Volume One, Chapter Twenty-Four: She held no allure for him whatsoever.
Xu Zhi always resisted recalling the incident, for she could not help but empathize, making herself feel miserable. She wandered back to the window, catching a whiff of smoke in the air—not unpleasant to her—and remembered the shirt Liang Jinmo had lent her, carrying the faint scent of tobacco.
She said, “I’ve washed your shirt, but didn’t bring it. I’ll give it back another day.”
Liang Jinmo replied, “Alright.”
She sensed he had no desire to talk with her, but for reasons unknown, his reticence made her want to press him further. “Are you always this quiet when you’re alone with Zhou He?”
Liang Jinmo stretched out his hand, flicking ash into the tray atop the trash bin in the corner. “Yes. He never stops talking anyway.”
Xu Zhi paused, then thought, well, that was true.
She hesitated, torn whether to bring up that drunken night, but after deliberation, lacked the courage. She changed the topic: “I owe you an apology… When you drove me back to campus that day, I got out because I was afraid Liang Muzhi would clash with you.”
Liang Jinmo’s tone was cool and even: “It’s fine. I’m used to it.”
His words only deepened her guilt. She racked her brains for a way to make it up to him, but nothing came. Now he was working, and her meager savings meant nothing to him. After some inner struggle, she said, “Let’s put it this way—consider that I owe you a favor. If there’s ever anything I can help with, just tell me.”
Liang Jinmo thought for a moment. “There actually is something.”
Xu Zhi perked up. “What is it?”
“I plan to reorganize my team, focusing on AI language models,” he said. “There’ll be some technical collaboration with the company I worked for in the US, but most of the people I’ve recruited so far aren’t fluent in English. I need translation support.”
Xu Zhi blinked. “You mean… you want me in your team, as a translator?”
“If you’re willing.”
Xu Zhi pressed her lips together and didn’t answer immediately.
She was determined to repay the favor, but joining Liang Jinmo’s team meant working under the Liang family. Sooner or later, Liang Muzhi would find out.
Liang Jinmo saw through her hesitation at once. “You’re afraid Liang Muzhi will know.”
Xu Zhi felt a prickling at her scalp. “I just think it’s better not to complicate things. How about this—I’ll see which of my classmates might be interested, they’re all job hunting now.”
“Is it that, no matter the time or circumstance, whenever you’re forced to choose between me and Liang Muzhi, you’ll always choose him?” he asked.
Xu Zhi was stunned.
But Liang Jinmo seemed indifferent to her answer, continuing, “No rush. You still have half a semester left in your senior year. Take your time to think it over.”
Xu Zhi didn’t know what to say. She was never good at refusing people, and now her mind was in turmoil. All she could do was suggest, “Let’s go back to the private room.”
Liang Jinmo stubbed out his cigarette, and as he turned to walk back with her, he remarked, unexpectedly, “Whatever you choose, make sure it’s worthwhile. That’s what matters most.”
Xu Zhi’s steps slowed, but Liang Jinmo had already reached the door and pushed it open.
She hurried after him.
At the same moment, Liang Muzhi ended a call at the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the city’s vibrant nightlife, lost in thought.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom—Chen Jing was showering.
Today, Chen Jing had gone on a shopping spree, buying bags, clothes, shoes, perfume, and skincare products, all laid out on the living room table.
He only now realized how exhausting it was to accompany a girl shopping. In the past, when Xu Zhi wanted to shop, he’d sometimes offer to go along, but she always insisted it wasn’t an activity for men.
It was strange. Xu Zhi seemed soft, yet in certain aspects she was very independent—perhaps her family circumstances had shaped her. Chen Jing, on the other hand, appeared more assertive, but was remarkably skilled at being coquettish.
He unconsciously compared Xu Zhi and Chen Jing.
Originally, he’d planned to celebrate Xu Zhi’s birthday, but he couldn’t resist Chen Jing’s persistent coaxing. She clung to him, kissed him, and repeatedly asked if they could go to Hong Kong.
How could he say no?
A man’s resolve was surprisingly feeble. He realized this about himself anew. Yet now, sitting in the hotel after calling Xu Zhi, a vague sense of emptiness crept into his heart.
He had never missed her birthday before. This was the first time, and he wondered if she would be angry.
Xu Zhi looked soft, but she wasn’t without temper. She’d ignored him before when upset. Moreover, she had changed a lot lately.
He sensed that something he’d always held tightly was gradually slipping away.
The water stopped.
Liang Muzhi sat on the sofa, holding a glass of red wine, sipping lightly, letting the bitterness seep into his heart. He knew exactly what tonight would bring.
He was sure Chen Jing knew it too. This hotel suite, the atmosphere between them—anything less would seem a waste.
Chen Jing emerged from the bathroom, wrapped only in a bath towel.
Her skin was pale as snow; men were creatures of sight, and Liang Muzhi watched as she approached the sofa.
She didn’t sit beside him, but settled onto his lap, arms around his neck, kissing the corner of his lips.
“Thank you for buying me so many things. I’m so happy today.” Her eyes sparkled with delight. “Don’t laugh at me—I haven’t dared spend money since my family’s troubles.”
Liang Muzhi pinched her cheek. “It’s alright. I have money. Spend as you please.”
Chen Jing had no reason to doubt him. The Liang family was a renowned wealthy clan in North City, and even if Liang Muzhi did nothing with his life, their fortune would last generations.
She had once been a lady of status, but after her father’s imprisonment, she endured many hardships. Now, with a man like him and her life restored, she cherished it deeply, determined never to let anyone threaten her happiness.
She wanted to marry into the Liang family; getting closer to Liang Muzhi was a necessary step. With that in mind, she pressed her lips to his once more.
Faced with her passion, Liang Muzhi was naturally stirred, holding her head and kissing her deeply.
Amid their embrace, the bath towel slipped away.
His lips touched her shoulder, but suddenly he paused.
As if possessed, he remembered that dream.
In the dream, he pinned someone beneath him, fiercely biting her rounded shoulder…
It was as though he’d been doused with cold water; he froze for several seconds, then pulled away.
Chen Jing, lost in desire, asked in confusion what was wrong.
Liang Muzhi replied hoarsely that it was nothing. “You should rest now.”
He even kindly wrapped the bath towel back around her.
Chen Jing felt utterly humiliated.
Her fists clenched tightly, but she remained silent for a long time.
She couldn’t afford to offend Liang Muzhi—not now. She had to please him.
So she got up, slowly walked to the bedroom, and glanced back before entering.
Liang Muzhi stood at the window, his silhouette tinged with inexplicable loneliness.
The door closed. At the window, Liang Muzhi’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he exhaled deeply.
He could not explain why he’d had that dream. Perhaps it was because he had imagined Xu Zhi being intimate with someone else too often. Yet the dream left him with a strong sense of guilt.
After all, now he was with Chen Jing.
He’d already made his choice: the adventurous, candid, passionate Chen Jing. Compared to her, Xu Zhi was far too conventional—she held no allure for him. He thought, a dream is only a dream.
It meant nothing, and there was no need to dwell on it.