One man forcefully held down the struggling Shen Tong, while another man in black raised his hand, ready to slap her hard. Shen Tong's heart was filled with despair. Was she really going to be inexplicably punished like this? Thinking of this, Shen Tong struggled even harder, shouting angrily, "You vicious woman!"
Just as the slap was about to land on Shen Tong's face, "Bang!" The door of the private room was forcefully opened, and a man's figure appeared in the doorway. The men's attention was drawn away, and when Shen Tong saw who it was, she visibly relaxed. Thankfully, Liang Xiaoyuan had come. It seemed that just seeing him made her feel safe.
Liang Xiaoyuan, panting, quickly ran to Shen Tong's side, forcefully pushing away the man restraining her. His eyes, filled with worry, locked onto Shen Tong as he anxiously asked, "Shen Tong, are you alright?"
Shen Tong reached out to support Liang Xiaoyuan, looking at him gratefully and saying, "I'm fine." It was good that Liang Xiaoyuan had come, otherwise she might really have been left for dead without anyone knowing. The feeling of being given a new lease on life was wonderful.
Just as the two were looking at each other, Madam Xia recognized the newcomer and coldly snorted, "So it's you?"
"Yes, hello, Madam Xia," Liang Xiaoyuan said, supporting the still-breathless Shen Tong with one hand. His expression was mild, but there was a thick air of defensiveness surrounding him.
"Heh, this is quite a surprise," Madam Xia said, though her expression was mocking rather than surprised.
Ignoring Madam Xia's words, Liang Xiaoyuan turned to Shen Tong and said, "Shen Tong, can you wait for me outside the cafe?"
Shen Tong looked at this Liang Xiaoyuan who seemed unfamiliar to her, with his strong air of defensiveness and unease. She nodded, "Alright, I'll wait for you outside."
How do they know each other? Shen Tong wondered as she walked away. The puzzling question swirled in her mind: how did Liang Xiaoyuan know she was here? The more she thought about it, the more curious she became, unconsciously stopping to ponder in the middle of the coffee shop.
Inside the private room, there was silence for a while. Liang Xiaoyuan looked at this woman who, even at fifty, still looked less than forty. His eyes were turbulent, and uncontrollable disgust welled up from the bottom of his heart. He didn't want Shen Tong to get involved in these wealthy family grudges, which was why he had sent her away.
Madam Xia's delicate face revealed disgust as she broke the silence, "I was wondering how this woman's methods were so clever. Hmph, so it turns out you were behind it all."
"Madam Xia, I address you respectfully as madam, and I hope you'll mind your words," Liang Xiaoyuan coldly looked at the woman before him, his tone icier than ever before. "With one sentence, you've slandered two people's reputations."
"Hmph, easy for you to say. If it wasn't for your mother shamelessly seducing my husband, how would you even exist?" At this, Madam Xia paused, glaring hatefully at Liang Xiaoyuan before her, and shrilly shouted, "Your mother ruined my family back then, and now it's your turn to ruin my son's marriage. You mother and son pair are out to ruin the Xia family."
Liang Xiaoyuan trembled with anger, staring painfully at Madam Xia. His eyes were red, and it was a while before he could speak, "My mother lived an upright life. If it wasn't for your husband lying to her about getting a divorce, she would never have gotten involved with your family! Besides, my mother has long had nothing to do with you! Everything I have now, I've created with my own two hands!"
Standing outside, Shen Tong heard this and covered her gaping mouth, her eyes full of shock. Her whole demeanor became more serious. She had never imagined that Liang Xiaoyuan had such a background. The seemingly glamorous Liang Xiaoyuan was actually... an illegitimate child. She had even mocked him before about being a rich kid, but it turned out he was just like her, even more tragic than her. A strong sense of apology and gratitude rose from her heart, leaving her with a complex mix of emotions, as if a bottle of condiments had been overturned.
"Hmph, who knows what evil intentions you have," Madam Xia said dismissively.
"I know you look down on me, but I must tell you, Shen Tong has no designs on Xia Zixuan! So you can't touch Shen Tong, I won't allow you to touch her!" Liang Xiaoyuan looked sternly at Madam Xia, his jet-black eyes filled with hostility.
"Haha," Madam Xia laughed out loud, her expression changing instantly. The air froze. "How ridiculous! Since when do I, Madam Xia, need your permission to deal with anyone?"
"You can touch anyone else, but not her," Liang Xiaoyuan said firmly. "If you dare to touch her, I absolutely won't let you off! I, Liang Xiaoyuan, always keep my word!"
Liang Xiaoyuan stood like a rigid statue, glaring hatefully at the trembling Madam Xia. He said politely, "Then I'll be taking my leave." With that, he walked out stiffly without looking back.
Outside the door, Shen Tong stood at attention, pretending to be obediently looking at the scenery, though her heart was in turmoil. So this meant that Liang Xiaoyuan and Xia Zixuan were blood-related brothers? God, she needed time to digest this information.
Liang Xiaoyuan dropped his guard, striding to Shen Tong's side. Taking a deep breath, he said in a tired voice, "Let's go."
"Mm." Shen Tong obediently followed behind him, her eyes gentle. It seemed he also needed time to heal from these wounds.
The journey was silent. Uncharacteristically, Shen Tong didn't chatter and joke with Liang Xiaoyuan, and Liang Xiaoyuan's face was unusually serious. The car stopped at the residential complex, and Shen Tong unbuckled her seatbelt, preparing to get out.
"You heard it all, didn't you?" Liang Xiaoyuan asked hoarsely, his face full of sorrow, his eyes pained.
Shen Tong stopped her movements, not speaking, only nodding slightly. She didn't know what she should say to comfort the man before her.
"Sometimes, I even blame my mom, wondering why she was so blind as to fall for that man," Liang Xiaoyuan said, as if finding it difficult to speak, stopping halfway. His hands on the steering wheel turned white from gripping too hard. Looking at the dim street lights outside, the areas they couldn't reach were pitch black, just like a corner of his heart. "But my mom hasn't had it easy all these years either. What right do I have to blame her?"
Shen Tong looked at Liang Xiaoyuan. Under the street lights, his every move seemed tinged with an inexplicable sadness. His trembling eyelashes and the vulnerability in his eyes made her heart ache for him. Unconsciously, she reached out and placed her hand on Liang Xiaoyuan's back, gently moving up and down, offering him silent comfort.
Liang Xiaoyuan turned back, his eyes worried, and slowly said, "Madam Xia is a ruthless character who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. You need to be more careful in the future, don't go home alone."
"Mm, I understand. I was scared to death today, I thought I was going to die there! It's a good thing you showed up!" Shen Tong tried to lighten the tense atmosphere, saying cheerfully, "You're like an all-knowing Sun Wukong, and I'm like Tang Sanzang who always needs your rescue."
"If I'm Sun Wukong, then you're the Buddha," Liang Xiaoyuan joked back. Shen Tong was always full of life, vibrant and optimistic. Every time she smiled, it seemed to have a magical power. Liang Xiaoyuan's mood would inexplicably start to improve. She really was a magical girl.
Seeing Liang Xiaoyuan cheer up, the heaviness in Shen Tong's heart gradually lifted. She said seriously, "Thank you so much for today."
In the dim light, Liang Xiaoyuan couldn't see Shen Tong's face clearly, only her bright, sparkling eyes. The sight made his heart race, and his ears involuntarily turned red. "No need to thank me, after all, we're..."
"We're what?" Shen Tong quickly picked up, not knowing what she was hoping for.
"Friends!" Liang Xiaoyuan said, his cheeks slightly red, not daring to look directly into her eyes.
Shen Tong's high-hanging heart dropped to the bottom. Waves of disappointment welled up from her heart. It seemed it wasn't the answer she had been expecting. She smiled dimly and said, "Mm! Thank you! I'll treat you to a meal another day! I'm going now!"
With that, Shen Tong got out of the car. She knew she should be grateful that he had saved her, but for some reason, hearing the word "friends" made her unable to calm down. But she couldn't argue with him, after all, he hadn't said anything wrong, and she still needed his help with many things at work. Thinking of this, Shen Tong turned back and gave Liang Xiaoyuan a bright smile.
Little did she know that this smile left Liang Xiaoyuan entranced, almost unable to sleep for the entire night.