Yes, those photos, why were they all in Xing Zheng's hands?
Previously, Lin Mei's attention was scattered by the report, and all her focus was on proving her innocence and retaliating against Chen Qi. When Xing Zheng said he could provide photos for her, she just felt he was helping her out of a difficult situation and didn't think there was anything suspicious about it. But now, after Feng Feng's hint, Lin Mei immediately realized that this matter was full of doubts.
The photos of Xing Zheng with those women spanned a considerable period. The earliest was from their second year together, which also matched the other photos…
Lin Mei's expression grew more serious. At this moment, Lan Lan had also processed Feng Feng's words: "This is truly terrifying to think about. Could Xing Zheng have been targeting you for a long time?"
"But if he was targeting you, why didn't he pursue you?" Lan Lan couldn't understand Xing Zheng's logic. Given his personality, even if Lin Mei had truly been with Chen Qi at the time, he should have forcefully taken her. He didn't seem like someone who would restrain himself in this regard.
Lin Mei didn't want to narcissistically infer that Xing Zheng did this because he liked her, but she couldn't think of any plausible reason for now.
At this moment, Feng Feng asked Lin Mei again, "Did Ming Zhou say when he went to Penn?"
"Right after the start of our sophomore year," Lin Mei repeated Ming Zhou's words. "He said his family had some changes and he was arranged to go there."
"I suspect his departure that year was related to his illness," Feng Feng boldly stated her deduction. Lin Mei and Lan Lan were not outsiders, and the three of them could make all sorts of deductions that others might find exaggerated.
Lin Mei's eyelids twitched again. When it came to deduction and analysis, Feng Feng had always been the most reliable among the three. Her thinking was meticulous, and she could always connect various details. "The last time Xing Zheng had an accident and went to the hospital, I overheard Shen Su and that doctor talking. His illness should have been there for many years. Zhou Yue's teacher happens to be in the United States. I guess he might have been forcibly sent to the US for treatment by his family back then."
As for why Ming Zhou didn't know about this, it was probably because Ming Zhou's relationship with Xing Zheng wasn't that close, and Xing Zheng didn't want others to know too much about his condition. This could be seen from Shen Su's attitude.
With Feng Feng's analysis, Lin Mei and Lan Lan both felt it made a lot of sense. Lin Mei nodded slightly, lost in thought. Lan Lan asked curiously, "What illness does Xing Zheng have? Do you know?"
This question was naturally for Lin Mei. Among the three of them, Lin Mei had the most frequent contact with Xing Zheng. However, Lin Mei couldn't answer it. "I don't know yet, but I saw a lot of medicine in his drawer before. I checked, and it's for treating Type I Bipolar Disorder, a beta-blocker."
Feng Feng also added, "The doctor he saw at the hospital last time specializes in bipolar disorder, among other things."
The three of them had some understanding of mental illnesses. Working in high-pressure industries for years, people around them often had some psychological problems, but few were actually diagnosed.
After hearing this, Lan Lan sighed and said, "Why would Xing Zheng get this kind of illness? I heard it's mostly genetic. Could it be his parents…"
"We can't confirm yet that he has bipolar disorder," Feng Feng analyzed rationally. "But it's certain that he has problems in this area. Apart from people close to him, we don't know the reason."
Lan Lan asked Lin Mei again, "Has he ever mentioned his parents to you?"
Lin Mei shook her head. During her time with Xing Zheng, he never mentioned anything about his family. It seemed there were no introductions about his background from the outside world either, except that he was Jiang Chu Bi's fiancé.
"If he can be engaged to Jiang Chu Bi, his family background must be quite good. I have a client who is quite close to the Jiang family. Wait for me, I'll inquire for you." Lan Lan was decisive and immediately picked up her phone to scroll through her contacts. Then she saw another name: "Holy crap, I still have Liang Yu Feng's WeChat. I'll go ask him first."
Liang Yu Feng was a boyfriend Lan Lan had dated in college. They were in the same year and studied in the School of Management. They hadn't been in touch for years after breaking up. Lan Lan didn't even know what Liang Yu Feng was up to now. Lan Lan's message to Liang Yu Feng received no reply. She put down her phone and then said to Feng Feng, "Next time, can you try to get some information from Shen Su?"
Feng Feng nodded. She had intended to do so, but Shen Su was very guarded, and it might not be possible to get any valuable information.
—
It was not busy on the weekend, so Lin Mei slept in. After getting up, she drove to the hospital. Carrying fresh fruit, she arrived at the ward door and heard pleasant conversation coming from inside. Was someone visiting Lin Zheng De?
Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue had simple social circles. The two of them had spent most of their lives in their hometown, Xiangxi, so they shouldn't have friends in Nanjiang.
Lin Mei pushed the door open with curiosity and was surprised to see Xu Shang and Xie Jun Yao sitting on the sofa. Weren't these the grandmother and grandfather who used to be neighbors? How did they also come to Nanjiang?
"Grandma Xu, Grandpa," Lin Mei greeted them, surprised. "How come you are also in Nanjiang? Are you here for a trip?"
Xu Shang sized up Lin Mei. "We came for my great-grandson's birthday and stayed for a few days. The old man saw your mother's WeChat moments and found out your father had surgery."
"Thank you so much. I bought some peaches. I'll go wash a couple." Lin Mei took the fruit to the bathroom. Xu Shang watched her back and praised Lin Mei generously. "After so many years, Hua Mei has become even more beautiful. Her work is also so outstanding, and her personality is good. Whoever becomes her boyfriend will be blessed."
Xie Jun Yao also asked, "Does Hua Mei have a boyfriend now?"
Lin Zheng De automatically ignored Chen Qi. "Not yet. She's not old either. Finding a partner and getting married should happen naturally. People are treacherous these days, so she should take her time and not rush."
Xiao Yue nodded in agreement.
Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue had originally hoped that Lin Mei would settle down and get married sooner and had often urged her to do so. But after the incident with Chen Qi, they had come to understand a lot. Rather than rushing to find an unreliable scumbag, it was better to take it slow. Marriage was not something to be rushed.
Xu Shang said, "That's true, she should be looking. My little grandson, who is the same age as Hua Mei, has been engaged for several years."
The "little grandson" Xu Shang was referring to was Xing Zheng, but no one present knew this.
Speaking of this, Xiao Yue also said, "I remember both grandsons were quite outstanding. Hua Mei was asking about them not long ago. She always liked to follow the eldest around when she was little. The eldest should be married and starting a family by now, right?"
When Lin Mei came out after washing the fruit, she happened to hear Xiao Yue asking this question. She placed the fruit on the table and was also very interested in the current situation of the person she had a vague crush on in memory.