Chapter 236

Chapter 236: 229: Be good, wait very obediently for Changling (one more update) Chapter 236: 229: Be good, wait very obediently for Changling (one more update) Xie Shang ascended the steps of the arch bridge.

“Changling.”

Only when he drew closer did Xie Shang see her hair clearly, as if he could see her at eighteen or nineteen—stubborn, dashing, unyielding to convention.

Unruly, with an attitude, vibrant and bold.

If the occasion were not so inappropriate, Xie Shang would have liked to praise her.

Wen Changling was somewhat surprised to see Xie Shang: “How come you are here?”

He found an excuse: “I was passing by and came for a stroll.”

“Then carry on.”

Wen Changling moved to the side, indicating for him to proceed.

Xie Shang glanced at the mask in Jiang Chengxue’s hand, suppressing the urge to tear it up, then crossed the bridge and walked down the steps.

Gu Yihuan followed closely, and as he passed by Wen Changling, he hummed silently to express his dissatisfaction. With that hair, Wen Changling looked even more like a bad girl who knew how to have fun.

Once they were far enough to no longer hear the sounds from the bridge, Gu Yihuan asked Xie Shang in frustration, “Are we just going to leave like this?”

“What else?”

Gu Yihuan assumed: “Take her back by force.”

Xie Shang countered: “On what grounds should I take her back?”

Gu Yihuan had no answer but still felt dissatisfied on behalf of Xie Shang.

Although Xie Liangjiang was not a qualified father, Xie Shang truly grew up in luxury. It was his first time liking someone that much.

Despite liking her so much, he was remarkably restrained.

Gu Yihuan didn’t understand: “This isn’t like you.”

The Fourth Young Master of the Xie Family would do better to remain an elegantly madcap figure—undefined, unconfined, and unshackled.

His Fourth Brother should have whatever he desires, by any means necessary.

The man-made lake was enclosed by a fence because of the carnival, and the lights strung upon the fence cast reflections on the water, condensing the vast starry sky into the lake. Next to the entrance where the road met the lake, a small boat was moored, and Xie Shang stopped near the boat. From where he stood, he could see Wen Changling on the bridge.

“Forcefulness won’t work; you don’t understand her.”

Gu Yihuan pressed: “Then what will work?”

Xie Shang didn’t reply: “Go and enjoy your time.”

Thrown away after being used, who did he learn that from!

Gu Yihuan stomped off in a huff, but he didn’t go far.

Xie Shang stood at the edge of the fence, watching the people on the bridge and subconsciously reached into his pocket, looking to smoke. But he forgot—the cigarettes were in his coat pocket, and he had left the coat in the car.

Force won’t work. He had to wait.

Wait obediently.

*****

Wen Changling still had a few questions for Jiang Chengxue.

“Before that masquerade ball, had you ever met me?”

“No.”

She didn’t hide her curiosity and quest for understanding about Jiang Chengxue: “Then how did you know I was going to seek mutual destruction with someone?”

“Your expression at the time was easy to guess.”

All this was not important. What mattered was that his diseased heart pumped vigorously for the first time. Not even during the heights of physical pleasure had he felt such sensation.

How should he describe it?

Like finding a kindred spirit in a world where no one could understand him, a world utterly tedious.

“To be invited indicates you are a friend of theirs.”

She was attempting to pry into his world.

He opened up willingly: “Yes, that’s right.”

“I was about to seek mutual destruction with your friends, and you advised me not to let them die too easily. Is that how you treat your friends?” Wen Changling’s eyes seemed to say, you’re really strange.

Jiang Chengxue smiled again, his eyes curving up like those of a charming, flirtatious nobleman: “Since you were going for mutual destruction, they must have done something wrong. Isn’t it right for wrongdoers to be punished?”

He spoke so lightly, as if punishing mere cats and dogs by the roadside. Wen Changling confirmed that those four were not his friends, but clowns for his amusement.

She looked at him and said: “It’s right, those who do wrong should be punished.”

He didn’t seem the least bit curious about her identity or her reasons for seeking mutual destruction, perhaps because he knew more.

He praised her generously: “You did well, they have been punished.” He played with the string of lights on the fence, lifted his chin, and pointed toward the end of the bridge: “Is he waiting for you?”

Wen Changling was aware that Xie Shang had not left.

“I’m going to find my playmate.” Jiang Chengxue put his mask back on, half his face human, half mask, reminiscent of a stark juxtaposition of skin and bone, “Goodbye, Wen Changling.”

Jiang Chengxue departed.

Wen Changling descended from the bridge, making her way to Xie Shang.

“What did you talk about with him?”

Wen Changling didn’t want to say: “It has nothing to do with you.”

She really wanted to ask Xie Shang, aren’t you cold?

On such a cold day, why didn’t you leave, why did you stay to endure my cold shoulder.

“The former chairman of Eastern Automobile, Jiang Lisong originally had three grandsons. Within two years, one died, one was crippled, and one went mad. Left with no choice, Chairman Jiang had to take back the adopted son he once abandoned to inherit the family business.”

Jiang Chengxue was this adopted son.

“I don’t want to interfere with your socializing, but you should be cautious around Jiang Chengxue. He is very calculating.”

Although he was consumed with jealousy, Xie Shang also believed in Wen Changling’s words. She had said that once she had “Xingxing,” she wouldn’t take an interest in anyone else. She wouldn’t engage in meaningless actions; thus, Jiang Chengxue must possess some answer she was seeking.