Volume One, Chapter 28: You Must Not Betray Her

In the end, Xu Zhi still went home, taking a taxi by herself. She didn’t contact Liang Muzhi to ask where he’d taken her luggage; after all, those things weren’t that important.

The day after she returned, Fu Wanwen invited all three members of the Xu family for dinner. Xu Heping was currently hoping to use the Liang family's connections to secure investments and loans, so he naturally didn't refuse. He bought the finest West Lake Longjing tea as a courtesy gift and took Zhao Nianqiao and Xu Zhi along with him.

That evening, not only was Fu Wanwen there, but Liang's father, Liang Zhenguo, was present as well. No sooner had greetings been exchanged and everyone sat down than two more people descended the stairs: Old Master Liang and Liang Muzhi had arrived.

Xu Zhi glanced at Liang Muzhi, then calmly looked away, first greeting Old Master Liang, “Good evening, Grandpa Liang.”

Old Master Liang was very fond of Xu Zhi and laughed, “Zhi, you seem to have lost some weight. Don’t learn from those girls who starve themselves to be thin—your health is what matters.”

Xu Zhi replied, “I haven’t, I eat plenty.”

Old Master Liang chuckled heartily. “I doubt you even weigh a hundred pounds.”

Liang Muzhi looked at Xu Zhi but said nothing. Still, by custom at these family dinners, his seat was always beside hers. He pulled out the chair and sat down.

The housekeeper served the dishes. As everyone gathered around the table, Old Master Liang, Liang Zhenguo, and Xu Heping began chatting about the North City business district. Zhao Nianqiao and Fu Wanwen made small talk about family matters.

Dinner progressed slowly. Xu Zhi remained quiet throughout, her head lowered as she ate. Liang Muzhi, sitting beside her, was much the same. In the past, he would often liven up the atmosphere with clever remarks, coaxing laughter from the old master or bantering with Liang Zhenguo. Tonight, he was silent.

Xu Zhi felt the atmosphere stifling, but this family dinner was an ordeal she had to endure.

Just as the meal was drawing to a close, Liang Zhenguo suddenly cleared his throat. “There’s something I want to discuss this evening,” he began.

His solemn tone made everyone put down their chopsticks.

“Some time ago, everyone heard about Muzhi getting into a fight at a bar,” Liang Zhenguo spoke slowly but steadily, his tone as formal as a boardroom meeting. “The victim is pressing charges, so I took care of it. As it happens, a friend of mine is in charge at the station handling the case, so I reviewed the records myself.”

At this point, Liang Zhenguo turned to Xu Zhi. “Zhi, your aunt told me you said Muzhi got into that fight because of you?”

Xu Zhi froze. In an instant, every eye was on her—except for Liang Muzhi, who stared straight at his father.

Xu Zhi had a faint suspicion; if Liang Zhenguo was asking in this way, he must already know something. Since they were children, Liang Muzhi had used her as an excuse to skip class or sneak into internet cafes, but never had they been caught. Now, she simply didn’t know how to respond.

Liang Zhenguo’s gaze was icy. “According to the case report, Muzhi fought to protect a girl named Chen Jing. Your name wasn’t mentioned at all. The police said you came later to bail him out.”

Then he looked at Liang Muzhi. “So, Muzhi, why don’t you tell us yourself—who did you get into that fight for?”

Liang Muzhi didn’t answer right away. He still held his chopsticks, his fingers gripping them tightly. After a moment, he suddenly threw them down with a sharp clatter.

“So this dinner is just a trap?” He raised his brows, his expression still irreverent.

“Muzhi!” Fu Wanwen snapped. “Don’t speak to your elders like that!”

Liang Muzhi sneered. “And what if I did get into a fight because of Chen Jing? A girl was being harassed by drunks in a bar—shouldn’t I step in and help?”

Liang Zhenguo’s tone grew severe. “Then why did Zhi lie?”

Xu Zhi’s face turned ashen. She’d never experienced anything like this—both families gathered together, putting her on trial.

Old Master Liang couldn’t bear it. “Zhi, I know Muzhi can be reckless, but you’ve always been a good girl. Just tell us what happened.”

Xu Heping, thoroughly embarrassed, turned and glared at Xu Zhi. “Well, answer! When did you learn to lie to your elders?”

Xu Zhi pressed her lips together, thoughts racing and chaotic. She’d lied to plead for Liang Muzhi’s sake—at his request. Could she say that outright? She wasn’t planning to cut ties with him entirely; even as friends, telling the truth now would be tantamount to betraying him.

Liang Muzhi spoke up. “Little Zhi was only trying to plead for me. Is that really worth you all making things so hard for her?”

“Is that so?” Fu Wanwen interjected. “So in order to plead for you, it was all right to lie to me?”

Liang Muzhi met his mother’s sharp gaze and fell silent.

Xu Zhi felt as if she’d been slapped in front of everyone. Having always played the obedient, sensible child in the eyes of adults, being so publicly reprimanded and accused made her feel humiliated. Her cheeks burned, and her mind went blank.

Fu Wanwen stared at her unrelentingly, as if flaying her with her eyes. “Zhi, you’ve always been so well-behaved. That’s why, every time Muzhi said he was with you or going out with you, we trusted nothing would go wrong under your watch. But now? How did you become a child who lies so easily?”

Xu Zhi bowed her head even lower.

“You…” Liang Muzhi balled his fists. “This is all my fault, all right? I’ll take responsibility for my actions. If you want, I’ll kneel in the ancestral hall or let you slap me a few more times.”

Liang Zhenguo looked at him intently. “Do you think tonight we’re targeting Zhi?”

Liang Muzhi gritted his teeth. “What else? She’s sensitive—you’re going too far. I’m not afraid of what you say, and this was my mistake to begin with. She only helped me.”

“So you know she was helping you,” Liang Zhenguo’s disappointment was palpable. “You made a mess, and dragged Zhi down with you. She’s always been such a good girl, and now, for your sake, she’s lying to her elders. All these years, we hoped Zhi might keep you in line, but it’s you who’s led her astray.”

Liang Muzhi turned his face away, clearly impatient with such lecturing. He was spoiled, and everyone knew it.

Liang Zhenguo tried to contain his temper. “And what about Chen Jing? Her father was an official who fell from grace a few years ago. What’s your relationship with her?”

Liang Muzhi was silent for a few moments before replying, “There’s nothing between us. I just couldn’t stand by and watch those drunks bully her.”

“You’d better not have any ties with her,” Liang Zhenguo’s tone hardened. “Her father’s case involved commercial bribery and implicated many businessmen in North City. Now everyone wants to distance themselves from the Chen family, afraid of being implicated. I’ve always run an honest business—I won’t have you jeopardize the company by associating with criminals.”

Liang Muzhi’s fists tightened further. He wanted to speak, but Old Master Liang interrupted him.

“Muzhi, you are the rightful heir of the Liang family. You cannot have such stains on your record,” Old Master Liang said earnestly. “All these years, we’ve indulged your wishes—you refused to study abroad, refused to join the company after graduation. And now, do you want to bring ruin to the Liang family for your own sake?”

Liang Muzhi glanced at his grandfather, his hands slowly unclenching. He slumped in defeat, “No.”

“No matter what your relationship with Chen Jing is, from now on, there must be nothing between you,” Old Master Liang decreed. “Your engagement to Zhi was set long ago. You cannot wrong her.”