ACMS 63

Chapter 63: Crime of Abandonment

Qiao Le arrived quickly. When he pushed the door open and walked in, Liang Shuling, who was sitting inside, froze for a moment.

Once she realized it was him, she stood up, her face full of emotion as she looked at him. “Lele! It’s really you!”

Shen Hechuan, on the other hand, was calm. Judy had already informed him in advance, so he reached out a hand toward Qiao Le. “You came.”

Qiao Le walked over to him and said with implied meaning, “I heard someone’s been looking all over for me, so I came to take a look. I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“Of course not,” Shen Hechuan replied. Noticing he was only wearing a coat with no scarf or hat, he asked, “Why aren’t you wearing more? Aren’t you cold?”

“I drove here. I’m fine,” Qiao Le shook his head.

Liang Shuling watched as the two conversed as if no one else was around, and then called out again, “Qiao Le.”

Only then did Qiao Le turn to her and say, “Hello.”

That distant “Hello” made Liang Shuling’s expression stiffen. Then Qiao Le continued, “Sorry I’m late. I’m not sure what you were talking about—do you mind letting me listen in?”

Shen Hechuan pulled him down to sit and said, “We were talking about your past.”

When Liang Shuling arrived today, Shen Hechuan had someone escort her to the meeting room. When he arrived, Liang Shuling had introduced herself the same way she had at the front desk—as someone who knew Qiao Le.

“Someone who knows him?” Shen Hechuan repeated, his tone meaningful. “What kind of acquaintance makes Madam Liu come here to see me personally?”

Liang Shuling wasn’t sure if Qiao Le had told Shen Hechuan about her identity. Hesitating, she couldn’t decide on an answer. “I’m… Lele and I are…”

Seeing this, Shen Hechuan kindly offered, “Is there something difficult for Madam Liu to say?”

“There is, a little.” Liang Shuling gave a bitter smile. “Sorry to make a scene.”

Shen Hechuan pretended not to understand. “Oh?”

“I’m actually Lele’s mother,” Liang Shuling gritted her teeth and said. Since she’d already stepped into Hualang Group’s building and was now face to face with Shen Hechuan, she couldn’t let this opportunity slip by.

Regardless of her current relationship with Qiao Le, she was his mother—that was a fact. And Shen Hechuan was her son-in-law.

One was her son, the other her son-in-law—surely she deserved some respect.

After speaking, she saw that Shen Hechuan’s expression remained calm, not the least bit surprised. She figured that Qiao Le must have already told him, but she didn’t know how he had described her—whether as cold and heartless, ignoring both him and Qiao Man.

“I suppose Lele mentioned our relationship to you?” Liang Shuling asked cautiously after a pause.

Shen Hechuan replied, “He mentioned it briefly.”

“What did he say?” Liang Shuling asked immediately, then realized she sounded too eager and quickly softened her tone. “We haven’t seen each other in years, so I’m anxious. I hope President Shen won’t take offense.”

Shen Hechuan nodded. “I understand.”

Hearing that, Liang Shuling was secretly delighted. But then he added, “I’m just not sure whether you came here today as Madam Liu, or as Lele’s mother.”

The former implied she came seeking cooperation. The latter implied she came seeking connection.

Liang Shuling knew she couldn’t rush things. She smiled to cover it up. “President Shen, what a thing to ask. Of course I came as Lele’s mother.”

“Is that so.” Shen Hechuan’s tone remained noncommittal. “Then why didn’t you contact Lele directly?”

Liang Shuling: “……”

If she could contact him directly, why would she come all the way to Hualang Group?

Luckily, Shen Hechuan didn’t press the matter. Instead, he shifted the conversation toward Qiao Le’s past. Liang Shuling, who had been worrying about how to build rapport, gladly followed his lead.

She spoke about Qiao Le’s childhood, her face inevitably showing sorrow and nostalgia.

It wasn’t that she didn’t love Qiao Le. He had always been obedient and sensible, her pride and joy. The neighbors all envied her for having such a well-behaved child.

It was just that fate had played a cruel trick on them. She had had no choice.

If Qiao Yong had been more capable, their family wouldn’t have ended up like this.

As Shen Hechuan listened, he could almost picture Qiao Le’s childhood from her words.

Qiao Le had been a mischievous little boy—digging up bird nests and earthworms with the neighbor kids. As he grew older, he became more thoughtful, helping Liang Shuling with housework and even taking out the trash for the elderly couple downstairs.

He was well-known to the bun vendor at the corner, the bookstore owner down the street, the old man who played chess by the road, and the fruit stall lady. He was like a little sun, spreading smiles wherever he went.

It was at this moment that Qiao Le arrived, interrupting the two’s conversation.

Liang Shuling looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears. “Lele, it’s been so long. You’ve grown so much.”

In contrast to her teary-eyed joy, Qiao Le was calm. “Yeah. It’s been over three years.”

“You’re still mad at Mom, aren’t you?” Liang Shuling took a step forward, trying to reach out to him.

Qiao Le took a step back to avoid her touch, speaking evenly, “What did you come to see me about?”

Liang Shuling wiped her tears and smiled. “It’s nothing serious. That day we met so briefly, I didn’t get to say much. I just wanted to see you again, ask how you’re doing.”

“I’m doing fine,” Qiao Le said. “You can see I’m married, I have a new family. They treat me well.”

“That’s good. As long as you’re being treated well,” Liang Shuling said with relief. Then she turned to Shen Hechuan and added, “President Shen, I’ll leave Lele in your care.”

That last part was directed at Shen Hechuan, who replied, “It’s no trouble. This is our family’s matter. Since you have a new family now, you don’t need to worry about this anymore. Better to focus on Mr. Liu.”

Liang Shuling: “……”

Qiao Le glanced at Shen Hechuan—he had never realized before that Shen Hechuan had such a sharp tongue.

Liang Shuling also picked up on the implication behind Shen Hechuan’s words. She laughed awkwardly, pretending not to hear it. She turned to Qiao Le and said, “Lele, it’s been so many years. There are some things I’d like to speak to you about in private. Is that okay?”

Qiao Le didn’t really care whether it was in private or not. But since he was already here, he figured he might as well hear what she had to say.

So he told Shen Hechuan, who nodded and left the room.

Now only the two of them were left. Qiao Le sat down on his own and said to her, “Go ahead.”

With no one else around, Liang Shuling no longer needed to hold back. She sat down on the sofa. “Lele, are you blaming Mom? You weren’t like this before. You used to be so understanding, always taking Mom’s side, thinking for Mom. You’ve never treated me like this.”

That string of accusatory words made Qiao Le find it slightly amusing.

Yes, he used to always take Liang Shuling’s side. Whenever his parents fought, he’d step in to defend her.

Even when Liang Shuling left him and Qiao Man behind, he’d made countless excuses for her.

“So, how should I treat you then?” Qiao Le asked in return. “You disappeared for more than three years and suddenly showed up with your new husband. Were you expecting me to burst into tears or welcome you with open arms?”

His response left Liang Shuling speechless.

After a moment of silence, she tried to explain, “Lele, it’s not what you think. Mom had her difficulties—”

“I hope that’s true.” Qiao Le gently cut her off.

If he hadn’t heard about Liang Shuling’s situation and attitude from Jiang Hong, he truly would’ve liked to believe she had her reasons.

He didn’t want to believe that the mother who used to care for him so much could be so heartless.

But reality was what it was.

Everyone is an individual. Liang Shuling putting herself first wasn’t wrong in itself.

But he couldn’t accept it. He couldn’t pretend like nothing had ever happened.

“Do you hate me?” Liang Shuling asked.

“I used to.” Qiao Le didn’t deny it. “Not just you, but Dad too.”

Qiao Yong ending his life, and Liang Shuling walking away—both had been devastating blows to him. He wasn’t a saint. Of course he held resentment.

He was only eighteen when Qiao Yong committed suicide. Qiao Man was just four. Faced with the collapse of their family and overwhelming debt, they had been completely helpless.

Aside from loans from friends and relatives, Qiao Yong also had high-interest debts.

When debt collectors came knocking, if Teacher Li hadn’t arrived in time, if Qiao Man’s cries hadn’t pulled him back, he might’ve already jumped out of their 13th-floor window.

“I don’t want to know how you’ve been all these years, and I don’t want to tell you how I’ve lived,” Qiao Le said, looking at her. “Since you chose to leave, our relationship ended the moment you walked away.”

Liang Shuling didn’t agree. “How could it be over? You’re my son. Our blood ties can’t be erased!”

“Really?” Qiao Le chuckled and asked her, “If I hadn’t married Shen Hechuan, if I were still working part-time to repay debt—if you’d met me at a restaurant waiting tables, or delivering food instead of at a charity gala, would you still be saying this?”

“I—”

“You wouldn’t,” Qiao Le said with certainty. “Even if we had met again at the banquet, you wouldn’t have dared to approach me. It’s because of your new husband, right?”

Liang Shuling was struck silent—he had hit the nail on the head.

Qiao Le didn’t need her to answer. He went on, “I’m guessing the real reason you’re here isn’t just to reminisce, is it? Shen Hechuan said your husband is looking to work with Hualang Group.”

Liang Shuling insisted, “Yes, there’s a possible collaboration, but that’s Liu Feng’s business. I truly came to see you—and Xiao Man.”

“Is that so?” Qiao Le didn’t call her out. “Then I’m relieved.”

He pulled out his phone from his coat pocket, found a recent photo of Qiao Man in his gallery, and held it out for her to see.

Liang Shuling only caught a glimpse—she didn’t even get a good look at his features before Qiao Le put the phone away again. “Now that you’ve seen him, if there’s nothing else, I won’t keep you company.”

He turned to leave, but Liang Shuling quickly called out, “Wait!”

She grabbed his arm and couldn’t help but say, “Could you talk to President Shen about the collaboration? I heard from Liu Feng that their company’s technology is excellent. Working with them would be beneficial for Hualang too!”

Just as he thought.

If he had no value, she would never have shown up here.

Qiao Le gave a silent laugh and shook his head. “No. I won’t interfere with Shen Hechuan’s decisions.”

“Why not?” Liang Shuling said, “You and President Shen have such a good relationship. If you ask, he’ll definitely agree. We can even give you a cut of the profits afterward.”

“Do I look like I need money now?” Qiao Le asked. “Whether or not there’s a partnership, that’s up to Shen Hechuan. It has nothing to do with me.”

“Then—” Liang Shuling hesitantly asked, “Did you tell President Shen about how I left you? Maybe he misunderstood me? Liu Feng said he rejected the deal.”

She was clearly implying that Qiao Le had sabotaged it behind the scenes.

“Whether or not there’s a misunderstanding, you know best.” Qiao Le had no interest in talking further. He turned to go, but Liang Shuling grabbed him again. “Can I see Xiao Man? I haven’t seen him in years. I really miss him.”

“No.” Qiao Le rejected her without hesitation. “That’s not up for discussion.”

Liang Shuling had left when Qiao Man was only two years old. These past few years, the child had slowly forgotten about her. Letting her see him again would only cause more trouble.

Someone like her—Qiao Le truly didn’t believe her presence would bring any good to Qiao Man’s world.

After being rejected again and again, Liang Shuling’s expression stiffened, and her tone turned harsh. “Why not? I’m his mother. I have the right to see him, even take him away—”

“You don’t!”

Qiao Le cut her off sharply. The calm he had kept until now finally cracked the moment she mentioned Qiao Man. “He was only two when you left. Dad was never home. I raised him! What right do you have to take him away? What grounds do you have to say that?!”

Outside the room, Shen Hechuan had vaguely heard the argument and, worried things might escalate and Qiao Le might get hurt, immediately pushed open the door.

Both Qiao Le and Liang Shuling turned around to see him striding in.

“What’s going on?” Shen Hechuan walked over to Qiao Le and noticed his clenched fists and ragged breathing.

Qiao Le took a deep breath to calm himself. “It’s nothing.”

He looked at Liang Shuling, face cold. “This ends here. Don’t go bothering Uncle and Aunt anymore. And stop dreaming of taking Qiao Man. I won’t allow it.”

At this point, there was no point in playing nice. Liang Shuling seized her only bargaining chip—Qiao Man. “It’s not up to you. Legally, I’m his mother. If I want, I can reclaim custody!”

“You—”

Shen Hechuan pulled Qiao Le back and said to Liang Shuling, “Mrs. Liu, are you planning to resolve this through legal means?”

“What are you trying to say?” Liang Shuling asked.

Shen Hechuan spoke slowly, “You’re Lele’s mother. Out of respect, we’ve been handling things as gently as possible.”

But his words didn’t reassure her. Instead, a bad feeling crept into her chest.

Sure enough, the next moment, Shen Hechuan said, “I just looked into it. Under the law, child abandonment—if deemed severe—can result in up to five years in prison, or criminal detention, or public surveillance.”

He looked at her, expression calm. “So, where should the court summons be sent, Mrs. Liu?”

Liang Shuling: “…”

The room went deathly quiet.

Shen Hechuan’s words drained all color from her face. “Are you threatening me?”

“Hardly. You’re Lele’s mother—I don’t want to make things difficult for you.” Shen Hechuan’s voice was mild. “But if you try to cause trouble for him, or use Qiao Man to manipulate him, it won’t just be you who’ll be in trouble.”

Liang Shuling frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Qiao Le translated calmly from the side, “He means: the weather’s getting cold—time for your husband’s company to go bankrupt.”

Liang Shuling: “…”

She had just tried to play her trump card, only to find herself playing right into their hands.