Shang Ting showed him the insulated lunchbox in her hand, "Uncle Xu said you were sick, so I asked the aunt at home to cook wontons. You haven't eaten yet, have you? You don't have an aunt at home, you're alone..."
Before she could finish, Shang Ting noticed the high heels by the shoe cabinet. There was a woman here, and without thinking, she guessed who it was. This wasn't the first time Shang Ting had met her.
Shang Ting looked at Liang Yufeng and said, "Don't worry, I didn't see anything, and Uncle Xu won't know either."
It wasn't worth offending Liang Yufeng for such a small matter. Liang Yufeng also knew Shang Ting's purpose. He glanced towards the kitchen, suddenly curious. What would Lan Lan's reaction be if she saw another woman entering his villa?
At this moment, Shang Ting asked again, "Can I come in?"
Liang Yufeng grunted in agreement. Shang Ting walked towards the dining room with Liang Yufeng, "I don't know what you like to eat, so I asked the aunt to cook lean meat porridge. She said it's best to eat this when you're sick, it's light."
Liang Yufeng listened to Shang Ting without responding. The two quickly arrived at the dining room.
Lan Lan also heard the woman's voice and turned to see Liang Yufeng and Shang Ting walking side by side.
Shang Ting wasn't dressed as formally as usual today, but she still had the demeanor of a refined young lady, graceful and dignified, with a gentle smile on her face. Lan Lan would have smiled back at her, but at that moment, she couldn't bring herself to.
"Oh, you're here too," Shang Ting greeted Lan Lan first, "Are you cooking for Yufeng?"
Liang Yufeng didn't step in to stop them. He wanted to hear Lan Lan's answer.
"Yes, but since you brought food, I won't waste my time cooking," Lan Lan wasn't the type to fight over a man. Even though she was a little unhappy, she wouldn't make a scene. "I'll leave now. I won't disturb you."
"Don't go," Shang Ting said with a smile, "Uncle Xu arranged for me to come. I'll leave after I drop this off. I should be the one disturbing you." Shang Ting, being considerate, put down the insulated lunchbox and said to Liang Yufeng, "Yufeng, I'm leaving now. I'll see you tomorrow."
Liang Yufeng said, "Oh," and then, "Be careful on your way." With that, he walked out with Shang Ting.
Shang Ting was escorted to the door by Liang Yufeng. Before leaving, she glanced back towards the kitchen and said meaningfully, "She's very generous. I thought she would be angry."
"You can go now," Liang Yufeng said, his tone displeased.
Shang Ting got the hint and left promptly. After she left, Lan Lan emerged from the kitchen and went to the sofa to pack her things.
Liang Yufeng grabbed her wrist, "What are you doing?"
"You have lunch sorted out, I'm going back to deliver something," Lan Lan's tone was casual, as if what had just happened hadn't occurred. No matter how Liang Yufeng stared at her face, he couldn't find any clues. There was only one explanation: she didn't care about Shang Ting's presence at all.
Thinking of this, Liang Yufeng's heart sank a little further. Whether it was in the past or now, whether it was a relationship or an improper one, she would never be the one to get jealous. She was so carefree, as if nothing could make her feel insecure.
"My father sent her," Liang Yufeng finally broke the silence, explaining Shang Ting's visit to her.
Lan Lan's reaction was very ordinary. She nodded, "I know. Didn't she just say so?"
She knew very well that Shang Ting said that not to explain to her, but to remind her that she was the daughter-in-law Xu Zhengxi had chosen. It seemed like an explanation, but it was actually a declaration of war. Those who weren't quick-witted wouldn't understand.
However, Lan Lan had never thought of competing with Shang Ting for Liang Yufeng. Let alone that they were just friends with benefits now, even if they were truly boyfriend and girlfriend, she wouldn't fight over a man or scheme. She'd rather use that time to earn more money. What was love? It was the most ephemeral thing, not worth the effort.
"My family wants me to marry her. What do you think?" Perhaps out of a bad mood, Liang Yufeng's questions became increasingly intrusive. He disliked seeing her calm and composed demeanor.
"It's very good," Lan Lan's assessment was very objective. "You are well-matched. She is beautiful and has a good temperament. You look very compatible together."
"Get out," Liang Yufeng suddenly ordered her to leave.
His temper was always inexplicable. Lan Lan was already in a bad mood and didn't feel like coaxing him. She packed her things and left.
Liang Yufeng's male pride was likely challenged. Men, after all, liked it when various women vied for them, making them feel popular. But she would never do that, even though she really disliked Shang Ting's veiled provocations.
After Lan Lan left, Liang Yufeng sat alone on the sofa, replaying her indifferent remarks and Shang Ting's words, "She's very generous."
Generous? It was clearly just indifference. If there was any affection, how could she be completely indifferent? He would go mad with jealousy if he saw her talking to another man, yet she remained unmoved even when he said he was going to marry another woman.
Anger burned in Liang Yufeng's heart, and his body temperature rose again. He took a cold shower, which only made the fever worse, directly leading to pneumonia, and he was admitted to the hospital.
Lan Lan found out about this three days later when her superior arranged for her to visit the hospital.
Her relationship with Liang Yufeng wasn't a secret in the company. He Tai was a major client of Xinhhe. The old hands were good at pleasing their superiors, so they insisted on arranging for Lan Lan to go, and even brought her many things.
Lan Lan couldn't refuse the work assignment. She loaded the items into the trunk and headed to the hospital. Her leader had brought too many things, and she almost dislocated her arm carrying them upstairs.
When she reached the hospital room door, before she could knock, it was opened from the inside. The first thing she saw was Shang Ting's slender figure. Shang Ting was surprised to see Lan Lan there, "Why are you here? Come in quickly."
Despite her surprise, Shang Ting was gracious and invited Lan Lan in, even helping her with some of the items she was carrying.
Lan Lan entered the ward with Shang Ting and saw Liang Yufeng on the IV drip in bed. After a few days, he seemed to have lost more weight, his face was pale, his lips were bloodless, and he looked sickly.
Upon seeing Lan Lan, his expression didn't change much, and he didn't seem inclined to speak to her. Shang Ting then came out and said, "Yufeng, she's here to see you. I'll go out now. You two can talk."
"No need, I'm leaving right away," Lan Lan said to Shang Ting, "My boss said Mr. Liang was sick, so he asked me to bring something to see him. I have to go back to work, there's a lot of work waiting for me."
"Oh? Your boss asked you to come? I thought you came because you were worried about him," Shang Ting said with a smile. Lan Lan immediately caught the underlying meaning, realizing she was trying to stir up trouble.
"Your concern is enough, Mr. Liang probably can't handle any more!" Lan Lan also smiled, "I won't disturb your world of two. I'm going back to work."