Lin Mei had quite a bit to drink that evening and got a designated driver home. While eating, the words Lan Lan had spoken earlier lingered in her mind. People's minds are peculiar; she denied Lan Lan's speculation while simultaneously finding herself drawn to the seemingly outlandish claims.
Throughout the night, she carefully recalled her interactions with Xing Zheng during her youth and realized she couldn't remember any specific instances. She had never met him alone, only occasionally bumping into him when visiting Xing Yan.
Once, when she went over, Xing Zheng opened the door. He had a blank expression. Lin Mei asked, "Is Mingzhe Gege here?" He seemed to ignore her, turning away and leaving. At the time, Lin Mei had secretly complained about his rudeness. After racking her brain all night, this was the only encounter she could recall—if it even counted as an encounter.
On Saturday, Shen Su visited Feng Feng's apartment. Shen Su seemed very busy these past two weeks. This was their first arranged meeting. After arriving and showering, Shen Su sat with Feng Feng as usual and they began to chat casually.
Shen Su was a gentlemanly casual partner; they wouldn't immediately get intimate. They would first have a few drinks or chat for a while before proceeding to the main event. Their conversations never touched upon emotions, focusing instead on stock market trends or investment plans, occasionally mentioning food and wine. Today was no different.
However, after discussing these topics, Feng Feng asked Shen Su, "Mr. Shen, have you been very busy lately?"
Shen Su replied, "Hmm? Why is Ms. Feng suddenly interested in my schedule?"
Feng Feng said, "I'm considering looking for a replacement, as I have needs when you're busy."
Her nonchalant attitude, as if she were shopping, made Shen Su laugh. "Can I interpret this as you wanting to develop two lines simultaneously?"
Feng Feng responded, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket."
As they chatted, they returned to the topic of investments. Feng Feng remarked, "The stock market has been very volatile recently. Rong Shi's stock price has been falling, and several of my clients want to liquidate their holdings to buy into Zhao's."
Shen Su stated, "Buying Zhao's stock now isn't cost-effective."
Feng Feng agreed, "Indeed, it's not cost-effective. It's risen so high, it's not suitable for buying. However, Zhao's has invested in an artificial intelligence laboratory, which is the most promising project in the industry. They all believe Zhao's stock price will surge further."
"That's not necessarily true," Shen Su smiled, a hint of amusement in his smile. He raised his hand, his fingers tracing the hem of Feng Feng's nightgown, his fingertips igniting a spark on her fair legs. "Experience tells us that before a crash, there's always a bubble. Securing a project doesn't guarantee success. Who knows what accidents might occur in the laboratory? You understand risk assessment better than I do."
Feng Feng smiled back, her hands grasping the belt of his robe. "Mr. Shen is right, I've learned a lot."
"Is that action of yours a sign of learning, or of confiscation?"
Although Shen Su hadn't revealed any crucial information, the underlying meaning in his words was enough for Feng Feng to draw a conclusion: Rong Shi's exposed plan, intercepted by Zhao's, was a staged performance by Xing Zheng and Jiang Chu Bi. The reason behind their actions remained unclear for the time being.
The next day, Lin Mei received this information from Feng Feng. While she still didn't know why Xing Zheng would put on a show with Jiang Chu Bi, it at least confirmed for her that there was no deep affection between Xing Zheng and Jiang Chu Bi. It was more likely a mutually beneficial partnership. This truth brought her a slight sense of relief, and she no longer had to be tormented by guilt.
Upon hearing this news, Lin Mei wanted to contact Xing Zheng. However, after opening the chat window, she hesitated for a long time, unsure of what to say. It felt too deliberate. She had never actively pursued anyone before and didn't know the most natural way to approach someone she wanted to get closer to.
After several days of hesitation, it happened to be the day for her monthly report at Shuang Mu. Due to training matters, most of the work at Shuang Mu was handled by Xiao Fang. The monthly reconciliation should have been handled by Xiao Fang as well. However, when Xiao Fang was about to leave, Lin Mei intercepted her. "I'll go. You handle some of my other work today."
Xiao Fang, being rather oblivious, didn't realize the implication at first. It was only after Lin Mei left that she suddenly understood: Xing Zheng was getting married, and Lin Mei was going to Shuang Mu perhaps to break up with him?
She hadn't had a chance to talk to him when she was in Kyoto for training. Xiao Fang recalled the scene she had witnessed in the bank restroom that day and couldn't help but feel sorry for Lin Mei. Manager Lin was so capable and beautiful; why did she only encounter scumbags?
After arriving at Shuang Mu, Lin Mei went to the finance department to busy herself. Once her work was done, she went upstairs, intending to find Xing Zheng. However, as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, Zhuang Wan stopped her. "Manager Lin, who are you looking for?"
"I'm looking for your CEO." Zhuang Wan already knew about her relationship with Xing Zheng, and Lin Mei had given up trying to hide it from him. "Is he in? I have something to tell him."
Zhuang Wan looked troubled and opened his mouth, but no words came out. Seeing this, Lin Mei asked, "What's wrong?"
"Uh, Manager Lin, Miss Jiang is here, so it might... be inconvenient," Zhuang Wan stammered. However, he noticed that Lin Mei's expression showed no change.
"There's nothing inconvenient about it," Lin Mei told Zhuang Wan. "Please inform him for me. I'll leave once I've said what I need to say."
Zhuang Wan found it difficult to refuse Lin Mei, so he went to inform her. He entered the office. Xing Zheng, who was reviewing documents with Jiang Chu Bi, stopped and asked him, "Did you get rid of her?"
Zhuang Wan shook his head, looking troubled. "I did as you said, but Manager Lin is still insistent on seeing you. She asked me to inform you."
Xing Zheng's lips tightened into a straight line. Jiang Chu Bi leaned in beside him and reminded him in a voice only they could hear, "You'd best not meet with her."
"Send her away," Xing Zheng said coldly, as if he were dismissing a stranger. Zhuang Wan was bewildered by his attitude. Hadn't he been extremely fond of Manager Lin before? In the past, if Lin Mei was unwilling to come to his office, he would find ways to lure her there. Now that Lin Mei had taken the initiative, he was unavailable...
Zhuang Wan was confused but dared not ask. He relayed Xing Zheng's message. Lin Mei's face turned pale upon hearing Zhuang Wan's words, but she remained standing there, unwilling to leave. Zhuang Wan said to her, "Manager Lin, this is CEO Xing's decision. Please don't make it difficult for me. If CEO Xing gets angry, I'll lose my job."
Lin Mei eventually left, but she hadn't given up on the idea of meeting Xing Zheng. After leaving Shuang Mu, Lin Mei drove to Zhuhua Villa. You can run from the monk, but not from the temple. She decided to wait for him, confident she would see him eventually.
Lin Mei arrived at Zhuhua Villa in the evening. She parked her car in a nearby lot and walked in.
She had expected Xing Zheng to change the password, but upon trying it, she found it hadn't been changed. Thus, she successfully entered the villa. Lin Mei went barefoot to the balcony, fed Lazy Rabbit its food, and then lay in wait.
At seven o'clock, Xing Zheng and Jiang Chu Bi returned together. They both looked serious and were discussing something.