Chapter 48

 

Life is fleeting, and the coming together and parting of people is as common as the changing seasons.

On one side, Liang Jiancheng left his company, rushing to attend Zhang Qiushi’s memorial service. On the other, Gu Shuangyang, accompanied by Yang Minwen, set off in a business car for the same destination.

After the memorial service, the Zhang family arranged a banquet,

Colloquially speaking—it was a funeral feast.

Liang Jiancheng had already planned for Yang Minwen to inform his mother, Gu Shuangyang, on the way to the memorial, explaining that he and Zhang Min had decided not to proceed with the engagement.

By the time the three of them were seated at the banquet, Gu Shuangyang already knew everything.

Her stern, sharp gaze felt almost oppressive. She looked straight at her son—whose expression remained composed—for a moment, but said nothing more.

Having weathered countless storms, Gu Shuangyang was naturally able to keep her composure. And the son she had raised was equally calm and self-possessed.

Such a child, from childhood, was always well-behaved and never caused trouble. But if one day he suddenly told his parents he had caused trouble, then the issue was serious. There was likely a reason that had yet to surface.

With her formidable and meticulous mind, even Gu Shuangyang could not immediately pinpoint where things had gone wrong.

She turned her gaze to Yang Minwen.

Yang Minwen simply took the squid strips from her plate and said gently, “The doctor told you not to eat seafood recently. Don’t touch squid either.”

In recent days, Gu Shuangyang had indeed been suffering from a mild respiratory allergy and cough. Too busy to visit the hospital, Yang Minwen had invited a doctor to their home.

Liang Jiancheng also asked Yang Minwen with great concern, “What’s wrong?”

Yang Minwen replied to Liang Jiancheng, “It’s not a big problem, just seasonal allergies.”

Gu Shuangyang was perceptive enough to immediately realize that Yang Minwen was deliberately shielding Liang Jiancheng from further questioning.

Today, the presence of three of them—Liang Jiancheng, Gu Shuangyang, and Yang Minwen—all with different surnames, dining together naturally attracted attention. Every family has its share of absurdities, but powerful families can handle even the most bizarre situations with a natural ease.

The Zhang family was considered a respectable family in Haigang, and the seating arrangements were carefully planned.

For example, the table they were seated at consisted of the Zhang family’s closest relatives and friends.

And because they were close, they all knew Gu Shuangyang did not have much prior interaction with the Zhang family.

But now, not only had Gu Shuangyang arrived with Mr. Yang, but her son was also in attendance. The only possibility was, as rumored, that Gu Shuangyang’s only son intended to marry Zhang Qiushi’s granddaughter, Zhang Min.

Several middle-aged officials at the table casted restrain yet probing glances. They dared not look directly at Gu Shuangyang, instead repeatedly directing their eyes toward Liang Jiancheng. All were seasoned individuals—no one would bring up congratulations before the parties themselves made an announcement.

One of the officials at the table brought his wife.

That lady openly looked at Gu Shuangyang’s son, then at her current husband. When Gu Shuangyang remarried years ago, there had been plenty of gossip, many claiming her actions were undignified

What was dignified, and what was undignified?

Her son was outstanding and composed, treating her current husband with courtesy.

And the man seated beside her—Mr. Yang—had taken meticulous care of her for over a decade.

Was that not dignified enough?

It was practically the image of a powerful woman!

Indeed, when a woman’s career reaches such heights, when she stands at the peak with her back turned to those below, leaving others a few harmless topics for idle chatter costs her nothing.

If the person involved is calm enough, those who once harbored prejudice can only sigh at their own inadequacy.

Gu Shuangyang, seasoned in the business world, saw all this clearly.

As she pondered in her heart, she knew that although her son had created a serious mess, blood was still thicker than water. Even if Liang Jiancheng wished to break off the engagement, they could not sever ties with the Zhang family. One could not behave like someone who crossed the river and burned the bridge behind him.

On the contrary, the relationship with the Zhang family had to be stabilized even more firmly.

Gu Shuangyang had clear logic and an amazing memory. After thinking it over, she realized that Liang Jiancheng’s relationship with the Zhang family rested mainly on two points. First, a wholesale approval document for Shuangyang Electronics’ new warehouse had been personally signed off by Zhang Qiushi. Second, her ex-husband, Liang Yuzhi, seemed to have once been colleagues with Zhang Qiushi.

But neither point was appropriate to bring up at this table.

Oh well.

Since someone could make such a rash decision to break off the engagement, then he should also be capable of handling the aftermath.

Gu Shuangyang had only come today to show respect. She was the first to leave the table, with Yang Minwen naturally accompanying her.

Someone had decided to abandon the chess piece; Liang Jiancheng’s face was cold, his heart ashen.

He also wanted to leave, but he needed to coordinate matter with Zhang Min. During this time, Liang Jiancheng had witnessed another side of Zhang Min—

Just like his previous attitude towards her, she treated him the same way today.

Perfunctory, delaying, detached…

Liang Jiancheng wasn’t stupid. From the Zhang family’s attitude towards him, he sensed that even though Zhang Qiushi had passed away, Zhang Min hadn’t yet explained things clearly to her family.

Tingquan Villa in Haigang was the preferred venue for the funerals of the elite—solemn buildings, tranquil greenery. Though not large, it consisted of two buildings. The memorial was held in the front hall; the banquet was set in the second-floor reception hall of the rear building.

Liang Jiancheng and Zhang Min met at the turn of the staircase.

Zhang Min wore a white flower pinned to her chest and a black armband on her arm.

Liang Jiancheng, with impeccable manners and politeness, took a half-step back and nodded to her.

Zhang Min took a deep breath, calmly and thoroughly scrutinizing Liang Jiancheng.

Before her stood Liang Jiancheng in a loose yet sharply tailored black suit—clean-cut and upright, unmistakably the image of a refined young gentleman. Especially his brows and eyes: long lashes, expressive gaze, the occasional flash of focused tenderness that made it seem as though he looked at everything with sincerity.

A man like this—it was no wonder even the free-spirited yet arrogant Jiang Meiqian had been unable to let go.

Zhang Min herself had once felt drawn to him.

But after getting to know him, she realized that a man who did not invest his heart in her—no matter how charming—had nothing to do with her. And unlike Jiang Meiqian, she was not arrogant; she had no desire to conquer men.

What she wanted was obedience and attentiveness.

Liang Jiancheng’s presence at her grandfather’s memorial service today was the result of a deliberate invitation from her father. The Zhang family held Liang Jiancheng in very high regard—though what they valued even more was his status as Gu Shuangyang’s only son.

The saying “too good to be a good match”—for Zhang Min, marriage was in fact the Zhang family’s sole means of preserving their class standing and preventing social decline.

Over this period, Zhang Min had been deeply conflicted and confused.

In the end, it was Jiang Meiqian—someone she had never gotten along with back in middle school—who unexpectedly gave her clarity.

Last month, Zhang Min ran into Jiang Meiqian while shopping. Jiang Meiqian took the initiative to invite her for an afternoon tea and insisted on giving her a detailed analysis of Liang Jiancheng as a man.

Maggie Jiang Meiqian said haughtily and frankly, “Liang Jiancheng is basically a bastard. Don’t be fooled by how polite and courteous he is with women—this mas is incredibly arrogant. And precisely because of that, I developed a desire to conquer him.

“Zhang Min, do you really understand why Liang Jiancheng chose you? I couldn’t figure it out at first either, and I thought he shouldn’t have chosen you; it was so unlike his pride. I’m not saying you lack charm or aren’t attractive. But I was his assistant for over half a year; I probably understand Liang Jiancheng better than you do, and I understand his true nature.

“Liang Jiancheng is both traditional and calculating. Deep down, he carries a very conservative streak inherited from his father and his family background… yet he also received years of open, elite Western education. He fully understands mainstream international values ​​of gender equality and that women should not be looked down upon. Whether due to his upbringing or his advanced education, he cannot accept the traditional model of marriage where men handling external affairs and women managing the home—he can’t even openly accept the desire and thought of him wanting a wife who revolves entirely around him—because in his mind, stating that outright would be a desecration of his own character and ideological self-image.

“What’s even more ridiculous is that he clearly has excellent taste and a keen eye, yet he refuses to admit that he judges by appearance—acting as if that would somehow make him vulgar,” Maggie said with a pained frown.

Zhang Min’s face flushed, but her inner pride made her grit her teeth and remain silent.

Jiang Meiqian was always like this—self-centered, inconsiderate of others’ feelings, and indifferent to their embarrassment. A woman like her always saw far more charm in herself than others ever did.

“After saying all that, aren’t you indirectly praising Liang Jiancheng for having high standards and not being superficial?” Zhang Min retorted coldly to Jiang Meiqian.

“No, no, no…” Maggie shrugged, looking directly at her. “When Liang Jiancheng chose you, I started to realize that Byron still deeply wants a traditional marriage at heart. Don’t you see it? He clearly had better options—so why did he choose you?”

Even though it was unbearably humiliating—

Zhang Min still asked, “Why?”

“Because Liang Jiancheng wants to emulate his formidable mother and find a female version of Mr. Yang to live with!”

Zhang Min was speechless because Jiang Meiqian’s analysis was too accurate.

“So, do you want to be that female version of Mr. Yang?” Finally, Jiang Meiqian raised an eyebrow meaningfully and asked her.

Zhang Min: “…”

It has to be said that Gu Shuangyang’s current marriage was a structural marriage best suited for the powerful. Liang Jiancheng, the son of Gu Shuangyang and Professor Liang, had witnessed the failure of his parents’ first marriage, and also seen how the second marriage fully elevated and fulfilled Gu Shuangyang.

Wouldn’t someone as smart and rational as Liang Jiancheng be tempted by this?

He clearly wanted a woman who could support him in every way, align with him completely, and remain fully under his control.

And the version of herself that Zhang Min had presented earlier had happened to fit his ideal choice with uncanny precision.

“Zhang Min… I remember back in junior high, you could argue with the teacher for an entire class period over a math problem. Are you really content to be a female version of Mr. Yang? I like that selfish yet warmly charming elite quality in Liang Jiancheng even more than you do. So why do you think I didn’t throw myself at him?”

“Isn’t it because he doesn’t want you?” Zhang Min shot back, mimicking Jiang Meiqian’s bluntness.

“Yes… that’s part of it, but ever since I figured out what kind of person Liang Jiancheng really is, I don’t want to marry him anymore. For men like that, sleeping with him and then dumping him is the most exciting.”

“Then did you sleep with him?” Zhang Min asked. She realized that blunt questions always benefited the one asking.

Jiang Meiqian’s gaze shifted slightly, a hint of embarrassment appeared on her beautiful face.

She then shook her head frankly, “I never analyze men I’ve already got.”

That afternoon at tea, Jiang Meiqian wasn’t there to criticize her, but to explain the misunderstanding and clarify that she and Liang Jiancheng hadn’t actually crossed any lines.

But Jiang Meiqian’s words did have a significant impact on Zhang Min.

Prompting her to think more deeply and calmly.

Did she want to be a female version of Mr. Yang?

No, she didn’t. She wanted her own “Mr. Yang.” Even though she bore the surname Zhang and carried the hopes of her family, she had the right to decide her own life.

…

Across the hallway, beyond an old-fashioned wooden window, lay layers of shrubs surrounding Tingquan Lake.

This was the outskirts of the city. Looking up, only a few scattered stars hung in the night sky.

Dim. Uncertain. Flickering—like the subtleties of human nature. Difficult to articulate, yet undeniably real.

“Liang Jiancheng, we both know that the one who truly wants to call off the engagement is you.”

At last, Zhang Min set aside all her burdens and looked straight into Liang Jiancheng’s eyes—clear-minded, yet defiant.

Liang Jiancheng stood tall, offering no explanation. Even with his composed posture, there was a faint sense of strain in his presence.

Looking at him like this—

Zhang Min felt a faint urge for revenge. Despite her inner clarity and relief, she had to admit one thing—

Liang Jiancheng had given her a moment of false joy, and left her disheartened and cold.

So when she learned from Jiang Meiqian that Liang Jiancheng was a man weighed down by moral and ideological burdens, Zhang Min made a difficult request when settling things once and for all today—

“Since this engagement was agreed upon by both families, I’d like to trouble Mr. Liang’s parents to personally come and explain things to my family.”

“…”

Liang Jiancheng was speechless, his gaze fixed silently on Zhang Min’s face.

She had already ascended the stairs.

Turning back, she stood on the steps with even greater pride than him.

This was why they were mismatched.

But she wouldn’t tell him.

She lacked the charm to bend his pride—so she would humiliate it instead. She wanted to see exactly who had driven Liang Jiancheng to make such an irrational choice.

A beautiful image suddenly flashed into her mind.

Those who were sensitive often have the sharpest intuition. Zhang Min felt a faint ache in her chest.

 

The author has something to say:

If Maggie, Ming Xi and Zhang Min were in the same group chat, they might chat like this:

Maggie: “The most exciting about a guy like Liang Jiancheng is sleeping with him and then dumping him.”

Ming Xi: “Oh yeah, great minds think alike.”

Zhang Min: “You guys! Turns out I really am the most honest one…”

(This skit is not related to the main content)

Previous     TOC     Next

Translator’s note:

Merry Christmas for those of you who celebrates and happy holiday 🥳