Lin Mei had little trust in Xing Zheng, likely due to his repeated breaches of promise. Her visit this time was not because she believed his words, but because she had no other choice.
She had even considered how to react if he failed to keep his promise again. Now, with him having "over-fulfilled" it, she found herself unsure of how to proceed.
Aunt Wen helped her pack her suitcase and brought her many homemade dishes and preserved fruits. Before Lin Mei left, Aunt Wen took her hand and said, "Try to be optimistic, you can still have children. Ah Zheng told me you two have separated. I know I shouldn't interfere in the affairs of young people, but Ah Zheng truly loves you."
"He just doesn't know how to express it. I raised him from a child, and he's never said a nice word to me, only arranged my life perfectly..." This was the first time Aunt Wen had spoken of Xing Zheng to Lin Mei in over ten days.
Lin Mei knew her intentions but couldn't respond. Aunt Wen didn't press further. "If you don't like it, Auntie apologizes first."
"It's alright," Lin Mei shook her head. "I'm leaving now, please go back."
After returning to Nanjiang City, Lin Mei continued to recuperate at home on leave. As Xing Zheng had said, he hadn't bothered her again. In fact, Lin Mei had seen very little news about him and Jiang Chubi in recent days. The man who once felt uncomfortable if he didn't "show affection" publicly every day had suddenly become low-key.
Lin Mei checked the news daily. Zhao Jianghe had been officially arrested by the police. After investigation, the case would go to trial. The authorities' attention indicated the severity of the situation, but the truth was not something a news reader could discern.
One day, Lin Mei went for a follow-up appointment at the affiliated hospital of Nanda University. As usual, she went to Zhou Yue's office, only to encounter Xing Zheng.
It had been over a month since their last meeting. He had looked exhausted then, and now he seemed even more so. Lin Mei noticed his shirt cuffs were rolled up, revealing scars on his arm. Before she could get a good look, the man had already pulled his sleeve down.
Lin Mei looked away and quietly asked Zhou Yue, "Dr. Zhou, are you busy? I can wait."
"No need. Go and sit inside, I'll be right there."
Zhou Yue directed Lin Mei to the consultation room, while Xing Zheng remained silent, not even glancing at Lin Mei.
Only after the door closed did he look over. Zhou Yue saw him staring intently at the door, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions, churning within.
"Don't worry, her condition has improved significantly, and she's very proactive in her treatment," Zhou Yue told Xing Zheng about Lin Mei's situation. "Given your current circumstances, a period of separation is good for both of you."
Xing Zheng remained silent, and Zhou Yue didn't say more. "I'll go in now. Have a safe trip tomorrow, and let me know when you arrive."
Xing Zheng grunted an "En" and left the office. Zhou Yue then proceeded to the consultation and treatment with Lin Mei.
When Lin Mei finished her consultation for the day, Xing Zheng was no longer in the office. She took her prescription and joined the queue downstairs to get her medication.
While waiting, her mind was filled with the image of Xing Zheng in the office just now and his distant demeanor.
Perhaps it wasn't even distant; from beginning to end, he seemed not to have looked at her at all. She should have been happy, shouldn't she? The man who always broke his promises had finally kept his word like a gentleman, saying he wouldn't bother her, and he hadn't.
Yet, she felt as if a piece of her heart was missing, as if something important had been blown away by a fierce gust of wind, something she couldn't retrieve even if she chased after it with all her might.
Lin Mei had never experienced this feeling of irretrievable loss before.
After leaving the hospital, Lin Mei received a call from Xie Qin Jia. "Lin Mei, are you busy? Could you do me a favor?"
Xie Qin Jia's voice sounded very weak. Lin Mei hadn't been in touch with her for a long time, and with her own troubles recently, she hadn't thought of her. "What's wrong? Are you sick?"
"I'm on Changhong Street right now. Can I come and stay with you for a few days?"
Lin Mei didn't know what had happened, but since Xie Qin Jia had called for help and sounded so frail, she couldn't stand by and do nothing.
Lin Mei drove to Changhong Street to pick up Xie Qin Jia. Xie Qin Jia was wearing loungewear, her hair disheveled, and she was covered in sweat, looking utterly disheveled. Lin Mei helped her into the car and offered her water. "What are you doing here?"
Tears welling up, Xie Qin Jia told Lin Mei about her recent experiences. Xing Sha and Xing Zheng both claimed that Zhao Jianghe had killed Xing Yan. Xie Qin Jia refused to believe it, but Zhao Jianghe had been arrested by the police. Feeling she had wronged him, she was consumed by guilt. She wanted to investigate the truth and clear Zhao Jianghe's name. "He was Ah Yan's best friend. Ah Yan died with his eyes wide open; I can't let him be framed like this..."
Lin Mei fell silent. The murder case Zhao Jianghe was accused of... was it the car accident from years ago?
If that were the case, Xing Zheng's targeting of Zhao Jianghe would be understandable. But Zhao Jianghe... did he orchestrate the car accident because he knew his identity?
Did Xing Zheng know at this moment that Zhao Jianghe might be his half-brother...?
Lin Mei remembered a photo saved on her phone. She had intended to help him then. So much time had passed, and she hadn't even sent the photo. Lin Mei couldn't agree with Xie Qin Jia's words and could only try to comfort her for now. Her current situation was definitely not safe outside.
Xie Qin Jia returned home with Lin Mei, took a shower, and then fell into a deep sleep from exhaustion. Lin Mei covered her with a blanket and came out, only to hear Xie Qin Jia's phone ringing. It was Xing Sha calling. "Where did you go?"
"You don't need to worry, Auntie Xie is with me," Lin Mei said, choosing her words carefully. "Do you know anything about Auntie Xie's past?"
"What do you know?" Xing Sha's voice turned serious. Lin Mei told him truthfully, "I saw a photo. I'll tell you more when you get here."
When Xing Sha arrived, Xie Qin Jia was still asleep. Lin Mei and Xing Sha went downstairs. She found the photo on her phone and handed it to Xing Sha.
It was the photo of Xie Qin Jia and Liu Qinye. He had seen it many times before. Just as he was about to ask, he heard Lin Mei say, "I saw this photo in Zhao Jianghe's study. This man... he seems to be Zhao Jianghe's biological father."
"You guessed correctly. He is indeed Zhao Jianghe's biological father." The latter half of the sentence was unspoken, but they both understood.
Her guess was finally confirmed. Lin Mei suddenly remembered the passport she had accidentally seen long ago. On the passport, Zhao Jianghe's age was three years older than his actual age. No wonder.
Xing Sha asked Lin Mei, "Why are you investigating this?"
Lin Mei fell silent. Xing Sha found the answer in her awkwardness. "You want to help Xing Zheng?"
Lin Mei became even more flustered. She had said she didn't like Xing Zheng; such an action was like slapping herself in the face.
Xing Sha saw her thoughts. "Don't worry, I won't interfere in your relationship anymore."