Xing Yan was dead, and the Xing family would be mine sooner or later. What if it was ruined? Lin Mei could only see his back, but his sinister tone was enough for her to imagine his expression.
He must have been talking about Zhao Jianghe asking Xie Qin Jia and Xing Sha for help. On Xie Qin Jia's birthday, Xing Zheng seemed to have told Xing Sha not to help Zhao Jianghe. Lin Mei couldn't quite recall Xing Sha's reply.
But she knew that Xie Qin Jia treated Zhao Jianghe like her own son. Her actions when they had dinner that day had already explained everything...
Was Xing Zheng targeting Zhao Jianghe because of this matter? And did his earlier words, "The Xing family would be mine sooner or later," indirectly admit his involvement in Xing Yan's death?
And Zhao Jianghe happened to have such suspicions, which was why he wanted to get rid of Zhao Jianghe as quickly as possible?
Such ruthless methods made Lin Mei shiver. She returned to her original spot and looked down at the lake, still beautiful and captivating, but her heart was in turmoil, and she had no more desire to admire the scenery.
After an unknown amount of time, her body was suddenly embraced. The familiar scent enveloped her. Lin Mei turned to look, and it was Xing Zheng, who had returned after finishing his call. She couldn't speak, and her body instinctively rejected his embrace. Xing Zheng leaned down and kissed her ear, "Do you like it?"
Her answer no longer mattered. Whether she liked it or not, Xing Zheng would take her to play with the facilities on the mountaintop. When they came down from the mountain, dusk was approaching.
Lin Mei spent both Saturday and Sunday with Xing Zheng. After hearing that phone call, a knot of unease had always been in Lin Mei's heart. Xing Yan had likely been designed to die by Xing Zheng, yet she was spending her days entwined with him...
Such a ruthless person, once he grew tired of her, might treat her in the same way. Once the war ended, the blood of the prisoners of war became the medals of the victors; it had always been so throughout history.
With such thoughts weighing on her mind, Lin Mei couldn't fully immerse herself when being intimate with Xing Zheng. This distraction angered Xing Zheng, and Lin Mei was almost killed by him in bed.
On Monday at work, she could only walk with a limp after putting on her high heels.
Lu Qi saw Lin Mei walking into the office like that and immediately showed his concern. He supported her arm and looked down at her ankle and calf, "Did you sprain your ankle or get a calf cramp? Why are you walking with such difficulty?"
"I went to the gym yesterday and got tired," Lin Mei blurted out a fabricated excuse. Sleeping with Xing Zheng and then going to the gym to exercise were similar; both resulted in being unable to walk the next day.
Lu Qi didn't suspect anything and laughed heartily, "Perfect timing. I bought you breakfast, a chicken sandwich and a latte. I've put it in your office. Replenish your protein to help muscle growth."
Lu Qi always brought Lin Mei breakfast, and Lin Mei felt a little embarrassed, "Please don't bring it for me next time."
Rumors about the two of them had never ceased in the company. Although they weren't spoken of openly, people always gossiped behind their backs. After a while, it wouldn't be good for anyone. Lin Mei withdrew her hand and said to Lu Qi, "Work hard. I'll transfer the breakfast money to you on WeChat later."
Lu Qi was once again dealt a blow by Lin Mei, but he couldn't say anything. Lin Mei had clearly rejected him several times. If he persisted, he might not even have the chance to see her privately in the future.
Seeing Lu Qi dejected again, his colleagues patted him on the shoulder to comfort him, "Young Master Lu, don't worry, it's a small matter. A strong career woman like Manager Lin, who has been hurt by scumbags, isn't easy to pursue. Persistence can move mountains, I believe in you. Mature up and win her over!"
Lu Qi fell into deep thought. Mature? He asked, "Do I look too young now?"
He remembered Lin Mei had said something similar before, that she liked mature men and didn't accept May-December romances. Otherwise... should he try a different style of dress?
When Lin Mei entered her office, she indeed saw the breakfast Lu Qi had bought. It was the set meal she often bought. Lin Mei transferred the money to Lu Qi on WeChat.
While drinking coffee, Zhao Jianghe sent her a WeChat message, asking about the loan. From Zhao Jianghe's tone, it seemed he had encountered an urgent matter and needed to get the money as soon as possible. However, bank loans had an approval cycle, and large amounts took even longer. When they had discussed it earlier, Zhao Jianghe had said he wasn't in a hurry to use the money.
Lin Mei could only reply: [I'll go and urge them upstairs. I don't know if it can help you.]
Zhao Jianghe: [Thank you, I'll treat you to a meal next time.]
Lin Mei: [You're welcome.]
Lin Mei didn't ask Zhao Jianghe what kind of trouble he had encountered, but she couldn't help but recall Xing Zheng's phone call at Blue Sea Mountain. Zhao Jianghe's predicament was likely related to that call...
Xing Zheng was truly ruthless. For those who threatened him, he would eliminate them without hesitation, not even considering years of friendship.
Lin Mei thought about it. Zhao Jianghe, as Xing Yan's good friend, was already being more than considerate by still considering Xing Zheng's reputation after knowing the truth about the car accident. However, Xing Zheng would not let him go as usual.
Lin Mei helped Zhao Jianghe inquire about the loan progress. It was still in the approval process. Lin Mei spoke a few kind words to the person in charge at the head office, hoping to help Zhao Jianghe.
On a weekday night, the pub was also very lively. By the bar, Xing Zheng was sitting with Shen Su and Gu Song.
As the three were drinking, Jiang Chu Bi arrived. She sat next to Xing Zheng, a bright smile on her face. Xing Zheng held his wine glass and observed her. From a third-person perspective, they looked like a pair of equally matched lovers flirting, but the male protagonist's voice was like an ice cellar, "Speak."
"The scandal of the training institution caused great losses to Zhao's. Zhao Jianghe has been busy expanding in the past two years, and there isn't much readily available cash in the company's accounts. The bank loan cannot be approved in a short period, and he is now in a desperate situation," Jiang Chu Bi told Xing Zheng about Zhao Jianghe's current situation. "He will likely seek Aunt Xie's help again."
Because of Xing Yan, Xie Qin Jia had always unconditionally helped Zhao Jianghe. The Xing family could afford this money. If Xie Qin Jia persuaded Xing Sha to act, Xing Zheng's efforts would be in vain. "Do you want to inform Uncle Xing again?"
Xing Zheng gave an "Mm." He put down his wine glass, picked up his phone, and walked out.
Shen Su ordered a drink for Jiang Chu Bi and said to her, "Thank you for keeping an eye on Zhao Jianghe."
Jiang Chu Bi smiled and clinked glasses with Shen Su and Gu Song, "It's my duty, who told him he's my fiancé."
At noon, Lin Mei was eating lunch in the cafeteria, thinking about reports. Suddenly, Xiao Fang next to her nudged her, "Wow, Manager Lin, look, CEO Xing and his fiancée are so playful!"
CEO Xing and his fiancée?
Lin Mei looked at her phone screen. The interface of a news app displayed a headline: "Jiang Family's Daughter and Fiancé Intimate Kiss at Bar, Envied by All!"
Below were several photos, not very clear, obviously taken by paparazzi.