The world holds a type of person who, when fierce, disowns their kin, yet when gentle, becomes utterly irresistible. Xing Zheng was perhaps too seldom in his gentle, coaxing manner, for Lin Mei found herself softening at his tender words. Especially after hearing the content of his speech, her anger had subsided by half, but she still remembered to ask, "You didn't do anything, so why did you change your clothes?"
Xing Zheng chuckled again, his laughter laced with helplessness and doting affection, even his eyes seemed to smile. "If I didn't change, how could I see your jealous and wronged expression?"
Lin Mei was momentarily stunned, looking a little foolish. Xing Zheng moved closer to her face and kissed her. "It's really not easy to see you jealous."
Lin Mei came to her senses and bit the back of his hand. Recalling her reaction just moments ago, she felt both shy and annoyed. Realizing Xing Zheng had changed his clothes, she had been overcome by a momentary rage. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, her teeth sinking deeper. Finally, her molars ached, and she let go. The man before her hadn't flinched; in fact, he had maintained his smile, as if he rather enjoyed being treated this way.
After Lin Mei finished biting, Xing Zheng playfully tugged her ear. His thin lips moved, "Even a rabbit bites when cornered."
Lin Mei only wished she had been stronger, that she could have made him bleed! "Let me go!"
Lin Mei pushed against his shoulders, wanting to get out of his embrace. Xing Zheng pressed her back down, kissed her lips twice, and then let her go. Lin Mei was flustered, picked up her chopsticks, and buried her head in eating the rest of the takeout. Her posture was very similar to how she looked when lazily eating rabbit pellets.
After meeting with Zhao Jianghe, Xie Qin Xia returned home. Xing Sha had a social engagement that night and wouldn't return until the early hours. Xie Qin Xia, unable to stay awake, went to bed first.
The next morning, she spoke to Xing Sha about helping the Zhao Corporation. "The land Jianghe wanted, why didn't you help him? The Zhao Corporation has been having financial problems lately, and Jianghe is trying every way to find solutions. If he had secured that land, he wouldn't be working so hard now."
Xing Sha remained silent, holding his coffee cup, his gaze deep and distant. Xing Sha had always been accommodating to Xie Qin Xia, rarely failing to respond. The stark contrast was something Xie Qin Xia couldn't accept. "I'm talking to you, did you hear me? That piece of land last time, why didn't you help Jianghe? You've always..."
"The people at the Land Bureau are not so easily fooled," Xing Sha interrupted Xie Qin Xia, telling her, "Getting involved in this matter would be very troublesome. In business, profit comes first. If you stir up trouble, the gains won't outweigh the losses. The Zhao Corporation is currently in the spotlight, and I don't want to get involved in their affairs."
Xie Qin Xia's face showed displeasure. "What do you mean you don't want to be involved? Jianghe is Ah Yan's best friend. After Ah Yan left, it was Jianghe who has been taking care of me and showing filial piety. His parents passed away early, and he's been supporting the company alone all these years; it hasn't been easy. Have you forgotten what you promised me? To treat Jianghe like our own son. Now that he's in trouble, we can't just stand by!"
Xie Qin Xia was constantly considering Zhao Jianghe's situation, while Xing Sha looked at her with a complex expression, his gaze unfathomable. Xie Qin Xia had never feared Xing Sha; she had been doted on by him for years and had long since become unrestrained. Normally, Xing Sha would do whatever she said. Even when he had reluctantly sent Xing Zheng abroad, he had ultimately compromised with her. Xie Qin Xia had grown accustomed to this life, so she hadn't expected Xing Sha to disobey her instructions regarding the Land Bureau last time.
Xing Sha put down his coffee cup and said very seriously to Xie Qin Xia, "No matter how good Jianghe's relationship with Ah Yan is, he is still an outsider to us, with no blood relation to you or me. If the Zhao Corporation becomes too powerful, it will also pose a threat to our Rong Shi. The higher-ups are also investigating this matter, and getting involved won't yield anything good."
"So, you're not planning to help Jianghe?" Xie Qin Xia's face darkened further, not only because Xing Sha wasn't helping Zhao Jianghe, but more so because Xing Sha was no longer as accommodating to her.
Xing Sha told Xie Qin Xia, "Zhao Jianghe is just a friend of Ah Yan. He doesn't have our blood in him. I helped him so much before out of consideration for Ah Yan. I won't help him anymore."
"If you're not helping him, then who are you going to help?" Xie Qin Xia threw the cup in her hand, spilling milk all over the floor. The cup shattered into several pieces. The sound startled the housekeeper, who rushed in, but was frozen by a look from Xing Sha and stopped at the dining room door. Xing Sha gestured with his chin, and the housekeeper left.
Some things needed to be made clear between them today. "I know Ah Yan's situation was a huge blow to you. He was my son too, and I'm not feeling well about what happened. But so many years have passed, and I listened to you and sent Ah Zheng abroad. That should be enough."
Xie Qin Xia looked at Xing Sha with red eyes. With every word he spoke, her anger surged higher. "Xing Sha, what do you mean? You're still thinking about that troublemaker, aren't you? Don't forget, Ah Yan was killed by him!"
"I only have one son, Ah Yan. You letting him return to the country is already a great concession!" Xie Qin Xia questioned him. "Did Xing Zheng instigate you not to help Jianghe?"
"No!" Xing Sha denied. "Not helping him is my own consideration, it has nothing to do with Ah Zheng. Ah Yan was not killed by Ah Zheng. How many times do I have to tell you this before you understand?"
In the years since Xing Yan's death, the couple had not discussed the matter. Xing Sha would occasionally speak up for Xing Zheng, but as soon as Xie Qin Xia became upset, he would stop. It wasn't like today, where he was so stern and severe with her for Xing Zheng's sake.
"He killed him! He was a troublemaker since childhood. When Ah Yan was alive, he was jealous of Ah Yan and killed Ah Yan and Xie Jin, which wasn't enough. Now he wants to harm Jianghe. He wants to harm everyone related to Ah Yan. He's a psychopath and should be sent to a mental hospital!"
Xie Qin Xia swept all the tableware off the dining table, shouting hysterically at Xing Sha. Xing Sha, seeing Xie Qin Xia's unstable state, went to pull her. Xie Qin Xia struggled forcefully, and in their pushing and shoving, Xie Qin Xia fainted.
Xing Sha immediately called the driver and the housekeeper to help Xie Qin Xia into the car and drive to the hospital. Xie Qin Xia's condition had been well-controlled over the years, with regular medication and infrequent episodes. However, recently, the signs had been unfavorable. This was the second time since her birthday, and both times the cause was Xing Zheng...
The hospital was one Xie Qin Xia frequented. After parking, they helped Xie Qin Xia out of the car. Xing Sha followed closely, and they went upstairs together. As they exited the elevator, they ran into Shen Su. Shen Su frowned upon seeing the scene before him. "Uncle Xing, what's wrong with Aunt Xie?"
Shen Su accompanied the Xing family to send Xie Qin Xia to the emergency room and fell into thought. This was the affiliated hospital of Nanjang University. Xie Qin Xia had a heart condition; why would Xing Sha bring her here?