A_Ray_of_Light

Years later, the people of Yucheng still regard the bygone scandal of the aristocratic family as an after-dinner topic.
A cunning woman of the streets ascended to the summit of society, becoming the esteemed lady of a high-priced aristocratic family. 
She was addicted to gambling, once accumulating millions in debts.
Her demeanor was worldly and vulgar, known as a prominent socialite.
Yet, Gu Hansheng still favored her.
Until, this femme fatale of the century dug her own grave, causing the demise of Mr. Gu's beloved, the White Moonlight.
Henceforth, she vanished from Yucheng without a trace.
People say: "Blood debts must be repaid with blood, and death settles it all."
No one knew that night became a thorn in Gu Hansheng's heart.
On the snowy streets, a woman wrapped in a coat stood trembling beneath neon lights, delicately reaching for the car door.
The window lowered, a man gazed at her, softly laughing: "Madam Gu, there is no one in this world more cold-hearted and ruthless than you."
She grasped the door handle, lips pallid, face filled with grievance, "Hansheng, I'm cold."

The dead are colder than you.

The black silhouette departed into the night.

In the rearview mirror, snowflakes fluttered like tattered fragments, nearly engulfing the woman's shoulders.

In later recollections, in the midnight reveries, Mr. Gu could always hear her saying, "Hansheng, I'm cold."

The most missed when departing

Since that evening, she hadn't seen Gu Hansheng again.

However, Ji Chen had visited once last night, specifically looking for her.

At that time, Liang Shu was nestled in a single armchair by the French window, gazing at him, waiting for him to speak.

Ji Chen was immaculately dressed in a suit and leather shoes. "The servant informed me, Miss Liang, that you've been staying in your room all week. Yusun Villa is so vast, you could go out for a stroll."

She was languid, not very inclined to converse. "Is that your agreement as well?"

Liang Shu narrowed her eyes, turning to gaze at the night outside the window, somewhat cryptically, "I wouldn't dare. I'm afraid he might break my legs."

Pausing for a moment, she added, "Besides, I'm feeling quite dizzy. I don't really want to go out."

Seeing Ji Chen not responding, Liang Shu stared at him, "If you've only come to discuss this matter, you may leave. I'll be leaving tomorrow anyway, there's no need for this."

Ji Chen placed the bag in his hand on the low table in front of her, nodding, "Inside are two hundred thousand in cash. Mr. Gu specially instructed me to bring it to you as compensation."

Liang Shu glanced at it, muttering somewhat disdainfully, "It's so heavy, I don't know how I'll carry it tomorrow..."

"Of course, you can also choose to refuse."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liang Shu quickly approached and hugged the package to her chest, a smile curling her lips, "Then please thank your master for his kindness on my behalf."

Disgust and sarcasm gathered in Ji Chen's eyes, as thick as the night outside the French window.

He turned and left, almost reaching the door when he was called back by the woman.

Turning back, he saw Liang Shu sitting on the sofa, chin propped on her hand, asking him, "I want to know, is the one seriously ill, Gu Hansheng's lover?"

Ji Chen smirked, "That's none of your concern."

Liang Shu clicked her tongue, turned her head away, and ignored him.

The next morning, she got up early to pack and carried the package downstairs.

The villa's servants were kind to her. Seeing her carrying something heavy, one hurried forward, "Miss Liang, let me help."

Liang Shu waved her hand, "No need."

With that, she squatted down, unzipped the bag, and took out a stack of cash, handing it to the servant in front of her, "Mrs. Li, you've been so good to me these past two weeks, serving me delicious food and drinks every day. Thank you for your hard work. Use this to buy some treats for yourselves."

The servant dared not accept, quickly refusing.

Liang Shu simply placed the money on the coffee table, "I'm leaving now. Goodbye."

Mrs. Li was about to chase after her with the money, but Liang Shu turned back and smiled, "Take good care of the person in the villa."

It wasn't easy to get a taxi in the villa area. Impatient to leave, she hadn't eaten breakfast, feeling somewhat anemic, and becoming dizzy after walking for a while.

She had no choice but to use a pricey taxi app on her phone.

For the past two weeks, Gu Hansheng had confiscated all her communication devices. Her phone had only been returned to her this morning.

There were many missed calls inside, almost all from unfamiliar numbers.

It was a blessing in disguise, at least for the past two weeks she had peace.

The servant called Gu Hansheng to report that Liang Shu had left money in the villa.

Upon asking the amount and the purpose, Gu Hansheng coldly scoffed, "She is generous indeed."

Back at her residence, Liang Shu collapsed into bed, preparing to rest up for the night's activities.

When she woke up, it was dusk, and the old-fashioned lattice glass windows were tinted in shades of crimson outside.

Inside, her phone rang incessantly.

She grabbed the thing that disturbed her sleep, took a look, and answered the call, holding her forehead, "Aunt."

Chapter 8: Compensation