Xing Zheng always had a knack for breaking through her defenses with just a few words, likely because his questions were always so sharp and touched upon matters Lin Mei was reluctant to face. When confronted with such questions, Lin Mei would either become prickly or have an emotional breakdown.
Facing Xing Zheng, she naturally wouldn't choose the latter. "It's none of your business."
How could Xing Zheng not see her stubborn pretense? He didn't press further, merely reminding her lightly, "A few days ago, I saw Chen Qi with a university student."
Lin Mei's head snapped up, her foxy eyes fixed on him. Xing Zheng saw the surprise and disbelief in her eyes. He simply smiled faintly, unconcerned. "You can also assume I'm trying to sow discord."
Assume he was sowing discord? It was more likely self-deception.
Lin Mei straightened her clothes and got out of Xing Zheng's car.
As she was leaving, Xing Zheng reminded her, "Come to my place tomorrow night."
Lin Mei didn't look back, her shoulders stiffening. Then she heard him say, "Be good, don't make me angry."
Lin Mei slammed the car door in frustration. Xing Zheng watched through the car window as the woman's petite and sexy back disappeared, let out a soft laugh, and started the car.
A phone call came in on the road. Xing Zheng answered, remaining silent. He listened as the man on the other end reported, "Mr. Xing, it's been handled as you instructed."
"Mm," Xing Zheng's voice betrayed no emotion. The person on the other end sounded a little nervous and confirmed, "Should I send those photos to the previous email address as well?"
"Not for now," Xing Zheng's hand rested on the steering wheel, his gaze fixed ahead, his eyes deep. "Keep them for now. I'll notify you when I have arrangements."
"Yes, Mr. Xing." The person on the other end continued, "The matter you asked me to investigate has been concluded. The information has been sent to your email."
Xing Zheng: "Good."
—
Lin Mei had thought she wouldn't be bothered by Chen Qi's affairs anymore, but tonight's events had truly disgusted her again. After getting home and showering, Lin Mei checked the progress of her asset liquidation. By the middle of next month, she would have a sum of money to give to Chen Qi, and then they could go their separate ways.
Before going to sleep, Lin Mei received a message from Lan Lan asking to go shopping on Saturday. Feng Feng was working overtime and couldn't go, so it would just be Lan Lan and Lin Mei shopping the next day.
As it was mid-year, Lan Lan had achieved excellent results this year. She had just received a bonus and decided to splurge, heading straight for luxury brand counters.
Lin Mei accompanied Lan Lan to a few counters, but Lan Lan wasn't impressed. Finally, they arrived at Hermes, and Lan Lan was satisfied. "It still has to be Hermès. Other brands just don't catch my eye."
Lan Lan was always extravagant, and her collection of bags was almost piled up like a mountain. Lin Mei teased her, "Ms. Lan has money, so buy to your heart's content."
"Aren't you going to look?" Lan Lan pulled Lin Mei. "That brown one is nice, it suits you. Come on, let's try it on."
"I'll pass," Lin Mei usually liked buying bags, but she didn't have the spare cash right now. "I need to save money lately, I can't afford it."
"That's surprising," Lan Lan raised an eyebrow, studying Lin Mei. "Are you planning to change your apartment or your car? For you to say something like that, our little rich lady."
"Neither," Lin Mei had intended to wait until Feng Feng arrived to discuss it, but since the topic had come up, she decided to share her plan with Lan Lan first. "I'm planning to give Chen Qi a sum of money and break up with him."
"Are you out of your mind?" Hearing Lin Mei's plan, Lan Lan was so angry she started scolding her, "He cheated on you, and you want to break up and give him money? Are you the Virgin Mary or what?"
"Ms. Lan, calm down." Lin Mei had expected Lan Lan's hot temper to lead to scolding, and she didn't mind. "He saved me once in college, and a big reason I was with him was because of that. If this debt isn't settled, he'll keep bothering me with it as an excuse."
"Damn it, that shameless bastard Chen Qi, he's been using that to blackmail you for so many years and he's still not satisfied!" Lan Lan said indignantly. "And his stupid sister too!"
Lin Mei: "That's why I need to settle things quickly. I don't want to waste any more time with him."
Lan Lan: "Do you think he'll agree? Oh, and you must remember to get a contract drawn up, notarized and sealed, so he can't renege later."
Lin Mei had already thought of the details Lan Lan suggested.
As they chatted, they reached the counter. Lan Lan had her eye on a newly arrived limited edition model. After trying it on, it fit her perfectly. Just as she was about to swipe her card, an unexpected event occurred.
As the sales associate was arranging the bag for Lan Lan, a woman suddenly entered the boutique. She walked directly towards the sales associate, her gaze fixed on the bag in her hand, and said with a smile, "This one, please wrap it up for me."
Lan Lan had just taken out her wallet when she saw this uninvited guest. Lin Mei also felt the woman was being impolite, so she followed Lan Lan.
As she approached, Lin Mei got a clear look at the woman's face. It was... Jiang Chu Bi!
"Miss Jiang, I'm very sorry, but this bag has already been purchased by this lady." Jiang Chu Bi was likely a regular at the boutique, as the sales associate accurately called out her name.
Jiang Chu Bi looked over at Lin Mei and asked with a smile, "This lady looks a bit familiar. Have we met?"
Lin Mei saw Jiang Chu Bi's smiling expression and couldn't tell if she genuinely didn't remember her or if she was asking deliberately.
How could Lan Lan not see that Jiang Chu Bi was targeting Lin Mei? She said directly to Jiang Chu Bi, "I bought the bag. It's a matter of first come, first served. Surely someone as gracious as Miss Jiang wouldn't fight me for it?"
Although Lan Lan was flattering Jiang Chu Bi, there was no subservience in her tone. Jiang Chu Bi could hear the edge in her words but replied with a smile, "If it's not something important, I naturally wouldn't fight for it. But this bag is my favorite, and no matter the cost, I will make it mine."
Jiang Chu Bi took out her VVIP card and handed it to the sales associate. Upon seeing the card, the sales associate's expression became troubled. This was a supreme VIP card, and cardholders had priority purchasing rights. Jiang Chu Bi was determined to have this bag, so it was likely...
"Madam, I sincerely apologize. Miss Jiang has presented her gold card, and our brand policy states that gold card members have priority purchasing rights."
Lan Lan held a silver card. The spending power of office workers like them naturally couldn't compare to Jiang Chu Bi's.
In the end, the bag Lan Lan had chosen was snatched by Jiang Chu Bi. Jiang Chu Bi even smiled at the sales associate and said, "Bring out all the latest models for me to see."
While waiting, Jiang Chu Bi walked over to Lin Mei and Lan Lan, her gaze sweeping over Lin Mei as she appraised her. She smiled and said, "It's my favorite, and it's truly difficult to give it up to others. My apologies to you both."
"It's nothing," Lin Mei pulled Lan Lan away. Lan Lan was displeased, not because of the bag, but because of Jiang Chu Bi's words. "Jiang Chu Bi deliberately targeted you, didn't she? What did she mean by that just now? Is she issuing a challenge to you, wanting to snatch Chen Qi?"
Lin Mei pursed her lips, pondering. Lan Lan suddenly thought of something. "Does she know you slept with Xing Zheng?"