Jiang Chubi let out a scornful laugh. She walked up to Lin Mei, stopped in front of her, and then looked at the man beside her, saying with a smile, "Long time no see, Manager Lin has a new boyfriend again."
Her tone was the same as before, full of sarcasm and mockery. Lin Mei didn't know where her hostility was coming from this time. Was it because of Xing Zheng?
Lin Mei's blind date, recognizing Jiang Chubi, pulled Lin Mei closer, shielding her behind him. Jiang Chubi laughed, "Don't misunderstand, I just came up to say hello to Manager Lin, I didn't mean anything else."
With that, Jiang Chubi left. The blind date went to check on Lin Mei. Lin Mei said "Thank you" and said no more.
This blind date, like Lin Mei, was in finance. He had reached a middle management position in a firm. He was outstanding in both character and ability, and very gentlemanly. However, Lin Mei felt no spark with him. Thus, they only exchanged contact information and did not contact each other again.
The man was interested in Lin Mei, but Lin Mei was like a nun who desired nothing. No matter what she was told, she would only smile. Over time, no one would have much patience.
This blind date had also failed. Lin Mei received a call from Xiao Yue, and naturally, she was lectured, "Tell me, after you broke up with Xu Ying, how many people have you dated, and why hasn't any of them worked out?"
Lin Mei admitted her fault and appeased Xiao Yue, but Xiao Yue was not buying it. "You keep changing the subject. You don't say why you broke up with Xu Ying. If you still like him, then go back to him."
"No, I don't like him anymore," Lin Mei told Xiao Yue. "But these blind dates, none of them are quite suitable."
"Then what do you consider suitable?" Xiao Yue retorted. "In your heart, you must have a benchmark for comparison to judge who is suitable and who is not. Who is this benchmark?"
Lin Mei choked. When Xiao Yue asked this question, Xing Zheng's figure immediately flashed in her mind. It was him sitting on the sofa, pinching Lan Lan's ear...
Lin Mei fell silent. Xiao Yue became even more certain of her previous guess. "Hua Mei, tell me, do you have someone in your heart?"
"..." She couldn't answer.
"Does the other person not like you?" Xiao Yue guessed.
"Mom, there really isn't," Lin Mei found her voice and explained to Xiao Yue, "After I was promoted, my work became too busy, and I have less and less personal time. I don't really want to consider dating or marriage. These two years are a critical period for my career, and I want to focus on my work first." Finally, she resorted to a reason she had used many times before.
After hearing this, Xiao Yue could only offer her usual advice to balance life and work.
After the call, Lin Mei went to take a shower. Perhaps it was because she had encountered Jiang Chubi and been asked such questions by Xiao Yue, but while showering, her mind was filled with memories of her time with Xing Zheng. Those stimulating scenes flashed one by one, her cheeks became hot, and the insatiable emptiness in her heart grew more intense.
Lin Mei came out wearing a nightgown and opened a drawer, taking out a long-sealed gift.
In New York, USA, during lunchtime, Xing Zheng was eating while Wen Ke tidied the hospital bed beside him. Seeing the phone screen light up, she handed it to him. "It seems there's a notification."
Xing Zheng did not reach for it. He was always aloof and unwilling to speak. Wen Ke was already used to it and placed the phone on the table. "The professor will do another check this afternoon, and you can be discharged. Your flight is the day after tomorrow, right?"
"Oh." The man who was stingy with words finally uttered a sentence.
Wen Ke smiled and said, "Then we can go back together."
The man in the black hoodie looked at her. In his indifferent gaze, there was a hint of confusion. Wen Ke explained, "I'm returning to China to work on a research project with my senior."
"Oh." Still a one-word response, he picked up his phone. When the screen lit up, he saw the pushed content. His previously indifferent expression changed in an instant, and he suddenly stood up.
Wen Ke was startled by his unusual behavior. "What's wrong?"
Xing Zheng did not answer. He took his phone into the restroom. He opened the app and saw a flashing green button on the interface. This meant that the other side was online. As long as he pressed it, he could control it remotely. He made a move, and his eyes turned red.
Xing Zheng had been in the restroom for almost twenty minutes. Wen Ke worried that something might happen to him inside and was about to knock when she saw him walk out. His eyes were red, and his breathing was heavy. Wen Ke quickly asked, "Are you having a somatic symptom reaction?"
"No," Xing Zheng denied, grabbing a bottle of water and gulping it down.
After that day, Lin Mei often dreamed of Xing Zheng at night. When walking on the street, she would find herself looking more at men who were similar in height to him.
After her promotion, Lin Mei's work pressure increased significantly, and she had more social engagements. This time, a foreign client team was coming, and Lin Mei was fully responsible for their reception. Their flight was scheduled to land at four o'clock, so Lin Mei arrived at the international arrivals hall at three o'clock to wait.
When she saw a tall and familiar figure, she couldn't help but look again. Just as she was about to mock herself, the man turned sideways. Lin Mei saw his profile and her body stiffened... Was it really him?
He was at the baggage claim. Lin Mei watched him pick up his suitcase from the conveyor belt and walk towards the exit, directly facing her.
Her heart began to race, and her palms became sweaty. She had never been so nervous even when receiving foreign clients.
Should she hide, or should she meet him like this? Would he see her? If he saw her, would he talk to her, or would he ignore her as before? If he didn't see her, should she go up and talk to him, but what should she say?
In just one minute, Lin Mei's mind was filled with countless questions as that figure came closer and closer.
She took a breath and was about to walk towards him when she saw a beautiful and capable woman walking up from behind him. He immediately looked at her, and the woman spoke to him. He nodded, and they seemed to be very in sync. Lin Mei stopped in her tracks, as if witnessing the shattering of the bubble of hope in her heart.
A moment of spark, heaven and hell.
"Thank you for providing me with accommodation. Would you like to have dinner together?" Wen Ke chatted with Xing Zheng. "My senior will also be there tonight. Would you grace us with your presence?"
Xing Zheng replied, "Mm." Wen Ke's senior was Zhou Yue, and he was supposed to meet Zhou Yue anyway.
As they walked out chatting, Xing Zheng's gaze swept across the exit, but when he saw a graceful figure, he suddenly froze.
"How could you..." Before Wen Ke could ask, she saw Xing Zheng stride towards a woman.
As the tall figure stopped in front of her, Lin Mei felt that familiar sense of pressure.
His scent hadn't changed, but it was now mingled with some women's perfume.
Lin Mei stepped back, but he pressed forward, easily catching her slender wrist.