Mei Tingyu's Call

Mei Tingyu said, "What letter, a note, right!" Mei Tingyu deliberately spoke very loudly, which had something to do with her extensive experience from living abroad for many years. She was no longer the shy girl she once was; she had blossomed into a confident and elegant young woman from the city.

Tong Haojing looked around awkwardly and said, "Keep your voice down!"

Mei Tingyu said, "Let's see, you're still the same as you were back then, not much has changed, but I like it!" Mei Tingyu had completely lost her girlish shyness. She had become somewhat numb to sweet talk between men and women, or perhaps it had lost its novelty. This made Tong Haojing feel a little surprised.

Tong Haojing's face felt hot, like a ripe apple. He deliberately tried to hide his discomfort and said, "Have you been doing well all these years?"

Mei Tingyu's eyes welled up, her nose felt sore, and her mind was filled with thoughts. She really wanted to tell Tong Haojing about all the hardships she had endured abroad. However, her unique experiences forced her to keep silent.

In fact, from the day Mei Tingyu left to work, she had been wary of everyone and everything around her. This was because the 500 yuan cash she was carrying was stolen by a hypocritical agent before she even reached her destination. In a small town in Donghai Province, she was heartbroken and had no one to turn to. In her desperation, she didn't want to tell her father, Uncle Mumu, about her experiences. So, she used a fake ID to be forced into working as a waitress at a place called Dream Karaoke Hall. There, she met Liu Yangchun, who, under duress and temptation, still couldn't make Mei Tingyu comply.

This time, Liu Yangchun was no longer a small-time drug addict; he was now the boss of a wealthy transportation company in City B, Hedong Province. As Liu Yangchun left, he left behind a bank card with a withdrawal password and his contact number, saying with a smirk, "I'll be waiting for you to come find me!"

In despair, Mei Tingyu thought of her father at home, and of her neighbor and classmate Tong Haojing, who could be considered her unexpressed first love. Ashamed to face her elders, she further devalued herself, returning to her rented room very late every night. Fortunately, a friend, Axiang, enlightened her, saying that "the mountains are high and the emperor is far away." What she did outside wouldn't be known at home, and as long as she sent money back, she would still appear successful in the eyes of others. Over the years, Mei Tingyu had saved a considerable amount. By chance, Axiang introduced her to Dada Company, unaware that it was a pharmaceutical pyramid scheme. Her savings were once again swindled away. Even the people she trusted the most had deceived her. Mei Tingyu felt a sense of despair and began to distrust everyone and everything around her. Thus, she decided to find Liu Yangchun.

Seeing Mei Tingyu come to him on her own, Liu Yangchun assumed she must need something. He took the opportunity to possess Mei Tingyu, and in return, Mei Tingyu received a substantial compensation from Liu Yangchun. She also discovered some of Liu Yangchun's clandestine activities, and Mei Tingyu began to form her own plan...

Mei Tingyu continued to stay at Dada Company. She used her beauty to lure many men or laborers who had impure thoughts about her to join. Gradually, she rose to become a so-called "second-level agent," becoming a renowned powerful woman in the circle. Mei Tingyu became a wealthy woman, dressing fashionably and beautifully. The men who were captivated by her were endless. Mei Tingyu was very cunning; she feigned allure, keeping them at a distance, making these men who revolved around her utterly devoted and obedient.

One Spring Festival a few years ago, Mei Tingyu missed home terribly. But she thought about how her "career" was at its peak and she couldn't miss this golden opportunity. To avoid making her family suspicious, she sent 100,000 yuan to her father, Uncle Mumu, to build a quaint two-story Western-style house. This house was arguably the most beautiful and luxurious building among the Big House Clan in the area, enough to make Uncle Mumu proud for a while. After building the house, Uncle Mumu felt his daughter was so capable and was of an age where she should get married. He thought of Tong Haojing, who was serving in the army and had been promoted. Fortunately, he hadn't flatly refused the request from Tong Haojing's mother, Wang Xiyue. However, things were uncertain now, and Uncle Mumu's heart was filled with many unknowns.

Just as Mei Tingyu was dreaming of getting rich, Hedong Province launched a province-wide crackdown on pyramid schemes. Mei Tingyu became a target of the industry and commerce and public security bureaus. However, because Mei Tingyu had used a fake ID and hadn't returned home for several years, the law enforcement officers couldn't confirm her identity, allowing her to escape. Mei Tingyu told Uncle Mumu that the wind was too strong and the weather too hot outside, and she couldn't stay any longer. She wanted to come back and develop her career. Uncle Mumu believed her and relayed this news to Tong Haojing. But Uncle Mumu had no idea his daughter had embarked on a path he could never forgive.

Mei Tingyu returned to Tangdu City and resumed her old ways. She thought of her classmate whom she hadn't seen in a long time, and whom Uncle Mumu often mentioned, Tong Haojing. Now, upon seeing him at Meixi Cabin, Tong Haojing had become a tall, dignified, and imposing police officer. She felt a mix of love and hate. Love because the man before her was her first love, the prince charming of her dreams; hate because the police had cut off her source of wealth, forcing her to sneak back to the mainland without dignity. Tong Haojing was a police officer, and he might expose her sooner or later. She didn't know how she would face him in the future, or if they would become sworn enemies. But then she thought, perhaps Tong Haojing could become her protector, her shield. As long as she treated him well and gave him money, no one could resist the temptation of money and beauty.

Mei Tingyu's inner worry flashed across her face and was gone. Her experience in the workplace had made her calm and composed. She suddenly noticed that Tong Haojing's expression was a little unnatural, as if he were feeling down. He was someone who wore his emotions on his sleeve.

"Is something bothering you lately?" Mei Tingyu asked.

Tong Haojing had been trying to control his low mood, but he couldn't escape Mei Tingyu's keen observation. He feigned composure and said, "Nothing!"

Mei Tingyu said, "You're faking it!"

Tong Haojing, unable to resist the intoxicating scent of the beautiful woman, had no choice but to pour out everything about the unfair treatment and his unhappiness. As a hot-blooded young man with the drive of an ox, he was constantly subjected to unreasonable accusations in his work. He hated evil and abhorred the ugliness of society, yet some people, for reasons unknown, always seemed to have it out for him...

Mei Tingyu listened attentively, engrossed. She and Tong Haojing shared a common enemy, completely forgetting what she was doing. She sighed, "There are too many injustices, why take them so seriously! You're inexperienced and lack social skills. You're not adaptable enough. It's no wonder you run into walls!" Mei Tingyu's words seemed critical, but they also contained her heartfelt comfort and sympathy. In fact, Mei Tingyu had long heard from Uncle Mumu about Tong Haojing's difficult experiences as a police officer. In this era of economic transformation and development, industry competition was fierce, and employment pressure was high. It was not easy to find a job, and being a police officer was already a great achievement. But thinking about her own daily earnings, which were incomparable to being a police officer, she even had the idea of bringing Tong Haojing into her business. However, she didn't know Tong Haojing's attitude and didn't dare to proceed rashly.

The two exchanged a few tender words. Tong Haojing stirred the coffee in his cup from time to time, its aroma filling the air, and Meixi Cabin seemed to be enveloped in a misty haze. A piece of soft music began to play, adding to their romantic mood.

It was almost noon. Tong Haojing sincerely invited Mei Tingyu to lunch, but unsure of her preferences, he asked, "Classmate, what would you like to eat?"

"Officer, lunch is on me. Let's go for a seafood feast!" Mei Tingyu's generous tone caught Tong Haojing off guard. He said in surprise, "That's too extravagant!" Tong Haojing suddenly realized his remark was inappropriate. He worried Mei Tingyu might call him "old-fashioned" and felt a pang of regret.

Mei Tingyu didn't dwell on it. She got up, paid the bill, and walked out. Tong Haojing always felt a step behind, half a beat slower than others. At this moment, he noticed Mei Tingyu's tall figure, which appeared even more graceful and charming in the natural light. He fantasized that Mei Tingyu was his other half.