Chapter Twenty: The Beginning of Acquaintance

News? Isn’t that just broadcasting the whereabouts of celebrities? What does it have to do with me?

“No, Minister,” Tong Zhenzhen replied with a puzzled look, shaking her head.

The female minister lowered her voice. “This morning, there was a news report saying the marriage of the famous host, Michelle Mi, is in trouble. It mentioned a woman with the surname Tong. They even included a photo—your face was pixelated, but the background clearly showed our company’s main entrance. During the interview, the host tearfully appealed for the other party to respect themselves, to not be obsessed with wealth, and to stop destroying other families.”

“What? Minister, that’s not me!” Tong Zhenzhen’s eyes widened in shock.

The minister gave her a solemn look. “I’m glad to hear that.”

It was utterly unfair—how did she end up being labeled the other woman? Michelle Mi’s twisted character hadn’t changed one bit over the years! Knowing the full story only made Tong Zhenzhen too angry to eat.

She recalled how four years ago, when she refused to give up on Long Tianyu, rumors spread around campus accusing her of promiscuity; then she was harassed by thugs on her way home from work; finally, her mother’s shop was vandalized. All of it orchestrated by Michelle Mi.

Every scheme dissolved before Tong Zhenzhen’s persistence, but Long Tianyu’s defection was a crushing blow.

Even now, she could vividly remember Michelle Mi proudly parading Long Tianyu around, mocking Tong Zhenzhen like a mermaid who fell in love with a prince but would ultimately dissolve into bubbles. The Cinderella fairy tale was just a poor girl’s vain fantasy!

Though she had let go of Long Tianyu, Michelle Mi’s humiliation still lingered in her heart. Tong Zhenzhen furrowed her brows, clenching her fists tightly.

The minister spoke earnestly again, “Matters of the heart are private; the company won’t interfere too much. But coveting what belongs to others is always morally indefensible.”

Feeling the minister’s kindness, Tong Zhenzhen calmed her anger and smiled faintly. “Minister, I’m not someone who covets other people’s things.”

“By the way! You have a boyfriend now, right? That young military doctor who carried you home from karaoke the other day seems nice.” The minister suddenly remembered and smiled in relief. “Next month, the company is organizing a charity event. Are you interested?”

“What’s it about?” Tong Zhenzhen knew the minister wanted her to avoid the rumors.

“It’s about sending books to children in remote mountain areas and volunteering as a teacher for half a month.”

Having always liked children, Tong Zhenzhen immediately decided to participate. Yet, as she thought of the children, an inexplicable unease crept into her heart, as if something was missing…

After work, as soon as Tong Zhenzhen stepped out of the building, she was surrounded by a swarm of reporters.

“Miss Tong, are you the third party interfering in Host Mi’s marriage?”

“How did you meet Mr. Long?”

“Did you know Mr. Long is already married?”

Buzzing like flies around her, Tong Zhenzhen’s ears were filled with the hum of questions. She even saw several familiar colleagues whispering nearby.

Long Tianyu was usually very low-key; few in the media knew about his private affairs. Now, suddenly, his wife, the well-known host Michelle Mi, exposed his extramarital affair, like tossing a piece of tender meat to a pack of wolves. Naturally, the media scrambled to get the inside scoop.

Unluckily, Tong Zhenzhen became the juicy target. Pushed and shoved, she scowled fiercely. “Move aside! None of this is true. Please don’t bother me!”

Some reporters raised their cameras, forcing her to shield her face with her handbag, her heart heavy with frustration.

Suddenly, amid the crowd, someone parted the way and pulled her out.

Grasping her hand, the person started running with her.

Looking up, Tong Zhenzhen recognized the side profile—it was Jun Lengche!

“Idiot, run faster!” His cold voice sounded like a heavenly melody to her ears.

Jun Lengche shoved her into the car, executed a smooth U-turn, and escaped the trouble.

Why was he here to save her? Tong Zhenzhen felt awkward. Yesterday, she had sent him to the police station. Was he here for revenge? To take her somewhere secluded and plot retribution?

Thinking this, she blurted out, “Alright, alright. We’ve lost them. Pull over; I want to get out!”

Jun Lengche ignored her words, focused on driving.

Outside the window, the scenery grew increasingly desolate, chilling her heart. From what she had researched, Jun Lengche was never someone to cross lightly.

“Jun Lengche, I called the police yesterday because you were unreasonable first. What videos I post on my own page are none of your business! You came at me so aggressively, and—”

“Shut up.” Jun Lengche glanced at her sideways.

A clever person doesn’t suffer immediate losses. Judging the car’s speed, Tong Zhenzhen realized jumping out now would likely be fatal. She obediently fell silent.

“Hmm, how did we end up here?” When the car stopped, Tong Zhenzhen found herself in front of a small alley near her middle school.

“Get out.” Jun Lengche stepped out and opened her car door.

Though full of questions, seeing his serious face, Tong Zhenzhen obediently got out.

“Follow me.” Jun Lengche strode ahead.

What was he up to? Tong Zhenzhen watched him approach the alley, where the dim streetlights stretched his shadow long.

Jun Lengche stopped at the alley entrance, turned around, and beckoned her over. “Come.”

Frowning, Tong Zhenzhen jogged to him.

“Ten years ago, I first met you here,” Jun Lengche said, pointing into the alley.

Ten years ago? She was only thirteen then, and he must have been around twenty. Why did she have no memory of this? Her memory wasn’t bad.

“Did I look ugly back then?” Tong Zhenzhen suddenly asked, searching her recollections.

“What?” Jun Lengche was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter.

Used to his stern expression, seeing him laugh so freely and genuinely struck her heart, leaving her slightly flustered.

“You were so adorable,” Jun Lengche chuckled, not believing she had approached him out of vengeance. He stretched out his arm and ruffled her hair. “What are you thinking? No way.”

“Tch, if I wasn’t ugly then, how come I don’t remember anything?” Tong Zhenzhen shrugged off his hand and gave him a side glance.

“At that time, you were too busy running away to see me,” Jun Lengche said, finding her childish innocence endearing.

“Running away? No way!” Tong Zhenzhen hurried to defend herself.

Jun Lengche reached out again, stroking her hair. “Okay, strategic retreat.”

Tong Zhenzhen scrunched her nose. “How did you happen to meet me here?”

“Want to know?” Jun Lengche looked at her with amusement.