For nearly six years of dating Lin Mei, Chen Qi knew her personality best. A large part of the reason she stayed with him was that he had "saved" her life back then. Now, if he brought up that incident, Lin Mei would surely be reluctant to break up with him.
When Lin Mei had kicked him out that Friday night, he had known she intended to find an opportunity to break up with him. How could he willingly let go of such a prize? Even if they were to break up, it would be after he had grown tired of her.
"Do you remember the first time we met? The first thing you did when you woke up was review your notes," Chen Qi said, lost in his own memories.
Hearing him mention it, Lin Mei also recalled that day. She had collapsed in front of the school due to an asthma attack. If it hadn't been for Chen Qi, who happened to be passing by, and had taken her to the hospital, she might have lost her life.
Because of this incident, Lin Mei had always viewed Chen Qi through a favorable lens. Everyone, especially in their youth, harbored a certain romantic notion of heroes. Later, Lin Mei had also considered that no matter who had saved her that day, she would likely have developed feelings for them.
Lin Mei's voice softened considerably. "Yes, I remember. I was preparing for my final exams then."
"Good thing I picked up your notes for you, only your student ID was lost," Chen Qi chuckled. "Back then, I thought, this girl really treats her studies as her life."
Lin Mei smiled without speaking. She had indeed been passionate about learning since childhood, especially in subjects that interested her. Before graduating from university, she had already obtained her ACCA certification. After her master's degree, she had also passed the CPA and CFP exams, all on her first attempt.
Chen Qi patted Lin Mei's hand and said, as if reminiscing, "It feels like we haven't had a conversation like this in a long time."
Lin Mei also replied, "Yes, it has been a long time."
She couldn't even recall the last time they had sat face-to-face and reminisced about the past.
After graduation, although they joined the same company, both were very busy with their work. A place like a bank, with its immense performance pressure, offered very few days off throughout the year.
"I'm sorry about what happened before," Chen Qi asked Lin Mei. "Can you give me another chance? I promise I won't do it again."
Chen Qi had just brought up the past, and Lin Mei also remembered the life-saving favor. She took a step back. "Two months."
"I can give you two months. If you meet my expectations, I might consider not breaking up. If..."
"Don't worry! I will definitely perform well!" Chen Qi said, beaming with joy, and quickly assured Lin Mei.
Hearing Chen Qi's promise, Lin Mei showed no particular emotion. Her feelings for Chen Qi had long since been worn away, bit by bit. What she was doing now was merely a delaying tactic to "repay" his life-saving kindness. She knew in her heart that the moment Chen Qi slept with someone else, their relationship was over.
Chen Jing returned shortly after and, seeing Lin Mei and Chen Qi holding hands, issued a warning: "You'd better be like this from now on, or I'll have my brother dump you!"
Chen Jing treated Chen Qi like a coveted prize. Lin Mei almost chuckled at her words. Chen Qi quickly signaled to Chen Jing, urging her to shut up.
Chen Jing didn't blame Chen Qi; instead, she felt Lin Mei had instigated the conflict between her and her brother.
Chen Jing was in a bad mood, so she picked up her phone to chat with Xing Zheng for comfort. Xing Zheng hadn't contacted her much these past few days, which made Chen Jing feel uneasy. How could she let go of such an exceptional man?
Since she had just been wronged, Chen Jing decided to play the victim with Xing Zheng. She thought that men should all be unable to resist a woman who looked pitiful.
Indeed, as soon as she poured out her recent troubles to Xing Zheng, he immediately replied: [You guys made up?].oγg
Chen Jing: [Lin Mei eagerly begged my brother to reconcile. If she hadn't apologized, my brother wouldn't have gotten back with her.]
After chatting with Xing Zheng for a while, Xing Zheng invited Chen Jing to attend a friend's birthday party with him. Upon hearing that she would have another opportunity to meet Xing Zheng's friends, Chen Jing felt a surge of excitement and agreed without hesitation.
Chen Qi and Lin Mei were chatting when they were drawn to Chen Jing's laughter. They saw her holding her phone and smiling, looking somewhat infatuated.
Chen Qi curiously asked her, "Who are you chatting with that you're smiling so happily? Did you find money?"
"Mr. Xing invited me to meet him!" Whenever Chen Jing spoke of Xing Zheng, she had a doting and shy expression, clearly like a young woman in love.
Lin Mei frowned. What was this scoundrel Xing Zheng plotting? Weren't the women around him enough? Why did he have to provoke Chen Jing?
Lin Mei wanted to remind Chen Jing, to advise her not to be fooled by Xing Zheng's sweet talk. After a moment's thought, she ultimately decided against it. Even if she had warned her, Chen Jing likely wouldn't have taken her advice.
Lin Mei had work to do in the afternoon, so she returned to the bank. After Lin Mei left, Chen Qi revealed a triumphant smile. He sent a WeChat message to Zong Zong, saying: [Your method still works. She didn't break up with me!]
With the past "life-saving favor," he could continue to control Lin Mei. He had to thank the person who had sent Lin Mei to the hospital back then. If that person hadn't disappeared out of thin air, this opportunity wouldn't have fallen into his lap.
Chen Qi knew that if someone else had appeared in the hospital room back then, Lin Mei would have fallen for them too. Women were all like that; they were most susceptible to the so-called hero saving the damsel.
Although Lin Mei had agreed not to break up with Chen Qi for the time being, she no longer had any desire to continue the relationship. However, she didn't want to be indebted to anyone and wanted to quantify this so-called kindness, compensating Chen Qi in other ways, the most direct being money.
Over the years of working, Lin Mei had accumulated considerable savings. However, cashing out stocks and funds took time, which she intended to use these two months to sort out. When Chen Qi was hospitalized, Lin Mei did not fuss over him like she used to, only visiting him occasionally.
On Friday, she left work early and visited the hospital. Chen Qi wanted her to stay and keep him company, but Lin Mei naturally refused. After accompanying him for dinner, she left.
On the way back to her apartment from the hospital, Lin Mei received a call from Ming Zhou. Ming Zhou hadn't contacted her in a long time. Lin Mei thought that after the previous incident, he had decided to give up, so she didn't expect him to call again.
"Are you off work?" Ming Zhou asked with concern.
"Yes, I am. Senior, have you recovered from your injury?" Ming Zhou had been injured because of her, and Lin Mei still felt a bit guilty.
Ming Zhou, however, laughed heartily. "Just a minor injury. I'm healthy and back to my old self."
Lin Mei felt relieved. "That's good. Is there something you need, Senior?"
"Tomorrow is my birthday, and I'd like to invite you. Is that okay?" Ming Zhou seemed to anticipate how Lin Mei might refuse and quickly added, "I mean, as a friend or a junior schoolmate."
With that said, if Lin Mei refused again, it would seem heartless. "Then, Senior, please send me the address and time later. I will be there on time."
Ming Zhou smiled very happily. "No problem, see you tomorrow."
As soon as Ming Zhou hung up, Xing Zheng, who was beside him, teased him, "Your junior schoolmate agreed to spend her birthday with you?"