An Old And Bitter Rivalry.

Meiying's smile brightened when she saw Xuejian's expression. "Problem solved, right?" she asked as she stood up and walked towards the changing room to change back into her dress and remove her makeup.

Xuejian, still caught up in his thoughts, snapped out of his trance and scanned his surroundings. He noticed people around him smiling and giggling. It finally dawned on him that they had all witnessed Meiying's actions.

Meiying returned with Jingyi by her side. She informed Xuejian that she needed to visit the police station again, and he decided to drive them there.

During the ride, silence filled the car. Meiying knew why. She understood that if they were to talk, the issue with Hongzong would be brought up again. She had kissed him earlier to avoid arguing in front of everyone and to prevent negative comments. By kissing him, she hoped to change people's perception of them as a couple. Being an actress wasn't easy; she had to constantly protect her reputation.

Xuejian dropped them off in front of the police station before heading to work. Despite the hour, he knew he still had tasks to tackle at the office.

Meiying and Jingyi entered the police station and wanted to join the department where Detective Xu worked when she overheard a woman pleading with a police officer, proclaiming her daughter's innocence. Meiying instructed Jingyi to go ahead into the department and wait for her.

Meiying approached the police officer's desk where the woman was seeking help. With a calm demeanor, she inquired about the situation. The woman quickly recognized her and tearfully explained that her daughter was innocent.

"Miss, this doesn't concern you. You should leave," the officer at the desk sternly told Meiying.

"I understand that, but have you listened to her side of the story?" Meiying queried calmly.

"I don't need to. It's obvious that this woman's daughter started the fight," the officer responded dismissively.

Meiying smiled softly. "Did you receive this information from an eyewitness? If so, how many witnesses are there?" she asked.

The officer became enraged. "Are you suggesting that you know how I should do my work?" he retorted.

"No, but I've been in a similar situation as a child, falsely accused and innocent. Back then, I had influential support that proved my innocence, and the officer in charge of my case was demoted. I'm just offering you assistance based on my experience. Seek out the truth and determine whether she is genuinely innocent or guilty," Meiying advised. She then turned her attention to the woman. "How old is your daughter, Mrs...?"

"Mrs. Yang," the woman replied, causing Meiying's eyes to widen.

"By any chance, are you related to my butler?" she asked with curiosity.

Mrs. Yang smiled. "Yes, and my daughter is fifteen years old."

Meiying nodded thoughtfully. "May I have your phone number?" she requested, presenting her phone.

The woman quickly grabbed the phone and entered her number, understanding its significance.

"Just in case there are any further eyewitnesses," Meiying explained, before her words were interrupted by three students – two girls and a boy. They approached the desk and declared that Mrs. Yang's daughter was innocent, offering to provide proof.

The officer looked at them in shock and at Meiying and immediately stood up and started bowing his head down at her while apologizing.

Meiying looked at him with a serenely compassionate smile. "Since I'm not as rigid as my supporters, perhaps you could take this opportunity to redeem yourself, attend to the kids," she gently suggested, then turned to the students, curiosity in her eyes. "Who was involved in the altercation with Mrs. Yang's daughter?"

"It was Feng Qinghui," a confident female student promptly responded.

"He tripped Yang Mei on the stairs, but she managed to grasp the handrail, injuring her right leg in the process. Naturally, she became furious and started confronting Feng Qinghui, who stood no chance against her," another girl offered, her voice tinged with sympathy.

"So, when the police officers arrived, Mrs. Feng manipulated the situation, causing them to mistakenly apprehend Yang Mei. But I was able to secure the footage at the stairway before the officer could confiscate it, and we hurried here," a male student recounted, displaying the crucial tape to Meiying. Her fury ignited as she turned back to the startled police officer, whose composure rapidly crumbled. The male student touched Meiying and shook his head before turning to the officer.

"Officer, it seems you have made an erroneous arrest. However, do not fret; your actions were merely an extension of your superior's directions. Speaking of whom, he should be arriving shortly," the male student informed, as if intuitively aware of the approaching footsteps. Just then, a disheveled police officer burst into the room, visibly out of breath.

"That's him!" a female student exclaimed, pointing towards the officer.

With determination in his eyes, the newly arrived officer swiftly walked towards the desk, instructing his junior to halt any interaction with the students. Meiying couldn't help but laugh, savouring the officer's escalating confusion.

"Excuse me, but who the hell are you?" the officer brusquely demanded, his impudence irritating Meiying.

"I am the one who will ensure your professional downfall," Meiying informed him with an air of confidence.

The officer's face flushed a deep crimson but Meiying continued laughing so he blindly attempted to strike Meiying. However, she deftly evaded his grasp, causing him to stumble and collide with a nearby desk. As he struggled to regain his footing, Meiying firmly pressed his head against the desk, simultaneously retrieving a pair of handcuffs carelessly left upon its surface. Taking decisive action, she swiftly secured the handcuffs around his hands.

By now, crowd of officers had gathered, including Detective Xu, who swiftly intervened to separate Meiying from the restrained officer.

"This officer does not belong here," Meiying informed Detective Xu, her voice unwavering.

Detective Xu's brow furrowed in confusion as he asked, "What did he do?"

"He accepted a bribe from Mrs. Feng," the male student who had revealed the incriminating tape spoke up promptly, holding his phone aloft. "And I have the evidence right here."

The handcuffed officer vehemently denied the accusations, but the student presented his phone, showcasing a video capturing Mrs. Feng propositioning the officer to keep Yang Mei in the police station for five days in exchange for a credit card.

Detecting a moment of truth, Detective Xu deftly reached into the restrained officer's pocket, producing the very credit card with Mrs. Feng's name emblazoned on it. Gasps echoed through the room.

"Take him away," Detective Xu commanded, his voice carrying an air of authority. Another officer quickly escorted the disgraced officer, who continued to protest and hurl expletives towards the students and Meiying.

Detective Xu turned his attention to the junior officer instructing him to release Yang Mei. The young girl ran to her fellow students and embraced them tightly, her mother joining in the emotional reunion.

"You possess the qualities needed in the police force," Detective Xu complimented Meiying, his tone filled with admiration.

Meiying gracefully shrugged off the praise, directing attention to the true heroes of the situation. "There's no need for all this formality. These children are the real heroes here," she declared, gesturing towards the students.

The male student named Zeng Wei seized the moment to introduce himself and his companions, Shi Lin and Du Xinyi, who greeted Meiying with warm smiles. Meiying reciprocated their gestures and felt a sense of familiarity when she noticed their school uniforms, proudly displaying the name of her own Alma Mater.

"You attend my former school as well?" Meiying inquired, genuine interest shining in her eyes.

"Yes, that's right," Du Xinyi confirmed, revealing a hidden admiration for Meiying.

Meiying contemplated for a moment before responding, "Tell you what, when I have some free time, I would love to visit the school."

"I heard you're shooting a movie. Could we come to the premiere when it is released?" Du Xinyi asked again, making her colleagues stare at her in surprise.

"Definitely, nothing is too small for my husband to do," Meiying replied with a playful wink.

"He's definitely lucky," Zeng Wei chimed in, causing Yang Mei to playfully hit him on the back, which made everyone laugh.

"It looks like you don't need any more lessons today. You can go home early," Detective Xu told Meiying.

"So, can we all leave together?" Yang Mei asked as she went to Meiying's side and grabbed her arm. "My mum prepared a delicious meal. You're welcome to join us as a thank you gift from all of us." Then Jingyi waved at Meiying, silently wishing her good luck.

However, as they proceeded towards the exit, a furious woman entered the scene, accompanied by a boy of the same age as the other students. Meiying's body went rigid with apprehension, as she had not anticipated crossing paths with this woman just yet. Nevertheless, destiny had ordained their encounter, rekindling an old and bitter rivalry.