Lin Mei and Feng Feng were both startled, but as soon as they looked over, they both understood why Lan Lan was so excited.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. The intimate couple not far away, weren't they precisely Xing Zheng and Jiang Chu Bi?
They seemed to be on a date, and after choosing a table, Jiang Chu Bi was talking to Xing Zheng with the menu.
Lin Mei watched, her hand unconsciously tightening around her water glass. Just as she was about to look away, the man in the distance seemed to sense her gaze and actually looked over.
Lin Mei immediately averted her eyes and began chatting with Lan Lan and Feng Feng about the anniversary. After their analysis, Lin Mei clarified the choice she needed to make for her future.
Approaching Xing Zheng had been a moment of impulse. Xing Zheng was indeed full of tricks and excellent in bed, a good partner. However, Lin Mei couldn't be as nonchalant as him in such physical relationships, avoiding getting too deeply involved.
The immediate priority was to find an opportunity to tell her parents the truth and break up with Chen Qi.
Dealing with Xing Zheng would be easy; she simply wouldn't contact him in the future.
***
On June 29th, Nanjiang University's anniversary, Lin Mei changed into a specially prepared little black dress and left her apartment. As she went downstairs, she saw Chen Qi leaning against his car waiting for her. Seeing her emerge, Chen Qi immediately walked over and put his arm around her shoulder.
Lin Mei endured the discomfort. "Didn't I say you didn't need to pick me up?"
"How could I not? Teacher Ruan said we should go together." Chen Qi looked at Lin Mei's black dress, his gaze burning. "Is it new? It's beautiful."
Lin Mei got into Chen Qi's car to go to the anniversary, but she had no desire to talk to him and fell silent as soon as she got in.
Chen Qi drove, glancing at Lin Mei from the corner of his eye. Her dress wasn't overtly sexy, but the way it hinted at more made his throat go dry. He regretted even more that he hadn't taken her that night.
While Chen Qi had desired Lin Mei before, it wasn't as intense as it was now. But recently, he'd noticed that Lin Mei had inexplicably developed a seductive aura. Every movement exuded charm, and just looking at her made him have impure thoughts.
No wonder Ming Zhou confessed to her; she must have seduced Ming Zhou with this very look!
Ming Zhou would also be at the anniversary today, which was why Chen Qi had insisted on picking her up despite Lin Mei's wishes. His goal was to declare his ownership in front of Ming Zhou and also to remind Lin Mei not to forget her place!
Chen Qi steered the wheel, saying with a smile, "My classmates will be so envious when they see how beautiful my wife is."
Chen Qi used to say things like this often. Back then, Lin Mei was foolish enough to think he was praising her. Now, having detached herself from the relationship, she realized Chen Qi was merely showing off.
It was a crude male logic: having a beautiful wife brought him prestige.
Lin Mei curled her lips sarcastically. "I'm not your wife yet."
Chen Qi's expression changed, and dissatisfaction surged. "You will be my wife sooner or later!"
Chen Qi's confident tone made Lin Mei stifle a laugh. Before she could say anything, Chen Qi added, "Your mother called me a few days ago asking about our wedding. What do you think?"
Lin Mei replied, "I'm up for a promotion next year, so I want to focus my energy on my work for now."
Such words were clearly an excuse, and Chen Qi was naturally displeased. "Marriage won't hinder you. If anything, we can get the certificate and live together first, and have the wedding after you get your promotion."
Chen Qi seemed to be in a hurry to get married all of a sudden. Perhaps Chen Jing had complained about her over there, and he was feeling threatened. Lin Mei found it amusing. "Why are you suddenly so eager to get married?"
Chen Qi said, half-truthfully, half-jokingly, "Of course, it's because my wife is too charming. I need to tie you down with a marriage certificate quickly, lest you run off with someone else."
Among adults, some things didn't need to be said too directly. With Chen Qi's words, Lin Mei understood the reason and also why Chen Qi insisted on coming to the anniversary with her.
The professor's request was a pretense; the real reason was to declare his ownership publicly. Chen Qi must have known Ming Zhou would be at the anniversary. Everything he did was merely to satisfy his so-called male dignity. She was just a tool.
***
The anniversary was held in the banquet hall of the university's auditorium. The invited guests were all outstanding graduates of Nanjiang University. Lin Mei and Chen Qi arrived at the registration desk and encountered many acquaintances.
"Lin Mei is getting more beautiful. Chen Qi, you lucky dog!"
"You two have been together for so many years, right? When are you tying the knot? We're all waiting to toast your wedding!"
Meeting old classmates, they exchanged pleasantries and teasing. Lin Mei played along, offering some polite compliments and skillfully avoiding the topic of her marriage to Chen Qi.
While Lin Mei remained silent, Chen Qi was happy to discuss it. "Soon, just wait for the news."
After signing in, Chen Qi put his arm around Lin Mei's waist and led her towards the banquet hall. Lin Mei felt a bit repulsed by this possessive gesture and was about to push him away when she heard the professor's voice: "Chen Qi, Lin Mei, you're here!"
"Teacher Ruan!" Seeing her esteemed mentor, Lin Mei's attention shifted away from Chen Qi. As Lin Mei went to speak with Professor Ruan, she happened to see Xing Zheng standing beside him.
Lin Mei felt a lump in her throat. How could she run into him even in this setting?
"Mr. Xing is here too?" Chen Qi was also surprised.
Xing Zheng nodded in greeting to Chen Qi, his gaze sweeping over Lin Mei's waist, his eyes holding an ambiguous depth.
Perhaps after sleeping together a few times, they developed a certain sensitivity. Xing Zheng's naked gaze made Lin Mei feel as if she were being undressed, though others couldn't tell.
Professor Ruan smiled and introduced them, "This is Xing Zheng, also a student of Nanjiang University."
Chen Qi seemed somewhat surprised. "Isn't Mr. Xing from Penn?"
Professor Ruan explained, "Xing Zheng went to Penn in his senior year. Strictly speaking, his undergraduate degree is from Nanjiang University, and his master's is from Penn. He used to be in the Mathematics department."
Chen Qi remarked, "I see. I didn't realize Lin Mei and I were alumni with Mr. Xing! What a coincidence!"
Xing Zheng stared at Lin Mei and smiled faintly. "Yes, a coincidence."
***
The anniversary was lively, attended by the cream of the crop among the graduates. Xing Zheng and Ming Zhou were undoubtedly the center of attention. Everyone was eager to establish some connection with them, as in the financial world, connections were crucial.
Chen Qi was called away by some classmates for drinks. Lin Mei stood with Lan Lan and Feng Feng, and beside them, a few people were discussing gossip about Xing Zheng.
"Xing Zheng is here too. After so many years, he's still so handsome."
"Yes, I remember you used to chase him back then, didn't you?"
Hearing this, Lin Mei couldn't help but glance over. The woman who was said to have chased Xing Zheng was wearing a red dress and was also extremely beautiful. She smiled as she mentioned Xing Zheng. "Yes, I chased him for a long time, but unfortunately, he had someone he liked and wouldn't even glance at me."
Lin Mei frowned. Xing Zheng used to be so chaste and devoted; it really didn't seem like him.
"Is that true? Who was so capable that they could capture his attention?"
"Hey, you guys say Xing Zheng changes women like he changes clothes now. Do you think he was hurt by the person he liked back then?"