December 23, 1928.
A very ordinary Sunday.
But that night, several people underwent subtle changes.
Sitting under the desk lamp, Hu Jia flipped through his notebook, then marked a "priority" symbol after one sentence.
Why hasn't this savage appeared yet? If he doesn't show up soon, I'll forget about him.
Then, he saw Lü Qingqing's photograph and recalled how she had declared herself his fiancée in front of everyone that day.
Confident, beautiful, proud, and full of self-assurance!
This image kept replaying in his mind. Gradually, he felt a wave of dizziness, and just like every time a case reached the seven-day mark, figures of Lü Qingqing began to reappear in his head.
If a ray of X-ray vision were available, you would be astonished to find Hu Jia's hippocampus responding to these images. It was like a chemical reaction, etching Lü Qingqing's smiling face into his memory.
The dizziness was followed by a feeling of discomfort. Hu Jia gently patted his forehead, and the discomfort subsided slightly.
This brain of his seemed to be sick again.
Meanwhile, just a wall away, Lü Qingqing was staring into a bowl of steaming hot water.
The steam rose, and she seemed to see Hu Jia's smiling face emerge from the void. In the past, she had always been plagued by self-doubt. She couldn't believe she had fallen for Hu Jia, so she'd constantly found excuses to deny her feelings.
But today, she had confirmed her heart's desire.
She had indeed fallen for Hu Jia, and she was more than willing for him to adopt the title of "fiancé."
As for his amnesia, his responsibilities, whether he truly felt anything for her—let it all go to hell!
Emotions don't involve so much overthinking. You only know the end of the road by walking it; guessing will always lead to the unknown.
Tomorrow, tomorrow marks Hu Jia's next memory cycle.
She would appear on time as his fiancée.
A birthday banquet brought completely different emotions to everyone. Lü Qingqing and Hu Jia had broken through their inner hesitations and obstacles that night, but the other two main characters of the banquet began their divergent paths.
"Sixth Master!" Tong Hua stood respectfully to the side, while Tong Meng stared at the person before her, forgetting to even greet him.
"What? Surprised to see me?" Sixth Master lit a cigarette and crossed his legs.
Tong Meng snapped back to reality. This person was wearing a mask. "I didn't expect Sixth Master to be afraid to show his true face."
"How dare you!" Tong Hua raised his hand to slap her. "Who is Sixth Master? It's already a great honor to hear his voice. You still want to see his face? Apologize quickly."
Tong Meng's ear stung from the slap. She pushed her tongue against her cheek and chuckled, "Since I'm standing here, I am Sixth Master's person. Sixth Master's subordinates should not be cowards."
Tong Hua, hearing this, moved to discipline her again, but Sixth Master stopped him.
"Indeed, when a woman is determined, she becomes brave." Sixth Master looked at Tong Hua. "Learn from your sister. Backbone isn't forged through violence."
Tong Hua responded cautiously.
Sixth Master chuckled. "Speak, what are your conditions."
Tong Meng glanced at Tong Hua. "I want that position."
Tong Hua's heart jolted. "You?"
Tong Hua never expected Tong Meng to aim for that position.
"My current position is rather low. I believe Sixth Master needs someone who can speak authoritatively within the system. Instead of spending a fortune to curry favor with a high-ranking official, it's better to support one of your own," Tong Meng's words were exceptionally clear. It was evident this was a well-considered thought.
"Hahaha, interesting!" Sixth Master burst into laughter. "You are a truly interesting person."
"Sixth Master..." Tong Hua, beside them, grew anxious. "You promised me, that position is mine."
Even through the mask, Sixth Master's sharp gaze could be felt. "Are you telling me how to do my job?"
"I dare not." Tong Hua immediately cowered.
Seeing his demeanor, Tong Meng curled her lips. "I believe Sixth Master can see who is more suitable for that position."
Sixth Master laughed again. Indeed, Tong Meng far exceeded his expectations.
She dared to meet Sixth Master's gaze, she bravely expressed her ambitions without regard for her own brother's face, and she was very clear about her goals and willing to pay the price.
She appeared harmless on the surface, but was in fact like a scorpion with a venomous sting in its tail.
Such a woman was indeed suited for a higher position.
For Sixth Master, he wanted a dog that could proactively solve problems and handle matters, not a mindless dog that only followed orders.
Evidently, Tong Hua also realized the situation had changed, yet he dared not fight for himself or defend his position.
"Very well, I accept Tong Meng's request. As for Tong Hua, rest assured, I will never treat you unfairly in the future." Sixth Master made his final decision.
Tong Meng's expression remained neutral, she simply said thank you, as if everything had unfolded as she had predicted.
Tong Hua, however, was indignant but dared not speak, forced to insincerely thank Sixth Master for his cultivation.
That night, the last pretense between Tong Meng and Tong Hua vanished.
After Sixth Master left, Tong Meng lazily opened the door. She was wearing a large red bathrobe, her hair disheveled, with a few marks on her neck.
Tong Meng looked at Tong Hua, who had been standing guard outside the room, and a smile played on her lips. "I was having a good time inside, while you stood guard outside. You've truly worked hard, Tutor Tong."
Tong Meng was deliberately provoking Tong Hua. Tong Hua's ambition was to leave the training institute, join the police force, and compete with Hu Jia.
But with Tong Meng snatching the position, his dream was shattered once again.
Tong Hua prepared to slap Tong Meng again, but this time Tong Meng didn't dodge, she even offered her cheek. "Go on, hit me!"
Tong Hua didn't strike. He seemed startled by the look in Tong Meng's eyes. "You truly are my good sister."
"Well, I should thank you for your tutelage," Tong Meng retorted sarcastically. "In a few days, when I take that position, I'm sure you'll be happy too, after all, I'm just a good pawn you cultivated yourself."
"Do you think you'll live comfortably without me paving the way? Without me planning and strategizing for you, you're nothing," Tong Hua never imagined that his painstaking plans would be snatched away by Tong Meng like this.
"You're wrong. Didn't you control me precisely to offer me to those men to exchange favors for you? Since I was going to trade my body anyway, why should I benefit you?"
Tong Meng looked at Tong Hua like he was an idiot. Originally, Tong Hua had asked her to entertain Sixth Master, and he would help bring in Hu Jia. She agreed, but Tong Hua had broken his promise.
A person can't remain foolish forever.
Since I can't rely on you, I'll rely on myself.
"What you can do, I can do too. What you can't do, I can still do," Tong Meng licked her lips seductively. "You're just Sixth Master's dog, but I'm different. I can become his woman."
"Pah! Look at yourself, and you still want to be Sixth Master's woman."
"What I am isn't important. What's important is that my body is my weapon. What about you? You can only be a weapon in someone else's hand."
Amidst Tong Meng's triumphant and arrogant laughter, Tong Hua began to regret his decision.
Everyone's story took a different turn. Even Yu Yue and Li Yang experienced changes after the birthday banquet.
"Little Yueyue, did your little stud today get to drink the nourishing soup you stewed?"
"Don't you have hands? Do you know how precious my nails are? You still expect me to stew soup for you? I can't even be bothered to peel a single clove of garlic right now."
Uh oh.
Li Yang was bewildered. Why was Little Yueyue not playing by the usual rules today?
"But I've gotten used to drinking the soup you make."
"Ai, Qingqing also said she's used to the dishes Boss makes."
Li Yang: "..."
This woman has definitely been provoked. I just don't know who did it.
He ruined my happy, lazy life. I hate him!