Xie He’s body stiffened for a moment. He lowered his eyes, eyelashes trembling as he sat there quietly.
Liang Chengshan glanced at Xie He coolly and then turned to say, “Come in.”
With Liang Chengshan’s permission, Liang Ze pushed the door open and walked in. At once, he noticed Xie He, who was meekly sitting next to Liang Chengshan. His expression froze slightly but he quickly returned to normal.
Even though he looked calm, the fury and pain was like a vortex inside of him, sweeping everything away. He knew that this was Liang Chengshan warning him and sounding him out. If he were to be as impulsive as he had been yesterday…not only would he bring harm to himself, he would also hurt Xie He. Right now, the only thing he could do was bear with it patiently.
Liang Ze very quickly looked away from Xie He. He respectfully said to Liang Chengshan, “Father.”
He had received a notice that told him that Liang Chengshan had come to check on the status of the casino, which meant that he had to be prepared. Therefore, Liang Ze had already prepared the relevant documents regarding the accounts and had been waiting for Liang Chengshan to look over them. He just didn’t expect…that Liang Chengshan would bring Xie He along. He had not allowed them to see each other in the past.
Liang Chengshan’s attitude was gentle. His brooding gaze fell onto Liang Ze as he nodded. “Sit.”
Liang Ze cautiously sat in front of him and handed the documents over to him. He said, “This details the cash flow of the casino for the last two months. Please, take a look.”
Liang Chengshan accepted them and read over them in a very careful and slow manner. Occasionally, he would ask Liang Ze a question or two.
Xie He didn’t disturb them. He sat against the sofa with shut eyes and lips pressed into a straight line, using all his strength to endure.
Even though his fortitude was quite high, as the time passed, it became a bit difficult to bear. A layer of sweat formed over his forehead. The pain and pleasure mixed together. Finally, he couldn’t help but part his lips and let out a quiet moan.
Liang Ze had forced himself to not look at Xie He all this time. But when a sudden voice broke the silence of the room and because Xie He was always on his mind, he couldn’t help but take an involuntary glance in the other’s direction. He saw Xie He trembling with his neck tilted up slightly, looking like he was in pain. His collar was open and he could faintly make out the marks on his collarbone….
It was obvious what they had done last night.
Liang Ze’s hands slowly clenched tightly. He forced himself to look away. If he continued to look, it would only make Liang Chengshan unhappy.
Liang Chengshan had also heard Xie He’s voice. He placed the document in his hands down and turned to his side, reaching an arm out to pull Xie He against him. A mellow chuckle came from between his lips. “What? Not feeling well?”
Xie He opened his eyes. There was a layer of water over his long, narrow eyes. There was a bit of a tremble at the end of his sentence as he spoke with his hoarse voice. “N-no.”
“That’s good.” Liang Chengshan smiled faintly, pressing Xie He onto his lap. He then stroked his hair as one would to their pet. He then looked at Liang Ze and said, “Continue.”
Liang Ze had to go to great lengths to control himself. He could not look. He could not think about it. He focused on the casino and said, “The basics of the casino’s situation over the last two months is as follows. The profits have increased….”
Liang Chengshan nodded, looking gratified. “Although you haven’t taken over for long, you’ve done really well…. It’s just that you’re still a bit too young. If something were to suddenly happen, your ability to handle it may be somewhat lacking. For now, this place will be managed by Nelson. Today, you’ll finish the procedures to hand it over to him. I have something else planned for you.”
Liang Ze’s expression changed slightly. The casino was the most profitable business under Liang Chengshan’s name. It had been very difficult for him to get his hands on it. But now, he was being forced to hand it over after less than two months. People would think of him as a joke. He suppressed the fury in his heart and asked, “What do you have planned for me?”
Liang Chengshan’s tone was relaxed. “Quincy, who’s been in charge of smuggling goods across the border, has been captured after getting injured in a fight with Interpol. You’ll take over the smuggling business there.”
Liang Ze could not stay calm. His tone changed. “Father.”
Everyone knew that the casino, which was situated in a flourishing district, was safe, and had an adequate cash flow. Meanwhile, being sent to the borders was equivalent to being exiled. Not only would he have to interact with poor and extremely vile smugglers, he’d also have to have dealings with the local and national armies of those small countries. He would also have to suffer the pursuit and assasination attempts from Interpol…. Every year, many people died there. The diamonds, jewels, and gold they smuggled were all stained with blood.
Xie He’s expression changed slightly. He knew that Liang Chengshan’s goal today was to knock them down. But he didn’t expect that Liang Chengshan would actually steel his heart and send his only son to the borders. Although he did hope for them to be at odds, he still…felt guilty towards Liang Ze.
However, not only could he not speak because he had to keep the act up, he also did not want to speak up.
He had paid prices that a normal person could never even fathom to get to where he was today. Therefore, he could not become soft-hearted.
Liang Chengshan looked at Liang Ze, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “You have a problem with it?”
Liang Ze’s expression was ugly but he forced a smile. “No…I just want to know why. What did I do wrong to lead you to make such a decision?”
Liang Chengshan laughed and shook his head. He bore into his eyes and said, “You did very well. You’re just still too young and require more experience.”
He was not lying here.
In Liang Chengshan’s eyes, Liang Ze was still too inexperienced. Furthermore, because Liang Ze was his son, he had never suffered growing up. While Liang Ze thought that they were scheming and fighting against each other, Liang Chengshan found it laughable and not even worth mentioning. His son had the ambition but was not decisive and coldhearted enough. That was why he still trusted Yang Ling, that cunning youngster…. He could not control Yang Ling.
Liang Ze had gotten everything too easily… not only did he not have the power to match his ambitions, but his self-confidence was also inflated.
As his successor, if he couldn’t even pass a little test like this, then what right did he have to inherit his empire?
Even Liang Chengshan had risked life and limb countless times in his youth. This was a cruel world. If he wanted to live, he had to pay the price…. Since Liang Ze wanted to replace him, he had to pay a price equal to that.
Liang Ze gritted his teeth. Once again, he felt deeply humiliated.
Although he had always known that Liang Chengshan controlled everything and that they were only marionettes beneath his hands, he had never felt such an intense conflict between them or so clearly perceived his own helplessness before this matter with Xie He&#k2026;.. Even if he had already worked so hard to become so strong, he didn’t even have a right to say anything when faced with Liang Chengshan’s arrangements or when the other stole Xie He from him.
Liang Ze slowly stood up, head lowered, hiding the coldness in his eyes. “I understand. I will go meet with Mr. Nelson now.”
Liang Chengshan saw that Liang Ze was about to leave and suddenly said, “Stop.”
Liang Ze paused. He turned around and flashed a deferential smile. His tone was low and raspy, “Do you have any other orders?”
Liang Chengshan smiled and looked at him meaningfully. “We haven’t eaten together in a very long time. Let’s have a meal together today. Treat it as practice.”
When Xie He heard this, he could not hold back any longer. He looked at Liang Chengshan, pleading with his eyes. “Can…can I head back first?”
Liang Chengshan stroked Xie He’s hair and chuckled in a low voice. “What are you in such a hurry for? We’ll head back after eating.”
After saying that, he stood up and made his way out first.
Xie He’s lips were pursed so tightly they had turned white. But he didn’t dare to continue arguing.
He could only stand up with much difficulty and stagger after Liang Chengshan. He didn’t give Liang Ze a single glance at all.
Liang Ze hung back and stared at Xie He’s back. Sadness and pity filled his heart. His beloved, who he could never bear to hurt, was being treated like a pet by Liang Chengshan. He was being treated badly and toyed with without any pity.
But…he didn’t even dare to support Xie He as he walked. He could only watch on helplessly as the other followed after Liang Chengshan.
Because, if he were to help Xie He, that would only make Liang Chengshan treat him more cruelly.
The chauffeur drove to a Chinese restaurant upon receiving Liang Chengshan’s instructions.
Liang Chengshan didn’t pay any attention to Liang Ze, who sat in front of him. He opened the menu and let Xie He look at it. He spoke with a gentle smile splayed on his lips. “This place is a rare, authentic Chinese restaurant. Although it can’t compare to the taste you’d get from the motherland, it’s not bad to be able to eat like this abroad.”
Xie He nodded, acting compliant.
Liang Chengshan could tell that Xie He didn’t really seem to care. He knew that the other didn’t understand his feelings and thus smiled helplessly. To Liang Ze and Xie He, who had grown up abroad, the country they were currently in was their homeland. But this wasn’t the case for Liang Chengshan.
Although more than twenty years had already passed, he had never forgotten what his native land looked like.
When he had first arrived here, he had still been a teenager. At a young age, he had lived through dangerous and cruel times. Back then, he still had many good friends and brethren. But later on…Liang Chengshan stopped his train of thought. A sliver of exhaustion appeared in Liang Chengshan’s eyes.
He put the menu down and casually picked a few dishes.
The owner of the restaurant was well-acquainted with Liang Chengshan. It was obvious that they had been friends for a long time. When the dishes were served, he specifically came out to speak to him, a smile on his lips. “I heard that Boss Liang had come so I personally prepared this red braised pork for you.” As he said this, he placed a piping hot, aromatic bowl of red braised pork onto the table.
Liang Chengshan smiled and nodded as he picked up a piece of meat. He said to Xie He, “Have a taste.”
Xie He opened his mouth docilely and ate it. There was a bit of sauce left on the corner of his mouth, making him look extremely tantalizing as he quietly looked at Liang Chengshan with his handsome, cold face, phoenix eyes half-mast.
Liang Chengshan didn’t know why, but he suddenly thought of someone, someone he had once trusted the most. That person had also been surnamed Yang.
Yang Jin had saved his life. On that desperate night, Yang Jin had carried the nearly dead Liang Chengshan out. Liang Chengshan would never forget that scene for the rest of his life. He would not forget how Yang Jin had looked, protecting him while covered in blood. They had walked through mountains of daggers and seas of fire together, risking their lives time and time again.
But in the end, Yang Jin had betrayed him…. His brethren that had trusted in him had died or gotten hurt because of him, with some getting caught by the police. Liang Chengshan had escaped and had pledged to get revenge for everyone.
At that time, he had had a revelation.
He could not survive in this cruel world if he was kind or hesitant. That’s why he had pledged to never be like that again. He would not ever trust anyone else again.
Liang Chengshan shut his eyes. It was probably because he was in the same place with another person surnamed Yang that he suddenly remembered the past.
It had been very difficult to find where Yang Jin had hidden himself. Only then had he found out that the other actually had a wife.
He owed Yang Jin his life. He had struggled, hesitated and suffered over this. He had even thought of letting the other go…but he couldn’t. He had already been deceived once. He had promised to bring justice to his fallen brothers. One life was not enough to cancel the loss of several hundred.
Therefore, he had killed him.
That woman risked her life and stood in front of Yang Jin. She had also died under the fire of his gun. But he had originally planned to let her go.
Xie He didn’t know what was wrong with Liang Chengshan. He was currently in a lot of pain. He quietly called out, “Are you tired?”
Liang Chengshan opened his eyes and turned to look at Xie He. All of a sudden, he broke out into a smile. “No, I was just thinking about the past.” He caressed the lids of Xie He’s eyes and suddenly realized why he had spared the other’s life….
Although he didn’t look like Yang Jin at all, when he looked at this young man who also carried the last name Yang and saw his stubborn and sharp nature, he felt as if he were looking at that person who used to stand next to him in the past.
Liang Chengshan suddenly felt a bit nostalgic. When he looked at Xie He, it was like he had gone back to the past.
Back then, his heart hadn’t been as cold. He had still been able to let others in.
He had not yet lost the ability to love.
Liang Chengshan gazed into Xie He’s eyes and then reached into the other’s clothes all of a sudden. With his other hand, he pinched Xie He’s chin and kissed him.
Xie He had already been at his limit, so how could he endure Liang Chengshan’s teasing? He began to shake and whimpered. “Don’t tease me…please….”
Liang Chengshan took in Xie He’s pitiful appearance and watery eyes. A hint of tenderness flashed through his eyes, but his actions held no mercy.
If this youngster didn’t get taught a lesson, he would not understand just whom he belonged to. Right now, the only reason he was alive was because Liang Chengshan liked him.
Liang Ze sat there, watching it all unfold in front of him. His grip on the edge of the table was deathly tight.
How could Liang Chengshan….Take. Things. So. Far.
He knew that Liang Ze liked Xie He, but he disregarded any affection they may have had between father and son. Not only had he taken Xie He away, he was even purposely humiliating Xie He in front of Liang Ze. This was the same as humiliating him! Did Liang Chengshan care this much about his position and might? Just what was important to the older man?
Was the blood flowing through his veins cold?
Liang Ze lowered his head, hiding the flash of anger in them. But he covered it up very quickly. He clenched his fists and then looked up, speaking to Liang Chengshan in a reverent tone. “Father, the food is getting cold.”
Liang Ze stopped. He pulled Xie He, whose body had gone completely soft, into his lap. He stared in Liang Ze’s eyes and then smiled. “Let’s eat.”
Liang Ze stood up to plate him food. He did not so much as glance at Xie He.
I’m sorry…I can only do this much for you. I can’t save you from his clutches. I can’t even stop him from treating you like this.
Liang Chengshan had said that this meal would be practice for Liang Ze, but his attention was mostly on Xie He. He was very interested in teasing Xie He. He didn’t eat much. He spent most of the time feeding Xie He.
Xie He couldn’t eat. He forced himself to take a few bites but then begged, “I…I can’t eat anymore….”
Liang Chengshan’s eyes were gentle and warm. He smiled. “How can that do? You won’t have the energy to take me inside you if you don’t eat enough.”
As he said this, he continued to feed Xie He.
This meal was like torture for Xie He. In the end, he really couldn’t do it anymore…. When Liang Chengshan saw that Xie He was unwilling to eat no matter how he cajoled, he finally put down his chopsticks and asked Liang Ze, “Are you done?”
Liang Ze pulled his lips into a stiff smile, “Yes.”
Liang Chengshan nodded and said in a cool tone, “Then let’s go. Don’t disappoint me.”
After saying this, he carried Xie He out and placed him in the car.
Liang Ze stood at the restaurant’s door, watching as the car sped away. Hatred emerged in his eyes. Don’t worry, I won’t disappoint you.
…………………………
Xie He rolled around in the back seat. Now that Liang Ze was not around, he didn’t want to endure at all. He felt like he’d soon go crazy.
Xie He’s eyes were red. He grit his teeth and repeatedly said, “Forgive me, I won’t meet Liang Ze again…there’s nothing between us….”
Liang Chengshan pressed his index finger onto Xie He and chuckled. “You misspoke.”
Despair filled Xie He’s eyes as he said, “What…did I say wrong….”
Liang Chengshan smiled. “The important thing isn’t whether you meet him. But if you continue to not know your place and try to play tricks again, I’ll make you understand that today…was nothing.”
Xie He didn’t care what Liang Chengshan was saying. He nodded his head in haste and pleaded, “I got it. I’m yours…please let me off….”
Liang Chengshan laughed. He brought Xie He gently into his arms, stroking him comfortingly with his large palms. “That’s right. Don’t count on Liang Ze coming to save you. Everything he has, I gave him. What I can give him, I can take back. The only person you can beg is me.”
Liang Chengshan took Xie He home, took the thing out of him, and then f*cked him roughly.
Even after the deed was done, Liang Chengshan didn’t let go of Xie He. Xie He had already fallen asleep, tears still clinging to the corners of his eyes. Liang Chengshan caressed his face, gazing at him with affection in his eyes.
Today, he hadn’t just wanted to knock Liang Ze down. He had also wanted to make it clear to the other that Xie He was his. He wanted the other to stop with any delusions he might still have. In Liang Chengshan’s eyes, Xie He was different. He was not a toy that he could just share with somebody else. He was a rare beauty that could affect his heart.
He was someone that he wanted to thoroughly possess and keep all to himself.
Even if the other was his son, he would not share.
【Ding, the target Liang Chengshan’s Favourability Value +3. The current Favourability Value is 78.】
………………………………
【Xie He:Uncle Liang really knows how to play. He’s an expert. I nearly died of pleasure last night. Smile.JPG】
【444:……】
【Xie He:For the sake of my continued pleasure, I will reluctantly act disobedient. ???? 】
【444:……_(:зゝ∠)_】
【Xie He:Honestly speaking, everything about Uncle Liang is great. It’s just that he’s a bit too rough when it comes to raising his son. Actually, he doesn’t treat Liang Ze that badly. At most, he’s just conceited and a bit coldhearted. For him to only send Liang Ze to the borders to temper himself after what had happened is proof that he holds some familial affection for him. But familial affection… can most easily give people improbable expectations. Just like how it’s only expected that parents should raise their child, it’s only expected that you raise them well. If you don’t, you’ll be criticized, because everyone thinks this way. That’s why Liang Ze must be thinking, “You’re my father, why can’t you treat me a bit better?” It’s inevitable that he would feel resentment for never having felt the warmth of paternal love despite being his son. It’s understandable.】
【444:Ah…so Liang Ze will hate Liang Chengshan?】
【Xie He:That will require a bit more instigation on my part to deepen the wonderful misunderstanding. The father and son pair have already become estranged. With Liang Chengshan’s coldhearted nature, he will only make Liang Ze hate him more and make him not understand him. It’s not like Liang Chengshan doesn’t know this. He just doesn’t care. All he needs is an obedient successor who’s not too useless. Liang Ze is a selfish and highly ambitious person. He will definitely think of a way to overthrow Liang Chengshan…. Men…they don’t like to submit to others. Smile.JPG】
【444:O(∩_∩)O~】Why do I feel like you quite enjoy submitting to others….
After this happened, Xie He acted even more lovable and obedient. No matter how Liang Chengshan treated him, he made no complaints.
Seeing that Xie He was on good behaviour, Liang Chengshan didn’t bind his hands behind him anymore. Instead, they were bound in front. This way, he could at least do simple things like eat by himself.
Xie He acted extremely grateful on the outside but the hatred inside of him only intensified. It was just that it wasn’t the right time yet…he would have to continue to endure.
Liang Chengshan acted even more doting towards Xie He. He would frequently take him with him. As long as Xie He was well-behaved, he didn’t mind treating him a little better.
Today, Liang Chengshan was talking business in the manor of a big client. Xie He was sitting on the side, bored to death. He took a stroll around the gardens alone. In any case, he had a tracking device on his leg. Moreover, Liang Chengshan’s people were everywhere. Liang Chengshan wasn’t worried that Xie He would escape. Xie He also didn’t have any intention to escape.
His goal had never been to escape. His goal was revenge.
Xie He stood in a corner where no one could see him from the front and pondered how to take off the cuffs around his hands. He could open many kinds of handcuffs, but the one Liang Chengshan had prepared for him could not be opened no matter what he did.
At this moment, one of the bodyguards approached him and asked Xie He, “What are you doing?”
Xie He turned around and saw a tall Caucasian man in front of him. He recognized this person. There were many bodyguards under Kenny’s command. Xie He knew each and every one of them. This man was named Gary. He did things by the book and was rather unremarkable.
Xie He shrugged, flashing a lazy smile. “Basking in the sun. What, I’m not allowed to?”
Gary came in close. He was a bit taller than Xie He, blocking the sun from Xie He. He suddenly lowered his voice and said, “Mr. Hall has a message for you.”
Xie He’s expression suddenly changed. The gaze in his eyes turned dark. “I don’t know a ‘Mr. Hall.’ Don’t randomly utter such nonsense.”
Gary remained calm and said, “He knew that you wouldn’t trust me so he told me to tell you this: When you were eight, he adopted you. Your English name is Aaron. Your birthday is December 8th. When you were in middle school, you broke your arm because you got into a fight with your classmates. That day, you shut yourself at home for a whole day, depressed. That was because you could have won. It was just that you were outnumbered.”
Xie He’s expression gradually relaxed. Only Uncle Hall would know of these things, so he put down his guard. He asked in a calm voice, “What does he want to tell me?”
Gary said, “He’s really happy that you’re still alive. He wants to tell you to bear with it for a while. He will definitely figure out a way to save you.”
When Xie He heard this, he smiled. Traces of warmth could be seen in his eyes. He said, “No need. I don’t need him to come save me.”
Gary was surprised. He had a faint idea as to what Liang Chengshan was doing to Xie He. Did Xie He not want to escape?
Xie He told him, “Please let him know that I can take care of myself so he doesn’t have to worry.”
Gary asked, “Are you certain?”
Xie He’s gaze was firm. “Yes.”
Gary didn’t continue to persuade him. He could only leave, pretending that nothing had happened. He didn’t dare interact too much with Xie He. He would only expose himself if he did.
Xie He watched Gary leave, the corner of his lips rising. He lived only for revenge.
When other children had been loved and cared for by their parents, he had been startled awake by his nightmares, only to find himself all alone. In his nightmares, he saw his parents lying in a pool of blood. While other children had been able to live without any worries, his heart had only been filled with hatred. He had single mindedly wanted to find the enemy that had murdered his parents…. He had trained himself without stopping. He had never taken it easy. He had practiced his wrestling and shooting skills, how to deal with being tortured, and had participated in the cruellest training available for mercenaries…. He had paid prices unfathomable to ordinary people.
It was all for the sake of being able to personally kill his enemy one day. It would only waste his previous efforts if he were to leave.
Therefore, he would not leave.
Eve: Bruh, stealing your son’s boyfriend has to be a new kind of low. Both as a human and as a parent. LOOL
sere: ^^ yikes. Im scared to see what is still to come