She also knew that she could never surpass Xie Qin Jia in his heart. Even though Xie Qin Jia had never treated him well, he still went forward without hesitation, as deep as the sea, as bright as the sun.
When she didn't need him, he didn't have to appear. When she did, even if he was covered in wind and rain, or facing mountains of knives and seas of fire, he would appear. How could a mere her be an obstacle in this?
Lin Mei knew that the grievances in her heart stemmed from her own sentimentality. "You haven't wronged me, so there's no need to apologize."
She could distinguish priorities. Xie Qin Jia's condition was unstable, and the most urgent matter was for her to undergo surgery. "Is Aunt Xie in the ward? I'll go find her."
If Xing Zheng said it, or if Xing Sha said it alone, Xie Qin Jia would definitely not believe them. The best way was for her to go in person and tell her that they had broken up, so she could be at ease.
Xing Sha felt even more guilty. This was his original plan. Lin Mei was too smart and understood this point before he could even mention it. "Thank you. After the surgery, your and A Zheng's matter..."
"Let's talk about everything after Aunt Xie's surgery," Lin Mei forced a smile, which looked more like crying than smiling.
Xing Zheng was nowhere to be seen. She followed Xing Sha to Xie Qin Jia's ward.
Xie Qin Jia saw Lin Mei and was slightly surprised. She wanted to speak to her but didn't know what to say. Lin Mei walked up, sat by the bed, and asked with concern, "Aunt Xie, how have you been feeling lately?"
Xie Qin Jia remained silent, but Lin Mei didn't mind. She told her, "I'm here to tell you that Xing Zheng and I have broken up. I've seriously considered what you said before, and we are indeed not a good match."
At this point, Xie Qin Jia finally showed some emotion. She couldn't believe it. "Really?"
Lin Mei replied, "Yes. I came to tell you, so you don't have to worry about this matter anymore."
"What about you?" Lin Mei asked casually. "Uncle Xing said he arranged surgery. When are you going?"
Xing Sha immediately understood Lin Mei's intention and added, "It's within these two days."
Xie Qin Jia did not refute Xing Sha as she had before. She said to Lin Mei, "When I get back, I'll introduce you to someone better."
Lin Mei smiled and agreed. Since Xie Qin Jia agreed to the surgery, she had, in a way, completed Xing Zheng's "mission." She felt exhausted and didn't have the energy to chat with Xie Qin Jia anymore. She found an excuse and left the ward. Xing Sha escorted her out and thanked her several times.
After leaving the hospital, Lin Mei still hadn't seen Xing Zheng. She didn't know where he had gone, nor did she contact him. She went back to Zhuhua Villa alone by taxi.
Looking at the familiar scene before her, tears fell again. Just a few hours ago, they were still being intimate in the living room, and in an instant, it was all over.
By his side, she always seemed to experience the feeling of shuttling between heaven and hell, between clouds and the abyss, all within a single thought. After breaking up like this, her future was uncertain.
Lin Mei had a terrible headache and fell asleep on the sofa. After an unknown amount of time, she felt her body being lifted as if someone was carrying her. She hazily opened her eyes and saw that blurry, yet very familiar figure.
She became much more awake, and his words of breakup echoed in her ears. "I can walk myself."
"You have a fever," he refused to let go. "I'll carry you to the bedroom to sleep."
"Didn't we break up? My fever has nothing to do with you, right?" Perhaps she was angry, but he acted as if nothing had happened. He hadn't offered any explanation about that matter. If he had said even a word, she wouldn't have felt so wronged.
Lin Mei struggled, but she was no match for Xing Zheng's strength. In the end, she was carried back to the bedroom. He placed her on the bed and took out fever reducers, but Lin Mei refused to take them.
As they were in a stalemate, Xing Zheng finally said, "Her surgery can't wait much longer, so it has to be this way."
"So you didn't even ask and made me sacrifice myself," Lin Mei asked. "In your heart, am I someone you can dismiss with a single sentence?"
Xing Zheng didn't know how to explain to her and fell into silence. Lin Mei asked again, "If Aunt Xie still doesn't agree to you and me being together after the surgery, she can find any reason to stop us. At that time, I will be the one abandoned again, right?"
"The person you love most is her," Lin Mei had known about Xing Zheng's feelings for Xie Qin Jia before. "You can give up yourself for her, and you can give up me too."
"Then let's break up," she said, her eyes red, and she smiled. "I'll move out of here immediately. I'll take dumplings with me."
"I'm going to America for a while, you can stay here," he finally spoke again.
However, these were not the words Lin Mei wanted to hear. "No need, I have my own place. Since we've broken up, let's make it clean."
After a long while, Xing Zheng replied with an "Mm" and no longer stopped her.
Lin Mei took the medicine and, with a feverish body, packed her luggage. When she went downstairs, Xing Zheng had already packed dumplings' belongings. He said to her, "I'll take you back."
Lin Mei did not refuse. Xing Zheng put the two suitcases into the car. Lin Mei hugged dumplings and sat in the back seat, clearly separated. Dumplings didn't know where it would go next.
However, the puppy was intelligent and could vaguely sense the strange atmosphere between them. Dumplings, who was usually very boisterous, became quiet, lying beside them with its ears and tail drooping.
There was silence all the way. Xing Zheng drove Lin Mei back to the apartment. After helping her carry the boxes upstairs, Lin Mei dismissed him. "You can go now."
"For this month, if you need anything, find Zhuang Wan," he instructed her.
"If there's anything, I'll handle it myself," Lin Mei emphasized, not sure to whom. "I can still live without you."
Xing Zheng left. Dumplings stood on the floor, watching the door close, wagging its tail. Its dark eyes were lost and helpless. Lin Mei picked it up and sat on the sofa, tears welling up. Dumplings raised its paw and gently scratched her, as if to comfort her. Lin Mei stroked dumplings' fur, her eyes becoming even more sore.
Knowing that Lin Mei and Xing Zheng had broken up, Xie Qin Jia's emotions stabilized considerably. In the following days, preparations were made for her surgery abroad.
In America, Xing Zheng was involved in coordinating and contacting. The plane tickets were also booked by Xing Zheng. Xing Zheng wanted to go along, but he couldn't let Xie Qin Jia know, so he had to buy tickets for later flights.
Before leaving, Xing Sha and Xing Zheng met. After a few days, he looked much thinner, with heavy dark circles under his eyes, indicating he hadn't rested well.
Xing Zheng handed Xing Sha the information and access card for a property he owned in New York.
Xing Sha took them and said, "Take care of yourself and get some rest."
Xing Zheng replied, "The hospital is all prepared. After she rests for 48 to 72 hours, she can have the surgery. I'll arrive twelve hours after you."
Xing Sha said, "Mm," and then asked, "Have you explained to Lin Mei?"
Xing Zheng refused to answer. "I'm leaving."