Rebirth: Daily Face Slaps - Chapter 42

“Tingting, I didn’t expect that in just two months, you’d make such a good friend.”

Qin Mei almost spat out the words “good friend” through gritted teeth. With her experience and keen eye for people, she immediately sensed the aura of nobility around Zhang Qiang!

For a moment, Qin Mei doubted her ears. How could a girl from an ordinary background like Lin Mengting befriend someone as distinguished as Zhang Qiang?

“No choice, I fell for Tingting at first sight!” Zhang Qiang draped her arm around Lin Mengting’s shoulder, smiling mischievously. “Miss Qin, don’t try to understand the bond between me and Tingting with your little brain.”

“You… you two…” Qin Mei’s eyes widened with shock and disbelief, mixed with a hint of disdain and contempt, and an unrecognized sense of joy.

How could a girl like Lin Mengting ever match up to her capable and talented brother?

“Lin Mengting, think carefully about how you’re going to explain this to Uncle and Auntie!” A good-looking, handsome young man ignored for such a disgraceful relationship!

Lin Mengting smiled lightly, unfazed by Qin Mei’s threat. “Sister Mei, that gentleman seems to be getting impatient.”

Following Lin Mengting’s finger, Qin Mei saw the man glaring at her with displeasure. She gasped and, without another word, hurriedly left after a quick snort.

“You scared her,” Lin Mengting said helplessly to Zhang Qiang, unable to imagine how worried her parents would be after today.

“Who asked her to be ugly and have a heart full of schemes?” Zhang Qiang pouted, clearly displeased with Lin Mengting’s “doormat” attitude. “She embarrassed you like that, and you still call her ‘Sister Mei’? Seriously… I never realized you were such a pushover!”

Lin Mengting shrugged indifferently. “It’s just a title, it doesn’t mean anything.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Zhang Qiang shook her finger. “The more you call her that, the more she feels entitled to control your actions and keep you from stepping out of line.”

By “stepping out of line,” Zhang Qiang referred not only to Lin Mengting secretly applying for a job but also to making a distinguished friend like Zhang Qiang and keeping it a secret.

“You have a point,” Lin Mengting pondered for a moment. “After today, I’ve effectively cut ties with her. Continuing to call her ‘Sister Mei’ would indeed be nauseating.”

“By the way, stay away from the man she was with,” Zhang Qiang said, showing rare disdain. “I always felt that kind of man only wastes resources and pollutes the air.”

“Judging by your reaction, he must be a playboy?” Lin Mengting casually glanced at the window seat, then her expression froze.

Because in such a short time, Qin Mei was already in that man’s arms!

What happened to the “blind date”?

What happened to avoiding overly intimate gestures in public?

Getting cozy with a stranger at the first meeting wasn’t appropriate!

In her previous life, Qin Mei had always been strict and proper. Why such a drastic change in this life? Or had Lin Mengting never truly seen Qin Mei’s nature?

Apparently, Zhang Qiang also noticed, her expression becoming even more disgusted. “Calling him a playboy is too flattering.”

“He’s the type who ‘keeps the home fires burning while having flings outside,’ ‘moves through a field of flowers without a single petal sticking,’ ‘dies under the peony flower and remains a romantic ghost.'”

“He’s married?” Lin Mengting was shocked, finding it hard to believe that the usually smart and strategic Qin Mei had fallen for such a scoundrel!

“No,” Zhang Qiang shook her head. “He can’t play around so freely if he’s married, and his family indulges him. Being the youngest son with no inheritance rights, his family raises him as a playboy to avoid internal family strife over power. Their circle is too chaotic,” she added, casually mentioning wild parties, partner swaps, and other debauchery as if they were nothing.

At that moment, the waiter brought their tea and snacks. Zhang Qiang took a spoonful of sweet osmanthus soup and, with her mouth full, mumbled, “Group parties, girlfriend swaps…”

“I must at least warn her,” Lin Mengting said, sipping tea to cleanse her palate before attacking the chicken feet.

If she didn’t know, fine. But knowing it, she had to give a heads-up for the sake of neighborly and coworker courtesy.

Whether Qin Mei would be grateful was another matter entirely.

“Yeah,” Zhang Qiang nodded, pretending to be famished and busy eating, but inwardly pleased that Lin Mengting understood “what to do and what not to do.”

Such a friend would be comfortable to get along with in the long run.

“Logically, he shouldn’t be interested in Miss Qin.”

Rich and powerful heirs could easily attract young, beautiful women and models. Why would he look at someone like Qin Mei, who lacked outstanding looks, a curvaceous figure, or porcelain skin, and was already 30?

“After eating rich food, sometimes you crave simple fare,” Lin Mengting replied, not finding it strange. Scumbags like him existed not only in TV dramas and novels but also in real life.

“…” Zhang Qiang rolled her eyes. Did Lin Mengting not understand the true meaning of “simple fare”?

“It’s not about rich food versus simple fare, it’s about seeking different thrills!”

“If Miss Qin doesn’t listen to your warning, there’s no need to say more,” Zhang Qiang cautioned. “Don’t get caught up in their mess and regret it later!”

“I understand,” Lin Mengting nodded, grateful for Zhang Qiang’s advice. “Strictly speaking, we’re not related. Giving a friendly reminder as a neighbor and colleague is enough. If anything happens, no one can blame me.”

But Qin Mei must have lost her mind, ignoring the many rich and powerful suitors in M City, only to fall for such a “decorative pillow”!