Chapter 20

The short-haired girl is named Wang Xiaolin, a colleague of Yu Qingying, and of course, also a classmate of Tang Zhendong. It was because of saving her that Tang Zhendong ended up in prison.

Tang Zhendong had bravely saved Wang Xiaolin. When a few thugs pulled out knives, he, in a moment of desperation, kicked one of the thugs who was molesting Wang Xiaolin to death. However, this thug was the son of the chief of a local police station. As a high school student, Wang Xiaolin, under the pressure of the police chief's power, did not dare to stand up for Tang Zhendong in time, leading to his wrongful conviction and an eight-year prison sentence.

However, just now, Tang Zhendong's eyes were only on Yu Qingying, and he didn't even notice Wang Xiaolin. Besides, it had been many years since they last met, and the difference in appearance between high school and after work was so great that Tang Zhendong didn't recognize Wang Xiaolin at all.

Of course, if it weren't for Yu Qingying calling out Tang Zhendong's name, Wang Xiaolin wouldn't have recognized him either.

Nine years ago, Tang Zhendong was a naive young man, but the Tang Zhendong standing in front of Wang Xiaolin now was a tough and manly figure, exuding a strong masculine aura.

However, in Yu Qingying's eyes, this manly aura added a touch of elegance.

Yu Qingying's feelings towards Tang Zhendong were very strange. Although she had only been classmates with him for less than half a year, she had a very deep impression of him. Perhaps it was because Tang Zhendong, who was always idle but had excellent grades, left a deep impression on Yu Qingying.

At school, everyone flattered and fawned over Yu Qingying, but she always remembered Tang Zhendong, who never showed her any favor.

This was true in high school and in college. Yu Qingying was never short of admirers, but she never felt a heart flutter for anyone else.

Yu Qingying was a pampered daughter, with a good family background, excellent grades, and a beautiful appearance. Although she had many admirers, her family was very strict. After graduating from college, she did not use her family connections and joined the Haicheng Daily News.

The Haicheng Daily News is not a place anyone can easily enter. Although Yu Qingying had excellent grades, the newspaper's leadership still noticed her father Yu Zhenhua and mother Meng Ruhua's names when they saw the family members she listed, even though their occupations were listed as unemployed. This did not affect the leadership's political acumen.

Unemployed? If it were just Yu Zhenhua being unemployed, it might be a coincidence. But Meng Ruhua's name, which others might not know, was well-known to Hu Wenxuan, the newspaper's editor-in-chief. Don't forget what the newspaper does? They work with words and are particularly sensitive to the names of key party and government leaders.

The mayor of Haicheng, Yu Zhenhua, was listed as unemployed by his daughter. The deputy director of the Haicheng Health Bureau, Meng Ruhua, was also listed as unemployed by her daughter.

Hu Wenxuan found this amusing, but he only smiled secretly.

Since Mayor Yu didn't send anyone to inform him, he couldn't go out of his way to report to the mayor. Sometimes being proactive is good, but other times it can backfire. Mayor Yu might not want to publicize this, so it's best to help him discreetly.

Although Yu Qingying was sufficiently excellent, both in appearance and writing, Editor-in-Chief Hu didn't let her join the newspaper too easily. After a series of rigorous tests, she finally joined the newspaper, albeit with some twists and turns.

Wang Xiaolin, Yu Qingying's high school classmate, also joined the newspaper.

Wang Xiaolin and Yu Qingying were classmates for three years in high school. Yu Qingying topped the school in the college entrance exam and was admitted to Beijing University, while Wang Xiaolin was admitted to Renmin University of China. Although Renmin University is not as prestigious as Beijing University, it is still one of the most famous institutions of higher learning.

It wasn't until after the interview and starting work that they realized they were high school classmates, and they became very close friends.

Yu Qingying was as graceful and refined as a fairy from the moon palace, while Wang Xiaolin was also a very beautiful woman, though she came from a rural background and didn't know how to dress up.

This year, the newspaper welcomed two beautiful flowers, Wang Xiaolin and Yu Qingying. Many single young men and leaders with ulterior motives were drooling over the two beautiful women.

Yu Qingying never showed any favor to these people and rejected countless admirers. Editor-in-Chief Hu also noticed this trend and held a meeting with several small leaders in the newspaper, announcing: "Some leaders, don't always think about using your position to chat with subordinates. Chatting can easily go off track, especially with Yu Qingying. Don't even think about it."

Everyone immediately understood what Editor-in-Chief Hu meant. Even if he had been vague, everyone, being in the writing business, would have understood the leadership's intentions clearly: Yu Qingying was off-limits, a forbidden fruit. Or, more accurately, no one should touch her until the leadership did.

Although Editor-in-Chief Hu made it clear about his relationship with Yu Qingying, he didn't mention Wang Xiaolin, so many people started to have ideas about her.

Unlike Yu Qingying, Wang Xiaolin chose the best among many admirers, but they were still in the early stages of dating and hadn't officially clarified their relationship.

However, this did not affect the two colleagues, classmates, and office beauties from becoming good friends and confidants.

Today, the newspaper's colleagues were celebrating the successful election of the 18th National Congress representatives. The representatives would leave for Beijing tomorrow, and today was the farewell ceremony for the newspaper's representative, held at the Haicheng Grand Hotel.

Yu Qingying never expected to run into Tang Zhendong here.

"Xiaolin, do you remember Tang Zhendong? Didn't he go to prison?" Yu Qingying asked Wang Xiaolin in a low voice in the restroom.

"Yes, I remember. That's right." Wang Xiaolin, of course, remembered Tang Zhendong. He went to prison because he saved her, and besides, they were not only high school classmates but also junior high school classmates from the same town.

"Tang Zhendong, our high school classmate, was in the same class as us for half a year." Yu Qingying suspected that Wang Xiaolin hadn't heard her clearly and explained again in detail.

"Oh, I know. He did go to prison, Qingying. Let's not talk about him. We've been out for a while; let's go back quickly!" Wang Xiaolin quickly changed the subject.

Tang Zhendong returned to the private room. After using the restroom, he looked refreshed and full of energy. He grabbed Wang Meng, who was almost drunk, and continued drinking. They finished another case of beer.

"Brother Dong, let me tell you, in the team, I respect no one but you. Not just because you can fight, but because you have a fierce spirit. Not everyone who can fight is fierce, but those who are fierce can definitely fight. Brother Dong, I really want you to take me under your wing. We can eat meat and drink wine together. Here, Brother Dong, I'll drink up, you take it easy."

Wang Meng was really quite drunk, speaking incoherently, but Tang Zhendong was moved by his sincere words after drinking.

Life in prison, though bloody and boring, often led to self-entertainment, but people who came out of prison were usually very united and emotional. There were many people like Wang Meng.