Volume One, Chapter 150: A Confrontation Between Father and Daughter.

On his first day at the Liang Corporation, Liang Muzhi returned home simmering with rage. It was only after Fu Wanwen questioned him that she learned about the frustrating events that had unfolded at the office.

When Liang Zhengguo returned that evening, Fu Wanwen immediately confronted him. "Muzhi came to see you on business; how could you let Liang Jinmo into your office first? You know how the people in the President's office gossip—they’ll have a field day with this. Muzhi hasn't even officially started at the company yet, how could you show him such a lack of respect?"

Liang Zhengguo, having just changed his clothes, merely sneered at her words. "Is there no sense of priority in work? I think this child has been spoiled by you to the point of being lawless. Do you realize that even as the President holding thirty-six percent of the Liang Corporation’s shares, I cannot act lawlessly in this company? I spoke with Jinmo first because the work I needed to assign him was more urgent."

"I sent Muzhi to the company to gain experience, not to play emperor." He sat on the edge of the bed, his expression darkening as he recalled the day's events. "Does he even understand what 'gaining experience' means? Just because I prioritized urgent tasks and didn't assign him a position immediately, he slammed my office door. Do you think the people outside didn't see that? With his temper, is he there to help me or to cause me grief?"

Fu Wanwen was left speechless, but her heart ached for her son. After a long silence, she said in a softer tone, "Muzhi has never spent much time in the corporate world; he needs time to learn."

Liang Zhengguo retorted, "He should start by learning how to respect his superiors. If he were just an ordinary employee, I would have fired him already."

The couple was speaking in the bedroom with the door left ajar. Liang Muzhi stood just outside, leaning against the wall, his face ashen. He heard Liang Zhengguo continue, "I've been thinking today—since it's about gaining experience, he will start from the bottom..."

He could no longer bear it. He turned and stormed into the bedroom.

"Dad!" He stared at Liang Zhengguo, incredulous. "You want me to work in an entry-level position? Liang Jinmo is already a Director, and people call him 'Young Director Liang,' yet you want me to work at the bottom... How am I supposed to do that?!"

Both Liang Zhengguo and Fu Wanwen were stunned. Liang Zhengguo recovered quickly, frowning, "What are you shouting about?"

Fu Wanwen hurried over to pull on Liang Muzhi’s arm. "Speak calmly, don't argue."

Liang Muzhi gritted his teeth. "Mom, did you hear that? Has Dad lost his mind? It’s not that I can’t do entry-level work, but since Liang Jinmo is already in management, wouldn't it make me the laughingstock of the company if I’m at the bottom? And what about Liang Jinmo? Isn't he just going to ride roughshod over me?"

Liang Zhengguo’s tone remained steady and unhurried. "Then tell me, what do you want to do?"

"I..." Liang Muzhi choked. He hadn't actually planned anything.

"Whatever it is, it can't be an entry-level job," he said, frowning as he thought. "I studied computer engineering in college, focusing on virtual reality. Can't I combine that with some software projects or something?"

"That would require creating a separate project team," Liang Zhengguo countered. "Based on the requirements for a team lead in the R&D department, tell me: how many certifications did you earn in college? How many projects have you participated in? Do you have any successful commercial cases? Do you have full-time experience leading a team? What brands have you collaborated with?"

The barrage of questions left Liang Muzhi bewildered. He had spent his college years coasting, playing around for years and only cramming before exams just to avoid failing. He had no answers for these questions.

Fu Wanwen chimed in, "Zhengguo, you’re being too harsh. Muzhi is only just starting work; how can you expect so much from him?"

"When Jinmo joined the company, he didn't just have all of that; he brought his own team from abroad and had top-tier global IT connections," Liang Zhengguo said, looking at Liang Muzhi with disappointment. "Not only is your professional ability incomparable, but your social circle consists only of other layabouts. What position do you expect me to assign you?"

Liang Muzhi stood rooted to the spot, feeling as though he had been slapped across the face.

"I will not give you a management position. You can start as a basic programmer in the technical department, but since your skills are likely rusty, you will need to undergo training and assessment," Liang Zhengguo decided. "If you want to earn respect in this company, you have to earn it yourself, one step at a time."

Liang Muzhi’s only response was to turn around, stride to his room, and slam the door.

*Experience, my foot.* He had begun to suspect that Liang Zhengguo was favoring Liang Jinmo.

The next day, he didn't go to the office. Liang Zhengguo was not surprised; Liang Muzhi’s personality needed to be tempered. Fu Wanwen tried to plead for her son once more, saying, "Let Muzhi think it over. Besides... isn't the New Year almost here? It wouldn't hurt to wait until after the holidays."

After Liang Zhengguo left, she went to persuade Liang Muzhi, but no matter how earnestly she spoke until her throat was dry, he remained silent. Fu Wanwen grew increasingly worried. Lately, Liang Muzhi had changed significantly; he spoke less, lacked his former vitality, and at times even appeared gloomy.

In the afternoon, Liang Muzhi left the house. Since reaching an agreement with Liang Zhengguo, the bodyguards had finally been removed. He walked along the road of the villa district alone, feeling lost and uncertain about his future. He used to spend every day thinking about where to go and what to do for fun, but now, his heart was filled with apprehension.

Liang Jinmo had not only stolen Xu Zhi away, but it seemed he was also encroaching upon his status in the family. He couldn't understand how things had turned out this way; he had always assumed he would remain the center of this family.

As he neared the edge of the villa district, he ran into Xu Hepin, whose expression also looked haggard. The last time they had met was in the middle of the night, when Liang Muzhi had knocked on the Xu family's door, demanding to know where Xu Zhi was. Though it had only been a few days, it felt like a lifetime ago.

After they exchanged greetings, Liang Muzhi suddenly remembered something and asked, "Uncle Xu, are you really happy about letting Zhi marry Liang Jinmo?"

Xu Hepin paused. The situation was somewhat awkward. His stance was driven by money; previously, he had set his heart on having Liang Muzhi as his son-in-law solely for financial reasons, but now, Liang Jinmo served the same purpose.

However, as an elder, he had to maintain a certain posture. He sighed and said, "Muzhi, I don't know what you're thinking. You left during the engagement, and now that Zhi and Liang Jinmo are engaged, we can't have any more changes to her marriage for the sake of her reputation."

Liang Muzhi felt his heart grow colder. He remained silent for a few seconds before speaking again, "What about your company? Don't you need the investment?"

"I'll figure something out," Xu Hepin said. Over the past few days, in his attempt to get through to Liang Jinmo, he had repeatedly hit a wall with Zhao Nianqiao, and his calls to Xu Zhi had been hung up.

Today, he had actually made a decision: he was prepared to swallow his pride and try reaching out to Xu Zhi one last time.

Liang Muzhi lowered his eyes, thinking, and said, "Uncle Xu, if... if you can make them break up, I promise I will help you secure that investment."

Xu Hepin, being a man who valued profit above all else, wouldn't say no. Liang Muzhi clenched his hand in his pocket.

Xu Hepin looked at him with surprise. "Muzhi, don't you dislike Zhi?"

Liang Muzhi forced a smile. "We grew up together; how can I just ignore her business? You know what kind of person Liang Jinmo is—his personality is twisted and gloomy. Zhi won't be happy with him."

Xu Hepin was skeptical of the pie-in-the-sky promise Liang Muzhi was offering. After all, Liang Muzhi’s only leverage was his status as a young master of the Liang family, and it now seemed that Liang Zhengguo no longer intended to interfere in Xu Zhi and Liang Jinmo’s marriage. However, to him, anyone who could help him get an investment was a good son-in-law. Since he hadn't been able to make headway with Liang Jinmo for days, he wanted to keep a backup plan with Liang Muzhi.

He hesitated, feigning difficulty, "It's not that I don't want to help you, Muzhi. You know that Zhi left with Liang Jinmo. It’s been days, and she hasn't contacted me. Even when I call, she doesn't answer... I want to help, but my hands are tied."

"Go find her," Liang Muzhi said, sensing hope. "I'll give you the address. She and Liang Jinmo are staying at a hotel. Why don't you go persuade her to come home first? They’re only engaged, yet they’re already living together—it’s too hasty."

Upon hearing this, Xu Hepin was overjoyed. He hadn't been able to find Zhao Nianqiao or Xu Zhi for days, only reaching them by phone, and now the address was being handed to him on a silver platter by Liang Muzhi. If he could find Xu Zhi and Liang Jinmo, it would be even better if he could speak directly to Liang Jinmo.

The two men were playing their own games. Xu Hepin obtained the hotel address from Liang Muzhi.

That evening, as Liang Jinmo returned to the hotel after work, he hadn't even reached the elevator when he saw the scene: Xu Zhi and Xu Hepin were standing in the hotel lobby, the father and daughter locked in a confrontation.