CHAPTER 351: CHAPTER 351: CAUGHT IN THE NET

When Sheng Hong arrived at the Champs-Élysées, Liang Mother’s face was as gentle and soft as always, while Liang Rou had a charming and cute look. Sheng Hong had no idea what the two were discussing behind his back.

"Why did you come back so early today?" Liang Mother went to take Sheng Hong’s coat with a smile, but she caught a whiff of a strange perfume scent. The scent wasn’t strong and had almost dissipated, but Liang Mother’s extraordinary sensitivity to fragrances picked it up. If she hadn’t become Sheng Hong’s mistress back then, she would have returned to be a perfumer right after university graduation.

If Sheng Hong had turned around at that moment, he would have seen the smile on Liang Mother’s face freeze slightly, and her hand holding his coat was gradually clenching. The originally neatly ironed suit was now creased, but Sheng Hong, consumed by thoughts of being rejected by Xu Jiahui, couldn’t spare a thought for anything else.

"I’m a bit tired, is it not okay to come back early?" Sheng Hong said with a bit of an edge in his voice.

"I didn’t mean it like that," Liang Mother said awkwardly, standing there somewhat at a loss for words. Perhaps her mind was in turmoil, and she had no desire to speak to the man in front of her.

"I’m going to my room now, call me when it’s time to eat; don’t bother me otherwise," Sheng Hong instructed, and then without looking back, he entered the bedroom, slamming the master bedroom door shut, the loud sound echoing throughout the entire house.

"Mom, you see, he doesn’t care about you at all. You gave up everything to be with him, yet look at how he takes out his frustration on us just because of another woman. Does such a man deserve your love and sacrifices?" Liang Rou said to Liang Mother, looking at the creased suit in her hand.

"And it’s been over twenty years. His son is dead, and he has never thought of recognizing me as part of the Sheng Family, never let my last name become Sheng. It’s been over twenty years, Mom, you should see what kind of person he is by now. He’s not the right man for you. We must plan for ourselves now. Do you want to spend over twenty years with him for nothing?" Liang Rou continued, pressing on as she watched the darkening expression on Liang Mother’s face.

Liang Mother’s heart finally wavered, "You’re right. I can’t be so foolish anymore. I have to plan for our future." Liang Mother let out a gentle sigh as if shedding something from her body, and her voice, usually gentle, now carried a trace of determination.

"Mom, I’m so happy you understand," Liang Rou tightly hugged Liang Mother, her eyes filled with ambition and desire from an angle unseen by Liang Mother.

"Now, we need to think about what to do next," Liang Mother said gently after releasing each other.

"Mom, do you have any ideas?" Liang Rou asked, a hint of curiosity in her eyes as she looked at her mother, who had returned to her usual self.

"Of course, when the snipe and clam are at odds, the fisherman benefits. Find someone to leak news about that woman to Madame Sheng, then we’ll just wait and watch the show." Even while planning to harm others, Liang Mother’s face remained unchanged, as if it was perfectly natural, utterly calm and unruffled.

"Madame Sheng probably won’t take action, right? She hasn’t bothered with all the mistresses Dad has had over the years; she probably won’t do anything this time either," Liang Rou said, a hint of hesitation on her face.

"You don’t understand, these times are different. Your father has never stayed away from the Sheng Family for so long, and lately, he’s been so anxious. The only reason he could be this anxious is company matters. Madame Sheng is not like us; we never involve ourselves in your father’s company affairs, but Madame Sheng does. Which woman could accept her husband indulging in women when the company situation is so precarious? She might not do anything drastically to that woman, but she certainly won’t let her have a good time, and it’ll serve as a warning to others," Liang Mother analyzed, capturing Liang Rou’s rapt attention.

"Mom, are you really my mom?" Liang Rou looked at Liang Mother, a look of shock on her face.

"How so?" Liang Mother asked, glancing sidelong at her daughter.

"I just realized today that my mom is such an amazing planner. You’re so calculating. When did you understand Madame Sheng so well?" Liang Rou said in awe, her mouth agape as she looked at her mother.

"Did you think I could be any less formidable to have you? Madame Sheng is not someone who can tolerate the appearance of illegitimate children," Liang Mother said, looking at her daughter, eyes brimming with confidence and, if you looked closely, a trace of pride.

"Indeed, my mom is the best. I’ll be relying entirely on you from now on," Liang Rou pounced on Liang Mother again, like a puppy that had found a bone, her wet, admiring eyes staring straight at Liang Mother.

"You’re the flesh that fell from my body, my only child, even if you didn’t say it, I’d want to give you the best of everything. It’s just a matter of time. Stop messing around here. I’ll handle this from now on, don’t make any more moves. I worry you won’t clean up properly and might get discovered," Liang Mother said warmly.

"Okay." Liang Rou nodded firmly, then continued, "I’ll do whatever you say, hehe."

Seeing Liang Rou’s carefree smile, the gentle curve of Liang Rou’s mouth finally grew sincere.

The Sheng Family was unaware that Madame Sheng, who was about to be used as a pawn, sneezed hard at the dining table, causing the surrounding servants to instinctively hold their breaths, each hiding themselves like quail.

"How many days has Sheng Hong been away?" Madame Sheng, who had just forked some vegetables, frowned as if recalling something and asked.

Silence echoed in the emptiness of the Sheng house, only Madame Sheng’s voice resounding. "Why aren’t any of you speaking? Are you all mute? What did the Sheng Family spend so much money hiring you for? To be stakes?" Madame Sheng shouted angrily, dissatisfied.

But the living room remained silent; not a word was uttered, everyone truly acting as if they were mute.

Seeing their reaction, Madame Sheng, in anger, threw the plate of neatly arranged food away, the sound of shattering porcelain ringing in the dining room but not easing Madame Sheng’s mood.