Xie Qin Jia had not mentioned Zhao Jiang He’s name to Lin Mei before. After the other party introduced himself, Lin Mei added a note and then reported her name to him as well.
Lin Mei exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhao Jiang He. Zhao Jiang He asked about her work, and Lin Mei answered casually. Zhao Jiang He’s attitude was humble and polite, truly as Xie Qin Jia had said, a person who knew how to conduct himself.
However, it was difficult to develop romantic feelings through mere conversation, and Lin Mei had no intention of developing anything with Zhao Jiang He. To avoid offending Xie Qin Jia, she decided to treat it as making a new friend.
Lin Zheng De’s discharge date was set for Saturday. Early in the morning, Lin Mei arrived at the hospital. Lan Lan and Feng Feng were also there, and to her surprise, Shen Su had also come with Feng Feng.
Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue both noticed that the relationship between Feng Feng and Shen Su was not simple. The elderly couple understood each other and did not say much. Lin Mei and Lan Lan went downstairs to handle the discharge procedures, while Feng Feng and Shen Su stayed in the ward to chat with the elderly couple.
As they went downstairs, Lin Mei asked Lan Lan, "Why did Shen Su come with Feng Feng?"
Lan Lan was unconcerned. Shen Su had been close to Feng Feng recently; the two were almost like a couple. "He happened to be at Feng Feng's place last night, so he came along."
Lin Mei nodded thoughtfully. Seeing her hesitation, Lan Lan smiled and said, "Don't worry about President Feng. Among the three of us, neither Feng Feng nor I will be at a disadvantage. You should worry more about yourself."
Lin Mei was amused by Lan Lan's words. Although they were not particularly pleasant to hear, they were indeed realistic. Lan Lan and Feng Feng rarely suffered losses in relationships. On the other hand, she herself was easily moved by small favors.
While queuing, Lan Lan asked Lin Mei about Xing Zheng, "How have you and Xing Zheng been lately?"
"Same as usual," Lin Mei replied. "What else can there be between him and me? It's just a matter of mutual benefit." Lan Lan poked Lin Mei's forehead. "Be more mindful. Before you've figured things out, keep your guard up. Xing Zheng is someone who devours people without spitting out bones. If he has other intentions, you won't even know how you were played."
Lan Lan brought up the matters that were bothering Lin Mei, concerning Xing Zheng's past and his illness. To this day, she had not found any breakthrough. Lin Mei sighed deeply.
Just as Lan Lan was about to comfort her, her WeChat suddenly rang. Lan Lan opened it and saw it was a message from Liang Yu Feng.
Indeed, Lan Lan had sent Liang Yu Feng a message last weekend when she, Lin Mei, and Feng Feng were drinking together. Liang Yu Feng had only just replied, and his reply did not explain why he had ignored her for so long. It was just three cold words: "Anything?" without any punctuation.
Lan Lan, being proud, chuckled upon seeing the message. "He's quite arrogant."
Lin Mei: "What's wrong?"
Lan Lan: "My ex. I messaged him last weekend when we were drinking, and he's only replying now, without even an explanation. Men are truly dogs. If I weren't trying to get information about Xing Zheng, I wouldn't bother with him."
Lan Lan grumbled as she messaged Liang Yu Feng, asking him to meet for a meal in the next couple of days. The sooner she inquired about Xing Zheng's matters, the better.
After sending the dinner invitation, Liang Yu Feng took another ten minutes to reply, acting extremely aloof: "Time and place."
Lan Lan complained to Lin Mei a few more times and sent him the address of a restaurant. He did not reply. Lan Lan, being a "sea queen," had always been the one who didn't reply to men's messages. Now, encountering an ex-boyfriend who didn't seem to care about her, she felt unbalanced and kept complaining about Liang Yu Feng to Lin Mei while waiting in line.
Lin Mei patiently listened for a while before finally reminding her softly, "But I remember you were the one who dumped him back then."
Lan Lan: "So what if I dumped him? I've dumped plenty of men. Who does he think he is? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even remember who he is. Tell me, isn't your sister loyal enough?"
Lin Mei linked her arm with Lan Lan's. "That's right, Sister Lan is the most loyal sister."
Lin Mei and Lan Lan chatted and laughed as they completed the discharge procedures. When they returned to the ward, they found that Ming Zhou had also come.
Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue were very fond of Ming Zhou now. They would occasionally ask Lin Mei about her feelings for Ming Zhou. Lan Lan glanced at Ming Zhou and gave Lin Mei a "good luck to yourself" look.
Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue's intention to play matchmaker was too obvious. As soon as Lin Mei returned, they began to say to Ming Zhou, "Ming Zhou, are you free tonight? Come to Lin Mei's house for dinner. I'll cook myself."
Xiao Yue said, "Hua Mei always says you take good care of her. I don't know how to thank you. She's working hard here alone, and we'll have to trouble you friends in the future."
Ming Zhou smiled politely and warmly. He accepted the elderly couple's invitation. "I've heard from my junior schoolmate that Teacher Xiao's cooking is excellent. I never expected to have the honor of tasting it. I will definitely come tonight."
Lin Zheng De: "Good, good. Then we await your arrival. Lan Lan and Feng Feng, you should come too. And Mr. Shen, if you're free, come as well!"
Shen Su also smiled slightly. He looked in Ming Zhou's direction. Ming Zhou stood with Lin Zheng De, looking like a son-in-law and father-in-law.
It was evident that Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue were very satisfied with Ming Zhou, and their intention to matchmake Lin Mei and Ming Zhou was already very clear. If Xing Zheng did not take any action soon, they might be preempted.
"I'm free. I haven't had home-cooked food in a long time. I'm really looking forward to Teacher Xiao's cooking."
Feng Feng did not expect Shen Su to agree. She looked at Shen Su from the side, a hint of surprise in her eyes. Shen Su smiled at her calmly, offering no explanation.
Lin Mei could not interject at all and could only watch as Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue invited more and more people.
Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue were flying back to Xiangxi the following week. After being discharged, the couple would temporarily stay at Lin Mei's home.
After their afternoon nap, Lin Mei was called by Xiao Yue to go grocery shopping. They had guests coming for dinner, so they naturally had to prepare something good. Lin Mei thought about Ming Zhou coming over in the evening and felt a headache. She had indeed considered developing a relationship with Ming Zhou, but now, that idea did not seem as strong as before. Ming Zhou was excellent in all aspects, but she just didn't feel the spark.
While shopping, Xiao Yue took the opportunity to ask Lin Mei about her feelings for Ming Zhou when they were alone. Lin Mei had already guessed that Xiao Yue would ask, so she told Xiao Yue, "Senior is very good, but I don't have that kind of feeling for him for now. Mom and Dad, please don't rush."
Xiao Yue: "Mom is just afraid that after Chen Qi, you won't dare to fall in love seriously. We also worry about you living alone here. It's so good to have someone to take care of you..."
"Yes, I understand what you and Dad mean. I will find someone. Give me some time." How could Lin Mei not understand her parents' good intentions?
With Lin Mei's assurance, Xiao Yue felt much more at ease.
The mother and daughter bought a carload of items. After parking the car downstairs in the apartment building, Lin Mei and Xiao Yue got out together and then saw Shen Su... and Xing Zheng getting out of the car next to them!