When Lin Mei entered, she did not turn on the lights. She hid her shoes and was barefoot. The two people engrossed in conversation turned on the lights but did not notice her presence. Lin Mei heard Jiang Chu Bi say, "If you don't want our plan to go wrong, just bear with it. Once Zhao Jiang He discovers your connection with her, he will definitely take her away to threaten you. You don't want her to be in danger, do you? What if there's another car accident..."
"Shut up." Xing Zheng's tone was no better than Jiang Chu Bi's. They sounded like they were arguing.
This was the first time Lin Mei had heard Jiang Chu Bi speak to Xing Zheng in such a warning tone, and the content of their conversation... what did it mean? Who was "she" referring to?
What did "another car accident" mean? When she thought of car accidents, the first thing that came to mind was the one that caused the deaths of Xing Yan and Xie Jin. Jiang Chu Bi used the word "another," so could the car accident that year have been related to Zhao Jiang He?
But wasn't Zhao Jiang He Xing Yan's best brother?
Lin Mei was lost in thought and accidentally bumped into the shelf beside her. The items on it fell with a clatter, and the loud noise reached the living room, interrupting the conversation of the two outside. Xing Zheng's already gloomy expression became even more terrifying.
He looked towards the balcony, "Who?"
She had been discovered. Lin Mei was in a dilemma, frozen in place, her mind blank, unsure how to react.
Xing Zheng told Jiang Chu Bi, "I'll go take a look," and then strode towards the balcony. He opened the sliding door and saw Lin Mei standing in front of the shelf. The murderous intent in his eyes faded a little. He had initially thought it was Zhao Jiang He, who was still unwilling, and had arranged for someone at his residence. "What are you doing here?"
Although his tone was not as murderous as before, it was still cold and impatient. When he looked at her, there was no warmth in his eyes. Lin Mei felt embarrassed, her throat dry, and she couldn't make a sound. Her toes were tangled together, and she was extremely nervous.
The man looked her up and down, and when he noticed her bare feet, he frowned. Without a word, he pulled her back from the balcony into the living room. Jiang Chu Bi was also startled when she saw Lin Mei being pulled out by Xing Zheng. Was the person hiding on the balcony actually her?
Jiang Chu Bi already disliked Lin Mei, and with her appearance at this critical juncture, Jiang Chu Bi was even less likely to give her a good look. "Is Manager Lin addicted to being a mistress? She was sent to the office in the afternoon and to the house at night. She truly has no shame."
Jiang Chu Bi's words were harsh. Even though Lin Mei knew that she and Xing Zheng might not be engaged, she could not withstand such humiliation. Her face turned pale and then red, and she couldn't say a word of rebuttal for a long time.
Xing Zheng gave Jiang Chu Bi a warning look. Jiang Chu Bi immediately understood his meaning: he didn't want her to speak carelessly. She could refrain from speaking carelessly, but only if Lin Mei didn't act recklessly. Lin Mei's presence here was purely courting disaster!
"I have something to ask you, Xing Zheng." Lin Mei took a breath and looked up at the man in front of her. She didn't want to say it in front of Jiang Chu Bi, so she gently tugged his arm. "Can we talk privately?"
How could Jiang Chu Bi allow that? The longer Lin Mei stayed at Zhuhua Villa, the greater the risk. However, Xing Zheng was infatuated with this woman and probably wouldn't remember. "Lin Mei, understand your position! He's about to marry me!"
This statement seemed to have an effect. Xing Zheng pulled his arm back, creating distance between himself and Lin Mei. He looked down at her condescendingly and said coldly, "I made it very clear when I was in Kyoto."
"It's not that issue, I want to ask..."
"What you want to ask has nothing to do with me. I have no obligation to talk to you." He was impatient. "Don't think that because we've slept together a few times, you have the right to make a scene in front of me. If there's a next time, don't blame me for not showing mercy."
Lin Mei did not comply. "What did she mean just now? Why can't Zhao Jiang He see you, and what exactly do you have with Zhao Jiang He..."
"Get out." He was angered. "If you don't get out, I'll throw you out."
Lin Mei's eyes felt sore, and tears were about to burst out. She bit her lip, her heart feeling as if it were being torn apart by two hands, causing immense pain. It wasn't the first time she had heard him say "get out," but this time it was the most profound. She had faced her own emotions and opened her heart to him, exposing her vulnerabilities and affections, only to be dealt a heavy blow.
Just him wasn't enough; Jiang Chu Bi joined in as well. "Manager Lin, Ah Zheng has slept with countless women over the years. You are the most tactless one I've ever seen. Let me teach you something: when a man is tired of you, he's just tired of you. If you pester him like this, he'll only find you more repulsive. Or perhaps, you're trying to get more breakup money this way?"
Jiang Chu Bi opened a drawer, took out a bank card, and handed it to Lin Mei. "There's five million here. Take the money and leave quickly."
Lin Mei refused to move. She looked at Xing Zheng, tears already streaming down her face, but her gaze was extremely stubborn, unwilling to yield.
Xing Zheng took the bank card, tucked it into her collar, and said as if treating a prostitute, "Take the money and get lost. Don't let me see you again."
Lin Mei's cheeks burned. Neither of them had laid a hand on her, yet she felt more humiliated than if she had been slapped. She pulled out the bank card and threw it heavily at him. Without even putting on her shoes, she ran out barefoot.
The April night was cold, and it started to rain lightly when she came out. Lin Mei stumbled all the way out of the residential area, falling several times. When she got into the car, her hair and clothes were soaked, covered in mud, and she was in a sorry state.
She lowered her head and looked at her chest. The lingering touch of the bank card was still there. She raised her hand and covered her eyes, her tears gushing out, and she sobbed uncontrollably.
After Lin Mei left, Zhuhua Villa fell into a long silence. Xing Zheng's face was stern, and the surrounding air pressure was so low that it was suffocating. Jiang Chu Bi met Xing Zheng's gloomy gaze. She did not regret what she had said. Xing Zheng questioned her, "Who gave you permission to say those things to her? Are you looking for death?"
"If I hadn't said anything, what would you have done? Softened your heart and kept her, confessed to her, and let her participate in our revenge plan?" Jiang Chu Bi retorted.
One sentence brought Xing Zheng back to his senses. He let go of Jiang Chu Bi, and a sharp dizziness struck his head, followed by chest tightness and trembling limbs.
Jiang Chu Bi quickly helped Xing Zheng sit on the sofa and brought him medicine. After Xing Zheng took the medicine, Jiang Chu Bi said to him, "I went too far just now. How could I have known she was so stubborn? I said such harsh words, and she still wouldn't leave."
Lin Mei cried for a long time. The rain outside grew heavier. She took out her canvas shoes from the car and put them on, then drove home. The windshield wipers were already on the fastest setting, but they still couldn't clear the heavy rain. She ran a red light and crashed head-on with an oncoming car.
The sound of screeching brakes was heard, followed by a violent impact. Lin Mei's head hit a hard object, and she felt a wave of dizziness.
Before she lost consciousness, she heard the deafening sound of sirens.