Xie Qin Jia and Xing Sha did not know Lin Mei's parents, but they could recognize them by their features. "Lin Mei, are these your parents?"
In response to Xie Qin Jia's greeting, Lin Mei merely nodded. Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue had already identified them by Xing Sha's face, which was a mirror image of Xing Zheng's. Xing Sha was the first to greet Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue. "Good day to you both. It's been a long time, and I finally have the opportunity to meet you today."
Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue were both dignified individuals and politely responded to Xing Sha's greeting. Seeing that they were not resistant, Xing Sha invited them to have dinner together. Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue agreed, considering that Lin Mei would inevitably be with Xing Zheng in the future, and contact between their parents was an indispensable step.
Before Lin Mei could stop them, it was too late. Her mood had been low, even showing resistance. Xiao Yue saw this and quietly asked her, "Are his parents treating you badly?"
Xing Zheng came from an extraordinary background, a wealthy family, and it was inevitable that there would be a concept of social standing. Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue were both worried that Lin Mei would be wronged.
"No," Lin Mei shook her head, unsure how to explain the matter to them.
Xing Sha was skilled in social interactions and quickly struck up a conversation with Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue, praising Lin Mei in his words. This put Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue at ease.
During the meal, Lin Mei's phone rang. It was Xing Zheng calling. She answered and heard Xing Zheng ask, "Are you out with your dad and mom? I couldn't find you when I got back. Where are you? I'll come find you."
It was only seven o'clock, and he had already finished? Lin Mei felt troubled, unsure whether to tell him. Xing Zheng's silence made him worried. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Lin Mei told Xing Zheng the restaurant address and the private room number, but did not mention who she was eating with. Xing Zheng did not think much of it and arrived at the restaurant shortly.
Unexpectedly, when he pushed open the private room door, he saw Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia. His expression immediately turned serious. Xing Sha, of course, could tell and used his eyes to remind him not to act rashly. "You're here, sit down."
Xing Zheng knew that this was not the right time to question them. He walked to Lin Mei's side and sat down. Her hair had fallen down, and Xing Zheng habitually tidied it for her. The elders at the table all witnessed this.
Xing Sha smiled and said, "Ah Zheng and Lin Mei have a good relationship. As elders, we should also consider their lifelong commitment."
As a shrewd person, how could he not guess Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue's concerns? "My wife and I both like Lin Mei very much. It is his good fortune to have found a good girl like Lin Mei. Do you have any advice for Ah Zheng? He has a bit of a temper, but we will discipline him well in the future and will never let Lin Mei suffer any grievances."
"Yes, if she suffers any more grievances, she should lose her life!" Xiao Yue, who had always been polite, could not help but retort sarcastically.
Across the table, the smiles on Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia's faces instantly froze. Xing Sha reacted extremely quickly. "I'm sorry, this matter has indeed caused Lin Mei to suffer grievances. It is we elders who did not handle the grudges of the previous generation well and have involved them."
"As for marriage, it depends on the young people's own wishes," Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue played their parts, one being the good cop and the other the bad cop. "For now, the child in Lin Mei's belly is more important."
"...What child?" Xie Qin Jia looked astonished. She looked at Lin Mei's stomach. "Lin Mei, you're pregnant?"
This time, it was Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue's turn to be surprised. Xing Zheng's parents, Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia, still didn't know about Lin Mei's pregnancy?
If they didn't even know this, how could they talk about caring for the younger generation? Were they still considered family?
"How long has it been?" Xie Qin Jia became agitated. "You went to the maternity store today... were you preparing things for the baby?"
Lin Mei replied with a simple "Mm." Xing Sha asked again, "How long has it been?"
This time, it was Xing Zheng's turn to answer. "She was already pregnant when she was kidnapped."
Every time he thought of this matter, he would feel a lingering fear and pity for her willpower. Despite such abuse, the child had survived tenaciously...
Xie Qin Jia's guess was confirmed, and her face became even paler. Her gaze was fixed on Lin Mei and Xing Zheng, wanting to speak but stopping herself. After a long time, she could not utter a complete sentence.
Finally, Xing Zheng stepped forward to end the dinner. He first sent Lin Mei and her parents downstairs. After the driver drove away, he turned back to talk to Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia personally.
Xing Sha had already anticipated that Xing Zheng would return and was waiting quietly. When Xing Zheng returned, Xing Sha asked, "Why didn't you tell us about the pregnancy?"
"Don't go to her unless it's necessary," Xing Zheng replied evasively, warning them. Lin Mei's current condition was unstable, and seeing them would inevitably remind her of the kidnapping, which would be particularly detrimental to her recovery.
However, this forceful attitude made Xie Qin Jia very uncomfortable. She couldn't help but say, "Your father is just concerned about your situation. We won't hurt her."
Xing Zheng turned to Xie Qin Jia, glanced at her, and then stopped speaking. Xing Sha was not angered. "Since you have a child, shouldn't marriage also be put on the agenda? You can't let her follow you without a proper title!"
"I have my own plans for my affairs," Xing Zheng looked at Xie Qin Jia again. "Since you never managed me before, don't inquire about my matters in the future." With that, he turned and left without looking back.
Xing Sha was already accustomed to this. It was Xie Qin Jia who was not used to it. In the past, Xing Zheng had tried his best to seek her attention. The stark difference in treatment made her feel a sense of loss, yet she knew she had brought it upon herself and could blame no one.
Although they were mother and son, they had no experience of interacting and no emotional foundation. How could they have a normal relationship like Lin Mei and her parents?
Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue were both confused that night. It was inconvenient to ask on the road. When they returned to the apartment, Xiao Yue asked, "What do Xing Zheng's parents mean?"
Such an important matter as pregnancy, how could one not tell their parents? Judging by their interaction just now, Xing Zheng's relationship with his parents seemed poor. Xiao Yue was most worried that Lin Mei would suffer grievances because of this in the future.
Lin Zheng De was also curious. "Is his relationship with his family not good?"
"Mm," Lin Mei asked, "Do you remember Ming Zhe ge?"
Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue both nodded. How could they not remember? They were extremely fond of that child.
Lin Mei told Lin Zheng De and Xiao Yue some of the experiences Xing Zheng had over the years. The two were greatly surprised to hear that he was sent abroad at the age of nineteen and hadn't returned for seven years. Could biological parents do such a thing?
Even if they favored Xing Yan more, they should not have taken out their frustrations on another child's fate. No wonder Xing Zheng had such an attitude towards them.
Lin Mei only mentioned these points and did not tell them about Xing Zheng's condition.
She knew clearly that even if he recovered, he would not want to face that past.