Xing Zheng had practically sped to Lin Mei's apartment. Her car was still in the parking lot downstairs, and Xing Zheng couldn't rest easy. He got out and followed residents into the building.
He keyed in the apartment's passcode and entered, just as he bumped into Lin Mei, who had just finished her bath. She was wrapped only in a bath towel, her hair still dripping water, her cheeks flushed. Even so, her exhaustion was undeniable.
Seeing her, Xing Zheng's suspended heart finally settled. With Liu Qinye now tied up by him, Zhao Jiang was cornered like a cornered dog, and what if he went after her next…
"Why didn't you go to the hospital to get your medicine?" Xing Zheng walked up to her, his thumb and forefinger pinching her chin. He saw the bloodshot veins in her eyes. "Didn't sleep well again last night?"
Lin Mei pushed him away impassively, refusing to respond. She didn't want to be in front of him in just a towel, so she headed for the bedroom. Xing Zheng followed closely, entering with her. Lin Mei finally lost her temper, "Get out!"
"Zhou Yue said he couldn't reach you," Xing Zheng ignored her words and told her, "You should go stay in Anning City for a while. I'll arrange for someone to pick you up this afternoon. Aunt Wen will be waiting for you there to take care of your daily needs." Given the current situation, arranging for her to leave Nanjiang City was the best option.
Lin Mei felt it was inexplicable and refused without thinking, "My affairs have nothing to do with you. Can you just get lost?"
Her tone was utterly exhausted. She was tired. Just seeing him brought back memories of his humiliation and disdain. "Xing Zheng, you've made me this way, aren't you satisfied yet?"
"I've already broken up with Xu Ying. My reputation is ruined because of you. Now I've lost the ability to even go to work normally, and I can't even sleep a full night. Isn't that enough? Do I have to die for you to be satisfied?" She had never been so hysterical.
Xing Zheng saw the tears in the corners of her eyes, her trembling lips. His heart felt as if it had been gouged by a Swiss Army knife, so painful that even moving his lips to speak felt like a luxury. Her accusations were like blood weeping from her words.
He truly hadn't brought her any value. His love ran parallel to hurt and trampling. As she said, her current state was all thanks to him.
It was his own darkness and insecurity that prevented him from even daring to say "I love you." It was his cowardice and fear that kept him from telling her how long he had yearned for her. He couldn't stand tall and ask her if she loved him or Xing Yan. He was a coward, wanting to possess but not daring to speak of love, wanting to protect but hurting her everywhere.
The air in the bedroom was quiet, the currents swirling. After a long while, Xing Zheng raised his hand and wiped away the tear tracks on her face. "This is the last time. You go stay there for a month. I won't come over. Zhou Yue will find you when check-ups are needed."
"After a month, I won't look for you again." He made her a promise, but Lin Mei didn't believe him. Without further words, Xing Zheng saw the doubt in her eyes. That look pierced him.
He smiled gently, stroking her face tenderly. "You have no other choice. You have to trust me one more time. Be good, be obedient, don't make me knock you out and take you."
The moment he said "knock you out," Lin Mei's hair stood on end. She became extremely vigilant, as if defending against a lecher. Xing Zheng leaned down to her ear and whispered, "Pack your bags, okay?"
"A month, will you keep your word?" Lin Mei confirmed with him.
Xing Zheng: "Do you need me to put my fingerprint on it?"
A month was his most conservative estimate. Perhaps, it wouldn't even take a month for him to resolve all these matters.
Lin Mei couldn't trust Xing Zheng, but she didn't ask him to put his fingerprint on it. If he wanted to renege, a fingerprint wouldn't stop him. "No need. I hope you'll keep your word."
Lin Mei turned to pack her suitcase. Xing Zheng picked up her phone. It had automatically shut down due to a dead battery. He plugged in the charging cable and told her, "Don't turn it off during this month."
Lin Mei thought he was being too meddlesome, but she didn't have the energy to argue with him. After she packed, Zhou Yue arrived, personally delivering the medicine and asking about her sleep the previous night.
Hearing what Lin Mei told Zhou Yue, Xing Zheng finally learned that she hadn't slept well last night. She had played on her phone all night, fallen asleep while bathing in the morning, and thus missed her appointment at the hospital. Zhou Yue, upon hearing this, told her, "Bathing is also a good way to relax. You can try it before bed at night."
Lin Mei hummed in response. Zhou Yue gave a few more instructions, and then Xing Zheng escorted him downstairs.
Downstairs, Xing Zheng discussed his plan to send Lin Mei to Anning City with Zhou Yue. Zhou Yue nodded in agreement, "That's good. It ensures everything is foolproof."
"Aren't you going to explain things to her clearly?" Zhou Yue asked. Although Zhao Jiang hadn't been brought to justice yet, the investigation was nearly complete. Clearing things up with Lin Mei would be good for everyone.
"I'll just sound like I'm making excuses," Xing Zheng said. "I'm useless."
Zhou Yue frowned. Xing Zheng's mood was off again. He had been experiencing such emotional swings lately. If they didn't get it under control in time…
Just as Zhou Yue was about to suggest returning to New York for treatment, Xing Zheng said, "I'll go back to New York after things are resolved."
Zhou Yue hadn't expected him to agree so readily. It seemed he had decided to give up on Lin Mei?
Zhou Yue told Xing Zheng, "Your current stage isn't suitable for being with her. Her psychological state isn't good either. Caregiving itself is an emotional drain. She can't meet your needs, and your constant pressure will only increase hers."
"It's not too late to talk about it after you've truly recovered," Zhou Yue only hoped Xing Zheng would seek treatment promptly.
Xing Zheng, however, laughed. "I've relapsed once already. I'm beyond saving. Trash like me doesn't deserve her."
Before Zhou Yue could counsel him, he had already turned and gone upstairs. Xing Zheng returned upstairs; it was already half-past eleven.
Lin Mei stayed in the bedroom. Hearing the movement, she didn't come out. She didn't care what Xing Zheng was doing outside. However, after a few minutes, Xing Zheng suddenly pushed open the bedroom door.
Seeing that familiar face, and the aggressive look in his eyes, Lin Mei flinched back. Unfortunately, she couldn't escape. He scooped her up, her body leaving the ground, and carried her to the dining room like this.
On the dining table was plain noodle soup and a few stir-fried vegetables. Beside the noodles, chopsticks and a spoon were already prepared. Looking at the noodles, Lin Mei recalled the times he had cooked for her before, that sudden whim, that condescending gentleness that had drawn her into this trap.
"Eat, then sleep. Someone will come to pick you up," Xing Zheng said.
Lin Mei buried her head and ate, saying nothing. After lunch, she returned to the bedroom.
She lay down, with no sleepiness at all. She couldn't help but wonder why Xing Zheng was acting so strangely and cooking for her. Was he not done toying with her yet?
After an unknown amount of time, Xing Zheng entered the bedroom again.
Lin Mei saw him get into bed and started to get up to leave, but he caught her and pulled her into his arms.
He leaned down to her ear and whispered, "Hold me one more time."