Chapter 25: Impatience
While Lin Meiling was still lost in her ecstatic cheers, Liang Xiaoluo abruptly snatched the check back, pouring cold water on her enthusiasm.
"This check is for paying off Dad's debt, not for you."
Liang Xiaoluo could see the greed in Lin Meiling's eyes. No doubt this woman was already fantasizing about buying luxury goods again—the same addiction to extravagance that had plunged their family into this miserable state. Yet, after all the hardships, Lin Meiling still dared to repeat her mistakes.
Lin Meiling's expression twisted with anger as she clung to Liang Hui's arm and began to wail.
"Liang Hui, look at your precious daughter! I just wanted to check if the money was real, and she accuses me of trying to take it!"
Liang Hui didn't respond, his sharp gaze fixed on Liang Xiaoluo as though trying to see straight through her. His silence made Lin Meiling realize there was no advantage to be gained here, and she fell quiet.
Doubt and Interrogation
Finally, Liang Hui broke the silence, his face darkened with suspicion.
"Xiaoluo, where did you get this check?"
He knew exactly how dire their family's situation was. Ever since his company went bankrupt, friends and relatives had kept their distance as if they carried the plague. Who would lend such a large sum to his daughter?
"Xiaoluo, did you forget what I taught you? We may be poor, but we must maintain our integrity. Tell me—did you…" His voice faltered, unable to finish the thought.
"Don't tell me she's sold herself to some rich businessman," Lin Meiling added, her voice dripping with fake concern but her smirk betraying her glee.
Liang Xiaoluo clenched her fists tightly, her face shadowed with grief. Her father wasn't worried about her well-being—only about the shame she might bring him. All the humiliation and suffering she had endured suddenly felt like her own foolish punishment.
"Where is this check from?" Liang Hui's tone turned harsh, his anger barely contained.
Lin Meiling stood by, ready to enjoy the show.
A Quick-Witted Defense
Liang Xiaoluo forced a small smile onto her lips, suppressing her rage. She stepped forward, gently taking her father's hand.
"Dad, what are you even thinking? Your daughter would never do something like that."
Her lighthearted tone caught Lin Meiling off guard, and the smug look on her face instantly fell.
"But then… how did you get it?" Liang Hui asked, still suspicious.
Liang Xiaoluo blinked innocently, her voice soft.
"Dad, don't you remember? I've always been close with Brother Shaojie."
"Shaojie?" Lin Meiling interjected, her disbelief palpable. "Are you saying that money is from Nan Shaojie?"
Her face twisted with jealousy at the mention of the Nan family's young heir. She had always hoped Nan Shaojie would take an interest in her daughter Lin Xue, but he had never so much as spared her a glance, his attention always on Liang Xiaoluo.
"Yes, it's from Brother Shaojie," Liang Xiaoluo lied effortlessly, her demeanor calm and convincing. "He told me I could borrow more if this isn't enough. We'll pay him back when we can."
Liang Hui's doubt slowly dissolved as he held the check in his trembling hands. His eyes filled with tears—five million yuan. Enough to settle their debts. The crushing weight on his shoulders finally lifted.
Unwelcome Call
Just then, Liang Xiaoluo's phone rang. The sharp, urgent ringtone cut through the heavy atmosphere, startling her. Glancing at the screen, her face paled.
Brother Shaojie.
Lin Meiling's sharp eyes caught the name on the screen. With a deliberate loudness, she exclaimed,
"Oh my, it's a call from Nan Shaojie! Xiaoluo, why aren't you answering it?"
Liang Xiaoluo's hand trembled as she glared at Lin Meiling. This woman was relishing her discomfort.
"Xiaoluo, is it Shaojie? Let me thank him!" Liang Hui said, his gratitude genuine and unguarded.
Panic flashed through Liang Xiaoluo. She had fabricated the story about Nan Shaojie lending her the money. If her father spoke to him, her lie would be exposed immediately.
"Dad, wait. Let me talk to him first," she said with a forced smile, retreating to the balcony to answer the call.
An Unexpected Reunion
"Xiaoluo," Nan Shaojie's deep, familiar voice came through the line.
"Brother Shaojie…" Her heart warmed at the sound of his voice, bringing back memories of better days.
"I'm back in the country," he said after a moment of silence. "I tried calling you before, but I couldn't reach you. Are you home? Can I come to see you?"
"No! Don't!" she blurted, then quickly composed herself. "I mean… I'm not home right now, so it's not convenient."
"Is that so?" His disappointment was evident, and a brief silence followed before he added, "Xiaoluo, please take care of yourself. Don't make me worry."
Worry? For her? His words pierced her heart like a knife.
"Brother Shaojie," she said, her voice trembling. "Stop worrying about me. Stop being so kind and gentle. You once told me we're from different worlds. We can't even be true friends."
The pain in her voice was undeniable. He had pushed her away, only to pull her back in with his kindness. It was too much for her fragile heart to bear.
"Xiaoluo…" Nan Shaojie's voice broke with emotion.
"Goodbye, Brother Shaojie," she said, cutting him off and ending the call before she could lose control.
A Sudden Visitor
Taking a deep breath, she returned to the living room, her emotions carefully masked. Liang Hui noticed her hesitation.
"Was that Shaojie? I wanted to thank him…"
Before Liang Xiaoluo could respond, a polite knock came at the door. Everyone turned toward the sound.
Liang Xiaoluo's breath caught in her throat when she saw the familiar figure standing there, his striking features and composed demeanor as perfect as ever.
"Brother Shaojie?" she whispered, shocked. Why is he here?
Her mind raced, but her heart ached with longing. It had been months since she last saw him. That familiar face brought back a flood of memories—so warm, so bittersweet.
What was he doing here now?