This question, perhaps only the person involved could answer. After much thought, Lin Mei could only come up with one answer: seeking excitement. "Zhao Jianghe isn't as good as he appears on the surface. I should stay further away from him."
The people around Xing Zheng were not people she could afford to offend. It was best to protect herself and not get involved in their struggles.
Lan Lan nodded, "You're right to stay away from him. It's best to avoid that group of people; they're ruthless, devouring others without even leaving bones."
"But Zhao Jianghe always seemed quite polite to Xing Zheng. How could he be involved with his fiancée in private? Could they have some kind of fetish?" Lan Lan boldly speculated.
Lin Mei had also had similar thoughts, but her conversation with Zhao Jianghe and Jiang Chu Bi had dismissed the idea. Recalling it, Lin Mei shared her deduction, "There might be some past grievances between him and Xing Zheng."
Harmony in public, conflict in private; such things were commonplace in the adult world. "Forget it, it has nothing to do with us. I'll stay away from them from now on."
Neither Xing Zheng nor Zhao Jianghe were people to be trifled with. She should make more friends with simpler backgrounds in the future.
"That's true. Few of the older men are any good. It's better to hang out with younger guys," Lan Lan said, eating skewers. "Honestly, when I hang out with Lu Xiao, I feel like I've become many years younger. What do you think of that Xu Ying guy? Lu Xiao said he's quite interested in you, but he doesn't know your attitude."
Lin Mei had a good impression of Xu Ying and praised him, "He's very nice."
Xu Ying had a good physique, was tall, handsome, had many hobbies, and was a mature, clean-cut academic. He was indeed different from the men she encountered in her work.
Lin Mei could completely understand why Lan Lan would date university students. The three of them worked in finance, and most of the men around them were thirty and above, some even forty-five. Their speech and actions were often oily. Working with these men daily, they certainly wouldn't look for boyfriends among them.
Although Xu Ying was more mature than his peers, he was also very pure, and infinitely better than the men she dealt with at work.
Seeing Lin Mei's good impression of Xu Ying, Lan Lan tried to play matchmaker. "That's great! You should chat on WeChat. Lu Xiao said Xu Ying is afraid of bothering you and hasn't dared to message you."
At Lan Lan's urging, Lin Mei sent Xu Ying a WeChat message. He replied about ten minutes later, "Sorry, I was packing my luggage just now, so I replied late!"
From the tone of the message, his sincerity was evident. Lin Mei replied, "It's okay, I didn't have anything urgent, just wanted to chat."
Xu Ying: "I'm really happy you reached out to me. Actually, I've wanted to chat with you recently, but I was afraid of disturbing your work."
Xu Ying's attitude was sincere, and Lin Mei felt comfortable chatting with him. Seeing they were getting along well, Lan Lan arranged another gathering, inviting Lu Xiao and Xu Ying.
Lin Cheng Wen had already returned to his hometown and couldn't make it. Lan Lan regretfully informed Feng Feng of this.
Feng Feng: "Thank goodness."
While young appearances were appealing, young souls had excessively strong emotional needs. She didn't want to date oily, preachy men, nor did she want to get involved with university students. She was someone who greatly disliked trouble. She knew she couldn't coax Lu Xiao like Lan Lan did.
Lan Lan poked Feng Feng's arm, "Manager Feng, you really don't understand romance. You refuse to enjoy this young flesh and blood and insist on hanging yourself on Shen Su's tree?"
Feng Feng: "I don't have the energy to coddle children."
Lan Lan: "Look, Hua Mei, Manager Feng is a hopeless straight arrow. The little guy is lacking affection; what's wrong with giving him some care? Even a dog wags its tail when it's fed meat!"
Feng Feng was the least invested in romance among the three. Although Lan Lan changed men quickly, her emotions were passionate, albeit with a short novelty period. Even if she didn't genuinely like anyone, she was willing to coax and flirt.
Feng Feng, however, was different. She was unwilling to invest emotionally or to coax others. She had once said that the ideal relationship was one where only sex was involved, with no emotions whatsoever. Therefore, men had a very short shelf life with her.
Lin Mei recalled these rules and suddenly realized that Shen Su seemed to have become a "miracle" in Lan Lan's world. She couldn't help but become curious, "Are you still in contact with Shen Su?"
"Depends on the need," Feng Feng replied as if discussing business.
Lin Mei: "You guys have been together for quite a while, it seems."
Feng Feng assessed the "product," "Good performance, available on demand, not clingy, pleasant cooperation, no chronic diseases, suitable for developing into a long-term partner."
Lin Mei: "..."
Lan Lan smiled and applauded Feng Feng, "Alright, Manager Feng, you're so clear-headed. I won't introduce any young guys to you then, lest the world gain another heartbroken youth."
Feng Feng: "I thank you."
Lan Lan: "I really want to see what it's like when our Manager Feng falls in love. It would be like a dormant volcano erupting, perhaps even crazier than me."
Feng Feng: "That day will never come."
Lan Lan playfully poked Feng Feng's shoulder with a delicate finger, "Manager Feng, you're so mean. Can't you indulge me a little?"
Feng Feng: "Just leave me be."
The three of them had a lively night. The next day, Lin Mei and Lan Lan went out for their appointments. Feng Feng stayed in the apartment to rest, not wanting to be a third wheel. After the four met, Lan Lan took Lu Xiao and left. Lin Mei, on the other hand, started having fun with Xu Ying.
Lin Mei had no prior experience dating someone younger than herself and was initially worried about the itinerary. However, she soon found that Xu Ying had planned everything.
Throughout the day, Lin Mei played video games with him, visited a popular网红 restaurant, and went to his racing team to watch a competition. It was an unprecedentedly fulfilling day. Her usual activities outside of work were going to bars and eating out; she rarely did so many things in one day.
Lin Mei was very happy. Xu Ying then said to her, "If you like it, I'll take you out again next time!"
Lin Mei happily agreed, "Okay, but I'm going back to my hometown for the New Year soon. Let's do it after the holiday."
Xu Ying: "I'm going back home too. When are you leaving?"
Lin Mei told him her departure date, and Xu Ying's expression showed surprise and delight, "We're leaving on the same day! Are you taking a plane or a high-speed train?"
Lin Mei: "A plane, the ten o'clock one."
Xu Ying: "Mine is at nine-thirty. What a coincidence! Let's go to the airport together!"
Lin Mei agreed. On the day of her return home, Xu Ying called a car and picked her up downstairs from her apartment. They then traveled to the airport together.
Xu Ying was very attentive, taking care of Lin Mei. After passing through security, Lin Mei invited Xu Ying for coffee. They went to a Starbucks in the airport. While waiting in line to order, Xu Ying tidied Lin Mei's hair, "It's a bit messy."
"Thank you."
Lin Mei was busy talking to Xu Ying and didn't notice a man staring at her and Xu Ying from not far behind.
As Xu Ying adjusted her hair, a murderous glint flashed in the man's eyes.