Chapter 85: The Phone Call

In late October 2013, Lu Jinsheng once tasked his assistant with obtaining a SIM card, and he also purchased a new mobile phone specifically for this SIM card.

This phone had only one contact.

And only a select few knew the number associated with it.

Over the course of three years.

This phone never lacked power, yet it never emitted a single sound.

On a certain early morning at the end of 2016, this phone uttered its first melody of life.

Awoken by the ringing, Lu Jinsheng had barely fallen asleep for two to three hours.

What was he doing after leaving the hospital yesterday?

He was sitting in the car, smoking.

One cigarette after another.

Until the confined compartment was filled with the strong scent of smoke, squeezing out any remaining air, making it nearly unbearable for anyone to stay inside.

Nevertheless, Lu Jinsheng sat amidst such intense fumes for quite some time, yet the taste of nicotine could only numb the body, not the nerves.

Certain images became increasingly vivid, and in that moment, he glimpsed the past.

That year, he was twenty years old.

At this age, most peers were still on university campuses studying certain tedious theoretical knowledge, preparing for various challenging subjects.

Perhaps they were complaining about exams being too difficult, their minds not sharp enough.

Or perhaps they were worrying about what to have for lunch today, how to get through the evening classes.

But at that time, Lu Jinsheng had already settled into the Lu family, becoming one of the key decision-makers in the upper echelons of the Lu clan.

The family business never involved real estate projects, that was the rule.

Facing the rapidly developing society, Lu Jinsheng focused his attention on the internet, which was relatively popular at the time, with several companies showing promising growth trends.

The young Lu Jinsheng tirelessly analyzed trends with investment advisors day and night, discussing pros and cons. Ultimately, he withstood all pressures and single-handedly, at the shareholders' meeting, facilitated several major acquisitions with overwhelming momentum.

The results and benefits were self-evident.

From then on, the name Lu Jinsheng became renowned in the business world.

When Lu Jinsheng was mentioned, the majority of people in the business world would say: young in age, but sharp in vision, ruthless in methods.

The progress of the acquisitions was not all smooth sailing.

At the age of just twenty, he had once driven the CEO of an electronics company to the brink of jumping off a building.

A man in his forties stood on the edge of the rooftop, despair written all over his face, fingers clutching the railing, looking towards the man dressed in white and black, pleading with Lu Jinsheng, "I'll kneel to you, alright? Spare me a way out, this company is my life, if you take it away, I'll be left with half a life, if not dead."

Present at the scene, besides him and Lu Jinsheng, were the media, hospital personnel, police, and firefighters.

Some suggested to Lu Jinsheng: why push someone to such an extent? If he really jumps off, your Lu family will be finished.

There was no hint of naivety on the handsome face of Lu Jinsheng, only the utmost indifference in his eyes. He took a step forward with long legs, causing the man on the edge to almost collapse in panic. With one leg over the railing, he sat astride it.

The onlookers and those watching on television couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

Some of Lu's competitors in the business world even openly switched their screens to this channel during high-level meetings. Their attitudes were flippant, laughing, and saying: what a good show.

In their hearts, they were all saying: go ahead, jump, and it would be best if you could leave a big hole on the ground.

This big hole would gradually devour the foundation that Lu had painstakingly built, and in the end, there would be no trace of Lu in the business world.

This was the hope in the hearts of these competitors, exaggerated to some extent, but the consequences if this person really jumped because of Lu Jinsheng could be imagined.

This was a blatant crime committed in public.

But they watched Lu Jinsheng on the screen, not stopping his steps, taking another step forward.

The middle-aged man was so frightened that his legs turned to jelly, sweat dripping down, he shouted tremblingly, "Don't come any closer, if you do, I'll jump immediately!"

The young man remained indifferent, his hands casually tucked into his suit pockets, a hint of sinister smile playing at the corners of his mouth, he said, "Jump."

The two simple words caused everyone's hearts to leap into their throats.

The middle-aged man was shaking all over. At this moment, everyone feared not that he would dare to jump, but they were afraid that he would not be able to hold on or slip and fall by accident.

Thirty seconds later, Lu Jinsheng took another step forward.

At this moment, the distance between the two was merely two meters.

His gaze was slightly menacing, yet the smile at the corner of his lips was deeper than before.

"Why hesitate now? If you die, Lu will arrange for your corpse; the pit your body creates, Lu will fill it; the public opinion after your death, Lu will bear it. Moreover, your wife and children, Lu will take care of them. Is that enough?"

These words did not reach the media.

Currently, everyone was too tense, the police feared any mishaps, so they had just ushered the media to the entrance of the rooftop.

Only those present at the scene could hear Lu Jinsheng's words clearly.

A young police officer couldn't help but grab the clothes of the person next to him, his face filled with pain, he gritted his teeth and murmured, "This is simply beyond my knowledge, growing up, I've never seen such a ruthless person!"

The slightly older police officer also wore a gloomy expression, "Not just you, me neither."

"If this man really jumps off later, I can't imagine the consequences..."

But Lu Jinsheng didn't let this bad outcome happen.

No one dared to speak loudly on the scene, let alone suddenly, for fear of startling the man.

But the next moment, the sudden increase in Lu Jinsheng's tone scared everyone present. He said, "Still not daring to jump, huh?! I heard your wife and children were sent abroad by you some days ago. Are you planning to avoid them by jumping yourself, or do you think your methods will succeed, and you can bring them back as if nothing happened after some time?"

The last sentence was not heard clearly by others.

But the middle-aged man heard it loud and clear, as if someone was hammering a nail into his head.

How could someone who had arranged everything properly, even promised to take his son somewhere for a trip, genuinely seek death?

Seeking death was just a means.

He had means, and so did Lu Jinsheng.

After saying this, Lu Jinsheng didn't look at the man again. He turned and walked towards the entrance of the rooftop, pausing briefly as he passed by his male assistant, "Don't try to persuade him, let him climb in by himself. Also, prepare the contract."

Footsteps echoed, and the much older male assistant turned his head, only able to catch a glimpse of a retreating figure.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his back already soaked with sweat.

In his line of sight, the middle-aged man on the edge of the rooftop descended from the railing, half kneeling on the ground, with a look of despair and unwillingness.

Many people said that Lu Jinsheng's decisiveness and gambler's mentality were innate, but the risk was too great, a taboo for businessmen.

However, those who said this had never seen him lose a gamble.

In that year, Lu Jinsheng's life didn't undergo any significant changes, but his mindset did.

He had enough say in the company's decision-making process and had the courage to intimidate in the business world, but few had seen him smile.

Even the occasional curve of his lips was cold and ruthless.

Outsiders didn't know, and even the Lu family didn't know, only Lu Jinsheng himself knew.

His mother, Liang Xiyin, a beautiful woman, suffered from severe depression.

His mother, Lu Zhenlin, had kept a mistress behind his mother's back for many years.

When his mother, Liang Xiyin, passed away, his sister, who was in her early teens, was staying abroad with her aunt and didn't witness the storms that happened in the country.

To avoid affecting Lu Yao, Lu Jinsheng selfishly didn't let Lu Yao return for Liang Xiyin's funeral.

What was the use of attending the funeral?

Liang Xiyin jumped from upstairs, the scene was quite gruesome, blood and brain matter splattered, her face was not intact, not even worthy of being seen for the last time.

When Aunt Lu rushed back, she brought photos of Lu Yao. Later, at the funeral, Lu Jinsheng burned the photos of Lu Yao in front of Liang Xiyin.

Some even whispered that Lu Jinsheng's ruthless methods had forced many families to ruin and perish, all of which were retribution.

But it was just groundless speculation, and no one paid attention to it.

It was the year 2005, nearing the end of the year, thirteen-year-old Liang Shu arrived at the Lu family with her few belongings.

It was the patriarch of the Lu family, Lu Lixian, who personally led Liang Shu into the Lu family's gate.

With the dignity of the patriarch of the Lu family, many people indeed greeted Liang Shu at the door, all wearing smiles on their faces.

The men's expressions were tolerable, but the women's hearts had clearly decayed into a pile of bacteria, yet they smiled as if blooming flowers, particularly ironic.

Lu Lixian didn't believe in ghosts and gods; he was conceited throughout his life and disliked people gossiping behind his back, especially about Liang Shu being a harbinger of bad luck. Such remarks were only made in private.

These words dared not reach Lu Lixian's ears.

But the estate was large, and the annual rituals for worshipping the gods were inevitable. In the Lu family ancestral hall, the leaders of the Lu family from previous generations were enshrined.

At this time, it was the Chinese New Year, and remnants of burnt incense could be seen everywhere in the Lu family estate.

Lu Jinsheng was not at home that day; he returned only in the evening.

In the evening, in Lu Lixian's study, Lu Lixian led Liang Shu to him and said, "This is A Shu; she is your sister from now on."

It was a face stunning enough to captivate one's eyes.

At only thirteen years old, one could already see the peerless elegance she would possess in adulthood.

Her eyes were beautiful, clear, and pure, with a calm and cunning that didn't belong to her age.

There was not a single flaw in her eyebrows, nose, or lips.

But there was no trace of joy on Lu Jinsheng's face. He lowered his head silently, his hands in his pockets slowly clenched. This was the only place where he leaked emotions, but no one saw it.

Lu Lixian took off the cigar he had been biting between his lips, and the jade-studded dragon-headed cane struck the ground fiercely, emitting a soul-stirring sound.

Lu Jinsheng clearly saw Liang Shu's slender body tremble, but her lips remained tightly pursed, her gaze fixed on his face.

"Lu Jinsheng, can't you hear me speaking to you?!"

He was tall, and Liang Shu had been keeping her head up since Lu Lixian introduced her, seemingly determined to maintain that posture. She didn't mind the fatigue. From the moment Lu Lixian introduced her, Liang Shu had been looking up at him.

Lu Jinsheng lazily tugged at his lips, squatting down, which made him appear a bit more submissive.

The young man slightly raised his chin, looking at the face in front of him that was still distant. He suddenly remembered a few days ago, on a snowy night, she was squatting under the bushes wearing a hat, just like she was now.

Their eyes met; that night, Lu Jinsheng saw the blurry eyes under the snowy night that could bewitch anyone.

Just like now.

He stared at Liang Shu, but his words were directed at the patriarch, "Sister? Where did you place Lu Yao?"

At this moment, Liang Shu was very thin, wearing the expensive clothes bought by the Lu family. However, it was still obvious that they didn't fit her well, hanging loosely on her body. But her face and those eyes were too beautiful, stirring up anger in Lu Jinsheng's heart.

His mother died because of her.

In order to provide Lu Yao with a good environment for growth, his own biological sister couldn't even return to the country to mourn.

And her?

She could still walk into the Lu family's gate unscathed.

Heaven was not fair enough.

A teenager didn't understand what pain was. For physical revenge, she would only cry out in pain; as for psychological revenge... What could a child her age understand?

Lu Jinsheng gave himself and her a deadline of ten years.

In ten years, when Liang Shu was in her twenties, by then, some pain would strike deep into her soul.

Even if it couldn't make her wish for death, it could still instill fear in her heart.

That kind of fear would definitely be different from what Liang Shu felt at thirteen.

Later, in 2013, Lu Jinsheng acted as Liang Shu's guarantor. He specifically bought a mobile phone, and only Liang Shu and the creditor knew the number.

If Liang Shu couldn't repay the money within three years, the creditor would call this number.

But apart from Liang Shu, the creditors almost unanimously agreed that Lu Jinsheng was someone they couldn't mess with. They could pressure Liang Shu in any way they wanted, but making that call required careful consideration.

In other words, only Liang Shu could make that call.

But Liang Shu wouldn't. 

During those three years, she struggled under Lu Jinsheng's influence, barely surviving, becoming a vermin in Yucheng.

Lu Jinsheng instructed her not to appear in front of him, not to let him see her face. If she happened to encounter him in public, she was to avoid him.

Otherwise... Liang Shu didn't know what would happen.

Because she did indeed avoid actively appearing in front of Lu Jinsheng, and if she saw him, she would avoid him if possible.

But in fact, in the vast Yucheng, she was at the bottom of society, and Lu Jinsheng was in a completely different world. There was no chance for them to meet.

And no one knew that Lu Jinsheng usually carried that phone with him.

Finally, on this day at the end of 2016, it rang.

He had only lain down a few hours ago, his brain and lungs filled with nicotine, but now he was unusually awake.

Just before the call was automatically disconnected, Lu Jinsheng picked up.

In the quiet bedroom, apart from the faint buzzing of electricity in the phone, there was no other sound.

Not even a slight sound of breathing.

The silence was eerie.

Lu Jinsheng didn't speak, nor did the other end.

Thus, an invisible tension seemed to pervade.

Both sides held their breath.

Gu Hansheng squinted as he stood on the balcony, looking at the blurred villa scenery outside. His face was very calm, but inside, waves of turmoil were crashing.

No sound was scarier than sound itself.

That morning, Gu Hansheng and Lu Jinsheng, separated by the phone, didn't utter a word, but the call lasted for five minutes.

It was like a contest where neither side wanted to admit defeat.

How was it finally ended?

Lu Jinsheng's phone was outdated and worn out from prolonged disuse. Combined with the lack of charging, it automatically shut down.

As the call ended, Gu Hansheng's eyes were filled with a thick emotion, and a hint of bad mood gradually spread in his half-closed eyes. Then, it began to grow like mushrooms after rain in his mind.

This feeling stemmed from the unknowns Liang Shu brought to him and his inability to control the person on the other end of the call.

This feeling was quite unpleasant.

Gu Hansheng felt like he needed to relax a bit. He returned to the bedroom; Liang Shu was still asleep. He didn't look at her and went to the cloakroom to change clothes. Then, he dressed neatly and went downstairs, wearing a business attire.

When he came downstairs, he met Wen Mingting. She frowned, "It's only seven o'clock; are you leaving already?"

At this time, it was barely dawn outside at seven o'clock in the morning.

With his coat draped over his arm, he walked towards the door, saying, "Hmm."

"What's so urgent that you have to leave now? At least have breakfast before you go. How much time will it delay?"

After saying this, Wen Mingting was about to ask Liang Qing to prepare breakfast, but Gu Hansheng paused his steps slightly, glanced upstairs, and then said, "It's urgent."

He casually put on his coat, then added, "Today is Christmas Eve. I'm not sure when I'll be back tonight. A Shu was frightened yesterday. Please talk to her more during the day, and if you're making medicine for her, please prepare some sweet dried fruits to ease the bitterness."

Wen Mingting was stunned. She looked at Gu Hansheng's back, sighed softly, and then sighed again as if she were sighing silently.

Indeed, Gu Hansheng was busy today. As the end of the year approached, there were many things to do.

In the morning, there was a meeting at nine o'clock, and lunch with a media company's CEO at noon.

During the meal, the topic of a celebrity, Ruan Yunyun, came up. The CEO said, "The product Yunyun endorsed for your company this year seems to be doing well in the market. I wonder if there will be a chance for such cooperation next year?"

On the surface, it was to inquire about the possibility of cooperation. In reality, it was to inquire about the relationship between Gu Hansheng and Ruan Yunyun.

At the funeral of the Jing family patriarch, Gu Hansheng attended with a young and beautiful woman, which attracted some attention. Someone investigated the woman, who was not from the entertainment industry.

For a while, Ruan Yunyun became a joke.

The wind in the entertainment industry was like this; there were many vacillating grasses.

Ruan Yunyun and Gu Hansheng were rumored several times, and both sides remained ambiguous. Ruan Yunyun was purely keeping silent to cling to a powerful figure, while Gu Hansheng... didn't bother to pay attention, and with Mrs. Gu not caring either, why should he?

This led to some misunderstandings from the outside world.

And the appearance of another woman last time was a disguised way of breaking the relationship between Gu Hansheng and Ruan Yunyun.

Now, this CEO mentioned it again, afraid of losing this support next year.

Gu Hansheng didn't make a statement on this. He picked up a napkin and wiped the corners of his mouth, his thin lips forming a faint arc as he said, "As long as it brings benefits, everything is negotiable."

The other party breathed a sigh of relief, but unexpectedly, Gu Hansheng immediately followed up with, "Of course, the business world is like a battlefield, full of variables. Until that moment arrives, no one can see the outcome."

In the afternoon, Gu Hansheng went to a reception with Ji Chen.

Gu Hansheng only made a brief appearance to give face.

As they were leaving halfway through, the doorman opened the hotel door and bowed respectfully.

Outside, the cold wind was whistling, and it was raining mixed with snow. Today's temperature was lower than before.

Ji Chen raised the large black umbrella above Gu Hansheng's head as they walked towards the parking lot under the escort of several accompanying personnel.

Ji Chen said, "There's someone named Jiang Pingsheng. In terms of age, he's closest to Mrs. Gu. He's an outstanding individual, just twenty-two years old and already a doctoral student at Yuda University. During his time at school, he published many influential research papers and journals. I also investigated his classmates and teachers from back then, and they all said they didn't know Mrs. Gu. So, it seems that this last person can be ruled out."

Twenty-two years old, a doctoral student at Yuda University.

Just these few words made Gu Hansheng stop in his tracks. He stood still, and the people behind him also stopped in sync with his rhythm.

The man furrowed his brow slightly, silent, but a sigh seemed to escape from his mouth.

Ji Chen glanced at his expression and then said, "Perhaps we should re-examine the names we previously ruled out."

Gu Hansheng turned his head to look at Ji Chen, shook his head, took a step forward, and continued walking.

In Yucheng, the name Gu Hansheng represented supreme financial power.

This high-ranking decision-maker in the group had a profound and unpredictable mind. He often smiled, and most people who dealt with him knew that beneath his smile lay something other than laughter, but they couldn't guess what it was.

Compared to others, his longtime assistants and secretaries could often guess his thoughts.

They could guess, but they couldn't say it, let alone let him know they were guessing his thoughts.

But today, Ji Chen didn't seem to understand the hidden meaning behind the boss's sigh.

In today's era, with the increasingly developed society, many new things had emerged, but it had also solidified many aspects. In some ways, the diversified development of individuals was restricted, and personal abilities were not as good as those of the previous generation.

Back then, most people used their brains to think about problems, but nowadays, most people relied on something to stimulate their brains to think.

However, today's society was more eager for talent.

The three words "Jiang Pingsheng" were just a simple name.

But Ji Chen's brief words gave this name a more significant meaning. A person's identity could be summarized well with words and data, but the efforts they put in were hard to express in words.

Gu Hansheng valued talent.

The names Ji Chen was asked to investigate were all those that had appeared on the tombstones at the suburban cemetery. The significance of this was self-evident.

Hearing "twenty-two years old, doctoral student at Yuda University," it was supposed to be a promising and talented individual, but unfortunately, fate envied such talent.

How could one not feel regretful?

The success of the Gu Group to its current status also relied on a group of "elites" with high IQs and good minds in the company.

For these people, when Gu Hansheng interacted with them, he was no longer the high and mighty leader, but a "friend."

In the car, Ji Chen timely handed over a clean and warm towel from the front seat. Gu Hansheng wiped his fingers slowly and methodically, saying, "Sometimes what's said aloud isn't necessarily true. Keep investigating."

"Do we need to investigate Mrs. Gu's university days?"

In the backseat, the man passed a glance and said, "What do you think?"

...

When Jiang Jiucheng was taken away by Ji Chen's men, Aunt Mei accompanied him all the way.

This was the afternoon of Christmas Eve.

On that day, Jiang Jiucheng had a rare moment of conscience and bought Aunt Mei a scarf at the mall, spending a few hundred yuan.

As they were preparing to find a restaurant for dinner, someone appeared and took him away.

At that time, they just threw Jiang Jiucheng into the car, leaving Aunt Mei to fend for herself.

Aunt Mei was fearless.

She stood in front of the car, pinched her throat, and scolded, "In broad daylight, I've never seen such outrageous behavior from you people. It's best for you to run over my dead body today, otherwise I'll confront you until the end."

Ji Chen was sitting in the car behind, looking through the window at the graceful woman in front of him, his lips curling slightly. "Take her away too."

Several people went to the Imperial Club.

Aunt Mei was locked in a separate private room. When the bodyguard left, she rushed up and bit his hand, shouting that she wanted to leave.

Ji Chen came in, and in the pitch-black room, Aunt Mei couldn't see his face clearly, but she remembered that the man was tall, and his voice was cold. He said, "Stay here quietly. After we finish questioning your man, you can leave safely."

Questioning?

Aunt Mei struggled free from the guard's grasp, disdainfully waved her hand with a handkerchief in front of her, and snorted, "What mistake did he make to warrant your interrogation?"

"Do I have to list out all the mistakes he made for you? Whether you know them or not."

Before Aunt Mei could speak, Ji Chen turned and left. "Stay put."

Gu Hansheng couldn't let Aunt Mei know about Jiang Jiucheng.

Aunt Mei had a temper. If she accidentally mentioned it to Liang Shu, it would be troublesome.

Jiang Jiucheng was a man with secrets, and he had offended many people, openly or secretly.

In the past, when someone wanted to deal with him, they would take him away and beat him up when it was dark or when there were few people around.

But they were different.

In broad daylight, in the bustling city, the other party didn't care at all and just took him away. That's why Jiang Jiucheng was scared.

He knelt on the ground, not daring to lift his head to look at the person sitting in front of him. Whenever the other party asked a question, he would answer obediently.

"Do you know someone named Jiang Pingsheng?"

Jiang Jiucheng shook his head vigorously, without any hesitation. He bowed his body so low that his forehead almost touched the ground. "I don't know him. I don't know him."

"Really don't know?"

"Really don't know."

Jiang Jiucheng felt his blood run cold at the sight of the man's face. Memories of that night flooded his mind—the white snowy ground, the red banknotes fluttering in the air above him, and the handkerchief embroidered with the character "Chen."

He trembled, his teeth chattering. "W-what...what game?"

Some people's malice didn't show on the surface, but it could silently penetrate your mind, making you fearful at the mere thought or sight of them.

Just like Ji Chen to Jiang Jiucheng.

Ji Chen smiled. "Say one lie, lose a finger."

Jiang Jiucheng gasped.

Immediately, someone with scissors stood beside Jiang Jiucheng. He glanced sideways, feeling his whole body go weak with fear.

Ji Chen toyed with a lighter in his hand. "Do you know Jiang Pingsheng?"

The same question, but this time, it wasn't so easy to deceive.

But Jiang Jiucheng, still crouching on the ground, gave the same answer as before. "I don't know him. I didn't lie to you. If I knew him, may I be struck by lightning and die."

Ji Chen got up from the sofa and slowly walked to him. He lifted his expensive leather shoe and stepped on Jiang Jiucheng's hand, just like that night. Jiang Jiucheng endured the pain and repeated the same answer.

Jiang Jiucheng was taken away, and Ji Chen turned on a few lights in the room. He walked to the other side of the private room, where Gu Hansheng was sitting at the end of the sofa.

Obviously, everything that had just happened had unfolded under Gu Hansheng's watchful eye.

Gu Hansheng stood up and walked outside, saying a few words as he left, "He's suspicious. Relax his guard first, and then find an opportunity to question him."

"Yes."

After leaving the private room, Gu Hansheng lit a cigarette for himself. As he flicked the ashes into the trash can, he looked at his reflection in the smooth mirror on the wall, his thoughts fleeting.

He had always maintained the appearance of a Confucian merchant, never revealing the dark side of human nature in front of others. He wondered what Liang Shu's reaction would be if she found out.

But Liang Shu knew he wasn't a good person from the moment they met at the Yu Mountain Villa.

It was another social engagement in the evening, and Gu Hansheng made a phone call to Wen Mingting while in the car.

On Christmas Eve, although it originated from the West, in this world of cultural exchange and collision, as long as the implications are good, everyone celebrates it.

Foreigners don't eat apples on Christmas Eve because the word "apple" in English does not symbolize peace.

"Sheng, are you coming back for dinner tonight?" Wen Mingting asked him over the phone.

It was nearly half-past five in the afternoon, nearing the holiday, and the city roads were congested. Seeing the long queue ahead, the driver couldn't help but report to Gu Hansheng, "Sir, it seems this section of the road won't clear up anytime soon."

It would be impossible to arrive within half an hour.

Gu Hansheng waved his hand at the driver without saying a word. Instead, he said on the phone, "Mom, let Liang Shu take the call."

Slightly displeased, his mother joked, "You insist on having your wife talk to me even when calling. Just hold on..."

Wen Mingting called out to Liang Qing, "Qing, come here and take the phone to Liang Shu. Tell her it's from Hansheng."

Liang Shu was upstairs at the moment. Liang Qing found her in the bathroom of their bedroom, looking at the bruise on her neck in the mirror. Liang Qing comforted her, "Madam, don't worry. Fortunately, the scratch isn't deep. Once it scabs over and you apply the medicine diligently, it won't leave a scar."

Hearing the voice, Liang Shu turned around abruptly and, seeing it was Liang Qing, she called her Aunt Qing.

Liang Qing handed her the phone, "It's a call from Hansheng. Take it; he's been waiting for a while."

"Okay."

As Liang Qing left, Liang Shu walked to the floor-to-ceiling window in the bedroom and looked out at the scenery outside. Only then did she respond to the call.

Having listened attentively to Liang Qing's words just now, Gu Hansheng now reassured her, "I've already talked to Yun about it last night. Since it's winter now, just wear turtleneck clothes or scarves when going out. There's no need to avoid it at home. I don't mind seeing it either."

She sat down on the sofa, playing with the books on the low table, and sighed, "I'm not concerned about whether this wound will scar."

"Well, I'm equally concerned."

Liang Shu paused, and a faint smile finally appeared on her previously calm face. She said, "Mr. Gu, you truly have a high emotional intelligence. You're very good at comforting women."

"I rarely comfort other women easily, except for Mrs. Gu."

Now the whole city was congested, the driver took a different route. Although the road conditions were still not optimistic, they were better than before.

Gu Hansheng asked her, "What did you do today?"

Initially, Liang Shu woke up with some temper in the morning, but the side of the bed was cold. She didn't know how long this person had been away.

Wen Mingting showed her care, afraid that she would feel uncomfortable staying here alone. At that moment, even if she had any more grievances, they all vanished.

Apart from the one lingering doubt in her mind, why did Yun harbor such great animosity towards her?

Chatting with Wen Mingting during the day, Liang Shu asked about Yun's gender. Wen Mingting said Yun was a male dog.

Liang Shu was puzzled. Was the male dog afraid that she would snatch Gu Hansheng?

But upon further thought, it made sense. Male dogs have strong possessiveness. Perhaps that's the only explanation.

Liang Shu recounted what she had done today to Gu Hansheng, "In the morning, I chatted with Mom and helped her tidy up some calligraphy and antique paintings. In the afternoon, I learned embroidery and needlework with Aunt Qing."

It wasn't until the afternoon that Liang Shu had her eyes opened.

She remembered the scarf she had personally knitted for Wen Mingting, and the way Liang Qing looked at her, it was like...

It was as if she was being publicly condemned.

A deep smile spread across the man's voice on the other end of the phone, "Aunt Qing is skilled in this aspect. Learning more from her is always right. It not only calms the mind but also passes the time. Perhaps you can even improve your skills in needlework."

This man was indirectly saying that she lacked tranquility in her heart, and her temper was short. Liang Shu understood.

However, soon after, he said, "Of course, Shu doesn't need to be exceptionally good at it. Just take it as a pastime."

Liang Shu sighed deeply, saying softly, "If you weren't the reincarnation of Zhuge Liang, I wouldn't have any room to argue with you. There's no chance of winning."

"Then I won't say anymore. Give the phone to Mom, I'll talk to her for a bit."

"Okay."

Gu Hansheng exchanged a few more words with Wen Mingting before hanging up.

Putting down the phone, Wen Mingting stood up from the sofa, took Liang Shu's hand, and smiled brightly, "Hansheng bought a lot of apples. The servants have brought them over. Let's arrange them and symbolize auspiciousness and good fortune."

Now Liang Shu remembered that today was Christmas Eve.

The sky hadn't completely darkened yet, but from the position in the living room, looking out through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the low plants outside were covered with a thick layer of snow. At this moment, a row of cool-toned lights was lit on top. It would be even more beautiful once the sky completely darkened.

During dinner, Liang Shu helped Wen Mingting and Liang Qing set the table in the dining room.

Wen Mingting mentioned the matter of the wedding dress to her, and Liang Shu was a bit puzzled. Wen Mingting smiled, "This person... I guess he wanted to surprise you, but now, I've spilled the beans."

"But Mom, I've discussed with him, and we've decided not to have a wedding for now."

Wen Mingting chuckled, "We can delay the wedding, but let's have the wedding photos taken first," she glanced at the snowy scene outside, "We can take a set in winter and another set when the weather gets warmer."

Although Liang Shu smiled on the surface, she couldn't help but feel a bit resentful in her heart. Taking wedding photos would probably be another hassle.

Just as she was thinking about it, Wen Mingting added, "When Hansheng comes back, don't mention that I told you. He cares about you a lot. The wedding dress has long been in preparation. You don't need to worry about anything; just take care of yourself."