The moment these words were spoken, Xie Qin Jia and Xing Zheng, mother and son, both wore expressions of astonishment. While Xing Sha wasn't as surprised as the other two, he also turned his gaze towards Lin Mei.
A little over a year ago, he had discussed Lin Mei's "feelings" for Xing Zheng with her. At that time, she had seemed to have given up on Xing Zheng. Now, her current demeanor suggested that time had passed, but her heart remained tethered. Feelings were like that; as someone who had experienced them, he understood.
"What did you say?" Xie Qin Jia questioned Lin Mei. "How can you be with him? He doesn't deserve you!"
"Aunt Xie, he hasn't done anything wrong," Lin Mei said, not yielding to Xie Qin Jia's emotion. "He was also a victim in that car accident. He's been very ill all these years, suffering no less than you. He is your biological son. You don't have to love him, but I hope you don't hate him this much."
Lin Mei had now solidified her decision to be with Xing Zheng. Despite their arguments, if they were to be together, Xie Qin Jia would eventually find out. Since they had encountered each other today, it was better to clarify things, avoiding any future pretense. As for other matters, she had held them in her heart for a long time and decided to voice them now.
Xing Zheng's mind reeled, and his body felt as if it were floating. He had never dared to hope that Lin Mei would speak up for him, let alone defend him in front of Xie Qin Jia. At this moment, he felt as if he had fallen into a beautiful but illusory dream, afraid to even breathe, lest his slightest movement shatter this apparition and make it vanish.
Lin Mei's words had a significant impact on Xie Qin Jia. Her breathing grew rapid, and her face turned pale. Xing Sha, seeing this, immediately put his arm around Xie Qin Jia's shoulder and said, "Don't worry about the younger generation's affairs. Lin Mei is an adult and knows what she's doing."
Xie Qin Jia looked at Xing Sha. His tone was casual, as if he had known about this all along. "You knew about this? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Fine, fine, all of you are keeping secrets from me. Lin Mei, you've disappointed me so much. You know he killed Ah Yan..."
"That's not true," Lin Mei said, unwilling to let Xie Qin Jia wrongly accuse Xing Zheng. "The one who killed Xing Yan was Zhao Jiang He, not him."
"Even you have been deceived by him! He's the one who killed him. Jiang He was just a scapegoat he found. He's the one with the strongest motive in the entire world!" Xie Qin Jia became increasingly agitated.
Xing Sha tried to lead her away, but Xie Qin Jia refused, and they began to push each other. Xie Qin Jia pushed Xing Sha forcefully but accidentally tripped and fell.
Without hesitation, Xing Zheng rushed forward and gently grasped her arm. Before he could utter a word, he received a slap across his face! In the busy mall, such a scene drew many onlookers.
Xing Zheng, however, felt no shame. He stubbornly insisted on helping Xie Qin Jia up from the ground, but Xie Qin Jia slapped him again. He pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth, tasting blood.
"Get away from me!" Xie Qin Jia's tone was filled with disgust.
Lin Mei and Xing Sha could no longer bear to watch the confrontation between mother and son. They stepped forward to pull them apart, but Lin Mei couldn't move Xing Zheng, and Xing Sha couldn't persuade Xie Qin Jia.
This commotion ultimately ended with Xie Qin Jia fainting, and amidst the chaos, she was rushed to the hospital.
In the hallway, Xing Zheng stood motionless. Xing Sha said to him with a sigh, "Don't stimulate her like this next time. She's finally been getting better these past six months!"
"Uncle Xing, you can't say that," Lin Mei stepped forward and said to Xing Sha. "He just went to help Aunt Xie!"
Lin Mei didn't believe Xing Zheng was provoking Xie Qin Jia; he was merely doing what a son should. "Uncle Xing, I think you should consider getting Aunt Xie the surgery as soon as possible."
Xie Qin Jia's aversion to Xing Zheng was so strong that seeing him would trigger her. However, Xing Zheng couldn't possibly stay away forever, and that wasn't fair to him.
Perhaps feeling guilty about what Lin Mei said, Xing Sha fell silent. Lin Mei turned to look at Xing Zheng; his eyes were red, causing her heart to ache. She gently took his hand, attempting to offer him some comfort, but he subtly withdrew his hand. Lin Mei bit her lip, a wave of sorrow washing over her.
About half an hour later, Xie Qin Jia was wheeled out of the emergency room. She was out of danger. The doctors were well aware of Xie Qin Jia's condition; her illness had been recurring over the years, and now, increasing her medication dosage would suffice.
Xing Sha transferred Xie Qin Jia to a ward and settled her in. Lin Mei followed. She asked Xing Sha, "Aunt Xie had agreed to the surgery before. Why didn't you take her?"
Xing Sha had been discussing the surgery with her for some time. He had been so eager; he should have acted decisively. Why the delay?
Xing Sha didn't answer. He looked at Xing Zheng and said, "Ah Zheng, come out with me for a moment."
Xing Zheng and Xing Sha went to the rooftop, standing side by side. The night wind blew, carrying a chill. Xing Sha said to Xing Zheng, "I've decided not to take her for surgery."
"Why?" He had already given Xing Sha the doctor's contact information. According to the plan, they should have been heading to New York for pre-operative checks soon.
"The doctor said that after the surgery, she might remember what happened back then." This was the question Xing Sha had asked the doctor most frequently.
The doctor, of course, couldn't make any promises. The structure of the brain was complex, and there were numerous cases of hypnosis failing after surgery. "I don't want to take that risk."
Xing Zheng remained silent. Xing Sha patted his shoulder and apologized, "I've been an inadequate father, always making you sacrifice. I don't want her to remember what happened back then..."
Many things didn't need to be fully articulated; those who understood would know.
After a long pause, Xing Zheng said, "Oh. I understand. I won't appear before her again."
He agreed too readily, which made Xing Sha feel even more guilty. "Are you and Lin Mei together? How are things lately?"
Xing Zheng remained silent, offering no reply. Xing Sha didn't mind and said, "Lin Mei likes you a lot. Treat her well. It would be nice for you two to start your own little family."
"How can you tell?" Xing Zheng chuckled. "You don't need to comfort me."
Since he could remember, he had grown accustomed to being abandoned. Xie Qin Jia chose Xing Yan and abandoned him; Xing Sha chose Xie Qin Jia and abandoned him. This was his fate.
Xing Sha was greatly surprised. "You think I'm comforting you?"
Xing Zheng remained silent, but his expression said it all.
Xing Sha then said, "Lin Mei investigated Zhao Jiang He for you before. She even found a photo of your mother and Liu Qin Ye, but it didn't reach you due to a mishap."
"In places you don't know about, she's done a lot for you," Xing Sha gazed at Xing Zheng. "And just now, did you not hear what she said for you? If she truly had no feelings for you, why would she protect you like that? Don't let temporary low self-esteem blind you and cause you to miss out on someone who truly cares about you."