It was no surprise; it was his usual style. He knew best how to play with people's hearts, especially hers… In these games, when had she ever won against him?
Lan Lan was right; getting close to him meant getting close to misfortune. Why was she bothering herself like this?
Not long after, Xu Ying's call also came, asking about the news, of course. Upon hearing Lin Mei suspecting Xing Zheng, Xu Ying hesitated. Recalling Xing Zheng's unusual patience that day, it seemed something was amiss. "Could it be a misunderstanding?"
If he were so inconsiderate, he wouldn't have been so "accommodating" to Lin Mei. Although Xu Ying disliked Xing Zheng, he wouldn't slander him. "Your attitude that day… was quite good."
"That's because he wants to use me," Lin Mei said with self-deprecation. She told him about Xing Zheng bringing a woman back from New York. Xu Ying's brows furrowed as he listened. If Lin Mei's guess was true, then Xing Zheng was too shameless!
"I'll contact the media first to have the news removed." The immediate priority was to get Lin Mei out of the public eye. Just as Xu Ying was about to contact the media, Lin Mei stopped him. "Mr. Xiao has already sent someone to have it removed. You don't need to bother."
Xu Ying: "Mr. Xiao? Who is that?"
"The boss I'm collaborating with in Kyoto," Lin Mei explained. Upon hearing this, Xu Ying felt that this Mr. Xiao had ulterior motives. It wasn't malicious speculation; he had simply seen too much of the give-and-take among people in the industry. Since Mr. Xiao was also in the business world, he must be well-versed in such matters. If he didn't have other intentions towards Lin Mei, he wouldn't go to such lengths to help her.
With this thought, Xu Ying reminded Lin Mei. Lin Mei hadn't considered this angle. "He's helping me because I helped him look after his daughter."
After more than half an hour, the rumors on the media about Lin Mei "breaking up" the fairy-tale couple Xing Zheng and Jiang Chu Bi quickly disappeared. Related discussions also ceased to exist. Even if someone posted, even with keywords or abbreviations, it would be dealt with.
What remained was only the news of Jiang Chu Bi announcing her divorce. The related discussion threads were also managed. At least, within Lin Mei's line of sight, she no longer saw any mudslinging directed at her.
In just an hour, to handle this matter so efficiently, Xiao Shu must have overcome many obstacles. Lin Mei called Xiao Shu to thank him. Xiao Shu simply told her to rest well and did not seek credit.
At this moment, in the hotel, Jiang Chu Bi's heart raced under the man's sinister expression. "I really didn't expect anyone would make a fuss about this matter."
Although Xing Zheng did not speak, his expression was filled with disbelief. Jiang Chu Bi, tired of explaining, said, "I don't like her, but what benefit would I gain by offending you like this? Do you think I'm so foolish as to scheme against her, knowing she's someone he cherishes?"
In the past, she had indeed schemed against Lin Mei. After Xing Zheng's warning, she no longer had such thoughts. Her dislike for Lin Mei was limited to a few sarcastic remarks after meeting, and she wouldn't dare to push her into the vortex of public opinion so brazenly!
If Xing Zheng were to become ruthless, he wouldn't show any past affection!
"The news has already been suppressed by you, and I've also sent someone to investigate who did it," Jiang Chu Bi reminded Xing Zheng. "Instead of questioning me, you should be figuring out who wants to sow discord between you and her. Perhaps someone wants to pursue her and thought of this method to make you break ties."
Xing Zheng still remained silent, but he was no longer questioning Jiang Chu Bi with killing intent as before. Jiang Chu Bi knew he had taken her words to heart and felt temporarily relieved. However, she was also very curious as to who had framed her so severely!
She did dislike Lin Mei, and she didn't like her seemingly pure yet actually promiscuous demeanor. However, Xing Zheng had warned her multiple times about Lin Mei before, so even if she hated her, she wouldn't repeat the same mistake and use the same methods against her. Moreover, what benefit would she gain from dealing with Lin Mei? Xing Yan wouldn't come back anyway.
What was the purpose of the people behind these schemes? Was it to make Lin Mei believe that Xing Zheng was responsible and turn her against him, or was it to test Lin Mei's position in Xing Zheng's heart?
After much thought, Jiang Chu Bi could not come up with a third reason. Based on her understanding of Lin Mei, it was more likely the former, as she had always been good at seducing men.
Jiang Chu Bi offered Xing Zheng, who was deep in thought, some ideas. "Has there been any man close to her recently?"
This reminder truly made Xing Zheng think. He had been suspecting Xiao Shu just then. Xing Zheng told Shen Su and Gu Song about the matter and asked them to investigate Xiao Shu further. After he sent the message, Jiang Chu Bi asked, "Do you need my help?"
Xing Zheng glanced at her and warned, "Don't appear before her again. Keep your mouth shut."
"I don't particularly want to see her either," Jiang Chu Bi said. "A Yan won't come back. What's the point of making things difficult for her? I don't like her, it's just jealousy. But I'm not so bored as to harm her."
Jiang Chu Bi was very candid. She had never hidden her jealousy of Lin Mei from Xing Zheng, just as Xing Zheng had never hidden his jealousy of Xing Yan. The fact that the two of them had cooperated for so long indicated many similarities.
In the Bulgari Hotel in the heart of Kyoto, Xiao Shu sat with a middle-aged man. They were smoking, and Xiao Shu smiled as he saw the negative news about Lin Mei disappear one by one.
He smoked and said to the middle-aged man beside him, "The news is gone so quickly."
"Now you believe me, don't you?" The man also lit a cigarette, his dark eyes flashing with calculation. "As long as this woman is taken down, dealing with him will be easy."
"We can't make a move yet; she doesn't trust me," Xiao Shu said to him. "When I tell you to act, then you act."
"You can leave Kyoto now. Don't go back to Nanjiang, to avoid suspicion," Xiao Shu instructed the middle-aged man. He cooperated, nodding and smiling. "I've waited so many years; I don't mind a few more months. Cheers to our collaboration."
Xiao Shu extended his hand and shook the man's. "Cheers to our collaboration."
Xiao Shu got out of the hotel, got into his car, lit a cigarette, and held it between his fingers without smoking. He thought of that woman again. He loved her deeply, but she had never even glanced at him. Even after having a child with him, she insisted on leaving, all because her heart belonged to another…
Xiao Shu's eyes reddened, and he snapped the burning cigarette in his hand.
The next day, Lin Mei looked at the number Shen Su had given her and, after hesitating for a long time, finally dialed it.
Soon, she heard that familiar voice, "Why did you think of calling me?" His tone was casual, as if nothing had happened.
Lin Mei laughed and asked sarcastically, "Don't you know what you've done?"
"What did I do? Tell me," he acted as if he genuinely didn't know.
Lin Mei was annoyed. "You divorced Jiang Chu Bi, so divorce. Why did you drag me into it? If you want to protect someone else, do you have to use me as a shield?"