illing to move an inch. Her stomach rumbled like a war drum, reminding her of its emptiness. With almost no strength left, she lifted one arm and pressed the bedside button, calling for room service..."Hey!"
She opened her mouth softly. Her voice carried a faint tinge of sadness, for she had cried.
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng's heart felt a little uncomfortable. His pity for her overcame the anger he felt at being betrayed. Therefore, his tone softened a bit.
"Mengmeng, I would absolutely never hurt you!"
"Um."
But you told Rong Ling everything, which made me very sad!
Lin Meng fell silent. Having come to this point, she had struggled, suffered, resisted, and felt guilty. Now looking back, she could only say it was fate.
She didn't mean to!
Jiang Cheng said again, "Did Rong Ling say something to you! Did he say I'm going to hurt you! Don't believe him!"
Lin Meng remained silent.
Jiang Cheng was getting a little impatient.
"Lin Meng, how do you feel about me Don't you understand who I am! Rong Ling is guilty. He's trying to escape blame, and he's on Rong San's side. He will definitely try to get you to distance yourself from us and not trust us. So don't believe her. Use your own eyes and your own heart to think!"
“You don't need to teach her that, my woman isn't stupid!” Rong Ling spoke up just in time. “What exactly did you and your father do You know it in your heart. Don't even try to hide it from Mengmeng. She will see through it, clearly and distinctly!”
Jiang Cheng was starting to get really frustrated, why was Rong Ling just so persistent!
"Leave him!" he couldn't help but shout angrily, wishing he could keep Rong Ling in detention forever. "Leave him, Mengmeng, think about what I told you, think about it carefully!"
“In her lifetime, she can only be with me!” Rong Ling declared with arrogance and confidence, then questioned coldly, “Jiang Chengfeng, don’t pretend to be so noble. Ask yourself, what are you doing this for Is it just revenge!”
Amidst jeering laughter, he once again rudely cut off Jiang Chengfeng's call.
...and Jiang Chengfeng was stunned. Rong Ling's words were cold and emotionless, like a knife with no warmth, instantly slicing through the layer he had desperately tried to hide behind. The feeling of being exposed in that instant was unbearably humiliating. He held the phone, but felt as if he was holding a thousand pounds, losing all desire to call Lin Meng again.
Here, Rong Ling gave Lin Meng a cold warning.
“From now on, try not to answer his calls. This man has bad intentions and wants to abduct you!”
Lin Meng was stunned again. She had never thought much about it, but the man's attitude and expression at this moment left her with no room to think otherwise. She felt it wouldn't be like that, but the man's expression was so serious. She knew he rarely joked!
"Little one, only I am allowed in your eyes!"
He cupped her chin, his eyebrows, the corners of his eyes, high nose, and thin lips all radiating coldness. His deep, cold gaze pierced into hers, as if to etch himself onto her very being, making him the only one who existed in her world.
She nodded involuntarily.
He smiled slightly and kissed her.
"Good girl/boy!"
He then loosened his grip on her chin and gently pulled her into his arms. As if this wasn't enough, he rolled over, pinning her beneath him. This way, it felt like a net, completely encasing her.
"You are mine!"
He said again, his finger bones distinct, gently stroking her small face.
It's a tender flirtation!
She closed her eyes gently, a faint smile playing on her lips.
A gentle sway, like a small daisy blossom. And he was the warm sunlight, under which she lay lazily, stretching out her body, gently swaying, with a faint and graceful beauty, creating a world of its own, enjoyed solely by him!
Jiang Chengfeng said at the front that she couldn't possibly harm Lin Meng, letting Lin Meng believe him. However, afterward, he slapped himself in the face. Rong Sanbo was imprisoned as he wished, but amidst the rumors flying outside, one thing that absolutely couldn't be ignored was that it was Lin Meng who secretly mailed evidence against Rong Sanbo to the procuratorate!
"Was it you who did this Is that you!"
Jiang Cheng, enraged, kicked open Jiang Yichen's office door with a fierce stomp and roared his question, his face dark with fury.
"For just one woman, look at what you've become!"
Jiang Yichen looked at him unhappily, his eyes filled with reproach.
"Shut the door! Don't you think our plan has been exposed enough already!"
Jiang rode the wind, a chill running through him. He thought about this being his father's office after all, with who knows who coming and going. So, he immediately shut the door, but not gently. With a stomp, he slammed it shut. The resounding "bang" echoed throughout the room, proclaiming his pent-up rage.
He strode toward Jiang Yancheng, spreading his hands and resting them on the desk. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed fiercely on Jiang Yancheng.
Why, why do this!
He is his son, no one can understand his father better than he does. He knows that the things happening to Lin Meng must be done by him, but why, why would it be like this!
And he was his father, well aware of his son's personality, and knew that what he had done could no longer be concealed at this time, so he confessed openly. Also because he had already cast the net wide, Lin Meng fell into it, now he could collect the net without any worries! What he did was all for his son!
"Lin Meng, what kind of person is she You've seen it too. This woman completely failed our expectations. She didn't help and even went against you and me, siding with Rong Ling. Feng, do you think I need to defend such a woman!"
Jiang Cheng's eyes darkened immediately.
Jiang Yichen tapped the cigarette in his hand, then put it in his mouth, took a deep drag, and exhaled heavily. Among the swirling smoke, his face became hazy and indistinct.
"Xiao Lang, he cannot die in vain. As you wished, I gave that woman many chances, but now there are none left. I will not stand idly by and watch a woman who survived at the cost of my son's life live so ungrateful, and then turn around to help our enemies against us. Therefore, I must teach her a lesson. Cheng Feng, do you think I am being too harsh"
Jiang Yichen stared fiercely at Jiang Chengfeng. The cigarette in his hand, the tip burning with a red glow, flickered, a different kind of glare. It was like a drop of blood that fell into Jiang Chengfeng's eyes, making his eye sockets hot and painful.
> Is that too much
He thought to himself, she had indeed betrayed his trust. Before the designated time, she hadn't sent any information about Rong Sanbo. Her inaction made him feel utterly chilled.
Even if he was deeply disappointed, even if there was some hatred in his heart, he never thought about revenge or harming her!
Why does father have to be so pushy!
"You know what she means to me!" he said, his voice thick with emotion, tears welling up in his eyes.
A man may shed tears, but only when he reaches a point of deep sorrow. He yearns for what he can't have, yet still treasures the idea of her. Ironically, these feelings are disregarded by everyone, including the woman he desires and his own family. Lacking support, he feels an indescribable loneliness that chills him to the bone. This coldness seeps into his heart, creating a gaping wound filled with scorching blood, a testament to his pain!
“She’s not right for you!” Jiang Yichen criticized bluntly. “Chengfeng, how old are you Don’t be naive. That woman doesn’t have you in her heart at all. Why are you so foolish to tie yourself up You shouldn’t be this stupid person, so get out of there immediately, don’t escape reality, and stop deceiving yourself by weaving dreams!”
Jiang, upon hearing this, clenched his fists tightly. His knuckles were visibly white with bulging veins as if they would explode in the next second, indicating the man's extreme restraint.
Jiang Yichen's gaze swept across his hand, furrowed his brows afterward, and finally took a deep drag of his cigarette. He crushed half of the cigarette in the ashtray with a snap. Thus, that drop of blood red was completely extinguished in the air.
"To the point, what are you clinging to!" The smoke he exhaled added a ghostly and profound mystery to his already dark face. "Is it that she truly attracted you, making you remember her for so many years Or, are you actually just fulfilling your brother's last wish!"
Jiang Chengfeng's face suddenly changed, then he raised his head and glared at Jiang Yichen fiercely, as if he wanted to devour him.
Jiang Yancheng simply watched him, his expression still so deep, as if he saw through everything. He was a member of the Jiang family, with the blood of the Jiang family flowing in his bones, and carrying a certain kind of obsession unique to the Jiang family, which his son also possessed. However, he insisted that Lin Meng could never enter his Jiang family's door. Ever since she killed his son, there was no possibility of that. She should go to the underworld to accompany her own son, since her son loved her so much. But with the younger son's wish and the elder son blocking him, he couldn't do it himself, but he absolutely couldn't bear to watch that woman live so happily!
She should spend her whole life weeping for her young son, and she should spend her whole life filled with guilt and remorse to atone for her sins!
“Lin Meng, I’ve already been as generous and kind as possible. You shouldn’t bring her up again. You should know that I’ve been merciful enough towards her. You should see this person clearly now. In the future, the daughter of the He family should be your target. Work hard yourself, I believe you know what to do!”
Jiang Chengfeng's face twisted violently. He knew what his parents meant; they wanted him to marry He Wen. Her family fortune matched his perfectly. Marrying her would be beneficial for himself and his father's career. As for Lin Meng, she was like a distant dream. He wanted to grasp this dream, but after all, it was just a dream, incompatible with reality. Given the Jiang family's current status, it was difficult to accept a woman who had been married twice. He had already tried his best. If Lin Meng cooperated this time, it would be a great opportunity. His mother shouldn't pose too much of a problem; with Youyou there, he was confident he could persuade her. The most difficult part was his father. He wanted to take this chance to make Lin Meng likable in his father's eyes and have him recognize and approve of her, but—it was ruined!
Could it be that the woman he had in his heart has truly become a dream of yesterday Is she not the same as she was in the past anymore!
Given her personality, he had expected she would definitely steal Rong Sanbo's data, but why hadn't she
This misjudgment made him suddenly feel uncertain. Besides the heart pain, he also felt lost and confused, with an anger that was like a beast suppressing a muffled roar.
Why would she want to disappoint him!
Jiang Cheng, despite his careful planning, failed to account for the unpredictable nature of the world. He never imagined that his father, Jiang Yanli, would go so far as to set a trap for him in order to keep Lin Meng out. His biggest flaw was underestimating Lin Meng's husband, Rong Ling, who was undoubtedly just as cunning and calculating.
He could be deeper, more cunning, more strategic, and more patient in his stillness, even if it meant hurting himself!
To get what he wants, he would definitely be someone who can be ruthless even to himself!
Such people are terrifying, so whether intentionally or unintentionally, becoming their enemy will inevitably lead to great misfortune.
"You see, the Jiang family is trying to harm you!"
Once the rumor outside spread that Lin Meng had reported Rong Sanbo, it would inevitably reach Lin Meng's ears. Even if no one told Lin Meng, Rong Ling would find a way to let her know. Of course, he must have a third party tell her; he definitely wouldn't open his mouth himself. He wanted to distance himself, he wanted this woman to hear what others were saying so she could make a better judgment. Because he was already "suspected of a crime," anything that came out of his mouth would inevitably be discounted.
"Do you believe me!" Lin Mengwei raised her chin to look at him, her heart a mess.
"Don't talk nonsense!" he immediately scolded her, grabbing a handful of her hair with his hand and rubbing it hard. "You wouldn't do such a thing!"
Lin Meng lowered her head, her heart aching with a mixture of sadness and pain.
I don't understand, why would they do that!
"This was all set up from the start, no matter whether you followed their instructions or not, in the end, they were definitely going to push you out."
"What riddle are you guys playing" Yu Xu, who stood aside, leaned in and expressed his confusion.
Neither of them answered him.
Yu Xu shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he had given up on pursuing the question further, and instead asked, "What should we do now Uncle San was forcibly removed from the South Sea Conference. As soon as he returned to Beijing, he was placed under house arrest. I heard from my grandfather that now Uncle San's home is filled with surveillance equipment. Every phone call to Uncle San's home is recorded; even if a bird flies over his house, it's filmed. This time, they mean business, it's going to be terrifying!"
Yu Xu furrowed his brows deeply, the smile that often graced his face replaced with a heavy worry. "Brother, I think this time it's not just San Bo, everyone in Rong family is acting strangely, including you and our company. Currently, our stock is still fluctuating downward. The information I received is that several large companies are preparing to target us, as well as Yadong. These wolves are known for their keen sense of smell and will definitely not miss this opportunity."
--- Aside ---
I highly recommend my friend's story "Entangled," a modern urban fiction piece that ranks on the subscription list of Xiao Xiang. It's definitely worth checking out!
He and she, every night entangled in passion, but only physical harmony, no promise of love; she bore him children, gave her heart to him, wanting to be his wife and love him for life, he said, she is not worthy!time she had expressed her stance so clearly!"You should engrave this sentence into your heart, remember it for life!" Jiang Po Lang still said to her with some lingering fear.Lin Meng shrugged again...