Xiang Mingzhang watched the car drive away, raised his hand and touched his shoulder. The place where Xiang Xingzhao had touched was wet. He pressed it hard and said, "Let's go."
After leaving the restaurant, Chu Shichen stared out the window all the way. The venue issue had been resolved. Li Heng knew that Xiang Mingzhang would definitely confirm with Chu Shihui for help, and then reveal the news of the party.
Mrs. Chu's relatives and friends in New Zealand will make proper arrangements. Chu Shichen sorted out all the things and asked, "By the way, have you told your aunt?"
Xiang Mingzhang stroked the steering wheel: "No."
Chu Shichen felt that Xiang Mingzhang, who was very resolute, was procrastinating, and procrastination meant evasion. He asked curiously, "How many horses are there in the horse farm of Manzhuang?"
Xiang Mingzhang snorted and laughed, understanding that Chu Shichen was willing to accompany him. He turned at the intersection and changed the route. He also replied implicitly: "Forgot, I'll take you to see it."
They arrived at the northern area of Manzhuang an hour later. It was already late and they came suddenly. Fortunately, Bai Yongti had not gone to bed yet.
Living in seclusion, it is not easy to express one's difficulties. Chu Shichen greeted Bai Yongti, asked for a glass of water, and tactfully stayed in the living room waiting.
Xiang Mingzhang followed Bai Yongti into the study and closed the door. He walked to the wall as if he was visiting. The bookcase was made up of several squares, each with books and ornaments, arranged in an orderly manner.
There was a textbook among the many treasured books. Xiang Mingzhang took it out and found that it was a professional book he used when he was in college. He didn't know how it had been preserved until now.
Bai Yongti had just finished her bath, with her long hair loose, and she sat on the futon beside the low table and asked, "Do you have something to tell me?"
Since we are here, why bother dragging it out? Xiang Mingzhang said, "It's almost the end of the month. Shichen's mother and sister are going to New Zealand for vacation. They want to invite you to go with them."
Bai Yongti had a blank expression on her face: "No need."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "The Chu family has a farm in New Zealand, which is more beautiful than Manzhuang. Mrs. Chu also knows about the relationship between Shichen and me. You can go there as a companion to relax."
Bai Yongti said: "I don't have any worries, I don't need to relax."
"I have." Xiang Mingzhang felt helpless. He told Bai Yongti to investigate the yacht explosion. "No one knows what will happen. There may be risks."
Bai Yongti was unmoved: "Then you have to protect Shichen and yourself, don't worry about me."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Mrs. Chu kindly invited you. Take this opportunity to meet some people and get some fresh air. Isn't it boring to stay in Manzhuang all day?"
"Then apologize to Mrs. Chu for me. I appreciate her kindness." Bai Yongti said gently but firmly, "I am a taciturn person and don't like to go out."
Xiang Mingzhang expected this result, and felt powerless, like a punch on cotton. He stuffed the book back into the cabinet, and the spine of the book hit the wooden board with a "bang".
He avoided talking about the past because he didn't want to touch Bai Yongti's scars, but that didn't mean he was willing to watch Bai Yongti live half-dead and isolated from the world.
"How long do you plan to stay here?" Xiang Mingzhang asked coldly, "Eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures every day, copying scriptures in the morning and evening, are you going to spend the rest of your life like this?"
Bai Yongti tucked her hair behind her ears and said, "This is good."
"Well?" Xiang Mingzhang said, "What good is it for you to stay here and suffer?"
Bai Yongti asked: "Are you going to force me to see someone and force me to leave?"
"I want you to live happily." Xiang Mingzhang said, "Mom, no one can control you. You can go wherever you want, be with whoever you want, cry when you want, and curse when you want. It's not easy to get to this point, why do you have to torture yourself?"
Bai Yongti asked back: "What about you? Why do you stay in the Xiang family and be Xiang Xingzhao's most filial grandson?"
Xiang Mingzhang paused for more than ten seconds: "My last name is Xiang, I am the vice president and major shareholder of Xiang Yue, and I am Xiang Xingzhao's most preferred successor. For the sake of the company and family business, why should I leave?"
Bai Yongti said: "You want power and status, that's enough. No one can do anything to you or me. How far do you want to go?"
Xiang Mingzhang said firmly: "I will make Xiang Xingzhao pay the price."
"He's already like a useless person." Bai Yongti was rarely excited, "Mingzhang, don't do the wrong thing out of resentment."
Xiang Mingzhang sneered, "What is right and what is wrong? Forget about those things, believe in Buddhism and chant sutras like you, and persuade yourself to let go of hatred? Or be like Xiang Long, that coward, and be a turtle who runs away?"
Bai Yongti stood up suddenly: "It doesn't matter what happens to me, I'm just afraid that you'll go astray!"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Then there is no need to wait until now. Xiang Xingzhao died of a stroke two years ago!"
Bai Yongti's eyes widened with fear on her face.
Xiang Mingzhang lowered his hands, his brows slightly grim: "I will not go astray. I have put on a false appearance of filial piety and endured humiliation for many years to get to where I am today. Xiang Yue, Xiang family, I want to be the beneficiary, I want to be the boss, and I will not stop until I see Xiang Xingzhao die!"
Bai Yongti shouted: "Ming Zhang!"
Xiang Mingzhang's eyes seemed to be filled with rage: "You believe in Buddhism, but I don't. I, Xiang Mingzhang, don't need anyone's blessing. If the kindness of the gods and Buddhas in the sky has nowhere to be released, we can wait for Xiang Xingzhao to be liberated one day in the future, because he will definitely die with his eyes open!"
Bai Yongti was staggering, feeling depressed and pent up for years, and her chest was about to explode. She grabbed the vase on the table and threw it heavily!
Broken pieces of porcelain and cold water were scattered all over the floor. Bai Yongti picked up cups, candlesticks, books and newspapers and smashed them on the floor one by one. She seemed like a different person, disappearing indifferently, without any tranquility left.
Xiang Mingzhang stood there in a trance. The Bai Yongti in front of him was the same as his former "mother", so fragile, painful, and hysterical.
The door of the study was pushed open. Chu Shichen heard the noise and ran over, standing in shock at the door.
Half of the house was in a mess. Bai Yongti was sitting on the ground with her long hair disheveled and her expression invisible. Xiang Mingzhang stood gloomily by the wall, like a bewildered culprit.
Sister Qing trotted over, rushed to the table and supported Bai Yongti, and was too frightened to open her mouth.
Chu Shichen quickly calmed down and almost ordered: "Mingzhang, come out."
Xiang Mingzhang moved as if he came back to his senses and walked out of the study step by step. Chu Shichen told Sister Qing to take care of Bai Yongti, and then took Xiang Mingzhang away.
Walking out of the courtyard gate, Chu Shichen let go of her hand. He wanted to say something, and the white breath he exhaled dissipated in the darkness.
Xiang Mingzhang wiped his face, but couldn't erase the embarrassed look. He pretended nothing happened and asked, "Do you still want to go to the horse farm?"
Chu Shichen cooperated with him: "Okay, take me there."
The horse farm was not far from the lake. There was a circle of ground lights outside the fence, dimly illuminating the wide slope. Single-row stables and storage rooms were side by side. When Xiang Mingzhang and Chu Shichen approached, they could hear the rustling of horses.
There are six horses in total. Xiang Mingzhang's favorite is a pure black BMW called "No. 1" because it runs the fastest. There is a blue ribbon tied on its tail to indicate that it is not docile and is aggressive.
Chu Shichen said: "I'll accompany you."
Xiang Mingzhang retained a trace of rationality: "It's too dark. I'll take you for a ride another day."
Chu Shichen insisted: "You don't need to lead me, I can ride a horse."
Xiang Mingzhang couldn't resist and picked another docile and strong white horse named "Ruyun".
Chu Shichen took Ruyun by the hand and caressed her for a while, then climbed onto the horse with skillful and dashing movements. The last time he rode a horse was a few years ago, and he had almost forgotten the feeling of galloping.
There were only Xiang Mingzhang and Chu Shichen in the empty horse farm. With the long grass rustling and the horses' hooves galloping lightly, they were riding No. 1 and Ruyun, one after the other, galloping along the outer circle.
The horse's mane was flying and the wind was whistling in his ears. Xiang Mingzhang rode faster and faster, as if he wanted to throw all his resentment into the horse farm and crush it.
Chu Shichen chased steadily from behind, shouting into the wind: "Have you told your aunt?"
Xiang Mingzhang didn't turn around, his voice was a little vague: "She doesn't agree."
Chu Shichen asked again: "So you had a big fight with your aunt?"
Xiang Mingzhang's back stiffened slightly, and No. 1's steps became disordered. Chu Shichen squeezed his horse's belly and waited for an opportunity to catch up: "Why can't we talk it out nicely?"
Xiang Mingzhang frowned and replied: "She is too stubborn!"
As he was speaking, Ruyun had completely overtaken the opponent. Chu Shichen pulled the reins and Ruyun turned around and blocked the opponent's way.
Xiang Mingzhang called for a halt urgently, forcing No. 1 to raise its front hooves, and a piercing neigh suddenly pierced the sky.
The horse's hooves hit the ground, causing pain to his internal organs. Xiang Mingzhang said, "This is very dangerous, don't you know?!"
Chu Shichen sat upright on the horse: "No matter what, she is your mother."
"Are you teaching me a lesson?" Xiang Mingzhang said, "Just because she is my mother, I hope she can be like a normal person and not be locked up here day after day."
Chu Shichen breathed in the cold air and said, "This place is spacious and beautiful, with horses, a lake, and people to take care of our daily lives. Many people will never be able to enjoy such conditions in their entire lives."
Xiang Mingzhang narrowed his eyes slightly. He didn't expect Chu Shichen to say such a thing. He replied: "Do you think she enjoys it? Whether it's a bungalow or a mansion, being locked up for a year or two, or half a lifetime, what's the difference between that and being in prison?"
Chu Shichen asked back: "What about you?"
Xiang Mingzhang was stunned. Chu Shichen pulled the reins and rode to his side: "The South District is for you. It's empty and even cats can't stay there."
"If it's imprisonment, is it just my aunt who is imprisoned in this huge cage?"
This was the first time Chu Shichen came to Man Zhuang and the first time he met Bai Yongti. In front of the Guanyin statue, Bai Yongti said, "You won't believe it unless you experience suffering." Does that mean that Bai Yongti had experienced suffering before
The knot in my heart is hard to untie, so I have to rely on faith to seek comfort
Bai Yongti is isolated from all activities of the Xiang family and is Xiang Mingzhang's weak spot. The reason why the weak spot is the weak spot is that if it is opened, it will expose old scars.
Outsiders all thought that Xiang Long was the thorn in the relationship between the mother and son, but Xiang Mingzhang had unpredictable feelings towards Xiang Xingzhao. Xiang Xingzhao was present every time his emotions fluctuated. Just now in the study, every word he mentioned was about Xiang Xingzhao's name with his explicit hatred.
Chu Shichen had guessed it long ago, and said, "It's human nature to seek benefits and avoid harm. Auntie can't forget the hurt she's suffered. She feels that it's safe enough to stay here, right?"
Xiang Mingzhang said in resistance: "I don't know."
Chu Shichen exposed him: "When you bought this manor, no, when you wanted a place like this, what did you ask for? You asked people to plant the trees so densely that no air could get through. Was it because you liked it, or was it a defensive reaction in your heart?"
Xiang Mingzhang swayed on the horse's back, and the shaking stopped. His vision became blurry in the dark, and the faint light blurred the outline of Chu Shichen.
"Xiang Mingzhang!" Chu Shichen called him, forcing him to focus his eyes.
Xiang Mingzhang breathed rapidly: "What else do you want to say?"
Chu Shichen spoke calmly and loudly, hiding the pity in his eyes: "Auntie is hurt, and you are also in pain. Auntie is suffering and can't get out of the shadow, and you are also unable to feel relieved by hiding your hatred."
"You crave security just like your aunt does. When you were helpless, did you want to hide in a place like this?"
"Man Zhuang, the silk cloth is a shackle, and wrapping the body has become a bondage. Auntie's knot is not resolved, and your hatred is not gone. Neither of you has been freed!"
"You simply look down on the wimps who abandon their families, so who do you hate the most, if not Xiang Long?!"
"Why did you write the painting 'Pozhenzi' out of indignation?!"
The reins were about to rub the tiger's mouth, and Xiang Mingzhang forced Bai Yongti to break down and vent his anger. He was also pushed to the edge of the cliff step by step by Chu Shichen.
"Yes." Xiang Mingzhang admitted with tears in his eyes, "Because I hate that God is blind and let Xiang Xingzhao save his life!"
Chu Shichen was terrified: "He hurt my aunt... right?"
Xiang Mingzhang was furious. He had endured it for more than 20 years. When he said it out loud, it was like bleeding and digging flesh out of the cracks in his bones: "Xiang Xingzhao was unfaithful to my mother. I knew it when I was eight years old."
Chu Shichen was shocked and finally understood what Xiang Mingzhang meant by "dirty things".
"The hibiscus birds in Jingpu were raised to entertain my mother." Xiang Mingzhang said with gritted teeth, "My future, the livelihood of my grandparents, Xu Liao, everything was a means of threat from Xiang Xingzhao."
At dinner tonight, the considerate look of Xiang Mingzhang taking care of Xiang Xingzhao was still fresh in Chu Shichen's mind. Chu Shichen loosened the reins and dismounted, asking, "Have you been pretending for so many years?"
Xiang Mingzhang looked down at him, jumped down, and staggered: "He uses his position to oppress others, so I will take over his position. He uses power to force others, so I will take away his power. He feels guilty about his own son, so I will not let him see Xiang Long."
Chu Shichen opened his arms: "What else?"
Xiang Mingzhang was used to carrying the burden alone, and was numb and tireless. Only after he spoke out loud did he realize that his whole body was in pain. He shook himself and hugged Chu Shichen, and Chu Shichen also hugged him tightly.
Their bodies were pressed together, and they felt warm and cozy, but Xiang Mingzhang looked sad: "He values me because of his dirty and selfish motives, so I will let him know that I am just an ungrateful wolf who wants him dead."
(End of this chapter)