Chapter 11: Xiao Nian Will Stay at the House for a Few Days
Returning to the days at the Shen household meant there were endless chores every day, accompanied by countless eye rolls. Previously, he could still sleep until dawn, but now, Liang Sheng had to go to the wet market with Auntie Chen before the sun was even up. Then he rushed back to make breakfast without stopping, followed by looking after Shen Tingwan as she got up, and ironing Shen Xingyu’s suit for work.
Even though the Shen family had countless servants, Shen Xingyu used the excuse of not trusting the servants to do things, forcing all the dirty and tiring work onto Liang Sheng. The husband claimed on the surface that having him handle things personally offered peace of mind, but only Liang Sheng knew the other was merely punishing him—punishing his betrayal.
Liang Sheng had no complaints. He was the one who failed to abide by the rules of the contract; he shouldn’t have hugged Xie Zhengran, let alone be caught red-handed by his husband.
Fantasies are just fantasies in the end. Shen Xingyu hadn’t regained his memory. Burdened with debt, Liang Sheng still couldn’t escape his fate of trying to leave resolutely each time, only to be dragged back.
Sitting in the pavilion, Liang Sheng sighed heavily and tossed the dried fish in his hand.
Immediately, a large group of cats scrambled over, crowding together to fight for the food.
A small cat that didn’t manage to get a piece leaped onto his thigh, raised its tail, and meowed anxiously.
“There’s enough for everyone, don’t rush.”
Liang Sheng patted the head of the little cat in his arms, then scattered the rest of the dried fish from the bowl.
The cats, big and small, surrounding him all jumped to the ground.
All these cats had been brought back from outside by Shen Xingyu.
Over their seven years of marriage, the other party had brought back many stray cats of all sizes—sick ones, disabled ones, abandoned ones. They were all raised in the backyard. Cat trees, cat houses, and an innumerable amount of cat-related items filled the space.
At first, he also found it unbelievable. Why was it that Shen Xingyu had undergone such a drastic change in personality, becoming cold and heartless, yet hadn’t forgotten to take in stray cats? Could it be that his fickleness and callousness were reserved exclusively for him…
Liang Sheng’s shoulders slumped, his eyes reddening slightly. Just as he felt disappointed, his gaze suddenly fell on a white cat licking its paws nearby.
It was also the only cat Shen Xingyu had put a collar tag on and given a name.
Aloof and arrogant, it never bothered to fight for food with the other cats. Its personality was exactly the same as its master’s.
Liang Sheng was helpless. He took out the specially prepared canned chicken and offered it to the white cat: “Xiao Man, eat up. Your favorite canned food. Where did you run off to just now? You didn’t even come to eat.”
As he spoke, he subconsciously tried to pat Xiao Man’s head, but was met with a warning snarl, forcing him to give up.
Aside from Shen Xingyu, Xiao Man wouldn’t let anyone touch it. It hit anyone who came close. If he hadn’t been taking care of the little cat for a long time, this bad-tempered fellow probably wouldn’t even give him the time of day.
Liang Sheng furrowed his delicate brows and stopped teasing Xiao Man. He sat on the bench, watching the cats playing and frolicking around him.
Green shade, blue sky, murmuring streams. The warm humidity curled through the air, carrying the faint, woody fragrance of unknown fruit trees—the traces of early spring.
The time he enjoyed most every day was this afternoon hour. He didn’t have to interact with people, and accompanying him was a large group of adorable cats. This peace and tranquility was the life he had always dreamed of.
Tossing about in orphanages as a child with no fixed home; later, after being adopted, dodging debt collectors and drifting from place to place. He had finally gotten married and secured a stable home, but unfortunately, there was no warmth or happiness.
Liang Sheng suddenly missed his deceased mother very much. If his mother were still alive, he would probably be taking care of her by her side right now…
The passing of a loved one is the long, damp season of this lifetime.
He didn’t know how long he sat there blankly. Suddenly, the honk of a car horn approached from the road behind the backyard.
He distractedly looked up and saw a Cayenne driving past the backyard, heading straight for the main gate.
That was Shen Xingyu’s private car.
Shouldn’t the other party still be at the company at this hour?
Why did he suddenly come back…
Liang Sheng was puzzled, but he set the little cat down, took off his apron, and dusted himself off.
Shen Xingyu had made it a rule: every time he came home, no matter what Liang Sheng was doing, he must appear before the man immediately.
So he had to go to the living room right now.
Liang Sheng rubbed his face to make himself look a bit more energetic, but the exhaustion in his eyes couldn’t be concealed.
Upon arriving at the living room, the servants who were originally gathered in twos and threes chatting and laughing immediately scattered to do their own tasks. Seeing Liang Sheng arrive, they respectfully called out ‘Young Madam’.
Liang Sheng nodded awkwardly. Even after being Madam Shen for seven years, he still wasn’t accustomed to hearing this title.
Perhaps, he had never enjoyed a single day of the treatment a Young Madam deserved.
The main door was pushed open, and Qin Lou stepped aside.
Liang Sheng composed himself and went to greet him, but upon seeing the person his husband had brought in, the corners of his mouth drooped, and all traces of a smile vanished.
“Come, Xiao Nian, be careful.”
Shen Xingyu held his secretary’s hand, handed the luggage to Qin Lou, and then walked in, his mood visibly bright.
Liang Sheng’s heart turned sour. Watching his husband show such utmost care and tender gazes to someone else reminded him that the other party had once treated him like this too, only to leave nothing but hypocrisy after losing his memory.
And now, he actually got to witness Shen Xingyu smiling so sincerely at another person.
Didn’t he say his personality had drastically changed, becoming cold and heartless…
Didn’t he say he was just acting to make him jealous…
Then why did it look so genuine?
Liang Sheng began to feel he couldn’t understand him anymore.
As soon as Shen Xingyu entered the door, he immediately looked at his little wife. Seeing the other’s eyes wet and red, he was satisfied, allowing Su Nian to hold onto his arm, pressing intimately against the secretary.
Liang Sheng found it extremely grating on the eyes. He turned to leave, but was stopped by Shen Xingyu: “Did I tell you to leave? Come here.”
The corners of Su Nian’s lips curved slightly. Within those pitiful eyes floated a few hints of provocation.
Helpless, Liang Sheng could only bite the bullet and walk up to the man. Raising his eyes, he met his husband’s cold gaze and the mistress’s gloating face. His chest felt tight, and he didn’t know what to do.
“Due to work requirements, Xiao Nian needs to stay at the house for a while. Tidy up your room for him to stay in, and as for that study of yours, give it to Xiao Nian to use as his workspace.”
Shen Xingyu ordered indifferently, completely ignoring whether Liang Sheng was willing or not.
“I disagree! I can give him the room, but not the study! My most important things are in there…”
Liang Sheng retorted agitatedly, but in the man’s eyes, this bit of protest was insignificant, and he quickly cut him off:
“Then move them all out.”
“No… no, my things… the study is the only place that belongs to me…”
Liang Sheng kept shaking his head in denial, tears already threatening to spill from his eyes.
This study was given to him by his husband before he lost his memory. The precious items collected inside were countless. For him to just easily give it away now—no matter what was said, he refused.
“Then throw them away!”
Shen Xingyu grew impatient. Ever since he heard him say his most important things were inside, his mood had inexplicably soured. He hated his little wife keeping any thoughts or attachments that weren’t related to him.
Seeing his attitude toward Liang Sheng grow increasingly hostile, Su Nian was absolutely thrilled. Although he tried his best to hold it in on the surface, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but rise.
He believed that very soon, Liang Sheng would have to bid a final farewell to the status of Madam Shen, and he, Su Nian, would be the new Young Madam of the Shen family!
Just you wait and see, Liang Sheng.
Liang Sheng naturally saw the provocation and smugness in his eyes. Annoyed, he could only swallow his grievances.
“Must you be this heartless?”
Clinging to his last shred of hope, he looked at Shen Xingyu, yearning to see the Shen Xingyu who used to protect him, not the President Shen who now let him be bullied by others.
“Enough. Before I find out which wild man’s tokens of affection are in there, throw them all into the trash. Besides, I’m informing you, not asking for your opinion.”
His husband’s tone was cold and hard, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation, causing Liang Sheng’s heart to sink further and further.
“W-wild man?”
He smiled bitterly, the tears in his eyes finally falling uncontrollably.
Seeing this situation, Su Nian rolled his eyes and quickly stepped in to smooth things over:
“It’s okay, President Shen. I can just stay in the guest room. Asking the Young Madam to move out is too embarrassing! I’m just a lowly secretary, how could I deserve to use the Young Madam’s room and study~”
His pitiful appearance made him look very considerate, harmless to humans and animals, and not the type to fight or snatch.
Shen Xingyu affectionately scraped the tip of his nose: “This was meant for you originally anyway. It’s just that I lost my memory in the past and mistakenly gave it to someone else. Now that it’s returning to its rightful owner, no one will say anything.”
What did he mean, lost his memory in the past?
What did he mean, mistakenly gave it to someone else?
Liang Sheng’s ears buzzed, tormented half to death by his words, feeling completely exhausted.
Could it be that the memories he and Shen Xingyu shared all these years weren’t worthy of being remembered, and only what he had with Su Nian was real…
“Wow~”
Su Nian’s eyes lit up, revealing a soft and sweet smile. Then, he bit his lip in distress: “But, is this really okay? Being able to live in the Shen household is already my greatest fortune, how could I dare expect the Young Madam to clear out the study? Plus, the Young Madam doesn’t look very willing…”
“He doesn’t dare to be unwilling.”
Shen Xingyu smiled, gently caressing Su Nian’s face, his gaze as deep as the sea.
“Thank you, President Shen~”
Su Nian lowered his head shyly. However, when he looked at Liang Sheng, it was like a victor declaring sovereignty: “And thank you, Young Madam~ I’ll be in your care these next few days~”
Liang Sheng looked away, unwilling to pay him any attention.
“Xiao Nian, whenever I’m not around, you can go to him for whatever you need. You don’t need to be mindful of his status. After all, there are some people who, even knowing they are the Young Madam of the Shen family, still think about fooling around with wild men.”
Shen Xingyu’s sudden sarcastic remark stunned Liang Sheng. He realized the man was still brooding over the fact that he had hugged Xie Zhengran, and was using Su Nian to anger him.
However, he couldn’t muster any anger. It just felt like a fishbone lodged in his throat—too bitter to spit out, too harsh to swallow. In the end, he only managed to squeeze out one choked sentence to prove his innocence:
“A-Yu, I always remember my status, and I haven’t… fooled around with anyone! You don’t need to speak in such ambiguous terms.”
“Oh, and then what? Should I trust my own eyes, or trust you? Madam.”
Shen Xingyu asked with a smile. His tone was peaceful, lacking any trace of anger, but that overbearing sense of oppression caused Liang Sheng’s breathing to stall.
“Alright, I need to take a shower. Go ahead and lead Xiao Nian to your room.”
Shen Xingyu took off his coat, tossed it onto Liang Sheng, and went upstairs.
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