I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Chapter 159 Wang Mei's Redemption and Rebirth

Wang Mei stood in the dimly lit room, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Her eyes revealed a hint of determination, yet also a hint of confusion and helplessness. She joined this criminal group, ostensibly to fulfill a mission, and this mission was inextricably linked to Zhang Beichen.

More than 20 years ago, Wang Mei and Zhang Beichen had an unforgettable relationship. Back then, she was young and innocent, filled with endless admiration and love for Zhang Beichen. However, as time went on, Zhang Beichen's career flourished, while Wang Mei was gradually marginalized.

Later, Zhang Beichen got married and had children, and started a family. However, the girl he married was not a well-matched lady from a prominent family, but the daughter of the owner of a century-old steamed bun shop in the small town. She began to feel betrayed and felt that she had been abandoned by Zhang Beichen.

This feeling had been pent up in her heart for many years, and eventually turned into a twisted obsession. She wanted to prove herself, wanted Zhang Beichen to recognize her again, and even wanted him to pay the price for his "betrayal" that year.

So, when she learned about the criminal group's plan and found out that Zhang Beichen had also joined the group, she joined without hesitation. She believed that as long as she could gain a foothold in this struggle, she would be able to fulfill the mission in her heart - to make Zhang Beichen pay attention to her again, and even let her occupy a more important position in his heart.

After Wang Mei joined the criminal group, she underwent complex and profound changes in her heart.

At first, Wang Mei was torn. She knew joining a criminal gang went against her moral compass; her upbringing taught her that crime was unacceptable. But on the other hand, she felt it was the only way to fulfill her mission and regain Zhang Beichen's attention. She struggled internally, trying to find a rational justification for her decision.

To ease her inner conflict, Wang Mei began to comfort herself. She told herself that while the criminal group's plan was somewhat extreme, its ultimate goal was to expose social injustice and awaken more people. She believed she was contributing to a great cause, striving for a fairer and better future for Zhang Beichen and more people.

Over time, Wang Mei gradually adapted to the criminal gang's lifestyle and mindset. She began to accept the gang's various rules and orders, and even performed well in carrying out her tasks, earning recognition and appreciation from the gang's top brass. This recognition gave her a distorted sense of self-identity, a feeling of being valuable and needed.

In the environment of the criminal group, Wang Mei gradually lost herself. She began to enjoy the pleasure of controlling other people's thoughts and manipulating their fate, and began to indulge in the satisfaction brought by power and money.

She no longer had a simple longing for Zhang Beichen in her heart, but was replaced by a desire for power and status. She began to believe that only by having enough power and money could she truly complete her mission and make Zhang Beichen completely submit to her.

However, as time went on, Wang Mei gradually realized the evil nature of this criminal group. They used the Internet and culture to manipulate people's minds, pushing countless innocent people into the abyss. Wang Mei began to feel a sense of guilt and self-blame.

She began to doubt her choice and whether she could really complete her mission in this way. Her heart was full of contradictions and struggles. She wanted to continue to complete her mission, but she couldn't bear to see more people get hurt.

As Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan cracked the case against the criminal gang and began to dismantle its base, a budding awakening began to form within Wang Mei. Seeing the crimes of the criminal gang exposed and the people they had manipulated freed, she began to feel a surge of guilt and remorse. She began to reflect on her choices, realizing that she might have made a mistake.

When Zhang Beichen saw her while destroying the criminal gang's base, Wang Mei felt a mixture of emotions. She wanted to escape, but also to face the situation. She knew her actions had caused trouble for Zhang Beichen, and she feared he would become even more distant from her. But at the same time, she longed for his understanding and forgiveness, hoping to regain his attention and love.

Wang Mei stood there, feeling confused and uneasy. She didn't know where to go, or whether her mission was really worth the price she paid.

Her heart was filled with uncertainty about the future and regret for the past. She longed to find the right path, but she didn't know how to take that step.

With the downfall of the criminal group, Wang Mei was filled with pain and struggle. She was ashamed of her past actions and felt hopeless that her mission might not be completed.

She didn't know how to face Zhang Beichen, nor how to face her former beliefs and ideals. Her heart was filled with confusion and helplessness, as if she had lost her direction.

At the last moment, Wang Mei made an important choice: she decided to give up her mission, give up her obsession with Zhang Beichen, and choose to stand on the side of justice.

She provided Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan with important intelligence about the criminal group, helping them to completely destroy the group's remaining forces. This choice made her feel an unprecedented sense of relief and liberation. She was finally able to get rid of the shadow of the past and regain her conscience and dignity.

After experiencing various inner changes and struggles, Wang Mei finally welcomed the hope of rebirth.

She began to re-examine her life. She would face legal sanctions, but she was willing to use her own efforts to make up for her past mistakes and pursue a truly meaningful life goal.

She believed that as long as she could uphold the kindness and justice in her heart, she would be able to find her own happiness and light.

In the visiting room of the prison, Zhang Beichen came to visit Wang Mei. The two picked up the phone and talked through the glass wall.

"Zhang Beichen, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have insisted on joining a criminal organization. It was me who betrayed you. It was me... who told the boss of the criminal group that you might be an undercover agent. Because I didn't believe that you would really commit a crime. Sure enough, I was right about you. Twenty years ago, you were an upright person, and you are still an upright person now..." Wang Mei said.

"No one is perfect. As long as you are willing to give yourself a chance to reform and reform yourself in prison, you can still start a new life when you get out." Zhang Beichen said.

Wang Mei's hands trembled as she held the phone, and she cried. If she could turn back time, she would definitely not choose this path.