Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 65

As they were talking, a waiter brought out the food.

Xu Shen handed Lu Tang a pair of chopsticks, “Alright, time to eat. Liang Cheng isn’t a fool. He knows that this Xue guy has bad intentions and won’t fall for it.”

Zhou Shu nodded in agreement, “Brother Liang probably just wants to see what tricks this Xue guy is up to.”

As he spoke, Zhou Shu stuffed a piece of fatty intestine into his mouth, chewing and gossiping, “Do you think Gu Yunhe is crazy? Lu Yuchen’s family is notorious in Sihe Town, yet he’s staying at their place. Now, there are all kinds of rumors going around.”

Lu Yuexi was Lu Deren’s illegitimate daughter and had a questionable relationship with Lu Shuqing’s former fiancé, Gu Changming.

At this time, Gu Yunhe staying there without avoiding suspicion?

Lu Tang sneered, “If he’s crazy, then there are no smart people left!”

Xu Shen nodded, “Exactly, he’s definitely up to no good.”

What Liang Cheng and Lu Tang overheard that night, they hadn’t told their friends. So, everyone only knew about the previous marriage scandal, suspecting Gu Yunhe of bad intentions.

Outside the Qiao Family Inn.

Under the red lanterns, Liang Cheng frowned slightly, his eyes wary as he looked at Xue Tian.

Xue Tian, shorter than Liang Cheng, bit his lip. His pale face under the red lantern light looked uneasy, “How about we go to the Yunyang Restaurant?”

Liang Cheng knew exactly what kind of wine they served at Yunyang Restaurant.

“No need. I haven’t eaten yet. Let’s talk here. If you don’t mind, you can join us inside. Everyone is easygoing,” Liang Cheng replied in a normal tone, his manner polite but distant.

Xue Tian bit his lip and looked at Liang Cheng, “But I want to be alone with you. It’s been over ten years since we last met.”

Liang Cheng’s hand twitched slightly as he averted his gaze, looking at the bustling street, “My family is in Qingshui County. It’s not like you couldn’t find me.”

Xue Tian hesitated, then grabbed Liang Cheng’s sleeve, “Brother Liang Cheng.”

Just like when he was a child, his voice carried a heavy nasal tone as if he had just cried, tightly clutching Liang Cheng’s sleeve.

Liang Cheng felt a sharp pain in his heart and clenched his fist, “This is Qiao’s inn. Whether you can stay or not is not up to me. Besides, I won’t be staying here forever. If you really miss me, I can help transfer you to the county school.”

Xue Tian’s eyes filled with tears, “Brother Liang Cheng, if you help transfer me, will Uncle and Auntie agree?”

Of course not!

His parents never wanted to see Xue Tian again!

“It’s fine. They don’t need to know.”

Xue Tian gave a bitter smile, “But I want to meet you openly, Brother Liang Cheng. I don’t want to sneak around like I’m someone to be ashamed of.”

Liang Cheng looked at Xue Tian, wanting to ask why he was associating with Gu Yunhe if he wanted to be open.

But he didn’t say it. Instead, he smiled, “Do you have to work in Qiao’s inn kitchen?”

Xue Tian nodded, “You and Lu Tang are good friends. If I work here, you can see me openly.”

Then, with a slight nod, Xue Tian added, “Besides, the kitchen wages aren’t much. Qiao’s family is wealthy, they wouldn’t mind paying me.”

Liang Cheng felt like laughing.

Look at how justified he sounded. Because Qiao’s family is wealthy, they should pay you?

“I’ll ask Little Tang. If he disagrees, there’s nothing I can do.”

Xue Tian still held Liang Cheng’s sleeve, “Brother Liang Cheng, if you speak for me, he’ll definitely agree. I still have the paper boat you folded for me when we were kids.”

Liang Cheng felt a cold chill run from his feet to his head, making him tremble.

He looked at Xue Tian in disbelief.

Xue Tian, looking innocent like when they were kids, said, “That paper boat was made from your father’s account book.”

The last bit of childhood friendship Liang Cheng felt for Xue Tian vanished instantly, “Are you threatening me?”

Xue Tian pouted, looking pitiful like when his family first fell, “How could I threaten you, Brother Liang Cheng? I’ve always seen you as my brother. I just want to be close to you. If you have new friends and don’t need me anymore, I might feel sad and…”

He stopped, staring at Liang Cheng, “Brother Liang Cheng, you haven’t eaten. I won’t keep you. I’ll find you tomorrow.”

With that, Xue Tian let go of Liang Cheng’s sleeve and turned to leave.

As he walked away, Guo Dawei’s servant followed him at a discreet distance.

Liang Cheng stood there, feeling as if his past had come crashing down on him like sharp blades.

He stumbled back into the inn.

Lu Tang and the others had finished eating and were chatting in the hall. Seeing him return looking lost, they were shocked and stood up.

Liang Cheng’s gaze fell on Lu Tang, “I don’t feel well. I’m going to bed.”

Lu Tang had never seen Liang Cheng like this, “What happened to you?”

Liang Cheng paused on the stairs, “Little Tang.”

His voice trembled.

Lu Tang hurried over.

Liang Cheng took a deep breath, grabbed Lu Tang’s arm, pulled him close, and hugged him, resting his chin on Lu Tang’s shoulder. After a deep breath, he let go, forcing a smile, “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

He didn’t say more, and Lu Tang didn’t press him. She patted his shoulder, “Whatever it is, we’re here for you.”

Xu Shen, Zhou Shu, and Guo Dawei joined in, each punching Liang Cheng’s shoulder, “Don’t bottle it up. That’s what friends are for.”

Liang Cheng licked his dry lips, unable to speak, nodded a few times, and hurried upstairs, fearing he might cry.

At the stairway, Qin Mo, who was about to come down, stepped aside.

The scene of Liang Cheng hugging Lu Tang replayed in his mind.

Is the little fool crazy?

Doesn’t he know to avoid hugs from others?

And what’s with Liang Cheng hugging another guy?

Qin Mo, having come down in a huff, hoped the little fool would come to check on him or invite him to dinner, remembering how she admired him and almost wanted to acknowledge him as her father.

But after waiting and seeing no sign of her, he went down only to witness this scene.

Angrily, Qin Mo went back to the third floor.

Downstairs.

Lu Tang and her friends exchanged puzzled looks. Shortly after, Guo Dawei’s servant returned with the latest news.