Chapter 43: Roses in the Trash Can

Not every woman likes luxury watches, designer bags, and high-end cosmetics, but every woman loves roses!

Seeing the envious gazes of the pedestrians on the street, Meng Zexiao became even more certain that he would be greeted by a joyful expression from Kong Lingxin when he got home.

Thinking of this, Meng Zexiao actually found himself eagerly looking forward to seeing her. He ordered the driver, "Drive faster!"

The driver glanced at the dashboard; the speed was already at 120 kilometers per hour. However, since the Second Young Master had given the command, he had no choice but to obey. He pressed down on the accelerator, and the car's speed instantly surged to 160 kilometers per hour.

Feeling a distinct acceleration, Meng Zexiao leaned back against the seat in satisfaction, waiting for the driver to take him home.

Upon hearing from the guard that the Second Young Master was back, the domestic staff returned to their respective stations to prepare dinner. Sister Qi walked out to the entrance to open the car door for Meng Zexiao.

Everything seemed just like before.

However, before Sister Qi could walk up to open the door for the Second Young Master, he eagerly pushed the door open himself.

The driver hurriedly got out of the car, walking around to the other side to open the door, only to be stopped by Meng Zexiao's stern voice, "I'll do it myself!"

Sister Qi looked at the driver, and the two exchanged a glance—the Second Young Master was acting unusual today!

Soon, the staff in the villa watched in astonishment as the Second Young Master, who had always worn a cold expression, walked into the house with a beaming smile, holding a massive bouquet of 999 red roses.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Back inside the house, Meng Zexiao asked, "Where is the Second Young Mistress?"

Following closely behind him and still recovering from her shock, Sister Qi hurried forward and said, "The Second Young Mistress is in the study upstairs. I'll go invite her down right away. Please wait a moment, Second Young Master."

Meng Zexiao, however, replied, "No need, I'll go up myself!"

With that, Meng Zexiao strode toward the stairs, leaving everyone staring after him in utter disbelief!

Meng Zexiao quickly reached Kong Lingxin's study on the third floor. Just as he was approaching, Kong Lingxin had already recognized his footsteps and hastily put her laptop away in an inconspicuous place.

Expecting Meng Zexiao to burst through the door as he always did, she was surprised to hear him pause for a brief moment, followed by a gentle knock on the door. For a split second, Kong Lingxin thought her judgment was wrong and that the person outside might not be Meng Zexiao at all!

In truth, Meng Zexiao had almost pushed the door open directly out of habit, but he remembered Wan Si's previous warning: respect.

This study was considered Kong Lingxin's private territory, and knocking was a sign of respect toward her.

However, after the knock, there was no response from inside!

Meng Zexiao frowned slightly and knocked again.

Kong Lingxin involuntarily took a step back—what kind of play was this?

"Come in!"

Hearing Kong Lingxin's voice, Meng Zexiao's frown relaxed, and a curve formed at the corners of his mouth.

Straightening his suit and tie, Meng Zexiao pushed the door open and entered.

Seeing that the person entering was indeed Meng Zexiao, and that he was actually holding a giant bouquet of roses, Kong Lingxin took another step back—so this was a horror show after all!

Even if a demon held props as charming as bright red roses, the overall feeling remained spine-chilling.

Seeing that Kong Lingxin did not show the pleasant surprise he had imagined, but instead wore an expression of sheer terror, Meng Zexiao grew displeased.

He said, "Why are you women so different from the rest? Anyone else would be overjoyed, but you act like you've just seen a ghost."

Kong Lingxin gathered her composure slightly and asked, "What are you doing?"

From the moment he left the company, Meng Zexiao had been picturing the expression on Kong Lingxin's face when she saw the flowers he bought her. All his soaring anticipation was met with boundless disappointment.

He tossed the bouquet toward the wastebasket and said angrily, "If you don't like it, just throw it away!"

Kong Lingxin glanced at the roses that couldn't even fit into the wastebasket, then looked at Meng Zexiao, whose true temper had instantly flared, and asked, "Do you need something?"

Infuriated even further, Meng Zexiao snapped, "You foolish woman!"

With that, he slammed the door behind him and stormed out!

Meng Zexiao walked straight downstairs, hopped into his Ferrari, and sped away from the villa.

Watching from the window as he jumped into his Ferrari and drove out the gates, Kong Lingxin slowly came to her senses—what on earth was this pampered young master trying to do?

She looked again at the roses piled beside the wastebasket, walked over, knelt down, and gently touched their vibrant red petals.

A knock sounded at the door once more. Even from the sound, Kong Lingxin could tell it was Sister Qi.

Kong Lingxin stood up and said softly, "Come in."

Sister Qi and the others had seen the Second Young Master, who had just walked in smiling and radiant with pride, storm off in a rage moments later. They all guessed that there must be a falling out between him and the Second Young Mistress.

As the housekeeper handpicked by Madam Meng, Sister Qi had an obligation to understand the situation and, if necessary, report the matter to Madam Meng.

Upon entering the room, the first thing Sister Qi saw was the roses on the floor. Because Meng Zexiao had thrown them down violently, some of the petals had detached from the blooms and scattered all around.

Sister Qi stepped forward, picked up the bouquet, and asked the Second Young Mistress, who stood nearby looking both startled and bewildered, "Second Young Mistress, did you and the Second Young Master have a fight?"

Kong Lingxin shook her head.

Sister Qi continued, "I've been in this household for over twenty years, and I've practically watched the Second Young Master grow up. I've never seen him buy roses for any girl. Today, when I saw him come home from work actually holding a bouquet, we were all so astonished. What was most precious was that the smile on his face came entirely from the heart. That kind of scene had never happened before in the Meng family, let alone with the Second Young Master. But I never expected the two of you to be so out of sync."

Kong Lingxin turned her head away in silence.

Sister Qi sighed and said, "Alas! What a sin! In the past, when the Second Young Mistress was eager and proactive, the Second Young Master's heart wasn't in this home. Now that his heart is finally in this home, the Second Young Mistress's warmth toward him has faded."

Kong Lingxin thought to herself—it hasn't faded; it's hatred. A man who drove her sister to her death—how could he ever deserve her warmth and sincerity?

According to past reactions, hearing that Meng Zexiao had been infuriated to this extent by her should have made her happy. Yet hearing Sister Qi speak this way, she couldn't feel glad at all; instead, a sense of melancholy lingered in her heart.

Sister Qi placed the bouquet on the study desk, then squatted down to pick up the scattered petals one by one. She muttered almost to herself, "These are so pretty; we mustn't throw them away."

Next, Sister Qi untied the ribbon binding the bouquet and said, "See, if we put these in a vase with a little salt in the water, they can bloom for several days."

Seeing the scattered petals by the wastebasket, every single one tugged painfully at her heartstrings. What kind of emotion was this, really—

Sister Qi said to Kong Lingxin, "Second Young Mistress, I'll take these downstairs and arrange them in a vase."

Kong Lingxin nodded, then raised her head and said, "I'll come with you."

Perhaps only by doing something could she feel she was doing these flowers justice.