Lin Mei could confirm she hadn't misheard. She had known Zhao Jianghe for nearly two months, and their recent frequent interactions made it easy for her to recognize his voice. However, what he was saying was so far removed from his usual demeanor that Lin Mei couldn't help but be astonished. Then, she heard a woman's voice, intermittent, "How could that be? Wasn't it you, getting hot and bothered with someone else, forgetting about me?"
Lin Mei felt suffocated. Why did this woman's voice sound so similar to Jiang Chubbi's? Jiang Chubbi and Zhao Jianghe?
Even though she already knew about the messy affairs within wealthy families, she hadn't anticipated something so shocking. Zhao Jianghe had always treated Xing Zheng with great deference, so much so that it could be described as him "offering a warm face to a cold backside." Xing Zheng, on the other hand, was extremely impolite to him, ignoring Zhao Jianghe's overtures.
Who would have thought that Zhao Jianghe and Jiang Chubbi were actually in such a relationship in private!
From their conversation, it was clear this wasn't the first time. Zhao Jianghe flirtatiously said to Jiang Chubbi, "Who am I getting hot and bothered with, hmm?"
"Didn't you bring someone with you today? Still won't admit it?" Jiang Chubbi's tone was slightly dismissive. Lin Mei realized she was likely referring to her, as she had indeed been close to Zhao Jianghe recently.
She remained silent, and then heard Zhao Jianghe say, "Don't you know why I brought her with me?"
Lin Mei didn't understand the meaning of the sentence, but she gathered that Zhao Jianghe's frequent contact with her was for a purpose. She had initially thought she had accidentally stumbled upon an unsavory affair between a man and a woman, but unexpectedly, she had also heard something related to herself. Lin Mei listened even more intently.
Jiang Chubbi: "I know, but haven't you grown fond of her? After all, she's incredibly skilled at attracting men, isn't she..."
Zhao Jianghe let out a light laugh, like a lover's teasing, "Don't you know who I like? Haven't I made it clear enough? Are you still in the mood to be jealous?"
Lin Mei: "..."
The impact of this conversation was immense, not because of its shocking nature, but because it was coming from Zhao Jianghe. Such remarks were a world apart from his usual persona.
Lin Mei had always considered Zhao Jianghe to be a gentle and refined gentleman. During their time together, he had never overstepped boundaries or said anything disrespectful. Xie Qin Jia's past praise for him had also boosted Lin Mei's impression of him.
If she hadn't witnessed it firsthand, she would never have believed that Zhao Jianghe and Jiang Chubbi were having an affair in private.
Lin Mei hurried back to the banquet hall. She sat down and took a sip of champagne, her mind replaying the affair she had just stumbled upon. When did Zhao Jianghe and Jiang Chubbi start? Did Xing Zheng know about their relationship?
Was Xing Zheng's unfriendly attitude towards Zhao Jianghe because he already knew about this?
But, for the sake of profit, he had to endure it...
This seemed to be the norm in their circle. When she first approached Xing Zheng, he had told her that he and Jiang Chubbi always went their separate ways, and Zhao Jianghe was likely not the only one Jiang Chubbi had been involved with.
Xing Zheng, and the people around him, had relationships that were too complicated. The entanglements among this group were not something she, an ordinary person, could afford to get involved in.
After much deliberation, Lin Mei made a decision: she wouldn't wade into this murky water. After tonight, she would sever ties with Zhao Jianghe, and if he approached her again, she would politely refuse.
You never know a person's heart by looking at their face. Regardless of Zhao Jianghe's motives for approaching her, she would no longer give him the opportunity. Lin Mei let out a sigh, and as she looked up, she saw Xing Zheng standing across the table.
He picked up a glass of champagne from the table, holding it in his hand. His long, strong fingers gripped the stem of the wine glass, his casual movements exuding a hint of rebelliousness and roguishness. For some reason, he seemed to be in a good mood, his lips slightly curved upwards.
Lin Mei caught this scene and felt a complex mix of emotions, almost wanting to go up to him and say: Stop being happy, your fiancée is having an affair!
Lost in thought, her gaze remained fixed on his face. The man seemed to sense it, turned his head, and looked at her. Their eyes met. He dropped his smile, gave her a cold glance, and then left.
Lin Mei: "..." Okay, that sliver of sympathy she had for him vanished completely. A person like him deserved to have a cuckold's horns!
Zhao Jianghe reappeared after more than half an hour. He was still his usual gentle and refined self, with no hint of anything amiss on his face, not even a wrinkle on his clothes. He sat down beside Lin Mei and said with a smile, "I was just chatting with some friends for a bit longer, that's why I'm back late."
He could lie with a straight face. If she hadn't personally seen and heard it just now, she would likely have believed he was meeting friends. There was no need to expose him, so Lin Mei played along, "It's okay, it's nice sitting here. I've eaten quite a bit."
Zhao Jianghe smiled and asked, "Didn't you go for a walk? The scenery outside is quite nice too."
"I heard the night view from the terrace is good, but it's too cold. It's warmer here," Lin Mei replied tactfully. She was already tired of this charade and wanted to cut ties with him as soon as possible. There was no romantic affection between them anyway, and she didn't have the energy to keep up this act.
Meanwhile, on the other side, after Jiang Chubbi returned, she affectionately linked her arm through Xing Zheng's. She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "It's done."
Xing Zheng didn't reply. He glanced towards Lin Mei. She was chatting with Zhao Jianghe, but her smile seemed a bit forced. Zhao Jianghe likely couldn't see it, but he was the only one who would scrutinize and delve into her subtle actions.
After the Zhao Corporation's annual meeting concluded, Lin Mei began preparing to return to her hometown. Lan Lan and Feng Feng also took their annual leave. As per tradition, at the end of every year, there was a girlfriends' gathering. The three of them would spend a few days together, eating, drinking, having fun, and gossiping. Last year, it was at Lan Lan's place; this year, it was Lin Mei's turn.
In the evening, as the three of them sat in the living room eating barbecue, Zhao Jianghe sent a WeChat message, asking Lin Mei out for dinner. Lin Mei refused. Lan Lan raised an eyebrow, "Why did you refuse? Didn't you say you were getting along well?"
Lin Mei drank her cola and said, "Zhao Jianghe is having an affair with Jiang Chubbi."
"Pfft..." Lan Lan almost choked. Feng Feng, quick as a flash, grabbed a tissue and covered her mouth, "Who told you that?"
Lin Mei: "I saw it at the Zhao Corporation's annual meeting that day."
Lin Mei described the scene she had witnessed in the hotel courtyard to them. Lan Lan exclaimed, "Holy shit! What kind of weirdos are around Xing Zheng!"
Feng Feng, however, fell into thought. After a long pause, she said to Lin Mei, "Last time, when Shen Su and I attended an event, we ran into Jiang Chubbi looking for men. Zhao Jianghe was also there."
Lan Lan couldn't understand, "What's the point of these two getting together?"