Invincible Young Master in the City
Chapter 715: 711: Delivering New Year’s Goods

Chapter 715: Chapter 711: Delivering New Year’s Goods

Ye Fan returned to his unit’s dormitory, freshened up, then walked to the small living room, picked up a copy of “Seeking Truth” and sat down on the sofa. While reading, he also paid attention to the sounds from the stairs outside.

After about ten minutes, Ye Fan heard heavier footsteps coming from the stairs outside his door and surmised it was Zhao Lina returning.

He paused his reading, listening intently for any sound of a door opening outside to confirm it was indeed Zhao Lina.

Of course, he did not plan on going out to talk to Zhao Lina.

However, the next moment, two loud bangs made his ears buzz.

That Zhao Lina, instead of entering her own dorm, had come over and kicked his door violently.

“Okay, okay, no need for that, the door’s about to fall off!” Ye Fan hurriedly called out as he stood up to open the door.

Upon opening the door, he was immediately met with two icy glares that felt almost lethal followed by a chill that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

“Heh heh, Director Zhao, you’re back,” Ye Fan managed to say with a forced smile, despite the mounting pressure.

Zhao Lina remained silent, not moving an inch, just coldly staring at Ye Fan.

As the pressure increased, Ye Fan pulled the door wide open and continued with a smile, “Director Zhao, would you like to come in for a sit?”

Zhao Lina still gave no response. After a while, she finally let out a deep, cold snort, then spun around and headed toward her dorm room in silence.

Watching Zhao Lina open her door and slam it shut with a “bang,” Ye Fan could only muster a wry smile before closing his own door.

“Sigh, I should really try to transfer out of the police station for the new year.” Ye Fan walked back to the sofa and slumped down, “Even though we both work at the police station, and I know there’s no chance, I can’t help but care for her, wanting to get closer to her.”

“Maybe I should genuinely pay a visit to Sister Xue and Secretary Wang Shu over the Spring Festival, see if there’s a chance to switch positions.”

The next day, Ye Fan and Zhao Lina went to work as usual, re-examining the work arrangement for the period over the Lunar New Year to ensure nothing was overlooked.

Though most officers at the station would still have to work through the Spring Festival, it was, after all, a time for celebration, and there might be some slack. Neither he nor Zhao Lina could bring themselves to demand strict adherence without compassion. Besides, even they didn’t want to spend the entirety of the first and second days of the new year overseeing the front lines.

Hence, the public security arrangements for the festival were deliberately set to be a bit more relaxed and easygoing, allowing the grassroots officers a chance to slack off a bit.

At noon, Ye Fan received a call—it was surprisingly from Su Mengchen.

“Ye Fan, are you free?” Su Mengchen asked on the phone.

Ye Fan replied with a laugh, “I’m definitely free at noon. What’s up?”

Su Mengchen chuckled, “The New Year’s coming. I’m bringing you some goods for the celebration. Don’t refuse, okay?”

Although Ye Fan and Su Mengchen weren’t in close contact, they kept in touch over the phone. And it was often Su Mengchen who initiated calls to Ye Fan. So, they were both aware that each other would be in Mingde County for the New Year.

“Goodness like that?” Ye Fan couldn’t help but laugh, “Of course, I won’t refuse! Where are you? At school? I’ll drive over to pick you up.”

“Uh… just wait for me outside the school gate,” Su Mengchen hesitated for a moment before saying.

Without giving it much thought, Ye Fan immediately said with a laugh, “Alright, I’m on my way to the school to find you.”

Ten minutes later, Ye Fan parked his car outside the gates of Mingde High School and took out his phone to call Su Mengchen.

“Just wait two or three minutes, and I’ll be there,” Su Mengchen said on the phone.

Having hung up the call, Ye Fan got out of the car to wait for Su Mengchen.

And not long after, a black Audi arrived from behind, parking behind Ye Fan’s car.

Subconsciously, Ye Fan glanced back, about to look away, when he suddenly noticed through the Audi’s front windshield a fair, rosy-cheeked, lovely face that seemed familiar. He focused his gaze and realized it was actually Su Mengchen!

Su Mengchen had spotted Ye Fan from quite a distance, and when he turned his head to look at her, she had of course seen him too. As a look of mild surprise crossed his face, she smiled at Ye Fan before finally unbuckling her seatbelt and getting out of the car.

Ye Fan walked up to her, smiling, “I thought you were staying at school. I didn’t expect you to drive here in such a nice car.”

With a giggle, Su Mengchen explained, “Hee hee, my parents have also gone back to my hometown for the New Year, so of course I couldn’t stay at school.” She added, “This is my dad’s car; I couldn’t afford a car on my salary.”

In fact, this car wasn’t her father’s; her dad’s car was too nice, and she didn’t want to drive it over.

Ye Fan nodded and asked, “Haven’t had dinner yet?”

“Not yet.” Su Mengchen replied.

Ye Fan smiled, “Let’s find a place to eat first.”

Su Mengchen nodded in agreement.

So, the two of them got back into their respective cars and drove off to find a place to eat.

About fifteen minutes later, at a nicely decorated restaurant, Ye Fan and Su Mengchen chose a booth by the window to sit down.

After ordering their meal, Ye Fan and Su Mengchen casually chatted away, mainly about topics related to the New Year.

Ye Fan treated Su Mengchen as a regular good friend.

And while Su Mengchen had a fondness for Ye Fan, at the moment she only saw him as a good friend too. She had only known Ye Fan for two or three months and didn’t want to rush things, so they stayed friends. After all, in her opinion, both she and Ye Fan were still young, there was plenty of time; a relationship that developed slowly would be more solid in the future. Besides, even though she was taking the initiative, she couldn’t be too forward just yet.

Thus, their conversation was lively and both of them were at ease.

The meal lasted about an hour. When they walked out of the restaurant, Ye Fan had to get back to work in the afternoon, so they had to part ways.

Su Mengchen took two or three gifts from the trunk of her car to give to Ye Fan.

Ye Fan said “Thank you,” took them, glanced at the gifts, which were all in fancy boxes, but inside were rather ordinary New Year goods.

“Thanks. I feel bad now, I didn’t bring any New Year goods for you,” Ye Fan said with a smile.

Su Mengchen pursed her lips and replied with a smile, “Didn’t you treat me to a meal?”

They exchanged a few more words and finally went their separate ways.

On his way back to the police station, Ye Fan suddenly heard fireworks and firecrackers going off in the distance, likely from the suburbs.

Today was New Year’s Eve. It was finally time for the New Year.

Listening to the bursts of firecrackers in the distance, he suddenly missed his mother a lot.

“Including this year, it’s been seven years since I was able to reunite with Mom for New Year…” Ye Fan’s mood suddenly dipped.

Back at the police station, Ye Fan composed himself. It was almost time to start work, so he headed straight to his office.

Five o’clock in the afternoon, finally, time to get off work.

However, this was when both Ye Fan and Zhao Lina were at their busiest.

At this time, the entire county town was engulfed in the sound of firecrackers, and Ye Fan and Zhao Lina personally led teams to supervise residents setting off fireworks and firecrackers, strictly forbidding any violations to prevent accidents.

After being busy until around nine in the evening, Ye Fan and Zhao Lina finally returned to their dorms for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

“Shall we eat together?” Ye Fan suggested to Zhao Lina.

Zhao Lina nodded, her demeanor noticeably softer than usual, and said, “Let me change my clothes first.”