Chapter 44 Was marrying her during the rainy season also part of the plan? ...

“It’s really not that I’m biased. I don’t want Xiaoze and Xiaoyi to fight over it. If Xiaoyi loses her status as heir, she might not want to live anymore,” Ruan Huilin said, crying. “Xiaoyi was raised by her grandmother since birth. The education she received from childhood was to strive to become the heir. If she is suddenly deprived of everything, she really might not be able to think straight.”

Lin Fei ran into the house to pack his things, only taking the important documents; he didn't have time to grab his clothes.

After putting everything away, she ran towards the entrance, then, remembering something, turned back and said breathlessly, "Mom, you have to come with me."

Ruan Huilin instinctively refused: "I... I won't go, that's not good, I won't go."

If it were known that she had returned to Hong Kong without permission, I wonder how the old lady would treat her children.

“No, you have to go.” Lin Fei insisted. “I don’t think I can influence them, but you are different. You are their mother, and they definitely care about you.”

Ruan Huilin wavered when she saw Lin Fei's determined gaze.

"I'll arrange everything, Mom, trust me." Lin Fei grasped Ruan Huilin's hand, dispelling her last remaining doubts.

Ruan Huilin nodded. She also wanted to be closer to her children, instead of being far away and unable to do anything for them.

Lin Fei calmed down and was no longer impulsive. He settled Ruan Huilin in the guest room and began to prepare for his trip to the port city. He thought about what he should do there and then bought a plane ticket for noon the next day.

The following day, before boarding the plane, Lin Fei called Zhong Shuyu.

Zhong Shuyu answered the phone in disbelief, exclaiming in astonishment, "Lin Shufei, you actually called me? Are you crazy?"

"Why can't I call you? What deep-seated hatred do we have between us?" Lin Fei retorted.

This left Zhong Shuyu completely bewildered, and she said dumbfoundedly, "How could we possibly be together!"

"You're supposed to be cousins, right?" Lin Fei silently dug a pit, and Zhong Shuyu on the other side jumped in as expected.

Zhong Shuyu snorted arrogantly: "That's right, you can tell we're related just from our names."

"So, you'll pick me up at the airport after I land in Hong Kong and book me a hotel room, right?" Lin Fei said, not giving me a chance to refuse. "It's settled then. See you in two hours."

Zhong Shuyu belatedly realized she had fallen into someone's trap and started yelling at her busy phone.

I knew Lin Fei had ulterior motives. What kind of close cousins ​​are they? It's all a lie to fool me!

The girls in the glass garden called out, "Ayu, tea time!"

Zhong Shuyu went back to get her handbag and said, "You guys drink, I have something to do."

The group of girls exchanged glances silently, surprised that someone with so much free time could have something to do; it was truly rare.

"Ayu, is something urgent?" asked the girl who was usually closest to Zhong Shuyu.

Zhong Shuyu said impatiently, "My cousin asked me to do something important, so I have to go."

The girl in the red dress said, "Oh! I remember, she was the girl who used to stay at your house and often bullied you, right? I think her surname was Lin... I don't remember her given name."

Zhong Shuyu looked at her coldly and said with dissatisfaction, "It's not like I'm just staying here. My family is her maternal family's, and I'm here to visit relatives. She didn't bully me. We were just having a little quarrel between sisters. Forget it, I can't reason with you. Anyway, you should stop gossiping about her. I'm leaving."

The three exchanged glances in silence once more.

It seems that Zhong Shuyu would never refute these things they said in the past, so why is she acting so strangely today?

Zhong Shuyu hummed twice as she stepped out into the garden.

"A bunch of ordinary people, how could they understand the sisterhood between us?" She lifted her skirt and skipped excitedly toward the front door, calling to urge the driver to come and pick her up quickly.

-

Lin Fei landed in Hong Kong, collected his luggage, and walked to the exit. He saw Zhong Shuyu standing with her hands on her hips wearing sunglasses. The driver next to her was holding up a sign with the three characters "Lin Shufei" written on it, which was very eye-catching.

This young lady is far too flamboyant!

Zhong Shuyu pushed her sunglasses up to her head, revealing a pair of beautiful fox-like eyes, and coughed a few times arrogantly.

"The hotel is booked?" Lin Fei strode forward.

Zhong Shuyu tossed her wavy curls: "Aren't there enough rooms in the house to sleep in? Why did you book a hotel? If Grandpa knew you came to Hong Kong and didn't come home, he would definitely scold me for it, but I booked a hotel for you."

"It was ordered for my mother-in-law!" Lin Fei said helplessly. Why did the young lady have to drop the ball halfway through? She had already reconciled with her grandfather and wouldn't leave home to run away.

Zhong Shuyu then noticed Ruan Huilin standing behind Lin Fei.

Mother-in-law's words...

Isn't that Liang Yanzhe's mother?

Before Chung Shu-yu was born, Yuen Wai-lam had already left Hong Kong. There were many rumors about her, the most widespread version being that she couldn't accept her husband's departure and chose to leave the place of heartbreak and return to her hometown to settle down. She was a devoted woman.

"Hello, Aunt Huilin..." Zhong Shuyu put aside her arrogance and greeted her elder with utmost respect.

Ruan Huilin smiled slightly: "Xiaoyu, right? I didn't expect you to have grown up so much. You're as beautiful as your mother."

Hearing the compliment, Zhong Shuyu beamed and returned the compliment: "Aunt Huilin, you are even more beautiful than in the photos!"

Lin Fei pulled Zhong Shuyu aside and glared at her: "Is this the time for small talk? Get your act together and book a room quickly."

"Aunt Hui-Lin stays at the Leung family's house every year when she returns to Hong Kong, so why is she booking a hotel?" Chung Shu-Yu wondered.

"I can't really explain it, but we can't stay at the Liang family's house now, and we can't let the Liang family know that she's back." Lin Fei looked at Zhong Shuyu for a while, and suddenly had a better idea.

Zhong Shuyu met Lin Fei's direct gaze and waved her hand: "Don't always make me do things that make me tremble with fear, I'm scared."

“I think only you can do this.” Lin Fei grabbed Zhong Shuyu’s hand. “You’re the only one in Hong Kong, really.”

Zhong Shuyu was a little embarrassed, but she pretended to be reserved and suppressed the joy that was rising on her face: "Really? You're not just kidding me."

"Really, come closer, I'll tell you in detail." Lin Fei grasped Zhong Shuyu's shoulders and looked at her with sincere eyes.

Zhong Shuyu moved closer.

Lin Fei asked Zhong Shuyu to take Ruan Huilin to visit Liang Yanyi in the next few days, and to do so under her name only, making sure no one knew that Ruan Huilin had come to Gangdu.

Zhong Shuyu frowned deeply after hearing this.

Something feels off...

"If the truth comes out, will I be in trouble?" Zhong Shuyu doesn't like going to work and prefers to enjoy life. She knows that her family is the reason she has all of this, and her bottom line is not to cause trouble for her family.

Lin Fei assured him, "No."

Zhong Shuyu remained silent for a moment, then agreed: "Okay."

"Aren't you afraid?" Lin Fei was quite surprised.

Zhong Shuyu crossed her arms and snorted, "We're family, of course we have to help."

"Good girl." Lin Fei rubbed the back of Zhong Shuyu's head.

Zhong Shuyu clearly enjoyed it, but pretended to be annoyed: "Don't lay a hand on me when we're out."

Lin Fei informed Ruan Huilin of the arrangements, telling her to stay at Zhong Shuyu's apartment for now, and that he would take her to see Liang Yanyi tomorrow.

Ruan Huilin trusted Lin Fei unconditionally and left with them.

After seeing the person off to the car, Zhong Shuyu turned back and asked Lin Fei, "You're not going to book a hotel, are you?"

"No, I'm poor. Hotels in your port city are too expensive." Lin Fei frankly admitted his poverty. "I have a place to stay in the port city, so don't worry about me."

It was only later that Liang Yanzhe realized he owned property in Hong Kong, so there was no need to worry about Lin Fei having nowhere to go.

Lin Fei watched them leave and then contacted Zhou Hui.

Zhou Hui had a program recording today, but he didn't want to keep Lin Fei waiting, so he sent his assistant to pick her up and take her to the TV station. He gave her a staff ID and she disguised herself as the assistant to sneak in.

When he entered, Zhou Hui was sitting in front of the dressing table, looking down at his phone and replying to messages. The makeup artist was doing his makeup and hair.

Lin Fei glanced at the man in the mirror.

He's good-looking normally, but he looks even more handsome after getting a makeover. No wonder he's a top host; his looks alone guarantee high ratings.

"Why are you here at this hour?" Zhou Hui looked in the mirror and met Lin Fei's gaze.

Lin Fei pulled out the chair next to him: "Shouldn't I have come?"

"The timing isn't good." Zhou Hui sighed softly, closing his eyes to hide the weariness in them.

It's clear that he hasn't had a good time lately either.

"Tell me more details?" Lin Fei asked Zhou Hui to find out what was going on.

Once the styling was finished, Zhou Hui asked the other staff members to leave first.

At this moment, only the two of them were in the lounge.

“Xiao Yi was sick last night but didn’t dare to go to the hospital. She was in a very bad mental state. Her assistant stayed with her at home. I went back as soon as I finished recording the show. I didn’t dare to leave for too long,” Zhou Hui said. “I haven’t had time to ask about my brother’s situation yet, but his move to return to Hong Kong has put tremendous pressure on Xiao Yi.”

Lin Fei pursed her lips: "What is Xiao Yi afraid of? Will Liang Yanzhe take away her position as heir? Does she think Liang Yanzhe would do that?"

“Xiao Yi is extremely paranoid; she can’t trust anyone, including me,” Zhou Hui chuckled. “Don’t blame her; her upbringing was terrible.”

Lin Fei felt that Liang Yanyi was a victim of the gaslighting reaction.

Whenever Grandma Liang flicked the switch and a light flickered even slightly, Liang Yanyi's emotions would fluctuate wildly, making her feel like everyone was against her.

Lin Fei didn't comment much on Liang Yanyi's matter.

“Mom’s here too. Find an excuse to invite Zhong Shuyu to our house. She’ll bring Mom over,” Lin Fei said. “Maybe she’ll feel better if she sees Mom.”

Zhou Hui gripped the armrest tightly: "If Grandma finds out..."

"So what?" Lin Fei's eyes turned cold. "I only care about Xiao Yi. What do I care about anyone else?"

This is also why she insisted on bringing Ruan Huilin along. After Liang Yanyi was discharged from the hospital last time, the mother and daughter got along well during the time they stayed together, and her condition improved. So she thought that having her mother by her side at this time might make things much better.

Although he wasn't cursing Zhou Hui, the last swear word was a wake-up call for him.

"Aren't you afraid your older brother will overthink things if you let Mom go see Xiaoyi now?" Zhou Hui glanced at her. "The conflict between the two siblings is deeper than you think."

Lin Fei couldn't answer: "I'm not a god, and I don't have a way to have the best of both worlds."

“Lin Fei, you’re just like an emergency room doctor, only concerned with saving those who are about to die. Other patients can be put on hold as long as they’re not on the verge of death.” Zhou Hui chuckled. “My analogy wasn’t meant to be malicious; I was just a little surprised by your approach.”

Lin Fei leaned back on the stool, popped a sugar-free mint into his mouth, chewed it, and the refreshing taste invigorated him: "I can relate, the Liang family has made too many messes."

When it was time to record, Zhou Hui took the script, stood up, and said, "I thank you on behalf of Xiao Yi."

Lin Fei said to Zhou Hui's retreating figure, "I'll sit for a while, don't rush me."

"Suit yourself." Zhou Hui closed the door.

After a long journey, Lin Fei was exhausted. She should go back to her apartment after finishing all this, but she couldn't help but wonder—would Liang Yanzhe be looking forward to seeing her?

It's raining again outside.

Lin Fei couldn't help but wonder if she was a rain-seeking priestess in the port city in her past life? Why did it always rain endlessly whenever she came?

Rain is no good.

This made the atmosphere seem even more somber.

She was in a state of utter confusion.

It looked like the rain would continue into the evening, so Lin Fei left before the show ended.

When I got downstairs, I hailed a taxi at random and gave them the address of Liang Yanzhe's apartment.

I had already registered Lin Fei's personal information when I came last time, so I could enter by swiping my fingerprint.

Unsure if Liang Yanzhe was there, she went straight into the house.

Lin Fei kicked off his shoes, walked to the center of the living room, and met Liang Yanzhe's gaze as he sat in a chair in front of the French windows.

Glistening raindrops hung from the glass window, dark clouds covered the sky outside, the whole city felt oppressive, and the flashing neon lights in the distance carried a hint of mockery. His outline was blurred by the overcast sky, and he could not see clearly in the dim room, as if his consciousness had sunk into the damp city.

Lin Fei walked step by step toward Liang Yanzhe, using the dim and disorienting light.

Liang Yanzhe slowly raised his head and saw the faint smile on her lips. His vision became clearer, and the dark clouds seemed to have dispersed a bit, but... he wasn't sure.

"Surprised?" Lin Fei's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, almost drowned out by the thunder outside.

Liang Yanzhe: "Unexpected."

"That's an unexpected surprise." Lin Fei stood with his hands behind his back, pacing by the window. "Didn't you say you'd go back after it was done? It's been almost three days, and it's still not done?"

"Soon." Liang Yanzhe's voice was as indifferent as his expression.

Lin Fei stood there for a while, unsure of what to say, letting the sound of the rain grow louder, just like their silence.

It seems... he doesn't really want her to come.

"I've already figured out how to handle Guo Guyun's matter."

He gave a lukewarm "hmm".

"That's why I came to find you. I also brought my mom with me; she's going to see Xiaoyi tomorrow."

He finally showed some emotion and gave a weak, strained laugh.

"I did this... and you're angry?" Lin Fei didn't dare look at him, her gaze fixed on the distant skyscrapers.

"Not getting angry suits Liang Yanzhe better, so let's not get angry." He said this very softly, almost inaudibly.

Lin Fei turned to look at Liang Yanzhe: "Liang Yanzhe, if you don't say anything, I don't know what to do for you."

"What are you talking about? A dirty and ridiculous past?" Liang Yanzhe sneered.

Lin Fei walked up to him and squatted down: "Everyone has a past."

She really doesn't know how to comfort people; her words are weak and ineffective.

He still didn't say anything.

"Are you really going to fight Xiaoyi for the inheritance?" she asked.

She seemed to have said something wrong, and he retorted sharply, "Shouldn't it be her who stole my inheritance? Wasn't she the one who said she wanted me to disappear from the Liang family forever?"

Lin Fei grabbed Liang Yanzhe's hand helplessly: "I... I didn't mean that. I didn't know about your past conflicts. I misspoke. I'm sorry."

Liang Yanzhe lowered his head and took a deep breath: "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been angry with you."

Lin Fei asked cautiously, "I came to Hong Kong... are you really angry?"

After a long silence, he said helplessly, "Feiwen, you shouldn't have come. I didn't want you to be forced into this quagmire like me."

"I...I'm actually very scared, but my intuition tells me I should come." Lin Fei wasn't sure if it counted as courage, but she walked fearfully step by step in front of him, yet she couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

Liang Yanzhe: "Today... I have already rejected Grandma and handed over all the management of the R&D department to Xiaoting. Don't worry."

“These are not things I care about.” Lin Fei leaned against Liang Yanzhe’s knees.

A sudden, loud knocking came from the door, startling Lin Fei so much that she burrowed into Liang Yanzhe's arms.

"I'll go take a look." Liang Yanzhe helped Lin Fei up and sat her down on the stool.

Lin Fei was worried and followed behind Liang Yanzhe.

The display screen lit up, and Liang Yanyi was standing outside the door.

She must have come in a hurry. It was her first time going out, and instead of a proper Chanel-style suit, she wore a slightly thicker long cardigan over her loungewear, and slippers. A few strands of her hair were wet from the rain.

Lin Fei wanted to go check the door, but Liang Yanzhe stopped him and opened the door for him.

Liang Yanyi excitedly squeezed into the entrance hall, grabbed Liang Yanzhe's sleeve, and questioned him uncontrollably: "Why did you tell Grandma to give up? Are you still holding a grudge against what I said to you when we were little? Am I really that unforgivable? Brother, I've already apologized to you. I really didn't mean it. I just... It's the first time I've received so much attention, instead of always standing in the corner and not being seen by anyone. I admit it was vanity that got in the way, and I was also afraid of becoming a worthless existence. That's why I lost my mind when I found out that you were going back to school and ran to your room to tell you that I hoped you would disappear from the Liang family forever and that I wanted to take your place as the heir."

Lin Fei was shocked, never expecting that the brother and sister had such a fierce argument.

"Xiao Yi... let's go inside and talk slowly, okay?" Lin Fei tried to step forward to stop him.

Liang Yanyi gripped Liang Yanzhe's sleeve even tighter, crying, "Brother, I don't want it anymore, I'm giving it back to you. Please don't leave me again, okay? I don't want to be alone in the Liang family anymore, please don't abandon me..."

Zhou Hui rushed over and turned pale with anxiety when he heard Liang Yanyi running out of her house.

He was at a loss for what to do in the face of the scene before him.

Liang Yanzhe steadied the swaying Liang Yanyi and smiled calmly: "It's all in the past, don't overthink it."

“No, you still mind? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have left Hong Kong without a word six years ago and never set foot in the Liang family again.” Liang Yanyi cried, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Liang Yanzhe put his arm around Liang Yanyi's shoulder and led her to sit down on the bench next to him. He squatted down and said gently and patiently, "If I don't leave, Grandma will keep using me to torment you. I didn't come back this time to compete with you, but to find Xiaoting and hand over the management of the R&D department to her. She's been competing with you for this from the beginning, and she promised me that she won't deliberately go against you anymore. You should rest well, and no one will threaten you anymore."

Liang Yanyi has been suffering from severe mental torment during this period. Once she starts crying, it's like a switch has been flipped and she can't stop.

She only dared to cry like this in front of her older brother.

“You have worked hard for more than 20 years to be a qualified successor. Don’t give up easily. That’s not like you. I have seen all your efforts. You are more suitable for this position than I am, and I believe you can do it well.” Liang Yanzhe took out a handkerchief and wiped her little face clean bit by bit, just like he used to wipe her tears when she was a child.

Liang Yanyi kept shaking her head.

"Big brother, let me do it." Zhou Hui walked over.

Liang Yanzhe gave up his seat.

Zhou Hui comforted her, "Mom has arrived in Gangdu and will come to see you at home tomorrow. Don't cry."

Liang Yanyi leaned on Zhou Hui's shoulder, crying so hard she couldn't breathe.

Lin Fei noticed that Liang Yanzhe quietly left and returned to his room.

After hesitating for a moment, she followed.

She leaned against the door, her hand on the light switch, and met Liang Yanzhe's gaze as he lit a cigarette in the bathroom.

Before he put out his cigarette, she said, "Go ahead and smoke, I don't mind."

Liang Yanzhe still chose to extinguish the flame, and slowly washed his hands with hand sanitizer to remove the lingering smell.

"So you left six years ago because you didn't want to be your grandmother's convenient tool, used to threaten and hurt Xiao Yi?" she asked.

He grunted in response.

"Was choosing to study medicine also to go abroad as soon as possible and make Xiao Yi's position as heir more secure?"

He simply gave a nonchalant "hmm".

"Settling down in Jiangdu and marrying me was also to dispel all of Xiaoyi's doubts, right?" Lin Fei felt a pang of heartache.

Liang Yanzhe looked at her intently, disagreeing with her statement: "Feiwen, you are not part of the plan."

It wasn't true from beginning to end.

This is just right; his marriage will put everyone at ease.

Lin Fei walked towards him step by step and asked, "You made a decision that satisfied everyone, but what about you, Liang Yanzhe? Who saw your pain?"

-----------------------

Author's Note: [Glasses] is a bitter gourd. Tomorrow, I'll reveal the dark past. After reading, you'll know that someone like Dr. Liang will eventually have a breakdown. (Runs away with a pot on his head)