Lin Mei had to admit, she was a bit petty. In the past, Xing Zheng and Jiang Chu Bi had been engaged, and the two had flaunted their affection so openly. Even though she knew it was an act, Jiang Chu Bi's ambiguous attitude towards Xing Zheng bothered her greatly. Therefore, she didn't want to see Xing Zheng and Jiang Chu Bi talking too much.
As a woman herself, how could Jiang Chu Bi not see what Lin Mei was thinking? She let out a sarcastic laugh, "Extremes breed reversals. I advise you to take it easy."
"How we interact is none of Miss Jiang's concern," Lin Mei said, unable to miss the mockery in Jiang Chu Bi's words, implying she was being too strict with Xing Zheng. When speaking to Jiang Chu Bi, Lin Mei's sharp edges were fully exposed.
Jiang Chu Bi didn't respond to Lin Mei. She looked at Xing Zheng again and asked, "You still haven't told her?"
Although Xing Zheng didn't answer, his expression said it all. Jiang Chu Bi sighed helplessly, "You're something else."
Xing Zheng remained silent, but Lin Mei could see their unspoken understanding. Feeling uncomfortable, she pulled Xing Zheng along without a word, not even bothering to say goodbye to Jiang Chu Bi.
Xing Zheng didn't resist, letting Lin Mei drag him to the parking spot. They both got into the car. Xing Zheng remained silent throughout the drive, showing no intention of explaining anything to her.
Eventually, Lin Mei couldn't hold back and asked, "Is there something between you and Miss Jiang that I'm not supposed to know?"
Even though she tried her best to remain calm, her tone was tinged with jealousy that she couldn't hide.
Xing Zheng clearly heard it. He gripped the steering wheel, his gaze unfocused, and replied evasively, "Why are you so sour?"
Lin Mei was annoyed, "I'm asking you, don't try to change the subject!"
"What do you want to know? Ask yourself," Xing Zheng said. "If you make me happy, I'll consider answering you."
Make him happy? Lin Mei was too angry to even think about that. "Why did she help you deal with Zhao Jiang He back then?"
"Does she like you?" The second question blurted out.
Xing Zheng chuckled, "In your heart, my charm is quite significant."
Lin Mei was angry, "Don't distract me. If you don't answer me, I won't talk to you."
"Can you bear to do that?" he teased.
Lin Mei: "..." At this moment, she felt completely under his thumb. People really shouldn't be spoiled!
"Say something nice, and I'll tell you," he said, pinching her ear as they waited at a red light. "Be good."
"I love you." She didn't hold back her feelings. The three words slipped out, leaving Xing Zheng flustered. Lin Mei saw his ears turn red and laughed. It turned out he was so easy to "tease."
She had never been good at flirting with him. She thought someone like him would have developed a thick skin, but to her surprise, a simple "I love you" could make him shy.
However, his tone remained calm. "You said it quite well. Then I'll tell you."
Xing Zheng explained to Lin Mei the entanglement between Jiang Chu Bi, Xing Yan, and Zhao Jiang He. The emotional entanglement wasn't complicated; it could be explained in a single sentence. Yet, Lin Mei listened with utter astonishment, "You mean... the person she liked was Xing Yan?"
Because Xing Yan was killed by Zhao Jiang He, she wanted revenge, so she chose to cooperate with Xing Zheng, using herself as bait to lure Zhao Jiang He into a trap... This sacrifice was too great. What kind of love could make her pay so much?
Not only Zhao Jiang He, but also Chen Qi from the past...
Knowing the truth, Lin Mei understood why Jiang Chu Bi's hostility towards her was so deep. It turned out that when Xing Yan rejected her back then, she already knew that Xing Yan had someone he liked in his heart. Everything made sense now.
After going to the hospital that day to express her stance to Xie Qin Jia, Lin Mei stayed at Xing Zheng's villa. Xing Zheng seemed unable to relax about Xie Qin Jia. Although he didn't visit the hospital, he hadn't mentioned leaving New York.
To accompany him, Lin Mei used another week of her annual leave. Xing Zheng's birthday this year would likely be spent in New York. Lin Mei wanted to surprise him, but since they were together every day, it wasn't convenient to prepare.
Just then, Feng Feng came to New York on a business trip, giving Lin Mei an excuse to leave Xing Zheng alone. Lin Mei met up with Feng Feng, went shopping, and chose a birthday gift for Xing Zheng.
Feng Feng watched Lin Mei generously buy ties, belts, and wallets, swiping her card without blinking. She teased, "Next time it's Lan Zong and my birthday, you have to do it on this scale, or I'll accuse you of favoring your lover over your friends."
Lin Mei felt a bit embarrassed by her words. During dinner, Lan Lan called via video. Upon hearing that Lin Mei was spending a fortune on Xing Zheng's birthday, Lan Lan joked, "You don't need to spend so much money. Just wear a uniform and seduce him, and he'll be happier than receiving gold bars."
Lan Lan's words were meant as a joke, but Lin Mei took them to heart and seriously considered them.
Xing Zheng had always had unconventional tastes in matters of romance. They had tried almost everything before. Lan Lan's suggestion was something they had done many times before, especially that time in Xiangxi when she was coerced into wearing a rabbit costume. He had seemed very excited then. But where could she buy such an outfit?
"That's a good idea," Lin Mei asked Feng Feng beside her, "Do you know where I can buy one?"
Lan Lan, hearing this on the video call, exclaimed, "You're serious?"
Feng Feng was also quite surprised, not expecting her to be so bold for Xing Zheng. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, take me there later." Seeing Feng Feng's expression, she must have known where to buy it.
After dinner, Lin Mei was led by Feng Feng to a lingerie store. The variety of styles inside was dazzling. Lin Mei chose a white set with very little fabric. The ears were also very cute, soft, and could even move.
Back at their residence, Lin Mei placed the purchased items in her suitcase. She then locked the suitcase. Everything was ready, waiting for Xing Zheng's birthday to arrive.
On the morning of October 26th, Lin Mei woke up to find Xing Zheng brushing his teeth. Lin Mei opened the suitcase and took out the gift box she had prepared. It was a black box, tied with a preserved rose. Lin Mei placed it on the bed.
A moment later, Xing Zheng came out of the bathroom. As soon as he reached the bed, he saw the box. He and Lin Mei were the only ones in the villa, so this could only be something she had prepared.
Xing Zheng was about to ask her when he heard her softly humming the "Happy Birthday" song. She had just woken up, wearing a white nightgown with her hair down, but she was so beautiful that he couldn't look away.
Xing Zheng watched her like that. When she finished the last note, he pulled her into his arms.
Lin Mei tilted her head and pecked his chin. "Happy 29th birthday."
His eyes were already red, whether from emotion or desire, his scorching gaze locked onto her face. After a long moment, he finally asked, "How did you know?"
He hadn't celebrated his birthday in many years.