Volume One, Chapter Seven: Liang Muzhi Left His Girlfriend Outside for the Sake of Another.
After leaving home, Xu Zhi walked out of the villa district on foot. Her head was lowered, and her mind kept replaying Xu Heping’s recent words.
She had never talked back to her elders—never once. Everyone said she was obedient, but no one knew there was a reason for her constant compliance.
She remembered when she was little, during her parents’ heated arguments—when they weren’t cursing each other, they were threatening divorce. The marriage certificate between Xu Heping and Zhao Nianqiao had long since been torn to shreds.
Xu Heping, ripping the certificate, would shout at Zhao Nianqiao: “If this keeps up, you can take Xu Zhi and get out. After the divorce, let’s see how you survive with a child!” Zhao Nianqiao was never one to back down: “You think I’ll just take her because you say so? Why should I? Let me tell you, Xu Heping, the more you don’t want her, the more I’ll leave her with you. I’m not dragging a burden around after divorce—I don’t want the child! She’s a Xu, after all, not my concern!”
Little Xu Zhi would crouch quietly at the bend in the stairs on the second floor, listening to the argument below. She was frightened—if her parents really divorced, would no one want her?
She couldn’t turn herself into the son her father wanted, so all she could do was be more obedient, and then more obedient still. That submissiveness eventually became etched into her very bones; she never once defied Xu Heping or Zhao Nianqiao.
And yet now, Xu Heping had given her a task she had no idea how to complete.
Distracted, Xu Zhi walked through the gates of the villa district. Just as she rounded a corner and looked up, she caught sight of someone.
Liang Jinmo stood by the roadside, beside snow that still hadn’t been cleared from the greenbelt. He wore a black high-collared coat, the contrast of black and white accentuating his presence.
He kept his gaze lowered, lighting a cigarette with one hand. His features were striking and handsome, but his expression was distant and cold, exuding an aura that warned strangers away. There was an aloofness about him, as though he stood apart from the world itself.
This side of Liang Jinmo felt even more unfamiliar.
A tendril of smoke drifted upward. He lifted his eyelids and met her gaze.
Xu Zhi didn’t know why she found herself staring; it was only when their eyes met that she snapped abruptly back to herself, flustered as she quickly looked away—then realizing how impolite that was.
She still owed him a meal and a gift.
She looked back at him, walked over, and asked, “Are you heading home?”
Liang Jinmo’s voice was cool: “Just came back to pick something up. I’m leaving soon.”
Xu Zhi sensed he wasn’t in a good mood, but their relationship wasn’t close enough for her to pry. Unsure what else to say, she searched for a topic. “Are you free this weekend?”
He held the cigarette between his teeth, simply watching her in silence.
Xu Zhi felt as if she were talking to herself, but pressed on, “If you’re not busy, I’d like to treat you to dinner.”
Liang Jinmo took the cigarette from his lips. Instead of answering, he asked, “Are you heading back to school?”
She paused, then nodded. “Yes. I’m just here to grab a few things, then I’ll leave.”
He exposed her without mercy: “You came back to plead on Liang Muzhi’s behalf, didn’t you?”
Xu Zhi froze, her mind going blank for a moment. How did he know? Maybe he’d heard when he returned to the Liang house… This man…
But even if he knew, did he have to say it out loud? Her feelings were complicated. She hadn’t interacted much with Liang Jinmo before, and after he went abroad to study, she hadn’t seen him in years. Meeting him again now, his sharp, direct manner left her at a loss.
She touched her nose, feeling embarrassed and scrambling for an excuse. “Mainly, I came home to get my things, and just happened to speak up for him.”
“The night before last, he left you outside alone.” Liang Jinmo seemed to be reminding her, but the words struck a nerve.
—Yes, Liang Muzhi had abandoned her outside for his girlfriend, and now she was shamelessly pleading for him.
It was as if something tugged at her heart, leaving her feeling humiliated—utterly humiliated. Everyone was making things difficult for her. She’d been scolded by Fu Wanwen and by Xu Heping today—wasn’t that enough?
She blurted out, “What does that have to do with you?”
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them. How was this any different from lashing out in embarrassment?
She pressed her lips together, cautiously looking up at Liang Jinmo. He was slightly bowed, those dark, fathomless eyes fixed intently on her face.
The air was tense. Xu Zhi wanted to speak but couldn’t swallow her pride.
As silence stretched between them, she heard a familiar male voice.
“Xiao Zhi!”
Liang Muzhi sounded anxious, running over and immediately grabbing Xu Zhi by the wrist, pulling her behind him.
He blocked Liang Jinmo from her view, taking on a protective stance, his tone harsh as he demanded, “What do you think you’re doing?”
Xu Zhi was stunned for a moment, then quickly explained, “Liang Muzhi, it’s fine. We just ran into each other and were chatting.”
“What’s there to talk about with someone like him!” Liang Muzhi’s face was grim, his eyes practically blazing as he glared at Liang Jinmo. “Stay away from Xiao Zhi. If you dare bully her, I won’t let you off!”
Liang Jinmo remained silent throughout.
His gaze on Xu Zhi was blocked by Liang Muzhi, so he looked away indifferently and walked off.
Hearing his footsteps, Xu Zhi anxiously leaned to look after him, but Liang Muzhi turned and blocked her again. “Are you really all right? He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”
Xu Zhi sighed in exasperation. “It’s broad daylight—what could he possibly do?”
Liang Muzhi relaxed. “Why talk to someone like that? Stay away from him in the future.”
Xu Zhi frowned. She’d long known Liang Muzhi looked down on Liang Jinmo, but Liang Jinmo had helped her before. Hearing him spoken of that way made her uncomfortable.
She remembered something, took a few steps toward the street, and looked ahead. Liang Jinmo was already alone, his solitary figure disappearing around the corner.
A dull ache pressed in her chest. He had helped her, yet she’d snapped at him, and now Liang Muzhi had stirred things up—he’d certainly be angry after all this.
Liang Muzhi moved to block her again. “Why are you still looking at him?”
Xu Zhi gave him a glance, at a loss for words. “I’m heading back to school.”
She tried to hail a cab, but he grabbed her hand. “Why didn’t you answer my calls? I went to your house to find you—Uncle Xu said you were leaving, so I rushed over.”
He glanced at his watch. “It’s already lunchtime. Let’s eat together?”
Liang Muzhi was always forceful. Xu Zhi refused, but he held onto her and led her toward a nearby restaurant.
Xu Zhi was truly exasperated. “Fine, fine, let’s eat—just let go of me first.”
Liang Muzhi had always been like this—when anxious, he’d simply grab her hand. She was used to it, but now, after all, he already had a girlfriend.
He seemed to realize it only then, letting go as he ushered her into the restaurant.
The teahouse near the villa gates was a place they visited often. The server, familiar with them, was about to lead them upstairs to a private room, but Xu Zhi said, “Let’s sit in the main hall.”
Liang Muzhi’s bold, careless nature hadn’t changed; keeping her distance depended on Xu Zhi herself, and it was exhausting.
Once seated and after ordering, Liang Muzhi studied her face. “Are you still upset?”