Lin Mei cursed him as a pervert under her breath. Yet, images unbidden flooded her mind. She found herself wondering if Xing Zheng was as insatiably devoted and tireless with Jiang Chu Bi as he was with her. Would he treat Jiang Chu Bi the same way? As for Jiang Chu Bi, Lin Mei needed no further elaboration; she had witnessed Jiang Chu Bi’s prowess and knew she couldn’t compare.
“Aren’t you curious? Scared now? Don’t want to look anymore?” Seeing Lin Mei’s face change, Xing Zheng intensified his teasing. He hadn’t seen her shy and blushing awkwardness in a long time, and he was in a good mood. He ruffled her hair like one would a rabbit.
Lin Mei’s long hair was almost a bird’s nest. “What are you doing? I’m not a rabbit you’re raising!”
Hearing this, he laughed even more brightly. “Aren’t you?”
“No!” Lin Mei brushed away his hand. “Stop messing with my hair, it’s annoying.”
“Then wear a pair of ears next time.” Xing Zheng looked at the top of her head, deep in thought. “Since Miss Lin has this request, how about I take you out to buy some tomorrow?”
Lin Mei: “If you want to go, you go. I’m not.” The last time in Xiangxi, she had been mortified once already. She didn’t want to be looked at by sales assistants with that kind of gaze again.
The man kneaded her cheeks, chuckling in a low voice. “Are you sure you want me to buy them? I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle what I buy.”
Lin Mei blurted out, “If you applied even half of this enthusiasm to Miss Jiang, she wouldn’t…” She stopped mid-sentence, realizing something was amiss.
Xing Zheng, however, was piqued. “She wouldn’t what?”
From his tone, it seemed he was completely unaware of Jiang Chu Bi’s involvement with Zhao Jiang He. Lin Mei hesitated for a long time before telling him, “I accidentally saw your fiancée with Zhao Jiang He before.”
She had wanted to say “having an affair,” but felt it would hurt his pride too much, so she opted for a more tactful phrasing. However, with his intelligence, he would surely understand.
“Oh, so what?” He didn’t sound surprised. “I told you long ago to stay away from Zhao Jiang He, but you’ve always treated him like a good person.”
Lin Mei quietly retorted, “I’m not in private contact with him anymore.”
Xing Zheng smiled, not taking the bait. Zhao Jiang He was now convinced that Xing Zheng was merely toying with Lin Mei and would no longer waste time on her; what he truly desired was never a woman. “You’d best not contact any other men either. If I find out…”
He leaned closer, his words becoming more audacious. “I have plenty of ways to make you submit.”
His words and actions confirmed his intense interest in her body. His kindness a few days prior was likely to keep her body in good condition, making it easier for him to do as he pleased.
Now, she had no time to ponder matters of the heart. Xing Zheng wouldn’t let her go unless she left Nanjiang. She wasn’t willing to give up her career for a man. Besides, he wasn’t the only one who enjoyed intimacy. As for the rest, she would deal with it after he actually got married!
Lin Mei’s EMBA courses at university were not as intense as full-time studies, with at most three classes a day. She had majored in related fields for both her undergraduate and master’s degrees, so the theoretical courses posed no difficulty. She was more interested in the sharing sessions by industry leaders.
One day, it was time for another sharing session. The pre-session documents did not disclose the identity of the speaker, so Lin Mei, like everyone else, was filled with anticipation. She arrived early, securing a prime spot in the front row, and took out her tablet, ready to take notes.
When the time came, the attendees finally arrived. Lin Mei heard someone exclaim, “It’s Mr. Xing!?”
Lin Mei frowned. As she looked up, she saw Xing Zheng standing on the podium. Today, he was wearing a dark gray suit, his buttons meticulously fastened. Standing on stage, his expression was solemn and dignified, exuding an aura of abstinence, as if he were a lofty, untouchable deity. It was unlikely anyone present could imagine that this man on stage had been forcing her to do unspeakable things with him just last night.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Xing Zheng, the guest speaker for today’s sharing session.” He rested his hands on the podium and leaned close to the microphone.
This placed Lin Mei, sitting in the front row, directly in his line of sight.
Their gazes met for a moment before Lin Mei looked away. Lin Mei had never seen Xing Zheng teach before. Today, she realized how charismatic he was when standing on stage, sharing his past experiences.
After the class, Lin Mei heard many women praising Xing Zheng. “Seeing is believing. He’s so charming, I wish I could…”
“Forget it. He’s getting married soon. Miss Jiang from the Jiang family, we can’t afford to offend her.”
“So what if he’s getting married? Are there any men in this circle who don’t stray? Who knows, maybe he’s keeping someone on the side right now!”
Lin Mei heard this comment and felt a pang of guilt, her mind immediately associating it with herself. Just then, Xing Zheng sent her a WeChat message: [Outside the teaching building.]
Lin Mei: “…” If she left with him now and was seen by others, wouldn’t it confirm the previous comment?
She didn’t want to cause a scandal at the training class. [Can I meet you in the parking lot?]
Her attitude was good, and Xing Zheng agreed. Lin Mei met him in the parking lot. Seeing her sneak into the car, Xing Zheng couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re quite adept at sneaking around for an affair.”
Lin Mei glared at him. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to teach?”
“To give you a surprise. Do you like it?” He started the car. Lin Mei fastened her seatbelt. This was hardly a surprise. “You won’t be coming back for another session, will you?”
“Do you think they can afford to invite me a second time?” He reverted to his rhetorical questioning, his tone tinged with arrogance, yet it wasn’t off-putting, precisely because she knew he had the credentials to back it up.
The content he had shared in class today had been incredibly beneficial to her. He had never taught her anything before. After today, she felt a sudden urge to “seek his tutelage.” “Have you given sharing sessions before?”
Xing Zheng: “Columbia University, once.”
He had only graduated a few years ago. To be invited by Columbia University meant he was truly remarkable. “Can I ask you for advice in the future?”
“What’s the reward?” he asked.
Lin Mei: “…”
Xing Zheng: “Tonight, we’ll see how you perform, hmm? If you satisfy me, I will definitely share everything I know.”
The last four words didn’t sound quite right.
Xing Zheng took Lin Mei to a restaurant a few kilometers away. After entrusting her with ordering, he went off to make a phone call. As Lin Mei was flipping through the menu, she suddenly heard someone call her name.
Following the sound, she looked up and saw Xu Ying sitting opposite her, looking pleasantly surprised. “Why are you in Kyoto too?”
Lin Mei instinctively searched for Xing Zheng. She had to make Xu Ying leave quickly, otherwise…
“I’m here for training. You should…”
Before she could finish, she saw Xing Zheng returning from his call, his gaze falling upon Xu Ying.