"Yes, and he admired you greatly." His tone was very serious. "What happened next? I want to hear more."
Since she wanted to hear, Xu Ying told her. When he tutored university students back then, many people looked down on him, thinking he was just a kid and couldn't possibly be good at calculus. But after he finished five calculus problems in ten minutes, things changed.
It was the university's final exam period. He spent half a month tutoring university students every day and earned over twenty-six thousand yuan. Although Xu Ying had run away from home, his every move was still under Xu Helu's control.
Xu Helu later tried to talk to Xu Ying, wanting to persuade him to study in America. Xu Ying refused again. He enrolled in a very ordinary high school, paid his own tuition, and got into Nanjiang University. He chose Nanjiang because there were more racing competitions there.
After listening, Lin Mei couldn't help but feel regret. A genius mind like Xu Ying could have succeeded in business or academia, but he chose racing. It was no wonder Xu Helu was so angry.
Yesterday's meeting was interrupted by Xu Ying. Xu Helu personally called Xing Zheng, and they arranged to meet on Friday evening. Xu Helu poured Xing Zheng a drink and said, "You saw a joke last night. My unpromising son never gives me a moment's peace."
Xing Zheng smiled faintly and said, "It's alright. How did the conversation go?"
"He's disobedient, completely infatuated!" Xu Helu said. "I won't indulge his nonsense this time. If he doesn't break up, I have plenty of ways."
Xing Zheng knew very well that Xu Helu couldn't do anything to Xu Ying. The "ways" he mentioned were definitely aimed at Lin Mei, either by coercion or temptation. Given Xu Helu's influence in the country, if he were to deal with Lin Mei, she would not only lose her job at the bank but also likely find it difficult to get any decent job afterward.
Xu Ying would surely not bear to see Lin Mei in such a state. In that case, he would definitely compromise, not only breaking up with Lin Mei but possibly giving up racing and returning to inherit the family business.
Xu Helu must have been holding back for many years. Now that he had finally found Xu Ying's weakness, he intended to settle old and new scores.
Xing Zheng said to Xu Helu, "Director Xu is like the Buddha, no matter how much his son messes around, he can't escape your palm."
"I've indulged him too much over the years, and he's become increasingly unrestrained," Xu Helu said with dissatisfaction. "To find a girlfriend with such a ruined reputation, he's foolish!"
From Xu Helu's words, one could feel his dissatisfaction with Lin Mei. Xing Zheng hesitated for a moment and then smiled, "Manager Lin is quite beautiful. Everyone appreciates beauty."
Xu Helu disdained this. "There are plenty of beautiful women. He's just too naive and was deceived by appearances. You, on the other hand, weren't deceived by someone like that. If he had a third of your sense, I wouldn't be this angry!"
Xing Zheng just smiled and said nothing. It was almost impossible for Xu Helu to change his opinion of Lin Mei. As long as Xu Helu did not agree, Xu Ying could not continue with Lin Mei. "He's still young; he'll be fine in a couple of years."
"I really regret it now. If I had been firmer back then, he wouldn't have become so unrestrained," Xu Helu said, drinking. "I called you out today because there's something I need your help with."
Xing Zheng: "What is it?"
"Find out about that Lin Mei's information. I had someone look into it last night, and all I found was information about her working at the bank," Xu Helu said. "I need you to handle the rest."
"It's no trouble. I'll arrange for someone to handle this and send it to you as soon as possible," Xing Zheng readily agreed.
The truth was, after learning about Xu Helu and Xu Ying's relationship last night, he had asked Zhuang Wan to compile a file on Lin Mei. He knew that Xu Helu would definitely investigate Lin Mei.
Xing Zheng sent a message to Zhuang Wan, who cautiously asked, [Mr. Xing, should I include the hospital information as well?]
Xing Zheng pondered for a moment, [Yes.]
Lin Mei's family background, educational background, and work background were all top-tier among ordinary people. In her romantic life, apart from the earlier scandal of being a mistress, there were no other blemishes. If Xu Helu saw Lin Mei's information and considered her merits and demerits to be equal, thus accepting her, then things would be chaotic. Only by letting Xu Helu know that Lin Mei had an indelible "blemish" would he not waver.
After Lin Mei learned about Xu Ying's family background, she told Lan Lan and Feng Feng. The three of them ate fried food in the apartment and discussed Xu Ying's "legendary life." Lan Lan exclaimed, "Last time Mr. Feng mentioned Yong'an Energy, I thought you were kidding, but it actually turned out to be true?"
When Lan Lan went to see Feng Feng, Feng Feng was actually no less surprised than Lan Lan. That day, she had just made a casual guess. Although she had always felt that Xu Ying's family background was extraordinary, she hadn't expected it to be so extraordinary. "What's his current relationship with his family? Are they not in contact?"
"Yes, he hasn't taken a single penny from them since middle school," Lin Mei said, her admiration growing. "He's truly remarkable, not simple at all."
"His life is like a cheat code. He hasn't asked his family for money since graduating from middle school, and now he's in a world-class racing club, winning prize money like it's nothing. This would definitely be the protagonist's setup in a TV drama," Lan Lan admired Xu Ying even more. "It's good that he doesn't rely on his family. That way, his father can't threaten him."
Those who were threatened by their families to break up were mostly economically dependent on their parents and thus had to concede power. Xu Ying did not have this problem, so Lan Lan was very optimistic about Lin Mei and Xu Ying's future.
However, Feng Feng said to Lin Mei, "You need to be careful."
Lin Mei and Lan Lan looked at Feng Feng simultaneously, neither fully understanding her meaning. Feng Feng reminded them, "He can't threaten Xu Ying, but he can threaten you."
Lin Mei and Lan Lan's expressions immediately turned serious. If Feng Feng hadn't mentioned it, they wouldn't have thought of this. Lan Lan said to Lin Mei, "If he threatens you, tell Xu Ying to have a confrontation with him."
"You should have a serious talk with Xu Ying about your future plans," Feng Feng said to Lin Mei. "Xu Helu is a notorious capitalist. Someone like him won't show mercy when dealing with people. I'm afraid your job might be affected. If you still want to be with Xu Ying, have him figure out a solution."
If Xu Ying couldn't resolve this matter, or if Lin Mei was harmed by his family, then there would be no point for them to continue.
Lin Mei had been friends with Feng Feng for many years and naturally understood the deeper meaning behind her words. She decided to have a serious talk with Xu Ying about their future after he returned from his training camp.
However, she didn't expect that before Xu Ying's training camp ended, Xu Helu would find her.
On Monday afternoon, as soon as Lin Mei arrived at the parking lot, she was blocked by several men in black. They were all tall and burly. Lin Mei instinctively retreated, wanting to run away, but she was surrounded.
The man at the front said to her, "Miss Lin, right? Our Director Xu invites you for a cup of tea. Please come with us!"