Chapter 12: Why Didn’t You Lock the Door?

Liang Jiyong smiled calmly.

“Uncle Chen, let me just say this, and you just listen. It doesn’t matter who said it—these are hard truths. If our Hongqi Factory wants to save itself, we must take the initiative first. As long as we can find a company willing to partner with us, driven by mutual interests, someone at the provincial level will help us push it through.

Right now, the people at Hongqi Factory are still united. Although emotionally it’s hard to accept, no one is a fool. If we drag this out and end up like Hongxing Factory or Guomian Factory, there won’t even be tears left to shed.

Top-down reform is hopeless. It’s better to start from the bottom up. If we can revive Hongqi Factory, everything will be worth it.

Someone once said, ‘It doesn’t matter if it’s a black cat or a white cat, as long as it catches mice, it’s a good cat.’”

“Reform? Change that nature, and it becomes a political issue!” Chen Wei, having suffered from political troubles before, was very wary of this.

“Uncle Chen, my second sister said that over in Lingnan, there’s talk that once the path is decided, it will be final. In fact, judging by the current public opinion, it’s already quite clear.

If reform happens in time, it’s still possible. But if we wait until the issue is settled, our products will have even less market. Then, alas!”

Chen Wei said nothing, but inside his mind, a storm was raging.

Liang Jiyong knew Chen Wei was a man of strong character. Though from a technical background, he was not narrow-minded—and not the kind who goes with the flow like Su Kui. Because of this, Chen Wei was someone capable of great things.

Yet, in his previous life, Liang suddenly lost all news of Chen Wei and Di Yutong, the father and daughter. His father seemed to know but never told him.

After drinking a glass of watermelon juice, Liang wanted to use the restroom while Chen Wei was still deep in thought.

What Chen Wei would ultimately do, whether he could make a difference—Liang did not know. Chen Wei was the most trustworthy person at Hongqi Factory that Liang could reach, the one with the greatest hope to change everything.

All Liang could do was piece together the uncertain information Chen Wei had and shed light on it.

How Chen Wei would choose remained unknown to Liang—and it was not something he could influence. He had done all he could.

Watermelon juice, indeed, was excellent for relieving the bladder.

Liang pushed open the bathroom door.

To his shock, Di Yutong was inside!

Liang froze, and when Di Yutong turned her head, she too was stunned.

A flash of lightning passed through Liang’s mind. He lunged forward and immediately covered her mouth, silencing her voice.

“Shh!”

Liang hushed her, and when Di Yutong realized this, she nodded softly. Only then did he release his hand.

At that moment, Di Yutong was wearing nothing. Her full bosom was barely covered by her hands, half-revealed, making Liang’s breath falter.

“You—pervert, how dare you look...” Di Yutong, usually carefree and fond of Liang, was now utterly ashamed.

Snapping back to his senses, Liang quickly turned to leave, but the study door opened again.

Startled, Liang hurriedly closed the bathroom door.

Both he and Di Yutong were too frightened to make a sound.

“Xiaoyong, are you in the bathroom?” Chen Wei’s voice came from upstairs—he must have also drunk too much watermelon juice and needed to use the restroom.

“Uncle Chen, um, maybe you should go upstairs. I...” Liang stammered.

“Oh, alright!” Chen Wei replied before going upstairs.

Liang sighed in relief.

Still feeling the warmth radiating from Di Yutong behind him, he dared not look back.

He heard soft rustling.

“All done,” Di Yutong whispered.

Only then did Liang turn around—but he felt that if he stayed any longer, he would lose control.

Suddenly, he realized something: he had come to use the restroom.

“Weren’t you showering upstairs?” Liang asked helplessly.

“My body lotion is downstairs!” she replied.

“Then why didn’t you lock the door?” Liang felt wronged.

“This is my home, and you didn’t knock! I’m the one suffering here!” Di Yutong, now calm again, retorted.

“Alright, I’m sorry. Can you get out now? I really have to pee!”

Bending over, Liang was indeed desperate.

“Hmph, I’m going to tell Wanqing you peeked at me...” she teased.

“Suit yourself. Just get out quickly!” Liang urged.

---

Di Yutong laughed seeing Liang’s embarrassment but hadn’t opened the door when footsteps came from upstairs.

“Xiaoyong, where’s Yutong? You two came back together, right?” Chen Wei’s voice floated down, making Liang’s heart race again. Di Yutong also grew nervous and unsure.

“We came back together. She said she’s going to accompany Wanqing tonight—she’s the only one at Wanqing’s house tonight!” Liang explained.

“Oh! Is your stomach upset?” Chen Wei asked, noticing Liang had been in the bathroom a while.

“No, I’m just going to shower. It’s inconvenient to bathe at home,” Liang answered.

“Alright, I’ll bring you a set of pajamas. You can stay in the guest room upstairs tonight. We’ll talk more tomorrow!”

Inside the bathroom, the shower was running, and the sound made Liang even more desperate.

“Turn around, no peeking!” Di Yutong warned.

Ignoring everything, Liang finally started to relieve himself.

Di Yutong spat lightly and turned her head away.

Liang exhaled in relief.

But soon, something felt off.

Di Yutong wrapped her arms around Liang from behind, pressing against his back.

“Jiyong, I love you!”

Liang’s breath quickened.

As he was about to speak, Di Yutong whispered, “Don’t say anything. I know you like Wanqing, but I really like you. Let me hold you, okay?”

Liang sighed—beauties’ favors are the hardest to bear.

“Thank you, Yutong. I’m flattered. You and Wanqing are my best friends. This year, I don’t want to get involved in romantic matters. If I can’t get into university, maybe our paths will drift further apart.”

“Hmm,” Di Yutong said softly, falling silent.

But Liang’s breath grew more labored.

No matter how strong his will, his body was only nineteen—young and full of vigor, unable to resist such provocation.

“Yutong, enough. Otherwise, I might make a mistake!”

“I’m not afraid. What are you afraid of?” Di Yutong tightened her embrace.

“I—I’m afraid your dad will beat me up!” Liang muttered.

Only then did Di Yutong remember they were in her home.

Two minutes later, Chen Wei knocked and handed Liang the pajamas. Di Yutong, terrified, hid behind the door. Liang cracked it open, took the pajamas, and thanked Chen Wei.

When Chen Wei closed the study door, both finally breathed freely.

“Hurry up, Your Highness!” Liang urged.

But Di Yutong’s appearance nearly made Liang’s nose bleed.

Her clothes were soaked through by the shower, clinging tightly to her body, making her look even more alluring than when she wore nothing.

“Does it look good?” Di Yutong bit her lip, striking a seductive pose.

“Yes, and if Uncle Chen comes out to knock again, we’ll both look even better!”

“Ah, what do we do now? I already told my dad I left...”

“Let’s go together!”

“Okay!”

Di Yutong moved to open the door.

“Wait, put on these pajamas first. Otherwise, you’ll catch a cold with those wet clothes!”

“Hmm, you’re wet too!” Liang noted, his clothes not soaked but damp on the back from Di Yutong.

“It’s fine. I’m used to going shirtless. Come on!”

Finally outside, Liang didn’t even greet Chen Wei. If Chen Wei saw them now, he wouldn’t know how to explain.

Di Yutong wore only a top, which, since Chen Wei was taller, reached nearly to her knees.

But the wind made her cold, so she snuggled close and held Liang’s arm.

Liang sighed silently but didn’t pull away.

Perhaps that fleeting glance earlier had changed how Di Yutong felt about him. She never used to cling to his arm.

“Don’t tell Wanqing, or you’ll be in trouble!” Di Yutong warned near Su Wanqing’s house.

“What do you mean?” Liang looked at her, feigning ignorance.

“You bad boy!”

Seeing Liang play dumb, Di Yutong pretended to be angry but then let go of his arm.

---

“Do you want to go in and shower?” Di Yutong asked.

“No, I’ll just wash up with a basin of cold water at home. Good night!” Liang waved her off and headed to the Third Courtyard.

Only after Liang walked away did Di Yutong go to Su Wanqing’s house.

Su Wanqing stood by the window, her expression slightly dazed.

Just now, seeing Di Yutong holding onto Liang’s arm, she felt an inexplicable sadness.

But she clearly didn’t like Liang. She was the one pushing them together.

So why the sadness?

Di Yutong had her key, so Su Wanqing didn’t need to get up and open the door.

Di Yutong entered, and Su Wanqing pretended to be asleep on the bed.

But Di Yutong couldn’t sleep, clearly excited but unwilling to wake Su Wanqing.

Su Wanqing sensed Di Yutong’s high spirits and became even more certain that Di Yutong and Liang were truly together.

Time passed in a blur. Suddenly, Su Wanqing was jolted awake by a nightmare.

In her dream, monsters chased her, and no matter how she called, no one came to save her.

By moonlight, she saw Di Yutong’s smiling face nearby, and tears began to flow.

“Yutong is the one he should protect from now on!”

A wave of inexplicable sorrow engulfed her, but Su Wanqing understood: from now on, Liang Jiyong no longer belonged to her—not the unattainable doll she had once cared for so little.

...

Back home, after washing his face and taking a cold shower, Liang finally exhaled deeply.

They had no hot water facilities where they lived.

His parents were already asleep. Liang returned to his room and lay on his bed, the image from the bathroom earlier flashing in his mind.

Yet, inexplicably, he also recalled a quiet, refined girl with a scholarly air—the girl he had met twice but never learned her name.

What about Su Wanqing?

Since his rebirth, her place in his heart seemed diminished, though not erased.

It was only softened; the roots ran deep and could not be uprooted.

She was the first girl he ever liked, and the longing from his past life still haunted him.

Liang exhaled, shook his head, and told himself to stop daydreaming. There was little time to waste—at least for now, more important matters demanded his attention.

...

The next morning, Liang woke at six.

But soon, he faced a harsh reality: who says dreams leave no trace?

He couldn’t recall what he dreamed, but he had indeed had a romantic dream.

No doubt, Di Yutong’s image had appeared—she was truly a captivating beauty!

Putting aside distractions, he washed up. His mother was already cooking breakfast. Liang took a book and sat by the window, reading intently.

After breakfast at seven, his father left for work, and Liang continued reading.

His mother was clearly pleased with the changes in him.

At ten, Liang told his mother he was leaving, then went to Su Wanqing’s house and knocked.

Su Wanqing opened the door, wearing a linen floral dress, with her usual elegant and ethereal aura.

“Yutong went home to change. Do you want to wait here or go find her?” Su Wanqing asked, her mood subdued.

“What?” Liang was momentarily stunned.

“Come in. I have something to tell you,” Su Wanqing said, turning and sitting in the living room.

“Are you sick?” Liang asked, reaching out to touch her forehead.

Su Wanqing dodged slightly. “Sit down. I have something to say!”

Seeing her serious expression, Liang sat.

“Well, speak up. Such seriousness—are you giving me a chance?”

“Liang Jiyong, now that you’re with Yutong, please take it seriously. Yutong is a wonderful girl, and she really likes you!”

Liang was momentarily stunned. His first thought was that Di Yutong must have told Su Wanqing about last night!

But that was truly an accident.