Lin Mei was utterly speechless. She glanced towards Xing Zheng, only to see the scoundrel looking at her with a smile, showing no trace of any deception.
At this point, if she said any more, it would only arouse suspicion.
The charade had temporarily ended, but rumors about Lin Mei and General Zhao had spread throughout the office. Even though Mrs. Zhao hadn't gained anything in the end, many still believed Lin Mei was involved with General Zhao.
In the afternoon, Zong Zong approached Chen Qi and asked him, "Is it true that Lin Mei is involved with that General Zhao?"
Chen Qi replied, "No, it's all a misunderstanding. Lin Mei isn't that kind of person."
Zong Zong was dismissive, "You can know a person's face but not their heart. She's so beautiful, and among those who joined the company in the same batch, her performance has been the best all these years. What makes her so special?"
"Who saw her drinking with that General Zhao? If she didn't make a move, would General Zhao touch her? A fly won't land on an egg without a crack. Anyway, keep a close eye on her. I'm telling you this as a friend, so you won't be blindsided if she cheats on you one day."
Chen Qi stared at the report in his hands, his brow furrowed deeply.
—
That evening, Chen Qi invited Xing Zheng to dinner at a Western restaurant.
At the dining table, Lin Mei sat beside Chen Qi, while Xing Zheng sat alone opposite them, polite, restrained, and maintaining a clear distance.
After they were seated, Chen Qi kept finding various topics to chat with Xing Zheng about, from financial management to politics.
Lin Mei did not participate, sitting quietly on the side, playing the role of a "supportive wife."
After a period of lively conversation with Chen Qi, Xing Zheng glanced at Lin Mei with a half-smile, "You've been so busy chatting with Manager Chen that you've neglected Manager Lin. Don't be upset."
Lin Mei took a sip of juice from her wine glass and smoothly replied, "Mr. Xing is overthinking. You two continue your conversation." Preferably, they would never speak to her again.
Xing Zheng praised, "Manager Lin is truly an understanding and good woman. Manager Chen is very fortunate."
Chen Qi, being someone who couldn't resist flattery, became immediately pleased when Xing Zheng, a person of high standing, complimented him. "Yes, everyone says I'm very lucky to have found a wife like her."
Lin Mei: "..."
Xing Zheng teased, "Judging by the way you address each other, it seems the two of you are close to tying the knot."
Chen Qi had been wanting to get married for a long time. He seized the opportunity to remind Lin Mei, "It should be soon. My parents and her parents are urging us!"
Lin Mei feigned ignorance, not responding. A fleeting look of disdain crossed her eyes, which Xing Zheng successfully caught.
Xing Zheng chuckled playfully and asked as if teasing, "I wonder how Manager Chen managed to win over Manager Lin?"
When this past event was brought up, Chen Qi had plenty to say. "Haha, it was all fate. Towards the end of our second year, just before summer break, she fainted at the school gate. I happened to be passing by and took her to the hospital."
Xing Zheng's slender fingers traced the rim of his glass, "Oh, a hero saving the damsel."
Chen Qi continued, "She also lost her student ID that day. Coincidentally, I was in the student union, so I helped her get a replacement. We got to know each other through that."
Xing Zheng listened as Chen Qi enthusiastically recounted the story of the hero saving the damsel, a smile in his eyes as he glanced at Lin Mei.
Lin Mei felt her composure falter. These were memories she had once considered beautiful, but now, after Chen Qi had betrayed her, hearing him recount them felt incredibly ironic.
She was sure that scoundrel Xing Zheng was mocking her stupidity in his mind!
"I'm going to the restroom," Lin Mei said half-heartedly and left.
—
There was no one in the women's restroom. Lin Mei stood in front of the mirror, playing with her phone to pass the time. She found Lan Lan on WeChat and told her about the current situation.
Lin Mei was hoping Lan Lan could give her an idea to end this awkward dinner quickly. Instead, Lan Lan replied, "Awesome!"
Lin Mei: "..." She shouldn't have expected any good advice from this unreliable person.
Moments later, Lan Lan sent a voice message. Lin Mei played it aloud and heard Lan Lan's increasingly perverted laughter: "Hahaha, sister has an idea for you. Send Xing Zheng a text and ask him to come to the restroom for a quickie. That'll show Chen Qi!"
Lin Mei rolled her eyes speechlessly. Suddenly, a voice came from above her, "Hmm, that's a good idea."
This familiar voice startled Lin Mei so much that she almost dropped her phone.
She looked up and saw Xing Zheng standing there, hands in his pockets, looking down at her.
...Had he heard?!
Lin Mei once again experienced what it meant to have social death.
"This is the women's restroom. Aren't you afraid of being mistaken for a pervert, Mr. Xing?" Lin Mei cursed. She had to leave quickly; staying here with that scoundrel would surely lead to no good.
Xing Zheng put his arm around Lin Mei's waist, leading her into the restroom and pushing her into a stall, pinning her against the door.
"If I don't do anything, it would be a disservice to the title Manager Lin has given me."