I'll Listen to Mengmeng-jie

Lin Meng froze for a moment before realizing the ringing wasn't coming from her bag.

She followed the sound into the bedroom. There, tucked under her pillow, was the phone Su Yutang had given her two nights ago.

After a moment, the ringing stopped. Lin Meng turned the phone on and found the message count had already hit 99+.

Su Yutang was the only contact in the phone. Lin Meng didn't need to guess who had sent them all. She never brought this phone to work, so she'd left it at home—who would have thought Su Yutang would send her this many messages in one day?

[Good morning! All right, starting today, this young miss grants you permission to message me.]

[Ahem, I want to know what you had for breakfast today.]

[Still not online? Forget it. When you're slacking off at work later, remember to reply to me.]

[That lousy job of yours—the pay is barely anything. Why are you working so hard? You should learn to slack off a little! Ahem... I mean, even if you do, no one will say anything. Hurry up and reply.]

[Anticipation] [Anticipation] [Tsundere]

...

[??]

[It's almost noon and you still haven't replied. If I weren't stuck here right now, I'd go to your office and drag you out myself!]

[I'm angry!]

After that long string of messages came call after call.

The further Lin Meng scrolled, the more her heart trembled. She had a feeling that the next time this young miss got her hands on her, she was in for a world of trouble.

Besides, it wasn't as if she'd ignored Su Yutang on purpose—she'd left the phone at home...

Just as Lin Meng was drowning in guilt, the ringtone went off again. Startled, her hand jerked, and the phone slipped from her fingers.

Her nerves pulled taut. Thank goodness she'd been sitting on the bed reading the messages, so the phone landed on the mattress. If she'd broken it, not only would she have to pay to fix it, but Su Yutang would probably show up again.

To avoid that, she picked up the phone and answered with slightly trembling fingers.

The call connected, and before she could figure out how to placate Su Yutang, that urgent, furious voice came through the receiver: “I sent you messages all day—why didn't you reply? Didn't I already explain? I didn't delete you on purpose, I didn't want to delete you! Darling, are you throwing a tantrum with me? I know I want to be with you right now, but my mother is still watching me. I'm in the middle of cleaning out her people. Otherwise, why don't you come stay at my private villa...”

Lin Meng had barely picked up before Su Yutang was chattering on and on. Afraid she'd keep going until she got to what happened after marriage, Lin Meng quickly cut in. “Young Miss, you've misunderstood. I'm not upset about you deleting me...”

“How many times do I have to say it—I didn't delete you! Even if you beat me to death, I would never delete you!”

Hearing how agitated she sounded, Lin Meng hurried to apologize. “Sorry, Young Miss, I was wrong, I understand... I mean, I didn't bring that phone to work today, so I didn't see your messages. I really wasn't ignoring you on purpose!”

On the other end, Su Yutang paused.

It was as if she'd let down her guard, and she exhaled in relief. “So that's how it is. Then remember to bring it next time you go to work—I might message you. Darling, do you know how much I've missed you in the half year I've been away?”

Ever since they'd reunited, Su Yutang kept telling her how much she'd missed her.

Lin Meng had resolved to keep her distance from them, but hearing that Su Yutang had been locked away in such a remote place, enduring loneliness all this time, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of heartache.

After all, aside from scaring her a few times before, Su Yutang had never really done anything terrible to her. And beyond that, the two of them actually shared many good memories.

Especially before—back when she hadn't known the person who'd broken into her home was Yun Huaizhu, she'd found herself thinking of Su Yutang for no reason.

Back when Su Yutang stayed with her in that old apartment building with its terrible soundproofing, even when she heard strange noises that made her uneasy, she wasn't as scared.

Because she knew Su Yutang was strong.

Even if this young miss was spoiled and couldn't even fry an egg, she still gave Lin Meng a strong sense of security.

Lin Meng had lived alone for so many years—not because she was bold, but because she couldn't communicate with the outside world, so she could only protect herself with every defense she had. When she'd truly experienced what it felt like to come home and see someone waiting for her, her heart had felt an inexplicable steadiness.

Thinking of this, Lin Meng nodded slightly. “Mm, I know... but this phone is expensive. If I bring it to work, I'm afraid I'll lose it.”

“If you lose it, you lose it. I'll give you a new one. Anyway, you can't not reply to my messages, you can't give me the cold shoulder—otherwise, I'll risk burning bridges with my mother and drag you here to me. And you're not allowed to see Yun Huaizhu again! If I find out you've met with her again, I will bankrupt her, do you hear me?”

After all this time, Su Yutang still hated Yun Huaizhu most. Whenever she mentioned Yun Huaizhu, her fury seemed to peak, and her voice pitched higher.

Yun Huaizhu had been through cyberbullying and had her background exposed; she'd barely started to have easier days.

Hearing Su Yutang's threat, Lin Meng didn't even have time to think before she hastily agreed. “Okay, okay... I promise you. Please don't ruin Zhuzhu's company, alright? She's already suffered so much. As long as you don't do anything to hurt her, I'll agree to any of your demands...”

On the other end, Su Yutang fell silent again.

The last time she'd used this threat on Lin Meng, Lin Meng had yielded. So this time, in her fury, she'd instinctively used it again.

Lin Meng really did care about Yun Huaizhu. Even if Lin Meng truly promised never to see Yun Huaizhu again, Yun Huaizhu would still leave an indelible shadow in Lin Meng's heart.

She and Lin Meng hadn't seen each other for half a year, and when Lin Meng saw her again, there hadn't been the slightest sign of concern. But if it were Yun Huaizhu?

Would she be just as indifferent to Yun Huaizhu?

How could someone as fake as Yun Huaizhu make Lin Meng care so much?

At the thought, a bitter, sour sense of profound unfairness welled up in Su Yutang's heart. She admitted she was despicable, even ruthless in her methods. She had never loved anyone the way she loved Lin Meng.

After a betrayal in childhood, she no longer trusted anyone. She'd lost the meaning of loving someone before she even understood what love was.

As Su Yurong had said, she was indeed stubborn and willful, doing as she pleased. Before she met Lin Meng, everything she did was according to her own whims—play when she wanted, cause trouble when she wanted—because even if she committed the worst offense, the entire Su family would cover for her.

She'd thought her whole life would be like this—unbridled, fiercely immersing herself among the thorns of a gilded flower, wounded by those thorns even as she transformed into a rose that protected itself by piercing others with all its might.

In truth, she yearned for someone who would obediently listen to her, understand her, love her, and comfort her when she was sad.

Even if only for an instant, she might do anything for that person.

She'd reined in her temper, hidden her thorns bit by bit, wanting to become a little more normal, to treat the person she liked with tenderness. Even if that person didn't care much for her, she felt it didn't matter.

After all, when she was on Xia Island, she'd already considered that Lin Meng might get a girlfriend, might even marry someone else.

The more Lin Meng agreed to her, the more humbly Lin Meng acted in front of her, the more she felt Lin Meng cared about others, not about her.

When a surge of intense sorrow washed over Su Yutang, it was mixed with an unspeakable frustration and anger. Since threatening Lin Meng worked so well, she might as well use it to the end.

Su Yutang stayed silent for a long time without replying. The other end hadn't hung up, and Lin Meng didn't dare to either.

Just as she was about to ask whether Su Yutang was satisfied with her answer, Su Yutang spoke first: “Darling, you're very good, so I'm going to give you the reward you deserve. Next Friday at six in the evening, I'll be attending a dinner at Haiwei Hotel. You'll blend in, and my people will bring you to the private room.”

Lin Meng's eyes widened in surprise. “You... you're attending a dinner. Why do you want me to come? I can't help with anything even if I go. And I have work on Friday—can I skip it? If that doesn't work, we can meet another time!”

What a cute little thing. She'd only shown a bit of amenability, and already this person knew how to make demands.

Su Yutang deliberately lowered her voice, as if warning her. “You can't, darling. If I see that you didn't come next Friday evening, I don't know what I might do to your friends.”

Hearing this, Lin Meng suddenly felt like the vicious scumbag Su from before had returned—except in the novel, Su Yutang was only cruel to Yun Huaizhu, and now she was being cruel to Lin Meng.

She was truly detestable. Next time she felt sorry for Su Yutang, she'd be a dog!

Lin Meng was furious, but she still said meekly, “Okay, Eldest Miss Su, I understand.”

Su Yutang tilted her chin up at those words. She could even imagine how adorable Lin Meng's expression must be on the other end of the line. “Darling, the two of us have already slept together. Even though we haven't seen each other for half a year, our relationship is still there. Traditionally speaking, we're practically an old married couple. You still calling me ‘Eldest Miss Su’ like this—isn't it a bit distant?”

Lin Meng's fist clenched. But under Su Yutang's tyrannical oppression, she had no choice but to bow her head. Through gritted teeth, she smiled. “Okay, Tangtang. See you next Friday.”

Su Yutang blew her a kiss through the phone. “That's my darling.”

With that, the other end hung up with obvious reluctance.

After the call ended, Lin Meng raised the phone high, about to smash it down. But at the last moment, her rationality pulled her back—if she broke this phone, Su Yutang would come again.

At that thought, Lin Meng sullenly placed the phone by her pillow and lay on the bed, puffing out her cheeks.

...

After hanging up, Su Yutang hummed a tune as she worked through the documents in her hands, her mood greatly improved. She'd been in Jing City for so many years and still had some connections of her own, though her network overlapped heavily with Su Yurong's. Over the years, Su Yurong had delegated some of her power to her in order to cultivate her.

No—rather, Su Yurong had delegated power to her for the old madam's sake.

Because the old madam had said that if you want to cultivate an heir, do it properly and by the rules. Power and connections—neither could be lacking.

Even so, Su Yurong feared her flamboyant nature would cause trouble, so she never handed over her most core forces.

Now she held 25% of the Su Group's shares, while her mother held 35%. The rest was held by old retainers the old madam had promoted and by group members her mother had elevated.

Acquiring 10% of those shares would be quite difficult; her current cash flow alone wouldn't cover it. This matter required long-term planning.

But within three months, she could guarantee Su Yurong wouldn't be able to arbitrarily lock her up again.

Beyond that, what remained was Yun Huaizhu—the person Lin Meng cared about most.

Si Bingxia knocked on the door, then placed a compiled record of Lin Meng's activities over the past half year on Su Yutang's desk. “Young Miss, I've put the things you asked for here.”

Su Yutang nodded slightly. “Understood. Go back and rest.”

Si Bingxia acknowledged this, but before leaving, she mentioned one more thing. “Young Miss, Madam called earlier. She said to be careful of Yun Huaizhu. She also said that in a few days she'll arrange for you to meet the Cen family's young miss, after which the engagement can be settled.”

Su Yutang's fist clenched with an audible creak. A look of enduring humiliation surfaced on her face. “Tell her I'll do as she arranges. But before that, can she remove the people surveilling me? If they keep prying into my privacy, I don't know what I might do.”

Si Bingxia said, “Yes, Young Miss. I've noted it down.”

...

Ever since Lin Meng had escorted Huo Yi and Yun Huaizhu out of her apartment together, neither of them had come to her home again.

But after that, Yun Huaizhu kept apologizing through messages, constantly explaining how she'd had no choice.

Every time Yun Huaizhu apologized like this, Lin Meng felt as if she were being pushed to the edge of a cliff. Even though she'd said she never blamed Yun Huaizhu, Yun Huaizhu still didn't believe her.

Helpless, Lin Meng could only relent and tell her to come to her home, giving her the door code.

She felt that if she didn't tell Yun Huaizhu, Yun Huaizhu would surely do something extreme again.

Because she understood all too well what people felt in moments of extreme fear. When she was afraid, her mind went blank, as if the world were spinning endlessly into nonexistence. When people are pushed to a dead end, they always think of doing something—even if those things aren't permitted by morality or law.

She knew Yun Huaizhu's heart wasn't bad, and she knew Yun Huaizhu had no choice. She was willing to be as accommodating as she could within her limits.

After all, her time left in Jing City wasn't long.

After Lin Meng told Yun Huaizhu the door code, Yun Huaizhu came to her home almost every day, cooking for her and tidying the apartment. Lin Meng also noticed new things appearing in her home—clothes and undergarments in her size, or food.

Having known Lin Meng for a while, Yun Huaizhu had gradually come to understand her temperament.

She knew that if she gave Lin Meng jewelry or transferred money directly, Lin Meng would never accept it. But if it was clothes in her size or food, Lin Meng would keep them.

Lin Meng was someone who hated waste. The clothes Yun Huaizhu gave her were made to her measurements—no one else could wear them, and even if Lin Meng sent them back, Yun Huaizhu would just throw them away. The food needed no explanation.

Although Lin Meng had given her the door code, Yun Huaizhu always felt Lin Meng would get angry upon seeing her, so she avoided Lin Meng every time.

Lin Meng thought this was fine. Su Yutang had threatened her, saying that if she dared meet with Yun Huaizhu, she would bankrupt Yun Huaizhu.

The two of them staying in the same space at different times shouldn't count as meeting, right?

...

Until this Friday, when Lin Meng's company inexplicably gave a half-day off. Before she could even go to the company cafeteria for lunch, she was forced to clock out.

When she opened her apartment door, wave after wave of mouthwatering aroma teased her taste buds, and her stomach, hungry for half a day, growled in response.

As Yun Huaizhu set the last dish—old hen soup—on the table, her gaze happened to meet Lin Meng's at the doorway.

Yun Huaizhu was instantly at a loss. Her hands, with nowhere to rest, brushed against the clay soup pot and burned herself. The sudden pain made her let out an involuntary yelp.

Lin Meng immediately dropped her bag and ran over. “Zhuzhu, are you okay?”

Lin Meng's cool hands cradled the hand that had been burned by the pot. The back of Yun Huaizhu's left hand was red, a blister already rising. Lin Meng's heart ached at the sight, and a difficult-to-name bitterness rose within her.

She couldn't quite identify what she was feeling. Lately, she wanted to keep her distance from Yun Huaizhu, yet because of her pity for Yun Huaizhu, she couldn't help but miss her.

Yun Huaizhu being fragile, sensitive, and insecure wasn't her fault.

As Yun Huaizhu's good friend, she naturally should offer comfort at a time like this. But she was also afraid that if she suddenly left one day, Yun Huaizhu wouldn't be able to adjust, would continue to grieve and cry.

This contradictory feeling kept pulling at her, making her hover endlessly at the edge of danger.

Seeing Lin Meng so worried that she'd abandoned her bag on the floor, Yun Huaizhu's eyes suddenly reddened. All the careful vigilance of these past days dissolved into silent longing and grievance, erupting all at once. Her eyes rimmed red as she choked out, “Mengmeng-jie... I'm sorry. I just don't want you to hate me. You're the best person I've ever met. If even someone as good-tempered as you hates me, then it can only mean I'm truly awful. Right now I've been abandoned by everyone, and all I have is the company I built with my own hands. I don't know what meaning I have in this world, all alone...”

Hearing this, Lin Meng's nose stung with sourness. She reached out and gently wiped the tears from the corners of Yun Huaizhu's eyes. “Zhuzhu, you're wonderful. I don't hate you. I understand everything you're worried about. You can rest assured now—even if I hated everything in the world, I still wouldn't hate you.”

Yun Huaizhu was like a beam of moonlight shining into her heart. Lin Meng might not be able to stay for that moonlight forever, but she would always keep a place for it in her heart.

The broken, the beautiful—what seems fleeting is always so pitiable.

Lin Meng thought this was enough.

Yun Huaizhu stopped crying at these words. Her pitiful eyes slowly lifted to look at Lin Meng. “Really, Mengmeng-jie?”

Lin Meng nodded. “I promise.”

Whether in the novel or now, Yun Huaizhu was her favorite character.

Hearing this, Yun Huaizhu couldn't help but step forward and embrace her. “Thank you, Mengmeng-jie. Your words are enough for me. Don't worry—in the days ahead I'll work hard to earn money. Once my company stabilizes, once I've dealt with everyone I need to deal with, the two of us will go abroad, okay? Let me take you somewhere even Su Yutang and Huo Yi can't find. Just the two of us together, okay?”

When she said this, she looked at Lin Meng full of expectation. Meeting her shattered yet hope-filled gaze, Lin Meng felt for the first time as if she were standing at the edge of a bottomless cliff with no choice but to jump.

She didn't know why, but lately people kept telling her they wanted to be with her, to marry her...

But this kind of thing wasn't in her life plan at all.

She'd already decided to go back to her hometown before the new year. And besides... always saying “I need to think about it more,” always giving Yun Huaizhu a sliver of hope—how was that different from a scumbag stringing someone along?

Yun Huaizhu was her good friend. She couldn't betray Yun Huaizhu's kindness to her. But the current her couldn't bear to see Yun Huaizhu sad either.

She guiltily avoided Yun Huaizhu's gaze. “Zhuzhu, right now I... my mind is a bit of a mess. I've never thought about this kind of thing. Give me a little more time. Before the end of this year, I'll definitely give you an answer. I won't make you wait any longer.”

Hearing that Lin Meng had given her a definite deadline, hope suddenly rose in Yun Huaizhu's heart. She even wanted to immediately go abroad to buy a house, and when the year-end came, bring Lin Meng over.

Overjoyed, she threw her arms around Lin Meng's neck, her heart wrapped in sweetness. “I can wait, Mengmeng-jie. I'll let you see my sincerity. Besides my late mother, you're the one I love most in this world. So I'll wait for you.”

The more Yun Huaizhu said this, the guiltier Lin Meng felt. She gently removed Yun Huaizhu's arms. “Zhuzhu, your hand is hurt. Let me get the burn ointment for you.”

Yun Huaizhu's eyes lit up at this. She nodded firmly. “Okay.”

Lin Meng found the fast-acting burn ointment Su Yutang had given her last time. She carefully held a small pair of medical scissors. “Zhuzhu, lancing the blister might hurt a bit. Bear with it.”

Yun Huaizhu obediently placed her hand in Lin Meng's and gave a soft “Mm.”

Actually, in this world, the thing she feared least was pain.

Because all the pain inflicted on her body couldn't compare to a ten-thousandth of the pain in her heart.

Lin Meng deftly lanced the blister and applied the ointment. It was cool and soothing; aside from a slight itch, Yun Huaizhu felt nothing else.

As Lin Meng wrapped her hand with gauze, she said, “Try not to get this hand wet this week. Even though it's almost September, the weather is still hot, so try to go out as little as possible.”

Hearing Lin Meng's instructions, Yun Huaizhu couldn't help but smile and nod. “Understood, Doctor Lin. I'll be good and listen.”

For some reason, Lin Meng's face suddenly reddened at those words.

She was silent for a moment before finally voicing what she'd been holding in. “Um... Zhuzhu, I might be a bit busy lately, so it's not very convenient for me to see you. Don't come to my home so often either... I don't mean I'm chasing you away. I mean I might have to go on a business trip and won't be home. There's enough stuff at home. I feel a little uneasy with you always coming over. Once I'm done being busy, I'll contact you and invite you over to hang out, okay?”

Yun Huaizhu looked puzzled at her words. “But I remember Mengmeng-jie's position is in planning, right? Does planning also require such long business trips?”

The elaborate lie Lin Meng had woven was instantly punctured by Yun Huaizhu. When Lin Meng heard this, panic already set in, but she forced herself to stay calm, spouting nonsense with a straight face. “Of—of course. Our company suddenly called me and a few others to go to another city for a business trip, to revise the proposal on-site, so, so...”

Seeing her growing guilt, as if she couldn't keep the lie going, a difficult bitterness suddenly rose in Yun Huaizhu's heart.

Lin Meng must want the two of them to have some time apart, to properly think about the question of them being together.

After all, for someone with Lin Meng's personality, if she and Lin Meng were together every single day, Lin Meng would easily confuse the difference between love and friendship.

Giving her some time to calm down was fine too.

At this thought, Yun Huaizhu took Lin Meng's cool hand and pressed it against her own flushed cheek. “Mm, I'll listen to Mengmeng-jie.”