Chapter 102 - The Hard Way
[This chapter is dedicated to Zeno98 for leaving such sweet comments on the book for the month of May! ^^ Thank you so much for the support~! :3]
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Everything happened so quickly before they even knew it.
As Wang Lei and Feng Xiao Mei were discussing about business and connections as if nothing happened, Qing Yuan was already arrested by Wang Lei\'s bodyguard, along with the officers that arrived in the room to fetch him.
As they were enjoying the glass of wine served to them by the waiter who entered, Feng Xiao Mei smiled, her face slightly red as she actually drank quite a lot this early, almost one in the afternoon.
Even though she is slightly tipsy, she could still handle herself well, keeping her elegant composure up since she also didn\'t want to become too emotional in front of Mr. Wang Lei and his employees.
Yu Yan and Mr. Ying sat on another table that the employees of the hotel had brought in, eating another light lunch with the another bodyguard who arrived as they listened to the conversation that their boss is having with Feng Xiao Mei.
"Is it okay to speak personally, Mr. Wang Lei?" Xiao Mei asked, propping a hand under her chin with her free hand while her right hand was swirling the wine on in her glass.
"Sure," Wang Lei said, sipping from his glass. "Go on. It must be so much to pent up your frustration right in your chest with all that you\'ve heard and seen. Don\'t worry, what stays in this room will stay in this room."
As if given the signal, Xiao Mei sighed in relief, slumping on her chair as she ran her hand through her hair, exasperated.
"I can\'t believe that bastard of a man can do such a thing," she mumbled casually, but it was enough for the people in the hotel room to hear.
"I didn\'t expect it, too, Ma\'am Xiao Mei," Wang Lei replied, putting his wine glass down. "I thought he is a great man since he has married a great woman such as you. You have great influence and reputation. I can\'t help but think that he wasted his marriage to you."
Hearing this, Xiao Mei felt better. With a small smile creeping on her face, somehow, there was also melancholy behind it, making her look straight into Wang Lei\'s eyes.
"You see me in such high regard, Mr. Wang Lei. But I am also an ordinary woman—hoping for a man to love me—giving me the love I deserve."
Xiao Mei then heaved a heavy sigh. With her shaking her head, she continued talking, the alcohol helping her to overshare with someone whom she\'s not actually close with.
But even then, she thought that it\'s okay to share what she feels with the people she is with now. With how trustworthy Wang Lei is, also his employees, she knows that they will respect whatever she says since… of course, she is also the victim in this.
Qing Yuan has fooled her, and also the girl he raped who already has a son at three years old.
"How stupid that I have learned to love a man such as him. I thought he was good—not capable of doing something bad. But this is something that had shocked me to reality."
"We\'re sorry you have to learn this way," Wang Lei said, giving her an apologetic smile. However, Xiao Mei just shook her head, giving him a sweet smile.
"Don\'t worry. To be honest, I\'m glad I learned about this the hard way. Because as you said, if it was through written communication, I would brush it aside and won\'t believe it. With me hearing the call, my goodness… my heart broke right here and then!"
She forced out a laugh, not wanting to cry.
"Goodness. I\'m sure that when I arrive home, I would be slightly disoriented. I might have to sleep at my mother\'s tonight."
"That\'s a good idea, Ma\'am Xiao Mei. Emotional health matters. If you don\'t mind, I do suggest that you take a break from work, too."
"Oh, I will definitely have a two-day break from work," Xiao Mei agreed, letting out a soft chuckle. "This… I would still need the time to accept this."
Xiao Mei shook her head, tears already escaping her eyes. With Wang Lei giving her tissue to wipe her eyes and blow her nose, the woman gratefully took it from him, already crying and laughing at the same time.
"Oh, how embarrassing. To think that I would cry in front of the people whom I am now partners with in the business world. This is so unprofessional."
"You don\'t have to worry, Ma\'am Xiao Mei," Wang Lei said, sincerely giving her a smile. "Like I said, whatever happens and whatever is said in this room, stays in this room. No judgment taken. This is too much for you, I know."
"Ha! Indeed."
With Xiao Mei already filling her wine glass to the brim with alcohol, Wang Lei slightly widened his eyes, seeing Xiao Mei drink it in one go, making herself drunk in an instant.
"Ugh…"
Xiao Mei exclaimed, already resting her head on the table, pushing her plate away so she can put her head down on the clean cloth.
"If it\'s alright, Mr. Wang Lei, can I book this hotel room? I think I will get drunk on this place tonight."
"No worries," Wang Lei said, nodding. "I will inform your secretary that you will need to be accompanied here tonight. Along with your trusted bodyguards. My employees and I will not leave you until we are assured of your safety."
"Thank yooooou…"
Xiao Mei replied in a slur, her voice muffled against the table.
"That Qing Yuan can go to hell… for not ruining only my life, but the life of an innocent woman, too, and her son."
Hearing this, Yu Yan wanted to talk to Xiao Mei. However, as she stood to approach her, Wang Lei already walked towards her, putting both of his hands on her shoulders, shaking his head to say no.
"I know you want to talk to her, but she is not in the proper disposition to do so. You can talk to her once ready, alright?"
"Hmm…"
Yu Yan furrowed her brows, looking at Xiao Mei worriedly who is now sobbing silently on the table. With a sigh, Mr. Ying and the bodyguard stood up, already finished eating.
"I have contacted Ma\'am Xiao Mei\'s secretary and told her briefly of what happened. They said they will arrive as soon as possible."
"Good," Wang Lei said with a nod, "My trusted bodyguard will stay and will only leave once everything is assured about Ma\'am Xiao Mei\'s safety. For the three of us, we need to go back to the company."
With that, the three of them left, the bodyguard, giving the three of them a small bow as they left.
Yu Yan, as they were walking out, couldn\'t help but look at Xiao Mei, feeling bad for her, too, as she had her heart crushed this very day.
Not only was this a slap to her about her husband\'s evil doings, but it was also a slap to her that her husband did this because she couldn\'t bear a child.