Over there, the man fell silent. Just as Lin Mei thought he was speechless, his thoughts having been hit upon, he suddenly said, "You came to Sheng Lan Xinghe, speak your mind when you're here." Without giving her a chance to refuse, he hung up.
Lin Mei had already planned to look for him, so after the call, she took a taxi to Sheng Lan Xinghe. She stood before the security door and before she could even ring the doorbell, the door in front of her opened. Standing behind it was Xing Zheng, wearing a black t-shirt.
He raised his hand, pulled her in, and closed the door. He then pushed her against the door. Lin Mei looked displeased. He still had the mood to tease her, truly not treating her as a person! Before she could ask, the man in front of her suddenly said, "The news has been suppressed, no one will discuss you anymore. I will make..."
"Yes, it's suppressed. You think my role as a shield wasn't diligent enough, and you want to do it again, is that it?" Lin Mei didn't want to hear him anymore. "I have nothing to do with you. If you want to protect your new love, don't drag me into it. Don't look for me again."
She wasn't always lucky enough to find Xiao Shu to help suppress the news.
"This incident was an accident." It wasn't clear yet who had orchestrated this, so it was difficult to explain. He could only say to her, "I've already had people suppress the news. There will be no more discussions. Shuang Mu's public relations department will issue a clarification statement on my behalf today. You won't have to bear this blame forever."
Every word was explained earnestly and patiently. However, these "explanations" fell into Lin Mei's ears and became a colossal joke. "You had people suppress the news?"
He really knew how to claim credit and seek rewards. If she hadn't asked Xiao Shu for help, she would probably still be subjected to scolding and speculation online, just like before.
"The public relations department will clarify today. I was inconsiderate this time. Be good, I apologize to you..."
*Slap!*
Before the apology could be uttered, she slapped him across the face. Lin Mei used a lot of force, her palm tingling. She saw a flicker of confusion in his eyes, as if asking her "Why?"
"Stop putting on an act. I asked President Xiao to help suppress the news. What does it have to do with you?" Lin Mei said. "Stay away from me from now on. I never want to see your hypocritical face again."
She struggled, trying to push him away, but he tightly gripped her arm. "Tell me, who suppressed the news?"
Since he had heard it, Lin Mei certainly wouldn't waste her breath answering again. Dangerous ripples stirred in his deep, dark eyes. "Did Xiao Shu tell you that?" He really knew how to claim credit and offer gifts!
"He didn't say it, I asked him to help me!" How could Lin Mei not detect the sarcasm in Xing Zheng's words? She became even angrier. What right did he have to mock Xiao Shu? If it weren't for Xiao Shu, she would still be enduring scolding. It all started because of him. He was giving her such perfunctory answers, stealing Xiao Shu's credit, and still showing such disdain for him!
"You think he suppressed the news for you?" The man pinched her chin, his tone dangerous, and confirmed it again.
"Otherwise, if not him, then you?" Lin Mei retorted, every word laced with impatience. Even without a direct answer, her attitude was very clear.
Xing Zheng let go. Lin Mei tidied her clothes and said to him, "Please, don't disturb my life anymore. Whether it's Miss Jiang or your new love, I don't want to be involved in your affairs."
"New love." Since entering the door, she seemed to have been emphasizing this. Xing Zheng asked her, "Who is my new love? I don't know."
He was still pretending? Lin Mei found it ridiculous and immediately said, "The one at the airport, isn't it? Returning together, and a late-night call. What, you dare not admit it?"
"You mean, Wen Ke?" Xing Zheng suddenly realized. The new love she was referring to was such an unreliable person.
"It has nothing to do with me. You just need to remember not to disturb my life anymore." For some reason, hearing this name from his mouth made her angry. It was so jarring!
"Wen Ke is not my new love," he explained to her, uncharacteristically. "I have nothing to do with her." He didn't know how to tell her about the experience of treatment in New York. Without mentioning that period, he couldn't explain Wen Ke's identity.
"Whatever your relationship with her is, it has nothing to do with me!" Lin Mei didn't believe such an explanation at all, and even found it ridiculous. "I just want you to stay away from me. I don't want to get involved in your mess!" Lan Lan was right, getting close to Xing Zheng would lead to misfortune.
After a big argument with Xing Zheng, Lin Mei left Sheng Lan Xinghe. After she left, Xing Zheng lit a cigarette and, while exhaling smoke, recalled Lin Mei's words.
His previous suspicion of Xiao Shu was now confirmed. Xiao Shu was using this incident to deliberately provoke the relationship between him and Lin Mei. What was his intention? Was he targeting him, or was it simply because he was interested in Lin Mei?
Xing Zheng took out his phone and called Shen Su. "Can you find information on Xiao Shu's ex-wife?"
"Didn't I tell you last time? Xiao Shu, his ex-wife, you were both alumni. Did you forget?" Shen Su asked.
Upon hearing this, Xing Zheng remembered. Alumni... he had no impression of them. The years at Penn were the most severe period of his illness. At that time, his only close friend was Li Xun. He didn't even have a deep memory of his classmates, let alone alumni.
After the call, Shen Su sent the information about Xiao Shu and his ex-wife at school. The information was only two pages. They studied abroad, and there wasn't much that could be found.
Xiao Shu was three years ahead of Xing Zheng. They were both from the Wharton School of Business, while Xiao Shu's ex-wife, Qiao Wei, was from the School of Social Work and was in the same year as Xing Zheng. This was all the information available.
Xing Zheng searched through his memories of Penn but found no recollection of these two people. He called Li Xun again. Li Xun did have an impression of Xiao Shu. "I know him. He was a teaching assistant when we were doing projects, and he taught us."
Li Xun later told him more about Xiao Shu and his ex-wife. From Li Xun's description, their relationship seemed to be very good. After Li Xun said a lot, he remembered to ask, "Why are you suddenly asking about him? Is there a collaboration?"
"He's divorced," Xing Zheng told Li Xun. "He's pursuing my woman."
"Lin Mei?" Li Xun was surprised. "How did these two get in touch?"
Xing Zheng explained the reason and then instructed Li Xun, "Help me investigate him and his ex-wife."
Li Xun maintained contact with the school after graduation, so entrusting this matter to him was the most reliable option.
When Lin Mei returned from Sheng Lan Xinghe, she happened to see Xiao Shu standing at her doorstep. She walked over. "Mr. Xiao?"
"You're back." Xiao Shu smiled warmly. "I was a little worried about you, so I came to see. Are you okay?"
Lin Mei replied, "Mm," "I'm fine."
"Lin Mei," Xiao Shu took her hand. "Will you consider me?"