The cafeteria was crowded, but Xing Zheng's height and demeanor made him stand out. He could be spotted in the crowd as easily as he had been that morning by the elevator. He was as cool and distant as before, the only difference being the woman beside him.
The woman wore a dark green dress with a small blazer over it, her slender, fair legs exposed, and she wore high heels. Her arms were affectionately wrapped around Xing Zheng.
This woman was Xing Zheng's fiancée, Jiang Chu Bi.
Jiang Chu Bi had previously had someone send her videos and photos. Lin Mei would recognize this face even if it were turned to ash.
Jiang Chu Bi adjusted Xing Zheng's tie. Xing Zheng took her hand and said something that made Jiang Chu Bi giggle charmingly. They looked like a devoted couple. Lin Mei remembered Xing Zheng's words, "Let's play our own games," and found it incredibly ironic.
Men like Xing Zheng were born actors. As long as he was interested, he could effortlessly make women fall head over heels for him.
Lin Mei tightened her grip on the fork, piercing the lettuce leaves. The employees beside her didn't notice Lin Mei's abnormality and were still enthusiastically gossiping about their boss.
"It's different when it's the fiancée chosen by the family. Miss Jiang and President Xing are truly a perfect match."
"Indeed. President Xing might play around outside, but once his fiancée returns, those other women mean nothing."
"I heard Miss Jiang's father once saved President Xing's father."
During lunch, Lin Mei listened to the gossip about Xing Zheng and Jiang Chu Bi, finding the food tasteless. She didn't even finish her salad.
After leaving the cafeteria, Lin Mei went to a coffee shop near the office building alone and bought an iced Americano. She returned to the office area with the coffee.
Fate, it seemed, was cruel. While waiting for the elevator, she encountered Xing Zheng and Jiang Chu Bi again. They were chatting and laughing, with Jiang Chu Bi practically leaning against Xing Zheng. "Then, tonight, I'll wait for you."
Xing Zheng glanced towards Lin Mei. She stood there holding her coffee, looking straight ahead, as if she hadn't heard a word.
Xing Zheng grunted, took Jiang Chu Bi's hand, and they entered the private elevator. Soon, the regular elevator arrived, and Lin Mei walked in with her coffee.
After working for several years, Lin Mei had learned not to let personal emotions interfere with her work. Despite the troubling events at noon, she completed her tasks perfectly throughout the afternoon.
The finance department praised Lin Mei profusely. Lin Mei responded modestly, packed her documents, and left for the day. She didn't run into Xing Zheng again, presumably because he was busy flirting with Jiang Chu Bi.
Lin Mei felt her own state was off. Her feelings for Xing Zheng seemed to be more than just a casual fling. Seeing Xing Zheng with another woman made her feel agitated, even disgusted.
Had she really developed feelings for Xing Zheng through their intimacy?
The purpose of a best friend was to help solve problems. On Friday morning, Lin Mei invited Lan Lan and Feng Feng to dinner after work.
At the restaurant, the three sat together. Lin Mei had been lost in thought since sitting down. Lan Lan nudged her arm, "What's up? You invited us out but you're not talking."
"Is it about Chen Qi?" Feng Feng guessed, as that had been Lin Mei's biggest worry lately.
Lin Mei didn't hold back with Lan Lan and Feng Feng. After taking a sip of lemon water, she began to recount Chen Qi's actions.
"Damn his mother!" Lan Lan, with her fiery temper, immediately cursed. "What kind of beast is he?"
Feng Feng, though also angry, was calmer than Lan Lan. She was more concerned about: "What happened to you afterwards?"
Lin Mei told them about Xing Zheng taking her to a private room upstairs at a pub after her medication took effect. Lan Lan exclaimed, "Serves him right! That idiot Chen Qi, you should break up with him quickly to avoid more trouble."
Feng Feng's expression was complex. After careful consideration, she asked, "Why would Chen Qi use something like that?"
If he just wanted to sleep with Lin Mei, there were other ways. They were still boyfriend and girlfriend; why resort to such despicable methods?
Lan Lan rolled her eyes, "What reason could a scumbag have for being so cheap!"
Lin Mei remembered the audio recording and decided to tell them about Ming Zhou, also wanting to hear their thoughts. "Do you remember Ming Zhou, the senior?"
Ming Zhou was a well-known alumnus of Nanjiang University back then. Who wouldn't know him? Lan Lan and Feng Feng nodded in succession, "What about him?"
Lin Mei said, "He said he likes me."
Lan Lan gasped, "Holy crap!"
Feng Feng asked, "Since when?"
Lin Mei replied, "He said it started in our first year of graduate school, but he didn't say anything because I was with Chen Qi."
The situation was a bit messy, so Lin Mei carefully recapped everything for them, including the matter with Chen Jing.
"What did you say? Chen Jing, that idiot, Xing Zheng would be interested in her?" Lan Lan found it unbelievable after Lin Mei's description.
Feng Feng, usually calm, also showed a more complex expression. They both knew what kind of person Chen Jing was. She was reasonably pretty, but she was also conniving, sharp-tongued, opportunistic, and obsequious. Even if Xing Zheng were looking for a mistress, it wouldn't be Chen Jing.
Lin Mei later spoke about encountering Jiang Chu Bi at Shuang Mu, her expression complicated, and her tone sharpening. Lan Lan and Feng Feng exchanged glances, seeing through it all.
Lan Lan was the first to ask Lin Mei, "Have you really developed feelings for Xing Zheng?"
Feng Feng also waited for Lin Mei's answer. This was not the time to blame her or lecture her about not falling for Xing Zheng.
Lin Mei herself was confused, "I don't know, that's why I asked you two to help me analyze it."
Feng Feng asked, "What's your first reaction when you see Xing Zheng with another woman?"
Lin Mei answered without hesitation, "Disgust."
Feng Feng probed further, "Have you thought about why you feel disgusted?"
Lin Mei pondered for a moment, "I think he's dirty."
Feng Feng then asked, "If it were another man doing this, would you think he's dirty?"
Lin Mei replied, "Yes."
Feng Feng said, "Then that's it."
Lin Mei looked puzzled.
Feng Feng explained, "You just find the behavior of a man dating multiple women at once disgusting. Perhaps you have some good feelings for Xing Zheng, but it's still possible to resolve this now."
After hearing the analysis, Lan Lan praised Feng Feng, "We really need you for this. You've solved a big problem with just a few words."
Feng Feng gave Lin Mei her rational advice, "You'd best break off with Xing Zheng as soon as possible, lest you truly fall for him. It's best to stay as far away from a man like that as possible."
Lan Lan had previously supported Lin Mei's casual relationship with Xing Zheng, but seeing Lin Mei's distress, she changed her mind. "Consider Ming Zhou. I remember Ming Zhou is quite reliable. After you break up with Chen Qi, you could try dating him."
Feng Feng also had a good impression of Ming Zhou. Although Ming Zhou was successful in his career, he had no scandalous news. She just didn't know what he was like in private. "On June 29th, there's the school anniversary. Ming Zhou should be attending. Lan Lan and I will help you check him out then."
Feng Feng's mention reminded Lin Mei that she and Chen Qi had been invited to the school anniversary this year. The professor had specifically instructed them to attend together.
"Don't worry, we'll definitely... Holy crap, talk of the devil!" Lan Lan stopped mid-sentence, suddenly excited.