Lin Mei retorted inwardly, how could she and Xing Zheng have any feelings? Even if Xing Sha did not interfere, they would have parted ways by now. "He is already married."
"Are you referring to Chu Bi?" Xing Sha finally remembered that Lin Mei did not know the truth. Given Xing Zheng's personality, he likely wouldn't have explained it to her. In that case, he would have to do it. "He and Chu Bi are not legally married. The wedding ceremony held previously was to cover their tracks. He dislikes Chu Bi, and Chu Bi dislikes him. They are together solely to bring Zhao Jianghe to justice."
Lin Mei had already considered this possibility, but she couldn't fathom why Jiang Chu Bi would have a reason to deal with Zhao Jianghe. Regardless, the outcome between her and Xing Zheng would not change. To be infatuated with a man who didn't love her was self-inflicted torture.
Lin Mei did not wish to continue this topic and instead shifted to Xie Qin Jia with Xing Sha. "Does Aunt Xie not remember past events?"
"Some things are not necessary to remember," Xing Sha told Lin Mei. "She suffered too much in the past. I only hope her remaining years can be more relaxed."
"Then do you think she is relaxed now?" Lin Mei recalled her interactions with Xie Qin Jia since they met. Although Xie Qin Jia was a wealthy wife living a life of luxury with her every need attended to, Lin Mei didn't believe she was relaxed. Xing Sha's protection was not one of honesty but of concealment. While she understood, she couldn't agree. For instance, at this moment, "When she came to see me today, she spoke about Zhao Jianghe. She believes Zhao Jianghe is a scapegoat framed by Xing Zheng, and therefore, she wants to find evidence to prove Zhao Jianghe's innocence."
Xing Sha remained silent. Lin Mei continued, "If she is not told Zhao Jianghe's identity and motive, she will continue to think this way."
This meant that even if Xing Zheng sent Zhao Jianghe to prison, he would still not be able to clear his name in Xie Qin Jia's eyes.
Thinking of this, she inexplicably felt a sense of injustice for him. What must he have felt when he learned Zhao Jianghe's identity? Xie Qin Jia had three children, and he was the least favored, yet the one who loved Xie Qin Jia the most.
"I know all that you are saying," Xing Sha sighed and told Lin Mei, "When faced with two evils, one chooses the lesser. If you knew what she went through before, you would understand my decision."
For the first time, Lin Mei saw a look of defeat on Xing Sha's face. She asked curiously, "Aunt Xie, in the past..."
"She was only twenty when she was with me." After a moment of hesitation, Xing Sha recounted the entanglement between Xie Qin Jia and Liu Qin Ye back then.
The matter was too complex, and Lin Mei listened with a heavy heart, her brows furrowed tightly. Especially when she heard that even after Xie Qin Jia regained her memory, Liu Qin Ye still prevented her from contacting the outside world and tormented her, her heart clenched. Although she had never met Liu Qin Ye, just hearing about his frenzied state at the sanatorium allowed her to infer how terrifying he was.
She recalled the Xie Qin Jia in the photograph, smiling brightly. Such a beautiful person could be tormented to the point of having to undergo hypnosis to erase that memory.
If Lin Mei had been somewhat unclear about Xing Sha's decision before, after hearing all this, she could empathize. If she were in his shoes, she would also not want Xie Qin Jia to recall those cruel memories. She also understood why Xing Sha was so "indulgent" towards Xie Qin Jia. Besides profound love, there was also guilt and a desire to atone.
"This was a decision made after discussions with Ah Zheng," Xing Sha told Lin Mei. "It is also my dereliction of duty as a father. Unable to find a better solution, I have been letting him suffer these years."
It was Xing Zheng's decision, which meant what? Lin Mei knew that he detested being called the murderer of Xing Yan. She had witnessed Xie Qin Jia hurt him with such words several times and remembered the despair and sorrow in his eyes.
He had investigated for so many years, and besides avenging Xing Yan, he must have also wanted to clear his own name. Now that the truth had finally come to light, he was willing to continue being misunderstood to protect Xie Qin Jia. He loved Xie Qin Jia so much, yet Xie Qin Jia...
"May I ask you a question?" Lin Mei took a breath and looked at Xing Sha.
"Ask away," Xing Sha replied readily.
"Why does Aunt Xie hate him so much?" She had been curious about this for a long time, but it was difficult to ask Xing Zheng such a question, and even more impossible to discuss with Xie Qin Jia. Perhaps only Xing Sha could provide an answer.
However, Xing Sha's response disappointed Lin Mei. "I don't know either."
If it were merely due to suffering during pregnancy, it would at most be a tantrum; it wouldn't be like Xie Qin Jia, who seemed to have hatred etched into her bones. "Over the years, I have tried countless times to understand the reason, but I couldn't find it."
"Therefore, I have always felt guilty towards Ah Zheng," Xing Zheng told Lin Mei. "I hope you can bring something different to him."
"You are mistaken. He and I..." Lin Mei finally told Xing Sha the truth. "We are no longer in contact. He doesn't like me."
Xing Sha: "And you?"
His gaze was sharp, and Lin Mei instinctively dodged it, looking elsewhere. "Me too. We are not the same kind of people. It's tiring to be with him."
Xing Sha sighed. "You are right. Ah Zheng's situation... is indeed difficult to get along with. No one is obligated to indulge him. I was presumptuous. I apologize to you."
"You are too kind," Lin Mei did not mind, especially since Xing Sha had not said anything excessive. "Then, Aunt Xie has woken up. Will you take her back?"
"Is it convenient for her to stay here for a few days?" Xing Sha asked.
Because of Xing Sha's request, Xie Qin Jia stayed with Lin Mei. When interacting with Lin Mei, Xie Qin Jia's condition was very stable.
A few days later, Xing Sha came to pick up Xie Qin Jia. Xie Qin Jia was naturally unwilling. The moment she saw Xing Sha, her expression changed. "What are you doing here!"
"You've been troubling Lin Mei here for a few days, it's time for you to go back," Xing Sha said.
"I'm not going back, unless you get rid of the real murderer. Seeing him makes me sick!" Xie Qin Jia seemed capable of saying any harsh word when cursing Xing Zheng.
Lin Mei felt her heart ache upon hearing this. Although she had a child for only a short period, she had loved it. Even without seeing it, she would silently call it her baby. Xing Zheng was born to Xie Qin Jia after ten months of pregnancy; how could she bear to say such things?
"He has already returned to the United States and will not be coming back," Lin Mei heard Xing Sha say as she was contemplating. She immediately looked at Xing Sha and noticed his serious expression, which suggested he was not joking.
Xie Qin Jia, however, did not believe him. "Do you think I will fall for your trick again? You father and son are birds of a feather!"
"The flight was three days ago. He is now in New York. The company has hired a new professional manager. You can check the news." Xing Sha found the news and showed it to Xie Qin Jia.
Lin Mei also saw it. The news clearly stated the appointment of the new executive chairman of Shuang Mu Yu Rong, with no mention of Xing Zheng.
Xie Qin Jia was also quite surprised. "He's really not coming back?"