“Honey, how can you praise someone like that while belittling yourself like that? In my heart, you are the best man in the world.” Zhang Mengxin followed up with another display of affection, clearly telling the mayor in front of her that even if he now holds a high position, in her heart, the man she loves and values most has long been replaced by her husband. “Mayor Shao, please don’t mind, Chang’an is just like that.”
"You two are so loving!"
“Chang’an treated me very well. That year, I was suffering from illness and penniless, and ended up in Qingkou County. If it weren’t for Chang’an, it’s questionable whether Zhang Mengxin would even exist in this world. It was a great honor for me to marry Chang’an. After all, a woman like me who cannot have children would probably be looked down upon by an ordinary family.”
Shao Qibin felt a sudden darkness engulf him, a tightness in his chest, and a churning of blood within him. He naturally understood the hidden meaning in the words of the smiling, angelic woman before him. Thinking of their child, and how Zhang Mengxin had lost her right to be a mother because of his inaction that time, what right did he have to blame her for not coming back to him? What grounds did he have to be jealous of her current harmonious relationship with Liu Chang'an?
Upon closer inspection, the faint indifference and hatred in Zhang Mengxin's eyes were so obvious that she hated him!
She actually hates him!
"County Chief Liu is indeed a model of a good man." Shao Qibin ate this meal with great difficulty. Watching Zhang Mengxin deliberately flaunt her affection for Liu Chang'an in front of him, a closer look revealed that Zhang Mengxin's seemingly intimate relationship with Liu Chang'an lacked any deep love. She was simply trying to provoke him! Having realized this, Shao Qibin, seeing that the meal was almost finished, spoke up.
“County Chief Liu, let me speak with Secretary He and have him show you around to the various departments first.” Then, he turned to Zhang Mengxin, “Speaking of which, Mengxin and I haven’t seen each other for many years. Taking this opportunity, I, as her older brother, would like to show some concern for my younger sister. County Chief Liu, you won’t mind, will you?”
Liu Chang'an's first reaction was to look at Zhang Mengxin beside him. After seeing Zhang Mengxin nod, he smiled and agreed, then left the private room with He Shengming, who had appeared at some point.
As soon as Liu Chang'an left the private room, Zhang Mengxin's smile became even sweeter and more charming. However, no matter how you looked at it, the smile seemed fake: "I didn't know I had gained an older brother. My surname is Zhang, and Mayor Shao's surname is Shao. I am not worthy of having an older brother of your noble status."
Shao Qibin sat down next to Zhang Mengxin and reached out to grab her shoulder, but Zhang Mengxin's cold gaze made him stop in his tracks.
"Mayor Shao, please have some self-respect. I am Liu Chang'an's wife now, not your mistress." Zhang Mengxin found Shao Qibin's face utterly disgusting. He was the one who allowed Li Jianmei to hurt her back then. After all these years, she understood perfectly well who was more powerful, the Li family or the Shao family. What happened back then was entirely Shao Qibin's tacit approval. Did he still think she was some naive girl who could be easily fooled? She had already paid a bloody price. Heaven knows how much she longed to bear her own child. But because of Shao Qibin, because of Li Jianmei, she didn't even have the right to be a mother!
The undisguised hatred in Zhang Mengxin's eyes was like a dark cloud looming overhead, almost scorching Shao Qibin's heart. The pain of being engulfed and gnawed by the flames left Shao Qibin almost helpless in the face of Zhang Mengxin's sharp barbs.
“Mengxin, it’s all my fault. I’m sorry, it was all my fault back then. I didn’t take good care of you, I didn’t have the responsibility of a man. That’s why our child didn’t have the chance to come into this world. That’s why you lost the chance to be a mother. I’ve already arranged for someone to take Li Jianmei out of the country. Don’t worry, I will avenge our child.”
Shao Qibin, who had initially felt some pity for Li Jianmei because of the deep love in her eyes that morning, now felt his dissatisfaction with Li Jianmei rekindled when he faced Zhang Mengxin.
"Hehe, I don't deserve Mayor Shao's thanks! If Mayor Shao truly feels indebted to me, then please don't disturb my peaceful life anymore. I was born into a lowly family, and having met with you too much has only offended your eyes. Now I just want to live a good life with Chang'an. Chang'an is a good husband, a good man, and a good county magistrate. He is wholeheartedly devoted to the development of Qingkou County, and I don't want the people of Qingkou County to hear any bad rumors because of what happened between you and me, which would affect Chang'an. It's best if we don't see each other again."
Heaven knows how much effort Zhang Mengxin had to exert to suppress her surging hatred. This man was still the same—sweet-talking, silver-tongued, the epitome of a charming lover, yet utterly despicable inside. If it weren't for the concern that a complete falling out with him would jeopardize Chang'an's development, she wouldn't want to stay in this private room with him for even a second longer. It would only make her feel suffocated!
Seeing Zhang Mengxin pick up her bag and about to leave, Shao Qibin instinctively grabbed her arm: "Mengxin, I know I didn't keep my promise back then, I didn't protect you. It's all my fault. You are kind, beautiful, and intelligent, the best woman in the world. I didn't cherish what I had and that's why I lost you. I know that no matter what I say now, it's all in vain. Since you like Liu Chang'an and value him, I will help you, as a form of compensation."
"Shao Qibin, what do you mean by this? Chang'an is capable and has ideas. Everything he does is for the development of Qingkou County. Qingkou County is a district under the jurisdiction of T City. Its development will obviously benefit you as well. It's as if you support Chang'an's development just to compensate me. Haha, should I express my gratitude to you?" Zhang Mengxin angrily shook off Shao Qibin's hand, her face flushed red as she glared at him, as if she wouldn't let it go unless Shao Qibin gave her a perfect explanation.
Seeing Zhang Mengxin so protective of Liu Chang'an, Shao Qibin felt a growing sense of regret: "I spoke without thinking. County Chief Liu is indeed exceptionally capable. I have read all the plans he wrote for Qingkou County over the next few years; he put a lot of thought into them. The city will definitely give full support to the development of Qingkou County."
Zhang Mengxin, her cheeks puffed out, stared at Shao Qibin for a long time. Just as she was about to say something, the door to the private room opened. Hong Xinran, dressed in a low-key disguise, walked in. She had just finished a performance and, because the location was close to T City, rushed over. After learning from Secretary He that Shao Qibin was here, she turned around and came here, only to find her boyfriend gazing affectionately at a pretty and sweet-looking woman. The woman, on the other hand, looked down at Shao Qibin arrogantly, as if he were a lecherous scoundrel.
"Does this seem like I've arrived at the wrong time?" Hong Xinran, having spent years in the entertainment industry, had long since developed a keen eye. Seeing the situation before her, she first removed her hat and sunglasses, revealing her true face, before breaking the silence.
"Xinran, what brings you here?" Shao Qibin was surprisingly calm when he saw his girlfriend.
"I rushed over to find you as soon as I finished my work commitments, and you, you rascal, actually asked me why I came." Hong Xinran was undoubtedly a smart woman; her smile and playful anger exuded elegance. She didn't question Shao Qibin about why he was alone in a room with another woman behind her back; she simply acted coquettishly, which inexplicably aroused one's affection.
"It's all my fault. Xinran, let me introduce you. This is Zhang Mengxin, the wife of the county magistrate of Qingkou County. Mengxin, this is Hong Xinran, my girlfriend." Shao Qibin, who was completely at ease with Hong Xinran, felt a little guilty when introducing Zhang Mengxin.
"I never imagined that the famous movie star and actress Miss Hong would be Mayor Shao's girlfriend. Mayor Shao is truly blessed. Miss Hong is also very fortunate to receive such meticulous and considerate care from Mayor Shao."
Zhang Mengxin had heard about the rumors and gossip surrounding Hong Xinran in the previous period. Considering that those rumors hadn't caused Hong Xinran any trouble, but instead had actually brought her more attention, she couldn't believe that Shao Qibin hadn't helped her.
Thinking of this, Zhang Mengxin suddenly felt disheartened and increasingly didn't want to stay here anymore.
"I won't disturb Mayor Shao and Miss Hong's date any longer, I'll take my leave now."
Seeing the message in Zhang Mengxin's eyes that people with similar fates could not share the same destiny, Shao Qibin panicked for a moment and grabbed Zhang Mengxin's wrist without thinking: "I'll give it to you!"
They completely forgot about Hong Xinran, who was smiling brightly but now had a hint of gloom in her eyes.
46. Besieged by wolves in front and tigers behind.
Chapter 45: Wolves in Front, Tigers Behind
Hong Xinran's eyes flickered slightly. No woman, no matter how many storms she's weathered, would feel good if her boyfriend looked at another woman with lingering affection in front of her. The difference lies in the fact that a smart woman won't show her displeasure on her face; she'll even know how to considerately preserve her man's dignity.
“Miss, you don’t need to worry about me. It would be a poor hospitality for us to let a young lady go back like this. At the very least, Qibin should take you home.”
Hong Xinran's tactful and generous answer, gentle and dignified smile, and her poised and considerate demeanor quickly calmed the impulsive, boyish impulse that had arisen in Shao Qibin's heart due to the sudden sight of his first love and his overwhelming guilt.
"Yes, Mengxin, Xinran and I will take you back to your residence. I promised County Chief Liu that I would take good care of you, and I can't go back on my word."
Zhang Mengxin's gaze swept over Shao Qibin and Hong Xinran, and she frowned slightly, clearly disliking the suggestion. But in the end, perhaps to avoid any trouble, she simply nodded: "Then I'll trouble Mayor Shao."
Throughout the journey, Shao Qibin drove, and at Zhang Mengxin's insistence, Hong Xinran sat in the passenger seat. Zhang Mengxin herself sat comfortably in the back, watching the scenery rush by outside the window without making a sound. Even when Shao Qibin tried to say something, he only received rather indifferent "hmm" or "oh" from Zhang Mengxin. Furthermore, because Hong Xinran was present, they couldn't discuss certain things further, and a silence fell over the car.
Upon arriving at their destination, Zhang Mengxin impatiently got out of the car, but out of basic politeness, she said a polite but distant "Thank you!"
"Mengxin, you don't need to be so polite with me. In my heart, you'll always be my sister. If you need anything, just come to me."
"Thank you for your concern, Mayor Shao. I'm just a teacher, and my social circle is quite small. I'm very satisfied with my current life and very happy. Even if anything happens, my husband will help me solve it." Zhang Mengxin glanced at Hong Xinran, who had taken off her sunglasses in the passenger seat and was smiling gently. She didn't show any negative emotions towards her boyfriend's words of concern, and Zhang Mengxin felt a little admiration for her.
Once Zhang Mengxin entered the hotel alone, Hong Xinran slightly withdrew the smile from her face, a sharp glint appearing in her eyes.
"Qibin, you really care about Zhang Mengxin."
Hearing his girlfriend's jealous words, Shao Qibin realized he had overstepped his bounds. However, he wasn't one to share his past with others, especially his relationship with Zhang Mengxin. If someone with ulterior motives knew, they might use it against him. Therefore, he changed the subject, saying, "This is my younger sister whom I've watched grow up. Her husband is the county magistrate of Qingkou County. As her older brother, it's natural for me to take good care of her. I didn't expect you, a big star, to be jealous. Does that mean I have to be incredibly jealous whenever I see those outstanding men around you?"
Hong Xinran wanted to get to the bottom of this. Who was Shao Qibin lying to? His sister? What man would look at his sister with that kind of male gaze? However, having known Shao Qibin for so long, she knew his temperament. If he was determined not to let you know something, then even if you pried open his mouth, you wouldn't find out a single thing.
Perhaps she should talk to Secretary He.
Having made up her mind, Hong Xinran followed Shao Qibin's suggestion and changed the subject, starting to talk about the recent situation of her studio and some interesting things she encountered while filming. The atmosphere between them improved quite a bit.
Meanwhile, Shao Qile, far away in Beijing, had also learned of the situation and was sitting in front of his computer having a long-distance video call. On the other end of the call was Zhang Mengxin, who had just gotten out of Shao Qibin's car!
The reason Shao Qibin and his group couldn't find Zhang Mengxin was ultimately due to their lack of interest, coupled with the obstruction from the Shao family elders. At that time, the still-developing Shao Qibin was also preoccupied with the spoiled yet somewhat adorable Li Jianmei, so he naturally had no time for anything else. However, possessing a system, one of its advantages being the ability to locate characters on the game board, meant that Shao Qile already knew Zhang Mengxin's whereabouts.