Lin Mei glanced at Xing Zheng, who was sitting beside Jiang Chu Bi, wondering what his response would be. They hadn't spoken all day since their argument that morning. Was he deliberately letting Jiang Chu Bi in to "teach her a lesson" because he was still angry?
He had always been impulsive, so this seemed like something he would do. However, Lin Mei hadn't missed the word "marriage" in Jiang Chu Bi's statement. While Jiang Chu Bi had always spoken to her with the air of the "first wife," she had never brought up anything related to marriage before.
"Handle it as you see fit," Xing Zheng said coldly. With those few words, he handed over all authority to Jiang Chu Bi, as if dealing with insignificant scrap metal.
Lin Mei's breathing slowed. She looked at Xing Zheng, her eyes feeling dry. "What… what do you mean?"
"It seems Manager Lin is reluctant to part with it," Jiang Chu Bi knew Xing Zheng wouldn't explain anything further to Lin Mei. "It seems Ah Zheng's charm is truly immense; Manager Lin can't help but be captivated after just a few months."
"Manager Lin, you've been his mistress for a while and found it not enough, so you're still aiming to be the other woman? Ah Zheng and I are getting married soon. If you don't mind, I can turn a blind eye. There's no reason to refuse someone who comes to your door willingly, is there?"
Lin Mei was intelligent enough to understand. Although Jiang Chu Bi had mocked her before, it was always in a roundabout, implied way. This time, she was saying such unpleasant things openly, which must have been with Xing Zheng's tacit approval. And Xing Zheng, at that moment, was examining something in his hand, not even sparing her a single extra glance.
Lin Mei was proud and could not accept such unreasonable demands. She could leave, but she hadn't forgotten the purpose of her moving into Zhuhua Villa!
Ignoring Jiang Chu Bi, Lin Mei walked up to Xing Zheng and stopped. She said to him sternly, "Give me back my things."
If it weren't for the need to retrieve the items Ming Zhe had given her, why would she have resorted to such a desperate measure as living with him? Ultimately, it all stemmed from his threats. He had coerced and tempted her, refusing to let her go. Now, as he was about to marry, he even allowed Jiang Chu Bi to humiliate her like this. In his heart, she was truly just a trophy. Once won, she held no value.
Xing Zheng still hadn't looked at Lin Mei, but she saw what was in his hand – wedding invitations, several styles. Jiang Chu Bi must have been choosing them with him just now. The invitations had likely been prepared long ago. He was planning their wedding with Jiang Chu Bi while sleeping with her, and then, once the wedding date was set, he would kick her aside.
Hmph, men!
"Ah Zheng, what did you take from Manager Lin?" Jiang Chu Bi asked curiously.
Xing Zheng put down the items in his hand and finally deigned to give Lin Mei a look. Lin Mei frowned and said forcefully, "Give me back my things, and I'll leave immediately."
"Wait for me here." He finally spoke, but not to Lin Mei. Jiang Chu Bi obediently smiled gracefully and said considerately, "I'll wait for you."
Xing Zheng walked past Lin Mei and went upstairs. Lin Mei followed closely, and they both arrived at the study.
Upon entering, Lin Mei realized that Xing Zheng had already prepared her things. They were packed in a wooden box. Lin Mei picked up the box and turned to leave, but the man behind her suddenly grabbed her shoulder, then his long legs wrapped around her, blocking her path.
The man's tall figure completely enveloped her. They were too close, and she could smell the women's perfume on him, likely picked up during his intimate moments with Jiang Chu Bi earlier. Lin Mei felt disgusted and repulsed. "What, haven't you humiliated me enough yet?"
"You moved in with me precisely for these things," he said in a flat tone, his emotions unreadable.
"That's right, I only "consorted" with you to get back the things he gave me. I've been looking for these items every day when you weren't paying attention." With their masks off, Lin Mei had nothing left to hide. The humiliation she had just endured from Jiang Chu Bi had turned into anger. "You don't deserve to touch his things, mmph…"
Before she could finish, the man in front of her seemed to go mad, covering her lips and tongue. He pushed her shoulders, pinning her against the wall. His heavy body pressed down on her, his knee against hers.
No matter how much Lin Mei struggled, she couldn't push him away. Her breath was stolen, and her vision began to darken. She saw anger in his eyes, and a destructive desire that was overwhelming. She didn't understand what he was so angry about; she was the one who had been insulted!
When Xing Zheng finally released her, Lin Mei's lips were bleeding. She was furious and slapped him before trying to leave. Behind her, the man's dangerous and cold voice came, "Take your things and get out."
"I will," Lin Mei clutched the box in her hand, her eyelids stinging. "Do you think I cherish being with you? I feel disgusted every night lying beside you."
With that, Lin Mei ran out of the study. She went to the bedroom, took out the suitcase she had brought when she moved in, and neatly packed her clothes and daily necessities. The box she had retrieved from the study was also carefully placed inside the suitcase.
Lin Mei had lived in Zhuhua Villa for barely a week, so packing was quick. Moreover, she wanted to leave as soon as possible. In just fifteen minutes, she was downstairs with her suitcase.
When Lin Mei came down, Xing Zheng was nowhere to be seen. Jiang Chu Bi got up from the sofa and walked towards her. She smiled, her expression carrying a hint of victorious smugness and contempt for Lin Mei.
Lin Mei ignored Jiang Chu Bi, changed her shoes, and was about to leave. As she was about to put her slippers into the shoe cabinet, Jiang Chu Bi said, "Manager Lin, please take the slippers with you and throw them away. I'm a bit of a germaphobe and can't stand dirty things in the marital home."
Lin Mei's hand froze in mid-air. She took back the slippers, stood up, and said to Jiang Chu Bi, "Then I wish Miss Jiang a happy wedding."
The words were a blessing, but at this moment, they carried a hint of sarcasm. Lin Mei was not good at arguing, and today, she had been pushed to her limit by Jiang Chu Bi.
Jiang Chu Bi couldn't help but hear the sarcasm, but she just smiled. "Thank you, Manager Lin. You must be exhausted from serving Ah Zheng during this time. I'll send you a big project in a few days. Remember to collect your invitation when the wedding date is set."
Lin Mei didn't even reply, dragging her suitcase away. She went to the garage, put the suitcase in the car, and quickly got in. After closing the car door, the tears she had been holding back could no longer be contained and welled up in her eyes.
As soon as Lin Mei drove out, Jiang Chu Bi saw Xing Zheng coming downstairs. She smiled; his timing was perfect, he must have been watching the surveillance cameras from upstairs the entire time.
Jiang Chu Bi remembered what Lin Mei had said to Xing Zheng earlier and asked curiously, "What did you take from her?"
Xing Zheng walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and watched the Mercedes gradually drive away. He said to Jiang Chu Bi, "You can go now."