Chapter 4 Jian Wei Tries to Calm the Storm

The tension in the apartment was palpable. After the call with Sofía, the air had become thick, as if every word was another burden on Jian Wei's shoulders. Mei Ling stood by his side, silently, but her eyes spoke louder than any words. The conflict was far from resolved, but Jian Wei was determined to clear things up.

"Mei Ling..." he began, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "I know this isn't easy to understand."

Mei Ling looked at him with a cold expression, her arms crossed as if she were protecting her heart from any attempt to get close. She was furious, but she couldn't deny that Jian Wei's tone seemed genuine, even though doubts still lingered in her mind.

"I know it's not easy, Jian Wei," her voice was low but clear, almost challenging. "But what I don't understand is why Sofía is still in our lives. Why don't you just cut all contact with her?"

Jian Wei sighed deeply, searching for the right words. Despite the growing desperation in his chest, he knew that only a sincere explanation could calm Mei Ling.

"Sofía is someone I met years ago when I lived in Spain," Jian Wei lowered his gaze to the floor, as if the mere mention of Sofía weighed on him. "She became fond of me, but I never gave her any reason to think there could be anything more. I never made any promises to her, nor gave her false hope."

Mei Ling furrowed her brows, observing him closely. Something in his tone seemed sincere, but the situation was too complicated to trust blindly. Still, an idea began to form in her mind. Maybe, for once, she should pretend to believe him so that Jian Wei would let his guard down. If he thought everything was fine, she could get more information, more clues about what really happened between them.

"And why the package, Jian Wei?" she asked with a surprisingly calm tone. Her voice had immediately shifted from confrontational to curious interest. The softness in her voice contrasted with the fury she had felt moments before. "If it really means nothing to you, why did you accept that package from her?"

Jian Wei ran his hand through his hair, visibly uncomfortable with the question, but he decided to be honest.

"She sent that package because she thought it would be a nice reminder of what we shared," his face showed a mix of annoyance and resignation. "I don't know what she expected from it, but I assure you, she had no other intention. As soon as I realized what she had done, there was no way to avoid it."

Mei Ling stared at him intently, the silence hanging heavily between them. But, to her surprise, something inside her clicked. Jian Wei's words weren't entirely satisfying, but something in his demeanor seemed genuine. She decided not to press any further for now. She needed time to think, to analyze everything from a different perspective.

"Alright," Mei Ling finally sighed. "I think I can understand."

Jian Wei looked at her, surprised by her sudden calmness. He wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or more worried, but he chose not to question it.

"Do you really believe me?" he asked, hopeful, though uncertainty still marked his face.

Mei Ling smiled faintly, but there was something calculating in her gaze.

"Yes, Jian Wei, I believe in you," she said in a serene voice, almost tranquil, as if she had truly let everything go. "Maybe I let my emotions get the best of me, but... I think you're right. There's no point in dwelling on the past."

Although her words seemed sincere, inside, Mei Ling was plotting something. She still couldn't fully trust what Jian Wei had told her. Everything was too tangled, and the fact that Sofía didn't seem willing to let go only heightened her doubts.

Mei Ling wasn't going to sit still. If Jian Wei couldn't give her all the answers, she would search for them herself. She needed to know what really happened between him and Sofía. She couldn't allow the shadow of that woman to continue hovering over their relationship.

"Maybe, to put an end to all this, I should try to learn more about Sofía," she thought aloud, not looking at Jian Wei. She was formulating her own plans in her mind, already imagining the questions she could ask the woman who disturbed her so much.

Jian Wei seemed to relax a little at Mei Ling's apparent acceptance.

"Thank you for trusting me," he said with a sigh of relief, moving closer to her and taking her hand. "I promise you, there's nothing between Sofía and me. You don't have to worry."

Mei Ling nodded, feeling the pressure ease momentarily. But inside, she was ready to start moving her pieces. If Sofía wanted to play a game of lies, she would play too.

"We'll see, Jian Wei. We'll see," she thought to herself, a small smile appearing on her lips.