Lin Zhengde and Xiao Yue had originally planned to stay in Nanjiang until Lin Mei's child was born, even preparing to take care of her postpartum confinement. However, upon learning about her past with Xing Zheng, they no longer wished to remain in Nanjiang, nor did they want Lin Mei to stay. "Can you apply to your bank to transfer back to work in Xiangxi? It would be more convenient for you there after you have the baby."
Lin Mei remained silent. Lin Zhengde's suggestion to transfer back to Xiangxi was intended to sever all ties between her and Xing Zheng. "It's not up to me at the bank."
"Then resign. With your abilities, finding another job in Xiangxi won't be difficult," Lin Zhengde persisted, unwilling to give up. "There are many opportunities in Xiangxi now."
Unable to disobey Lin Zhengde but unwilling to compromise, Lin Mei resorted to a delaying tactic. "I'll think about it."
Lin Zhengde saw through her intention at a glance. "Think about it? You're just placating me. You're still thinking of staying here and reconciling with Xing Zheng!"
With that, he began to cough again, frustrated. He couldn't understand how someone so proud since childhood had become so muddled because of a man. She hadn't been this foolish even when she was dating Chen Qi!
"Alright, alright, she hasn't said anything yet. Don't you go imagining things!" Xiao Yue quickly stepped forward, reasoning with Lin Zhengde and finally calming him down.
Lin Mei sat to the side, quietly drinking water.
With Lin Mei pregnant, Xiao Yue called Lan岚. That evening, Lan岚 and Feng Feng arrived at the hospital and took Lin Mei back. Upon learning the full story, both of them wore serious expressions.
Lin Mei and Xing Zheng had endured so many hardships together. One moment it was him falling ill, the next it was her. Now that they finally seemed on the verge of a happy ending, this had happened. Were Xing Zheng's parents perhaps there to jinx him?
From Lin Zhengde and Xiao Yue's perspective, their disapproval of Lin Mei and Xing Zheng being together was perfectly understandable.
"You just said you broke up. Didn't Xing Zheng say anything?" Feng Feng asked.
Lin Mei shook her head. "What could he say if he disagreed? My father's health is the most important thing right now. If my dad has an accident because of this, I'll never forgive myself."
"That's true. Teacher Lin also needs some time to accept it. It's good for you to go back to Xiangxi with them for now. A change of environment will help you settle down and have the baby."
Lan岚 thought that it would be better to avoid the constant presence of Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia, which affected Lin Mei's mood. These two couldn't help Xing Zheng at all; instead, they kept causing trouble. The last time, they had caused Lin Mei and Xing Zheng to break up once.
Speaking of which, Lan岚 couldn't help but say to Lin Mei, "He broke up with you for his mother, didn't he? You break up with him once too. You'll be even, and then he'll have to come find you."
As a close friend for many years, Lan岚 truly understood Lin Mei's feelings, but...
"Will he come looking for me?" she wasn't confident about that.
"If he doesn't come, then you can consider it completely over," Feng Feng stated bluntly.
Lin Mei nodded. Although the words were harsh, they were the truth. In this relationship, she had taken the initiative too many times, her pride cast aside and trampled underfoot. She was losing herself and couldn't continue to indulge in this downfall.
Lin Zhengde didn't stay in the hospital for many days before planning his discharge. He didn't want to spend another moment in Nanjiang.
The day after his admission, Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia visited again. Lin Zhengde and Xiao Yue greeted them without much warmth, maintaining only basic politeness.
Xing Sha first apologized to them. "We are truly sorry for the trouble caused due to our oversight. Ah Zheng and Lin Mei..."
"They have already broken up," Lin Zhengde interrupted, not wanting to hear more. "Our Mei'er has nothing to do with him now. You two don't need to explain anything to us. It's best if we don't contact each other in the future."
Broken up? Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia exchanged glances. Given Xing Zheng's obsession with Lin Mei, how could they break up so easily? It was likely that Lin Zhengde had forced the breakup. Xing Zheng's actions towards Lin Mei... he had indeed done many wrong things. The lost child was the best proof.
"He's not as bad as you imagine," Xie Qin Jia, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke. Her words surprised even Xing Sha. Amidst his shock, he heard her continue, "It's my fault. From the moment he was born, I never let him experience what a normal family was like. His life was incomplete, and he didn't know how to love others. Lin Mei's appearance was what taught him. He truly likes Lin Mei. Separating them is like taking his life away. Mr. Lin, Mrs. Lin, I implore you, give him another chance."
Her words were earnest, entirely in the tone of a mother speaking for her son. Xing Sha felt a mix of emotions. He never imagined that the scenario he had fantasized about countless times would unfold in such a situation. For a moment, he didn't know whether to feel joy or sorrow.
Lin Zhengde was not well-informed about Xing Zheng's childhood experiences. Xie Qin Jia's words did not stir any emotional response in him. "You feel sorry for your son, and I feel sorry for my daughter. We each have our own stance." The implication was that Xing Zheng would not be given another chance.
"Mr. Lin, you think I've been wrong. I've never felt sorry for him; instead, I've always hurt him." Xie Qin Jia lowered her eyes, her tone self-deprecating.
With difficulty, she recounted her "story" with Xing Zheng to Lin Zhengde and Xiao Yue, albeit haltingly. Although Lin Zhengde had heard some of it from Lin Mei before, Xie Qin Jia's account was far more detailed. Xie Qin Jia even revealed her mistaken belief that Xing Zheng had caused Xing Yan's death, which gave Lin Zhengde and Xiao Yue a new understanding of her bias.
"He has never been loved," Xie Qin Jia said. "Only Lin Mei can give him warmth. The harm I've done to him is already done, and no amount of compensation can fix it. Lin Mei also loves him very much, and now they have a child. I hope they can be together properly. He will be a good husband and a good father."
While she couldn't guarantee anything else, Xie Qin Jia was certain that Xing Zheng would love this child dearly and would not let the child grow up in a loveless environment like he did. Lin Zhengde and Xiao Yue were also traditional in their views and would likely want the child's father to be present.
"Regarding Ah Zheng's former fiancée, they truly did not have that kind of relationship," Xing Sha interjected at the opportune moment to explain Jiang Chu Bi's identity. "The person she liked was our eldest son. Their relationship with Ah Zheng was a pretense, meant to lure out the real culprit. I can have her come and explain it to you both personally."
Most of the misunderstandings had been clarified. While Lin Zhengde understood, he remained unmoved. "I don't care what his difficulties are. From a parental perspective, my daughter has been hurt by him, so I cannot stand by and do nothing. Who can guarantee that there won't be any more incidents in the future? If there are more so-called difficulties, will my daughter still be the one to make sacrifices?" Before they could reply, Lin Zhengde dismissed them. "You two may leave."