Chapter 4, everything is a fleeting pursuit
"Have you never watched television? There are cases of women and children being trafficked. Girls are relatively cheaper. Unfortunately, my mother had an ultrasound before giving birth and knew I was a son. My father took advantage of her weakness after childbirth, deceived her, and then spent 20,000 yuan to buy me from the traffickers."
Perhaps due to staying up late, Shi Jingwei's voice sounded dispirited and exhausted, "Be a little kinder to yourself"
When she reached the fifth bottle, Lu Mingmei saw Shi Jingwei coming over with another bottle of Carlsberg, smiling at him clearly and asking, "Out for some fun?"
I am sorry, Ah Shi, I know you have always been good to me and have helped me a lot, but I really do not know... I do not know you, if I had known, I would not have acted this way. There is hardly anyone around me with whom I can share my true feelings, and I always feel that your temper is quite good, so I vent my frustrations on you... I am sorry... My mother would rather die than agree to my being with Song Po, otherwise, I would not have been using you as a cover all this time... If I had any other option... My mother would rather die than agree to my being with Song Po, otherwise, I would not have been using you as a cover all this time... If I had any other option...
I am thoroughly annoyed by you coming to me every time to talk about him, thoroughly annoyed by you asking me how to win his favor, thoroughly annoyed by you pretending not to know my feelings, while repeatedly taking advantage of me to seek benefits in that miserable, dilapidated area.
Lu Mingmei laughed heartily again; it was a joke originally told to her by Jingwei. One day, a certain man was on the street when a beautiful woman driving a car stopped by the roadside and waved her hand at him.
It is acceptable
It is so easy to be placed under house arrest by the Myanmar government; apart from being reported and having one's whereabouts leaked, there seems to be no other reason to explain this.
All doubts can be perfectly explained
Without waiting for a response, she turned over and sat beside Shi Jingwei at the head of the bed, murmuring: "She came to see me at school. Suddenly, the teacher and classmates all started to treat me well. The teacher even asked me to write an essay, titled 'My Mother.' Some classmates laughed at me, saying, 'Lu Mingmei, your mother is a great journalist and writer, so how come your essay is so terrible?' She forgot about me for many years, and suddenly came back to care for me. I was overjoyed, not knowing it was all fake... The teacher also wanted me to write an essay, 'My Mother,' and some classmates laughed at me, saying, 'Lu Mingmei, your mother is a great journalist and writer, so how come your essay is so terrible?' She forgot about me for many years, and suddenly came back to care for me. I was overjoyed, not knowing it was all fake... Her concern for me was merely to cover up the things she had done..." Shi Jingwei reached out and touched her head, saying, "There are no parents without faults in this world."
Lu Mingmei was seething with anger. As the saying goes, it takes three generations to cultivate a true noble. How many generations of effort does it take to nurture such a shameless elite? She gritted her teeth and said, "You are much higher than a rogue; no matter how despicable the matter is, you can always cover its ugly essence with a grandiose reason!"
That would be too much trouble
Lu Mingmei burst into laughter
Time and again, I have encountered such stories. After a long moment of contemplation, I sighed and said, "It is perhaps for the best that we do not see each other; at least we both have new lives."
This is the solution output by the mind of "Wanshitong GG" from Shijingwei.
What?
She pointed out seven or eight issues in one breath, while Jingwei leaned slightly back, took off his black-framed glasses, and said, "Oh, the voice of justice has arrived"
Lu Mingmei said softly, "I know, I have known for ten years."
The more shocking rumor is that some people secretly claim that Ai Hua's rapid rise to prominence after Editor-in-Chief Wang's retirement has deeper reasons—what are those reasons
You can rest assured
Shijinglei's expression was calm as he said, "There is a women's magazine in the society that conducts surveys and tests to examine the reactions of female friends around men to such sudden confessions"
Lu Mingmei opened her mouth, her mind swirling like a lump of paste, her thoughts momentarily lagging behind. It was only after a long while that she remembered to ask: "Did your mother find out later?"
"It's nothing," Shi Jingwei said dismissively, "I am used to it."
I do not have it
Hmm?
Cheng Songpo seemed too embarrassed to admit this and quickly changed the subject, "By the way, the person you met that day was Stella, my teacher's daughter. She happened to be traveling in China, and I had mentioned you to her, so she specifically stayed there that day, hoping to wait for me to introduce you two. As a result..." He gestured with his hand, and Lu Ming's expression turned slightly pale as she shot him a defiant glance. Cheng Songpo smiled, "Later, I tried to find you a few times, but you... you kept avoiding me."
Which is more desolate, this situation or the story told by Lu Mingmei
Entangled for sixty years, spanning three generations, the descendants of the officer and his fiancée still come together
What is the truth and what is the falsehood
Lu Mingmei looked around Shijingwei's office, which was about thirty thousand square meters, simply decorated yet exuding an air of elegance. Shijingwei prepared a cup of white coffee for her and placed it in front of her, saying, "This is all I have here; give it a try and see if it suits your taste. I heard from the teacher that you only like American coffee."
I used to speak ill of you in front of her, and as a result, she said you are a good person, just a rather fierce good person, which does not align with the usual principle of good people being low-key. Now that I think about it, I realize you are a dedicated confidant, a versatile handyman, a 12580, Mr. Know All... At that moment, Shi Jingwei did not know what expression to make. Was Cheng Bing helping him or mocking him? Yet, he could not deny it, so he could only laugh it off and say, "Of course, I was born to save the masses." Mr. Know All... At that moment, Shi Jingwei did not know what expression to make. Was Cheng Bing helping him or mocking him? Yet, he could not deny it, so he could only laugh it off and say, "Of course, I was born to save the masses."
A certain man mistakenly believed he was a high-class "service industry professional," so he found the price of 500 too expensive, shook his head, and held up three fingers. The beautiful woman looked puzzled but still nodded, and the two headed straight to the hotel for a night of passion. The next morning, the man woke up to find the woman had vanished without a trace, leaving only three one-hundred-yuan bills on the pillow—he had actually been mistaken for a "service industry gentleman."
As Cheng Songpo felt all his willpower melting away in the embrace, he struggled to change his position, still holding her from behind, and whispered: "No wonder others say that one would go to great lengths for a beauty."
Unexpectedly, the results of the verification easily dismissed his conjecture. In Cheng Songpo's file, the parents' section was completely empty, the place of origin was filled in as Jiangxi, and the date of birth was also very clear. At that time, Ming Aihua was still a novice journalist, with almost no record of absenteeism. Editor-in-Chief Wang, during those years, was constantly traveling abroad, from the U.S.-French hostage rescue operation in Zaire, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, to the U.S. aviation disaster; his presence was almost indispensable in all the headline news.
The originally faint smile at the corners of Shi Jingwei's lips suddenly froze, his sleeves slightly damp, and his entire body became rigid, yet he had no choice but to maintain this stiff posture, remaining completely still
Everything was within the expectations of time and space, yet it made his mood even heavier
Shijinglei shook his head and extended three fingers
After visiting a major client that day, she found herself near Shi Jingwei's office building, so she called to ask if he was busy and decided to drop by his office to vent. At work, Shi Jingwei was wearing the same black-framed glasses he used when fixing computers, which gave him an academic air that was inconsistent with his usual public image. "Rare visitor, coffee or tea?"
I do not have it, I..." Lu Mingmei slightly regained her composure, making an effort to observe Shi Jingwei's expression, trying to find even the slightest hint that he might be joking.
He could sense that Ming Aihua's tone when mentioning Editor Wang was one of pure respect and gratitude towards his mentor, a sentiment that mirrored his current respect for Ming Aihua
Lu Mingmei was concerned that Cheng Songpo would take this casual remark as a settling of old scores. She wanted to explain but feared that doing so would only draw more attention to the issue. Lovers often say, "Because you love me, you should buy me breakfast; because you love me, you must bring me a late-night snack." However, between them, this was a taboo. He could not say, "Because you love me, you must give up your mother;" she could not say, "Because you love me, you must forget your father."
"It's nothing," said Shi Jingwei, his voice sounding extremely despondent. "I know there's no hope anyway, saying it makes me feel a bit lighter. I'm sorry for wasting your time."
I have never known who my parents are my entire life
Cheng Songpo's hands became restless, slipping inside her clothing and resting on her smooth back, feeling her slight shiver in an instant. He gently caressed upward, then leaned down to softly nibble on her earlobe. Lu Mingmei pretended to push him away, but only sank deeper.
The phone rang with a clear "ding ding ding" sound. Shi Jingwei turned around, his jaw set as he stared at the telephone. After five or six rings, he finally picked it up, his voice calm, "I was just joking, really"
A woman like Lu Mingmei, who is always on guard with her defenses raised, would make any man retreat in fear, except for Cheng Songpo... Shi Jingwei, irritated, waved his hand in an attempt to dispel the wave of annoyance that had come over him, yet it was only Cheng Songpo whose gaze was different from others...
Lu Mingmei originally thought that the response would be something along the lines of unexpressed longings, or at the very least, one would quietly gaze at the moon during the stillness of the night, reflecting on the joys and sorrows of human existence, as well as the moon's phases of brightness and darkness. However, she did not expect that the passage of time would yield such a response.
Do you want to hear the truth or a lie
Then... weren't you not dead?
If Cheng Songpo is indeed the illegitimate child of Editor Wang and Ming Aihua, then he and Lu Mingmei would be half-siblings sharing the same mother but different fathers. Therefore, Ming Aihua strongly opposes their relationship but is unable to provide a convincing reason. Lu Mingmei, unaware of the underlying circumstances, feels aggrieved and seeks to use him as a shield by involving Ji Wei, secretly meeting with Cheng Songpo.
Lu Mingmei suddenly realized that, compared to herself, Shi Jingwei seemed to understand what life truly meant. Seeing her in a daze, Shi Jingwei smiled again, "When heating oatmeal, setting it to level 7 is sufficient; level 9 will cause it to overflow. As for coffee, you might want to try buying some cinnamon powder; it will taste much richer. Also, since you have a cold stomach, you shouldn't drink Longjing tea, and Biluochun is not suitable either. You could try Pu'er or Oolong tea."
She extended her arms and comfortingly embraced Jingwei, saying, "Thank you"
Lu Mingmei scratched her head. In her memory, Shi Jingwei's father was a somewhat ostentatious businessman, accompanied by a bimbo mistress, looking just like Shi Jingwei would in twenty years. She never expected him to do such a thing for his wife.
"Heh," Lu Mingmei chuckled, "It's too far away; there are still refugees in Somalia. What does it have to do with me?"
Shi Jingwei furrowed his brows slightly, quietly finished his breakfast, and then replied: "Yes."
During a conversation with Cheng Songpo, Shi Jingwei recalled asking him about his many years of residence in Italy and whether he had changed his nationality. Cheng Songpo's expression turned somber as he replied, "I am a person without a country or a home"
After failing to catch up with Shi Jingwei, he returned to his desk and sat down, lightly tapping his feet, causing the office chair to swivel 180 degrees
At that time, I thought it was the artist's spontaneous sentiment arising at any moment and in any place; only now do I fully understand the true meaning of that statement
Lu Mingmei felt a surge of anger. If Shi Jingwei had honestly told her that the market orientation was such, and that he occasionally had to make compromises, she might have been able to understand. Yet, he presented himself in such a serious manner, as if her doubts were purely products of her imagination. Lu Mingmei frowned and said, "What about this part? There are not just him alone who went to the Florence Academy of Fine Arts. Why go around in circles discussing every detail of that time? And here, he only painted a few pictures. Do you really have to drag in all that nonsense about family, social environment, and upbringing?"
He smiled at her naturally and said, "I see that your cereal, milk, cocoa powder, toast, and butter are all recently dated and have been opened not long ago. I guess you must be having these for breakfast. I hope you don't mind"
Lu Mingmei sat down in frustration, feeling annoyed that Jingwei seemed to understand everything and could point out all her mistakes. "My parents don't even manage me this closely."
And at that location, now sits Jingwei.
The truth is ... ... '' At that moment, Jingwei furrowed his brows, thought seriously for a moment, and then replied earnestly, `` I do not want to. ''
For the past seven days, Lu Mingmei had not come to find him, while Cheng Songpo happened to be in Beijing attending a cultural exchange event. Ji Jingwei originally intended to prevent any possibility of Lu Mingmei making a grave mistake, but unexpectedly, the outcome was that he ended up creating a blunder himself
I am bought.
Lu Mingmei stared at him in surprise, Cheng Songpo... ? ... Did he say he was jealous ?
At that time, I knew you were a good person, but regarding Songpo, I don't know how to explain it to you
She and Cheng Songpo are like the sentinels steadfastly guarding the banks of a river, she stubbornly refuses to cross over, while he persistently refuses to return
Lu Mingmei extended a hand, "Is 500 enough for an overnight stay?"
In the event that Lu Mingmei and Cheng Songpo reunite after a long separation, what if, being adults, they inadvertently let their hormones run wild and make a grave mistake? Shi Jingwei dared not think further; he wished he could burn two sticks of incense before the Jade Emperor, Laozi, the Buddha, Guanyin, Jesus Christ, and Allah, praying that Lu Mingmei would absolutely not... Shi Jingwei dared not think further; he wished he could burn two sticks of incense before the Jade Emperor, Laozi, the Buddha, Guanyin, Jesus Christ, and Allah, praying that Lu Mingmei would absolutely not...
Lu Mingmei's heart suddenly tightened, Acha, Acha
Lu Mingmei leaned forward, bringing her face close to Shi Jingwei's. A sudden impulse surged within him, almost compelling him to take an irrevocable action. Fortunately, he restrained himself and asked calmly, "What if there is just one beside you?"
Lu Mingmei took a sip, the rich and fragrant aroma wafting into her nose. In fact, she had long stopped drinking American coffee; in her youth, she had deliberately emphasized the pure bitterness of its taste, as if trying to prove something. However, Ming Aihua was unaware of this and thought her taste had always been this way, often lamenting her ignorance of the wonders of traditional green tea while going to great lengths to have someone send her those extremely rare top-quality coffee beans. What a futile effort! Lu Mingmei glanced up, and on the desk was the newly published magazine, the cover prominently featuring Cheng Songpo's "Spring on the Mekong River." She reached out, pulled the magazine out, and eagerly flipped to the table of contents to find Cheng Songpo's exclusive interview.
Shi Jingwei had a hundred doubts in his mind. If it were said that there were some unspoken rules within the circle, he would believe it; if it were said that the former Editor-in-Chief Wang had an illegitimate child, he could also reluctantly accept it, after all, Wang had retired many years before he entered the industry and they had no connections. However, to suggest that Ai Hua rose to prominence through unspoken rules, he absolutely could not believe that.
I know and have worked on the topic.
At this moment, Wei Song let out a sigh; at least in the short term, Lu Mingmei should unconsciously develop a resistance to Cheng Songpo's excessive closeness. This period of time is sufficient for him to investigate the relationship between Editor-in-Chief Wang and Ming Aihua.
Lu Mingmei sat on the bed with her knees hugged, tilting her head to observe Shi Jingwei's expression. The two had been chatting away for an entire night, and surprisingly, the sky was already beginning to brighten. Lu Mingmei felt quite apologetic and awkwardly smiled, saying, "I really feel bad about today..." Shi Jingwei stretched his arms and legs, having maintained the same position for the entire night, which was indeed quite painful. He relaxed his muscles, while Lu Mingmei moved to the edge of the bed to put on her slippers and found a set of toiletries for Shi Jingwei. Women generally take longer to wash up than men, and when Lu Mingmei finished and came out, she discovered that the dining table in the living room was already set with toasted bread and cocoa-flavored cereal, enough for two. Shi Jingwei appeared calm, sitting on one side of the dining table leisurely drinking milk.
You
Lu Mingmei looked at Shi Jingwei with a sympathetic gaze, and Shi Jingwei found it amusing. This was just the kind of person Lu Mingmei was; she could be incredibly blunt in her speech, yet when faced with real situations, her compassion would overflow. After humming and hawing for quite a while, she finally mustered the courage to say: "Actually... I think your dad treats you quite well. In life... there will always be some regrets, so don't take it too much to heart."
Cheng Songpo gently stroked her head, and with a light flick of his fingertips, he wrapped a few strands of her long hair around his fingers, "He cares about you very much"
He recalled that after the defeat of the Kuomintang army in the Liberation War and their retreat to Taiwan, many left their wives and children behind on the mainland. Later, realizing that returning home was hopeless, they married and had children in Taiwan. Subsequently, when cross-strait visits were allowed, many discovered that their wives on the mainland were still enduring hardships, raising their children while waiting for their return
I really have nothing to do with him," Lu Mingmei said with a pout, "If I had ever been moved to find someone else, it would be useless for you to come back!
The arrow is on the string, and it must be released. To reassure the local chieftain and to allow his brothers to live a few days of peace, he had no choice but to marry the chieftain's daughter, and later they had a son. His fiancée, waiting for news of him back home, believed he was dead... and eventually married someone else, giving birth to a daughter.
My mother was pregnant with my stepfather's child when she married my father. My stepfather was sent to Xichang to work on a classified aerospace project and suddenly disappeared without a trace. My mother and my father had been friends for many years, and in that era, having a child meant you had to get married. Later, when my stepfather returned, my parents got divorced. My mother felt very guilty towards my father, especially since my father and I had a good relationship. She was also going to Xichang with my stepfather, so she left me with my father.
What astonished him even more was that he discovered that if these "roadside society" reports were true, many of the perplexities that had troubled him for a long time could be resolved, and even many details could be further corroborated
No
Time Jingwei smiled faintly, feeling pale and powerless, "At least your parents are alive. Compared to those who do not even know who their parents are, you are quite fortunate."
After a long while, he added, "I am jealous"
They no longer spoke, and the longing that had accumulated over more than ten years slowly dissolved in the air, transforming into an unending entanglement. Lu Mingmei nestled in his embrace and, after a long while, suddenly asked in confusion: "Will I be that old in fifty years?"
This statement is quite poignant; it suggests that one's parents are not merely overly strict, but rather have never truly been involved in their upbringing at all
Lu Mingmei still clutched his sleeve, propping herself up on the bed, and fixed her gaze on him, "Do you think that as a traitor, she has never felt any pangs of conscience over the years?"
Ming Ai Hua had previously mentioned to him the many teachings that Editor-in-Chief Wang had imparted to her
Lu Mingmei is the harbor of Cheng Songpo
Shijing Wei firmly resolved to prevent Lu Mingmei from having any contact with Cheng Songpo in the short term. He knew that Lu Mingmei was generally a reasonable woman, but once she got involved with Cheng Songpo, anything could happen. For instance, what if Lu Mingmei, due to Ming Aihua's opposition, resorted to a forced marriage by borrowing a womb without prior notice?
But if it is not fate, what can he use to explain everything that has happened between Lu Mingmei and Cheng Songpo
As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted it, recalling the message that Cheng Song had sent her that day: Is this your condition for exchange?
Moreover, ...? ... At that time, Jingwei recalled the strictness of Ming Ai Hua and her strong style of conduct—how much courage and unique taste would it take to navigate the unspoken rules with such a strong woman?
What is called fate is merely the result of your mistakes leading to a predetermined outcome, for time cannot be reversed, and the conclusion cannot be altered; thus, the notion of fate is fabricated as a means of self-comfort
In what manner should he reappear before Lu Mingmei
Lu Mingmei frowned and glared fiercely at Shi Jingwei. It is truly impossible to deal with someone like Shi Jingwei; you can never tell which of his words are true and which are false. When you are serious, he makes jokes; when you are rambling nonsensically, he inexplicably becomes profound. Unless he is willing to talk to you, if you try to pry something out of him, no matter how many clever schemes you have, he has countless ways to evade you. When you are serious, he makes jokes; when you are rambling nonsensically, he inexplicably becomes profound. Unless he is willing to talk to you, if you try to pry something out of him, no matter how many clever schemes you have, he has countless ways to evade you.
Time turned his head, with a suspicious yet serious expression, and even picked up a magazine to flip through it for inspection. "The first part is about his achievements in recent years, then it traces back to his educational journey, and finally discusses his plans for the future. Quite harmonious indeed
Undoubtedly, Cheng Songpo is the son of that general, and Lu Mingmei is the daughter of the female journalist
Lu Mingmei relied on this, for she remembered that Shi Jingwei had never believed in fate
Cheng Songpo reached out to encircle her waist, turning her face to kiss her tenderly. The tears were salty and bitter, reminiscent of the flavors of life over the past decade. Lu Mingmei initially pushed him away, harboring a sense of resentment that had built up over time, and finally found an outlet for her frustration, desperately trying to reject him. Cheng Songpo was very strong; she had learned her lesson before and was unwilling to let him succeed easily, using both her hands and feet to push him away. At first, he indulged her; when she pushed to the left, he would hold her to the right, and when she pushed to the right, he would embrace her to the left. Cheng Songpo was very strong; she had learned her lesson before and was unwilling to let him succeed easily, using both her hands and feet to push him away. At first, he indulged her; when she pushed to the left, he would hold her to the right, and when she pushed to the right, he would embrace her to the left. Eventually, he lost his patience, and with both arms truly exerting strength, he held her tightly as if with steel bars, pressing her head against his lips, his tongue desperately probing into her mouth, draining her of all breath, ultimately shattering her will to resist.
As Shi Jingwei returned, he did not turn on the light; he simply sat at the head of the bed, tucked the corners of the blanket for her, and quietly asked, "Lu Mingmei, what exactly happened?"
Hmm
At that moment, Shi Jingwei suddenly felt a strange sensation in his heart. He thought to himself, you believe me when I say I like you, and you also believe me when I say I was joking. How come I never realized before how much you trust me? Soon, he smiled along with Lu Mingmei, directly clinking his wine bottle with hers, "What’s going on today?"
So, do you know about the Chinese Expeditionary Force during the eight-year War of Resistance?
Even after ten years have passed; even though they both understand that their desire for each other has penetrated to the very marrow.
Lu Mingmei almost jumped up, "When did he ever say these nonsensical things to you?"
"TOEFL, it was not in vain for me to endure the pain of parting with it," Shi Jingwei exaggeratedly laughed and said, "If it still doesn't sell well like this, am I not losing both the lady and the soldiers?"
Lu Mingmei was taken aback, her body unconsciously leaning forward, as she listened intently to the explanation of the time and space, "I find Cheng Songpo unsatisfactory."
Perhaps it was a moment of conscience, Lu Mingmei's laughter seemed indifferent. The female journalist, through some connections, brought the general's son back to China. The boy was originally very innocent; his father hoped he would become a qualified soldier to defend Shan State in the future, but he only liked to paint, depicting the tin houses, the millet fields, and the Mekong River of Shan State. He was brought back to China, and the journalist paid for his education, even wanting to help him change his name, but he refused, adamantly. The boy was originally very innocent; his father hoped he would become a qualified soldier to defend Shan State in the future, but he only liked to paint, depicting the tin houses, the millet fields, and the Mekong River of Shan State. He was brought back to China, and the journalist paid for his education, even wanting to help him change his name, but he refused, adamantly. Later, the female journalist even sent him abroad to study painting... but she did not dare to let others know about her relationship with this boy, so she played the role of a long-legged uncle for many years.
Once the floodgates of tears opened, they could not be contained. In the end, she felt quite tragic, reminiscent of Wang Baochuan enduring eighteen years in the cold cave. As she cried, she hurled newspapers and magazines at Cheng Songpo. Cheng Songpo did not flinch or evade, allowing her to throw everything she could at him, receiving her final punches and kicks like a madwoman. The more she cried, the fiercer she became, as if she wanted to vent all the bitterness and grievances of the past ten years—those days of utter helplessness, those days of waiting alone, those days of feeling lost and unsupported. Cheng Songpo did not flinch or evade, allowing her to throw everything she could at him, receiving her final punches and kicks like a madwoman. The more she cried, the fiercer she became, as if she wanted to vent all the bitterness and grievances of the past ten years—those days of utter helplessness, those days of waiting alone, those days of feeling lost and unsupported.
Lu Mingmei was nearby, and a faint scent of alcohol wafted over, ethereal and enchanting. Shi Jingwei held his breath, slowly exhaling, and then asked in a very calm tone: "Is it over?"
Lu Mingmei leaned over and asked, "Which category does my reaction belong to?"
What about the truth
At that time, this book caused a strong reaction in the international community, as no outsider had ever been able to delve into the Golden Triangle for such an extended period and comprehensively and objectively present the true lives of the local residents to the outside world. Later, the Myanmar government forces launched another attack on the Golden Triangle, forcing the armed group to surrender, and it is said that Ming Aihua also participated in the mediation. Such experiences firmly established Ming Aihua's unassailable position within the newspaper. As time passed, Wei Jingwei thought that Lu Mingmei should still have some understanding of her mother, so he refrained from interrupting and quietly listened to her continue speaking.
Shijinglei smiled and pushed the small plate holding the toast in front of her, saying, "Eat it while it's hot."
Shi Jingwei gazed at her, his eyes deep as the sea, seemingly filled with countless sparks, leaving one unable to fathom their depths
So, your parents later did not ... ...
Ah?
Lu Mingmei suddenly turned her head and mocked, "Shi Jingwei, your consolation is too insincere."
Turning to the interview with Cheng Songpo, she saw a half-page color portrait of him printed on copperplate; his features were clear and handsome, which involuntarily made Lu Mingmei's lips curve into a smile. She rarely read newspapers or magazines, but after carefully reading it, she felt that the writing of Wei Jingwei truly lived up to the phrase "a brush that brings forth flowers." The introduction of Cheng Songpo's exhibition achievements in Europe, with its abundant accomplishments and dazzling aura, had long been memorized by Lu Mingmei in her heart countless times, and at this moment, she could not help but feel joy. However, upon reaching the second part, her brows instinctively furrowed, and her displeasure was evident in her words, "Why is there so much content that involves privacy?"
He let out a long sigh and said with a hint of melancholy, "At that time, I also wondered, in those anxious, desperate eyes that concealed a glimmer of hope, could there be... a pair searching for me? I followed the live broadcast of the entire operation, but after just a few days... my father found out I was watching this program and became very anxious, so I stopped watching it afterward"
Lu Mingmei was lost in thought for half a day, staring wide-eyed at Shi Jingwei, who appeared calm and composed, as if recounting some trivial matters encountered during an interview. "My mother had a very dangerous time when she gave birth to me. The doctor asked whether to save the adult or the child," Lu Mingmei still could not grasp the relevance of this. Shi Jingwei chuckled lightly and continued, "My mother insisted that my father sign to save the child. My father agreed in front of her, but once outside, he told the doctor to save the adult. As a result, the child died, and the adult was left barely alive.
Perhaps she herself is unaware, thought Shi Jingwei, yet he understood all of this in his heart
Time passes without a word, Ming Aihua is the mentor who guided him into the industry and supported his progress, and he understands better than anyone the reason for respecting the revered one
In fact, Lu Mingmei is quite sensitive about others intruding into her life. This one-bedroom apartment was purchased with a down payment made by Ming Aihua. Even so, if Ming Aihua wants to come over, she must seek prior approval. However, by some twist of fate, she did not sense anything amiss. Glancing over, she noticed that even the dishes that had been left in the sink for several days had been washed by Shi Jingwei, and she couldn't help but stick out her tongue in embarrassment and say, "You even washed the dishes?"
Then Cheng Songpo embraced her like this, maintaining the fixed position for a long time, until he himself needed to breathe and slightly loosened his hold on Lu Mingmei. She gasped for air, and after regaining her composure, she became furious again, saying, "Don't touch me; after all, you never really thought of me."
Shi Jingwei's entire body tensed up involuntarily, straightening rigidly, then he held her hand and gently coaxed, "I'm listening, what is it?"
I do not know why, but this kind of scene feels surprisingly familiar. Where has it appeared before
After spending a full seven days on the task, Shi Jingwei produced a schedule detailing the itinerary of Editor-in-Chief Wang and Ming Aihua during those five or six days. This allows for a hundred percent confirmation that, both in terms of time and space, Cheng Songpo could not possibly be the illegitimate child of Editor-in-Chief Wang and Ming Aihua. At the very least, he cannot be the illegitimate child of Ming Aihua.
The most skillful lie is one that combines all the true details with a false motive
Every time I seek a safe space, no matter when or where, you seem to appear as if you can foresee it.
The protagonist of the story is not just one person. Lu Mingmei's voice is as delicate as a thread, seemingly fresh at a mere touch. The first is a Nationalist officer who participated in the expeditionary army. He entered Myanmar twice; the first time was to fight the Japanese, and the second time... was in retreat. In 1949, several hundred remnants of soldiers, along with their families, crossed the border and settled in the primeval forest filled with miasma and wild beasts. At that time, the Golden Triangle was still very primitive, with various local chieftains. The chieftains could not compete with the army equipped with modern weapons, so they submitted to the Myanmar government. This back-and-forth resulted in heavy losses on both sides, ultimately leading to peace talks. In 1949, several hundred remnants of soldiers, along with their families, crossed the border and settled in the primeval forest filled with miasma and wild beasts. At that time, the Golden Triangle was still very primitive, with various local chieftains. The chieftains could not compete with the army equipped with modern weapons, so they submitted to the Myanmar government. This back-and-forth resulted in heavy losses on both sides, ultimately leading to peace talks. The local chieftains, not wanting to continue fighting and fearing modern weapons, devised a plan of marriage alliances—similar to our previous peace marriages. This officer was chosen at that time to marry the daughter of a chieftain. He was unwilling because he had a fiancée in Jiangxi. The local chieftains, not wanting to continue fighting and fearing modern weapons, devised a plan of marriage alliances—similar to our previous peace marriages. This officer was chosen at that time to marry the daughter of a chieftain. He was unwilling because he had a fiancée in Jiangxi. He originally thought that after the war, he could return home and get married, but unexpectedly, after this battle... he never returned to his hometown for the rest of his life.
Prior to this, Shi Jingwei had always regarded Cheng Songpo as a mysterious existence, and at this moment, he only felt an overwhelming sense of desolation
"Well, that's quite complicated," Lu Mingmei said, counting on her fingers. "So, your mother and your stepfather both think you are their biological child, but only your father knows that you are not? Have you ever thought about what your biological parents might be like?"
Coffee, thank you
Hmm?
Fate is the excuse of the cowardly, which has always been the consistent thought of Shi Jingwei
Lu Mingmei despised the untimely provocations of Shi Jingwei, and immediately spoke without thinking, "Shi Jingwei, do you know in what way you are better than a rogue?"
Lu Mingmei's voice trembled as she said, "Thank you, Ah Shi, really, thank you, I truly have no other way..."
I know
He was truly left with no choice but to resort to this desperate measure
He smiled at Lu Mingmei in a comforting manner, and Lu Mingmei let out a soft sound from her throat, yet she truly could not find any comforting words to say. To say that you will eventually find your biological parents? That would be too unrealistic; to say that you are very happy now, and that your parents care for and are considerate of you? That would be too pretentious. After thinking for a long time, she could only say, with a pitiful and embarrassed tone: "Thinking about it this way, I am much happier than you."
In fact, what the magazine publishes is merely the tip of the iceberg. Such private gossip, when a few sources begin to circulate it, is equivalent to everyone being hastily condemned. Cheng Songpo speaks so openly about his father, and it won't be long before those old stories are brought back to light. If he does not do it, others will. However, the truly explosive material in his hands that could shake the entire cultural sphere has yet to see the light of day
Indeed, contentment brings happiness
Thank you
Her voice was faint, inadvertently revealing a trace of vulnerability that she usually concealed so well
Is there?
In the dark of night, the curtains hung low, and the lights were dim. Lu Mingmei held onto Tian's arm, her shoulders slightly trembling. In the dark night, only a quiet melody flowed; when the starlight had silently fallen asleep, he thought Lu Mingmei had already drifted off. Suddenly, he heard her very faint voice, "Do you want to hear a story"
The legendary insiders all display a warm expression on their faces, as if afraid that others might not realize what they are trying to convey is the currently popular term: unspoken rules
When Shi Jingwei glanced over, he was surprised to find Lu Mingmei nestled in the corner, intently mixing a cup of green tea with CHIVAS. The bartender leaned in again and said, "It seems like she's not in a good mood; she's already had two bottles."
Shi Jingwei had also consumed some alcohol, yet his mind remained clear. He suddenly recalled that the most famous documentary novel by Ming Aihua, "Infiltration in the Golden Triangle," precisely recounts this segment of history
He tried to concoct a reason to explain his behavior that day, but after much thought, he could not find a sufficiently convincing justification. He decided to leave such a headache for tomorrow and first returned to the bar for a couple of drinks. As soon as he sat down at the bar, the bartender pointed to the corner usually reserved for him and the Cheng Bing couple, saying, "Boss, is that your friend? I saw her alone, so I let her sit there."
What did she praise me for
The setting sun outside the window is descending towards the horizon with an irreversible trend, while the city lights transform this elusive night into daylight. Shi Jingwei sits motionless, resembling a sculpture. As the evening haze dyes the river and sky a golden red, Shi Jingwei lets out a heavy sigh. Judging from Lu Mingmei's reaction, his potent remedy has already shown initial results.
She asked somewhat unwillingly, "Has nothing ever brought you down, Shi Jingwei?"
Lu Mingmei became increasingly flustered, while Shi Jingwei forced a bitter smile, lowering his head in deep desolation, "Indeed, I was just joking"
I do not know, I only know that a rogue can achieve greatness, just like Liu Bang did, so I have always aimed to be a rogue with ideals, qualities, culture, and taste as my ultimate goal
Time and space are uncertain, and Lu Mingmei smiled again, "I originally wanted to find you, but I felt a bit embarrassed."
If it is stated that Ai Hua rose to his position through unspoken rules, then it can be reasonably inferred that Jing Wei's current position is also not clean
Furthermore, in our country, the number of individuals who complete their university education through social donations each year is not less than 8,000, if not 10,000. Why do you focus on the fact that his benefactor is a renowned and influential editor? Are you implying that without the support of Mr. Wang and his connections, Cheng Songpo would not have been able to study abroad or achieve his current success?
Shi Jingwei felt quite overwhelmed as he recalled the conversation with Lu Mingmei that day. His performance was so realistic that it was difficult to retreat and claim he was just joking.
About fifteen or sixteen years ago, a military armed force in the Golden Triangle paid a high price to invite Chinese teachers from Yunnan to return to schools in the Golden Triangle. Taking this opportunity, Ming Aihua forged her resume and infiltrated the Golden Triangle for as long as two years. After returning to her country, she wrote a documentary novel titled "Infiltrating the Golden Triangle" based on that experience and the materials she gathered during her personal visits. It is rumored that she was once imprisoned as a spy during her time there, but later, for reasons unknown, she was released.
Thank you for the compliment, "" Shi Jingwei raised her eyebrows slightly, smiling leisurely, "" So do you want to hear about the purpose that is gnawing at my heart right now? ""
Lu Mingmei was momentarily confused, gazing at him in bewilderment. Suddenly, she realized something, as if a bolt of lightning had struck her mind, staring at Shi Jingwei in disbelief.
Time lifted its head slightly, and its gaze fell upon Lu Mingmei, responding calmly: "Fate"
By the time she turned around, Shi Jingwei had long since departed
He shrugged and said, "Who do you want me to think of? I have no idea who they are. Isn't there often news about anti-trafficking operations on TV? Rescuing girls sold into impoverished mountainous areas, and searching for abducted sons and daughters, among other things. Many parents have exhausted their fortunes, spending their entire life savings, relying on a birthmark or a large mole from their child's childhood, searching all over the country... I remember very clearly that during the year of the college entrance examination, there was a full broadcast of an anti-trafficking operation on TV."
When Shi Jingwei was conducting a special topic, he personally visited Tengchong to pay homage at the largest existing anti-Japanese war martyr cemetery in the country, the "National Suffering Cemetery." Even now, it still evokes a sense of solemnity, yet it is strange how Lu Mingmei would be interested in this. Lu Mingmei's laughter was faint, revealing a hint of sorrow, "Then you must also know that after the liberation, a group of retreating Kuomintang troops crossed the border from Yunnan and eventually took root in the Golden Triangle, right?"
Did he marry the chieftain's daughter
The general mentioned by Lu Mingmei must be the son born after that officer married the daughter of the chieftain
Hmm, "Shijingwei laughed and said, "I charge by the hour."
Sources from senior executives at the newspaper indicate that before Editor-in-Chief Wang provided financial support to Cheng Songpo, he was actually preparing to formally adopt him. There are rumors suggesting that Cheng is an illegitimate child, and his citizenship paperwork was completed, but ultimately came to nothing. Speculation arises that Editor-in-Chief Wang's spouse threatened him with death, causing chaos at home, which forced him to take a step back.
Hmm?
Oh?
Have they never seen each other again in their lifetime
I know, I know... I just lost my temper for a moment, please don't take it seriously, " Shi Jingwei's voice grew increasingly despondent, " Do I... do I have no chance at all?"
Due to a sleepless night, Shi Jingwei left the car in the community and took a taxi to send Lu Mingmei to work. The taxi first stopped in front of the bank, and as Lu Mingmei got out of the car, she suddenly heard Shi Jingwei softly calling her from behind: "A Cha"
You probably don't know. My blood type is quite similar to my parents', which is fortunate, so the clichéd scenario on television where a child discovers they are not biologically related after a blood test has never occurred in my case
What if there is one right beside you
There is no need for Lu Mingmei to say anything further, as he already knows who that reporter is
Many people in the Golden Triangle region are stateless or do not acknowledge their nationality. Many of them only identify as Han Chinese, and even if they acquire the nationality of neighboring countries, they still strive to ensure that their children learn Chinese, despite the apparent lack of hope for returning to their homeland.
Assistant Xiao Zhao brought him all the materials regarding Ming Ai Hua from the past thirty years. Due to the passage of time, many files were difficult to retrieve, and he had to request newspapers from thirty years ago from the newspaper library to trace all of Ming Ai Hua's activities since entering the industry
Lu Mingmei often surprises others with her unexpected actions. For instance, today, he discovered that Lu Mingmei has quite a good tolerance for alcohol
If a woman truly falls in love with someone, her attitude will certainly differ from that towards ordinary friends
Lu Mingmei exclaimed, "You wouldn't do that."
He Gejingwei felt that he could already prove that this kind of rumor was completely unreliable, but he recalled Lu Mingmei's demeanor in front of Cheng Songpo, resembling that of a young wife. The saying goes, "Like mother, like daughter." Lu Mingmei's assertiveness was strikingly similar to that of Ming Aihua; could it be that this trait was also hereditary?
Time and space intertwine unexpectedly, cursing this irreversible and irresistible fate. Cheng Songpo is a young painter of Ying Sheng International, as well as a wanderer without a home or country. What about Lu Mingmei
Cheng Songpo held her tightly, as stubborn as a sculpture. After a long, long time, he managed to squeeze out three difficult words, "I am sorry"
Lu Mingmei retorted with confidence, insisting that such a matter could never be admitted, and immediately shifted from defense to offense, saying, "Is she really just the teacher's daughter? I don't believe it at all..."
Lu Mingmei still had a gaze full of sympathy, and after a long while, she cautiously asked: "Do you really..."
Lu Mingmei was left speechless, while Shi Jingwei laughed, "Doesn't it look like we're filming a TV drama?"
"I am so sorry..." Lu Mingmei's voice was extremely anxious, almost on the verge of tears, "I... I really didn't know that much..."
Perhaps this is what is called fate in a certain way, the general of that region saw a photo of a woman who looked almost identical to the one in the pocket watch that his father held in his dying moments. What happened between them later, apart from the female journalist herself, no one else knows. She returned alive and wrote a book about the Golden Triangle. Not long after, the Myanmar government army invaded the Golden Triangle, and that general was defeated and surrendered, subsequently placed under house arrest by the Myanmar government
Time and space only believe in human effort
Hmm?
Unfortunately, there is no time. The dual eyes of time and space are bright and clear, yet she only sees her own reflection in his gaze. "From the first moment I saw you, I... but you came up and didn't say anything nice to me. Do you know how I feel every time you interrupt me? Do you know why I never stopped you from meeting my mother? I did it on purpose. I wanted to know if, when you decide to marry, you would consider me even a little bit. Last time I gave you movie tickets, I actually wanted to ask you to go with me, but you kept talking about Cheng Songpo in front of me. I swear I wanted to set that Songpo on fire!" I did it on purpose. I wanted to know if, when you decide to marry, you would consider me even a little bit. Last time I gave you movie tickets, I actually wanted to ask you to go with me, but you kept talking about Cheng Songpo in front of me. I swear I wanted to set that Songpo on fire!
As more people pursued me, if you dare to leave again, I will immediately..." Before the words could finish, Cheng Songpo had already tightly captured her lips. His arms were strong and powerful, firmly locking her in his embrace. Only when both of them could hardly breathe did he slightly release her, noticing her dazed eyes and slightly parted lips, he couldn't help but lean down to kiss her again, gently and repeatedly.
Build your happiness upon my suffering, are you feeling good?
Cheng Songpo knelt half on the sofa, holding her close. He maintained this posture for a long time, then cupped her face with a serious expression, "Acha, I will never hold back anything that I can give you; every promise I make will be kept; as for things I cannot even be sure of myself, I cannot give you any guarantees, nor will I say things just to please you that I myself cannot believe."
Lu Mingmei could not come up with an answer, perhaps it was in a dream. Many times, in her dreams, she and Cheng Songpo enjoyed this stable world and peaceful times under such warm sunlight
"I deceived you that day," Shi Jingwei said calmly, with an air of natural ease as he uttered these words. "If you think back carefully, I actually said nothing at all; you simply got entangled in my words yourself"
"As soon as you returned, she also came to travel, how similar..." Cheng Songpo leaned casually against the armrest of the sofa, quietly gazing at her. Seeing Lu Mingmei feeling embarrassed and unable to speak, Cheng Songpo suddenly said, "Shi Jingwei mentioned that you have many admirers."
When I sent Lu Mingmei home, she was already half-drunk, leaning on Shi Jingwei's arm and laughing, "Ah Shi, if it weren't for hearing Cheng Bing praise you, I almost took your words seriously"
Lu Mingmei, feeling helpless, explained to Cheng Songpo that Ming Aihua had indeed intended to help her find a partner. As Ming Aihua's health deteriorated, she found it difficult to refuse directly. Furthermore, when it came to arranging matters with Shi Jingwei, she discovered that Shi Jingwei had no intention of marriage at all, which led them to strike a deal, mutually supporting each other in deceiving their parents. As she spoke, an inexplicable sense of grievance arose within her, recalling the years when he left her to face an uncertain future alone. She could not help but retort: "On what grounds do you ask me these questions? You abandoned me and ran away, ignoring me for ten years. All these years, I have never had anyone else in my heart. What about you? You yourself said that there was a period when you were very depressed... Did I ever ask you? That day... that day with the foreign girl in your room, did I ever ask you who she was? You have been living a carefree and successful life outside; have you ever thought of me? For several years, I didn't even know whether you were alive or dead. On what grounds do you make me wait for you? On what grounds do you make me wait for you?"
At that time... Ah, are you joking?
Why
Lu Mingmei has always been sharp-tongued towards him, but upon seeing Cheng Songpo, she instantly transforms into a figure of tender affection. And what about Ming Aihua? ... Everyone knows she is the ever-blooming battlefield rose, but ...? ... Even roses must have their own love, right?
After a long silence, Shi Jingwei suddenly smiled and said, "This indicates that the two of us belong to the absolutely safe category"
The daughter of this officer's fiancée later became a well-known journalist, very diligent... In contemporary terms, she was very aggressive, willing to risk her life, family, and husband and daughter. In the early 1990s, drug trafficking in the Golden Triangle was rampant, and surrounding countries dispatched drug enforcement teams. This journalist criticized the notion that wealth and fortune are sought through danger, and ventured alone into the Golden Triangle, where she was undercover for two weeks, but was recognized by the locals and imprisoned.
Women are, in fact, a very simple kind of creature
Lu Mingmei fled in a panic
I also do not often drink tea; it was given to me by a colleague who returned from a trip to Hangzhou. I am just casually drinking it
Based on the experience of writing an emotional column for a friend's magazine and responding to readers' letters over the past two years, a woman deeply in love with man A suddenly realizes that man B has silently devoted much to her. When she finds herself unable to reciprocate, her most immediate reaction is guilt. This guilt leads her to unconsciously distance herself from man A in the short term to avoid overly provoking man B, as she has already determined her feelings for man A. Therefore, is it not reasonable to invest some effort in helping man B accept reality and reduce the harm to him? Compared to man B's sacrifices and contributions, what does her temporary and shallow distancing from man A really amount to?
The attention that newspapers and magazines have given to Cheng Songpo far exceeds Lu Mingmei's imagination
Lu Mingmei chuckled again, and even let out a hiccup. After arriving home, Jingwei helped her brew a cup of hot tea, and after making her drink it, he heated water to help her wash her face, before finally tossing her onto the bed. Before leaving, he turned off the bedroom light, and just as he was about to step out, he suddenly heard Lu Mingmei softly say: "Don't turn off the light"
As soon as the firm words left his mouth, Cheng Songpo swiftly executed a lock with his hand, employing a technique of capture that effortlessly pinned her down onto the sofa. He slowly leaned in, inch by inch, closing the distance to her lips, "Say it again"
What if, what if these rumors are true
What do you think
Hello, how can he behave like this
It seems as if it is destined by some divine will.
A lie is, in front of my father, saying: "A biological mother is not as good as a nurturing mother, biological parents are nothing, I don't even know their names, and they haven't spent a single penny raising me"
The Chinese Expeditionary Force was a military unit dispatched by the Nationalist government during World War II to ensure the transportation of wartime supplies and to support the British forces in their fight against Japan in Myanmar. In the early 1940s, Japan invaded Vietnam, leading to a complete disruption of the Yunnan-Vietnam line, making the Burma Road the only transportation route for international aid to China. In the early stages of the war, Britain misjudged the situation, resulting in a series of defeats in Myanmar. To ensure the smooth transportation of supplies, the Chinese government sent the best-equipped 200th Division at that time to fight in Myanmar. The Expeditionary Force fought in the China-India theater for three years and three months, enduring fierce battles with casualties nearing 200,000, leaving a profoundly tragic mark in the history of the War of Resistance with their blood and lives.
From the high school that Cheng Songpo attended, Shi Jingwei found several teachers who had taught him at that time. One of the art teachers, surnamed Han, mentioned that someone had paid him to give private lessons to Cheng Songpo. Shi Jingwei presented numerous photos for the teachers to identify, and he was shocked to discover that the person who came to look after Cheng Songpo was not Editor-in-Chief Wang, but Ming Aihua
Lu Mingmei tilted her head, gazing at Shi Jingwei with great interest, appearing to be slightly tipsy. "I have discovered something strange."
"Do not say anything more," Shi Jingwei swiftly interrupted her, "Just let me continue to be an ostrich for a few more days. I will keep your secret with the teacher, so you need not worry."
Lu Mingmei fell silent again. Shi Jingwei patted her, but there was still no response. After a while, he thought she had fallen asleep again, and cautiously shifted his body, intending to withdraw his arm. However, he heard Lu Mingmei ask, "Your history is quite good, isn't it?"
How are the sales?
Many matters do not require detailed explanation. Shi Jingwei has learned a great deal about the Golden Triangle; that area is remote and inaccessible to ordinary people. The locals reject the governance of neighboring countries and identify themselves as Shan people. There are numerous armed factions, which have caused persistent headaches for the governments of nearby Myanmar and Thailand for decades. Particularly in Myanmar, there have been multiple attempts to capture the leaders of these armed groups, commonly referred to as generals by the locals, with intermittent clashes. Due to the inconvenient transportation, many internationally notorious drug lords remain unknown in terms of their appearance to this day.