Weixin messages were sent out. Lin Mei sat at her workstation, nervously awaiting a reply. Normally, when communicating with clients, she wasn't this apprehensive. Fortunately, Zhao Jianghe replied quickly, saying: "No problem, see you tonight?"
His words meant he was free that evening. Lin Mei booked a restaurant and sent him the address. With that matter settled, someone arrived at Lin Mei's office. She put down her phone and saw it was Lu Qi.
Lu Qi placed a coffee on Lin Mei's desk and didn't leave, staring at her intently for a long time. Lin Mei asked him helplessly, "What are you looking at?"
Lu Qi: "What happened to you before?"
"I had a fender bender while driving and got a bit injured, so I rested for a few days," Lin Mei took out the coffee. "Thank you, I'll transfer the money to you on WeChat later."
Lu Qi was almost amused to the point of laughter. "You're being so calculative even over a cup of coffee?"
Lin Mei: "Even good friends should keep their accounts clear."
Lu Qi: "Then buy me a more expensive one tomorrow."
She had an appointment with Zhao Jianghe for dinner that evening. Lin Mei got off work on time and drove to the appointed restaurant. She was hosting this time and arrived twenty minutes early. Shortly after, Zhao Jianghe arrived punctually, and they ordered their meal together.
Zhao Jianghe was as amiable as ever, polite and composed. Although Lin Mei hadn't planned to formally date him, she had a very good impression of him. Zhao Jianghe绅士ly poured water for Lin Mei. "I didn't expect you to ask me out."
Lin Mei thought to herself, "I didn't expect it either." "Q4 has started recently, and I'm under a lot of pressure to meet year-end targets. You mentioned last time that your company's commercial district project needed a loan; have you found a partner bank yet?"
Zhao Jianghe: "Still looking, but since you need help, why wouldn't I assist?"
Zhao Jianghe agreed so readily, which was far beyond Lin Mei's expectations. However, it was true that her loan targets hadn't been met. Since Zhao Jianghe was willing to cooperate, she saw no reason to refuse.
When discussing work, Lin Mei spoke more than usual. She professionally explained the process and interest calculations to Zhao Jianghe and recommended the optimal timeline. Zhao Jianghe listened attentively, his expression showing approval.
"People often say that a man who works hard is the most handsome. I, however, believe that a woman who works hard is the most beautiful," Zhao Jianghe told Lin Mei. "You look even more beautiful when you're focused."
"Thank you." As Lin Mei finished speaking, the waiter arrived with the dishes. During the meal, they no longer discussed such formal and serious topics. Zhao Jianghe inquired about Lin Mei's collaboration with Shuang Mu. He seemed very interested in Xing Zheng's company, but his questions did not involve company secrets or privacy, so Lin Mei answered casually.
"Ah Zheng had a talent for business since he was young. His brother often praised him when he was still around," Zhao Jianghe's admiration for Xing Zheng was evident. "He developed Shuang Mu to this scale through his own capabilities; it's a miracle in the financial circle."
The statement that Xing Zheng was a miracle in the financial circle was something Lin Mei had heard many times before. Not only was it said within Shuang Mu, but it was also discussed in Lan Lan and Feng Feng's circles. Shuang Mu had been gaining significant momentum since its return to China, attracting many watchful eyes. Zhao Jianghe said, "Did you also secure the cooperation with Shuang Mu? That's very impressive."
"It wasn't me," Lin Mei denied. "It was our bank president who secured it. The business just happened to be assigned to my department."
Zhao Jianghe: "I see. But your bank president willing to assign it to you also proves your capability. Are many of your colleagues envious of you?"
Lin Mei smiled, saying nothing. Zhao Jianghe continued, "When a tree grows tall, it attracts the wind. Don't mind those people. Many are also trying to target Ah Zheng behind his back now that he's back."
Targeting Xing Zheng behind his back? Lin Mei frowned upon hearing this. "Many people?"
Zhao Jianghe: "Yes, many. His abilities are too outstanding."
If what Zhao Jianghe said was true, and Xing Zheng was so outstanding, why didn't his parents like him? Don't parents usually like capable children?
"It's probably a genetic advantage," Lin Mei casually remarked.
Zhao Jianghe became serious. "That's really not the case. His brother wasn't good at business; the two brothers were too different in that regard."
Lin Mei: "Oh?"
Zhao Jianghe: "His brother loved reading, loved romance. If he had lived in ancient times, he probably would have been a great literary scholar."
Zhao Jianghe's description inevitably made Lin Mei think of Ming Zhe, who loved reading and literature...
"How did he... have the accident?" Lin Mei blurted out the question she most wanted to ask today.
It wasn't abrupt to ask now, and Zhao Jianghe didn't suspect anything. However, when mentioning his deceased good friend, he still showed a hint of sadness. "He died in a car accident. Ah Zheng and their cousin were also in the car at the time. Neither of them could be saved."
Lin Mei's heart began to race, her mouth dry. She drank half a glass of water, but it still couldn't calm her pounding heart...
Zhao Jianghe said Xing Zheng's brother died in a car accident. There couldn't be so many coincidences in this world...
Was Ming Zhe's brother all those years ago truly Xing Zheng?
Because she learned this, Lin Mei was distracted for a long time afterward. Sometimes she couldn't even hear what Zhao Jianghe was saying, responding only by instinct.
After dinner, Lin Mei confirmed the business processing time with Zhao Jianghe and drove home. On the way, she couldn't stop thinking about it. Even after confirming his identity, Lin Mei still couldn't understand why Xing Zheng had been thinking about her for so many years.
Although the details of past memories were not very clear, things like whether or not she had spoken to someone were not easily mistaken. She had no communication with Xing Zheng back then, and he should have only seen her a few times...
Or was she suffering from amnesia and had forgotten something important?
Lin Mei called Xiao Yue on the way. After inquiring about the family situation, she chatted with Xiao Yue about childhood matters. "Mom, do you remember when you went to Grandma Xu's house to tutor her two grandsons?"
Xiao Yue: "How could I forget? Ming Zhe was such an outstanding child, alas... Heaven envied the talented."
When it came to tutoring, Xiao Yue could only think of Ming Zhe. The thought of such an excellent child dying in a car accident made her feel regretful.
Lin Mei: "Do you remember the other one?"
"You mean the younger one... I barely remember his name!" Xiao Yue racked her brain to recall. "That child hardly spoke a few words. He was introverted, not as easy to get along with as Ming Zhe. He didn't listen much when I tutored him, but his grades were exceptionally good. Later, he even got into the experimental class at your middle school."
Not speaking, introverted – these two points matched the information Lan Lan had gathered. Lin Mei said to Xiao Yue, "Mom, next time you see Grandma Xu, can you help me ask for her grandson's name?"
After finishing the call with Xiao Yue, the car had stopped downstairs at the apartment building. After a long day, Lin Mei was exhausted. She rubbed her forehead and got out of the car. As soon as she closed the car door, she saw Li Min and Chen Dong waiting for her.
They also saw Lin Mei. Li Min walked up, took Lin Mei's wrist, and said, "Lin Mei, please let Chen Jing go!"