Chapter 26: The Check
Liang Xiaoluo's heart skipped a beat as she suddenly thought of the check. If her father asked Nan Shaojie about it, the truth would unravel.
Her face turned pale, her nervousness and awkwardness clearly visible.
Nan Shaojie's lips carried a faint smile, but his eyes held a cold, untouchable gleam. Despite the shifts in his expression, there was a persistent lack of warmth. Standing beside him was Bingya, his ever-polite aide. As they entered the living room, Bingya greeted the family courteously:
"Uncle, Auntie, it's been a while."
His gaze shifted briefly to Liang Xiaoluo, catching her in a moment of inner turmoil. His own eyes betrayed a mix of complex emotions.
An Uninvited Guest
"Shaojie? What a surprise! Come in, please, take a seat," Liang Hui said, flustered and clearly honored by the unexpected visit. Seeing their messy living room, he turned to Lin Meiling with an embarrassed look.
"Meiling, clean this place up quickly."
"Oh, sure…" Lin Meiling snapped out of her daze, unable to stop staring at Nan Shaojie.
She had always assumed Liang Xiaoluo's claims about her connection with Nan Shaojie were exaggerated. She was convinced that the check had been obtained through unscrupulous means. Now, seeing Nan Shaojie in person, her doubts began to waver.
Still scheming, she slipped away to send a text message to her daughter, Lin Xue, sensing an opportunity for personal gain.
"Uncle, there's no need to stand on ceremony," Nan Shaojie said politely, his tone measured. He glanced at Liang Xiaoluo and then added, "I was hoping to take Xiaoluo out for a walk. Would that be alright?"
"I…" Liang Xiaoluo hesitated, wanting to refuse.
"Of course, of course!" Liang Hui interrupted, pushing her toward Nan Shaojie without noticing her reluctance. He was grateful beyond words to the young man who had seemingly come to their aid.
Awkward Gratitude
Lin Meiling, however, wasn't ready to let the moment pass. With a sweet smile, she blocked their way, addressing Liang Hui:
"Liang Hui, what are you thinking? Shaojie has done such a big favor for our family. How can we let him leave without staying for dinner to show our gratitude?"
Her words reminded Liang Hui of the check in his hands. Startled, he quickly walked over to Nan Shaojie, holding the check up.
"Shaojie, I nearly forgot to thank you. Lending us such a large sum—how can we ever repay you?"
Liang Xiaoluo froze in horror, her face darkening. She turned sharply to look at Nan Shaojie, her heart racing.
Her father had brought up the check. But the money wasn't from Nan Shaojie. Would the truth come out now? Would her humiliating secret—being nothing more than Ye Tianlin's plaything—be exposed?
Bingya's eyes flicked briefly to Liang Xiaoluo, a subtle expression of understanding crossing his face before he returned to his usual composure.
"We didn't…" Bingya began, but Nan Shaojie cut him off smoothly.
"Uncle, there's no need to be so formal," he said with practiced ease, his voice calm and collected.
A Silent Complicity
Nan Shaojie knew the truth. He had seen Liang Xiaoluo emerge from an unfamiliar car just moments before arriving at the house. But he chose not to expose her, maintaining an air of natural grace as if he were genuinely responsible for the check.
Liang Xiaoluo stared at him in surprise, unable to comprehend why he was covering for her. It felt as though he already knew everything and was deliberately helping her continue the charade.
In that moment, Nan Shaojie seemed like a stranger to her.
"Thank you, Shaojie, truly, thank you!" Liang Hui said earnestly, his gratitude unending.
Nan Shaojie exchanged a few polite words with Liang Hui before reiterating his wish to take Liang Xiaoluo out for a walk.
At that moment, Lin Xue burst into the house, summoned by Lin Meiling's earlier text. Seeing Nan Shaojie, her face flushed red as she shyly avoided his gaze.
Clumsy Interference
"Xue, come over here and look who's visiting!" Lin Meiling exclaimed, her tone overly enthusiastic.
She shamelessly tried to push Lin Xue into the conversation, eager to introduce her daughter to Nan Shaojie.
"It's been so long, Shaojie. Surely you remember Xue? She's Xiaoluo's only sister. It'd be great if you took her out as well," Lin Meiling said, forcing a smile.
"I'm fine," Lin Xue stammered, looking down and fiddling with her clothes, a far cry from her usual mean-spirited demeanor.
Nan Shaojie's demeanor, however, remained icy. His jaw tightened as a wave of anger surged within him. He hated hearing anyone else call him "Shaojie," a name he reserved for Liang Xiaoluo alone.
"I'll bring Xiaoluo back tonight," he said to Liang Hui, ignoring Lin Meiling and her daughter completely.
"Of course, of course. Go ahead," Liang Hui said, fully trusting Nan Shaojie.
As Nan Shaojie took Liang Xiaoluo's hand to leave, Lin Meiling made one last desperate attempt. She pushed Lin Xue forward, saying,
"Take Xue along too! She hardly ever gets out these days."
Nan Shaojie didn't even glance at Lin Xue. His grip on Liang Xiaoluo's hand tightened slightly as he led her out of the house.
The Shadows Linger
Outside, a sleek Lamborghini awaited them. As they walked toward it, a black car idling nearby stirred to life. Inside, Ye Tianlin's assistant whispered,
"This should be interesting. Let's inform the boss—he wouldn't want to miss the show."
Meanwhile, Nan Shaojie opened the car door for Liang Xiaoluo, his every move steeped in gentlemanly grace.
"Let's go," he said softly.
Liang Xiaoluo hesitated before getting in, her thoughts in turmoil.