Mei Tingyu Calls

Deputy Director Hu said, "I agree with Director Wu's opinion. I would add that Tong Haojing's actions should be dealt with appropriately; otherwise, Director Tang won't be able to save face!" In truth, Deputy Director Hu still held a grudge over Tong Haojing's previous household registration matter.

Director Gao Weimin drew a long breath and pondered for a moment before saying, "Set up the 713 Special Task Force, led by the Criminal Investigation Brigade with assistance from the West City Station. Increase our manpower to solve the case. The police station will cooperate, the Political Department will handle the aftermath, and Tong Haojing will be suspended for one week." Director Wu understood that Tong Haojing was highly motivated, and the young man's drive and fierceness were worthy of praise. In Director Gao Weimin's eyes, the bureau needed a group of young people like him. But without rules, there could be no order; without weathering storms, how could one see a rainbow? Perhaps Director Gao Weimin's decision carried deeper considerations.

Yet Director Gao Weimin did not say a word about Director Tang's actions. Director Wu, who had always been perceptive, perhaps understood Director Gao's meaning. But reporting this matter to the higher-ups had not been Director Tang's intention; it was simply Ding Cong's usual way of doing things. His complete lack of responsibility was laid bare. What else could he say?

Deputy Director Hu called in Qian Fu, the deputy captain of Criminal Investigation. Upon hearing the matter, Qian Fu thought that in West City, only Long Wen's men or Brother Zhang Tou's people could be capable of such violence. Without revealing anything, he declared that he would resolutely complete the mission. But after leaving the director's office, he secretly called Long Wen from the restroom. "Long the Pockmarked, don't you fucking cause me any more trouble. If something happens this time, no one can help you. The leaders aren't what they were back then. Don't think you can get away with everything anymore!" The furious expression on Deputy Captain Qian's face was enough to frighten anyone who saw it.

Long Wen remembered how, last time, he had asked Qian Fu for help at his boss's request. Scarface and Hu Pan had emerged safe and sound, but he had paid a full two hundred thousand for it. The money had been provided by his boss. Afterward, Scarface vanished without a trace, while Hu Pan remained under Long Wen's command as a key man.

"Brother Qian, what got you so angry?"

"Still playing dumb? Cuntoucao is lying in the hospital as a vegetable!"

"Ah! He's my brother. Why would I hurt him?" Then Long Wen thought of it. The thug had a grudge against Cuntoucao. Perhaps he had done something behind Long Wen's back.

"Keep your people under control. I'm done handling your affairs!" Little did Deputy Captain Qian know that Long the Pockmarked's troubles would come one after another.

Director Wu of the Political Department conveyed the one-week suspension decision to Tong Haojing. It struck him like a bolt from the blue, leaving him completely disoriented. Ever since joining the police force, his headlong charges had already made him taste the hardships of the journey. His heart was filled with confusion. Tong Haojing hid in his dormitory, miserable all day. From time to time, he would plunge his head fiercely into the washbasin and hold his breath for several minutes until his face turned bright red. Then he would jerk his head up and take a deep breath, his face covered in droplets of water and his heart chilled to the bone. Looking at himself in the mirror, only a few days had passed, yet his complexion had become so haggard. He gave a faint bitter smile. Was this really him? Was this Tong Haojing after suffering a setback? Tong Haojing had been wounded inside, and it could not be smoothed over in a short time.

The phone suddenly rang. It was Director Wu. He said, "Setbacks aren't frightening. Misfortune may bring blessings, and bad things may turn into good things. Treat it as tempering on your path as a police officer. Director Gao has his eye on you. If anything comes up, tell me in time!"

Tong Haojing choked up, his throat moving. Only after a long while did he say, "All right. Thank you for your concern, Director Wu!"

Director Wu's comfort made Tong Haojing feel somewhat better, but given his current circumstances, he had no reason to be happy. Perhaps the bitterness of setbacks was also a kind of accumulation in life, giving him even firmer confidence to move forward.

Footsteps and noisy voices drifted through the police station from time to time. Tong Haojing knew his colleagues had begun another busy day, dealing with all sorts of reports and requests for help from the residents of Hongqiao Community. He hurriedly turned toward the office, but after taking only two steps, he suddenly realized that he had already been suspended.

Tong Haojing felt physically relaxed, yet he still could not stop thinking about the injured Cuntoucao, Xiao Yanni, and the residents of Hongqiao Community.

Tong Haojing left the police station. He wanted to visit the injured Cuntoucao and see how serious his injuries truly were.

In the bustling city, even the air felt suffocating.

The phone rang. Tong Haojing looked at the caller ID and was stunned. It was Mei Tingyu, whom he had not seen for a long time. His heart pounded hard. The phone had already rung several times. In those fleeting seconds, Tong Haojing wanted desperately to answer, yet he was afraid to. What would he say if he answered? What if he said the wrong thing? He hesitated, and before he realized it, his finger touched the answer button. A clear, sweet voice came through the phone.

"Tongtong, it's Mei Tingyu!"

Mei Tingyu's voice was very distinctive. Tong Haojing remembered how many classmates had been captivated by it. He had been the first to benefit from being close to her—going to school with her every day, becoming intoxicated just by hearing her voice, feeling happy whenever they walked together. The stirrings of youth had filled him with endless longing for Mei Tingyu. Uncle Mumu had given him Mei Tingyu's phone number. Counting from their graduation and separation, several years had already passed.

"Mei Tingyu? Where are you?" Tong Haojing was thrilled, though slightly flustered.

"Guess!" Mei Tingyu's playful tone made Tong Haojing feel close to her. He wanted to see her so badly, especially now, when his life was at such a low point. If he could see the woman he loved, perhaps he could pour out his pain and unhappiness to her. That was called venting, or perhaps comfort for the soul.

"I know where you are!" Tong Haojing suddenly gained confidence and deliberately made it sound mysterious.

"What? You know? No way. Where am I?" Mei Tingyu sounded somewhat surprised.

"Tangdu City, right?" Tong Haojing said.

"How did you know? Oh, I get it. The police can track locations..." Mei Tingyu jokingly rattled off a string of words, but Tong Haojing did not catch all of it. He picked out the main point and answered, "Right, the police. How could I not know?" With modern technology, the police could pinpoint a person's whereabouts down to a street or alley. But doing so without proper procedural approval would be illegal, even criminal. Tong Haojing knew that clearly. He sounded so confident only because Mei Tingyu's father, Uncle Mumu, had told him long ago that she would return to Tangdu City to develop her career.

"Meixi Cabin!" Mei Tingyu could hardly wait.

Tong Haojing knew Meixi Cabin. It was secluded and elegant, the most attractive place for couples in West City. Its surroundings were refined, located beside the Chi Shui River of Hongqiao Community. In the distance, one could see West City's garden park; nearby, one could see clear spring water burbling along. The interior was tastefully and fashionably decorated, and during the day, its patrons were all refined young men and women who prided themselves on their taste.

"Meixi Cabin!" Tong Haojing readily agreed.

Thinking of Mei Tingyu's face and her faint smile, Tong Haojing's inner gloom was already gone. He completely forgot about work. All he could see was Mei Tingyu's image. He could not be careless either; he wanted to show her his best side. Without realizing it, he arrived at a Septwolves specialty store. The saleswoman's charming smile made Tong Haojing a little embarrassed. Seeing the change in his expression, she guessed what was on his mind. "Handsome, going to see your girlfriend? This excellent casual top suits you perfectly!"

"No." Tong Haojing denied it, but his shy expression could not conceal his thoughts. The saleswoman became even more certain that this sale was in the bag.

"Try it on. It'll definitely make your girlfriend fall for you!" Tong Haojing found it hard to withstand the saleswoman's aggressive pitch. In truth, before women, he felt that any outfit looked good on him, because his own looks were enough to captivate countless girls.

"All right, I'll try it on." Tong Haojing could not resist the saleswoman's flattering persuasion.

Tong Haojing changed into the top, posed in front of the full-length mirror, and took a few steps. The saleswoman cried out, "Wow, so handsome!" Tong Haojing knew it was an act, but he still liked hearing it.

"Really?" Tong Haojing asked. The hesitation in his eyes showed that he wanted the saleswoman to confirm it.

"Really! You're incredibly handsome!" The saleswoman's sales techniques were in full force. In the face of flattery, people often lost their judgment and became more generous.

Tong Haojing bought it without hesitation, then chose a well-fitting pair of pants as well. He was dressed entirely in new clothes, looking full of youthful vigor.

There were not many people at Meixi Cabin during the day. Mei Tingyu had been waiting for quite some time. She sat by the window, where she could see the Chi Shui River outside. She sipped a fragrant lemon drink and occasionally flipped through a fashion magazine on the glass table, quietly waiting for Tong Haojing to appear.

Before she noticed, a tall young man radiating a faintly cold aura stood silhouetted against the light at the entrance of the cabin. He held his head slightly high, his crew cut jet-black. His handsome features and tall, imposing frame gave off a mysterious, masculine air. Mei Tingyu froze for a moment. Could that be him? Mei Tingyu could scarcely believe it. It had been a full seven years since they had met, and he had changed too much. She could hardly trust her own eyes. While she hesitated, Tong Haojing spotted Mei Tingyu. He recognized her at once; after all, Mei Tingyu was etched too deeply in his heart.

"Mei Tingyu, have you been waiting long?" Tong Haojing greeted her, taking the initiative.

Mei Tingyu finally dared to confirm it. The bearing and handsomeness of the young man before her left her utterly entranced. A rush of wild joy filled her heart, and her excitement made her somewhat at a loss.

"I just got here too!" Mei Tingyu's crisp, sweet voice made Tong Haojing's heart skip. The girl before him had returned to his side. Everything had come too suddenly. The world had suddenly become so small, bringing these two people together here.

In the instant their eyes met, Tong Haojing noticed Mei Tingyu's different kind of beauty: eyes full of charm, a delicate high nose, faintly flushed cheeks, luscious lips, jade-like skin, a tall figure, and an ethereal elegance.

Tong Haojing sat down across from Mei Tingyu. Just as he was about to order tea, Mei Tingyu spoke first. "A coffee." Tong Haojing usually drank green tea whenever he went to bars or teahouses, but he could not reject her kindness in front of Mei Tingyu. He agreed, saying, "Sorry to make you spend money!"

After exchanging a few words, Tong Haojing relaxed considerably. He asked, "Mei Tingyu, where are you working?"

"Near West City Hotel, as a pharmaceutical agent!" Mei Tingyu answered confidently.

"Good, good. You're doing pretty well now." Tong Haojing began to admire Mei Tingyu. Thinking back to when they graduated from middle school and went their separate ways, it was truly remarkable that an eighteen-year-old girl had managed to make a success of herself. Tong Haojing became increasingly interested in Mei Tingyu's past.

Tong Haojing asked, "Where did you go after graduation that year?" His thoughts suddenly returned to seven years ago. He remembered the letter he had gathered the courage to give Mei Tingyu back then—really just a note. Its contents were still vivid before his eyes: "Mei, I like you so much. Let's repeat the year together!"

Tong Haojing's words seemed to stir up Mei Tingyu's memories. She was silent for a long while before saying, "Actually, I wanted to repeat the year, but my family's circumstances simply wouldn't allow it!" Mei Tingyu had not answered his question directly, yet it was exactly what Tong Haojing wanted to hear.

Tong Haojing said, "The letter I gave you..." Tong Haojing only got halfway through before he stopped.