Xing Zheng’s expression also turned grim, matching Director Xu’s. Stirred by the scene, Xing Zheng didn’t ponder the reason for Director Xu’s sudden change in demeanor until Director Xu said, "Director Xing, let’s postpone our cooperation discussion until tomorrow. I’ve just spotted my good-for-nothing son."
Good-for-nothing son?
Director Xu had just been looking towards Lin Mei and Xu Ying. Xu… the son he described as addicted to racing and good-for-nothing, was actually Xu Ying?
Xing Zheng had previously checked Xu Ying’s profile, but hadn’t delved deep into his background. A regular university student at Nanjiang University wasn’t worth investigating. Who would have thought Xu Ying was the young master of Yong’an Energy?
Director Xu had also mentioned earlier that he and his wife had only this one son. No wonder Xu Ying had shown no fear in front of him before; he had such a family background!
"Is that your son?" Xing Zheng pointed at Xu Ying and asked Director Xu.
"Yes. Do you know each other?" Xing Zheng’s tone suggested he was acquainted with Xu Ying.
Xing Zheng chuckled and said to Director Xu, "We know each other, but we’re not very familiar."
"You met at the competition?"
Director Xu had a guess, but Xing Zheng denied it. "Not really. I met him through his girlfriend, the one beside him now."
He chatted casually with Director Xu, saying, "She and I had some gossip surrounding us before. Not long after I got married, they started dating. I didn’t expect Xu Ying to be your son."
Director Xu’s expression grew heavier. Wasn’t the gossip surrounding Xing Zheng previously about a female bank employee persistently pursuing him?
He didn’t pay attention to gossip, but at that time, the financial news was filled with such reports, making it impossible for him to avoid them. "Was it the one from the bank?"
Xing Zheng nodded and smiled, "It seems Director Xu is quite concerned about me."
After finishing his conversation with Xing Zheng, Director Xu went to find Xu Ying. Xing Zheng followed closely behind.
After Xu Ying fed Lin Mei a few bites of food, she decided to reciprocate. The moment she picked up her chopsticks, she heard a powerful voice, "Xu Ying!"
Lin Mei froze, her movement halted. She looked up and saw a stern-faced middle-aged man standing opposite them. Judging by his attire and aura, his status was clearly unusual. The fact that Xing Zheng was accompanying him further solidified this. But how did he know Xu Ying?
Before Lin Mei could ponder, Xu Ying beside her spoke to the man, "Why are you here?"
There was no greeting, no salutation, only an impatient question. It was evident that Xu Ying and the middle-aged man did not have a good relationship.
Lin Mei looked at the man’s face again. She hadn’t had a chance to observe his features carefully before. This time, upon closer inspection, she realized his features were strikingly similar to Xu Ying’s. However, Xu Ying had a sunny disposition and was younger, so he didn't exude such a strong sense of pressure.
So, he and Xu Ying…
"Is this how a son should speak to his father? You are my son, and I need to report to you when I come to find you? I think you’ve become too accustomed to indulging yourself outside these past few years and have forgotten the rules of the house!"
The middle-aged man's stern and impassioned speech confirmed Lin Mei’s earlier speculation. He and Xu Ying were indeed father and son.
Since he could dine with Xing Zheng, his background must not be simple. However, last time, after Lin Mei was reminded by Lan Lan and Feng Feng, she had asked Xu Ying about his family situation. Xu Ying had only said that his family was ordinary, and his parents were working-class. Now it seemed Xu Ying had concealed the truth from her that day.
As Xu Heli spoke, Xu Ying looked at Lin Mei. "I'm sorry, I'll explain this to you when we get back. Let's go back first." With that, he took Lin Mei's hand and prepared to leave with her.
Xu Heli hadn't seen Xu Ying for a long time. Their last meeting had ended unpleasantly. He and his wife had been worried about their son for a long time. Now that they had met, their son wanted to avoid him. Xu Heli was displeased. "If you leave today, I'll make sure you can never participate in competitions again." It was a naked threat, delivered in a calm tone, yet it carried an imposing authority.
Xu Ying looked at him. "Here we go again. Haven't you had enough of this?" He scoffed, revealing a rare rebellious and unrestrained side. He tightened his grip on Lin Mei's wrist, intending to pull her away.
These few minutes of interaction had led Lin Mei to one conclusion: Xu Ying's relationship with his father was very tense. However, she knew how important the competition was to Xu Ying. It would be a loss if he acted impulsively and caused trouble.
Therefore, Lin Mei moved closer to Xu Ying and whispered, "I'm not angry with you. Talk to your dad properly first. I won't disturb your father-son chat. We can talk on WeChat later."
As they spoke in hushed tones, Xing Zheng saw how close Lin Mei and Xu Ying were. He tugged at his tie, his knuckles tightening slightly.
Lin Mei's persuasion had worked. Xu Ying decided to stay and talk with Xu Heli. Lin Mei, having accomplished her mission, was about to leave. Out of politeness, she nodded to Xu Heli before departing. Xu Heli said to her, "Thank you. My unpromising son needs an outsider to persuade him to speak to his father."
Lin Mei smiled and left. Xu Heli's words made her feel slightly uncomfortable. The Chinese language was profound, and she understood the implied meaning. By calling her an outsider, Xu Heli was telling her that he did not approve of her relationship with Xu Ying.
Since he knew Xing Zheng, he had likely seen the previous news. His comment was understandable. Lin Mei walked out of the restaurant, feeling a heaviness in her chest. She took deep breaths, and after several breaths, the suffocating feeling in her chest finally eased.
Just as she was about to leave, someone grabbed her shoulder from behind. The familiar strength, the familiar scent – even without turning around, she knew who it was. She tried to pull away, but the grip tightened.
Lin Mei was already feeling down, and after a few struggles, she lost her patience. "Let go of me."
"You're willing to talk now?" The man’s voice was laced with amusement as his strong hand left her shoulder.
Lin Mei tried to walk forward, but he strode around her, blocking her path completely. "I thought you had lost your voice. You don't even greet people when you see them."
Lin Mei immediately understood he was bringing up old grievances. She had seen him in the underground parking elevator earlier and hadn't spoken to him, instead drinking milk tea and walking away with Xu Ying. "I was going to Shuangmu to settle up. My job description doesn't include greeting you."
"Oh, it doesn't?" He recited her job responsibilities and regulations from somewhere, then asked her with a smile, "How are Nanjiang Bank's business managers typically handled if they are reported by a client?"
Lin Mei frowned, catching the implication in his words. "What do you want?"
She deeply regretted not returning the voice recorder to Jiang Chubì so easily today. It was true that the kind were often bullied.
The man in front of her suddenly leaned down, approaching her, their lips almost touching.
Lin Mei flinched back in panic, only to hear him say, "It's simple. Greet me immediately."