back in China, and they were supposed to get married soon.

Holding his glass, Henry asked him directly: When was he getting engaged? The Chinese Spring Festival was so long ago, why still no engagement?

Henry joked, guessing maybe the engagement had fallen apart, maybe the fiancée had run away?

Liang Jiancheng never joked about important matters. Sipping his whiskey, he clinked glasses with Henry and frankly told him he had guessed right.

Henry’s eyes widened in shock. After digesting this news, he felt deeply apologetic, and his first guess was that the woman had fallen for someone else.

“How can you be so lacking in charm!” Henry said, his face full of disappointment.

Liang Jiancheng didn’t immediately explain.

Indeed, he wasn’t charming. He even thought of himself as a bland, uninteresting opportunist. Perhaps this was his retribution.

Why assume the woman had fallen for someone else? Henry’s reasoning was solid.

A man like Liang Jiancheng wouldn’t change his mind easily. Let alone fall in love with someone else—in all his years studying in the U.S., even the hottest girls never made him lose control. How could someone suddenly appear within half a year and easily destroy the marriage ideals of this traditional, elite, Chinese light-capitalist man?

Traditional, elite, Chinese light-capitalist… that was Henry’s interesting impression of Liang Jiancheng’s current identity.

People like him rarely act on emotion. Love is impulsive and intrusive—something unlikely to befall a rational man.

Therefore, the only reason the failed engagement was because the woman dumped him.

Henry got excited at his own deduction, while Jiancheng could only smile bitterly, drinking as he smiled.

He and Zhang Min had agreed to end their relationship completely; it was indeed Zhang Min who first proposed breaking up. She was the one who dumped him.

But the truth…

In the parking lot of the Minghuai Hotel, Liang Jiancheng told Yang Minwen that his breakup with Zhang Min had nothing to do with Ming Xi.

Was it really unrelated? He could deceive Yang Minwen, but he couldn’t deceive himself.

During the long overnight flight from Haigang to New York, wrapped in a blanket, surrounded by the harsh whispering of air against the aircraft—like sandpaper grinding metal—noise that his eardrums had long grown used to after years of travel, his mind relaxed into that steady, quiet turbulence.

And he allowed himself to imagine a truthful answer.

If Ming Xi hadn’t come to Haigang, if he and Ming Xi hadn’t had so many wonderful interactions, he probably would have been more focused and attentive in his relationship with Zhang Min.

Relationships require careful cultivation. That was how he planned to approach it, which was why he agreed to the blind date his mother arranged.

But later—he had to admit—his heart had wavered.

On every date, his heart wavered

Zhang Min naturally sensed it too.

The final decision to break up came the day after that French teppanyaki dinner, and also the night after that claypot stall. Zhang Min called him and asked him to go on a date; she wanted to go to the newly built ocean park to see dolphins.

He turned her down, and instead suggested having dinner that night.

He arranged to meet in a secluded private room at a Japanese restaurant. When he sent the address, Zhang Min seemed to already know, and asked: “Is this our last date? If so, I won’t bother putting on makeup.”

It was indeed their last date. He saw her hidden pride, her character—and her bare face.

After that night at the claypot stall, Liang Jiancheng spent the whole night thinking. When he realized that he had a slight desire to control Ming Xi, yet couldn’t control his emotions, he clearly understood that he could no longer continue with Zhang Min.

He had always struggled to divide his attention between two things—and between two people even more so.

Even if this marriage-oriented relationship was something he had rationally and carefully chosen, fate still placed Ming Xi before him—like a hand reaching out of the dark, carrying a quiet but overwhelming force that shattered his orderly world.

From the moment he realized uncontrolled emotions existed within him, he was destined not to follow through with the engagement.

At that Japanese restaurant, he had indeed intended to tell Zhang Min everything. But she spoke first.

Zhang Min arrived as usual. No makeup. Simple but elegant clothes. She looked cold—nothing like the gentle, soft-spoken woman he had seen up until then.

And her behavior that day made him understand completely: this coldness, this toughness—that was the real Zhang Min.

“Liang Jiancheng, I know you were choosing me. I originally wanted to cater to your preferences—not because I enjoyed it, but because I hoped one day you would cater to me. But your recent behavior has been truly terrible.”

Zhang Min was indeed sharp-tongued. During the French teppanyaki, she inadvertently revealed her views on certain matters. She’s definitely not the kind of woman who would cater to others’ opinions.

She knew how to hide her thoughts. Temporarily.

That day, Liang Jiancheng was filled with mixed emotions, recalling Jiang Meiqian’s frantic words before she resigned. She mocked his judgment, questioned his choice, and even said that Zhang Min was a person who could pretend.

Everyone could pretend, and so could he.

This display of Zhang Min’s true self actually made him feel an actual sense of admiration for the first time. Just like the reason he initially chose her, he thought she was intelligent.

People are always more willing to patiently understand an intelligent person.

If someone were truly foolish inside and out, he would have seen through them immediately.

“Liang Jiancheng, I know you don’t actually like me, even if you chose me.

“But do you think I’ll be sad about it? No, because I don’t like you either.”

Two sentences. A blow to the head. Zhang Min was teaching him a life lesson.

When he went abroad to study, Old Liang knew his temperament and taught him a lesson: people are most easily defeated by what they underestimate.

Liang Jiancheng also knew this. From school to work to entrepreneurship, he had always been cautious, never daring to underestimate anyone or anything.

But before he decided to accept Gu Shuangyang’s arrangement, he did indeed underestimate one thing

Love.

That vague, unrealistic thing.

Henry, unaware of the truth, angrily cursed his never-before-seen fiancée on his behalf. Liang Jiancheng stopped him—it was he who broke the agreement first, so he couldn’t blame Zhang Min.

Liang Jiancheng readily admitted, “It’s not her. It’s me. I’m a jerk.”

Henry’s jaw dropped in disbelief. His expression shifted from excitement to pure shock.

A gentlemanly jerk.

And that was the phrase Henry used to describe Liang Jiancheng.

Holding his glass, Liang Jiancheng gave a smile that truly resembled a refined scoundrel. Half laughing at himself, he told Henry: In Chinese, we have a better word for a gentlemanly jerk.

What is it?

wěi jūn zǐ — hypocrite.

It turned out that someone could be this ruthless to themselves. Henry burst out laughing, slapped his friend on the shoulder, and teased in Chinese: “You handsome, charming hypocrite.”

From beginning to end, Liang Jiancheng never once mentioned Ming Xi.

—

The matter between Liang Jiancheng and Zhang Min was now clear and honest between the two of them, but their parents still knew nothing.

It wasn’t Zhang Min who invited him to Zhang Qiushi’s memorial service, but Zhang’s father himself who called to inform him, sincerely hoping he could attend.

“Director Gu and Mr. Yang will also be coming. We’ve received a lot of help from Mr. Yang while you were abroad; we’re truly grateful.”

Zhang’s father subtly expressed some dissatisfaction toward him over the phone, but his heavy praise of Yang Minwen was undoubtedly a way to probe him. If Liang Jiancheng had asked Yang Minwen to help during this time, then his behavior would still be considered acceptable.

Clearly, Zhang Min had not told her family anything.

Since he had promised Zhang Min, aside from Yang Minwen who knew everything, neither Gu Shuangyang nor Liang Yuzhi had been informed yet.

But the time had come for them to find out.

He would naturally attend Zhang Qiushi’s memorial service.

The two families had attempted to form a marriage alliance, and he had become the one who broke the agreement. Both sentimentally and morally, he should attend the memorial sincerely.

But the funeral—there was no need.

…

One by one, employees clocked out, and the entire building gradually fell silent.

Ming Xi stood in front of the elevator, holding a woman’s briefcase Cai Ni had gifted her. When the elevator doors slid open, she once again ran straight into Liang Jiancheng.

Ming Xi: …

Inside the elevator, Liang Jiancheng looked distinctly more solemn than he had this morning.

Perhaps it was his clothes. She remembered the last time in the elevator, he was wearing a soft cotton-linen shirt; even though his attitude was forceful then, he still looked casually elegant. Now, in a black suit, he looked sharp and dignified.

Ming Xi was a little intimidated.

Liang Jiancheng looked at her, his gaze deep and serious.

Ming Xi: …

Seriously? Was that necessary?

She just didn’t go work at his company! Did he have to look at her like he was attending a funeral?

The surprise of running into him that morning had thrown her off, but now she felt better prepared.

“Mr. Liang—hello.” Ming Xi greeted him politely, though the corners of her mouth drooped slightly.

Anyone could put on a sour face.

Liang Jiancheng showed little reaction. He seemed to have processed whatever emotions he had, and now gave her a curt “Hmm” as if she were just an employee.

A little distant, yet also a little intimate.

Mingxi moved her lips, and Liang Jiancheng, as always, stood to one side, then spoke to her, “Only just started working and already working overtime?”

Ming Xi: … Sigh.

If Mr. Huang or Mr. He had asked her this, it would have sounded quite reassuring. But coming from the boss of a competitor… it was just exhausting.

Ming Xi thought for a moment, then lifted a bright smile and tilted her head: “I still have a lot to learn at the moment. I need to get familiar with the work as soon as possible.”

Liang Jiancheng made a soft sound of acknowledgment. He didn’t say anything more, though the tone of this “hmm” carried a hint of approval.

Maybe… she had misunderstood him.

There was no need for her to be estrange from him over this, as if she truly owed him a debt. She did owe favors to the professor and to Mr. Yang, but she owed nothing to him.

Ming Xi shifted her briefcase from her left hand to her right, nodded slightly to herself, and said to him: “We migrant workers sometimes feel fulfilled working overtime. A local like you, Mr. Liang, probably wouldn’t understand.”

“Oh?” Liang Jiancheng’s voice was mild as he followed her words, even adding a small joke. “If I were your boss, I’d be very pleased.” His tone carried a hint of envy and understanding.

Ming Xi could clearly sense that Liang Jiancheng, though seemingly serious, was intentionally joking with her.

She wasn’t someone who only took hits. Clearing her throat, she glanced at him and simply asked: “Mr. Liang, are we still friends?”

Liang Jiancheng quickly replied, “Aren’t…”

Ming Xi’s heart skipped a beat.

“Aren’t… we?” He suddenly smiled, drawing out the last syllable, his gaze particularly mischievous as he looked at her.

Only then did Ming Xi realize—she had been teased by him twice in two elevator rides today. She turned her head away, laughing quietly at herself.

Then, Liang Jiancheng’s clear and gentle voice filled the elevator: “Ming Xi, I’m not that petty. I was initially a little disappointed that you didn’t choose Xinghai, but now I think it’s a good thing.”

How so?

Ming Xi naturally turned around, slightly raising her eyes.

“Because I didn’t want to be your boss either,” Liang Jiancheng said, looking straight into her eyes.

Ming Xi’s heart didn’t just skip a beat, but trembled slightly. It was as if she had been delicately touched by an invisible butterfly.

“Between friends, being in a superior-subordinate relationship is quite unpleasant,” Liang Jiancheng said, a beat later.

Finally—

Ming Xi showed the most relaxed, content smile she’d had all day. She joked back: “Mr. Liang is so generous… It’s true I’m not worthy of your company. Xinghai’s future is bound to be bright. When the time comes—”

“When the time comes, you’ll defeat me as a competitor?” he finished smoothly, picking up her morning comment as a thread to tease her again.

Ming Xi explained, “I was joking with you this morning.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Thank you… Mr. Liang.” She was caught off guard again—forced to offer a stubborn sort of gratitude. Grateful that he took her seriously enough to regard her as a rival.

Liang Jiancheng: “You’re welcome.” He genuinely looking forward to it.

The elevator stopped at the first floor for Ming Xi, while Liang Jiancheng continued down to the basement.

Stepping out of the Zhongjin Tower, the sky was painted in blazing shades of orange and red. The descending sun tinted Haigang’s streets and alleys with a soft pink glow.

The hair near Ming Xi’s temple glimmered with a gentle band of gold.

Cai Ni came to pick her up from work, and the two agreed to go to that Yicheng claypot late-night snack stall again today.

As the sun dipped low, skyscrapers stood tall and magnificent under the dazzling sunset that shone evenly on all who were heading home from work. Ming Xi and Cai Ni walked hand in hand, happily moving forward.

Suddenly, a perfect phrase came to Ming Xi’s mind—one that captured the beauty and striving spirit of this moment in her life.

The Gilded Years.

When she was little, she heard an old woman say: If you can see a beautiful sunset today, tomorrow will surely be a good day.

A golden sunset means tomorrow will be as bright as day.

“I sold three TVs today, and all from the same customer!” Cai Ni excitedly told Ming Xi about her day’s sales.

“Oh my god, Cai Ni, you’re amazing!”

Cai Ni chuckled, “The customer was the amazing one.

“So! I’m going to treat myself to a nice meal today, two extra pork chops!”

“Your appetite is that big now?”

“One is for you.”

“Waaah.”

“Ming Xi, when you pretend to be touched, you look so…”

“So what?” Ming Xi took two steps ahead and turned back to ask Cai Ni.

“So cute!”

Oh, oh, oh. She really was cute indeed.

Only a friend’s praise could make Ming Xi feel such easy warmth and satisfaction. All these years she hadn’t had the luxury of being “cute”—she had been too busy surviving. But Ming Xi had always been cute.

At least to Cai Ni.

And in her own heart.

It was precisely because she loved herself so much that she worked so hard for herself!

Life is short, and she would never wronged herself.

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