Chapter 88

 

When it comes to pretense, no one can beat Liang Jiancheng.

While Ming Xi recognized Ming Yue at a glance, Ming Yue, who had just gotten out of the car, didn’t fully recognize that the pretty girl standing next to that striking man was actually Ming Xi.

However, when the high-end black sedan sped past Ming Yue and He Yuan, He Yuan, standing beside her, said coldly, “Your sister really has no manners. She saw you, her older sister, and still pretended not to.”

Only then did Ming Yue come to a sudden realization. She immediately understood why that glance just now had felt so unusual.

Indeed—no manners. She hadn’t recognized Ming Xi, but Ming Xi had recognized her and deliberately pretended not to, not even offering a greeting.

A light “Oh” slipped from Ming Yue’s lips. Her gaze followed the disappearing taillights, and a mocking smile rose plainly above her cheekbones. After pausing briefly, she spoke words sharper than teeth: “What can you expect from the bastard daughter of a mistress?”

He Yuan adjusted his glasses. The pale lenses reflected the same sneer. “If you hadn’t told me, I might’ve almost been fooled by her. I have to say, your sister really does have some skills when it comes to dealing with men.”

“Really?” Ming Yue let out an exaggerated, short “Wow,” feigning curiosity. “She’s that capable?”

He Yuan shot her a glance and revealed something that seemed hard to believe: “You’ve met Xinghai’s boss, Liang Jiancheng. He’s arrogant—looks like a gentleman on the surface, but he’s proud and tough by nature. A man like that chased your sister for years.”

Really?

“When it comes to stringing men along, Ming Xi is indeed impressive,” He Yuan added.

Ming Yue let out another short, exaggerated “Oh,” then, as if jealous, tossed a barbed remark at him: “Well, she is pretty. Isn’t that exactly the type you men like?”

Perhaps… He Yuan reached out to pat Ming Yue’s rounded hips, then sliding his hand up to her waist as he walked, speaking sweet nothings: “Different flowers appeal to different eyes. To me, Ming Xi isn’t as beautiful as you. Not as good-looking, not as educated, and her tactics can’t compare to yours. Ming Yue, who would’ve thought I’d have such deep ties with your family? Your sister once worked for me, and you—now you’re my…”

He Yuan turned his head, a teasing grin curling at his lips as he whispered a crude remark into Ming Yue’s ear.

The more inadequate a man is, the more obscene his mouth.

Ming Yue let out another habitual, short, exaggerated “Aww.” The smile on her face lasted barely a second—her lips curved upward, but her eyelids drooped coldly, trying to mask and escape the greasy disgust.

After the initial disgust, a sense of anger arose from the misery.

How could someone who lived so well, not only grew up beautiful but also live with such arrogant… It was the greatest irony of her marrying He Yuan, this old man.

Ming Yue was a great beauty. She was thirty this year, and her overly ambitious and calculating life made her appear more mature than her actual age. She had also hastily married He Yuan under the same calculated circumstances. Although she wasn’t very young anymore, she still had a significant advantage in terms of youth compared to He Yuan. Ming Yue believed her beauty and youth were her greatest assets in attracting He Yuan, but the truth might be more complex.

Beauty could indeed briefly rejuvenate an older man, but He Yuan’s feelings toward Ming Yue were more complex. It wasn’t that her face made him especially fond, but it carried a lethal allure. Especially since her facial contours bore a faint resemblance to Ming Xi’s—something that excited him inexplicably.

Why had he married Ming Yue? Because she was the only woman who allowed him to regain his virility without medication. That feeling—like rain after a long drought—once experienced, was like a drug, impossible to resist.

Just last night, beneath dim lights, Ming Yue’s provocative, sensual moans had sent He Yuan’s dopamine levels soaring to what felt like the peak of his life. Like a rising tide, all his resentment and bitterness were washed away. From inside out, he felt an intense, triumphant pleasure.

The dignity he felt trampled by Ming Xi—he reclaimed a hundredfold in Ming Yue. Especially after learning Ming Xi was merely the daughter of a mistress.

“Your parents are still in the U.S., right?” He Yuan asked Ming Yue.

“Yes… they’re doing business there.” Ming Yue turned her head and smiled deliberately at He Yuan.

“Ming Yue, I want to give you a wedding, I don’t want you to feel wronged. When can your parents come back so I can meet them?” He Yuan brought up the wedding again.

Ha. He simply wanted to find out whether her parents were legitimate businesspeople—and to show off in front of her sister. Ming Yue saw through it instantly. She had hooked a man like He Yuan partly because she was clever—she understood what a vain man like him cared about and only needed to satisfy his pride. On the other hand, she had lowered her standards and played along, all for wealth and status.

But He Yuan was truly naive. If her parents were rich and powerful, would she have even considered him? For what—his age? His short duration in bed? Or his son in America who was only seven years younger than her?

Yes, Ming Yue had met He Yuan through his son in the U.S. After returning to China with He Yuan, they had known each other only three months before registering their marriage last month.

She had sacrificed a great deal to marry an older man—of course she had to reap benefits. The position of Vice Director at Haiou was one of the conditions she demanded.

Last week, He Yuan had mentioned that Ming Xi ultimately failed to secure the position of Foreign Trade Manager at Haiou. A man’s words—listen casually, never take them seriously. For example, he had gone to great lengths to emphasize how Ming Xi had once tried to seduce him.

Utterly shameless. If Ming Xi had truly seduced him, would she have failed to become Foreign Trade Manager? He Yuan’s logic was full of contradictions—if one didn’t think carefully, one could easily be brainwashed. And this was the man trying to probe her background—what a joke!

Facing a self-satisfied He Yuan, Ming Yue put on an extremely troubled expression and blinked sincerely. “Thank you, darling. I’ll leave everything to you. But my parents are very busy overseas; many things require advance planning. Once you’re certain, just let me know.

“But—I have one condition. Ming Xi is not to be invited. Why should the daughter of a mistress attend my wedding?” Ming Yue pursed her red lips, her eyes brimming with arrogance.

He Yuan leaned closer to Ming Yue, holding his “beautiful wife’s” soft hands, and earnestly lectured her: “You! Don’t be so petty. If your sister really marries Liang Jiancheng, you’d better make up with her as soon as possible, don’t offend her.”

Ming Yue pondered this and made a quiet judgment of her own. Teasingly, she said, “It seems my Boss He is still a little afraid of Young Master Liang.”

He Yuan’s expression darkened. “I’m not afraid of him—I’m afraid of his mother.”

…

Ming Xi hadn’t expected that today would unfold so suddenly—that she would directly pay a visit to Liang Jiancheng’s mother. And besides his mother, Gu Shuangyang, Yang Minwen and his parents would also be there.

As the car emerged from the Zhongjin underground garage, Liang Jiancheng said to her, “When you’re troubled by one thing, if a new trouble appears, the old one doesn’t seem so pressing anymore.”

Ming Xi was speechless, swallowing the words she had intended to say.

“Liang Jiancheng—I didn’t prepare any gifts for visiting!” she suddenly realized.

That problem, to him, wasn’t a problem at all.

Liang Jiancheng, with remarkable foresight, replied, “My trunk is full of gifts; just grab a couple later.”

Ming Xi: “…”

“Liang Jiancheng, did you do this on purpose? Taking advantage of me being unprepared…” Ming Xi connected the dots and voiced her suspicion.

He was extremely frank. “Yes.”

It was true that he had asked Ming Xi to dinner today, and it was also true that he wanted to lure Ming Xi to his mother’s place. His intentions toward her could be called a man’s scheming—or thoughtful planning.

He had waited day by day for their relationship to reach this point. In the past three years, he had pursued his career and achieved success, while also watching Ming Xi gradually develop her own world. They had looked at each other and restrained themselves. Now that things had finally changed, he wanted legitimacy even more than she did.

However, if this legitimacy would be a shackle and pressure for Ming Xi, he didn’t want to avoid dealing with it. He would proceed gradually.

“You—” Ming Xi began, her tone indistinguishable between anger and reproach, but the sentence stopped halfway.

Liang Jiancheng spoke his mind while driving. He had actually inherited his mother’s strong personality, but he didn’t want to show this side of himself to Ming Xi. So he spoke in a pitiful tone that even felt foreign to himself: “Miss Ming, you treat all your friends so well—why not spare a little sympathy for me, your confidant? I’m doing this today because there are some things I truly find difficult to say.”

“What… is so hard for you to say?” Ming Xi found it somewhat amusing. Even more amusing was his use of the word sympathy—what about him warranted sympathy?

He answered honestly: “You know my family situation well. I’m not doing this to rush you into integrating into my family. I have no unrealistic expectations of you in that regard. Even I find it hard to fully fit in—especially on my mother’s side. Today, actually… I was hoping you could help me.”

Ming Xi let out a soft “Ah,” her face reflecting disbelief as she pondered his words.

Then Liang Jiancheng spoke even more sincerely, revealing what was truly difficult for him to say: “My mother rarely calls me, and I guess she might feel uncomfortable today too.”

“Director Gu, uncomfortable with what…” Ming Xi’s voice was somewhat dazed.

She could think of a reason, but felt it was unlikely.

Yes, Liang Jiancheng also felt it unlikely. Someone as self-assured and formidable as Gu Shuangyang—how could she possibly feel uncomfortable? And yet at noon today, he had indeed received a call from his mother, asking him to come over in the evening to help entertain the guests from Yicheng.

Liang Jiancheng shook his head slightly. Facing Ming Xi, he tried to say in a way that aimed to be polite but was hard to express gracefully: “Yang Minwen’s parents are two years younger than Director Gu.”

“Hmm…”

Ming Xi responded as calmly and politely as she could. Dezi had mentioned this to her before. Her surprise now wasn’t about the age gap between Gu Shuangyang and Yang Minwen—but about the way Liang Jiancheng was talking about it. What startled him wasn’t the difference in age either, but rather the difference in logic and way of thinking behind it.

He continued, voicing his confusion: “They got married too young, having Yang Minwen at seventeen. It’s just…”

He trailed off, looking incredulous. A slightly absurd thought popped into his mind, and he couldn’t help marveling again: “If I’d had a child at seventeen, Ming Xi, my child would probably be old enough to pursue you.”

Liang Jiancheng’s dry humor suddenly reached an absurd peak.

“What?” Ming Xi pulled down the vanity mirror on the passenger side and quickly reapplied her lipstick. Hearing his ridiculous remark, she pressed her lips together lightly and smiled. “Mr. Liang, you really don’t need to worry about that. I have zero interest in little boys who still smell like milk.”

“Then what kind of boy does Miss Ming like?” Hearing Ming Xi’s words, Liang Jiancheng’s mood suddenly became incredibly cheerful.

What she liked—wasn’t someone pretending not to know?

Ming Xi tilted her head and, before answering, threw him a playful, flirtatious glance. With fresh lipstick on, she looked instantly more radiant and vivid compared to her bare face.

Ming Xi’s features possess a pure, innocent charm reminiscent of a delicate white flower, yet her personality was decisive and bold. This contradictory quality was wonderfully blended within her, making her incredibly versatile. Like now, with her deep red lipstick, she resembled a vibrant, powerful white flower, both beautiful and striking.

“What kind of person do I like? I like someone driven, without weaknesses… and a young, sexy daddy!” Ming Xi’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Liang Jiancheng with a cute yet direct expression of praise.

Liang Jiancheng let out a low “Oh?” and replied seriously in English, “Thanks. I feel very proud.”

Ming Xi’s lips curved upward. She glanced at him with smiling eyes.

Liang Jiancheng couldn’t stand Ming Xi’s gaze and helplessly reminded her, “Miss Ming, for your safety, please refrain from sending Mr. Liang any provocative signals.”

“I’m not,” she said—then gave him the exact same seductive look again.

He shot her a quick look back. “Verbal and eye-based provocation both count.”

Ming Xi: …

She’s innocent!

The corner of his lips lifted slightly. When he said he felt proud, it wasn’t because of her teasing compliment. He was proud that the once meek girl in Yicheng now carried sharpness in the corners of her brows and eyes when she smiled.

He was deeply proud—not of himself, but of her.

…

At 5:30 p.m., Liang Jiancheng’s black sedan slowly entered the well-known French-style estate in Xujia District and parked steadily in the rear courtyard beside a riverside villa.

Tomorrow was Lunar New Year’s Eve. Winter darkness fell early, pressing down heavily with cold air.

Tall plane trees and neatly trimmed hedges surrounded the villa. The outermost trees remained evergreen year-round, separating each widely spaced house and creating an extremely tranquil sense of distance.

Ming Xi followed Liang Jiancheng out of the car. Stepping out, she immediately felt the chill of the sudden drop in temperature.

However, the warm yellow lights glowing at the villa’s entrance added a comforting warmth to the stately house. Light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, heavy yet intimate.

Strangely, Gu Shuangyang’s residence carried a sense of everyday warmth.

Seeing that Ming Xi was dressed lightly, Liang Jiancheng took a scarf from the car and carefully wrapped it around her. Then he opened the trunk and casually picked out two gift boxes.

Holding the gifts in one hand and leading his Boss Ming Xi with the other, he walked along the path dotted with landscape lights, ascending the steps one by one.

Liang Jiancheng rang the doorbell.

Ming Xi tilted her head and noticed a fountain beside the villa. A thin sheet of ice had formed over the water. After spending so long in a heated office, she hadn’t realized the temperature had dropped below freezing. Back in Yicheng, she had always been acutely sensitive to winter cold—almost defensively so.

In the few seconds between the bell and the door opening, Ming Xi tightened the thick cashmere scarf Liang Jiancheng had wrapped around her. Inadvertently, she received a teasing look from Liang Jiancheng—and just as she was caught off guard, he planted a kiss on her head.

The next second—the door opened.

A rush of warm light poured over them, along with indoor heat brushing her face, making her eyes glaze slightly.

Yang Minwen opened the door, handsome and refined.

Facing them, he looked warm and expectant. The faint sound of television came from inside. Smiling, he said, “Come in quickly. It’s going to get much colder tomorrow—this evening is already freezing.”

Liang Jiancheng handed Yang Minwen the gifts he was carrying.

Yang Minwen had long grown accustomed to Liang Jiancheng’s politeness and thoughtfulness, but this time he directed his thanks to Ming Xi instead: “Thank you, Miss Ming. Don’t be so polite next time you visit.”

Ming Xi: “…” She was embarrassed; she really hadn’t been polite.

Liang Jiancheng smiled to himself. In the past, every time he came here, he felt like a guest. But today, he intended to carry at least half the bearing of a host.

Standing in the bright foyer, he personally bent down and brought out his own pair of house slippers for Ming Xi to wear—then put on the guest slippers himself.

Yang Minwen silently observed this small detail. The house rarely hosted visitors; there were only three sizes of household slippers prepared—for himself, Shuangyang, and Liang Jiancheng. It seemed time to add a few pairs in Ming Xi’s size.

Ming Xi put on Liang Jiancheng’s large slippers; she wanted to say she’d rather wear the guest slippers.

Tap, tap, tap…

Ming Xi was led inside by Liang Jiancheng and saw a simple, honest-looking couple sitting in the living room watching TV. They stood up quickly, wanting to greet them, but seemed awkward, only managing to blink politely and awkwardly.

Also from Yicheng, they appeared clumsy and slow compared to Ming Xi.

“Ming Xi, Jiancheng, let me introduce you—this is my father, and this is my mother,” Yang Minwen said gently.

Liang Jiancheng stepped forward respectfully. By seniority he might have called them Grandpa and Grandma, but that felt inappropriate. So he nodded politely. “Uncle, Auntie, hello.”

The couple looked suddenly terrified—nervous to the point of fear.

Yang Minwen stepped forward with a smile and explained Liang Jiancheng’s identity in Yicheng dialect. The shy, simple aunt looked at Liang Jiancheng with eyes shining brightly.

It must be admitted that Liang Jiancheng felt a little…

Like the subtle anxiety of being stuffed with red envelopes by unfamiliar relatives during New Year visits as a child.

Before today, Liang Jiancheng had never met Yang Minwen’s parents. Not out of arrogance—but because his attitude toward the Yang’s family could not exceed his mother’s. Over the years, maintaining relationships with the Yang family had been entirely handled by Yang Minwen himself.

However, looking at these two hesitant relatives from Yicheng today, Liang Jiancheng somewhat understood why Gu Shuangyang had called him over. It wasn’t that his mother was incapable of dealing with Yang Minwen’s parents, but rather that their simplicity and awkwardness made her cautious—a consideration stemming from worldly customs and subtle human emotions.

Even the assertive Gu Shuangyang feared that her naturally authoritative way of speaking might inadvertently hurt her husband’s parent. So she had called her son to help receive them.

Perhaps there was another reason: Yang Minwen’s parents couldn’t speak Mandarin.

Just then, Ming Xi greeted Yang Minwen’s parents warmly in the Yicheng dialect, smiling brightly.

Their faces immediately lit up with obvious joy.

Ming Xi sat down on the sofa, and a few minutes later, as a guest herself, she accepted the ginseng tea that Liang Jiancheng had personally served her.

“Shuangyang is still finishing some work. When dinner’s ready, I’ll go call your mom,” Yang Minwen said gently.

Truly, he was impeccable.

On the coffee table sat glossy mandarins. Liang Jiancheng peeled one and handed it to Ming Xi. She accepted it—then immediately passed it to Yang Minwen’s parents.

If even Liang Jiancheng wasn’t sure how to properly receive them tonight, bringing Ming Xi had been a perfect strategy.

She took the initiative to chat with them. She didn’t say much, but gradually helped them relax.

Poor Miss Ming—she had come as a guest, yet was already acting like the lady of the house. Liang Jiancheng could understand some Yicheng dialect, but not entirely. He felt that every word Ming Xi spoke greatly shortened the distance between her and Yang Minwen’s parents, transforming the initially awkward atmosphere into a warm, family reunion.

Yang Minwen’s parents were not articulate, yet within minutes they showed an unmistakable, if clumsy, trust in Ming Xi.

Though Liang Jiancheng didn’t speak much, he listened and observed carefully.

It had to be said that heartfelt communication was one of his Boss Ming’s greatest strengths.

When Ming Xi turned her head, she caught the flicker of gratitude in Liang Jiancheng’s eyes.

She: …

A short while later, dinner began.

Under Yang Minwen’s careful arrangements, this strangely assembled family sat neatly around the long, luxurious dining table.

Gu Shuangyang, having finished her work, came out and took her seat at the head of the table with composed confidence.

No matter the occasion—especially in a situation like today’s—Gu Shuangyang was undoubtedly the absolute host. Everyone at this table had gathered because of her. Before the meal began, she raised her wine glass with proper courtesy and welcomed the three guests from Yicheng.

She first addressed Yang Minwen’s parents. Rather than calling them “Dad and Mom” or “Uncle and Auntie,” she handled it tactfully, addressing them as “Mr. Yang” and “Ms. Liao.”

When Gu Shuangyang spoke those titles, Ming Xi noticed Liang Jiancheng’s handsome face tense slightly, a flash of carefully concealed awkwardness crossing it. It wasn’t the kind of embarrassment that made him want to disappear—it was something between excitement and helplessness, a complicated emotion.

Ming Xi had always had a steady temperament, especially in social situations. Yet seeing Liang Jiancheng, as a son, nearly lose composure, she almost cracked herself.

Fortunately, she immediately forced herself to recall the cured meat Yang Yumei and Ming Decheng had taken when they ran away, pushing herself into a calm, steady state of mind.

Then, every time Gu Shuangyang addressed Yang Minwen’s father as “Mr. Yang,” Yang Minwen’s parents would take a long time to react, quickly raising their wine glasses and replying with noticeably delayed politeness, “Thank you… Director Gu!”

Compared to Yang Minwen’s father, Yang Minwen’s mother seemed even more clumsy.

Liang Jiancheng observed all of this, suppressing his bewilderment.

Ming Xi knew exactly what puzzled him, and she could have explained it. Two years ago during the New Year, Dezi had casually mentioned that Yang Minwen’s father was somewhat congenitally autistic, and his mother mildly intellectually disabled. That they could have given birth to Yang Minwen—the first university graduate in the Yang family—was almost unbelievable. When Ming Xi first heard this, she and others had even speculated whether Yang Minwen had been adopted.

But today, from the simple yet upright features of Yang’s parents, one could still vaguely see that Yang Minwen was indeed their biological son.

If anyone today might logically have felt embarrassed, it should have been Yang Minwen. Yet in reality, the one who appeared happiest was also Yang Minwen.

After Gu Shuangyang finished toasting his parents, Yang Minwen also stood up to speak. He didn’t mention his own parents and wife, but instead welcomed Ming Xi: “Ming Xi, today is your first time in this home, but I believe that you will become a part of this family in the future. Welcome.” Yang Minwen raised his glass to welcome her.

Ming Xi held her glass and smiled—an exceedingly “insincere” smile.

Then Gu Shuangyang also expressed her welcome in a calm tone: “Miss Ming, Liang Jiancheng and I both have an inseparable connection with Yicheng. Today, with you and Minwen’s parents here, this dinner is not only our first family banquet together, but also a welcome banquet for you becoming family in the future. That is why I asked Minwen to arrange it somewhat grandly. This is not our usual style, so there’s no need to worry too much.”

Ming Xi silently raised her wine glass. Was her worry just that obvious…?

Then what was this family’s usual style?

If Yang Minwen knew Ming Xi’s question, he could jokingly tell her that the usual style of this family was… no one was ever home.

At that moment, the useless and “neglected” son Liang Jiancheng took over his mother’s words: “Thank you, Director Gu. I hope you will take good care of Mingzhou Foreign Trade in the future.”

What… how could he say such shameless things so directly!

If Gu Shuangyang and Yang Minwen’s earlier welcome speeches had already made Ming Xi’s heart race, Liang Jiancheng’s words made her want to bury her head under the table. She herself truly had no such intention! Of course, if Gu Shuangyang were to give Mingzhou a bit of attention, it would indeed benefit its development…

Then, after hearing Liang Jiancheng say this, Gu Shuangyang thought for a moment, nodded, and said, “If Miss Ming is willing, you are always welcome to come here for dinner.”

Whenever Liang Jiancheng came to eat, it was usually to discuss business or seek resources—so this was Gu Shuangyang’s response.

Before leaving, Liang Jiancheng had joked about turning Gu Shuangyang into Ming Xi’s “connection.” Ming Xi had thought it was merely a joke. She hadn’t expected him to be serious! Holding her glass of freshly squeezed barley juice as steadily as possible, she smiled warmly, “Thank you… Director Gu.”

Gu Shuangyang smiled back. “No need to be polite. After all, we’re family from now on.”

Oh.

A subtle feeling surfaced in Ming Xi—one only she could fully understand. It was like riding a tiger and finding it hard to dismount. She wasn’t unhappy—she wasn’t so ungrateful as that. But she also couldn’t say she was deeply moved with gratitude.

From the moment she stepped out of the car and followed Liang Jiancheng up the steps, when the villa doors opened and bright light flooded toward her, everything had felt slightly unreal. Perhaps it was because Liang Jiancheng’s family carried an innate, elevated aloofness. Perhaps the atmosphere at dinner was complicated. Or perhaps it was a thought she did not want to admit, yet understood clearly.

If she were to integrate into this family in the future, it would likely feel more passive than active. It wasn’t unwillingness—but Gu Shuangyang stood at the absolute center of power in this household. Once one drew near, they would inevitably be drawn in, swept along.

Suddenly, Ming Xi realized that Yang Minwen’s parents’ awkward yet earnest responses ironically became an invisible counterbalance to Gu Shuangyang’s dominance. When facing absolute strength, intelligence and sensitivity could become useless burdens. The more she overthought, the more she would bind herself, sinking into self-doubt.

Her mind raced. In an instant she understood her position. Fortunately, pretending to be a little foolish and carefree was also something she excelled at.

Ming Xi relaxed, and inadvertently noticed Yang Minwen looking up at her with a gentle smile. That smile instantly cleared her mind—it carried a kind of understanding encouragement.

After dinner, Yang Minwen personally arranged for his parents to stay at another apartment in Haigang. It was a two-bedroom unit he had purchased and renovated years ago. At first, Gu Shuangyang had hoped he would buy something larger, but Yang Minwen had bluntly refused: “I have quite a few relatives. If the apartment is too big, too many people will come visiting. It would disturb my parents’ rest, and I’d have to spend more time and energy entertaining them. Shuangyang, I’m not being stingy—but if social obligations become a burden on the relationship, I would rather cut off that kind of interaction.”

Yang Minwen thought clearly, lived clearly, and loved clearly. A person like that would never be shaken by idle gossip. Just like tonight—perhaps he should have felt embarrassed. But why should he? He had not wronged his parents. He had not wronged the woman he loved, Shuangyang. There was no reason to feel uncomfortable.

Indeed, Yang Minwen behaved extremely naturally today. Liang Jiancheng, perceptive as he was, had noticed many details. Though he believed he already understood Yang Minwen well, tonight gave him new insight: a healthy relationship has nothing to do with age or status, but with an open and honest heart.

Before leaving, Ming Xi received a gift Yang Minwen had prepared in advance—a strand of Hainan agarwood prayer beads. It felt heavy and smooth in her hand.

In the villa’s rear courtyard, Yang Minwen prepared to escort his parents to the business van. Liang Jiancheng was about to open the car door for Ming Xi. Finally, they were about to leave. Ming Xi visibly let out a sigh of relief.

But before she could even exhale properly, another unexpected situation arose.

Yang Minwen’s father suddenly pulled a thick red envelope from inside his clothes, his steps faltering, and bravely turned to shove it into Liang Jiancheng’s hand. Liang Jiancheng, who had been so composed and confident just a moment ago, became awkwardly polite as the envelope was clumsily but persistently placed in his hand—almost calling the man “Grandpa.”

Then the hot-potato red envelope ended up in Ming Xi’s hands.

Ming Xi: …So she was the tool tonight.

The car drove back onto the elevated highway. Liang Jiancheng, driving, began reviewing everything that had happened tonight for the first time. Then he voiced a confident guess: “I understand why Director Gu called me over. She must have received a red envelope herself, so she had me come collect one too.”

For the first time that evening, Ming Xi couldn’t help laughing. “Liang Jiancheng, you’ve gained another set of grandparents. Are you happy?”

Liang Jiancheng gently shook his head, a slight smile playing on his lips. Suddenly, his gaze froze, a spark of brightness burst into his eyes, and he exclaimed in a captivating voice, “Ming Xi, look—it’s snowing!”

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