Lin Mei found herself in a dilemma, regretting her impulsive decision to seek him out. Jiang Chubbi had moved aside, and as Lin Mei looked further in, she saw Xing Zheng.
He was buttoning his shirt, his eyes moist and filled with desire. He looked over at her coldly. He didn't say a word, but Lin Mei read his displeasure in his gaze. She scoffed inwardly, wondering if he blamed her for ruining his moment.
Fortunately, she had brought the files. "This document needs your signature. Please, have a look."
In the current situation, she couldn't even bring herself to call him "Mr. Xing."
Xing Zheng glanced at the files in Lin Mei's hand and returned to his desk to sit down. Lin Mei followed him and placed the files on the desk. Xing Zheng picked them up and began to read. Lin Mei waited quietly opposite him, still contemplating whether to mention Xie Qinjia. With Jiang Chubbi present, it didn't seem appropriate.
As she pondered, Jiang Chubbi returned to the lounge. Seeing the lounge door close, Lin Mei pursed her lips.
A short while later, Xing Zheng had finished signing. Lin Mei took the files but lingered, not leaving. Xing Zheng looked at her indifferently. "Do you need something else?" he asked, his tone as if speaking to a complete stranger.
Perhaps it was human nature to be sentimental. Xing Zheng had never been particularly gentle with her, but he had never been as aloof as he was now. The stark contrast made her uncomfortable. Lin Mei suppressed the feeling and said, "Aunt Xie should be with Zhao Jianghe."
No further explanation was needed. She knew Xing Zheng's intelligence; he would understand once she said this much. Lin Mei put away the files and was about to turn when she heard the man's command: "Stop."
Lin Mei halted. Seeing the anger in his eyes, she felt a flicker of confusion. Wasn't this good news for him?
"Who told you?" The man rose from his chair, walked around the desk, and came before her, his thumb and forefinger pinching her chin.
Lin Mei's neck was jerked back without warning, her cervical spine making a sound. She strongly suspected he might just snap her neck!
The pain made her forget to speak. The man continued to press her. "I'm asking you, who told you!"
"No one told me. I overheard him on the phone," Lin Mei said, deeply regretting her actions. "Just consider me nosy."
"Have you forgotten everything I said, hmm?" Xing Zheng's mind was filled with photos of Lin Mei and Zhao Jianghe appearing together and her visiting his home. His finger traced her neck. "Stay away from Zhao Jianghe, or else..."
He suddenly tightened his grip, effortlessly clamping down on her throat. Lin Mei gasped for air, her face turning red. He was a lunatic. She shouldn't have meddled, nor should she have felt any sympathy for him!
"Or else what? You're going to kill me?" Choked, she surprisingly calmed down. "Just because Zhao Jianghe is his friend, you're jealous of him too?"
"Do you want to kill Zhao Jianghe as well to be satisfied?" Seeing the fire in Xing Zheng's eyes, Lin Mei experienced a fleeting sense of vindication, her words becoming increasingly harsh. Since he never cared about her feelings, why should she always consider him?
The man was likely provoked by her. His grip tightened, and Lin Mei's vision darkened. There was no fresh air left in her chest, like a dying fish.
Just as she thought she was about to pass out, the ruthless man suddenly released his grip. Oxygen flooded her lungs, and Lin Mei greedily inhaled, her chest heaving violently.
Xing Zheng shoved her back. "Get out."
Lin Mei bent down, picked up the scattered files from the floor, and left the office.
Lin Mei hurried to the underground parking lot and got into her car. After starting the engine, she tossed the files and her bag onto the passenger seat. Recalling the scene just moments ago, she felt an overwhelming sense of grievance, her eyes stinging. She refused to cry over such a matter and held back her tears.
Lin Mei secretly vowed never to meddle again, no matter how dire Xing Zheng's situation.
In the office, Jiang Chubbi watched Xing Zheng take his medication, her expression complex. "Are you alright?"
Xing Zheng didn't answer her. Lin Mei's words from earlier still echoed in his ears, his expression peculiar. Jiang Chubbi, who had been in the lounge, had clearly heard Lin Mei's angry words to Xing Zheng.
She hadn't expected that someone who usually seemed so good-tempered could be so cutting when angered, not losing to Xing Zheng. She mused, "You predicted she would come to find you today, so you asked me to play along?"
This question would naturally go unanswered, but Jiang Chubbi already had her own judgment without Xing Zheng's reply. However, she couldn't understand why Xing Zheng was so devoted to Lin Mei. While Lin Mei was beautiful, she wasn't stunningly gorgeous. Moreover, Xing Zheng had seen countless beautiful women; why had he fallen for Lin Mei?
At the villa in the north of the city, Xing Sha and Xie Qinjia sat facing each other. Zhao Jianghe was present, mediating between them. "Aunt Xie, Uncle Xing is very worried about you. It's almost New Year. You should go back with him first."
Zhao Jianghe was adept at protecting himself. Since Xing Sha had come looking for her, Xie Qinjia being taken back by him was a foregone conclusion. Zhao Jianghe was merely doing him a favor.
However, Xie Qinjia was unwilling to return. She said to Xing Sha, "I won't go back with you. I want a divorce!"
This wasn't the first time she had said this, and Xing Sha had already prepared his response. "We can discuss divorce after we go back. Do you want outsiders to make a spectacle of us?"
The word "outsiders" was clearly aimed at Zhao Jianghe. Zhao Jianghe's expression flickered for a moment before he smiled again. "Uncle Xing is right. Any disagreements should be resolved at home. Aunt Xie, please don't make things difficult for me. Go back with Uncle first. Look at him; he looks years older searching for you."
Zhao Jianghe spoke at length to Xie Qinjia. Xie Qinjia listened to him and temporarily agreed to return with Xing Sha. Xing Sha had people escort Xie Qinjia to the car and stayed behind to speak a few words with Zhao Jianghe. "Thank you for your trouble this time."
"You're too kind. My parents passed away early, and I've long considered you and Aunt Xie as my own parents."
Zhao Jianghe emphasized the word "own." Xing Sha gazed at him for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Have the company matters been resolved?"
Zhao Jianghe replied, "They have been resolved. Thank you for your concern."
Xing Sha added, "I couldn't help you last time, and your Aunt Xie has been upset with me."
Zhao Jianghe said, "Aunt Xie is good to me, I know. You've helped me a lot over the years. It's time I handled things myself now."
Xing Sha stated, "I'm getting old, and I can't manage the company affairs anymore. Next time, just go directly to Ah Zheng."
After Zhao Jianghe saw Xing Sha off, he returned to the villa and smashed several cups on the coffee table!
Xing Sha's words just now were clearly a warning to him not to approach Xie Qinjia again.
He was dreaming if he thought he could whitewash everything for a lifetime. Xie Qinjia was never meant to be his wife!