If it were his usual style, after being shaken off, he would have caught her again. But today, he actually let it go, which surprised Lin Mei, who had prepared herself for further struggle. He stopped in front of her, his gaze falling on her face, then moving down, finally resting on her stomach. "How are you feeling?"
He asked, staring at her stomach. Lin Mei naturally understood what he was referring to, but hearing such a question from him felt rather laughable. "My affairs have nothing to do with you. You should worry about the green hat on your own head."
To have something like this happen at the wedding venue, and for him to be able to endure it and waste words with her here.
Xing Zheng ignored the mockery in Lin Mei's words. "Did you come with Zhao Jianghe?"
Lin Mei: "It's none of your business."
Xing Zheng: "You stay away from him."
Zhao Jianghe brought Lin Mei today as a shield. If this matter spread within their circle, any young ladies interested in Zhao Jianghe would likely target her from now on. Zhao Jianghe had recently "dealt with" quite a few people, relying on his current popularity. Seeing a woman by his side, how could they let it go easily? "You should leave now."
Lin Mei laughed, her mouth sharp, defying him. "I'm willing to be with him. It's not your place to dictate my affairs. Get lost."
It was clearly Jiang Chubie who had asked her to come, yet he was feigning innocence now, acting as if he was worried about Zhao Jianghe hurting her. Zhao Jianghe approached her because of Xing Yan. How was he any better than Zhao Jianghe? At least, she wouldn't be hurt by Zhao Jianghe, whereas he had trampled her feelings beyond recognition.
Although Lin Mei had a stubborn temper, she had never spoken so sharply to Xing Zheng before. From the moment he appeared, she had bristled, every nerve screaming of defense, a stark contrast to her former reliance on him.
In the past, when she was in trouble, he would appear, and she would curl up in his arms. Without a word, a small gesture would convey her dependence.
"Old Xing, Uncle Xing is looking for you outside," Gu Song's voice suddenly appeared.
Lin Mei took this opportunity to leave without looking back. Xing Zheng couldn't stop her, so he could only watch her go.
Gu Song asked Xing Zheng, "Why did Zhao Jianghe bring her?" Xing Zheng had already acted so ruthlessly before. Zhao Jianghe shouldn't have suspected him of having an affair with Lin Mei anymore. Now that he brought her along, could it be that he had genuinely become interested in Lin Mei?
Xing Zheng did not answer Gu Song's question and left the balcony to find Xing Sha.
Xing Sha had come alone. Recently, Xie Qin Jia's emotions had been extremely unstable. Xing Sha had cut off all her contact with the outside world and no longer allowed Zhao Jianghe to visit her.
Xie Qin Jia was also unaware of the rumors between Xing Zheng and Lin Mei. Xing Sha certainly wouldn't tell her these things. If she knew, the Xing family would be turned upside down.
After Xing Zheng met Xing Sha, he merely nodded slightly. The two rehearsed the wedding process. Father and son had not seen each other for a long time. If not for the special occasion today, Xing Sha would not have actively met Xing Zheng. It was fortunate that Xing Zheng did not ask about Xie Qin Jia's past today.
After the father and son finished speaking, Xing Zheng returned to the lounge. At that time, only Jiang Chubie was in the room. "You're back? It's about time, we should go down."
When Zhao Jianghe reappeared, he was still impeccably dressed. If Lin Mei hadn't seen the scene with her own eyes, she wouldn't have believed that he had just engaged in such unrestrained behavior. Zhao Jianghe tried to put his arm around Lin Mei's shoulder, but Lin Mei subtly dodged him. The two maintained their distance as they went downstairs.
Downstairs, the wedding host was already warming up the crowd. Before long, Xing Zheng and Jiang Chubie appeared together. After the ceremony began, Jiang Chubie's father, Jiang Fu, led her and handed her over to Xing Zheng. Jiang Chubie's eyes were full of happiness. Xing Zheng brought her to his side, and they held hands as they went on stage to complete the rest of the wedding ceremony.
The wedding vows, the exchange of rings, the kiss – every step was executed smoothly. The guests praised the couple's compatibility. The Jiang family was the happiest. Jiang Fu smiled so much that his eyes were barely visible. With such a powerful alliance, who in Nanjiang City would dare to oppose their Jiang family in the future?
Lin Mei witnessed the wedding, but her mood was remarkably calm. After the ceremony, she left.
That evening, various media outlets eagerly reported on the marriage. In the news, Xing Zheng was portrayed as a considerate and romantic husband, and the lavish wedding venue was thoroughly scrutinized by netizens. Even when Lin Mei went to Kyoto, the related news had not subsided.
While Lin Mei and Xu Ying were waiting for their flight at the airport, they once again saw reports of the wedding on the airport television. Xu Ying instinctively looked at Lin Mei. Lin Mei smiled at him, "I'd like some coffee."
Lin Mei's trip to Kyoto was expected to last at least half a year. The rented apartment had been cleaned and disinfected by housekeeping in advance. As promised, a room was set aside for Xu Ying. Thus, the two returned to the apartment from the airport, each taking a room, and settled down.
Lin Mei was not without her reservations, but she trusted Xu Ying's character, and Xu Ying lived up to that trust. Although they lived under the same roof, he had never behaved inappropriately.
Lin Mei attended classes, and Xu Ying prepared for competitions. They took turns cooking dinner or went out to explore popular eateries or street food stalls. Life was leisurely. Moving to a new city seemed to have erased the unpleasant memories along with it.
Until one day, when Lin Mei and Xu Ying went to participate in a competition, they saw Jiang Chubie at the venue again.
Jiang Chubie had come alone, accompanied by several wealthy young ladies who were also socialites frequently seen in entertainment news. Lin Mei considered herself not well-acquainted with Jiang Chubie and did not approach her upon meeting.
Xu Ying also saw her. He instinctively put his arm around Lin Mei and took a sip of the milk tea she was holding. Lin Mei glared at him, "What are you doing? I've been drinking this."
Xu Ying: "I'm so thirsty. There's more over there, I'll take you to get a new cup."
Lin Mei laughed, "Who are you talking about? I mean, it's unhygienic."
Xu Ying was unfazed, "No, it's very sweet."
Lin Mei: "..." For a moment, she couldn't tell if he was referring to the milk tea being sweet or something else.
"Manager Lin, we meet again," Jiang Chubie walked up proactively and spoke to Lin Mei, "How have you been lately?"
Lin Mei: "Very well, thank you for your concern, Miss Jiang."
Jiang Chubie smiled, "You're welcome. I thought what happened before would affect Manager Lin, but it seems Manager Lin is quite charming and still has admirers. That puts my mind at ease."
Such blatant sarcasm was unbearable even for the usually good-tempered Xu Ying. Before Lin Mei could reply, Xu Ying held Lin Mei tighter and said to Jiang Chubie, "We've been together for a long time."
Jiang Chubie still smiled, "Manager Lin, with your boyfriend treating you so well, you shouldn't be thinking of people you shouldn't be, right?"