Volume One, Chapter 146: In the Darkness, He Lost Control and Nearly Hurt Her.

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Liang Jinmo’s expression was cold. He gazed quietly at Liang Muzhi, and only after several seconds did he speak. “Is that all you came here to say?”

Liang Muzhi was hardly any better off. What he was doing now was something he had always despised—driving a wedge between people.

Xu Zhi had made it perfectly clear that day that she liked Liang Jinmo, but he deliberately said nothing about it. He could tell that his words had struck a nerve with Liang Jinmo.

That was all that mattered. In truth, he was eager to get into a fight with Liang Jinmo. But Liang Jinmo had always been like this, responding to his provocations with indifference and silence most of the time. Even when they were children, when Liang Muzhi had attacked him outright, he had never managed to truly fight Liang Jinmo.

Though he clearly lacked confidence, he still forced a smile. “I did wrong by Zhi before, but Chen Jing and I have broken up. I thought about it, and Zhi is still the one who suits me best. I’m going to win her back. We grew up together and have more than twenty years of history. She used to like me too. She’s only reluctant to come back to me because of the rumors, but that’s all right. I’ll persuade her…”

“Liang Muzhi,” Liang Jinmo interrupted, his gaze turning cold. “With the disrespectful attitude you have toward Zhi, you don’t even deserve to compete with me.”

Liang Muzhi froze.

It was as if someone had slapped him from across the air. All his bluster deflated like a punctured balloon.

Irritated, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “What are you so smug about? If I hadn’t walked out on the day of my engagement, you wouldn’t have stood a chance!”

“But you did walk out,” Liang Jinmo replied, his voice deepening. “She belongs to me now. If you have the nerve, then rely on your own abilities to take her back instead of standing in front of me and prattling on like a gossiping shrew.”

“…”

Liang Muzhi was rendered speechless.

He had rarely experienced anything like this. How many people outside dared to deny the young master of the Liang family any respect? He felt as though he had suffered the greatest humiliation imaginable. A bastard son, and now he had the audacity to climb all over him.

Damn it. He couldn’t bear it any longer. He clenched his fists and was just about to rush forward when someone knocked on the office door.

Liang Jinmo’s assistant pushed it open. Seeing what was happening inside, he did not even dare to raise his head. “Young Mr. Liang, I happened to pass by the conference room just now. Mr. Liang’s meeting has ended, and he asked you to go to his office.”

“I’ll be there shortly,” Liang Jinmo replied.

At that, Liang Muzhi frowned, his expression growing even uglier.

Liang Zhengguo’s meeting was over. Shouldn’t he have met him first?

He shot Liang Jinmo a sideways glance. “I won’t give up on her. Just wait and see.”

With that, he walked out first. His steps were swift as he left, and he angrily knocked against the assistant on his way out.

The assistant rubbed his shoulder and silently groaned.

Liang Jinmo remained in the office for several minutes. He picked up his phone and found Xu Zhi’s number. After staring at it for a while, he waited until the screen went dark, then set the phone back on the desk.

He picked up the documents and headed to Liang Zhengguo’s office, walking slowly along the way.

Xu Zhi truly had never mentioned meeting Liang Muzhi. She had clearly told him before that she would no longer contact Liang Muzhi in private.

Liang Muzhi’s words naturally could not be taken entirely at face value. But it was a fact that Xu Zhi had once wanted to marry him. Had she really said those things to Liang Muzhi? Why would she say them now?

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By the time he reached the door of Liang Zhengguo’s office, a heavy chill surrounded him. At that moment, he did not want to speak. He would much rather go to the rooftop and smoke a cigarette.

So he did not knock immediately.

The door, however, opened from the inside.

Seeing him, Liang Zhengguo paused, then said, “You came at just the right time. I have a project matter to discuss with you.”

Liang Muzhi was still standing inside the office. Frowning, he spoke up. “Dad, I came first. Can’t you deal with my matter first?”

Liang Zhengguo’s expression turned displeased. “Your matter isn’t urgent. I have a major client who needs to coordinate with us on distribution channels, and they’re pressing us for an answer…”

He turned back to Liang Jinmo. “Jinmo, you need to make a trip to their company. Put off the exhibition report for now. Come in, and I’ll briefly explain the situation so you can arrange the people who’ll accompany you.”

Liang Jinmo was led into the office by Liang Zhengguo.

Liang Muzhi was nearly furious to death. Nothing had gone right today. He turned and left, slamming the door behind him.

The way Liang Zhengguo treated Liang Jinmo now—he was clearly more affectionate toward him than toward his own son. Liang Muzhi had waited so long to discuss his position, yet Liang Zhengguo had said nothing and let Liang Jinmo into the office first.

He was too angry to continue waiting there. He strode toward the elevators, went downstairs, and left the company.

Because of the temporary assignment Liang Zhengguo had given him, Liang Jinmo worked late that day.

When Zhou He had finished his work and was preparing to leave, he noticed that the light in Liang Jinmo’s office was still on and came over to knock.

He pushed the door open and saw Liang Jinmo sitting at his desk, staring at the computer. He paused. “Why haven’t you left yet? You were the one urging everyone to head home early before. I thought you were eager to get back to Xu Zhi.”

“There’s still work to do,” Liang Jinmo replied as he continued typing.

“Work is never going to finish,” Zhou He said. “I used to worry that you’d work yourself to death because you were so focused on your job. Now that you’re in a relationship, try to relax a little.”

Liang Jinmo was silent for several seconds before giving a quiet “Mm.” “I’ll leave soon.”

After Zhou He departed, he leaned back against the chair, reached for his cigarette case, took out a cigarette, and lit it.

His thoughts slipped beyond his control. When had Liang Muzhi and Xu Zhi met at the hotel? Where in the hotel had it been? In a room? Xu Zhi had actually said such intimate things to him. Had it been just the two of them?

The cigarette snapped between his fingers without warning. The ember and fine ash fell onto his hand.

A searing pain jolted him back to his senses.

He should ask Xu Zhi about it. But how?

When Liang Muzhi had flaunted himself so pathetically in front of him, Liang Jinmo had already wanted to kill him.

The violent impulse in his blood seemed forever poised to strike, stirred by Xu Zhi. He remembered the time at the Liang residence, in his room, when he had lost control in the darkness and nearly hurt her.

Now he was the same. He was utterly incapable of calming down. If she had met with Liang Muzhi, then what did the promise she had made him mean?

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Liang Jinmo returned to the hotel after eleven that night.

He thought Xu Zhi would already be asleep, but the lights in the living room were still on.

The moment he entered, he heard footsteps. Xu Zhi hurried over, and when she saw him, a faint light stirred in her eyes. “You’re back.”

He looked at her, dark currents surging in his pupils. After a moment of silence, he answered, “Mm.”

He sounded somewhat cold.

Xu Zhi paused, but quickly put on another smile and helped him take out his slippers. “Change your shoes first. I actually sent you a message earlier, but you didn’t reply. Were you busy working the whole time? I only found out you were already back because Yang Xue told me…”

She trailed off.

It was strange. She had chased after him and coaxed him before, and it had clearly begun to work. Yet after nothing more than a business trip of a few days, it seemed that another barrier had risen between them.

But everything had still been fine yesterday. They had talked for a long time over the phone, and he had given her plenty of advice about the second-round interview. She did not understand why things had suddenly become like this. He had not even told her he was back.

She had wanted to call him, but he had not answered her messages either. Afraid that he might be busy, she had waited until now.

After changing his shoes, Liang Jinmo removed his coat. “I was working late and didn’t notice the messages.”

Xu Zhi lowered her head. The excitement and delight she had felt when she first saw him quickly faded.

Liang Jinmo walked farther inside and noticed that the dining room and kitchen lights were on. He glanced over and saw dishes laid out on the table, covered by a warming dome. He paused. “You haven’t eaten?”

Xu Zhi forced herself to perk up and pulled out a smile. “I have. I was just worried that you might not have eaten tonight…”

She twisted her fingers together, then seemed to remember something and covered her left hand with her right.

Over the past few days, aside from preparing for her interview, she had kept herself busy. The suite had a kitchen, so she had bought cooking utensils and begun learning how to cook.

But as a beginner, she was clumsy and had even cut her hand while chopping vegetables.

Still, she had been very happy. After following cooking videos for several days, she felt that the three dishes she had made that evening showed great improvement. She had wanted to eat with him.

But now, it seemed unnecessary. Her appetite had already vanished. “I’m going to clean up.”

She turned toward the dining room.

At that moment, Liang Jinmo’s hand closed around her wrist. He watched her and asked, “Were you waiting for me?”