Zhao Jianghe smiled and clinked glasses with Lin Mei, "Then thank you, Manager Lin, for your well wishes. I'll take your good omen."
Lin Mei smiled and drank half her glass. It was evident that Zhao Jianghe was at a prime time for ambitious expansion.
Previously, Lin Mei had learned about this project. With the backing of relevant institutions, it carried almost no risk. Experts had long analyzed that if any company secured this project, it could achieve market monopoly for at least ten years. How much profit could be generated in ten years?
If the Zhao Corporation could proceed with this project smoothly, let alone just Nanjiang, they would have a place on the international stage. However, Lin Mei knew clearly that this project would not proceed normally. Xing Zheng would never give Zhao Jianghe such an opportunity.
His inaction now was likely because Zhao Jianghe was still investing money into the project. Once all his funds were diverted to the laboratory, the end of the Zhao Corporation would likely arrive.
Zhao Jianghe had drunk quite a bit. Lin Mei helped him out of the club. Zhao Jianghe's driver picked him up. Zhao Jianghe said to Lin Mei, "Thank you, you worked hard tonight. I'll treat you to a meal next time."
Lin Mei smiled, "Okay, can I bring my boyfriend?"
Zhao Jianghe: "You and your boyfriend have such a good relationship, always bringing him along!"
"Yes, he's quite affectionate and clingy because he's younger," Lin Mei appeared to be immersed in love, her eyes sparkling when she talked about her boyfriend.
Zhao Jianghe: "I remember you saying you didn't really like younger men. It seems it depends on the person. Aunt Xie tried to set us up for so long, and you never felt anything for me." His tone was tinged with regret, as if lamenting missing out on her.
Lin Mei flattered him, "You're doing so well now, there must be a queue of wealthy ladies chasing you. Someone like me from a humble background wouldn't do."
Zhao Jianghe laughed again, "I need to meet this boyfriend of yours. To make you so devoted, he must be quite capable."
Lin Mei chatted with Zhao Jianghe for a while and watched his car drive away before calling for a designated driver.
After this encounter, Zhao Jianghe should have no doubts about her relationship with Xing Zheng. However, Lin Mei still hadn't figured out Zhao Jianghe's connection to the car accident involving Xing Yan. She was curious about Zhao Jianghe's motive.
How could such intense hatred arise between two people who had been friends since childhood? Xing Yan, with his gentle nature, would never do anything to harm anyone.
There was no way to get answers from Xing Zheng, and she probably couldn't help much. Not causing him trouble was good enough.
Midweek, Lin Mei suddenly received a WeChat message from Lan Lan, "I saw Zhao Jianghe."
Following the message was a location, a mental health sanatorium in Runcheng. Lin Mei frowned, "Is the address correct?"
Lan Lan explained, "I was brought here on a business trip by Liang Yufeng. He's here to see his mother."
Kang Gui Sanatorium was the best-reputed mental health facility in Runcheng, and even the entire country. Most of its patients were severely mentally ill and unable to care for themselves. Why would Zhao Jianghe go there?
As far as she knew, his parents had died in an accident long ago. Could there be other relatives living there?
However, Xie Qin Jia had mentioned before that Zhao Jianghe was raised by his uncle, and his uncle had settled overseas long ago... He shouldn't have any relatives in China.
Runcheng was far from Nanjiang. Anyone who could make Zhao Jianghe travel thousands of miles to visit must be extremely important to him. Lin Mei asked Lan Lan to investigate.
Lan Lan, of course, did not hesitate. After sending the WeChat message to Lin Mei, Lan Lan saw Zhao Jianghe walking out of a ward with a caregiver. They were talking, paying no attention to their surroundings. Lan Lan quietly followed them.
Zhao Jianghe and the caregiver stood in the courtyard. The caregiver said to Zhao Jianghe, "The old gentleman's appetite has been quite good lately; he's been eating all three meals."
The caregiver told him various indicators. To Lan Lan, none of this information was important. Only the words "old gentleman" were key. Who was this old gentleman, and what was his relationship with Zhao Jianghe?
Judging by Zhao Jianghe's conversation with the caregiver, he seemed to be a frequent visitor, otherwise, he wouldn't be so familiar.
Lan Lan then heard Zhao Jianghe ask, "Is he still calling that name?"
"Yes, same as always... He calls it every day," the caregiver said. "A few days ago, the news of Mr. Xing's marriage was broadcast on television. When he saw his face, the old gentleman had an episode and smashed the television in his room."
Zhao Jianghe's expression turned cold, "Don't let him see such things in the future."
The caregiver quickly replied, "Understood, understood. That was our oversight."
Lan Lan's expression became serious. What did it mean to have an episode upon seeing Xing Zheng's face?
Did the person Zhao Jianghe was visiting have a deep-seated hatred for Xing Zheng, to the point of having an episode upon seeing his face?
"I told you to wait for me in the hallway. Don't you understand human language?" While racking her brain, Lan Lan suddenly heard Liang Yufeng's cold voice.
He had just come out of the ward, his face even colder than usual. Perhaps he was unhappy after visiting his mother. Thinking of this, Lan Lan didn't take it to heart, "It was stuffy in the hallway, I came out for some air."
"Are you done? If you're done, let's go. I still have to go back to work overtime... Wait, what are you doing!"
Before he could finish speaking, Liang Yufeng suddenly grabbed her and pulled her towards the ward. Lan Lan was dragged into the room and unexpectedly met Liang Yufeng's mother.
She was very different from the "middle-aged mentally ill woman" image Lan Lan had imagined. His mother was a young, beautiful, and gentle woman. Although she wore the sanatorium's clothes and had no makeup, her face was still captivating. One would believe her if she said she was only thirty. Lan Lan didn't know how to communicate with her. The woman on the bed saw her and smiled brightly, "You must be Yufeng's new wife, right? So beautiful, come and let Mommy have a good look!"
Lan Lan: "?"
After receiving Lan Lan's WeChat, Lin Mei had been waiting for follow-up news. Lan Lan was busy with something, and it wasn't until after work that Lin Mei received her call, "Zhao Jianghe probably comes here often. The caregivers here are very familiar with him. He's visiting an old gentleman."
Lan Lan told Lin Mei everything she had overheard at the sanatorium. After hearing it, Lin Mei, like Lan Lan, was completely bewildered. She confirmed with Lan Lan, "Are you sure you heard correctly? Are you certain it was Xing Zheng?"
Lan Lan affirmed, "It was him. The one who recently got married, surnamed Xing, who made headlines. Who else could it be?"
Lan Lan's analysis made sense, but... why would the other person react so strongly upon seeing Xing Zheng's face?
"Did you look at that old gentleman's information?" This person's identity was crucial.
Lan Lan had already considered it, but, "I didn't. There was no information outside his room, and the caregivers were tight-lipped. I couldn't even get his name. I only know he's over fifty. At his age, seeing Xing Zheng's face could trigger an episode. What kind of hatred or grudges could this be?"