Lin Mei tore open the dog food, smelling a fragrance like a small snack. Dog food nowadays was increasingly fragrant; one wouldn't suspect it wasn't meant for humans. Just then, Xing Zheng happened to stop the car at a red light and looked over at Lin Mei. "Not feeding me?"
"Afraid you wouldn't dare to eat it." Who in this day and age would be so bored as to eat dog food? He was either mentally unwell or deliberately teasing her. Lin Mei figured it was the latter, confident she wouldn't feed him, hence his brazenness.
Unexpectedly, he said, "If you dare to feed me, I dare to eat."
Though it was a challenge, it was indeed effective for Lin Mei. She grabbed a small handful of dog food and, without a word, brought it to his lips. The man curved into a smile. She urged him, "Didn't you say you'd eat if I fed you? Not daring anymore?"
Before she finished speaking, he actually ate the dog food from her hand. What's more, he even imitated a dog, licking her palm with his tongue, as if still wanting more. Lin Mei felt as if she'd been electrocuted and quickly withdrew her hand.
The light turned green just then. The man in the driver's seat started the car again and then began to chew the dog food. Lin Mei heard the sound, her gaze growing increasingly incredulous. Had he truly lost his mind, or had a new illness afflicted him, some kind of pica?
Judging by his expression, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. They had eaten together countless times before; at least, she had never seen him display such an expression of enjoyment while eating anything. "I really can't tell you have a penchant for eating dog food."
Lin Mei said sarcastically, but he seemed oblivious. He swallowed the dog food in his mouth and said to her, "Give me some more."
Crazy! Lin Mei grabbed a small handful and shoved it roughly into his mouth. "Stuff yourself to death!"
He was in an unusually good mood today. Even after being treated roughly, he still smiled. It was probably because the dog food was too delicious. Seeing him eat so heartily, and sniffing the scent of the dog food, Lin Mei even felt a flicker of temptation. Was it really that tasty?
Judging by Xing Zheng's demeanor, this wasn't his first time. Lin Mei grew more curious. What exactly had he been doing during the more than a year she had been back in New York?
She fed the man beside her like one would feed a dog all the way to the airport. Upon arriving, he actually got out of the car with her and followed her to the arrivals hall. Lin Mei frowned in displeasure and urged him, "You can go now."
He remained unmoved. The airport was a public place, and Lin Mei couldn't make a scene with him, so she chose to ignore him. Soon, Xu Ying emerged. After he greeted Lin Mei, he noticed Xing Zheng beside her. The smile on his face instantly froze, and his gaze towards Lin Mei shifted to one of concern.
Lin Mei understood his meaning and explained, "He didn't do anything to me. Don't mind him."
While Lin Mei was telling Xu Ying not to mind Xing Zheng, Xing Zheng walked over and spoke to Xu Ying, "It seems Mr. Xu hasn't been very strict with his management recently."
"Without those instigating voices, his energy naturally wouldn't be focused on me." Although Xu Ying was good-natured, it didn't mean he was tolerant of everyone, especially Xing Zheng, the culprit who caused him and Lin Mei to break up. "Mr. Xing has finally returned to the country. Instead of being affectionate with his wife, why is he bothering irrelevant people?"
Xu Ying brought up Jiang Chu Bi. In the past year and more, he hadn't heard any rumors of Xing Zheng and Jiang Chu Bi separating. They must still be married. If he was bothering Lin Mei like this, what about her?
Jiang Chu Bi had always been a thorn in Lin Mei's side. She hadn't expected that a question she had never raised would be brought up by Xu Ying like this, and she found herself anticipating Xing Zheng's reply.
However, he merely said, "You care so much about other people's affairs. It seems your work isn't busy enough."
Lin Mei felt self-mockery. Indeed, what was she expecting? Someone like him would never explain himself to others. Perhaps he simply enjoyed Jiang Chu Bi's "devotion" to him!
Lin Mei grabbed Xu Ying's arm. "No need to waste words with him. Let's go."
Xing Zheng's deep, dark eyes rippled with a dangerous glint, finally settling on the hand that held Xu Ying's wrist. "Have you started the car?" His tone was smoother than she expected; even he hadn't anticipated it.
Both Lin Mei and Xu Ying looked confused. Xu Ying chuckled playfully, "Not yet. Are you interested in being the driver?"
"Let's go." He replied with just two words.
Xu Ying looked suspicious. Was he really going to be the driver?
Lin Mei was also puzzled. What was wrong with Xing Zheng today? He had been acting strangely since morning. Had he eaten too much dog food, causing his intellect to degenerate? Lin Mei and Xu Ying got into Xing Zheng's car, sitting in the back.
Xing Zheng didn't say anything. Lin Mei told him the name of the restaurant, and Xing Zheng said "Oh," and truly took on the role of their driver. This was completely contrary to his usual demeanor. Xu Ying raised his eyebrows at Lin Mei, as if asking why Xing Zheng was driving them. Lin Mei shook her head; how could she possibly know?
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Xing Zheng followed them inside. Just as Lin Mei was about to dismiss him, he seemed to guess her intention and said, "I was a driver all morning. It's not too much to ask for a meal, is it?"
Lin Mei: "..."
Not to mention Lin Mei, even someone like Xu Ying, who wasn't familiar with Xing Zheng, felt that these words didn't sound like they came from him. Compared to before, he seemed to have changed a lot.
The outcome was that they ended up sitting down to eat together. Xu Ying had intended to sit with Lin Mei, but Xing Zheng preempted him. It wasn't appropriate to cause a scene in the restaurant, so the three of them sat down in this arrangement.
During the meal, Xing Zheng's phone rang. Lin Mei didn't want to look, but the phone happened to be placed on her left side. As soon as she lowered her head, she saw the words "Jiang Chu Bi" on the screen. Her heart sank to the bottom.
Seeing the call, Xing Zheng picked up his phone and went to the restroom. Lin Mei inwardly mocked herself. What was she thinking? Did she expect Xing Zheng to not answer Jiang Chu Bi's call for her? Hadn't such things happened often before? She must truly have forgotten the pain after the wound had healed.
Xu Ying, of course, could see Lin Mei's disappointment. He didn't bring up the topic, but instead refilled her drink, and they chatted about other things.
A few minutes later, Xing Zheng returned, but he didn't sit down again. "I have something to attend to, I'm leaving now." He left in a hurry without explaining what the matter was.
Lin Mei curled her lips in a sneer. What else could it be? He took Jiang Chu Bi's call and left; the implication was clear enough!
Half an hour later, Xing Zheng arrived at the hotel and met Jiang Chu Bi. Jiang Chu Bi handed him a bottle of water. Xing Zheng was not in the mood to drink it. He was in a hurry and questioned Jiang Chu Bi, "Where did you see Zhao Rong?"
"The airport, but I'm not sure if it was him." Jiang Chu Bi told Xing Zheng the truth. "I only saw his profile; it was very similar. I didn't have time to take a photo."
Xing Zheng's expression was very serious. Jiang Chu Bi knew the reason; the connection between Xie Qin Jia and Zhao Rong remained an unsolved mystery to this day.