Chapter 4

Zhang Meng sat at the table somewhat embarrassedly, with a table full of delicacies in front of her, emitting tantalizing aromas. Since she transmigrated, she had never seen so many dishes.

Xu Lu Cha sat across from her, shyly saying, “Lu Cha’s hospitality is lacking. Please forgive me, Constable Zhang. This is just a small token of Lu Cha’s appreciation…”

Zhang Meng quickly waved her hands, “No, no, no, you’re spending too much. I feel quite embarrassed.”

Even in modern times, she had never let a man treat her to a meal, let alone in this female-dominant world. Having Xu Lu Cha, a man, treat her made her feel extremely ashamed.

Zhang Meng never liked taking advantage of others. Looking at the table of dishes, which would cost at least a hundred taels of silver, she thought about it and realized that even her entire year’s savings wouldn’t amount to a hundred taels. Perhaps she would have to ask Madam for an advance on her salary.

However, just looking at this table of dishes made her heart bleed.

Zhang Meng picked up her chopsticks and started eating. As she ate, she felt heartache and silently vowed never to go to teahouses with these wealthy young masters again.

Seeing that Zhang Meng was only focused on eating and didn’t spare him a single glance, Xu Lu Cha’s pretty face fell. However, he quickly put on a shy expression.

“Constable Zhang, to thank you, Lu Cha personally carved a jade sculpture for you. Please accept it with a smile.”

He took out an exquisite box and opened it. On the red soft cushion, a translucent and exquisite jade piece lay quietly.

A miniature version of bamboo, a small house, a small bridge, and flowing water were all captured on this small jade, vividly lifelike.

Zhang Meng was shoveling food when she heard Xu Lu Cha’s words. She raised her head, and when her eyes fixed on that jade piece, she widened her eyes in surprise, “You carved this yourself?”

“Mm.” Xu Lu Cha smiled shyly.

Zhang Meng finally put down her chopsticks, picked up the box, and looked at it carefully, exclaiming in amazement as she examined it.

Xu Lu Cha lowered his head as if shy, but his lowered eyes couldn’t conceal his contemptuous gaze.

She truly hasn’t seen the world. A piece of jade is enough to appease her.

“Sorry, I can’t accept this.”

Zhang Meng returned the box to him.

Xu Lu Cha was stunned and raised his eyes to look at her.

Zhang Meng smiled and said, “I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I’m just a rough-handed constable. What would I do with such a delicate item? I’m afraid I might accidentally break it and ruin Young Master’s kind intentions.” With that, she lowered her head and continued eating.

A trace of gloom flashed in Xu Lu Cha’s eyes. But in an instant, he raised a smile again.

“I’m sorry, it was Lu Cha’s oversight.”

“No worries.”

“Constable Zhang, to be honest, Lu Cha has always admired you. You’re so warm-hearted and kind. Lu Cha has always wanted to make your acquaintance.”

Zhang Meng nodded vaguely without raising her head, “I suppose we can consider ourselves acquainted today.”

Xu Lu Cha said, “What Lu Cha means is, can we be like today in the future, eating together, talking, just like real friends?”

“Cough, cough…” Zhang Meng choked. She quickly took a sip of water and felt better. Only then did she open her mouth to refuse, “Young Master Xu, because my work is quite busy… so…”

She would definitely not go to teahouses with wealthy young masters.

She lowered her head and shoveled a few more mouthfuls of rice, feeling that her stomach was already full. Then she stood up to take her leave.

She went downstairs to find the shopkeeper and requested to settle the bill later, saying she would come back another day to pay.

Thinking that she had to curry favor with Madam to ask for an advance on her salary, Zhang Meng didn’t mind spending a little more since she had already bled heavily.

“Boss, please pack a box of desserts for me.”

“Young Master…”

Zi Yi looked at Xu Lu Cha with some trepidation. He had never seen the Young Master’s face look so ugly.

“Zi Yi, do you think she’s blind? Ignoring a beauty in front of her and only focusing on eating like a starving ghost.”

Zi Yi didn’t know what to say. His Young Master had always been irresistible among women, but he never thought he would hit a wall with Constable Zhang. It was normal for the Young Master to be in a bad mood.

Xu Lu Cha stood up, brushing his sleeves, his beautiful eyes concealing anger and unwillingness.

“Zi Yi, if it weren’t for Zhong Huo, I wouldn’t even spare a glance at someone like her.”

Zi Yi hesitated for a moment but didn’t say anything. He took out his money pouch and spoke to the boss not far away.

“Boss, the bill, please.”

The owner of the Moonlight Teahouse was a middle-aged woman with an honest face. Upon hearing Zi Yi’s words, she smiled and said, “Constable Zhang has already settled the bill, young master.”

Zi Yi was stunned and turned his head to look at Xu Lu Cha.

Xu Lu Cha averted his gaze disdainfully.

“Zhang Meng, I have something to tell you. Don’t get too excited.”

As soon as Zhang Meng returned to the government office, Jin Yue approached her.

“What is it?”

“Madam deducted half a month’s salary from you.”

“What?!”

Zhang Meng felt the world darken before her eyes.

“Go beg her for forgiveness. Maybe you can still salvage it,” Jin Yue suggested.

Zhang Meng carried a box of desserts to Zhong Huo’s study, lacking the strength to even knock on the door.

“Who is it?” Zhong Huo’s voice came from inside.

“It’s me, Zhang Meng.”

As Zhong Huo’s footsteps approached, Zhang Meng quickly pinched her thigh to fill her eyes with tears.

The door opened, and Zhong Huo had a cold face, “You still have the heart to return to the government office? I thought you had a date with a beauty and wouldn’t come back tonight.”

Zhang Meng’s eyes were red and teary, “Madam, I’m burdened with huge debts and my spirit is fragile. I’d rather climb to the roof of the government office and jump off to end it all.”

Zhong Huo was stunned. She raised her hand and patted Zhang Meng’s head, her voice also carrying a hint of warmth, “What’s the matter?”

When Zhang Meng and Zhong Huo had a good relationship, Zhong Huo always liked to pat Zhang Meng’s head. However, in the past few months, Zhong Huo had unilaterally engaged in a cold war and never made this gesture to Zhang Meng again.

At this moment, the familiar force patted Zhang Meng’s head, and Zhang Meng was a bit slow to react.

Zhong Huo also realized her actions and quickly withdrew her hand.

Zhang Meng continued, “Today, Young Master Xu invited me to the Moonlight Teahouse for a meal. He ordered many, many dishes, and I couldn’t possibly let a man treat me to a meal, so I took on the responsibility of paying the bill. But over a hundred taels of silver, even my entire fortune doesn’t amount to that much.”

Zhong Huo snorted coldly, “Didn’t you bring this upon yourself?”

“Madam, I know I was wrong. I definitely won’t casually go to teahouses with men in the future. It’s too terrifying.”

Zhong Huo raised her eyes to glance at her, and her icy expression eased slightly, “Is that true? Don’t get dizzy-headed when you see a beauty.”

“Madam is wise. This humble one never values appearances, only the soul.” Zhang Meng lifted the box of desserts in her hand, “Although I’m already burdened with huge debts, I know that Madam is wise and mighty and will definitely be able to guide me out of my confusion. Therefore, I specially spent half a month’s salary to buy Madam’s favorite desserts.”

Zhong Huo’s expression finally softened a lot.

Although Zhong Huo still had a cold face, there was warmth behind it.

Just like in modern times, when Zhang Meng’s mother would clean her room with a straight face while scolding her for being disorganized.

Zhong Huo was cold on the surface but warm at heart. Even if she disliked Zhang Meng, if she saw that Zhang Meng was in trouble, she would definitely help.

“Madam, my fate is in your hands.” Zhang Meng stuffed the dessert box into Zhong Huo’s hands, “Please advance me two years’ salary. I beg you.”

Zhang Meng walked out of Zhong Huo’s study, her mood slightly better.

Zhong Huo agreed to lend her money and promised not to deduct her salary.

The sun blazed down on the earth, and the streets of Yun City were bustling.

In a deep alley, a shady female voice rang out.

“Rest assured, Young Master Xu. I’m best at the tricks of flirting with men. I definitely won’t let Zhang Meng see through it.”

Xu Lu Cha frowned in disgust, “You better act well. If you really touch a single hair on me, beware that I’ll chop off your hands.”

“Of course, I swear I won’t touch Young Master. I’ll act very well.” The woman raised three fingers to make a promise, then revealed a lecherous smile, “But this payment…”

Xu Lu Cha closed his eyes slightly, suppressing his disgust. He turned his face and gestured with his eyes to Zi Yi.

Zi Yi took out a money pouch and threw her a silver ingot, “This is a deposit. If you perform well, you will certainly be heavily rewarded.”

Zhang Meng held her saber, following behind Zhong Huo listlessly.

Today, she had finished preparing breakfast early and was about to go out to patrol the streets, but was informed by Zhong Huo that her task had been changed to the afternoon. Because Zhong Huo was going out to inspect the people’s situation in the afternoon, and she was to serve as Zhong Huo’s bodyguard.

Zhang Meng didn’t understand. Didn’t Zhong Huo become unhappy whenever she saw her? Why did she personally request for her to accompany her?

On the way, Zhong Huo was like a person with a split personality. Whenever she saw the people, she had a big smile on her face, but when she turned her head and saw Zhang Meng, her expression turned from sunny to gloomy.

Even if Zhong Huo wasn’t uncomfortable, she was!

Just then, Zhang Meng noticed a crowd gathered ahead. Upon inquiring, she learned that a thug was harassing a civilian man.

Zhang Meng thought, it’s time to show her skills. She would definitely beat the thug to a pulp and arrest them, letting Zhong Huo see that she was a competent constable.

Zhang Meng quickly stepped forward, parting the onlookers with her hands, and kicked the female hooligan who was spouting obscenities and trying to pounce on the innocent civilian man.

The female hooligan lay on the ground, looking fierce, “Damn it, who dares to ruin my fun?”

Without a word, Zhang Meng rushed over, grabbed her collar, twisted her hands behind her back, and tied them with a rope.

“In broad daylight, you dare to harass a civilian man. Come with me to the government office.”

“You dare!” The hooligan struggled desperately, “My big sister is the leader of the Green Tiger Gang. If you dare to arrest me, I’ll have her chop you to death!”

Zhang Meng was about to speak when Zhong Huo’s voice rang out, “This official would like to see how your Green Tiger Gang people plan to chop up this official’s constable.”

Zhang Meng saw Zhong Huo in white standing not far away and nodded to her, “Madam.”

Zhong Huo nodded slightly, “Take her back.”

Finally able to escape from Zhong Huo, Zhang Meng happily escorted the criminal. She was about to leave when Zhong Huo called out to her.

“Not you. You stay.”

Zhong Huo turned her head and instructed Jin Yue, who was standing beside her, “Jin Yue, you escort her back.”

Watching Jin Yue’s figure escorting the criminal fade into the distance, Zhang Meng’s heart was about to shatter.

☆、