Lin Mei had not expected Zhao Jianghe to contact her again. The last time, after the news about her had appeared, Zhao Jianghe had only sent a few messages to express his concern and then had not contacted her again. Since she no longer needed to help Xing Zheng, she had stopped making an effort to maintain her relationship with Zhao Jianghe. If Zhao Jianghe was looking for her, it must be because of Xing Yan. "Mr. Zhao."
Since they still had professional dealings, Lin Mei could not afford to fall out with Zhao Jianghe. She held no personal grudge against him.
"I haven't seen you at the bank recently. Your colleague said you were sick?" Zhao Jianghe asked, concerned about Lin Mei. "How are you now?"
Lin Mei replied, "Thank you, Mr. Zhao. I'm much better." Her tone suddenly became polite.
Zhao Jianghe asked with a smile, "Aren't we friends? Why are you being so distant with me?"
Lin Mei said, "My reputation is not good. If you are friends with me, Mr. Zhao, it will cause you a lot of trouble."
"Are you referring to the news? I don't care about those rumors," Zhao Jianghe said gently and understandingly. "Smart people aren't blinded by these groundless reports. Did your boyfriend argue with you because of this?"
Lin Mei remained silent, unsure how to respond. She also didn't know if Zhao Jianghe had set a trap for her with his words. He was the same type of person as Xing Zheng, and she was no match for them.
She remained silent for a long time, but Zhao Jianghe did not get angry. He patiently continued, "I apologize. I was on a business trip out of town a while ago. I intended to suppress the news for you, but I got busy and forgot. Yesterday, I had someone delete all the online comments. If you encounter any more slanderous remarks in the future, remember to come to me."
"Thank you." Whether it was deleted or not made no difference to her.
Zhao Jianghe invited Lin Mei, "Xing Zheng and Jiang Chubai are getting married tomorrow. I don't have a female companion. Would you be willing to accompany me?"
As soon as he said this, Lin Mei finally understood the purpose of Zhao Jianghe's call. She refused, "I won't go. They didn't invite me."
"Oh, really? But Chubai told me she sent you an invitation," Zhao Jianghe said. "Perhaps it was sent to your office. You haven't been to work recently, so you might not have seen it!"
Lin Mei: "..."
Jiang Chubai did seem to have mentioned sending her an invitation. What was this, a victor's boast? But she no longer wanted to be a part of this war.
Zhao Jianghe said many things, but Lin Mei did not relent and refused to agree to go. Unable to fall out with him, she placated Zhao Jianghe and then went to pour herself a glass of water.
Not long after, her phone rang again. The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number. After a moment of hesitation, Lin Mei answered, "Hello, may I ask who is calling?"
"Hello, Manager Lin. Have you recovered?" The voice on the other end was Jiang Chubai's. Her concern was fake; it was all about showing off and mocking.
Lin Mei heard the faint laughter in her tone. She put down her water glass and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Miss Jiang. I am in good health."
"Since you're feeling better, Manager Lin, please remember to attend my wedding with Azheng tomorrow," Jiang Chubai's smile widened. "I sent the wedding invitation to the bank. I heard you were recuperating recently, and I was afraid you might forget. Manager Lin, you won't refuse this favor, will you?" Her provocative stance was obvious.
Lin Mei's tone became slightly stiff. "I wish you both a happy wedding. I will have Director Sun deliver my gift."
"Manager Lin isn't coming in person? What are you worried about?" Jiang Chubai pressed on, unwilling to let go. "Could it be that you still have feelings for Azheng and can't bear to see it?"
"Or perhaps, you feel guilty and are afraid of being pointed at?"
Lin Mei's breathing quickened. Such provocative and mocking words were unbearable even for the most patient person. She could no longer hold back. "Since Miss Jiang wants me to come so badly, I will definitely come tomorrow to offer my congratulations in person. Are you satisfied?"
Jiang Chubai ignored the impatience in her words and laughed. "Then Azheng and I will await Manager Lin's presence. Good night."
Lin Mei paid no attention and put down her phone, continuing to drink her water. She already regretted it a little, knowing that Jiang Chubai was using provocation, yet she had still fallen for it.
Did she think she didn't have the courage to go? Did she really think she couldn't live without Xing Zheng?
Since Jiang Chubai wanted her to go so badly, she would go. She would offer her congratulations to them in person. Not only would she go, but she would also go with Zhao Jianghe. Let's see who would make whom uncomfortable!
Afterward, Lin Mei sent a WeChat message to Zhao Jianghe: "Let's go together tomorrow."
Xing Zheng and Jiang Chubai's wedding was held at Ya'an Manor. The venue was exquisitely decorated, with every detail meticulously designed. As a union of two major wealthy families, the invited guests were all influential and wealthy. Zhao Jianghe, who had been in the spotlight recently, was naturally surrounded by people eager to speak with him upon his arrival.
Many young ladies had ulterior motives and came to show their favor. However, when they saw Lin Mei standing beside Zhao Jianghe, Zhao Jianghe used her as a shield to reject them. "I'm sorry, I brought a companion today. I need to consider her feelings."
This move by Zhao Jianghe immediately made Lin Mei a target in the eyes of those people. Afterward, he apologized to Lin Mei. Lin Mei said nothing, only stating that she wanted to rest. Zhao Jianghe then took her to a lounge.
It was much quieter here than outside. Lin Mei sat down and drank some water. Zhao Jianghe, likely needing to continue socializing, left first.
With more than an hour before the wedding ceremony began, Lin Mei went from the lounge to the terrace and happened to pass by the bride's dressing room.
The dressing room door was not closed. Lin Mei heard sounds coming from within, the panting of a man and a woman. She stopped and looked into the room.
Were Xing Zheng and Jiang Chubai that impatient? With the wedding about to start, they had to have a session in the lounge first, and they didn't even close the door, as if they were afraid no one would see.
They were indeed a well-matched couple; even their taste for excitement was the same.
Lin Mei heard Jiang Chubai's seductive voice, "Don't pull my wedding dress. If it gets torn, what will I wear for the wedding?"
Lin Mei frowned, unable to listen further, and turned to leave. As soon as she turned, she saw a man about a meter away.
Who else could that man in the sharp black suit be but Xing Zheng?
If he was here, then who was the person engaging in intimate acts with Jiang Chubai in the lounge?
As the doubt arose, she heard a man's voice from inside the room, "What do you think will happen if he sees this?"
It was Zhao Jianghe's voice. He was so audacious, engaging in illicit affairs with Jiang Chubai before Xing Zheng and Jiang Chubai's wedding, and Jiang Chubai was willing!
Lin Mei really wanted to tell Zhao Jianghe: there's no need for "if," Xing Zheng has already seen it.
Not only Zhao Jianghe, but Lin Mei was also very curious about Xing Zheng's reaction. On his wedding day, being cuckolded by his wife and his enemy, how would he react?
Lin Mei felt a sense of vengeful pleasure. However, before she could feel happy, Xing Zheng grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the terrace. After stopping, Lin Mei fiercely flung his hand away!