"What's the point of asking such a question when the person is already dead?" This wasn't the first time he had asked such a question; the question itself was a trap. Whether he answered "yes" or "no," he wouldn't be satisfied.
However, the man opposite him pressed on, "What if he were still alive?"
So, jealousy truly could make a person paranoid. Didn't he know that in his heart? "If he were still alive, you wouldn't be standing here questioning me now."
The surroundings instantly fell silent, the air pressure dropping drastically. His eyes were even dimmer than before. She had angered him again. She thought she was in for a difficult time, but after a moment, the man released her. "Go down and eat."
He turned and left first. The anticipated event didn't happen. Lin Mei once again experienced his unpredictable moods. She was very hungry and followed him down to eat.
Upon arriving at the dining room, Lin Mei realized that her breakfast was still laid out on the table. In the center, there was an extra cup, meaning Xing Sha had been in the kitchen earlier and had seen her place setting...
Lin Mei wanted to ask Xing Zheng why he hadn't cleared her place setting and how he had explained things to Xing Sha. But since the two had just had an argument, Xing Zheng probably didn't want to talk to her. After some deliberation, she decided against it. Since she hadn't encountered Xing Sha, she'd just pretend not to know anything.
As she sat down, Xing Zheng's phone rang, a WeChat notification. Lin Mei caught a glimpse of him picking up his WeChat and chatting with someone. She could only see his grim expression, even more so than when they had argued. She wondered what difficult matter he had encountered.
Xing Zheng received a WeChat message from Jiang Chu Bi: [Zhao Jiang He is having you followed, do you know?]
Xing Zheng: [When did this happen?]
Jiang Chu Bi: [He said it's been a few days. He also saw you take Lin Mei to Zhuhua Villa. Are you living together?]
When Lin Mei was involved, Xing Zheng's expression became even more somber. His eyes were filled with a murderous intent. Jiang Chu Bi reminded him: [It's best not to give Zhao Jiang He any leverage. He doesn't suspect anything yet; he thinks you're just looking for novelty.]
Xing Zheng raised his eyes and his gaze swept over Lin Mei opposite him. She was quietly eating her breakfast, chewing slowly. His gaze lingered on her lips for a long time before he sent a WeChat message to Jiang Chu Bi, [Come over this afternoon. Come straight in. The password is 0708.]
On the other end, Jiang Chu Bi didn't understand Xing Zheng's intention and asked, [Is there something you need me to do?]
Xing Zheng replied to Jiang Chu Bi with a few sentences. He had never spoken so much to Jiang Chu Bi before, not even when assigning her tasks. But this time, he had arranged every small task she needed to do.
After reading the messages, Jiang Chu Bi replied after a long pause, [You've gone to great lengths for her.]
Xing Zheng put away his phone. With the matter arranged, he wouldn't say another word to Jiang Chu Bi. He took his phone and left the dining room, leaving Lin Mei alone to finish her breakfast.
After Xing Zheng left, Lin Mei felt much more at ease. She ate leisurely and stayed in the dining room for more than half an hour before going out.
When Lin Mei reached the living room, Xing Zheng was nowhere to be seen. He had likely gone to his study upstairs. Lin Mei sat on the sofa, picked up Lǎnlǎn, and stroked its rabbit fur, muttering to herself, "What a temper your owner has."
Lǎnlǎn leaned lazily against Lin Mei, its ears twitching slightly, as if responding to her. With nothing else to do, Lin Mei picked up her laptop to work. Although there were no strict deadlines, it was good to finish the reports early.
Time passed quickly when she was working. In the blink of an eye, it was time for lunch. Lin Mei closed her laptop and glanced towards the stairs. Xing Zheng hadn't come down yet. Was he too busy with work to notice the time?
Never mind, she'd start cooking. Arguments were arguments, but they couldn't both go hungry. Lin Mei washed her hands and went to the kitchen to cook.
Her cooking skills had improved considerably during her time with Xing Zheng. Although she could cook, she hadn't done it often before. When living alone, she'd make do. After meeting Xing Zheng, she was always asked to cook, and her chopping skills had become much more proficient. In just forty minutes, a simple home-cooked lunch was ready.
Lin Mei served the rice and placed it on the table. She went to the living room to check; Xing Zheng still hadn't come down.
What was his intention? They had argued in the morning, and he wasn't even eating?
Lin Mei stood at the foot of the stairs and hesitated. Considering he wasn't a "normal" person, she decided not to stoop to his level. She went upstairs to the study door. As soon as she raised her hand, the door opened.
Lin Mei's hand stopped in mid-air, bumping into Xing Zheng's cold eyes. She immediately felt like she had offered a warm greeting to a cold shoulder.
Lin Mei suppressed her discomfort and said, "Lunch is ready. Remember to eat when you're done." By doing this, she was making a peace offering, giving him an out.
But he ignored her, not even nodding. He simply walked past her and headed for the stairs. Lin Mei felt a little wronged. He had been the one to pick a fight this morning, and she had taken the initiative to speak to him, yet he still ignored her. How could there be such a difficult man in the world?
Since he wouldn't talk to her, Lin Mei's temper also flared up inexplicably. During lunch, she gave up on the idea of initiating conversation with him. Neither of them spoke, and they finished lunch in a闷沉 (mènchén - gloomy/depressed) silence.
Lin Mei felt even more stifled. As she cleared the dishes, she made quite a bit of noise. However, Xing Zheng still didn't look at her. Lin Mei, holding back her frustration, ignored Xing Zheng after lunch and went upstairs to the bedroom for a nap. She locked the bedroom door.
She felt sleepy due to her period and soon fell asleep. When she woke up again, it was already dark outside. Her phone showed it was five o'clock. Winter days are short, and by five o'clock, there was no light inside the house.
Lin Mei got out of bed and went downstairs. Still groggy from her nap, she lazily went downstairs, but upon seeing Jiang Chu Bi sitting on the living room sofa, she became completely alert. Her previously unfocused pupils suddenly gained clarity.
Jiang Chu Bi was sitting on the sofa next to Xing Zheng. When she came down, the two were chatting about something. Jiang Chu Bi was showing Xing Zheng something. They were close, their actions intimate, and Xing Zheng did not refuse her.
Upon seeing Lin Mei, Jiang Chu Bi's gaze shifted to her. She lifted her chin and looked Lin Mei up and down with disdain and contempt. Lin Mei felt extremely uncomfortable under her gaze but couldn't say anything.
Given their respective statuses, even if Jiang Chu Bi and Xing Zheng were doing their own things, she was the legitimate one, while Lin Mei would always remain in the shadows.
Jiang Chu Bi leaned against Xing Zheng, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Then, she looked back at Lin Mei, but spoke to Xing Zheng, "Since we're getting married, you should deal with these dirty things outside, shouldn't you?"
The words "dirty things" made Lin Mei's face turn pale.