Xing Zheng’s expression was no better than Xu Ying’s. He also frowned, displeased with Xu Ying’s presence at Lin Mei’s apartment. However, with Lin Mei still present, he couldn’t say anything. “That’s a question I should be asking you.” Although he was trying his best to suppress his feelings, his tone was still unfriendly.
Xu Ying went to see Lin Mei, and Lin Mei explained to him, “He’s here to take care of me.”
This explanation implied that the two had reconciled. Xu Ying then inquired about Lin Mei’s prenatal check-up, “Has the anomaly scan been done? What did the doctor say?”
“Yes, he’s very healthy.” Lin Mei chatted with Xu Ying.
Xu Ying’s gaze fell on her abdomen, looking at it with anticipation, as if he were the father of this child.
Xing Zheng was already very sensitive about Xu Ying. The current situation was clearly testing his patience. He had temper but couldn’t vent it. Lin Mei even invited Xu Ying to stay for dinner. The three sat at the same table. Xu Ying ignored Xing Zheng and kept chatting with Lin Mei, who also seemed to be enjoying their conversation. Xing Zheng, on the other hand, couldn’t get a word in.
Xing Zheng’s face darkened, and he lost his appetite. Fortunately, Xu Ying left after dinner, otherwise, Xing Zheng would have likely lost all restraint and argued with Xu Ying.
Given her physical condition, Lin Mei was unable to go to work. She applied for unpaid leave. She had no idea how her future would unfold; for now, the child in her belly was the most important thing.
Her recent experiences were too bizarre, and Lin Mei didn’t know how to explain them to her parents. She chose to keep it a secret. Unexpectedly, her parents came to Nanjiang without consulting her!
One evening, Lin Mei was sitting on the sofa, lost in thought. The doorbell suddenly rang. When she opened the door and saw who it was, she was stunned. “Dad, Mom, why are you here?”
Her current condition was not suitable for them to see her. She raised her hand to cover her face. However, Xiao Yue and Lin Zhengde had already seen the scars. Their expressions immediately turned serious. Lin Zhengde asked directly, “What happened to your face?”
Lin Mei didn’t know how to answer. She let her parents in first. After they sat down, Lin Mei asked again, “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“Your dad’s colleague’s child was getting married, so we decided to come and surprise you,” Xiao Yue said, looking at Lin Mei’s face. “What happened to your face?”
If it weren’t for the couple’s good temper, they probably wouldn’t have been able to speak to her so calmly. Lin Mei lowered her head, unsure how to respond. She didn’t yet have the courage to reveal her scars. Without the medication, her emotions were more unstable, and soon, her body began to tremble violently.
Lin Zhengde and Xiao Yue’s expressions became increasingly solemn. Xiao Yue hugged Lin Mei. “Hua Mei, don’t be afraid. Tell Mom and Dad, what happened?”
Lin Mei leaned on Xiao Yue’s shoulder. There were no tears, but her body continued to tremble. Her body temperature was very low; being close to her sent shivers down one’s spine. Even when she was sick as a child, she had never been this weak. Xiao Yue felt even more heartbroken. What had Lin Mei gone through when they didn’t know?
*Click.* The security door opened. Xiao Yue and Lin Zhengde both turned to look. It was Xing Zheng, returning with some items. Xing Zheng had gone out to buy groceries earlier. He never would have imagined that there would be two more people in the apartment when he returned. Xing Zheng put down his things. “Teacher Lin, Teacher Xiao.”
After speaking, he went to check on Lin Mei. Seeing her trembling so severely, he guessed what was happening. “I’ll take her back to the bedroom to rest. If you have any questions, ask me.” It was too cruel to make her recount those experiences herself.
Xiao Yue released Lin Mei, and Xing Zheng picked her up and took her to the bedroom. Lin Mei remained silent. Once on the bed, she covered her head with the quilt.
He saw her body curled into a ball, and even under the quilt, he could tell she was trembling. His eyes turned red. He squatted down and patted the quilt with his palm, saying to her, “Leave it all to me. Don’t be afraid.”
She didn’t respond to him. Not wanting to keep her elders waiting too long, Xing Zheng returned to the living room shortly after. As soon as he came out, he saw the solemn expressions of Lin Zhengde and Xiao Yue.
Xing Zheng sat down in front of the elders. “I’m sorry.” This apology was long overdue.
“Don’t apologize yet. We just want to know how Hua Mei ended up like this.” Even with Lin Zhengde’s good temper, he couldn’t speak to him gently. Lin Mei had been fine when she returned home for the Spring Festival. In just two or three months, how could she have become like this? She had always cared about her appearance; how could she bear to have so many scars on her face?
“It’s because of me.” Xing Zheng did not hide anything from the elders. They would find out sooner or later. “I failed to protect her.”
The matter involved too many people and had happened too long ago. Xing Zheng had never spoken about it in such detail to anyone before. This was the first time he was explaining it, and it took nearly half an hour to clarify the complex past. After listening, Lin Zhengde and Xiao Yue’s expressions were even more grim than before!
The entire incident had nothing to do with Lin Mei. It was a dispute between the Xing family and the Zhao family. Because Xing Zheng liked Lin Mei, the other party had kidnapped Lin Mei for revenge. It was truly an undeserved disaster. Xing Zheng was not surprised by their reaction. Lin Mei was an only child and had always had a good relationship with her parents. She had suffered such injuries because of him…
“What about the kidnappers?” Lin Zhengde asked.
“They have already been apprehended by the police and are awaiting trial. My lawyer will strive for the best outcome.”
During this period, the lawsuit had been proceeding in an orderly fashion. In addition to the kidnapping case, Zhao Rong was also suspected of numerous financial crimes. Xing Zheng had handed over all the evidence he had. With multiple charges, Zhao Rong would be severely punished. Although there was no possibility of the death penalty, he would spend the rest of his life in prison.
Although it was a normal legal process, Xiao Yue felt it was too lenient. “Hua Mei’s face… she cares so much about her appearance. What will she do in the future?”
“I have already found a doctor. After the surgery, those scars can be removed,” Xing Zheng assured Xiao Yue. “I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“When is the surgery?” Xiao Yue was very anxious. It was understandable that someone who cared about her appearance would be distressed by having such scars on her face all the time.
Xing Zheng fell silent when asked. He had not informed the elders about Lin Mei’s current physical condition earlier. “She’s pregnant. The surgery will have to wait until after the child is born.”
He had finally said it, delivering the most explosive news in the calmest tone. Lin Zhengde and Xiao Yue’s eyes widened. They were both traditional in their views. Even with the times changing, they could not accept the idea of an unmarried pregnancy!
Xing Zheng immediately noticed their reaction and said to them, “She and I both hope to keep this child. I will be responsible for her and the child. I hope you will give me a chance.”
“She’s not feeling well herself, and you still let her get pregnant?” Xiao Yue said, her heart aching more as she spoke.
“You should leave for now,” Lin Zhengde said to Xing Zheng. “We need to talk to our family privately. It’s inconvenient with an outsider present.”