"Ah-hem!"
Cao Guanghai cautiously asked, "Ye Fan, are you... all right?"
This sudden action caught even soone as seasoned as him off-guard. Either there was a ntal issue at play, or perhaps a case of extre social boldness.
In any case, it was out of the ordinary...
"I'm fine," Ye Fan replied, retracting his pose without a hint of embarrassnt.
As long as he wasn't embarrassed, the awkwardness fell on others.
Others feeling awkward? Not his problem!
There was a reason behind his sudden gesture. Noticing the astonishnt in Ning Xi's eyes, he allowed a subtle smile to surface.
Xing Zhengtao studied Ye Fan's face intently, but found nothing out of place. In a low voice, he murmured to Cao Guanghai, "Director, this might be the generational gap between us and the younger folks."
"Sigh!"
Cao Guanghai sighed and admitted, "I really am getting old. Can't deny it anymore!"
"..."
The corner of Ye Fan's mouth twitched slightly, an odd expression crossing his face.
These two really knew how to rationalize things!
Speechless as he was, he chose not to explain further; attempting to do so would only deepen the misunderstanding. Besides, he didn't want them thinking he was ntally unstable.
Ye Fan sat back down, imdiately sensing Ning Xi's gaze fixed on him. He nonchalantly asked, "Xiao Xi, why are you looking at like that?"
"You..."
Ning Xi's eyes sparkled as she took a deep breath. "That move just now—who taught it to you?"
The move Ye Fan had just made was her nightly pre-sleep ritual. And the phrase he had uttered: Embodint of justice, sweeping away all darkness in the world—word for word!
"Taught?"
Without a flicker of hesitation, Ye Fan said, "It ca naturally, no need for any teaching."
"..."
Ning Xi fell silent.
Could it really be this coincidental?
Everything suggested it was just that—a coincidence. She had never shown this move or spoken those words in front of anyone. It was impossible for soone else to know.
Was it possible that she and Ye Fan shared so kind of ntal link?
Nonsense!
Ning Xi, what are you even thinking?
It's just a coincidence. Just a coincidence!!!
While Ning Xi hung her head, lost in her thoughts, Ye Fan quietly chuckled to himself.
Little thing, have I managed to fool you?
Misunderstand away, the more the better!
It might be a bit sneaky, but as long as it brought his beloved closer, it was worth it.
About five minutes later, soone from the finance departnt arrived with the reward money. Seeing the ten neat stacks of fresh bills on the desk, Ye Fan's mind was already spinning with ideas on how to spend and allocate it.
Cao Guanghai pulled out a docunt and gestured for Ye Fan to co over. "Here, just sign your na."
Ye Fan stepped up, grabbed the pen, and swiftly signed his na with two strokes.
Seeing the signature, Cao Guanghai smiled and said, "Your handwriting is quite good. The procedure is complete; you can take the money now."
"However, carrying this much cash isn't safe. I'll have Captain Xing escort you two ho. Once you're there, it's best to hand the money over to your parents for safekeeping. Understand?"
"Thank you for your concern, Director Cao," Ye Fan replied with a smile. "But you might not know—I'm from Linhai, here in the capital just for school. My parents aren't here, so I'll have to keep the money myself."
"If I send it ho, they'll inevitably find out about the fugitive incident, and then I'm bound to get scolded."
"As long as you know what you're doing," Cao Guanghai said, deciding not to push the matter. He felt an inexplicable trust towards this young man. There was an uncharacteristic maturity about him that hinted he was no ordinary youth.
"Captain Xing, please see these two out."
"Yes, Director."
Xing Zhengtao nodded.
"No need," Ye Fan interjected, smiling politely at Cao Guanghai. "Could we perhaps have a plastic bag?"
"Hmm?"
"For the money."
"..."
Cao Guanghai was montarily speechless.
A plastic bag to carry money?
How audacious!
After several seconds of stunned silence, Cao Guanghai retrieved a black briefcase, removed the docunts inside, and placed the 100,000 yuan on the desk into it.
He then pushed the briefcase toward Ye Fan and said, "A plastic bag isn't secure. This briefcase isn't expensive, so consider it a gift."
"Thank you, Director Cao."
Ye Fan expressed his gratitude imdiately. "We won't disturb your work any longer. Goodbye."
Cao Guanghai nodded with a smile.
Xing Zhengtao, still concerned, asked, "Ye Fan, are you sure you don't need an escort?"
"Absolutely not."
"Be careful on the way."
"Thank you."
Ye Fan picked up the briefcase, ready to take Ning Xi and leave.
Suddenly, sothing occurred to him, and he slowly put his foot back down.
Seeing Ye Fan pause, Cao Guanghai asked curiously, "Is there sothing else?"
"Well..."
Ye Fan hesitated briefly before speaking in a serious tone, "Director Cao, I think the murderer is one of the four witnesses."
"..."
"..."
That single sentence left both n stunned.
The murderer?
What did he an?
The four witnesses...
Cao Guanghai and Xing Zhengtao felt their minds explode as they grasped the implications of Ye Fan's words.
Their eyes widened in astonishnt.
Even Ning Xi, lost in her earlier thoughts, had her attention caught by Ye Fan's statent. Her clear eyes filled with curiosity as she walked over and whispered, "Brother, what did you just say?"
Initially, she wanted to call him by his na, but rembering how Ye Fan had told Xing Zhengtao she was his sister, she reluctantly addressed him as 'brother' to avoid exposing their cover.
Hmph, lucky guy!
The soft sound of her voice made Ye Fan's heart lt. He smiled warmly and said, "It's nothing. You wait outside; I'll be out shortly."
With that, he handed her the briefcase and placed his hands on her shoulders, gently pushing her out of the office and closing the door behind her.
What he was about to discuss wasn't suitable for Ning Xi to hear.
Ning Xi stamped her foot, unwillingly leaning against the railing to wait, drawing little circles in her mind.
What for?
To curse Ye Fan, of course!
But what should she curse him with?
Got it!
She'd curse this guy to never find a girlfriend. Yes, he definitely wouldn't find a girlfriend...
Inside the office.
Ye Fan returned to the desk, standing still as Cao Guanghai's voice broke the silence.
"Ye Fan, explain what you ant just now."
Ye Fan smiled apologetically. "Director Cao, your conversation with Captain Xing was very quiet earlier, but my hearing is quite sharp. So, I overheard everything you discussed. I'm really sorry about that."
"That's not important."
Cao Guanghai waved it off. "What I want to know now is, what did your earlier statent an?"
Ye Fan thought for a few seconds before speaking. "Before I explain, may I ask Director Cao a few questions?"
"Go ahead."
Cao Guanghai's expression turned serious.
Ye Fan slowly closed his eyes, his mind racing.
"Was the report received at night?"
"Yes!"
"Were there no signs of struggle at the scene?"
"Yes!"
"Was the murder weapon not found at the scene?"
"Yes!"
The astonishnt on Cao Guanghai's face grew with each question. Earlier, he and Xing Zhengtao hadn't even discussed these details.
Which ant Ye Fan had deduced them from re hints.
This...
"Hiss!"
While Cao Guanghai sucked in a sharp breath, Xing Zhengtao, unable to contain his shock, exclaid in disbelief.
"How do you know all of this?"
-----------------------
read more on patreon
/jodex7
Reviews
All reviews (0)