Lin Mei’s voice was exceptionally pleasant, gentle yet not overly saccharine. Even her playful pouting didn’t sound cloying. As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Ying’s teammates began to tease, “Sister-in-law is so supportive!”
“Brother Xu, did your sister-in-law pump you up? If you don’t win a championship today, you’ll be letting her down!”
Xu Ying punched his chest with his fist, put on his helmet, and smoothly got into the car. Lin Mei glanced at Xing Zheng, who was diagonally behind her, and cheered for Xu Ying again, “Go for it, I’ll be waiting for you!”
Once the race began, Lin Mei didn’t sit down. She stood in front of her seat, waving her arms and shouting, no different from the female fans cheering for Xu Ying in the back.
Throughout this, Xing Zheng remained seated calmly. Lin Mei’s excited demeanor caught his eye, and he felt an irritable urge to drag her over and teach her a harsh lesson!
Jiang Chu Bi took Xing Zheng’s arm and chatted with him with a smile, “I didn’t expect Manager Lin to have such a childlike side. She’s usually so serious, but so adorable when she’s in love.”
Jiang Chu Bi’s fingers squeezed Xing Zheng’s arm, reminding him of something. Zhao Jiang He was nearby, and the two of them couldn’t show any cracks.
Fortunately, Xing Zheng was lucid. He cupped Jiang Chu Bi’s chin, his deep eyes fixed on her, and teased, “Aren’t you the same?”
“Am I?” Jiang Chu Bi feigned surprise. “Are you calling me cute? It’s really not easy to hear you praise me.”
“You don’t believe me?” Xing Zheng leaned closer to her, and they looked like a bickering couple, saying the opposite of what they meant.
Zhao Jiang He watched them intently. His gaze first cooled, then softened with a smile. “Your relationship is getting better and better, it’s enviable. I, who have been single for years, am extremely jealous.”
Xing Zheng naturally put his arm around Jiang Chu Bi and joked with Zhao Jiang He, “It’s not hard for you to find someone.”
Zhao Jiang He: “It is hard. In this day and age, finding someone you like isn’t simple. I have a good impression of Manager Lin, but unfortunately, she has a boyfriend. I can’t force her.”
Xing Zheng laughed, “What’s so unfortunate about that? There are plenty of women like her, why worry about not finding one?”
His tone was dismissive, as if he didn’t take Lin Mei seriously at all. His gaze was also frivolous, suggesting he truly looked down on Lin Mei. Zhao Jiang He chuckled along. He had been overly cautious before; he thought Xing Zheng might actually be serious about a woman he casually slept with.
The race entered its climax. Xu Ying executed another masterful corner overtake, sending the audience’s emotions soaring. He was not just a technical driver; he was also a crowd-pleaser.
Sporting events could stir people’s emotions. Lin Mei had watched many races with Xu Ying and became increasingly invested, shouting whenever she watched.
As Xu Ying crossed the finish line, Lin Mei, along with the teammates and fans behind her, shouted together, “Xu Ying, you’re so handsome, you’re amazing! Xu Ying, forever the GOAT!”
Xu Ying got out of the car, took off his helmet, and walked towards Lin Mei. Lin Mei rushed forward and hugged him. Although it wasn’t the first time she had seen Xu Ying win, she was still excited. “Congratulations, you’re incredible! I’ll celebrate with you tonight!”
Xu Ying hugged Lin Mei back. He happened to see Xing Zheng on the opposite side, giving him a warning look. Xu Ying boldly met his gaze. Instead of being intimidated, he held Lin Mei even tighter.
Later, at the awards ceremony, Xu Ying brought Lin Mei along.
When they arrived at the award area, they discovered that the awards were to be presented by Xing Zheng and Jiang Chu Bi. Lin Mei and Xu Ying stood side-by-side at the podium.
As they watched Xing Zheng and Jiang Chu Bi walk over hand-in-hand, a staff member presented the medals. Xing Zheng took one and walked up to Xu Ying. His gaze fell on Xu Ying and Lin Mei’s inseparable hands. Xu Ying, oblivious, smiled and said, “Thank you, Mr. Xing.”
Xing Zheng’s body temperature dropped several degrees. Lin Mei noticed the displeasure in his eyes and felt a hidden joy. Annoying him always gave her a peculiar thrill and a sense of accomplishment.
After Xing Zheng presented Xu Ying with the medal, he left. Jiang Chu Bi spoke on his behalf, “Congratulations to our racers. We hope to see you win more championships in the future. Best wishes to all!”
After the awards ceremony, Lin Mei and Xu Ying went to celebrate with his teammates. Seeing that Xing Zheng was nearing his breaking point, Jiang Chu Bi, fearing an incident, casually found an excuse to pull him away. “Ah Zheng, I’m hungry. Let’s go to the restaurant we booked first.”
Xing Zheng grunted. He asked Zhao Jiang He, “Coming with us?”
“I won’t. My flight is this evening, and I need to return to Nanjiang.”
Xing Zheng: “So soon?”
Zhao Jiang He: “Yes, it’s busy over there. I can’t stay long. Let’s catch up again when I’m back.”
The three chatted and left the race venue. Outside, they saw Zhao Jiang He’s driver waiting, with his luggage already in the car, confirming he was indeed leaving.
“Then I’ll be going. Let’s catch up back home.” After Zhao Jiang He left, Jiang Chu Bi went to the restaurant with Xing Zheng. However, during the meal, only Jiang Chu Bi was eating. Xing Zheng remained sullen, exuding an aura of coldness. If Jiang Chu Bi hadn’t had strong psychological resilience, she might have been too intimidated by the man’s intense pressure to eat. Yet, Jiang Chu Bi managed to talk to him, “Are you alright?”
“Eat and go back by yourself.” With that, he stood up and left. It was not difficult to guess what he intended to do. Jiang Chu Bi had a headache. What kind of spell had Lin Mei cast on him…
The team’s celebration was a barbecue. The team members were unpretentious, and the gathering featured down-to-earth snacks. Among the group of spirited young men, Lin Mei was the only woman and Xu Ying’s girlfriend. Everyone affectionately called her “Sister-in-law,” and Lin Mei had grown accustomed to the title.
After the gathering, Lin Mei and Xu Ying parted ways and took a taxi back to the hotel. After relaxing, she picked up her thoughts, which had been interrupted during the race. Xing Zheng had used the race as an excuse to investigate the people at the sanatorium. Wouldn’t his sudden appearance arouse suspicion from Zhao Jiang He?
The more she thought about it, the more her head ached.
Lin Mei rubbed her temples and approached her hotel room door. She took out her room card and had just swiped it open when a tall figure suddenly appeared beside her.
Her body was enveloped by his, his powerful aura and familiar scent allowing her to quickly identify him even without looking up.
“Is something wrong?” Lin Mei tilted her head up and saw his angry face, but she felt no fear.
Today, she was at the venue to cheer for Xu Ying, to allay Zhao Jiang He’s suspicions, and even more so, to put on a show for him. His emotions were stirred, and she felt happy.
As she reveled in her triumph, the man suddenly grabbed her wrist and, like a robber, dragged her into the room.
He kicked the door shut, lifted her, and threw her onto the bed. His solid body pressed down on her. “Where’s your boyfriend? Didn’t you say you were celebrating with him tonight, hmm?”