Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia still wanted to say something, but the order to leave had been given. Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue did not welcome them, so the two left awkwardly. After coming out, Xie Qin Jia lowered her head and remained silent.
Xing Sha held her in his arms. Before he could say anything, he saw her tears falling. She cried silently, only tears dripping down. Xing Sha was heartbroken and wiped her tears for her, saying, "Don't cry. I'll find another way for Ah Zheng and Lin Mei's matters."
Xie Qin Jia remained silent. She hadn't expected herself to cry. In nearly thirty years, she had never shed a tear for Xing Zheng. But for some reason, the moment she walked out of the hospital room, her tears seemed to open like a floodgate.
She tried to recall moments when Xing Zheng had shown her kindness, but she couldn't remember anything. It wasn't because he hadn't shown kindness, but because she had never paid attention to what he did. She remembered every word Xing Yan said to her, but Xing Zheng...
"It's all my fault," Xie Qin Jia's voice was as low as a whisper, but Xing Sha heard it. He patted her and asked, "Do you want to go see Ah Zheng?"
Xie Qin Jia fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
At Zhuhua Villa, Xing Zheng sat on the sofa, with Lan Lan and Jiao Zi lazily surrounding him, one on each side.
At first, Jiao Zi was still restless, but later, probably sensing his emotions, it quieted down. It even took the initiative to rest its head on his lap, its bright eyes staring at him as if to comfort him and tell him not to be sad.
Jiao Zi was now eight months old, very large and fluffy. It had also learned to please people. Xing Zheng raised his hand and stroked its head. Jiao Zi whimpered, just as it did when it acted spoiled towards Lin Mei.
"Do you miss her too?" he muttered to himself. Hearing Jiao Zi let out a "mm," he patted its head again. "Stupid dog, how did you get so smart?"
Just then, the doorbell rang. Xing Zheng opened the door and saw Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia standing there. His previously softened expression turned grim again. He had told them not to come find him; had they forgotten?
"Can we come in?" Remarkably, Xie Qin Jia spoke first today. She had rarely communicated normally with Xing Zheng before, so her tone was a little stiff. Xing Zheng, with a blank expression, turned and sat back on the sofa.
Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia sat opposite him. They were both surprised to see the white dog and rabbit resting on Xing Sha's lap.
Xing Sha had seen Lan Lan before, so he was somewhat accustomed to it. But Xie Qin Jia had never imagined that Xing Zheng could get along so harmoniously with pets. They seemed very dependent on him, proving that he had spent a lot of time with them. This change must have been brought about by Lin Mei.
"Are you alright?" Xing Sha took the initiative to ask Xing Zheng.
Xing Zheng stroked Lan Lan's ear and remained silent. At this moment, Xie Qin Jia spoke again, "I'm sorry."
Xing Zheng's hand movement stopped. He did not look up, his gaze fixed on the floor. He listened as she continued, "I'm the one who caused you to be this way. I was too cowardly to admit my mistakes. I owe you an apology."
His response was a sudden laugh. It was as if he had heard the most amusing thing. After a brief, mocking chuckle, he fell silent again. Xie Qin Jia felt awkward. Xing Sha couldn't bear it, so he spoke for her, "Ah Zheng, you and your mother have been quarreling for so many years. It's time to give each other a chance. Your mother was like that because she was ill. If anyone is to blame, it should be me."
"You don't need to rush to take the blame," Xing Zheng finally looked up. "Neither of you can escape."
His words brought a complete silence to the surroundings. Although he didn't show strong emotions, what he said was more hurtful than an outburst. "Don't bother with me. I don't need it."
"Lin Mei broke up with you. What are you going to do?" Xie Qin Jia ignored him and asked him herself. "You've been obsessed with her for so long, are you going to give up just like that?"
"Xing Sha and I went to the hospital just now. Her parents said..."
"Shut up." Before Xie Qin Jia could finish, Xing Zheng snapped at her. "I warned you not to go find them again."
His gaze was fierce, unpredictable, and turbulent with killing intent. In the past, he would never have treated Xie Qin Jia like this. Seeing it, Xie Qin Jia was also shocked, goosebumps rising. It was the first time she felt "afraid" of Xing Zheng. She moved her lips, wanting to explain, but upon seeing his eyes, she couldn't speak.
Xing Sha protected Xie Qin Jia and reminded Xing Zheng, "She wants to do something for you. Didn't you always wish for..."
"I don't need your self-righteous concern," Xing Zheng looked at Xie Qin Jia. "You have enough with one son, Xing Yan."
Xie Qin Jia's face suddenly turned pale. Xing Zheng showed a mocking expression. He was merely repeating words she had once said, and she couldn't bear it?
Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue did not change their minds because of Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia's visit. After three days in the hospital, Lin Zheng De was discharged and began making arrangements to take Lin Mei back to Xiangxi.
Lin Mei took care of Lin Zheng De's emotions and dared not disobey him, so she could only pack her things and look for flight tickets. This news soon reached Xing Zheng's ears.
One evening, under Lin Zheng De's urging, Lin Mei finally booked her flight ticket back to Xiangxi. Her next prenatal check-up would also be conducted in Xiangxi.
She had originally made an appointment with Xu Shen Yi, but after booking the flight ticket, Lin Mei had to cancel the appointment with Xu Shen Yi. Fortunately, Xu Shen Yi did not ask many questions.
Before dinner, the doorbell suddenly rang. When Lin Mei opened the door, she saw Xing Zheng holding Jiao Zi. She froze and instinctively looked behind her. Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue were still in the kitchen and had not come out.
After only four days apart, it felt like four months. His condition looked very bad, with dark circles under his eyes and bloodshot eyes, clearly indicating he hadn't slept well.
The two looked at each other in silence. Jiao Zi in his arms, however, was extremely excited, barking and pouncing towards Lin Mei, wanting her to hold it.
This sound attracted Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue. As soon as they saw Xing Zheng, Lin Zheng De's expression became serious. However, Xing Zheng did not explain to him but asked Lin Mei, "When are you leaving?"
He knew?
Lin Mei said, "The day after tomorrow."
"It's restless, maybe it misses you," Xing Zheng handed Jiao Zi to Lin Mei and brought in a box containing items for shipping, as well as dog food. He didn't say much, leaving these things, and then left.
Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue were bewildered. "What's going on with this dog?" m..oΓg
Jiao Zi had already nestled into Lin Mei's arms. Lin Mei's belly was growing, and Jiao Zi was now thirty pounds, making it a bit difficult to hold. Xiao Yue reminded her, "Be careful of the baby in your belly!"
"This is a dog that Xing Zheng and I raised together," Lin Mei told them. "I'm taking it back with me."