Rebirth: Daily Face Slaps - Chapter 6

“Hope you’ll keep your word,” Qin Mei said firmly, staring at Qin Dong until he lowered his head, a look of pitiful remorse on his face, his ears turning faintly red. Only then did she turn to Lin Mengting, her expression earnest. “Tingting, this time, you must help me supervise him.”

Before Lin Mengting could respond, Qin Mei looked back at Qin Dong and said, “Qin Dong, with Tingting watching, if you still can’t curb your meat-eating habit, then…”

The threat in her words made Qin Dong shiver. He quickly waved his hands and said, “Sister, don’t worry, I will definitely do it this time!”

“Tingting, you see, I knew just mentioning you would make my foolish brother behave like a perfectly obedient child,” Qin Mei said with a smile.

“You’re making it difficult for me, Sister Mei,” Lin Mengting said with a faint smile. “I always thought someone who could pass the traditional Chinese medicine exam with such excellent grades must be very smart.”

“Alas!” Qin Mei sighed, interrupting the serious atmosphere Lin Mengting had created. “You give me too much credit, Tingting.”

“If I were really that smart, I wouldn’t have been framed and had to leave home, ending up as a doctor at a small base in a small city like S City. I worked hard for five years, learned a lot, and spent four years at a hospital in M City, only to end up in a situation where I couldn’t even get into a small hospital in S City.” Qin Mei shook her head, her eyes closed, her face full of bitterness, helplessness, and a faint trace of despair and resignation.

“Sister, it’s not your fault,” Qin Dong said softly, not daring to let Lin Mengting see the anger in his eyes caused by her, “It was that person’s fault…”

[If it weren’t for Lin Mengting, my sister wouldn’t have to reopen her old wounds to change the subject!]

[Lin Mengting, remember this! You will be ‘punished’ for hurting my sister!]

Lin Mengting took a sip of tea, her face showing no extra emotion, but inwardly, she found this carefully planned “performance” extremely interesting.

Seeing that Lin Mengting did not show her usual indignation or offer comfort, but instead acted as if she was an outsider, Qin Mei felt a pang of unease. Something unexpected seemed to have happened without her noticing.

Qin Dong, noticing Qin Mei’s look, felt his own unease grow.

[Could it be that Lin Mengting heard something? Has someone instigated her to be wary of us?]

[That can’t be! In these three months, Lin Mengting and my sister have been inseparable. If something were wrong, my sister would have noticed.]

[Unless…]

Remembering the recent activity where one-third of the base’s guides participated in an event with a prestigious elementary school, Qin Dong felt a rare moment of regret.

If he had known this would happen, he would have refused.

At the very least, he should have left Qin Mei behind!

Unaware of Qin Dong’s thoughts, Qin Mei quickly came up with another way to improve relations with Lin Mengting. “Tingting, the food here is quite good, isn’t it? Qin Dong may not be good at much, but his sense of taste is something even I have to admire!”

“Sister, you make me sound like a dog,” Qin Dong interjected with a pout.

“A restaurant that can afford to open multiple locations not only has good business but also serves good food.” Lin Mengting glanced at the paper napkin on the table, her eyes lingering on the list of chain store addresses and phone numbers. She smiled and said, “After all, ‘the customer is always right.’ Only by winning customers’ hearts can a business last.”

[Given Lin Mengting’s age and usual demeanor, she shouldn’t have noticed this.]

[As expected of someone who will become the richest person in G Province in ten years!]

“Tingting, noticing that on your first visit shows you have a keen eye. I’ll have to learn from you,” Qin Dong said, smiling with narrowed eyes.

“Our Tingting is certainly different from other girls!” Qin Mei praised with a smile. “Tingting is smart, lively, talented, and kind. I wonder which lucky guy will win her heart!”

Despite her words, the look Qin Mei gave Qin Dong made her true meaning clear.

“You’re too kind,” Lin Mengting said lightly, pretending not to notice Qin Mei and Qin Dong’s actions. “There are many people better than me. You just haven’t met them yet. When you do, you’ll understand.”

“Pfft!” Qin Mei couldn’t help but laugh, breaking the tense atmosphere. She patted Lin Mengting’s shoulder and said, “Tingting, while humility is a virtue, excessive humility can come off as arrogance!”

“Yes, Tingting, no matter what, you are the best in my heart. No one else is worthy to tie your shoes.” Qin Dong looked at Lin Mengting with deep affection, almost swearing to the heavens to prove his sincerity.

“Thank you.” Lin Mengting took a sip of tea, unsurprised to hear Qin Dong’s inner thoughts again.

[Indeed, women always say one thing and mean another. Even Lin Mengting, who will be the richest person in the future, is no different from other women, easily swayed by sweet words!]

…

It’s often said that relationships deepen over meals. Seeing Lin Mengting’s coldness and detachment gradually fade, although not completely back to the way it was before yesterday, Qin Mei’s anxious heart finally settled.

“Tingting, you don’t know computers or English. Although you have a technical school diploma, you don’t plan to be a doctor. It won’t be easy to find a better job!”

“One must try, regardless!” Lin Mengting traced the edge of her white porcelain teacup with her fingers and smiled. “Actually, I had thought computers were too difficult. Once you start, they become very simple and easy to understand.”

“That’s true.” Qin Mei was momentarily stunned but quickly responded, “Before you left the factory, you spent 600 yuan on a basic computer training course. Although your typing speed is slow, and you haven’t touched a computer for a few months, finding a job that involves answering phones and occasionally using a computer shouldn’t be too hard.”

“Yes, that’s what I thought too.” Lin Mengting took another sip of tea, glancing at Qin Dong, who was deep in thought, a cold smile playing on her lips.