Yan Xia had long been immune to his cheesy pick - up lines. "When are you going to tone down your glib tongue? I'm seriously starting to doubt your credibility as a police officer!"
Shangguan Yao burst into hearty laughter on the other end.
Finally, he said, "It's a good thing that we've received a response from Lord Lu. You really need to go and manage the underground casino as a formality. Those people are extremely vicious and not easy to deal with. He's not only testing your ability but also your courage."
She wasn't afraid, but she had never been involved in such things before.
Shangguan Yao pondered for a moment and then said, "I'll send someone to accompany you to check the situation. Remember not to show any timidity. With me backing you up, be bold and do it."
The current situation was still easy for him. Given Lu Qianzhou's personality, once he knew that Yan Xia was starting to get in touch with these dangerous people and things, he would surely step in to stop it. When things got out of control, he would do his best to protect her. That would be the perfect time to collect evidence.
Yan Xia looked at the documents while saying, "You're really not afraid that I'll mess things up for you."
Shangguan Yao laughed. "What's there to be afraid of? I naturally trust the goddess's ability. And you should always remember that we're in the same boat now."
When it was time to get off work, Yan Xia had made an appointment with Fang Jiangyi to go back together in the evening.
Lan Mengfan had just returned from abroad and was a bit out of sorts these days. Yan Xia needed to pick her up earlier. She hoped that after picking up Lan Yuzhou tomorrow, Lan Mengfan would behave better and not let Lan Yuzhou think that she had spoiled the child in these years.
When she got out of the elevator and hadn't reached the lobby entrance yet, she saw a large crowd gathered at the door, along with the screams and infatuated cries of girls. She wondered what had happened.
Yan Xia walked out curiously and squeezed through the crowd. She was immediately stunned by the sight.
Both Lu Qianzhou and Fang Jiangyi were there. Their cars were parked one in front of the other not far outside the square. Lu Qianzhou was leaning against a sleek Ferrari, squinting at her. His bangs were soft, and he was holding a bunch of fragrant gardenias in his arms.
He used to hate being photographed in person the most, but today his patience was unexpectedly good. Many little girls around were openly taking pictures of him with their phones. Instead of getting angry, he even gave them a charming smile.
In contrast, Fang Jiangyi was much more low - key. He only drove a black Audi and was wearing a beige - gray coat. He was quietly waiting for her.
Maybe he was confident that this time Yan Xia would walk towards him without hesitation.
Yan Xia's heart tightened. What was Lu Qianzhou up to? She had just had the things he sent thrown away this morning, and now he had come to the company. After just a couple of quiet days, he was being persistent again.
She simply ignored Lu Qianzhou and walked straight towards Fang Jiangyi.
Unexpectedly, before she had taken a few steps, Lu Qianzhou walked towards her with the gardenias in his hands. With his long limbs, he blocked her way.
He stuffed the gardenias into Yan Xia's hands and was about to hold her hand. "You're finally out. I've been waiting for you for a long time. Congratulations on your first day at work. Did you receive the gift I sent?"
Yan Xia quietly dodged and avoided his hand.
"You don't need to send me gifts. I can't accept them. Besides, we're no longer in a relationship. I have no right to accept gifts from President Lu."
Lu Qianzhou's body firmly blocked Yan Xia's view, preventing her from seeing Fang Jiangyi.
Hearing this, he raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Why is your memory getting so bad? Didn't I just tell you last time? We haven't broken up yet. So far, you're still my girlfriend, unless you compensate me with 10 billion in mental damages according to the bet agreement."
He really had the nerve to say that!
"Lu Qianzhou, are you crazy? When are you going to stop bringing up that 10 billion?" Yan Xia was impatient and stuffed the gardenias back into his hands. "Also, don't let anyone send these anymore. I don't like gardenias. I never have."
He had always been speculating about her thoughts, while she didn't dare to be as willful and unreasonable as a little girl. So there were some things she had never told him.
He thought she suited gardenias, and she had obediently pretended to like them. In fact, she didn't.
But Lu Qianzhou was still certain. "You like them. You liked them when we were in Japan."
Yan Xia took a step back. "Can you stop being so self - assured? When did I ever tell you that I like gardenias? You've always been speculating about my thoughts based on your imagined preferences for me. The person you like is just the Cheng Yanxia in your imagination, the one who never argues with you about anything, forgives you no matter what you do, and reconciles with you. But that Cheng Yanxia in your imagination doesn't exist."
Finally saying these words made her feel much more relieved.
Maybe because of Lu Qianzhou's status, although people around were taking pictures with their phones, none of them dared to get closer, let alone hear their conversation.
All they could see was that the two seemed to be arguing, but they couldn't hear the specific content.
Lu Qianzhou's eyes were full of emotion. He seemed a bit shocked by Yan Xia's words, but his expression remained calm. He was always good at hiding his emotions.
He looked at her for a while. "You've wanted to say these things to me for a long time, haven't you?"
Actually, she had. When he had hidden his conflict with Cheng Hua and his next plans from her, Yan Xia had wanted to say it. She was fed up with his aloof attitude, his hiding, and his self - assurance.
Yan Xia didn't answer. Then, the voice of Fang Jiangyi, who had been waiting for a long time, finally interrupted.
"Xiaxia, it's time for us to go. Mengfan is still waiting for us to pick her up."
Without hesitation, Yan Xia immediately walked towards Fang Jiangyi.
However, when she moved to the left, Lu Qianzhou moved to the left too. When she moved to the right, he still blocked her way.
This ambiguous and domineering move made a group of young girls around who were full of spring - time longings squeal, shouting how charming it was.
Yan Xia didn't want to lose her temper with him in public. "Get out of the way. I need to pick up the kids."
"I'll take you." Lu Qianzhou grabbed her arm, turned around, and stared at Fang Jiangyi, with a highly provocative look. "I'm afraid he won't be able to accompany you today."
Before Fang Jiangyi could understand what he meant, his phone rang suddenly. He took out his phone and answered it. The moment he heard what the other person said, his face changed.
Yan Xia broke free from Lu Qianzhou's grip and came to him. She saw that Fang Jiangyi's face looked very strange.
"What's wrong with you?"
Fang Jiangyi said, "There's a problem with my mom. I need to rush over immediately. I'll have the driver come and take you to school right away. Don't be intimidated by Lu Qianzhou."
Yan Xia could only nod. "Then go quickly."
But could Lu Qianzhou have predicted that Fang Jiangyi would leave because of his mother's situation? Did it mean that this matter was related to him?
Fang Jiangyi quickly got in the car and left. In the past few years, his mother's condition had been stable because of his father's company.