After returning from New York, Xing Zheng had been wanting Lin Mei to move back to Zhuhua Villa. However, not only did Lin Mei refuse to move back, but she also rarely visited Zhuhua Villa. It had been over a month, and she had only been there twice. Even on weekends, he was the one who came to her apartment more often. During weekdays, they couldn't see each other every day. Xing Zheng was very dissatisfied with this but couldn't force Lin Mei to move back. Now, with Jiaozi as a "bargaining chip," things were much easier.
Lin Mei liked Jiaozi so much that she would naturally visit it. Thinking of this, Xing Zheng found Jiaozi much more pleasing to his eyes.
Lin Mei carefully put away Jiaozi's belongings and came to tell it her decision, "Jiaozi, starting today, you're going to move back with Lanlan. With Lanlan to play with, you won't be so bored."
Her tone was almost like coaxing a child, gentle and touching. Xing Zheng, however, frowned upon hearing it. How come she had never spoken to him in such a tone?
At this moment, he no longer found Jiaozi pleasing to his eyes. Xing Zheng asked, "It's only a few months old and hasn't been trained. How can it understand human words? Don't waste time talking nonsense to it."
"It's precisely because it doesn't understand that we need to talk to it more. That way, it will gradually understand," Lin Mei said with great patience.
Xing Zheng's eyes darkened. He pulled Lin Mei into his arms and kissed her fiercely, as if in retaliation, biting her lips. Jiaozi sat aside, its round eyes watching. Its intelligence was not enough for it to understand the scene before it.
Xing Zheng kissed her for a long time before letting go. "You treat the dog better than you treat me."
Lin Mei chuckled and retorted, "You treat the rabbit better than you treat me."
If they had to compare, then Lanlan would have to be brought up. Lanlan lived in Zhuhua Villa and could be said to be living like royalty. Not only did it have a dedicated nanny to take care of it, but it could also run all over Xing Zheng. Sometimes, it would even climb onto his face, and he never seemed to get angry.
Xing Zheng didn't see anything wrong with that. "You're comparing yourself to a rabbit?"
Lin Mei countered again, "Then are you comparing yourself to a dog?"
Xing Zheng: "It's a male dog."
Speaking of this, he regretted it. When he had instructed Gu Song, he had forgotten to tell him not to get a male dog. If Jiaozi were a female, he might have been more tolerant.
Lin Mei was amused by Xing Zheng's retort and laughed, "Have you forgotten that Lanlan is a female rabbit?"
"So, you dote on Lanlan, and I dote on Jiaozi. Let's not criticize each other."
Xing Zheng was probably provoked into embarrassment and kissed her again.
Afterward, they took Jiaozi to Zhuhua Villa together. When they returned, the hourly worker had just finished cleaning up after Lanlan. Lanlan was let out and was lying on the sofa.
As Jiaozi entered, it saw Lanlan at a glance and let out excited "awoo awoo" sounds. It eagerly jumped down from Lin Mei's arms and went to the sofa to find Lanlan.
Lanlan seemed to recognize Jiaozi as well. The two quickly started playing together. Lanlan jumped up and onto Jiaozi, and Jiaozi sat down, letting it lord over it.
Lin Mei smiled. Although Jiaozi was younger than the rabbit, it understood how to indulge it.
As the end of the year approached, Lin Mei's work became increasingly busy. She had taken too long a leave this year, and her performance was not outstanding. She had to make up for it in this short period at the end of the year.
After seeing Jiaozi off, Lin Mei devoted herself entirely to her work, meeting with clients almost every day. One day, Lin Mei had an appointment with a client to discuss business. As it was nearing the end of the workday, she began to prepare.
Xiao Fang watched from the side and sighed, "Manager Lin, you're working so hard. If I were in love, I definitely wouldn't have the energy for work." Moreover, she had found someone like Xing Zheng, so why would she need to strive so hard?
Lin Mei smiled and said, "Being in love doesn't affect work."
Xiao Fang smiled, "Won't Mr. Xing blame you for being busy with work and not having time for him?"
How could he not? He had even suggested she resign and work at Shuangmu, a suggestion she had rejected.
After work, Lin Mei went to the teahouse where she had arranged to meet the client. The teahouse was located in the suburbs, a bit secluded, with no cars around. Lin Mei went upstairs and met the client.
The client was a man in his thirties. He didn't talk much, but the communication was smooth. During the meeting, Xing Zheng called. Lin Mei was in the middle of discussing work and couldn't answer, so she hung up.
The man opposite her, however, saw the name on the screen. He casually said to Lin Mei, "If it's an urgent matter, you can take the call. It's okay."
"It's a call from home, it's not important," Lin Mei smiled. "Please continue."
The other party didn't ask anything further. They continued to discuss the details of the business. After finalizing everything, Lin Mei bid him farewell. "Mr. Li, thank you very much. I hope we have a pleasant cooperation."
The person called "Mr. Li" watched Lin Mei's car drive away before returning to the teahouse.
In the private room they had just occupied, a middle-aged man was sitting and sipping tea. Li Ran greeted him, "Chairman Zhao."
"Is she gone?" Zhao Rong asked, putting down his teacup.
"She's gone. As you said, I did see Xing Zheng calling during the meeting. She didn't suspect anything of me. When the time is right, we can make our move," Li Ran reported.
Zhao Rong grunted, his gaze sinister. "Wait for my instructions. You can go down now."
Li Ran withdrew as instructed. Zhao Rong then called Xiao Shu. "I'm almost ready here. How is your investigation in New York going?"
"Xing Sha and his wife bought tickets for the December 10th flight back to Nanjiang City," Xiao Shu told Zhao Rong. "My people will be there to meet them then. You should make your preparations."
After finishing the call with Xiao Shu, Zhao Rong sipped his tea and let out a contemptuous laugh. Xing Sha, and Xing Zheng, they wouldn't escape!
Zhao Jiang and that incompetent fool had caused the Zhao family to go bankrupt. If he hadn't been foresightful and developed abroad for many years, he would have ruined his reputation in his later years. The genes of that vulgar fool Liu Qinye had produced a son who was also useless. He had lost everything for the Zhao family!
Everything the Zhao family had lost, everything he, Zhao Rong, had lost, he would reclaim completely. The company, and the people too!
No matter how many years passed, Xie Qin Jia was his. If he couldn't be her first man, he would be her last man!
Lin Mei was unaware that she was stepping into a trap. By the end of the year, she had closed several major deals. Although her performance review was not as excellent as in previous years, it had not reached the bottom. She was not satisfied with this. Having been troubled by relationships this year, she had not made significant achievements in her career and hoped for a smoother year next year.
As soon as Lin Mei finished her meeting, she learned of Xie Qin Jia's return to the country. Lan Lan had met Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia at the airport while on a business trip.
Lin Mei hesitated, unsure whether to inform Xing Zheng of this news. If she told him, Xing Zheng would definitely go to see her. However, Xie Qin Jia did not want to see him, and it would inevitably lead to unpleasantness.
After much deliberation, Lin Mei decided to pretend she didn't know. It happened to be Friday, and Xing Zheng said he would pick her up. However, after work, he was nowhere to be seen.