Chapter 54 Whispering (Part 2) A Fierce Kiss

"Speaking of which, last time I accompanied my sister to Jiang University for a promotional event, I met her ex-husband, who was quite different from what I had imagined."

Shu Run: "How is it different?"

"They both look much older than their actual age. Like the older sister, if she didn't say it herself, who would guess that she's thirty-eight?"

Song Qing added, "Of course, I don't mean that thirty-eight is old. I think women have different levels of charm at every age. I just think that you look very young in every way..."

She thought for a moment and then said, "But I can understand. Money can sustain a person. If I were as rich as my sister, my biggest problem would probably be having too much money and not knowing what to do with it."

Shu Run nodded in agreement, thinking that besides being rich, amnesia must also be a reason.

Some time ago, after Liang Chaoluo asked her about Sister Fuyao, he was particularly shocked and seemed not to believe that the person she described was his mother.

Not long after that, she learned from Liang Chaoluo that Sister Fuyao had lost her memory. For unknown reasons, Sister Fuyao had lost more than ten years of her memories.

Looking back on her relationship with Tony Leung.

Liang Chaoluo has always been in a superior position, making decisions for her, controlling the pace of their relationship, being assertive and brooking no argument. Occasionally, he will try to coax her, but only if he has done something wrong.

Just like last time when he came to coax her because of Yi Han's matter, it was because he had done something wrong, and she had ignored him for a few days, so he threw off his burdens and took the initiative to come to her to apologize.

A proud person like Liang Chaoluo is surprisingly childlike in front of his parents. He will argue with his family, throw tantrums, and cry when he is sad. She was stunned when she first saw him cry.

Liang Chaoluo hates the authoritarianism and constraints at home, but he loves his parents very much. He racks his brains to come up with birthday gifts for them, makes handmade gifts for Mother's Day, and is happy for days because of a single compliment from his parents...

She could sense that Liang Chaoluo loved her, but between her and his family, he would definitely choose his family, just as he said that day, "I have responsibilities to bear, and I can't gamble everything on love."

Although Shu Run had never met Sister Fuyao before, she was able to construct a general image of her from Liang Chaoluo's few words.

Analyzing from various perspectives, she felt that her previous feelings were correct, and that Sister Fuyao and Uncle Liang before she lost her memory should have opposed her relationship with Liang Chaoluo.

After a moment of reverie, Song Qing brought her thoughts back to the present.

"Bagel, we look so beautiful!"

She chose a light blue dress, not a traditional Hanfu, but the kind of clothing worn by immortal sects in TV dramas. The overall effect was very similar to that of a senior sister in an immortal sect.

Bagel was wearing a pink Tang Dynasty-style ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a high waist, looking incredibly cute and sweet.

If she hadn't been wearing makeup, Song Qing would have wanted to pinch it with her hands.

……

In the evening, a royal banquet will be held at the Tang and Song Pavilion.

Knowing they would be coming, Zhuang Fuyao specially reserved good seats for them.

However, she was busy with many things and couldn't be with them all the time, so she apologized and said she could only come over later to have dinner with them.

"It's okay, sister, you go ahead and do your work. There are two of us here, so we're not lonely."

"We're just here to show our support, Mr. Zhuang, go ahead and get busy! Don't worry about us."

Zhuang Fuyao laughed and said, "Okay, I'll come back later."

She had to oversee the performances and coordination of the palace banquet.

After working for half an hour and just finishing giving instructions, I saw Huang Jiayu bring a foreigner over.

Although wearing Hanfu is a bit out of place, it doesn't detract from his handsomeness; he exudes the mature and gentlemanly air.

"Fu Bao!" Upon seeing her cousin, Huang Jiayu broke free from her boyfriend's hand, approached her, and handed her an exquisite gift box. "This is a gift for you."

"Thank you, sister!" Zhuang Fuyao exclaimed with delight, and gave Huang Jiayu a cheek kiss.

Just as she was about to open the gift, Huang Jiayu stopped her, "Wait...wait a minute, this gift isn't really suitable to be opened here."

Zhuang Fuyao: "What's wrong?"

Huang Jiayu whispered something in her sister's ear.

"…………"

Zhuang Fuyao felt a little hot after hearing this, and glared at her cousin, saying, "How can someone give such a gift!"

Huang Jiayu revealed a knowing smile, "Don't underestimate it, I guarantee it will make Liang Huaixu kneel at your feet."

Zhuang Fuyao quickly glanced around, thankfully no one else was there.

Huang Jiayu raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of which, you still haven't said whether the method I taught you last time worked or not. So, did you manage to sleep with her?"

Zhuang Fuyao raised an eyebrow and glanced in the direction of her cousin's boyfriend.

Huang Jiayu: "It's okay, he doesn't understand Chinese."

Zhuang Fuyao felt relieved, looked away, and smiled, "I still won't tell you."

Huang Jiayu chuckled and snorted, "Still not telling me all the things you've done since you were a child? I know everything you've done. Have you forgotten what you were like when you were little..."

She paused for a moment, then her smile widened. "Even if you didn't say it, I know. Looking so radiant, you must have gotten what you wanted, and I reckon Liang Huaixu must be pretty good."

"Ahhh, keep your voice down!" She quickly covered Huang Jiayu's mouth. Although only the two of them and Huang Jiayu's foreign boyfriend were nearby, it was still too embarrassing to talk about this in public.

In front of Liang Huaixu, Zhuang Fuyao was the one who spoke her mind directly, and Liang Huaixu often blushed when she teased him.

But when she was in front of her cousin Huang Jiayu, she seemed to lack skill.

She fanned the heat from her face and asked, somewhat defiantly, "Shouldn't you introduce the person you brought?"

Huang Jiayu's expression instantly became unnatural.

Zhuang Fuyao smiled and narrowed her eyes, "You wouldn't happen to be that person who's been searching the whole world for someone, would you?"

Huang Jiayu: "..."

This is a long story, and based on her previous dating patterns, it would never last more than three months.

But Bruce was an exception. Perhaps he was too handsome, so much so that during the months she hid from him on the island, she missed him very much. In the end, she couldn't bear it anymore and thought that it wouldn't hurt to date for another three months.

In any case, she is not at a disadvantage in terms of appearance, family background, or even size.

Under her cousin's meaningful gaze, she called Bruce over, "Bruce, this is my sister, even closer than a biological sister."

Zhuang Fuyao felt a little uncomfortable greeting her cousin's boyfriend in the way foreigners usually do, so she just wanted to shake his hand politely.

Bruce looked at the outstretched hand, unsure of its meaning, and turned to Huang Jiayu for help.

"Duh! It means you should shake hands." After saying that, she explained the meaning of shaking hands and how to do it.

Bruce has noble blood from another country, and his growth has been accompanied by flowers and applause. In short, no one dares to say that he is stupid.

Even after being scolded by Huang Jiayu, he wasn't angry. He wore a humble smile, gently shook the lady's hand, and spoke in English, "Hello, I'm Bruce, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Zhuang Fuyao smiled and said, "Hello, Zhuang Fuyao."

After Zhuang Fuyao led them to meet Shu Run and Song Qing, she prepared to call Liang Huaixu over for a meal.

As soon as she stepped into the Jianghu Pavilion, a waiter came over and secretly complained to her.

She had arranged for this waiter to serve Liang Huaixu, and she hadn't hidden her relationship with Liang Huaixu from the waiter.

The waiter, as if completing a top-secret mission, first cautiously glanced around to make sure it was safe before saying, "Mr. Zhuang, two girls just came to ask your boyfriend for his WeChat."

Zhuang Fuyao's expression was quite interesting, even gossipy. "What was his reaction?"

“The straw curtain was covering it, so I couldn’t see it, but judging from the girl’s expression after she came out, she probably didn’t get it.” The waiter thought for a moment and then said, “After the first girl went in rashly, he pulled the straw curtain open, but from my perspective, the girl was blocking him, so I couldn’t see anything.”

"Okay, I understand, thank you."

Zhuang Fuyao couldn't help but laugh as she walked towards the Jianghu Pavilion.

Out of the corner of his eye, Liang Huaixu noticed someone else approaching, and a hint of impatience flashed across his face. He was about to speak when he saw that it was Zhuang Fuyao, and his impatience instantly disappeared, replaced by a gentle expression. "Finished with your work?"

As he spoke, he subtly observed the expression on her face.

This is her territory. He probably can't hide the fact that a girl just came over to chat him up from her, and he's worried she'll be angry.

Zhuang Fuyao showed no unusual expression. "A friend of mine is coming over. Shall we go have dinner together?"

"Can."

Qingfeng Pavilion was very large. He hesitated for a long time before revealing how far it was from Jianghu Pavilion to Tangsong Pavilion.

When they were almost at the Tang and Song Pavilion, he finally couldn't hold back any longer. He thought to himself, even if she didn't ask, he would have to take the initiative to confess.

"Fufu, I have something to tell you."

"What?"

He paused for a few seconds, then said, "Two girls just came to me asking for my contact information, but I didn't give it to them. I told them I'm married."

Zhuang Fuyao was somewhat surprised.

She didn't expect him to be referring to this; it's actually quite normal for people of the opposite sex to ask for her contact information.

It's likely that Liang Huaixu didn't expect anyone to come in even with the straw curtain drawn, so he simply opened it, at least to prove his innocence should anything happen.

If that's the case, then four men have already asked her for her contact information today...

“It’s okay, I believe you.” She said in a very open-minded tone. “Let’s go, my friend is still waiting for us.”

Her nonchalant attitude didn't relieve Liang Huaixu; instead, it made him feel uneasy.

I used to be afraid of making her angry, but now I feel like it would be better if she were angry.

When he played golf with those guys, he often heard them complaining that their wives were always trying to find ways to check their phones and even secretly installing GPS trackers in their cars.

He now suspects that those couples are deliberately showing off their affection in front of him, wondering why he doesn't receive the same treatment.

He frowned, thinking that he must find time to learn from them.

-

Over at the Tang and Song Pavilion, her friends were all sitting together.

Song Qing and Cheng Fan were having a lively conversation when they saw Zhuang Fuyao arrive with her ex-husband.

She asked in a low voice, "Have you met Sister Fuyao's ex-husband before?"

"No." Cheng Fan glanced over there, then changed his mind after two seconds, "Oh yes, but it was when I was little. I was too young to remember much. He was Fu Yao's boyfriend back then, and I vaguely remember him as a very friendly older brother."

"..."

Song Qing always subconsciously considered herself and her sister to be of the same generation, so when she heard Cheng Fan say that he was still young at that time, she was taken aback.

By all accounts, she's actually a little younger than Cheng Fan!

"President Liang!" Huang Jiayu called out first.

Liang Huaixu nodded. Those who knew him greeted each other familiarly, and even Bruce, whom he was meeting for the first time, was very enthusiastic.

Only Shurun ​​remained silent, her head bowed like a little quail.

It was a large round table. Liang Huaixu's gaze slowly moved over it, pausing slightly when it reached Shu Run's table.

He roughly guessed who the other person was.

Feeling a faint gaze upon her, Shu Run nervously twisted her toes.

"Bagu" Song Qing mentioned something funny and called her twice before Shu Run responded.

Shu Run suddenly looked up, "Huh?"

"What’s wrong with you?"

"fine"

Shu Run shook her head, her heart pounding erratically. She had always been like this; the more she wanted others' approval, the more nervous she became. Her aunt and uncle's words echoed in her mind like a mantra.

"Don't be silly. Someone with his conditions is just playing around with you. You're 22 years old now, not young anymore. How much longer are you going to waste on your boyfriend?"

"You were so sure of yourself in front of us before, saying that you and your boyfriend were truly in love. Now it's been almost half a year since you graduated. If it's true love, why hasn't your boyfriend proposed to you?"

“Runrun, let’s not set our sights so high. We’re just kids from an ordinary family. The right thing to do is to find a man with a decent income and a stable job while we’re still young. Your aunt has been through this, she won’t lie to you.”

“You’ve always been naive. Your uncle and I gritted our teeth and supported you through university, not so you could be deceived by others.”

Shu Run didn't feel that being with Liang Chaoluo was a waste of her youth, but being nagged by her aunt and uncle every day inevitably affected her mindset. Especially since the past six months had been a transitional period from being a student to entering society.

Flowers grown in a greenhouse are always ill-suited to the harsh realities of nature.

When I was in college, everything seemed wonderful. But after graduation, or rather, after my grandmother passed away a couple of years ago, my uncle and aunt started to show their true colors.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, it subtly implied how much money they had spent on her education over the years, without mentioning the money her mother had entrusted to them before her death.

Faced with constant pressure from her family, the downturn in the original art industry due to the impact of AI, and instability in her relationship, she became confused and lost much of her courage.

"Bagel," Zhuang Fuyao suddenly called out to her.

Shu Run looked over and responded.

Zhuang Fuyao introduced her, "This is Chaoluo's father."

After saying that, she said to Liang Huaixu, "This is Shu Run."

Liang Huaixu nodded slightly, "We met last time."

His tone was very flat, with almost no inflection, but Shu Run felt that there was something more to his words.

Shu Run only found out later that when she got drunk at the bar last time, it was Uncle Liang who sent someone to take her and Song Qing home.

In the eyes of many older generations with traditional values, bars are considered improper places.

Does Uncle Liang share this view? Is he indirectly expressing his dissatisfaction?

She was so nervous that her lips turned pale. "Hello, Uncle Liang."

Zhuang Fuyao had originally intended for Liang Huaixu and Shu Run to get to know each other better. But seeing that Shu Run's expression was off, and not knowing why, she changed the subject.

Accompanied by the sound of a guzheng, "palace maids" and "court officials" came out to serve dishes, simulating an ancient imperial banquet.

Even the lighting lacks any modern elements, featuring only handcrafted table lamps, wall lamps, and ornate palace lanterns constructed from a mixture of fine wood, silk, and glass.

The lights were dazzling, and guests were drinking and chatting happily, creating a lively atmosphere.

Midway through, Zhuang Fuyao sent Shu Run a message to check on her, asking if she was feeling unwell.

Shu Run was a little annoyed. She knew that this year was the opening of Qingfeng Pavilion, and everyone else was quite natural and enthusiastic, but she was the only one eating in silence. She felt that she was such a spoilsport.

During their conversation, she wanted to interject many times, but she swallowed her words back, worried that she might say the wrong thing.

Unfortunately, she couldn't tell Sister Fuyao about this directly. Just like Sister Fuyao said before, she and Liang Chaoluo maintained their own relationship, but she still called her "sister."

They may get along well, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll become mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. However, in a family like the Liang family, the requirements for friends and daughters-in-law are definitely different.

Shu Run: [I feel a little tightness in my chest, but it's nothing, I'll feel better after a while.]

Zhuang Fuyao: [Do you need to go back and rest early? I'll have the driver take you.]

Shu Run: [No need, no need, I'm much better now.]

Zhuang Fuyao: [It's alright, I'm so glad you came. If you're not feeling well, you should go back first.]

Shu Run: [Really, there's no need for a hug.]

Her refusal was so firm that Zhuang Fuyao had nothing more to say.

Still unable to put her mind at ease, she logged out and sent a message to Song Qing to ask about the situation.

Song Qing: [I don't know either. She was fine when we were putting on makeup, but she seemed off during dinner. Could she have had a fight with Liang Chaoluo?]

Zhuang Fuyao: [This little brat...]

Even so, she didn't ask Liang Chaoluo anymore.

If it's a couple arguing, it's not appropriate for her to get involved given her status.

During the meal, Zhuang Fuyao observed Shu Run for a long time before finally discovering a flaw in her demeanor.

She sat with Liang Huaixu. When Shu Run's eyes were glazed over, she would look around, sometimes at her, sometimes at the person next to her, and sometimes at other people.

The only exception was Liang Huaixu.

Liang Huaixu's reaction to his future daughter-in-law was lukewarm. Generally, in such situations, elders would politely ask the younger generation some questions, just like Liang Huaixu asked Yi Han last time.

But aside from saying "We've met before" when they first met, he didn't say anything else.

Nearby, Liang Huaixu and Bruce were having a pleasant conversation, so she didn't find a chance to ask Liang Huaixu about it.

She didn't get her chance until after Qingfeng Pavilion closed.

It's not convenient for Mr. Peng to be in his car.

In order to have some alone time, she pulled Liang Huaixu into her car.

They had changed back into casual clothes by now. She sat on his lap, playing with his armband as she asked, "Don't you really like Shurun?"

"No." His voice, mellow from the alcohol, carried a gentle warmth.

"You still say no? You've scared her."

Liang Huaixu's tone carried a hint of helplessness, "Fufu, I only said one sentence to her."

"The problem lies in this one sentence: she's Chaoluo's girlfriend, and who knows, she might even be your daughter-in-law in the future. Aren't you a little curious?"

"I'm not curious about anything."

"..."

With this attitude, they still have the nerve to say they don't dislike it.

Zhuang Fuyao had a stern face and looked like she was about to get up from him, but he held her down with his palm.

Liang Huaixu's gaze fell on her slightly pouting lips, which expressed her dissatisfaction, and he sighed, "I am indeed worried that she is not up to the task of being Liang's daughter-in-law."

"Incompetent?" Zhuang Fuyao's tone was somewhat sharp. "What level do you expect your Liang family's daughters-in-law to reach? Do they need to take an exam? The kind where only those with high scores can get in?"

Liang Huaixu frowned, not caring about her aggressive tone, but about her earlier statement that drew a line between them: "your Liang family."

He hugged her tighter, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Talking about their business, how did it get me involved?"

Zhuang Fuyao snorted lightly, her tone not very friendly, "I don't have any memories of the past ten years or so. If you really count, Shu Run and I are the same age, we just graduated from university not long ago. My family is just a middle-class family, not as wealthy as your Liang family, and we won't use the rich wife's tricks to help you maintain your relationship."

Liang Huaixu: "You are different from her."

Zhuang Fuyao: "How is it different?"

Having spent time with Shu Run these past few days, Zhuang Fuyao genuinely felt that Shu Run was a very good girl and truly considered her a good friend. She was always protective of her good friends, and now she was determined to have a serious discussion with Liang Huaixu about it.

Liang Huaixu was somewhat at a loss, as this was a difficult question to answer.

Given Liang Huaixu's personality, if she throws a tantrum, he will simply accept it all and gently let it go.

To solve problems, good communication is essential.

Zhuang Fuyao pulled Liang Huaixu's head off her shoulder. "I know what you're talking about. These are things that can be learned. I think the other person's character and the foundation of their relationship are more important than these things."

As for the rich woman's line, she only said she didn't know it because she was deliberately trying to provoke him; in reality, she's already quite adept at it.

Having previously worked alongside Ms. Ji in the entertainment industry, she'd seen it all, even if she hadn't personally experienced it. Not to mention, she also had memories of the months following her marriage to Liang Huaixu.

She then put her hand on his shoulder, her tone softening, "What do you think rich wives' social life is all about? It's nothing more than comparing themselves to others—who snagged which rare handbag, who received the most expensive jewelry, and the older ones compare their children." A hint of amusement flickered in her eyes as she added, "Besides that, it's all about complaining about their husbands' incompetence, saying they couldn't do it themselves in a few minutes, or keeping a younger, richer man on the side..."

Liang Huaixu's eyes darkened slightly. "You guys are still talking about this?"

"Otherwise, what did you think?" Sensing the dangerous glint in the man's gaze, she quickly added, "Of course, the talk about keeping a young man is just casual banter. Their husbands are quite strict, especially in some older man-younger woman relationships. They have to keep a close eye on their young and beautiful wives..."

Hearing this, Liang Huaixu felt inexplicably anxious, especially the phrase "old man, young wife".

Although they are the same age physically.

But in terms of mindset, isn't it also a case of an older man marrying a younger woman?

Watching his girlfriend chatter on and on, he really wanted a cigarette to ease his inner turmoil. But she was still there, and he couldn't let her inhale secondhand smoke, so he could only let his anxiety surge.

He asked in an ambiguous tone, "Did Fufu also join in the banter?"

Huh? Zhuang Fuyao thought to herself, how old was she back then? She wasn't even that old yet.

He mistook her stunned silence for hesitation.

In the dim light of the parking lot, his facial features were half-lit and half-shadowed, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

Like a whirlpool luring her in, she would be swallowed up if she wasn't careful.

He slowly rubbed his palm, revealing a casual tenderness, which seemed like a tender moment.

He suddenly tightened his grip around her waist and kissed her forcefully.