Dinner with Uncle Chen

Xing Shulan hurriedly called out, "Manager Chen."

The man named Chen smiled and replied, "We've both resigned; don't call me Manager Chen anymore."

"If you don't mind, just call me Uncle Chen, and I'll call you Sister Xing."

Xing Shulan said, "Then I shall take the liberty of calling you Uncle Chen."

Uncle Chen replied, "You are originally a few years older than me, so how can it be considered taking a liberty?"

Seeing a group of diners approaching, he added, "Let's head inside, lest we block someone else's door."

Xing Shulan agreed, "Alright."

Uncle Chen found a seat by the window, sat down, and placed his mobile phone on the table, turning it on.

Lian Chi accidentally caught a glimpse of his phone wallpaper.

The photo featured two young men.

One had a radiant aura, while the other was quite dark-skinned.

Judging by the resolution, the photo was likely over a decade old.

But this had nothing to do with Lian Chi.

Besides, peeking into other people's private affairs was not polite behavior.

Lian Chi quickly withdrew his gaze.

Uncle Chen paused for a moment.

Only then did he pick up his phone and scan the restaurant's QR code pasted on the table to access the ordering app.

He handed the phone to Xing Shulan. "See if there's anything else you want besides the spicy and sour fish."

Xing Shulan browsed the menu and ordered a side of century eggs with peppers.

Lian Chi ordered a portion of bean paste noodles.

Xing Shulan then returned the phone to Uncle Chen. "That should be enough."

Uncle Chen looked at the phone. "This definitely isn't enough; there are three of us... Plus, I have a big appetite."

In the end, he ordered a dish of stir-fried pork intestines with garlic, not giving Xing Shulan a chance to object.

Xing Shulan said, "This... is too expensive for you."

Uncle Chen replied, "It's fine. I've been so busy lately that I haven't eaten anything good. Consider this a treat for myself today."

At this point, he lowered his voice. "Actually, I planned to invite everyone for hairy crabs today. My foster father loves them, but unfortunately, it's not crab season yet."

"Do you all like hairy crabs?"

Xing Shulan said, "I'm fine with whatever."

Lian Chi blurted out, "I don't like those things."

As soon as he spoke, he noticed Uncle Chen suddenly fell silent.

Xing Shulan asked, "What's wrong?"

Uncle Chen replied, "Oh, it's nothing."

His nerves must be a bit unstable.

Xing Shulan didn't think much of it.

She had never heard him mention a foster father before, but she was currently preoccupied with another matter, so she brushed past his words. "Speaking of which, Uncle Chen, you were doing so well at Xin Shiji. Why did you quit?"

Xin Shiji was a domestic service company; though not large, it had over 200 employees.

Previously, Xing Shulan worked as an office clerk in the negotiation department, and Uncle Chen was the manager of that department.

The negotiation department mainly selected domestic helpers for homeowners, organized agreements between the two parties, signed cooperation contracts, and resolved issues arising during the partnership.

After a moment, Uncle Chen snapped out of it and gave a forced smile. "Do you remember the proprietress of Xin Shiji, Madam Xu, who had three husbands?"

Xing Shulan replied, "Of course I remember. The second day after you hired me at Xin Shiji, Madam Xu divorced her second husband. I hadn't even finished my probation before she married her secretary, who was ten years younger than her—her third husband."

Uncle Chen said, "Not long after you left, Madam Xu promoted her third husband to manager of the finance department."

"Then her eldest son returned from overseas."

"On top of that, Madam Xu dotes on the daughter of her second husband the most."

"Now the whole family is making a mess of the company... Plus a few other reasons, so I quit."

Xing Shulan said, "I see."

"So, have you found a new job yet?"

While they were talking, the waiter brought out the spicy and sour fish.

Uncle Chen made room for the waiter before continuing, "Not yet."

Xing Shulan poured soft drinks for everyone. "What kind of work do you plan to look for?"

Afterward, Xing Shulan was almost the only one initiating conversation, while Uncle Chen merely responded.

Since it had been a long time since Xing Shulan had sat down to chat with a friend, she had much to say and didn't notice anything unusual.

But Lian Chi frowned.

It shouldn't be like this.

If Uncle Chen truly had intentions toward Xing Shulan, he wouldn't miss such a good opportunity to show his concern for her.

But currently...

Uncle Chen's rice bowl was empty, and it was Xing Shulan who served him more.

Could he have misunderstood this Uncle Chen?

Did he really only see Xing Shulan as a friend?

Before, when he helped them move, he had secretly sniffed Lian Chi's clothes—was it not because he mistook them for Xing Shulan's, but because... he thought the clothes smelled strange and instinctively picked them up to check?

Lian Chi: "..."

Finally, Xing Shulan said, "How about having A Chi advise you on housing matters? A Chi is working at a real estate agency."

Uncle Chen said, "That would be wonderful."

Feeling a bit guilty, Lian Chi also said, "Alright."

Xing Shulan said, "Then you two should add each other on WeChat."

After they exchanged WeChat contacts, Xing Shulan said, "We'll head back first then. We'll treat you to dinner another day."

Uncle Chen replied, "Alright."

Lian Chi's mood also improved.

This way, he wouldn't have to waste effort dealing with Uncle Chen.

Thinking of this, he turned back to look at him, intending to apologize silently in his heart.

But he saw Uncle Chen still standing in place, staring blankly at their retreating backs.

Lian Chi's expression immediately became tense.

Although he didn't have many friends, he knew that a normal person wouldn't use that look to watch an ordinary friend.

So he had guessed correctly; Uncle Chen did have intentions toward Xing Shulan.

The reason he acted so serious earlier wasn't because he didn't want to show concern for Xing Shulan, but perhaps because Lian Chi was there, so he had restrained himself...

Maybe he should find a way to kill him.

Lian Chi thought to himself with an expressionless face.

Fortunately, Uncle Chen did not look for him that night.

Afterward, he had to go to that real estate agency to work.

He didn't really want to go.

After all, working hard there for a month would only earn him about 20,000 Yuan.

He might as well continue doing missions.

With that thought, Lian Chi sat up from his bed.

After washing up, he walked to the bathroom door again.

But the next second, he pulled his hand back.

Then he placed a large bag of snacks bought at the supermarket yesterday in front of the bathroom door: "Commission split."

The bathroom door: "..."

Lian Chi: "No need to thank me."

With that, he turned the doorknob and stepped inside.

...

"You'll sit here from now on. Here are the office keys. Remember to arrive half an hour early every morning to open the door. Also, for the water dispenser, remember to change the water every morning."

"As for this morning, just look through these logs. In the afternoon, I'll teach you how to write case files."

"Did you hear me?"

Lian Chi snapped back to his senses. "Yes, yes sir."

"Good, get to work."

The middle-aged man finished speaking and left.

This place was Lecheng, Yang Province, in the year 2010.

The original host was Lian Zhi, 22 years old, a recent graduate of the Lecheng Institute of Biological Science and Technology.

So, had he used the back door to enter the Lecheng Police Bureau?