Chapter 102

 

Who could have imagined that Miss Ming, who years ago had stood at sword’s point tension with Liu Xinjun at the alley entrance, would today be hosting his entire group in such warm harmony?

Nothing in this world is permanent; only with a clear and fearless heart can one remain steadfast amidst change.

Ming Xi and Liang Jiancheng sat together at the head of the table. Even Liu Xinjun, a seasoned “gangster boss” who frequented underground casinos, had to admit that the two were an exceptionally well-matched couple.

Especially now, sitting side by side—their looks reflecting each other, their auras complementing one another—it was simply dazzling.

Liu Xinjun enjoyed watching idol dramas in his spare time, from early Hong Kong and Taiwanese dramas to the popular Korean dramas of recent years. Looking closely, he realized that although he wasn’t very loyal emotionally, his aesthetic taste was very consistent. Why had he never forgotten Ming Xi all these years? After taking a second look, Liu Xinjun understood—

Ming Xi’s features were strikingly similar to Ah Jin, the female lead in his favorite Korean drama!

Perhaps that was it. Even after just coming back from a heated confrontation, she now sat here with a gentle and transcendent expression, her features vivid and luminous. Beneath this beautiful exterior lay a decisive and straightforward nature, a frankness beyond that of a young girl. Perhaps years ago, Ming Xi had indeed been frank and straightforward—because she had not yet seen much of the world.

The current Miss Ming was no longer just pure white beauty, but a vibrant and powerful life beauty.

Not only was she strong and fearless, but she was also passionate and intelligent.

Such a Miss Ming did not grow out of nowhere—she had been shaped little by little.

Of course, these evaluations did not come from the uneducated Liu Xinjun, but from Liang Jiancheng.

Liu Xinjun merely threw out a topic, seeking some sense of agreement, and asked Liang Jiancheng: “Don’t you think our Miss Ming look a bit like Ah Jin?”

Liang Jiancheng didn’t usually watch Korean dramas or follow celebrities. In his heart, Miss Ming was unique; she didn’t resemble anyone. Perhaps many years from now she would change further—time would grant her even more charm and flavor. After all, time never defeats a beauty.

“I think Miss Ming’s beauty now has transcends her physical appearance,” Liang Jiancheng said with a bright smile, sharing his thoughts with Liu Xinjun without any reservations.

Unlike those men who cannot tolerate other men admiring their girlfriends, although Liang Jiancheng also felt jealousy at times, he felt more pride for Miss Ming.

Ming Xi held her teacup and took a light sip. In this lifetime, becoming friends with Liu Xinjun was already something unbelievable. What she had never expected was that she would now be sitting at this large round table—one moment listening to Liu Xinjun, with only a middle school education, bluntly and unrestrainedly expressing his recognition of her; the next moment listening to Princeton graduate Liang Jiancheng, uttering words of praise as elegant as flowing water.

However, the most amazing thing was that these two could actually chat together, as if they had found common ground. Not only did they communicate without any barriers, but the atmosphere was so harmonious that they seemed like good brothers.

The high school underling who had once caused a ridiculous incident by mistyping a word was also at tonight’s gathering. But he had now become the “Second Brother” among the group. Recalling the trouble he had caused back then due to that typo, Second Brother showed a look of embarrassment. He stood up boldly, raised his wine glass, and toasted Ming Xi.

Ming Xi smiled and drank tea instead of wine.

Liang Jiancheng had already drunk quite a lot tonight. In order to take care of him, she naturally couldn’t drink alcohol.

When that old incident was mentioned, Liu Xinjun grew angry, his nostrils almost flaring, and shouted: “Damn it, you’ve still got the nerve to bring it up! If not for that stupid incident back then, Ming Xi and I would’ve already had a child by now!”

What?! Ming Xi propped her face with one hand and waved the other quickly, emphasizing, “No child, no child!”

Even without that one-character mistake, she and Liu Xinjun would never have ended up together. So Brother Liu, don’t be upset about it anymore! In this lifetime, she and Liu Xinjun could only be friends. She wasn’t as outstanding and formidable as they praised her to be today. She was actually very superficial—especially when it came to looks. After all, the first time she met Liang Jiancheng outside Professor Yicheng’s dormitory, she had been stunned by his slightly displeased yet politely restrained expression.

But of course, she wouldn’t say such thoughts out loud. She merely kept smiling apologetically, knowing clearly in her heart that even without that misunderstanding back then, the two of them could never have worked out. A child? Impossible. Not even cats and dogs could have produced one between them…

Liang Jiancheng had really drunk quite a lot tonight. The whole person looked sharply handsome, yet carried a spirited liveliness. Acting as host for Miss Ming tonight, Boss Liang radiated the mature charm of an easygoing and enthusiastic man. Even when faced with Liu Xinjun’s reckless joke, he didn’t get angry. He directly accepted the topic, gazing steadily at Ming Xi in the main seat.

His eyes were already tinged with drunkenness, yet still dark and deep, reluctant to move away from Ming Xi. Since the words were addressed to Liu Xinjun, only after a while did Liang Jiancheng turn his head to him and emphasize the truth: “Brother Liu, don’t regret it. The reason you and Ming Xi didn’t end up together wasn’t because you acted too late. You’re talking about early summer of 2000, right? Let me be honest with you—I was already preparing to pursue Miss Ming at that time.”

Oh, is that so?! Liu Xinjun only remembered the incident itself; he had long forgotten the exact year.

But Liang Jiancheng remembered everything clearly. His memory, inherited from Gu Shuangyang, was exceptional, and his mind, like Old Liang’s, was extremely meticulous. That was why he remembered every detail of his relationship with Miss Ming over these five years. As for the typo misunderstanding mentioned earlier by Second Brother, back then the chat software they used was still called OICQ. Ming Xi had just registered. With the screen names “Smiling Without Talking” and “A Smile Worth a Thousand Gold,” they had become online friends.

“So, Brother Liu, I’m really sorry, but by all accounts, I was one step ahead of you,”

This was the first time tonight that Liang Jiancheng spoke so flauntingly—especially in front of social big brother Liu Xinjun. A refined gentleman, like a young master from a noble family, had almost turned into a braggart because of alcohol.

Liang Jiancheng had gotten drunk because earlier he had already gone through one round of drinking at a social gathering with state-owned enterprise leaders, and now he had come here for a second round. And so he had become like this—insisting on emphasizing to Liu Xinjun that even without the typo accident, Liu Xinjun would have had no chance.

There’s absolutely no chance! Not even a sliver!

“Because Ming Xi… I was determined to get her!” Liang Jiancheng said fiercely, pointing to himself, his eyes shining with determination. Not only was he almost outrageously handsome, he even carried a bit of Liu Xinjun’s jianghu air.

Although Liang Jiancheng openly dismantled his claim, Liu Xinjun wasn’t angry. Besides, he could see Liang Jiancheng was already somewhat drunk. Men were still united after all. Liu Xinjun, like an older brother, reached out and patted Liang Jiancheng’s shoulder comfortingly, then leaned close to his ear to offer advice: “Boss Liang, if you want to firmly hold onto a woman, just being good to her is useless. The better you treat her, the more she’ll think you can’t live without her. The best way is to have her bear your child. Understand? The sooner the better, huh!”

Liang Jiancheng was indeed a little drunk and not quite sober, but faced with Liu Xinjun’s words full of male selfishness and possessiveness, he simply smiled, neither refuting nor agreeing.

“Thank you, Brother Liu. Later I’ll arrange for everyone to go sing karaoke, how about that? Remember Christmas 2000, when we first met—it was at a karaoke hall. Back then Ming Xi and I were talking to you about repaying the debt. Today Brother Liu helped Ming Xi collect the debt. For that kind of care, I thank you on her behalf!” After speaking, Liang Jiancheng filled his wine glass again, intending to drink another cup.

Seeing this, Ming Xi immediately reached out to stop him: “Liang Jiancheng, you can’t drink anymore.”

“Sorry, Brother Liu, Boss Liang has already drunk too much,” Ming Xi added.

Liu Xinjun’s temper had mellowed as his body grew heavier. He responded twice with “Oh, oh.” He hadn’t been urging him to drink—it was Boss Liang who had given him enough face tonight. He couldn’t very well stop him, right?

“It’s fine. I can still drink a few more cups.” Liang Jiancheng steadily held Ming Xi’s hand that was trying to stop him and insisted on finishing the glass. This cup, meant to express thanks on her behalf—even if Miss Ming herself stopped him, he would still drink it.

Good! That’s a real man! Liu Xinjun praised heartily, and also drank two cups with him.

Although he had dealt with Liang Jiancheng years ago, tonight was when Liu Xinjun’s understanding of Boss Liang truly deepened. Back then, Liu Xinjun had formed the prejudice of “pretty boy” solely based on Liang Jiancheng’s appearance. After tonight’s deeper interaction, he had to admit that Boss Liang was not only a handsome guy in women’s eyes, but in his own male eyes as well—a stylish and charismatic real man.

So…

Liu Xinjun began to find something puzzling. Since Liang Jiancheng made his move on Ming Xi so early, it meant that he and Ming Xi had had emotional contact long ago, right? But now, they were still just “good friends”? This was too illogical!

The “good friends” label wasn’t something Liu Xinjun had invented. Earlier, when the two were hosting him, he had asked whether they were husband and wife. The two of them had answered in unison that they were good friends…

Hearing such blatant nonsense, Liu Xinjun only felt that as a social gangster, his thinking was still too innocent!

What kind of good friends? The kind of good friends who can sleep together and have children with? These big-city people were really polite… Back in their Yicheng countryside, a man-woman relationship like Ming Xi and Boss Liang had only one term—intimate friend.

Liu Xinjun himself had several such “intimate friends”.

“You two are…intimate friend!” Liu Xinjun threw out the gangster remark in a weighty tone.

“…”

“…”

Tonight, Ming Xi had already felt that she could handle any situation, any unexpected circumstance. Yet when Liu Xinjun stretched out his finger, pointed straight at her and Liang Jiancheng, and plainly uttered the two words “intimate friend”, Ming Xi’s luminous, fair face instantly turned redder than the wine on the table.

Liang Jiancheng was the same…

His handsome face flushed slightly. Clearly drunk, upon hearing the words “intimate friend,” a drunken and joyful smile unconsciously appeared on his lips. He slowly stood up, one hand on the table, the other holding a glass, exuding a unique aura of refined elegance and unrestrained boldness. In this private room, for the first time in front of everyone, he approached Ming Xi, gently leaning against her, responding with a humble yet audacious tone: “Yes, Brother Liu guessed right, Miss Ming and I are indeed intimate… incredibly good friends.”

Miss Ming: …Okay, she understood. Liang Jiancheng was truly drunk.

Life is short, so Liu Xinjun genuinely enjoyed drinking with Liang Jiancheng tonight—not for any particular reason, just for the novelty of it. This kind of exchange that crossed identities and backgrounds felt fresh and interesting to him.

Besides, Boss Liang was giving him plenty of face.

Even as it was almost time to leave, Liu Xinjun was still reluctant to go. With one arm half draped over Liang Jiancheng’s shoulder, he rambled on: “Boss Liang, since you admit you and Ming Xi are intimate friends, then you’ve stolen my beloved girl away. So drink these last three cups…”

How sharp Liang Jiancheng was—even drunk, his eyes still gleamed. Yet faced with Liu Xinjun’s shameless insistence, he simply nodded in agreement.

Ming Xi originally tried to stop him but realized she could not. Still, whether she could stop him or not, she could not let him drink those three cups. She hadn’t planned to drink tonight, but now she had to.

She would drink those last three cups in his place.

“Good! Good! Good!” Liu Xinjun led the applause. The younger men followed, clapping and cheering.

The entire private room became lively at once; the atmosphere reached its peak.

Ming Xi drank decisively and cleanly, full of confidence. Liang Jiancheng, who had drunk too much, finally satisfied his intention and sat back down. Yet very naturally, he tilted sideways and leaned his head intimately against Miss Ming’s shoulder.

At that moment, Boss Liang’s face was handsome, a faint smile hanging at his lips. His gaze was quiet and single-minded… thinking of his bold aspirations, and also of his tenderness.

He and Ming Xi had already walked through five years of time together. Miss Ming was still that unique Miss Ming, and Boss Liang was still the barely-passable Boss Liang. Year after year passed. After another five years, would Miss Ming and Boss Liang be able to be together?

For the first time, Liang Jiancheng felt more anticipation and planning for matters of love than for his own life and career.

At the earlier dinner gathering, city leaders had proposed a five-year plan for Xinghai Technology. Toward that plan, Liang Jiancheng did not have complete confidence, yet he was filled with expectation.

Careers always strive for advancement, but feelings can’t endlessly rise. When two hearts are already intertwined, how can they become even closer? Therefore, to keep his and Ming Xi’s feelings profound and unchanged—that was Liang Jiancheng’s emotional five-year plan for the future. He hoped that by then, he and Miss Ming would no longer be merely “intimate friend,” but a husband-and-wife relationship openly declared to the whole world…

It must be admitted that Liu Xinjun, a loan shark, lacked patience and lofty ambitions. But in matters of the heart, he possesses a simple yet fundamental understanding: that people ultimately end up with those who match them.

He, this rogue, was indeed unworthy of Ming Xi, but—Liang Jiancheng was.

At this moment, the driver was still on his way.

Compared to Ming Xi and Liang Jiancheng, Liu Xinjun and his henchmen left first.

The private room, now quiet after the party, was filled with the scent of alcohol, the atmosphere slightly tipsy.

Liang Jiancheng gently closed his eyes, nestling against Ming Xi’s shoulder. His body was relaxed, his expression content. His handsome face carried a faint blush, like being tinted with the soft glow of an early summer sunset. With lowered eyelids and fine lashes trembling lightly, Boss Liang tried to open his eyes to stay awake, yet ultimately could not overcome the effect of alcohol. So he could only lean against Miss Ming.

It was extremely rare for Liang Jiancheng to act so spoiled, and thus he sank deeply into his dependence on Miss Ming. Occasionally, he would regain some clarity, uttering hoarse yet gentle words.

Ming Xi lowered her head to look at him. Today was also the first time she had seen Liang Jiancheng drunk. He did not go crazy, nor speak nonsense—he was simply especially dependent on her.

His brows sometimes furrowed, sometimes relaxed. His usual calm and self-controlled image had completely faded. His quiet face revealed an unreserved love and trust toward her.

Over these years, both she and he had experienced quite a lot. She focused single-mindedly on rising upward; he busied himself with expansion. Neither treated love as the absolute center of their lives, yet it had continued since the year 2000. In the past, Ming Xi had always held a relatively pessimistic attitude toward romantic relationships. However, Liang Jiancheng’s love now made her feel optimistic. Just like now—his head resting on her shoulder, his breathing carrying a faint scent of alcohol—there was a reassuring sense of reality. She had to admit that three years ago she did not yet have this delicate and tangible feeling toward Boss Liang. Now it existed clearly and concretely in her heart.

So, would she and Liang Jiancheng have many more five-year periods together?

Less than ten minutes after Liu Xinjun left, the driver arrived.

Together with him was also Gu Shuangyang.

As the driver stepped forward to help Liang Jiancheng outside, Gu Shuangyang looked at her son with a gaze almost questioning herself—was this really the son she gave birth to? She had thought Boss Liang would serve as a refined gentleman’s embellishment at Miss Ming’s occasion. Instead, he had been drunk senseless?

Facing Gu Shuangyang, Ming Xi was about to explain when Gu Shuangyang spoke first: “Miss Ming, I’ll trouble you to take care of my son tonight.”

Ming Xi: …

How much did Gu Shuangyang know about her current relationship with Liang Jiancheng?

Gu Shuangyang naturally didn’t know about the agreement Miss Ming had signed with Boss Liang. But as someone with experience, she knew very well that their relationship, though seemingly calmed down a bit, was even harder to break apart.

As for Gu Shuangyang, she never wanted to separate them. The reason Miss Ming misunderstood her on New Year’s Eve wasn’t because there was any grudge between them, but because their time and experiences were out of sync. She could say with certainty that she understood Miss Ming better than Miss Ming understood her. However, as an elder and someone in a higher position, Gu Shuangyang didn’t want to explain too much. If Miss Ming continued to develop upward in the future, she believed that one day Miss Ming would suddenly understand her behavior on last New Year’s Eve.

“Director Gu, thank you very much for today’s help.” Ming Xi also sincerely expressed her gratitude to Gu Shuangyang.

“No need to be so polite. Even if we can’t be family yet, Miss Ming is someone I personally admire very much.” Gu Shuangyang returned Ming Xi’s words from New Year’s Eve with a frank and cheerful tone.

Ming Xi slightly tilted her head. The corners of her lips twitched, and in the end she could not help but break into a bright smile. She looked directly at Gu Shuangyang and said frankly: “So, Director Gu, what role do you think is appropriate for me to take care of Liang Jiancheng now?”

Feelings can be kept secret, but words should be spoken frankly—that was Ming Xi.

Gu Shuangyang felt somewhat helpless; she only thought young people cared about such things. Leaning slightly closer, she said with a light laugh: “As if I’m going to control you two!”

“Have a pleasant night.” Gu Shuangyang offered her blessing once more and then left. Before departing, she glanced at her son—drunk like a little prince—and shook her head in disdain.

Once, Ming Xi had pretended to be drunk so Liang Jiancheng would send her back to her apartment… Tonight, as the car drove along the road, Liang Jiancheng deliberately leaned half-conscious into Miss Ming’s arms.

The driver focused on driving in the front. Inside the car, the lighting was dim and hazy. Boss Liang’s face was so handsome one could hardly look away.

Miss Ming ultimately could not resist the temptation. Slowly she lowered her head and pressed her lips against his.

Liang Jiancheng suddenly opened his eyes, extended his long arm, wrapped it around the back of Miss Ming’s head, and reversed their positions.

Ming Xi: …

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