Chapter 12 — 118,800 Yuan Meal: 10 People Ran, I Called the Police

The police officer said one more sentence, his voice lowered.

“Apologies must be sincere, you guys left someone behind with a bill of over 110,000 yuan, what if it was you?”

Chu Hao took a deep breath, finally looked at me and spoke clearly.

“Thien Thien, we were wrong today, sorry.”

I nodded. The police rechecked all transactions. Eleven people, eleven transfers. 10,800 yuan each. 118,800 yuan, not a penny missing. It took them nearly forty minutes to gather that amount of money. The police looked at the bill, then looked at me.

“Is that enough?”

The restaurant manager nodded. The police collected their books and stood up. Walking to the door, he turned around and looked around.

“Next time you gather at AA, make it clear from the beginning, don't consider others stupid.”

After speaking, leave. The room became empty again. Only me left. I sat there, looking at each transfer line on the phone. 118,800 yuan, enough for every penny. But the so-called friends... There is no one left. I stood up, grabbed my bag, and walked out. At the door, the waitress called out.

“Sister, your bag.”

I turned my head to look back at that room one last time. The dining table was empty, napkins were scattered, and one of Vuong Dao's earrings remained on the floor. I smiled softly. They thought I would pay. They are wrong. Doesn't mean you have to be treated like that. The next morning, before I was fully awake, my phone vibrated continuously. I picked it up and the group chat exploded. No, it should be called a "group of old friends". Truong Vy posted a post, the screenshot was thrown into the group by someone else.

"Some people are so stingy, they refuse to invite over 100,000 yuan. After knowing each other for so many years, just one meal is enough to clearly see someone's heart."

Below, each person takes turns acting. Liu Qian: "Yes, we looked at the wrong person." Vuong Dao: "Don't dare eat with her again from now on." Tran Vu Dong: "Let's just consider it as tuition." Trieu Tieu Manh: "Well, I can see clearly." I looked at those lines... burst out laughing. They ran away and came back to criticize me for being stingy. They ate without paying, and said I wasn't generous enough. They were almost taken to the police station, even daring to say that they "saw me clearly". I opened my personal page and started typing each word. Not fast, not rushed, but every sentence is clear.

"Last night, 11 people gathered, each person paid 8,888 yuan, clearly stated AA. 10 people ran away, I reported to the police, the money was collected. From now on, I won't make any more appointments with this type of 'friend'. I hope you find someone willing to pay 118,800 yuan on your behalf next time."

I have attached a photo of the police receipt and transfer photo of each person. Then click post. In less than 5 minutes, the comments exploded. Mutual friend Ly Tieu Man immediately asked.

“What's going on, who ran away?”

I replied.

“You guess.”

She texted me privately.

"Are they Truong Vy?"

I was a bit surprised.

“How do you know?”

Ly Tieu Man answered something that made me laugh.

"They've done that before. Last time it was only 5,000 yuan. People were shy so they didn't say anything."

I looked at that message and smiled faintly. Turns out… I'm not the first. Chu Hao sent me a private message.

"Thien Thien, I'm sorry about yesterday. I had an argument with Truong Vy. She won't be like that in the future."

I don't answer. Liu Qian blocked me. Vuong Dao did not block, but blocked the right to view his personal page. Trieu Tieu Manh, too, silently disappeared. Tran Vu Dong sent me a message.

“Thien Thien, Ton Bang and I broke up, please tell me about yesterday your fault.”

I answer very simply.

"The breakup wasn't because of what happened yesterday, the two of you were inherently incompatible."

She sent a crying emoji. I will not answer further. I reopened the chat group. The group is still there. But no one said anything anymore. The last message… is still mine.

“Let me confirm, this meal is really AA, right?”

Below is a long line.

“Of course.”

"No problem."

“Definitely AA.”

I looked for a while. Then press and hold the chat group. The group disappeared. Humans... also disappeared. Eight years of knowing each other. One meal is enough to see clearly. Then my mother found out about it and called me to scold me.

“What did you do that you had to report to the police? You just ate a meal. You offended everyone.”

I said very calmly.

“They left, leaving me alone to pay 118,800 yuan.”

My mother was silent for two seconds.

“Then you should report it to the police.”

My father was next to me, interjecting a sentence.

"The report is right, next time dad goes to eat with us, let's see who dares to run."

I laughed. Some people think... if you have money, you have to suffer. But I don't. Use their rules of the game to teach them how to be human. Use rules to punish shamelessness. My money… doesn't fall from the sky. But even if it really falls down. Well, I bent down to pick it up. What's the point... let someone else spend it for me.