She picked up the little Samoyed. It was well-behaved and didn't fuss, likely due to the new environment it hadn't yet adapted to. Xing Zheng walked over and patted the Samoyed's head. "I'll get you one, so you don't spend all day thinking about other dogs."
With his words, Lin Mei couldn't help but understand. He was indirectly hinting that she was thinking about Xu Ying. She smiled. "When are you going to resolve Xiao Shu's matter? I need to get back to work."
"You're that eager to leave?" Her impatient tone displeased Xing Zheng. Was being with him so unbearable?
"Otherwise, what am I doing staying with you? It's all so unclear," Lin Mei said.
"Whatever you say it is, it is," Xing Zheng deflected, changing the subject. "This dog is yours now. I think it likes you quite a bit."
In just this short while, it had already nuzzled against her chest several times. Xing Zheng found it infuriating, wanting to toss it down multiple times. Gu Song had told him on WeChat that this fellow was a male dog!
How could Lin Mei not sense Xing Zheng deliberately avoiding the point? But the Samoyed in her arms was too adorable, and she momentarily forgot to argue with Xing Zheng. "Let's give it a name. We can think of one together."
Xing Zheng had no interest in naming such a "rival," but hearing her say "we" caused his refusal to get stuck in his throat. He actually started thinking seriously.
After discussion, they named the little Samoyed "Jiaozi" (Dumpling). Lin Mei had always loved small pets, but this was her first time raising one herself. She took many photos of Jiaozi, then got toys to play with it, and even started reading books on pet training.
For the first few days after Jiaozi arrived, Lanlan, as if sensing a crisis, bounced around everywhere. When it saw Xing Zheng, it would rush towards him seeking affection. Jiaozi wasn't very familiar with Lanlan, its companion, and would bark when it saw it. After a few days of Lin Mei's guidance, Jiaozi's attitude towards Lanlan improved significantly, and Lanlan's courage also grew. Within a week, the dog and the rabbit could coexist harmoniously.
Lin Mei took a few photos of Lanlan and Jiaozi together and shared them in the group chat with Lan Lan and Feng Feng.
Lan Lan commented, "This dog looks so much like Xing Zheng, and this rabbit looks like you."
While Lin Mei was chatting on WeChat, Xing Zheng's phone rang. He had just gone out to take out the trash and hadn't brought his phone. Lin Mei, worried it might be something urgent, answered it for him.
Before she could state her identity, she heard the voice on the other end say, "It's me, Qiao Wei."
Lin Mei's memory of Qiao Wei's voice wasn't strong, but based on it alone, she could tell how beautiful and elegant the woman on the phone was.
She remained silent. The other party continued, "I've spoken with Xiao Shu. I'll bring the child over in a few days. Now that you know his intentions, and his company is facing problems, he shouldn't be bothering Miss Lin anymore."
"I'm very sorry. I didn't expect to cause you such trouble." Even while apologizing, Qiao Wei remained composed and dignified. This must be her unique temperament. Such an outstanding person, so devoted to Xing Zheng...
Lin Mei could hear the surging emotions in her restrained words. *Click*, the door opened. Lin Mei saw Xing Zheng returning and handed him the phone. Xing Zheng didn't dwell on her answering without permission. "Who?"
"Wasn't that you just now?" Qiao Wei seemed to have guessed something and patiently repeated her earlier words to Xing Zheng.
Xing Zheng said, "Oh. I hope so."
Qiao Wei apologized, "I'm sorry for causing you trouble."
Xing Zheng had already ended the call. He looked at Lin Mei, a hint of amusement in his eyes. Lin Mei felt a pang of guilt and explained, "I didn't know it was her call, or I wouldn't have answered."
The man remained silent, his deep-set eyes fixed on her, a gaze that made her feel flustered. "Since this matter is resolved, I should get back to work..."
"Mm," he agreed readily, as if without any reluctance.
Lin Mei's heart sank a little further. "Then I'll go pack my things and leave shortly." With that, she started to head upstairs to pack her luggage.
As she passed by Xing Zheng, he stopped her. His strong forearm encircled her, easily trapping her small frame. "I only said you could go back to work, not that you had to move out of here."
Lin Mei furrowed her brows. This man, how could he be so brazen? He wanted her to stay and live with him without saying a single pleasant word. Was she that cheap!
"I can't think of any reason to continue staying at your place," Lin Mei said with a cold expression. "Are you willing to part with him?" Xing Zheng pointed at Jiaozi, who was burying its head in its dog food, unaware it was being used as a shield. "If you leave, I won't take care of him."
Lin Mei laughed in exasperation. Her competitive spirit was inexplicably ignited. Was it really so difficult for him to say "I like you"? She refused to believe it!
Lin Mei ultimately didn't leave. Her sudden concession surprised Xing Zheng, but he didn't probe the reason, assuming she was reluctant to part with Jiaozi. After all, she had been incredibly devoted to Jiaozi these past few days.
Sometimes, watching her meticulously care for Jiaozi, holding it and kissing it, he felt a pang of envy.
The day before she returned to work, Xing Zheng took Lin Mei to a restaurant for rice noodles. They were the only two customers in the shop. While eating, Lin Mei suddenly asked Xing Zheng, "Were you at the same elementary school as me?"
"Oh," he mused for a few seconds before replying.
Lin Mei said, "I don't think I ever saw you at school."
Xing Zheng replied with another "Oh," without any further comment. Of course, she wouldn't have noticed him back then. Her eyes were only on Xing Yan. Even if their brothers appeared together, she would only gravitate towards Xing Yan.
"Did you see me?" Lin Mei asked curiously. "I was quite famous at school, wasn't I?"
Xing Zheng chuckled. "Mm."
"Did you see me?" Lin Mei said with a smile. "Back then, many boys slipped love letters to me, and some secretly took my books and notebooks as souvenirs. I caught them several times."
*Crack*, as soon as she finished speaking, the spoon in Xing Zheng's hand dropped to the floor. Lin Mei, feigning ignorance, asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Xing Zheng picked up the spoon again. "The soup today doesn't seem as sweet as usual."
The topic shifted abruptly. Lin Mei secretly smiled. How had she never noticed before that he had such a "pure and innocent" side?
After dinner, Lin Mei expressed her desire to go shopping for clothes, and Xing Zheng accompanied her.
Not long after they started browsing the mall, they ran into Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia. Xie Qin Jia's expression changed immediately upon seeing Lin Mei and Xing Zheng together.
She stepped forward and pulled Lin Mei aside. "Why are you with him? Is he forcing you?"
"I and..." Before Lin Mei could reply, Xie Qin Jia said to Xing Zheng, "Stay away from her. Don't harbor any unrealistic hopes. You're not good enough for her!"
"Auntie Xie," Lin Mei said firmly, "No one is forcing me. I'm doing this willingly."