Rebirth: Daily Face Slaps - Chapter 74

“Qin Dong, tell me honestly, are you really planning to attend Adult Education College?”

Qin Dong looked at Qin Mei in shock. “Sis, what kind of joke is this? Didn’t I tell you I’m going to the capital?!”

Even though S City’s economy would soar in the next ten years, with the whole city undergoing tremendous changes, it would still fall short compared to the capital.

After all, the capital was the capital of China!

Moreover, to him, the capital was his true stronghold.

How could he possibly give up the capital, a place where he could easily become a person of status, to stay in S City, a city filled with money and materialism, lacking any cultural essence and brimming with restless people, just for Lin Mengting?!

“Are you really decided?” In Qin Mei’s view, the capital was a place where hidden talents abounded, much tougher to stand out in than S City.

“Of course! Didn’t we already agree on this?” Qin Dong looked at Qin Mei, puzzled.

“In that case, we need to handle everything properly before the school starts in September.” Qin Mei contemplated for a moment, speaking with a meaningful tone.

Qin Dong immediately understood the implication of Qin Mei’s words. Although he felt a bit guilty towards Lin Mengting, as the saying goes, “Every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost.” He had no choice.

“Sis, I leave everything to you.”

Who could blame him for Lin Mengting’s lack of tact?!

Who could be blamed for all this?!

…

So, that day, Lin Mengting received another nostalgic call from Qin Mei.

“Tingting, honestly, it’s been over a month since we last met. I find it hard to believe you can’t spare a single moment. Or are you now so well-off that you don’t want to associate with us old friends and folks anymore?!”

“Sister Mei, do you think I’m that kind of person?” Lin Mengting blinked, hiding her thoughts.

To be honest, given the shameless nature of Qin Mei and Qin Dong, it was strange that they hadn’t called to harass her for almost a month since the last incident. It was as if they were unaware that she had called her family to subtly badmouth them. It was bizarre no matter how she thought about it.

If these two weren’t brewing some big scheme, she wouldn’t believe it!

“I’m really busy. You don’t understand, this industry isn’t that simple.”

Before Lin Mengting could finish, Qin Mei interrupted her without hesitation, “Tingting, I’ve heard these excuses countless times. Today, I just want a straight answer—do you have time or not? This Friday night, we’ll be waiting for you at the teahouse next to Hongxing Company. If you really don’t show up, I’ll consider that I misjudged you all these years!”

With that, Qin Mei hung up the phone without hesitation.

Oh, so she’s trying to use reverse psychology now?

Listening to the dial tone, Lin Mengting’s expression remained unchanged, but she couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

If she wasn’t mistaken, Qin Mei and Qin Dong would probably use this dinner to “retreat to advance” again…

Using the same old tactics, she didn’t know whether to say that these two still regarded her as a naive, easily deceived girl, or that her previous self was indeed too simple-minded, letting this pair of siblings manipulate her so easily.

After musing on this for a while, Lin Mengting put the matter out of her mind.

Unfortunately, while her thoughts were ideal, reality was much harsher.

Just like that afternoon, after a busy and tense day of work, Qin Mei suddenly appeared in front of Lin Mengting.

“Tingting, I’ve already asked Qin Dong to reserve a table at the teahouse and order some of your favorite snacks.”

As she spoke, Qin Mei walked over, took the bag from Lin Mengting’s hand without any resistance, and hooked her arm around Lin Mengting’s, leading her towards the teahouse with a firm yet gentle manner.

Caught off guard, Lin Mengting, whose handbag had been snatched, couldn’t even glance at her colleagues who were watching curiously and gossiping. She looked at Qin Mei apologetically, “Sister Mei, I have plans tonight.”

“No matter how important, it can’t be more important than eating!” Qin Mei said with a smile. “At worst, I’ll ask Qin Dong to accompany you to handle your affairs later. Or he can run errands for you.”

“This is something only I can do.” Lin Mengting wanted to roll her eyes. She was exasperated by Qin Mei’s relentless efforts to push Qin Dong onto her, despite her clear rejections.

“Sister Mei, just because I don’t say something doesn’t mean I don’t understand. And if I say something, I won’t take it back. As someone often praised by others, you should understand what I mean, right?”

“Tingting, I understand.” Qin Mei’s face showed just the right amount of sadness and disappointment, but inside, she was elated.

Indeed, girls like Lin Mengting cared about their reputation. Even though they had a fallout over the phone a month ago, she wouldn’t openly confront her in public, causing a scene and making herself a laughingstock.

“However, you know, love is not something that can be controlled by people. Otherwise, why would there be so many lovesick people in the world?!”

“Sister Mei, I disagree.” Lin Mengting’s eyes glinted. Did Qin Mei think she didn’t understand her intentions? She simply didn’t want to cause a scene over something trivial, becoming the subject of gossip.

Of course, the most important reason was to prevent Qian Zhiyuan, the “reborn one,” from exploiting the situation.

Thinking of this, Lin Mengting felt fortunate that Qian Zhiyuan was on a business trip today. Otherwise, seeing Qin Mei would have given him the idea of “using a borrowed knife to kill.”

“Love is precious, but freedom is even more so. If I had to choose between love and freedom, I’d choose freedom. In my view, love can be controlled by human effort. After all, pure love no longer exists in this world. If people had to choose between bread and love, many would choose bread over that elusive love.”

“Tingting, are you doubting Qin Dong’s love for you?!” Qin Mei frowned. She had been so focused on figuring out how to persuade Lin Mengting that she had inadvertently allowed Lin Mengting to lead her off track.

The scenery around them, filled with unfamiliar sights and people, made Qin Mei glance at Lin Mengting in astonishment.

Was Lin Mengting doing this on purpose?

Otherwise, why would she deliberately lead her through a winding, secluded alley, avoiding the curious and gossiping eyes of her colleagues?