Seeing the playfulness in his eyes and his feigned concern, Lin Mei felt an urge to curse, but it wasn't her forte. After fuming for a long time, she couldn't utter a single word.
She got up from the massage bed, her legs weak and unsteady, and stumbled forward. The man quickly caught her. As she crashed into his arms, their bodies pressed together seamlessly. She lowered her head and saw the blue veins on his forearm and his clearly defined muscle lines, her heartbeat growing more erratic.
He felt it keenly and asked with concern, "Why is your heart beating so fast? Are you nervous?"
Lin Mei pulled away from his embrace and went to the sofa to gather her belongings. She couldn't stay there with him any longer; she was never in control when she was with him. Xing Zheng didn't stop her, watching her leave.
As Lin Mei exited, she ran into Feng Feng, who asked, "Why are you out already?"
"Where's Lan Lan? Let's go," this wasn't the place to talk. "I'll send her a message."
Although Lan Lan was happily chatting with the handsome guy, she was always quick to disengage. Upon receiving the message, she came out soon after.
The three of them went to a roadside stall for barbecue, where Lin Mei told them about what had happened.
"He became a gigolo on a green train?" Lan Lan's eyes widened in disbelief. After her surprise, she started to curse, "A dog of a man who stops at nothing to achieve his goals! He has no shame for personal gain. Did he bully you?"
"No," Lin Mei quickly denied, "Calm down."
Seeing that Lin Mei was still relatively clear-headed, Lan Lan and Feng Feng were relieved. Lan Lan wanted to persuade Lin Mei to pursue someone else, but she knew it was useless. Lin Mei was stubborn to the core. "Did he explain about that woman to you?"
"No."
Let alone that woman, he hadn't even explained where he had been or what he had done for the past year or so. He certainly wouldn't report his interactions with other women to her. She had no sense of participation in his life. How could someone excluded feel secure?
Since he didn't explain, Lin Mei wouldn't bother asking anymore. She had already made advances towards him before, only to end up bruised and battered. Even though she knew that many of his actions had reasons, such as his collaboration with Jiang Chubì and the truth behind Xing Yan's car accident, she learned about these from others. Xing Zheng had never explained a single word to her.
And the harm she had suffered because of these things was real. The pain had subsided, but the scars remained forever.
The next day was Saturday. Lin Mei had plans with Xie Qinjia. She went to the Xing family villa early in the morning. As soon as she got out of the car, she met Xing Sha, who had been waiting for her in the yard.
Lin Mei greeted Xing Sha, who then said, "I have something I'd like to ask for your help with."
"Please tell me. I'll definitely help if I can," Lin Mei replied readily.
Xing Sha told her, "I want her to have surgery in New York."
"Aunt Xie?" Lin Mei asked, "What kind of surgery?"
"Multi-target neuro-modulation radiofrequency surgery," Xing Sha told Lin Mei. "This is internationally recognized as effective for controlling emotions. Although she has improved over the past year, it's not a complete cure. A slight trigger can cause a relapse. I want to completely eliminate any future worries."
Lin Mei wasn't very familiar with related information and had never known before that bipolar disorder could be treated with surgery. However, Xing Sha loved Xie Qinjia so much that he must have made the choice most beneficial to her. "Doesn't Aunt Xie want to go?"
"I haven't spoken to her about it yet," Xing Sha smiled. "She listens to you more. Can you try to gauge her feelings and persuade her?"
"Alright." It wasn't a difficult request, so Lin Mei agreed.
In the morning, Lin Mei accompanied Xie Qinjia shopping. When they arrived at a restaurant for lunch, Lin Mei finally brought up the surgery, "Have you seen a doctor for a check-up recently?"
Xie Qinjia replied, "Yes. I went a couple of days ago. The doctor said I'm doing well, and the medication helps."
When Xie Qinjia's emotions were stable, her speech and actions were very elegant. She was beautiful and had an extraordinary temperament. Sitting there, she exuded a unique charm.
Every time Lin Mei saw her like this, she couldn't help but marvel at Xing Sha's devotion to her. He had likely poured all his life's love into Xie Qinjia. "Have you considered surgery?"
"The doctor mentioned it. It seems there's surgical treatment abroad," Xie Qinjia told Lin Mei. "But I'm controlling it very well now, so there's no need." As long as Xing Zheng didn't appear before her, her emotions remained stable.
"Just in case, surgery is a good option. You could also stop taking medication. I've checked the information; continuous medication can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys and liver," Lin Mei told Xie Qinjia. "Since surgery is possible, why not have Uncle Xing accompany you to try it?"
Xie Qinjia indeed took Lin Mei's words to heart. She thought seriously and said to Lin Mei, "What you're saying makes sense. I'll ask Xing Sha to inquire. He seemed to have contacted doctors abroad before."
Lin Mei nodded. "Uncle Xing loves you so much, he'll surely find the best doctor."
After Xie Qinjia agreed, Lin Mei sent Xing Sha a WeChat message to report. After lunch, they continued shopping, unaware that someone was following them from a distance.
After the weekend, Lin Mei received another notice for a business trip. The company arranged for her to return to Kyoto with Xiao Shu to be seconded to his company for a period, with no set return date. There were no such plans from above before, but the work task was assigned, and she couldn't refuse, so she left with Xiao Shu.
On the day of departure, Xiao Shu picked Lin Mei up at her apartment. On the way to the airport, Xiao Shu told Lin Mei, "The company has arranged accommodation for you. Since you're going to help, they won't treat you poorly. If there's anything you're not used to, feel free to tell me."
"Thank you, Mr. Xiao. I will," Lin Mei nodded.
Lin Mei and Xiao Shu arrived at the airport and discovered that besides Xiao Shu's assistant, there were several other employees traveling with them.
Upon arriving in Kyoto, Lin Mei learned that the accommodation Xiao Shu had arranged for her was a villa near the Fourth Ring Road. She was astonished. "Mr. Xiao, I can stay at a hotel."
"It's more convenient here," Xiao Shu told Lin Mei. "I live in the building next door. If you have urgent matters, you can get to me faster."
As it involved work, she couldn't refuse anymore. Capitalists were always like this, prioritizing efficiency. Lin Mei didn't think much of it and settled in. That evening, Xiao Shu invited her to dinner.
Lin Mei met Xiao Shu's daughter, Xiao Mutian, a lively and beautiful young girl who was very enthusiastic. After dinner, Lin Mei played with her, and later, the little girl fell asleep from exhaustion.
Lin Mei didn't know how to take care of children. She found a jacket and covered Xiao Mutian with it before going to find Xiao Shu. She searched around downstairs for a long time and finally found him on the balcony.
Lin Mei stopped in front of the balcony and heard Xiao Shu on the phone, "The person is here. Remember our deal."
"I've seen the photos. If there's a suitable opportunity, I'll notify you. If you mess up, the cooperation will be terminated."