Lin Mei’s back hit the wall, and the pain made her frown. Seeing her in distress, Chen Qi became even more unreasonable. He placed a hand on her stomach, as if intending to personally kill the “bastard child” within.
“Don’t think you can get away with it just by staying silent! You went to the obstetrics and gynecology department yesterday morning!”
Chen Qi had run into Zhang Yue while out on business that day. Zhang Yue had congratulated him upon meeting. Chen Qi had been completely bewildered and, after asking, learned that Zhang Yue had encountered Lin Mei at the maternal and child health hospital for a check-up.
Chen Qi immediately felt like his head was glowing green. However, out of consideration for his image, he couldn’t lose his composure in front of an old classmate. He had to meekly accept her congratulations, and he laid all the blame on Lin Mei.
“I did go to the obstetrics and gynecology department,” Lin Mei said, looking at him as if he were crazy. “Who told you that everyone who goes to the obstetrics and gynecology department is pregnant?”
“If you’re not pregnant, why would anyone say that!” Chen Qi was still hysterical. He was consumed by the anger of being cuckolded and couldn’t extricate himself.
Chen Qi wasn’t angry because his beloved had betrayed him; he was merely angry that he had lost face. How could Lin Mei not know this? “The test results are at home. Do you want to see them?” Chen Qi was being unreasonable, and Lin Mei could only use facts to shut him up. Since she wasn’t actually pregnant, and the results were there, Chen Qi would surely be silenced after seeing them.
Lin Mei took Chen Qi back to look at the results of her hormone tests and ultrasound. Chen Qi looked at the examination report, a look of remorse appearing on his face. “Wife, I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have misunderstood you.”
“This isn’t the first or second time you’ve misunderstood me,” Lin Mei was indifferent to Chen Qi’s apology. She was neither angry nor willing to forgive. “Or rather, you’ve never believed me.”
“How could that be? I’ve always believed you, I just lack security!” Sensing that things were not going well, Chen Qi resorted to showing weakness. “You’re so outstanding, beautiful, and capable. There are too many men who like you. Mingzhou is so much more accomplished than me. I was afraid you’d fall for someone else, that’s why I acted like this. I was wrong. I’ll never doubt you so casually again.”
“I’m tired,” Lin Mei didn’t want to see him for another moment. She was as tired of him now as she had once liked him. “You should go back. I want some peace and quiet.”
—
On Saturday, as usual, Lin Mei met up with Lan Lan and Feng Feng for their regular girls’ gathering. The three of them had arranged to go shopping in the afternoon and then have dinner at Lin Mei’s apartment.
Lin Mei had been under a lot of pressure and was in a bad mood recently, so she decided to vent through shopping. She bought many things throughout the afternoon, filling the trunk of Feng Feng’s Cayenne with bags.
After their shopping spree, the three headed to the supermarket together to buy ingredients for their hot pot gathering that evening.
“It’s been a while since the three of us had hot pot at home. Let’s get some of this black fish slices!” Lan Lan boldly grabbed items from the freezer and tossed them into the shopping cart.
Lin Mei followed suit, grabbing two portions of shrimp paste. “It’s not because you two busybodies are always traveling, one minute to Nottingham and the next to New York.”
Lan Lan and Feng Feng both worked as investment consultants in foreign companies, and their business trips were much more frequent than Lin Mei’s. Most of Lin Mei’s work involved traveling within China, making her the one who stayed put among the three.
Feng Feng chimed in, “Don’t even mention it. I regret it now, but unfortunately, I’ve fallen into the capitalist trap and am stuck.”
“Oh, come on. I think you’re stuck on US dollars,” Lin Mei said, picking up a box of fried dough sticks, Feng Feng’s favorite. “Think about your Cayenne and your mansion.”
“Is your stomach feeling any better?” Feng Feng asked, concerned about Lin Mei’s health. “Let’s not get spicy broth later.”
Lin Mei replied, “Please rest assured, President Feng, I’m all better.”
The three chatted as they filled their cart with groceries and finally went to the fruit and vegetable section. As soon as they arrived, Lin Mei spotted Xing Zheng not far away.
It wasn’t just Lin Mei; Lan Lan and Feng Feng also saw him. Lan Lan let out a curse, “He actually shops at the supermarket?”
Lin Mei was also surprised. Xing Zheng didn’t seem like the type of person who would cook. With his busy schedule, he probably wouldn’t waste time in the kitchen either.
Soon, the question was answered.
Lin Mei saw the mother and son she had encountered at the hospital that day. The little boy was holding a watermelon, and the woman was placing a box of vegetables in her hand into Xing Zheng’s shopping cart.
All three witnessed this scene. Lan Lan and Feng Feng immediately looked at Lin Mei. Lin Mei had already guessed what they wanted to ask. “His son.”
“What?!” Lan Lan’s jaw nearly dropped. “That child looks six or seven years old!”
Even the usually calm Feng Feng was greatly surprised. “How do you know?”
Before Lin Mei could answer their questions, the family of three was heading their way. Naturally, Xing Zheng also saw Lin Mei. He was probably as surprised as she was; Lin Mei could clearly see the astonishment on his face.
As they passed each other, Lin Mei didn’t speak to Xing Zheng. She remembered that the child and the beautiful woman had shown her considerable hostility. Why should she present herself as a target?
However, even though Lin Mei remained silent, Ruan Yufei recognized her immediately and fixed her gaze on Lin Mei, unable to look away for a long time.
By then, Lin Mei had gone to select items with Lan Lan and Feng Feng. Ruan Yufei could only see her back.
The woman in the V-neck little black dress, wearing high heels and carrying an expensive bag, was petite yet curvaceous – a typical modern urban professional woman.
Lan Lan, being somewhat of a gossip, used the excuse of picking vegetables to glance at the family of three. Lan Lan wasn’t interested in the child; she focused her attention on the woman.
After observing for a while, Lan Lan clicked her tongue. “I wouldn’t have thought Xing Zheng liked this type.”
Lin Mei knew she was referring to Ruan Yufei, but she hadn’t found the right words to describe her. “What type?”
Feng Feng had also been looking at Ruan Yufei and offered a precise evaluation. “A woman from ‘Peach Blossom.’”
Lan Lan gave Feng Feng a thumbs-up. “I was thinking of words like ‘virtuous wife and good mother,’ or ‘pitiful and delicate,’ but that doesn’t do her justice, cultured lady.”
Lin Mei also smiled and said, “The writing reflects the person. President Feng is amazing.”
“The son’s going to his bride, to settle his household,” – wasn’t that describing that lady?
Lin Mei recalled how her parents used to quote this poem to teach her when she was studying, telling her that men were willing to marry such wives. She supposed it was true; Xing Zheng was indeed special towards this woman, perhaps because she had a child.
—
Xing Zheng accompanied Ruan Yufei and her son back to the apartment. Ruan Yufei took out slippers and placed them by Xing Zheng’s feet. Xing Zheng said to her, “I can do it myself.”
Ruan Yufei said softly, “I’m used to it, it’s no trouble.”
Xing Zheng had finally come over, and Yang Shuo was the happiest. While Ruan Yufei was cooking in the kitchen, Yang Shuo pulled Xing Zheng to play games. Xing Zheng was a master gamer, and Yang Shuo was having a great time playing.
At nine o’clock in the evening, after Yang Shuo had taken his medicine and fallen asleep, Xing Zheng finally spoke to Ruan Yufei about business.
He took a bank card from his suit pocket and placed it on the coffee table. Upon seeing it, Ruan Yufei immediately called out to him, “A Zheng, I don’t want…”
“This isn’t for you, it’s for Yang Shuo’s tuition,” Xing Zheng’s tone was firm, brooking no refusal. “Yang Shuo is very talented; he should be transferred to a better school.”