Chapter 10 Scandal In their minds, President Liang was upright and noble, absolutely…

The next day, upon arriving at the construction site, Zhuang Fuyao made a video call to Ms. Ji and Lao Zhuang, who were overseas, and enthusiastically introduced the site:

"This is the Tang and Song Dynasty Pavilion, where you can play chess and listen to music while dining. You can also choose a famous painting to be the centerpiece of the pavilion. That's the Immortals and Heroes Pavilion, mainly based on mythological stories combined with the cultivation system..."

As she spoke, she came to another bamboo forest. "But what I put the most effort into is the Jianghu Pavilion. The scenery is all real-life landscapes, and members can be divided into three factions to experience the passionate world of martial arts firsthand..."

After these days of working overtime to make changes, she is getting closer and closer to the effect she wants.

These days, Ms. Ji and Mr. Zhuang have been traveling all over the world, and who knows which continent they've flown to now. Seeing that her parents' relationship is still so loving after sixteen years, Zhuang Fuyao felt gratified and envious. "Ms. Ji, when are you going back to China? Do you still remember the daughter you left behind in the country?"

Ji Lan smiled and said, "I'll go to Africa with your dad in a few days, and then we'll come back."

"Okay then." Zhuang Fuyao pouted. "Then be careful and remember to get vaccinated..."

Zhuang Shaoping: "Don't worry, I'll take good care of your mother. Why are you so long-winded at such a young age?"

Then Jiang Lan pinched his arm hard. He hissed and complained to his daughter, "Your mom pinched me."

"Who told you to say I'm long-winded? Ms. Ji is just getting back at me." Zhuang Fuyao laughed, watching the spectacle.

After hanging up the video call, she went to have lunch with Bagel.

Bagel is now working as a concept artist at a game company. Both of them are art students, so they have a lot to talk about when they get together. Seeing that she had recovered, Zhuang Fuyao was finally relieved, and also told Song Qing, who was still performing out of town, not to worry.

When I returned home in the afternoon, a guest came to the Liang family's house.

As soon as Zhuang Fuyao entered the door, someone took her arm. "Aunt Fu, you're back!"

The woman smiled brightly, "It's been two years since I last saw you. I didn't know if your tastes had changed, so I bought some things based on your previous preferences. They're just little trinkets, so please don't mind them, Uncle."

"Thank you for your expense, you're so thoughtful."

Zhuang Fuyao glanced at these "trinkets." The most expensive was a rare leather handbag with a premium price of nearly a million. The least conspicuous item was a piece of luxury porcelain from Italy, where even a single piece could cost tens of thousands. She couldn't guess who it was, so she smiled politely.

“It’s not worth much money. I’ve been too busy with my studies and changes in my family’s business these past two years to visit you.” Yi Han sat down and took Zhuang Fuyao’s hand to exchange pleasantries. “But I’ve been thinking about you and looking forward to going shopping and seeing exhibitions with you when I return to China.”

Aunt Yuan served tea and snacks.

Zhuang Fuyao wasn't familiar with anyone and basically only exchanged casual conversations.

Yi Han noticed the unnaturalness in Uncle Liang's hands as he made the movements, and asked with concern, "Uncle Liang, what's wrong with your hands?"

Liang Huaixu smiled and said, "I twisted it by accident, it's nothing serious."

Zhuang Fuyao was slightly speechless upon hearing his nonchalant tone.

Wearing a support belt should help with recovery, but this person took it off after only a few days. I don't know what kind of burden they were carrying.

She suddenly felt like making a sarcastic remark, "As you get older, your bones and muscles become a bit brittle."

Liang Huaixu: "..."

Liang Huaixu coughed lightly, not annoyed, and then asked about Grandpa Yi Han's health, "How has Grandpa Yi been lately?"

His surname is Yi.

Zhuang Fuyao's mind raced.

After she married Liang Huaixu, she met almost everyone who had close ties with the Liang family.

Who are some people with the surname Yi?

Thinking about it in this way, we found a clue.

The girl's eyebrows and eyes look a lot like Yi Han, the granddaughter of jewelry tycoon Yi Ziyun.

Yi Han is an important supporting character in the novel, and also Liang Chaoluo's childhood sweetheart and the daughter-in-law he prefers in the novel.

In front of some close elders, Yi Han always presents herself as a well-educated and sensible heiress from a wealthy family.

Zhuang Fuyao knew that Yi Han was not that simple.

Unlike Liang Chaoluo, who is the only grandson in the Liang family, Yi Han has nearly ten half-siblings, not to mention cousins ​​and other relatives. Growing up in this environment, Yi Han matured much earlier than her peers, becoming shrewd, worldly-wise, and adept at research. From a young age, she had a clear goal: to marry Liang Chaoluo.

The reason for this was not that she liked Liang Chaoluo that much, but rather that she valued Liang Chaoluo's status as the eldest grandson of the Liang family.

Over the years, she has won over many people around Liang Chaoluo.

Even Zhuang Fuyao sided with her.

The two colluded and used numerous tricks to drive a wedge between the male and female leads. Later, the situation reversed. Seeing that she couldn't get anything good from the Liang family, Yi Han took advantage of Zhuang Fuyao's misfortune, ruining several projects they had jointly invested in and then absconding with the money.

Thinking about how the plot would develop later, Zhuang Fuyao's attitude became much colder.

Liang Huaixu noticed this and asked after Yi Han left, "What's wrong? Weren't you talking about Yi Han the whole time?"

"Did I say that?" Zhuang Fuyao denied it, sat down, and took a sip of water.

Seeing the lipstick mark on the rim of his cup, a subtle emotion flashed through Liang Huaixu's mind. "You're holding my cup."

Zhuang Fuyao hadn't paid attention at first, but upon hearing this, she immediately frowned unhappily, "You dislike me?"

Liang Huaixu hadn't expected her to ask that. They'd already done more intimate things, so he naturally wouldn't mind; his earlier comment was just a polite reminder.

It seems inappropriate to say that I don't mind right now.

But if we're talking about dislike...

Given Zhuang Fuyao's temperament, this hurdle won't be easy to overcome.

Liang Huaixu, who is decisive in business decisions, has not shown such a solemn expression in many years.

While he was still thinking, Zhuang Fuyao casually changed the subject, "By the way, Ms. Ji's movie is showing, and I have an extra ticket. Do you want to go?"

Compared to the previous question, this question is significantly easier.

Liang Huaixu breathed a sigh of relief and agreed without much hesitation.

The afternoon before the movie, he realized what was happening and his expression turned serious.

Does "an extra ticket" mean there's one more ticket besides hers? Or does it mean there's one more ticket besides hers and Qin Zhenglin's?

If it's the former, why not invite Qin Zhenglin along?

In the latter case, is it inappropriate for the three of them to go to the movies together?

He sent Zhuang Fuyao a message, subtly implying that he might not be able to keep the appointment.

Zhuang Fuyao did not reply to the message immediately.

Liang Huaixu was so engrossed in his work that he was worried about missing her message, so he made sure to turn on his phone.

She didn't reply for a full two hours. Then Secretary Cheng came to urge us to start the meeting.

Today is reporting day, and all the managers of the five-star hotels under Changting have come from all over the country to the headquarters for a meeting.

In meetings like these, it's usually Vice President Zhu, who oversees the hotel division of the group, who speaks most often.

Liang Huaixu only needed to control the important decisions.

At a crucial moment, a hotel manager's phone vibrated a few times, prompting a reprimand from Vice President Zhu: "I've emphasized meeting discipline countless times; you must keep your phone on silent. Write a self-criticism tomorrow."

Just as he finished speaking, the conference room suddenly beeped.

This time it wasn't even a vibration.

Just as Vice President Zhu was about to lash out, the phone rang again.

"—Beep be ...."

Vice President Zhu nearly choked on his breath, "Who is it!"

All eyes turned in one direction, and Vice President Zhu looked over as well—then fell silent instantly.

"Feel sorry."

Liang Huaixu raised his hand to signal the meeting to continue, then silenced his phone and began to check messages.

Zhuang Fuyao sent more than ten messages attacking him, each one without using any profanity, but every single one of them was cursing him.

This reminded Liang Huaixu of many years ago, when they were still in university.

He had to stand her up a few times because he was called away by the teacher at the last minute, and Zhuang Fuyao bombarded him with messages to scold him.

Unlike his reserved nature, Zhuang Fuyao grew up in a loving environment and is a very expressive person. Her emotions are flamboyant and passionate, and it is very clear when she likes or dislikes someone.

These are the very people who, in the later stages of their marriages, begin to become silent, keeping everything to themselves.

They say loving someone is like tending a flower. If a once vibrant flower withers, he can't be without responsibility.

So at that time, Liang Huaixu felt very guilty and wanted her to vent her frustrations, even if it was just scolding him or even hitting him.

Seeing her send him messages cursing him now, he couldn't help but smile.

He was preparing to explain to Zhuang Fuyao, and was considering his wording.

Looking at the other end of the line, which remained silent for ages, saying "The other party is typing..."

Zhuang Fuyao took a breath and texted him: 【I'm asking one last time, are you going or not?】

Liang Huaixu's eyelids twitched, and he replied, "Go."

……..

This little incident, once it got out, sparked a heated discussion among the gossipers in the break room.

"It could be a work-related message, right?"

"I bet it's not a work message. Think about it, who wouldn't think twice before sending a message to President Liang? Why would someone send a dozen messages in a row? Putting everything else aside, take yourself as an example, when is the fastest time to send a message?"

"When you scold your boyfriend."

"Right!" Everyone smiled knowingly.

"Does that mean Changting will soon have a new boss lady? Who knows? I'm really curious about who this person is who won over President Liang."

"Who wouldn't be curious? Well, let's just wait and see."

They didn't expect to see new developments over the weekend.

There's a gossip group within Changting, a gathering place for employees' alternate accounts. One day, someone posted a photo in the group, and the group, which hadn't been active for a long time, suddenly became lively.

The man in the photo wearing a white shirt and black trousers is undoubtedly President Liang.

But who is that bright and youthful girl next to her, wearing a light yellow tank top?

Although the rumors about the new boss's wife have been circulating for a while, everyone in the group thinks it's probably not the woman in the photo.

She's so young! She looks old enough to be Mr. Liang's daughter.

The General Manager Liang they admired was upright and noble, definitely not like that.

[They're probably relatives of General Manager Liang, like nieces or grandnieces.]

[I got so excited! I thought I'd get a picture of the new boss's wife.]

Liang Chaoluo also had a secondary account lurking in there. When he saw the message, he was still working overtime at the company.

He clicked to enlarge and examined it closely, and was almost certain that he did not recognize the stylish-looking young woman.

As for the nieces and nephews mentioned in the group chat, he knew that was even more impossible.

That……

Liang Chaolu stared blankly at the photo, unable to describe the feeling in his heart.

In his memory, Lao Liang was always very strict with him, while Ms. Zhuang would secretly take him to buy toys and snacks and cause trouble everywhere. At these times, Lao Liang would scold him, and then Ms. Zhuang would scold Lao Liang in return.

So he was particularly mischievous when he was young, and had a smug sense of pride, as if he was invincible because he was under Ms. Zhuang's protection.

Later, he went abroad to study in high school, and he saw them less and less.

The relationship between Lao Liang and Ms. Zhuang gradually became less intimate and loving than he remembered.

He gradually realized that for families like theirs, a model of mutual respect and courtesy seemed to be the norm.

Many people even believe that as long as the stocks on both sides are stable, it is an implicit acceptance that their partner is having an affair.

So when he learned that Lao Liang and Ms. Zhuang were getting a divorce, he was sad but not surprised. Just like this time, despite the turmoil in his heart, he felt that this was an inevitable trend.

-

In the shopping mall

Having finally managed to get Liang Huaixu to go out, Zhuang Fuyao was certainly not satisfied with just watching a movie.

She had long wanted to try the escape room trend that's popular among young people these days, but Bagel and Song Qing, those two cowards, were too scared to go inside, saying it was too frightening.

Zhuang Fuyao thought to herself, "Escape rooms, no matter how scary, can be scarier than haunted houses?" With her persistent efforts, Liang Huaixu, that old-fashioned guy, finally agreed to play with her.

……..

"Aaaaaah, help!"

When she was being chased by the NPCs, she realized she had spoken too soon.

She perfectly embodies the phrase "both terrible at the game and loves to play".

They even picked an A-level dungeon.

So much so that she didn't dare to open her eyes fully the whole time, clinging to Liang Huaixu's clothes and hiding behind him.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew up behind me, and that eerie background music started playing beside me.

Startled, she immediately jumped onto Liang Huaixu, and the young couple who were in the same group as them weren't much better off.

In contrast to their overreaction, Liang Huaixu remained completely unfazed, so he handled many of the decryption steps with great efficiency, requiring no prompts whatsoever.

Zhuang Fuyao leaned close to his ear and asked tremblingly, "You...why aren't you afraid?"

Liang Huaixu glanced down at the shirt she had crumpled and said helplessly, "I believe in science."

fart.

Zhuang Fuyao thought to herself.

She used to be able to bolster her courage like that, but now that her soul has traveled to sixteen years in the future, how can she still believe in science?

"Then I believe you."

Before Liang Huaixu could even ponder the meaning of those words, she suddenly embraced him in a sloth-like manner.

"Let's go this way—no, how about that way instead?" Zhuang Fuyao chattered incessantly in his ear like a little bird. As she spoke, a few strands of her hair would either brush against his nose or his neck, causing a slightly uncomfortable ticklish sensation.

Worried that she would fall, he had no choice but to hold her by the waist, a position he maintained until the game was over.

After leaving the secret room, Liang Huaixu went to the restroom to tidy himself up.

Only then did I realize that she had also torn open two buttons at the top of her neckline, and a red mark from her scratch was visible on her neck, faintly visible under the collar, looking quite ambiguous.

He splashed cold water on his face, looked at his reddened ears in the mirror, and sighed.

In fact, he wasn't as calm as she imagined.

He hasn't been to a haunted house for many years, and he has lived a very simple life without experiencing any major trauma.

This time, I don't know if it's because of my age or because she was holding me, but my heart rate was very uncontrollable.

He even regretted agreeing to come to the escape room with her.

Zhuang Fuyao, who was just a wall away, wasn't as conflicted as him; she just felt excited and thrilled.

She finally got to experience the thrill of an escape room game. Recalling Liang Huaixu's performance inside, she felt that he was still as sharp as ever, not only the intellectual leader of the team but also playing a crucial role in solving the puzzles.

Even when he's holding someone with one arm, he's still so strong.