Lin Mei was taken away by Xing Zheng, leaving her classmate standing there dumbfounded. She had thought Lin Mei was being toyed with and had returned home pregnant because she couldn't make it in Nanjiang. Little did she know, she had found such a powerful man. That man was not just handsome; his demeanor and conversation clearly indicated he was no ordinary person!
The hospital wasn't crowded, and arriving early meant the prenatal check-up was completed quickly. The fetus was developing well, and the ultrasound already showed its outline. It was Xing Zheng's first time seeing the outline of his child, and he stared at the screen, his emotions complex. He hadn't liked children before, but now, at this sight, he felt inexplicably nervous.
Lin Mei was much calmer. She had seen the ultrasound scans during several check-ups and had lost the initial excitement.
After talking with the doctor, they both walked out. Xing Zheng held the ultrasound photo and kept looking at it after they got into the elevator.
They arrived at the restaurant Xing Zheng had booked. While eating, Xing Zheng suddenly asked, "When others bullied you, why didn't you fight back?"
"What?" Lin Mei asked, her mind slowing down as she ate.
"Your old classmate just now." He had heard everything. That so-called old classmate was also listening to the gossip and mocking her, convinced that her child was illegitimate. If they hadn't been in a hurry for the prenatal check-up, he would have taught her a lesson.
"Didn't you fight back for me?" Lin Mei said nonchalantly. "I'm not close to her, and I don't want to explain my life to her."
Many people misunderstood her, and gossip was always unavoidable. "She was always academically inferior to me when we were in school. If I'm not doing well, she finds some psychological comfort."
People like that were quite pitiable, just like her aunt who came to stir up trouble that day, also because her daughter couldn't compare to her, so she came to kick her when she was down.
"Don't you care?" Xing Zheng asked, skeptical.
"There's nothing to care about," Lin Mei said. "I can never shut other people's mouths."
"I thought you cared a lot about these things." Xing Zheng remembered the past, how she didn't want their relationship exposed and was always secretive. At that time, she had suffered public pressure because of him and was in a very bad state.
Lin Mei immediately guessed what Xing Zheng was referring to. "You and Miss Jiang are engaged. People say I'm interfering in your relationship, and I couldn't help but care. Now that I'm breaking up with you, and people say I was abandoned, it's baseless and doesn't affect my mood."
The two concepts were entirely different. If people mocked her appearance, she would certainly be sad, but those who mocked her were now focused on her belly.
Mentioning Jiang Chu Bi, Xing Zheng reacted reflexively. "She and I are just acting, you..."
"Whether you are acting or not, everyone believes you are engaged, and that's enough. At that time, you were indeed juggling between me and her." Lin Mei didn't want to hear his explanation.
Xing Zheng was speechless again and fell silent, cutting her sausage and bread.
After the meal, Xing Zheng drove Lin Mei back. On the way, he mentioned the idea of a vacation. "Li Xun built a resort on the outskirts of the city. I'll take you there tomorrow to relax. The air is good there; we can stay for two or three days."
Ning Rui had mentioned the resort, and Lin Mei had seen photos; it was indeed beautiful, but...
"No, my parents probably won't agree." Xing Zheng accompanying her for the prenatal check-up today had already upset Lin Zhengde. "I don't want to be caught in the middle and be in a difficult position."
"I'll handle your parents," Xing Zheng said. "If they agree, will you go with me?"
Lin Mei said, "Oh," and added, "You have to get their agreement first."
When they arrived home, Xing Zheng went upstairs with Lin Mei. Lin Mei didn't stop him, also wanting to see how he would handle Lin Zhengde and Xiao Yue.
Lin Mei didn't get involved in the matter. After entering, she used changing clothes as an excuse and returned to her room.
Xiao Yue asked Xing Zheng, "How was the prenatal check-up? Is the baby doing well?"
Xing Zheng's expression was serious, and he didn't speak. Instead, he glanced at Lin Mei's closed bedroom door, his worry evident.
Lin Zhengde initially intended to ignore him, but seeing this, he couldn't help himself. "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with the baby?"
"The baby is fine, but she's not in a good mood," Xing Zheng said. "She met an old classmate at the hospital today, and her words were quite unpleasant."
"Is it that Chen Ting!" Xiao Yue immediately blurted out the person's name. "It was her last few times. Her grades were always worse than Hua Mei's when they were studying, and she's held a grudge ever since, spreading rumors about Hua Mei everywhere!" Xiao Yue felt even more sorry for her daughter and asked Xing Zheng, "You just stood there and let her bother Hua Mei?"
"She already knows the child is mine, but Lin Mei is still not in a good mood," he said. "She didn't say much on the way."
"Ah, yes, she's been like this lately," Xiao Yue said empathetically. "She only seems happy when she's playing with Jiaozi."
Xing Zheng nodded. "The doctor suggested she go out to relax and get some exercise, which will also help with labor. I wanted to take her to a resort in the suburbs. Is that okay?"
Xiao Yue likely had no problem with it, so Xing Zheng looked at Lin Zhengde. Xiao Yue, afraid Lin Zhengde would disagree, said to him, "Hua Mei and the baby are the priority right now. It's not good for her to be cooped up at home all day. Let her go out for a bit."
"Be careful," Lin Zhengde finally agreed after a long silence.
Xing Zheng thanked him and invited them to join. Lin Zhengde, seeing that he was trying to mend fences, refused without hesitation. "I'm not going. You two go yourselves."
Lin Mei came out after changing her clothes and happened to hear this. She was slightly surprised. Had Lin Zhengde agreed to let Xing Zheng take her out?
She looked at Xing Zheng suspiciously, wondering what method he had used.
At this moment, Xiao Yue asked again, "When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow, I'll pick you up by car and bring Jiaozi along," Xing Zheng said. "She likes Jiaozi, so bringing her will make things more enjoyable."
Until Xing Zheng left, Lin Mei still didn't know how he had managed to get Lin Zhengde to agree.
A while later, Lin Mei received a WeChat message from Xing Zheng: "Your parents agreed, you can't go back on your word. Remember to pack your luggage this afternoon. You don't need to bring dog food; the resort has it."
Lin Mei was curious. "What did you say to them?"
Xing Zheng replied: "Want to know?"
Lin Mei typed "Yes" in the chat box. Before she could send it, she saw Xing Zheng's message: "Let me kiss you properly tomorrow, and I'll tell you if you're satisfied."
Lin Mei deleted the "Yes" and sent him a "Get lost."
The next morning, Xing Zheng arrived to pick up Lin Mei and Jiaozi. Lin Zhengde and Xiao Yue saw them off downstairs. Lin Zhengde looked displeased but could only watch as Xing Zheng took Lin Mei away.
Xiao Yue saw through his thoughts and shook her head. "Don't be angry. Can you stop him?"
Jiaozi barked excitedly all the way, finally arriving at the resort.
However, when checking in, Xing Zheng only booked one suite. Lin Mei was unhappy. "I want to stay in a single room."