Chapter 95 - Chapter 95: Chapter 94: It’s Over, Caught Red-Handed!? (Please Subscribe) (2/2)
The riverside embankment was fully bathed in the setting sun.
In front of the fence lay a stretch of jade-green water, resembling an emerald ribbon. The river was wide, with several small boats swaying in the water. The evening sky’s afterglow was gradually changing colors, and by this time, the outline of the moon was visible.
The breeze at Anling Riverside was very fresh, bringing with it the scent of water vapor and vegetation that enveloped them. Shen Qianqian’s waterfall-like black hair was in disarray, fluttering in the wind.
In the sunset, their shadows were elongated, casting across the ground all the way to the opposite curb.
“Let’s go across.”
Just across the street was the Riverside Cottage.
Lin Chuan was familiar with the route here.
He had been here once with Shen Qianqian, and once with Xia Qingqing.
The staff of Riverside Cottage seemed to have some recollection of Lin Chuan, “Sir, do you have a reservation?”
Lin Chuan was about to shake his head.
Shen Qianqian, however, nodded and responded, “I made a reservation at noon, last name Shen.”
“Okay, right this way please.”
The staff then led the two inside.
“Officer Shen, you made the reservation quite early, didn’t you?” Lin Chuan asked with a smile as they walked.
Shen Qianqian blinked, “I was thinking of coming alone at noon, but I ended up on the phone with you right during mealtime, so I took the opportunity to treat you.”
Lin Chuan laughed, “I believe that.”
Shen Qianqian’s lips curled into a barely contained smile, “Writer Lin is still acting coy after taking advantage.”
“No, no,” Lin Chuan grinned.
The two sat in a corner spot at Riverside Cottage. The staff, holding the menu, asked, “What would the two of you like to order? Our shrimp dish is a specialty.”
“No shrimp!”
Lin Chuan instinctively reacted with a refusal.
Shrimp, to him, was a bit frightening.
“Then let’s skip the shrimp.” Shen Qianqian gave a slight start and then ordered several other dishes.
Night had fallen, and streetlights sparked to life.
Shen Qianqian that evening appeared to have dressed up specially, her face lightly made up, her eyes clear, her skin fair and firm. She wore a floral dress that accented her slim waist, and on her feet were a pair of white flat shoes.
Because she was only about half a head shorter than the 186cm Lin Chuan, at 172cm.
“It feels like it’s been a very long time since we last had a meal together,” Shen Qianqian said with a radiant smile, looking at Lin Chuan.
“It has.”
“You’re quite busy these days,” Shen Qianqian teased, “I’ve been wanting to consult you about some criminal investigation issues, but I was afraid you’d be too busy.”
“Now that you’re working on anti-fraud, you don’t need to consult about criminal investigation for the time being,” Lin Chuan laughed.
“Director Zhang said you’re an expert in the field of anti-fraud, so I need to consult with you even more,” Shen Qianqian chuckled.
“We can exchange insights,” Lin Chuan nodded and agreed.
“Are you keeping busy with your writing?” Shen Qianqian asked as she brushed back her hair.
“Ah… yes.”
Lin Chuan nodded.
“I heard from Qiqi that if a writer stays home and writes all the time, their mind becomes dull and inspiration quickly dries up,” Shen Qianqian brought up Xue Qiqi’s words.
“That’s quite true,” Lin Chuan agreed wholeheartedly.
Previously, perhaps it was because he hadn’t gone out much, had not experienced social interactions and various other aspects—everything was particularly superficial.
Thus, he always hit a wall.
“So have you considered going out and about?” Shen Qianqian leaned forward slightly, fixating her gaze on Lin Chuan.
Lin Chuan looked surprised, “Ah?”
Shen Qianqian swiftly continued, “I’ve heard the scenery in Yundian is quite nice, very enchanting—snow-capped mountains, Erhai Lake—it’s a great place for an author to gather inspiration and helpful for your writing.”
Lin Chuan hesitated, “So…”
“May Day, Yundian, want to set out on an impromptu trip?” Shen Qianqian broached it concisely, getting straight to the point.
Lin Chuan’s mouth twitched slightly, “Your map of Yan Country seems a bit extensive.”
Under the cozy lights.
Shen Qianqian pursed her lips, smiling, “As your true fan, I naturally hope you can write better works. Otherwise, I won’t have anything to read in the future.”
“What kind of reader takes the author out traveling?” Lin Chuan countered.
“Uh, actually, I’ve always wanted to visit Yundian, but ever since Qiqi got together with your best friend, I’ve been without a travel companion,” Shen Qianqian pouted, looking a bit aggrieved.
Lin Chuan rubbed his forehead.
The days of Shen Qianqian’s cold and stunning presence were long gone.
Suddenly.
‘Ring, ring, ring—’
The phone rang!
Lin Chuan thought to himself, this call couldn’t have come at a better time.
“Officer Shen, let me take this call.”
Lin Chuan picked up the phone and moved aside, but as he glanced at the caller ID:
Incoming call: Xia Qingqing.
“Qingqing, what’s up?” Lin Chuan answered the call and asked.
“Lin Chuan, are you having dinner with your CFO tonight?” On the other end, Xia Qingqing pouted and inquired.
Lin Chuan grimaced, glancing at Shen Qianqian next to him, and replied, “No.”
“No?”
Xia Qingqing’s face brightened, a smile spreading across her face, “So, I’ll treat you to dinner tonight?”
“What?”
“Don’t you like it?” Xia Qingqing pressed further.
“Err, it’s not like that,” Lin Chuan, at a loss for an approach, simply said, “I’m currently having dinner.”
“Alright then~”
Xia Qingqing bit her lower lip, “Guess I’ll eat alone.”
Lin Chuan sighed with relief and hung up the call.
Beep, beep, beep.
He returned to the table.
The dishes were already served, arranged on the small square table, emanating an intoxicating aroma.
Lin Chuan touched his stomach, ready to start eating.
Suddenly.
A familiar figure appeared at the table, speaking with surprise, “Lin Chuan! Qianqian? You guys are here too?”
In the night, under the glow of the lights, a gentle breeze carried the soft chirping of night birds—one or two notes—and along with it, strands of the delicate fragrance of jasmine.
Lin Chuan felt his heart skip a beat and looked up.
Xia Qingqing!?