Chapter 303: No Appetite at Night
Early the next morning, as Yang Chen got up, he saw through the large floor-to-ceiling window that downy snowflakes were fluttering outside.
The abundant snowflakes covered the grass, trees, and houses, transforming the world into a dazzling silver wonderland.
This was already the second snowfall in Zhonghai, seemingly arriving specifically to accompany Christmas. On the way to work, many shops had already lit up their neon lights and adorned themselves with Christmas decorations and toys. Christmas trees had sprung up like mushrooms after the rain, seemingly appearing overnight.
It was Yang Chen's first time experiencing Christmas in his home country during the sweltering summer. He hadn't expected the atmosphere to be so festive, not at all inferior to Western countries. He couldn't help but feel that the world had indeed become smaller.
On the passenger seat, there was an additional white leather bag, which was exactly the one Cai Yan had mentioned he should help her carry. Yang Chen hadn't forgotten, and as soon as he saw the bag on the coffee table, he picked it up.
When he arrived at the parking lot beneath the Yulei Entertainment office building, Lin Ruoxi and Huilin had just arrived.
Huilin got out of the car, bidding farewell to Lin Ruoxi. Lin Ruoxi lowered the car window and waved to Huilin with a slightly weary expression but a gentle smile.
Upon seeing Yang Chen getting out of the car on the opposite side, Lin Ruoxi seemed as if she hadn't seen him at all, treating him like a stranger. She didn't acknowledge him and naturally raised the car window before driving away.
Yang Chen looked at the departing car with a wry smile. It seemed that Lin Ruoxi had completely decided to ignore him after last night's conversation. This disregard felt even more distant than cold words.
Huilin noticed this scene, her face showing a hint of worry, but she didn't say anything.
Upon arriving at the office, many employees were wearing scarves, and their clothing was heavier than usual. Clearly, with the sudden drop in temperature due to the snow, even the most poised individuals were starting to feel the cold.
Suddenly, Yang Chen remembered the last time it snowed when he went mountain climbing in the suburbs with Mo Qianni, followed by that unforgettable night.
Thinking about Mo Qianni's old leg injury, Yang Chen felt a bit worried. After all, with the weather getting colder, her leg might act up again.
Entering his own office, Yang Chen closed the door and took out his phone to dial Mo Qianni's number.
After a few seconds, Mo Qianni answered the phone, her voice still lively and tinged with some joy.
"It's rare for you to call someone like me, a little grumpy woman," Mo Qianni joked self-pityingly.
Yang Chen asked directly, "How's your leg? Is it hurting?"
Mo Qianni was silent on the other end of the phone for a moment, then laughed, saying, "Just the way you asked tells me it's not hurting anymore, even if it was."
"Is it hurting or not?" Yang Chen asked with concern, the memory of Mo Qianni's pain from that night still fresh in his mind.
"It's not hurting, don't worry," Mo Qianni reassured him gently. "After you helped me last time, it feels much better. I wore an extra pair of pants today because of the snow, and I didn't feel any pain or discomfort."
Only then did Yang Chen relax. "If it hurts, just let me know. Don't endure it. I can take a look or take you to the hospital."
Mo Qianni replied with an "Hmm." "I suddenly miss you. It's all your fault, calling so early in the morning. How can I focus on work today? I'm so annoyed, and there's so much to do."
"Are you very busy?"
"Of course. I'm now the Minister of Finance. Don't you know we have all sorts of year-end settlements to handle? Plus, it's almost Chinese New Year, and many employees have gone home for vacation. Those of us still in Zhonghai naturally have to pick up the slack," Mo Qianni sighed.
Yang Chen thought for a moment. "Let's have dinner together tonight. It's been a while since we've hung out, and you're tired, so let me treat you."
Mo Qianni burst into laughter. "You're learning to be considerate. Not bad, not bad. But I don't want to eat out. How about coming to my place tonight? I'll cook for you."
"Can I stay over at your place?" Yang Chen asked with a smile.
"You're pushing it!" Mo Qianni teased playfully. "Anyway, it's settled. I have to get back to work. See you tonight!"
With that, she immediately hung up.
Yang Chen looked bewildered. She hung up so directly. Shouldn't there have been a goodbye kiss or something?
Just as he was about to turn on his computer to play games, his phone vibrated again.
Looking at it, it was an unknown number, likely Cai Yan.
Sure enough, when he answered, it was Cai Yan's voice on the line.
"Did you get the bag?" Cai Yan seemed to be in a good mood, asking cheerfully.
"My memory isn't that bad. Are you still at the police station? I'll bring it to you," Yang Chen replied.
"Are you able to leave work anytime?" Cai Yan asked.
Yang Chen chuckled. "I'm just a minor character. Others handle the important stuff."
"I guess you are," Cai Yan unexpectedly didn't mock him as she used to. Instead, she said, "Let's leave it for now. Meet me at eleven o'clock at the intersection north of Zhongnan Street at noon."
Yang Chen hesitated for a moment, not understanding why Cai Yan had chosen a location so far from both the police station and the office, but he didn't dwell on it and agreed.
After playing games for a couple of hours and with the snow having stopped for most of the day, Yang Chen drove to the agreed meeting place with Cai Yan.
Zhongnan Street was a pedestrian street lined mostly with restaurants and snack shops. As Yang Chen approached the intersection, he scanned the surroundings, looking for a woman in a police uniform.
Just then, Cai Yan's voice came from behind him.
"What are you looking for? Am I not here?" she said.
Turning around, Yang Chen saw Cai Yan behind him. She was wearing a close-fitting cream-colored top with a purple scarf wrapped around her neck, exuding a hint of charm. Her light-colored jeans accentuated her naturally slender and athletic figure.
It had to be admitted that with her naturally charismatic and bright face, enhanced by a bit of foundation, Cai Yan attracted the attention of both men and women as she walked down the street in this attire.
Seeing Yang Chen looking at her with surprise, Cai Yan felt a slight sense of satisfaction and joy in her heart, though she didn't show it. Instead, she pretended not to know and asked, "Am I strange?"
Yang Chen smiled awkwardly, "I didn't recognize you all of a sudden without your police uniform, but you look good in this outfit."
"It's not like I'm catching criminals. Do you think I'm addicted to wearing a police uniform?" Cai Yan teased Yang Chen.
Yang Chen shrugged nonchalantly and handed the white bag he was carrying to Cai Yan. "Here's yours. I brought it for you."
"Thank you." Cai Yan took the bag but didn't look inside. Instead, she smiled and asked, "Shall we go eat something?"
Yang Chen hesitated, "Lunch?"
"What else did you think?" Cai Yan asked impatiently.
Yang Chen hadn't expected Cai Yan to invite him to lunch. However, considering that he had agreed to be friends with her earlier, and besides, he was hungry himself, he didn't have much reason to refuse.
"I'm fine with anything. Whatever you like," Yang Chen replied.
Cai Yan didn't fuss over it. "Then let's go to that Shandong cuisine restaurant. I've been there before, and it's quite good."
Yang Chen had no objections. Following Cai Yan, they entered the nearest Shandong cuisine restaurant and found a small table by the window.
After Cai Yan adeptly placed their order with the waiter, she asked Yang Chen, "What dishes do you like? I'll order a few more."
"No need, I think what you've ordered is enough. If I eat too much at lunch, I won't have an appetite for dinner," Yang Chen replied, thinking about Mo Qianni's plan to cook dinner that evening. He didn't want to embarrass himself by eating too much now and feeling uncomfortable later.
Cai Yan didn't think much of it and asked another question instead. However, Yang Chen didn't have much to chat about with Cai Yan. There were many things he didn't think he could tell her.
Cai Yan also sensed Yang Chen's guardedness towards her and said displeasedly, "Is it necessary for you to be like this? I'm just curious about what you've done in the past and why you're so skilled. Are you involved in something illegal that you can't talk about?"
Yang Chen sighed, "Cai Yan, you mentioned before that you hoped we could be friends. If you really want that, then I hope you won't ask these questions. There's a reason why I don't speak, and your sister should know some things. But since she hasn't told you, you should understand that these things aren't to be spoken of casually."
Cai Yan grunted in acknowledgment and didn't press further.
Before long, the waiter arrived with several dishes. Cai Yan remembered something and quickly asked, "What would you like to drink, white wine or red wine? They have good sorghum wine here."
Yang Chen replied directly, "No need, just bring two bowls of rice. I just need to fill my stomach."
Cai Yan felt a bit frustrated but had nothing more to say. She watched as Yang Chen ordered two large bowls of rice and began eating hastily herself.
All the prepared questions and topics were left unsaid. In less than five minutes, Yang Chen patted his stomach and burped.
"I'm done eating, take your time," Yang Chen said, not immediately leaving as it would be impolite. He sat in his seat, picked up a toothpick, and patiently waited for Cai Yan.
Cai Yan suddenly stopped eating, swallowed her food, lifted her beautiful face, and stared at Yang Chen with a cold and piercing gaze, her expression unexpectedly dark.