Although Zong Zong's tone did not fluctuate much, his colleagues were all sharp. Zong Zong and Chen Qi had always been close, as if they were inseparable. Everyone could tell that Zong Zong was mocking Lin Mei for climbing onto a high branch and getting carried away. The onlookers, who loved to stir up trouble, all turned their attention to Lin Mei again, waiting to see what she would say.
Lin Mei still remembered that Zong Zong and Chen Qi had colluded to drug her. "Is that so? I didn't realize I was so capable. I haven't seen you mock me any less."
It wasn't an outright insult, but it wasn't a compliment either. The atmosphere became even more tense. Lin Mei had always been gentle and rarely engaged in direct conflict with others. When Zong Zong had mocked her earlier, he hadn't expected her to respond.
Zong Zong's face fell. "Lin Mei, don't get too carried away. There are plenty of younger and prettier women. You're a second-hand..."
"Who the hell are you calling names!" Before Zong Zong could finish his sentence, Lu Qi arrived. As soon as he approached, he heard Zong Zong insulting Lin Mei. Lu Qi was young, hot-headed, and straightforward. Moreover, he had long disliked Zong Zong. In a fit of anger, he slammed his meal tray onto Zong Zong's head.
Rice and dishes rolled down from Zong Zong's head, staining his hair and clothes.
Lu Qi's action once again pushed the atmosphere to a climax. Lu Qi was usually very arrogant in the company. His colleagues all knew he was a rich kid and didn't dare to offend him.
Lu Qi stood in front of Zong Zong. "I've had enough of you. If you keep talking sarcastically about Lin Mei, I'll kill you."
Lu Qi tilted his chin up, his demeanor arrogant, exuding the characteristic disdain of a spoiled rich kid. The colleagues in the cafeteria were all drawn to the scene. Zong Zong was provoked, and anger gathered in his eyes.
It took Lin Mei a few minutes to react. When she saw what was happening, she grabbed Lu Qi. "Don't be impulsive."
With Lu Qi standing up for her like this, there would likely be all sorts of messy rumors afterward.
Zong Zong chuckled. He suddenly stood up and pointed at Lin Mei and Lu Qi. "You two scoundrels! Lin Mei, you really are a slutty fox. The moment you see a rich man, you cling to him. You don't even spare your subordinates in the same department!"
"I'll kick your ancestors!" Lu Qi's anger, which had been somewhat appeased by Lin Mei, flared up again. He threw a punch at Zong Zong. Zong Zong was not to be outdone and immediately retaliated. The two of them began to fight in the cafeteria.
Lu Qi was not afraid of death, and Zong Zong was also enraged by him. They were equally matched, trading blows and fighting fiercely.
Lin Mei couldn't get close to them. If she got any closer, she risked getting hurt. Later, some colleagues called security, and only then were the two of them separated.
However, both of them had injuries. Zong Zong's nose was bleeding profusely from Lu Qi's blows. Lu Qi was slightly better off but was also injured. The security guards took them both to the hospital, and the farce finally came to an end.
This incident quickly reached the ears of Director Sun. After lunch, someone came to inform Lin Mei that Director Sun wanted to see her in his office.
Lin Mei's head ached. She had just returned to work and encountered such a situation. She feared that Director Sun would give her a disciplinary action. However, it had ultimately started because of her. Lin Mei went to Director Sun's office, prepared to be reprimanded.
To her surprise, the expected scenario did not occur. When Director Sun saw her, he said with concern, "I heard about what happened in the cafeteria at noon. Did those two hurt you when they were fighting?"
Lin Mei looked at Director Sun in surprise. This didn't sound like something he would say. Director Sun noticed Lin Mei's surprise and smiled. "This is not your fault. I called you here to tell you not to take it to heart and to just carry on with your normal work."
"You just returned to work. I'll deal with these rumors in the company during the next weekly meeting. If anyone speaks ill of you again, feel free to tell me anytime, and I'll give them a good warning..."
Something was wrong, very wrong. In the years Lin Mei had worked at the bank, Director Sun had always treated her well, but he had never shown such blatant favoritism. Or rather, this level could no longer be described as favoritism; it was more like... trying to curry favor?
But why would Director Sun try to curry favor with her? Could it be that he also believed she had climbed onto a high branch?
"Little Lin, you know, I've promoted you all along. Why didn't you tell me about your matters with Director Xing?" The director's subsequent words answered Lin Mei's doubts. When he mentioned Xing Zheng, his tone became even more affectionate. "That's good, that's good. Director Xing values you. He specifically came to see me about your matters and asked me to take good care of you!"
Director Sun smiled heartily, but Lin Mei couldn't bring herself to smile. She only felt incredibly embarrassed. Her unspeakable relationship with Xing Zheng was now exposed to her superiors. How would her superiors see her from now on?
But she couldn't explain. She and Xing Zheng were already entangled. Therefore, Lin Mei could only force a laugh.
Director Sun then spoke for a long time, repeating the same things. He essentially wanted her to rest assured that he would never allow rumors about her to circulate in the company again. From his words, it seemed he intended to take action against those below him.
But if he did that, wouldn't it further confirm that she had returned by relying on her "sugar daddy" behind the scenes?
Lin Mei knew that the root of the problem was not with Director Sun. For Director Sun to not make special arrangements, Xing Zheng would need to make a statement to Director Sun. Instead of wasting time talking to Director Sun, it would be better to find Xing Zheng and clarify things.
After the incident in the cafeteria at noon, everyone in the company spent the afternoon talking about Lu Qi and Zong Zong's fight. The discussion revolved around how the management would punish the two of them. Since Lu Qi was the one who first hit Zong Zong with the meal tray, the surveillance footage recorded it clearly. Therefore, many colleagues believed that Lu Qi would receive a heavier punishment.
However, the colleagues did not sympathize with Lu Qi. Everyone knew about his family background. Even if he left the bank, he could go back and inherit billions.
Only those in the same department were somewhat worried about Lu Qi, especially Lin Mei, who was directly involved. Even if Lu Qi didn't need this job, there was a difference between him voluntarily leaving and being fired.
Lin Mei felt guilty. Before leaving work, she sent Lu Qi a WeChat message asking how he was. Lu Qi quickly replied with a photo of himself lying on a hospital bed, his arm bandaged, looking quite miserable. Lin Mei decided to visit him after work.
Lin Mei: [I'll be there in a bit. I'll bring you dinner. What do you like to eat?]
Lu Qi: [I'll eat whatever you buy. I'm not picky.]
Lin Mei: [Then how about Liangpi and Roujiamo?]
After work, Lin Mei went to a famous Northwestern restaurant near the bank and bought Liangpi and Roujiamo to take to the hospital to visit Lu Qi.
Although it was just a superficial injury, young master Lu was still staying in a private room. Lin Mei knocked on the door and walked in with the food. As soon as Lu Qi saw her, he smiled.
Lin Mei walked forward with the bag. "Let's eat dinner first."
Click. As soon as Lin Mei finished speaking, she suddenly heard the sound of a door opening from the bathroom. She frowned and looked, and when she saw the person walking out, her breath caught in her throat.