NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1036:
In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of a high-end restaurant.
The handsome man and beautiful woman combination attracted curious and envious glances from those around them.
Feng Xiaoxiao's face was already stunning, and paired with the little red dress she'd just bought downstairs, her exposed shoulders added a touch of seductive charm to her beauty.
"I feel a happiness that I could never even dream of."
Overlooking the city nightscape, Feng Xiaoxiao held up a glass of red wine and gazed lovingly at her lover across the table. "Remember how poor we were in college? Eating street food, I often snuck glances at this place, fantasizing that someday we might have dinner here together. But back then, it was just a thought. I never imagined that a few years later, we'd really be sitting here."
"That's why we're becoming better people; isn't that what growing up is all about?"
Lin Fan too was full of emotion. "At least in my perception, the Provincial City wasn't the same as I see it now. Back then, the buildings didn't seem so short, nor the lights so many."
"That's because we always walked downstairs, never had the chance to come to such a classy place. Plus, by nine at night, we had to be back in the dorms, so we couldn't see the neon lights."
Feng Xiaoxiao gently brushed her dark hair and looked at Lin Fan with a dreamy expression. "But you're still as handsome as ever."
"You've changed; you've become even more beautiful."
There are always many memories between old friends, but this pleasant time of chatting and laughing was interrupted by the arrival of a figure.
A suited man in his early thirties stood smiling silently before their table, directing a smile at Lin Fan.
"What a coincidence,"
"Isn't this what they call meeting someone by chance?"
Lin Fan scrutinized Liu Cheng'en standing before him. This guy actually showed up here.
"I just wanted to experience the legendary swamp expert firsthand."
Liu Cheng'en's words made Lin Fan frown slightly. "Someone must have sent you here, right? Why not let them come directly to me? Why make you play the fool?"
"Deputy County Magistrate of Red Flag County in Jiangning City, indeed quite arrogant."
Liu Cheng'en directly pulled out a chair and without anyone's consent sat himself between Lin Fan and Feng Xiaoxiao. He simply gestured, and a tall woman immediately approached and placed a lit cigar in his fingers.
"This isn't the first arrogant move of yours. If you're going to interrupt someone's date so rudely, just speak your mind or say what you mean."
Lin Fan put down his wine glass, looking at Liu Cheng'en with interest. This uninvited guy clearly wasn't just here to have a look. Even a heel could deduce that Wang Yaoyang sent him.
"Is it possible this restaurant also has my shares, so my appearance isn't abrupt? I believe there's a misunderstanding here, and I'm here to resolve it."
Liu Cheng'en smiled, pulling out a golden card from his pocket and placing it on Lin Fan's table.
"This is the restaurant's golden card, a gift to dispel misunderstandings. I hope you'll honor us with your presence often; we can become close acquaintances."
"Mr. Liu, did you forget? I'm the Deputy County Magistrate."
Lin Fan reached for the golden card on the table, looked it over, then tossed it back into Liu Cheng'en's lap. "For state officials, receiving valuable items constitutes abuse of power and profiteering, which would alert the disciplinary inspection department. Your hands aren't clean, and I have no intention of joining you in jail for a meal."
This face-rejecting refusal made Liu Cheng'en's expression change, but he quickly smirked. "You're right; I was being careless. People within the system are naturally more prudent, but this is merely a small gift. I'll be sure to watch my manners next time."
"No need. We're not alike, and there's no need to know each other. Besides, I dislike this game of human Russian Roulette."
Lin Fan's face was grim, his chilly demeanor making Liu Cheng'en's face twitch.
In front of him, not even a greeting was exchanged. They say to hit but not humiliate, to scold but not expose, yet Lin Fan didn't save any face for him, fully aware he was here on someone else's behalf, which wasn't just a slap to his face but to the face of those backing him.
"It seems our misunderstanding is deep and may not resolve quickly."
In the end, Liu Cheng'en didn't flip out; instead, he glanced at Feng Xiaoxiao before turning back to glare at Lin Fan. "County Magistrate Lin, I heard you're skilled in water, even Zhang Shoutian, a practitioner, was half-drowned by you. Unfortunately, my restaurant lacks water for you to use, but water-connoisseurs are typically great drinkers, so today let me fulfill my host duties and let you drink to your heart's content."
Liu Cheng'en snapped his fingers, and immediately seven or eight strong men approached from the corner, surrounding Lin Fan and Feng Xiaoxiao.
Liu Cheng'en didn't forget to smile as he added: "County Magistrate Lin, take your time to drink. Rest assured, your woman, I'll take care of her for you, very well indeed."