The words were quickly echoed, "It's hard to say, isn't it? As the old saying goes, behind every prodigal son is a woman who deeply hurt him!"
The people chatting were not far away, and Lin Mei, Lan Lan, and Feng Feng heard everything they discussed.
The three of them didn't know much about the matter. Lan Lan's curiosity was piqued, "Xing Zheng actually pursued someone before? That sounds so pure."
Lin Mei didn't respond. She didn't even know that Xing Zheng had previously attended Nanjiang University, let alone his romantic life. Feng Feng also shook her head, unaware of this past.
Lan Lan: "If it's true, it would be interesting. I'm really curious what kind of person could make Xing Zheng actively pursue them. From what I heard, it seems the woman rejected him?"
Everyone has a bit of voyeurism. It wasn't just Lan Lan; Lin Mei was also filled with curiosity. She couldn't even connect the actions described with the current Xing Zheng.
After a few minutes of discussion, Ming Zhou arrived, "Lin Mei!"
Ming Zhou was wearing a custom-made suit today, looking elegant and gentlemanly. He was a person with a gentle temperament, always wearing a smile, unlike Xing Zheng, who exuded an oppressive aura the moment he appeared.
Lin Mei hadn't seen Ming Zhou for a few days, "Senior, how have you been lately?"
Ming Zhou: "I'm fine, just too busy with work to ask you out for a meal."
Lan Lan joined in the fun, teasing Ming Zhou, "Senior, this isn't good. Feng Feng and I are right here, why are you only asking Lin Mei out and not us?"
Ming Zhou knew Lan Lan and Feng Feng. They had worked on a project together during his master's degree. When Lan Lan teased him, Ming Zhou started chatting with them as well.
Ming Zhou was sociable, kind, and had high emotional intelligence. After a brief conversation, Feng Feng and Lan Lan were very impressed with him.
---
Chen Qi and a few classmates were standing in front of Xing Zheng, chatting. This group knew that Xing Zheng had just returned to the country and wanted to develop business with Shuang Mu, seizing the opportunity to get close to Xing Zheng.
Xing Zheng ignored their flattery. He narrowed his eyes, looking at Lin Mei, who was chatting happily with Ming Zhou not far away, and casually adjusted his tie with his long fingers.
Xing Zheng then turned to Chen Qi, a half-smile on his face, "Manager Chen, you have quite a bit of luck with the ladies."
Chen Qi: "Mr. Xing, what makes you say that?"
Xing Zheng gestured with his chin, "Manager Lin is so popular, yet she still chooses Manager Chen. It shows her deep affection."
Seeing Lin Mei chatting with Ming Zhou, Chen Qi's anger immediately flared up. However, the anger wasn't due to jealousy, but rather a feeling that his territory had been invaded.
Chen Qi left in a huff, and Xing Zheng smiled and followed him gracefully.
Lin Mei and Ming Zhou hadn't said anything out of line. In fact, during this conversation, she was the relatively silent one.
Ming Zhou chatted more with Lan Lan and Feng Feng. She just listened, occasionally chiming in and smiling. They were from the same college, so there were plenty of topics to discuss.
Just as Lin Mei was enjoying the conversation, her shoulder was suddenly gripped. She gasped in pain and turned to see Chen Qi's angry expression. Lin Mei felt bewildered, "You're hurting me."
Chen Qi ignored Lin Mei's words and, without explanation, dragged her outside, attracting the attention of many people.
Lan Lan couldn't stand it and yelled at Chen Qi, "Damn it, Chen Qi, are you crazy? What's with the sudden outburst?"
Feng Feng, knowing Chen Qi was acting because of Ming Zhou, said, "Chen Qi, you need to consider the occasion. This is the alumni celebration."
Chen Qi was gripping her tightly, and Lin Mei's brow remained furrowed in pain. Ming Zhou looked concerned and directly reached out to pull Chen Qi away. He was always a gentleman, and he wouldn't resort to such measures unless Lin Mei was in too much pain.
Xing Zheng saw Ming Zhou intervene and raised his eyebrows playfully. He remained still, watching from the sidelines.
Ming Zhou stopped Chen Qi, rescued Lin Mei from his grasp, and stood in front of her, in a clear act of saving the damsel in distress.
Chen Qi and Ming Zhou's confrontation here had already attracted a lot of attention, and some people were already whispering.
Ming Zhou disliked being the center of attention and being gossiped about. He said to Chen Qi, "Let's talk outside."
Chen Qi naturally didn't want to stay there to be laughed at, so they left.
Lin Mei watched them leave, feeling anxious and wanting to follow, but Lan Lan and Feng Feng stopped her, "Don't go. We'll go. You stay here alone for a while."
At this point, Lin Mei going out would only escalate the conflict. Feng Feng said, "Go wait on the terrace. Lan Lan and I will find you later."
Lan Lan and Feng Feng left in a hurry. Lin Mei felt everyone's eyes on her and, unable to bear it, walked towards the terrace in her heels.
There was no one on the terrace. Lin Mei walked to the railing and stood there, closing her eyes. With what had happened tonight, she, Chen Qi, and Ming Zhou would undoubtedly become the talk of the alumni.
Not only would those attending the alumni celebration know, but those who didn't come would soon find out as well.
Lin Mei had originally wanted to break up with Chen Qi peacefully. Even if they had maintained a facade, it would have been more dignified than falling out completely. But now, with Chen Qi being so irritable and manic, there was no sign of a peaceful breakup.
Her parents didn't know how to explain things, and now this had happened. Lin Mei felt a headache coming on.
As she was feeling distressed, she heard footsteps behind her. Lin Mei leaned on the railing and looked back, seeing a tall male figure.
The light on the terrace was dim. The man's suit blended almost seamlessly with the thick night. His features were hidden in the darkness, but the predatory glint in his eyes was exceptionally clear.
He strode towards her with long legs, step by step, until she was completely enveloped by his presence.
They hadn't been in contact for almost half a month. Lin Mei thought they had cleanly broken off, but when she was enveloped by Xing Zheng's familiar pheromones, her reaction was still uncontrollable.
Her heart raced, and her breathing quickened.
Lin Mei wanted to dodge, but the man cupped her chin, leaned in, and sneered, "They're all discussing outside now, saying Manager Lin is incredibly charming, causing two men to fight over you."
"What does that have to do with you?" Lin Mei was prepared for how people outside would discuss things, but why was Xing Zheng, that scoundrel, here to mock her? Was he so pure himself?
Xing Zheng let out a deep chuckle, pressing his knee between her legs. Lin Mei was defenseless, and a soft groan escaped her nostrils.
Xing Zheng looked at her, a mocking smile on his face, his gaze and words extremely flirtatious, "You go soft the moment I touch you. What do you think it has to do with me?"
"You stallion!" Lin Mei gritted her teeth, wanting to hit him.
Xing Zheng caught her hand and sneered, "Don't you like me this way? When have you not put yourself on me?"
Lin Mei felt her hand burning, "Let go of me, you lunatic, you psycho! Go find your fiancée if you're horny!"
Xing Zheng refused to let go, and even kissed her ear, as if whispering sweet nothings, "She doesn't taste as good as you, my Lin Mei."
Lin Mei trembled, barely able to stand, unsure if it was from anger or his arousal.
Xing Zheng added, "Only you, you can't stand steady the moment you see me."