"If you want to say it, I'm willing to listen. If you don't, I won't force you. A fake boyfriend is still a boyfriend," Xu Ying's optimism exceeded Lin Mei's imagination. "Perhaps, the fake act will become real?"
With his relaxed demeanor, Lin Mei's burden felt less heavy. She didn't mention Zhao Jianghe to Xu Ying; the fewer people who knew, the better.
After agreeing to Lin Mei's request, Xu Ying genuinely began to play the role of her boyfriend convincingly. He didn't miss a single day during her remaining two days in the hospital. On the day of her discharge, he accompanied Lin Mei back to her apartment and even stayed for dinner. Photos of their time together were all sent to Xing Zheng.
Upon seeing the photos, Xing Zheng nearly crushed his phone. Jiang Chubì had to console him from the side, "You still have plenty of time. A few months won't make a difference. Even if she's with someone else, you can still win her back."
Moreover, Lin Mei liked him so much that she had approached him without hesitation before. "Her current situation is also beneficial to our plan. If she's in love with someone else, Zhao Jianghe won't pay attention to her."
Lin Mei hadn't visited Xie Qinjia for a long time. After her discharge, she took a weekend to go to the Xing family's villa. Xu Shang and Xie Junyao had already returned to Xiangxi a few days prior. When Lin Mei arrived, only Xie Qinjia and Xing Sha were home, along with a few nannies.
Xie Qinjia's relationship with Xing Sha had still not improved. Although she no longer insisted on divorce, she continued to give Xing Sha the cold shoulder. Xing Sha, being good-tempered, didn't hold it against her, and they continued to coexist in this manner.
Xie Qinjia's mood improved significantly upon seeing Lin Mei. Lin Mei sat with her in the living room and chatted for a while. Xie Qinjia invited Lin Mei to stay for lunch, and Lin Mei accepted. However, she hadn't expected Xing Zheng to return with Jiang Chubì just before mealtime.
Perhaps because Jiang Chubì was present, Xie Qinjia didn't act as she usually would towards Xing Zheng. She merely gave him a look of disgust and stopped reacting.
Jiang Chubì, holding a gift for Xie Qinjia, placed it aside and said with a smile, "Dad, Mom, Ah Zheng and I came to visit."
Xing Sha: "It's your own home, no need to bring gifts. It's perfect timing, lunch is ready in the kitchen. Stay and eat with us."
"Thank you, Dad. I haven't had home-cooked meals in a long time." Jiang Chubì's words conveyed a message of familiarity with the Xing family, implying she had visited often before. Her casual address of "Dad, Mom" also sounded as if she had been doing so for years.
Lin Mei felt a moment of intense awkwardness. Had she known she would encounter Xing Zheng and Jiang Chubì today, she would have definitely not come. As Lin Mei shifted uncomfortably, Xie Qinjia took her hand and said, "Let's go, we're going to eat."
Xie Qinjia was much warmer towards Lin Mei than towards Jiang Chubì, her prospective daughter-in-law. Jiang Chubì didn't seem to mind and followed closely behind them into the dining room.
During the meal, Lin Mei naturally sat with Xie Qinjia, while Xing Sha was also on that side. Opposite them were Xing Zheng and Jiang Chubì. Xie Qinjia completely ignored them. No matter how Jiang Chubì tried to be friendly, Xie Qinjia remained silent, only chatting with Lin Mei.
Xing Sha, however, kept talking to Xing Zheng and Jiang Chubì about the wedding, "How are your wedding preparations going? Has the venue been set? Let us know if you need any help from the family."
Jiang Chubì: "The venue design drawings were completed long ago. After Ah Zheng made some revisions, he sent people to arrange everything. It's all according to my preferences."
Xing Sha grunted. He glanced at Xing Zheng, "Since you're having one, make it grand. We can't lose face for either family."
"You're right. Once the venue is arranged, I'll send you photos." Although it was their wedding, Jiang Chubì was the one doing all the talking. Lin Mei, with her heightened sensitivity, suspected Jiang Chubì was deliberately saying this for her to hear.
However, these words didn't stimulate her as much anymore. Lin Mei ate her meal as usual, ignoring Jiang Chubì and chatting with Xie Qinjia. Unconsciously, the conversation turned to boyfriends.
Before Xing Zheng arrived, Xie Qinjia had strongly recommended Zhao Jianghe to Lin Mei. To placate her, Lin Mei had told her she had a boyfriend. Xie Qinjia didn't believe her, so Lin Mei showed her a photo of Xu Ying. Only then did she reluctantly believe it, but she was still very curious about him. "Next time, bring your boyfriend over so I can see him. I'll help you vet him."
Lin Mei nodded and smiled, "I'll definitely bring him when I have the chance."
Lin Mei glanced at Xing Zheng and noticed his movements paused slightly, his aura growing noticeably colder. Was he provoked by her words?
"Yes, he's younger than you. I'll see if he knows how to dote on you." Xie Qinjia truly treated Lin Mei like her own daughter, always considering whether Xu Ying would cherish Lin Mei enough.
Lin Mei smiled and said to her, "Don't worry, he's very good to me."
As soon as she said this, she felt her calf being hooked. Her expression froze for a moment. She quickly realized that she and Xing Zheng were facing each other. With that kind of force and action, who else could it be? Was this his way of showing his displeasure at her words, teasing her to express his dissatisfaction?
Perhaps due to spending so much time with him, Lin Mei wasn't flustered by his actions and continued chatting with Xie Qinjia as usual. Her attention was focused on Xie Qinjia, and she didn't notice the emotion in Xing Sha's eyes.
Xing Sha sipped his tea, his gaze drifting under the table. The two intertwined calves made his expression even more serious. He had harbored suspicions about Xing Zheng and Lin Mei's relationship before, and now, they were confirmed.
After lunch, Xu Ying called. Lin Mei went to the courtyard to take the call. Xie Qinjia smiled and asked if she was going to say mushy things. Xing Zheng took out his car keys, "I'm going to the car to get something."
Xu Ying had a competition today. He called right after winning a medal and shared the good news with Lin Mei. Lin Mei smiled and said, "Then I'll treat you to dinner tonight?"
Xu Ying: "The team is celebrating tonight. Will you come? They all want to meet my girlfriend."
"Sure, but I'm afraid you'll find me out of touch," Lin Mei joked with him. "I'm an older sister now."
"Not at all, not at all. You're eighteen." Xu Ying was incredibly sweet-tongued, making Lin Mei laugh with his compliments. "Boyfriend, your mouth is so sweet. I'll give you a gift tonight as a reward."
Lin Mei said with a smile, hung up the phone, and was about to return when she bumped into Xing Zheng. He was standing not far away, hands in his pockets, looking straight at her. His dark eyes conveyed a dangerous message.
Lin Mei didn't know when he had arrived. She avoided his gaze and tried to walk past him, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, pinning her against a nearby tree trunk.
He leaned in, his hand gripping her chin, and sternly questioned her, "What gift are you planning to give him tonight? Tell me."
He must have overheard her playful banter with Xu Ying. However, Lin Mei had no intention of explaining.
"Are you curious?" Seeing how angry he was, Lin Mei felt a hint of vengeful pleasure. "He also likes it when I pretend to be a bunny."