Chapter 45 His Growing Pains During the Rainy Season

His pain?

It is said that only a few people have memories of their infancy, but Liang Yanzhe clearly remembers the feeling of oxygen deprivation and suffocation at birth. It was the first time he felt pain and oppression, which seemed to foreshadow that his life would be suffocated like this from then on.

From as far back as he could remember, his mother always had bluish-purple bruises on her body. He didn't know what they were. Once, he fell down the stairs and scraped his knee, leaving a large bruise. He laughed and said that he had the same mark as his mother, but it hurt so much. He knew his mother must have been in pain too. Hearing this, his mother hugged him and burst into tears.

He later overheard from the maid that all the scars were left by his father beating his mother. He was very angry and thought they were lying.

He deliberately stayed up all night, and when his father returned home from his social engagements, he quietly went downstairs.

The father was intimately embracing a young woman when the mother stopped them, saying that he was still at home and couldn't bring outsiders into the house. The father then slapped the mother across the face.

That scene had a huge impact on him when he was only three years old.

It shattered his beautiful illusions about family and dragged him into hell.

No, it should be said that his mother created a paradise for him, but he actually lived in purgatory all along, and it took him a long time to see the true nature of things.

He became taciturn, and the scene from that night would repeat itself on countless nights to come.

His mother broke down; she hugged him and cried, saying she didn't want to live anymore.

That was the first time he learned about death, and he thought that dying was a good thing because he could be with his mother.

He wanted to be with the people who loved him, even in death.

Every time my father got into big trouble, my grandmother would come to our house, and only then would he calm down and behave for a moment.

One day, the father and grandmother were talking in the study.

The father passionately accused his grandmother of ruining his life, saying she had caused him to become like this.

Grandma extinguished her father's arrogant flames with a slap.

He seemed to know the rules of survival in this family: only his grandmother could control his father.

Before long, his grandmother found many teachers, and his time was filled up. He had to teach many classes every day, and the feeling of suffocation became even more intense—a chaotic family and difficult classes.

His mother told him that he must listen to his grandmother's arrangements and study hard, because his father had been abandoned, and only if he became a qualified heir would her life improve.

From then on, his life revolved solely around studying.

As long as he gets first place, his grandmother will support him, so he is determined to get more first place. He even persisted in playing the piano, which he hated the most, and even passed the tenth grade exam.

At first, what Grandma said had some effect on Father, but later Father took out all the anger he had suffered from Grandma on Mother.

Life got a little better when my mother was pregnant with my younger sister.

During that time, his mother had no bruises, big or small, and he finally saw her beautiful face and gentle smile.

He loves his mother and hopes she will always be this happy.

After his younger sister was born, his father became increasingly unreasonable. He resented his mother for having one child after another, believing that one day they would take him away and force his grandmother to give up on him completely.

He looked at his mother's head, which was bruised and bleeding, and her eyes were bloodshot as she struggled like a madwoman.

She didn't get a good result for herself and them.

Grandma said her mother suffered from postpartum depression and took her younger sister away.

The mother spent her days in tears and was in a daze.

He stood on the second floor watching his father flirting with his lover in the living room.

I hate my father so much, I wish he would disappear, disappear forever.

As his father's moral decline progressed, his grandmother became even stricter in disciplining him.

Perhaps heaven heard his heart's cry, for one night, the sea took his life, along with his lover who had always provoked his mother.

The house is finally quiet.

His mother was finally able to leave the port and return to her hometown. He was entrusted with the important task of becoming a qualified heir and taking good care of his younger sister.

He studied diligently and even skipped two grades in order to achieve his goal faster.

But his health deteriorated, and his grades plummeted, dropping him out of the top ten in his grade. His grandmother was furious and threatened that if he didn't focus on his studies, she wouldn't come to Hong Kong next year.

He stayed up all night studying in order to improve his grades.

Contrary to his wishes, his grades continued to decline, and he fell ill and was hospitalized.

After waking up, he took a test and was diagnosed with depression. His grandmother was even angrier when she learned of his condition and told him that the Liang family did not need a second person like his father.

On the doctor's advice, he rested for six months and no longer needed to attend any social dinners. His happiness lasted only a few days before he learned that his sister had taken over all his duties.

He panicked, fearing that his younger sister would also be suppressed by his grandmother. He actively cooperated with the treatment and worked hard to recover.

He was allowed to visit his mother in Jiangdu once.

The period between receiving the news and setting off was the happiest time for him, but after arriving in Jiangdu, his mother poured cold water on his happiness.

She tearfully asked him why he was sick, and who would protect her sister if he couldn't become the heir.

He felt that his mother had become a stranger.

But he had no choice but to get everything back on track.

He did his best to achieve that.

The day after he returned to school, his sister knocked on the door of his study.

She was dressed in a beautiful princess dress and had exquisite makeup on. He thought she had come to ask him a math question, but she coldly questioned him why he couldn't disappear from the Liang family, why he didn't stay sick, and why he had to get better and take everything away from her, making her his foil.

My sister has become so unfamiliar to me.

The home he had lived in for so long felt very unfamiliar to him.

He struggled for a long time, but when he saw the smile on his sister's face after receiving praise from their grandmother, he felt... perhaps she was more suitable to be the heir than he was.

The next day, he found his grandmother and decided to go abroad to study medicine.

Grandma understood what he meant. She was more satisfied with her younger sister, whom she had watched grow up, as her successor than with him, so she contacted schools and tutors for him.

At the age of sixteen, he finally left this hellhole.

As the plane soared into the sky, he briefly experienced what normal breathing felt like, and the suffocating feeling that had plagued him for years eased.

...

Liang Yanzhe calmly recounted a distant and lengthy past.

"Is this considered painful?" he asked.

Lin Fei was speechless.

This is more than just pain.

It is an indescribable growing pain.

In that story he once told so easily, he actually played such a tragic role.

Each of his relatives had hurt him deeply once.

“This is the environment I grew up in.” Liang Yanzhe understood that one of his sensory systems was faulty. Because he had always lived in pain, he could not feel that it was pain and could only think of it as the normal state of life.

Liang Yanzhe didn't know what other people's growth was like.

For him, growing up meant realizing that no one around him loved him, that everyone had their own agenda, and that binding them together would bring huge benefits.

Often, he couldn't empathize with the selfless love of his parents, his grandmother's care, and his family's concern that Lin Fei spoke of.

He felt mostly envy.

Even in hindsight, he realized that while watching from the sidelines, he felt an immense envy for the family's relationship.

Lin Fei felt a pang of heartache seeing Liang Yanzhe's numb expression.

Superficial comfort cannot heal his wounds.

She could now understand what lay beneath his gentleness and politeness.

A heart riddled with wounds and a numb soul.

They gaze at each other from afar, separated as if by hell and heaven.

Lin Fei released the handrail and slowly walked towards him.

"Liang Yanzhe, does it hurt?"

"I feel so much pain."

Liang Yanzhe smiled gently: "Feiwen, don't make any promises to me out of pity."

After Liang Yanyi said those words to him, he no longer had any expectations of anyone, nor did he yearn to be treated sincerely.

He concealed all his good and bad sides, becoming an empty shell of a kind-hearted person in everyone's eyes.

But he met Lin Fei, who would express her affection passionately. Not many people would do it sincerely, but he was captivated by that passion.

Others may not understand, and even when Chi Xin tore off this "fig leaf," his only thought was, so what? He already had it, didn't he?

Gradually, he realized that his mindset had changed. People are greedy, and he longed to be loved passionately, not because of his tragic past, nor because his performance met expectations.

He longed so much to be truly loved by her.

Lin Fei bit her lower lip, her thoughts exposed.

The man standing before her at this moment, Liang Yanzhe, had already traversed countless darknesses alone.

He doesn't need any pity.

Trying to say nice things, things he likes to hear, is not what he wants.

"It hurt, but it's over." Liang Yanzhe lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "Thank you for listening to me."

Lin Fei hugged him tightly, as if only in this way could she calm her chaotic emotions.

"Liang Yanzhe, I will always be by your side." Lin Fei's words were sincere. "You will always be important to me."

Liang Yanzhe smiled, his eyes narrowing, his expression particularly gentle: "Thank you."

It may take some time for them to truly get closer to each other, but Lin Fei is willing to try.

Tonight was a good start. She realized that Liang Yanzhe wasn't born with a gentle and kind nature. Beneath his glamorous exterior lay a complex mix of light and darkness. He was made up of the past, but he hadn't gone astray. She wouldn't deny that past.

-

Zhou Hui and Liang Yanyi had left sometime earlier, and the entrance hall and living room were empty.

Lin Fei glanced at the sleeping Liang Yanzhe. He had hardly slept in the past few days in Hong Kong. It was she who asked him to take a nap and that they would talk about everything after he woke up.

The early summer morning was still cool. Lin Fei took a glass of iced juice from the refrigerator, sat in the rocking chair in front of the French windows, watched the rain, and drank it down sip by sip. Finally, he found the thread of his chaotic thoughts and slowly sorted it out.

At seven o'clock in the morning, Lin Fei called Liang Yanyi.

After ringing more than ten times, Zhou Hui answered the phone.

"Sister-in-law? Why are you calling so early?" Zhou Hui's voice was hoarse, indicating that he had just woken up.

Lin Fei asked, "Is Xiao Yi feeling better?"

“I was worried last night, so I contacted my mom as soon as I got home. Miss Zhong brought my mom over, and she felt much better with my mom by her side. My mom even slept with her last night.” Zhou Hui smiled a little bitterly. “She’s very sensitive and almost always sleeps alone. If someone is with her, she either sleeps very lightly or has trouble falling asleep. I didn’t expect her to sleep so soundly with my mom by her side.”

"You're not even jealous of your mother, are you?" Lin Fei couldn't help but chuckle.

Zhou Hui chuckled softly for a moment: "Yes and no, my feelings are very complicated."

"Don't think too much. If Mom can recover from her nervous breakdown, she won't wake up startled when you sleep next to her anymore. Wouldn't that be great?" Lin Fei comforted Zhou Hui before getting back to business. "We're going back to Jiangdu tomorrow. Mom can stay as long as she wants. Zhong Shuyu will help cover for her. I'm short on time. I want to see Xiao Yi. I know she's not doing well, and maybe seeing her will help her a lot."

Zhou Hui paused for a moment, then said, "Okay, I'll take her there at noon?"

"No, just give me the address. I'll go there now. I want to get home before Liang Yanzhe wakes up." Lin Fei felt that there were some things she was better suited to say than Liang Yanzhe.

Without saying a word, Zhou Hui sent his location.

Lin Fei took a long-handled umbrella from the entrance and went out.

Liang Yanyi and Zhou Hui's wedding room was a bit far, a 20-minute drive, and it was raining, so the road was a little congested.

Ruan Huilin opened the door for Lin Fei. Her eyes were tired, but she had a happy smile on her face.

She probably wanted to spend time with her daughter like this a long time ago.

"Have you had breakfast?" Ruan Huilin took the umbrella, put it in the umbrella holder, and pulled Lin Fei inside.

Zhou Hui brought two bowls of dumplings out of the kitchen and said, "I sent the aunt away. My cooking skills are so-so, but this will have to do."

Ruan Huilin said with a smile, "I'll make you some noodles. Sit down and rest for a while."

Sitting at the dining table, Lin Fei felt a little guilty, thinking that it wasn't right to just leave Liang Yanzhe behind and eat alone outside.

The dumplings and noodles smelled so good that Lin Fei couldn't resist and ate until she was nine-tenths full.

Zhou Hui joked, "You're just here for breakfast, aren't you?"

"Mom made it for me, so I'll eat it." Lin Fei stuffed a big mouthful into his mouth.

At this moment, Liang Yanyi came out of the bedroom, wearing a blue silk long-sleeved nightgown, her hair slightly messy and unkempt.

The sense of realism has increased considerably, and Lin Fei still prefers Liang Yanyi, who has a more down-to-earth feel.

Liang Yanyi pushed open the study door and looked at Lin Fei abruptly: "Didn't you want to talk to me about something? Come in."

"Here it is." Lin Fei took a plate of fruit slices with him before leaving.

Fruit after meals is essential.

As expected of the heir's study, it features a large solid wood desk, towering bookshelves, and a luxurious and elegant leather sofa in the center.

Liang Yanyi sat down on the single sofa: "Make yourself at home."

Lin Fei placed the fruit slices in front of Liang Yanyi: "Have some before we talk. I'd like to take a look around your study."

Liang Yanyi felt ashamed, thinking that Lin Fei was really too generous and unceremonious.

The obscure and difficult books completely stifled Lin Fei's burgeoning curiosity.

From afar, it looks magnificent and imposing, but up close, it's surprisingly sexy!

"Eat faster, you're so slow." Lin Fei glanced at Liang Yanyi, who hadn't moved.

Liang Yanyi could only stuff a few slices of pear into her mouth.

Seeing that they had almost finished eating, Lin Fei sat down on the leather sofa and asked directly, "What's your solution?"

"A solution?" Liang Yanyi hadn't really thought of one. "There isn't one for now."

Lin Fei forked a slice of apple and smiled slightly: "If the problem is hard to solve, then solve the person who created the problem."

"The one who...caused the problem?" Liang Yanyi's eyes widened. "Sister-in-law...are you crazy?"

Everyone knows who is responsible for this situation.

"I'm serious." Lin Fei looked earnestly at Liang Yanyi. "Don't you have confidence?"

Liang Yanyi hadn't recovered yet; Lin Fei's idea was too audacious, something she had never considered before.

However, Liang Yanyi quickly calmed down and considered the feasibility.

“There are many old directors in the Liang family, and most of them protect Grandma. That’s why she has been able to stand firm in the Liang family.” Liang Yanyi pursed her lips. “It’s difficult to sideline her.”

"Find allies, who are on good terms with those old directors? Win them over slowly. You're better at this than I am, right?" Lin Fei didn't know much about the Liang family, but she believed in an age-old truth—there are no permanent allies, only permanent interests.

Liang Yanyi slowly raised her eyes: "You want me to win over Liang Yanting?"

"It seems her position in the Liang family does pose a threat to you," Lin Fei said. "Are you capable?"

She added, "As long as that troublemaking old woman is dealt with, you, Liang, will be in charge. I can see her whenever I want, and no one can keep dangling a carrot in front of me anymore."

Liang Yanyi was often rendered speechless by Lin Fei's metaphors; though the language was rough, the reasoning was sound. She said, "I'll give it a try."

The future Lin Fei described was extremely tempting to her.

"Alright, I just came here to encourage you to go all out. It's about time to head back." Lin Fei noticed that it was almost time, took the breakfast that Ruan Huilin had packed, and happily went back to the apartment to find Liang Yanzhe.

Zhou Hui kept his eyes on Liang Yanyi as she came out of the study, observing her condition.

"Don't look at me like that, okay?" Liang Yanyi sat down and said to Ruan Huilin next to her, "Mom, I want to eat noodles."

"Okay, Mom will make it for you, and add an egg." Ruan Huilin smiled and went into the kitchen first, making room for the young couple.

Zhou Hui squeezed next to Liang Yanyi, nudged her with his elbow, and whispered, "What did your sister-in-law say to you?"

"Guess." Liang Yanyi stuffed a dumpling into her mouth, letting him press his whole body against hers.

Zhou Hui pondered: "For example, I would ask you to love me more and treat me better."

“Your sister-in-law isn’t that kind of bored person.” Liang Yanyi picked up a dumpling and stuffed it into his mouth. “And don’t try to make yourself look good.”

Zhou Hui grinned and wrapped his arm around Liang Yanyi's waist. "Wife, how about I sleep with you tonight? It's been half a month since we slept in the same bed."

Liang Yanyi turned her head and glanced at Zhou Hui, who was flirting with her: "Hmm."

"My dear wife is so good. Let me feed you. These precious hands are only suitable for signing contracts. How can you eat by yourself?" Zhou Hui was just like a treacherous minister flattering the emperor.

There were other people at home, so Liang Yanyi pushed Zhou Hui's head away and scolded him to behave himself.

-

When the plane landed in Jiangdu, Lin Fei felt as if she had been reborn. Gangdu was a place that was incompatible with her, and she would never go there again if she could avoid it.

Some time after the New Year, late spring arrived and early summer came. Jiangdu officially entered the rainy season, with loud thunder and endless rain outside.

But the rain in the port city is not as annoying.

Liang Yanzhe scheduled his shifts for the afternoon, while Lin Fei stayed in his study drawing design drafts.

She had just sat down when Zhong Shuyu called.

"Miss Zhong, what can I do for you?" Lin Fei hadn't even had a chance to properly thank her before answering the phone.

Zhong Shuyu screamed in despair, "Lin Shufei, you used me and then left, didn't you! You left without a word, didn't you! You wicked woman!"

"I'm in a hurry, please understand." Lin Fei smiled. Luckily, it was on speakerphone, otherwise he would have gone deaf.

Zhong Shuyu: "Not even a little bit?"

"I'll treat you to a meal next time I have the chance." Lin Fei, far away in Hong Kong, could make empty promises as he pleased.

"Fine, fine, you said it yourself." Zhong Shuyu sensed the perfunctory attitude, gritted her teeth, and vowed to make Lin Fei pay for this.

Lin Fei was very good at sweet-talking people, and said, "I've been busy at the shop lately, preparing new products and finding new orders for my grandmother. After I'm done with all that, I'd like to invite you to stay in Jiangdu for a while and personally entertain you, okay?"

"Okay! I've got it."

The young lady finally adopted a sweet and coquettish tone, no longer being aggressive.

I revised the design draft from beginning to end until late at night, until I felt wronged, until I broke down, until I didn't want to do it anymore.

I've decided not to open the drawing software for the next week.

If it were just a hobby, she wouldn't feel so much pressure, but the thought of selling it puts a strange pressure on her.

Liang Yanzhe is working the night shift and won't be going home tonight. Lin Fei is bored staying home alone, so she went back to Chunxi before dark, planning to stay overnight and maybe find some inspiration.

The coffee shop across from the courtyard was quite lively. Lin Fei went inside and asked Aunt Ruo what was going on.

“The neighborhood office has been very busy lately, and Xiao Qiao has been working overtime day and night for a month. Now she wants to resign, but Jiang Hua can’t persuade her to stay, so he can only ask Shui Ying for help,” Aunt Ruo sighed.

Lin Fei asked with a smile, "Aunt Ruo, don't you sigh a bit about how young people these days can't handle the pressure?"

“The pressure on young people today is different from the pressure we used to face. With the rapid development of the times, you are under even more pressure than we were. Aunt Ruo is not one of those old-fashioned people. Of course, my thinking needs to be updated as I follow you to open this trendy intangible cultural heritage shop.” Aunt Ruo said proudly, “I am learning new knowledge every day.”

Before Lin Fei could even praise Aunt Ruo, a neighbor rushed over in a panic, interrupting them.

The neighbor entered the coffee shop across the street and shouted, "Ahua, Ahua, the rain is too heavy, there's a landslide and mudslide, the streets and roads leading to the city are all blocked."

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The author says: [Poor thing] This is the past of Big Bitter Gourd, and also why he is so persistent in non-fiction.

Let's count down to madness!

Still 66!