After arranging to meet Li Hanhou that night, Xiao Chen sent him off.
He lingered in the office a bit, then Qin Lan called him in — again — and he sighed inwardly. Being a man really could be exhausting.
In Qin Lan's office a large pile of paperwork awaited him. He sat down, pulled out a cigarette and grumbled, "Sister Lan, where's the reward you promised? You use me all day — even a donkey needs to be fed, right?"
"Are you a donkey?" she teased.
"Not literally! It's a metaphor."
She laughed. "Alright, I'll feed you tonight."
Xiao Chen brightened. "What kind of food?"
"I'll treat you to dinner."
He blinked. "That's it?"
"Yes. You don't want donkey fodder, do you?"
"You've got no shame, Sister Lan. Don't play dumb."
"If you don't want dinner, then what do you want?" Qin Lan asked, smiling.
"I want to eat you!" Xiao Chen blurted, blushing.
He'd been around the dating scene long enough to know: be bold, and sometimes it pays off. He figured there's always a chance — try and you might succeed.
Qin Lan leaned in, playful, hands on his neck. "Eat me?"
"Of course I mean it!" he panted.
She smiled flirtatiously but added, "My body's inconvenient."
Xiao Chen slumped back in disappointment — cruel!
"Alright, help me with these documents. I have something to discuss with Mr. Su." Triumphant, Qin Lan left him to work.
Xiao Chen stayed in her office all afternoon. Apart from a few flirtatious lines, Qin Lan gave him no more chances. He realized she had clear boundaries — getting close to her would take time.
"Do I really not get to take you to dinner tonight?" he pressed.
"No." He shook his head. "I've got a banquet tonight."
"Oh — you're guarding Mr. Su and Xiaomeng, two beauties. No time for me?" Qin Lan teased, playing offended.
"I really have something to do."
"Need my help?" she asked when she saw him serious.
"No, I can handle small things myself."
"Call me if you can't." She smiled.
"Okay, Miss Lan." He slapped her rear playfully and bolted out the door.
She touched her butt and smiled, calling him a "bad boy." Then she paused, thoughtful — could this be linked to the Flying Eagle Gang's arrival?
Next door, Su Qing packed up. Seeing Xiao Chen, she teased, "Helping Sister Lan with documents again?"
"Who else can do it?" he shrugged.
Su Qing joked about wanting to give him a raise for doing three jobs, but he said his pay was fine. She laughed, puzzled by someone turning down a raise, and then they left to pick up Xiaomeng from school.
On the drive, Xiao Chen mentioned he had work tonight; Su Qing said she'd manage picking up Xiaomeng and could take a taxi. He asked about Director Xu's name — "Xu Gang" — muttered that the man better not cause trouble.
They picked up Su Xiaomeng. She ignored Xiao Chen instead of complimenting him, clearly still upset about the previous night. At the villa after dinner, Xiao Chen left around seven.
Watching TV and munching chips, Su Xiaomeng asked why Xiao Chen left. Su Qing said he had things to do and watched a Korean drama instead. The girls argued teasingly about whether Su Qing liked Xiao Chen; Su Qing denied it, then quickly covered when Xiaomeng stared seriously.
Driving to the meeting place, Xiao Chen sneezed and cursed under his breath. He arrived early; Li Hanhou and Ding Li showed up about five minutes later, apologizing for being late.
Ding Li had thought this was a dinner invitation and stared at Li Hanhou incredulously. Li Hanhou complained about being hungry after running tens of miles from the city hospital to get there. Xiao Chen told them the meeting spot was nearby and that it was nearly appointment time.
Ding Li asked if they needed to prepare. "What for?" Xiao Chen asked.
Ding Li nervously revealed he'd set speed dial to call the police and bought a small switchblade for self-defense — only for Li Hanhou to snap it and break the blade. Xiao Chen scoffed that gangsters would use machetes, not pocket knives, then urged them not to be afraid.
"Ding Li, get in the car. Dahan, you can run there — the car won't fit you." Xiao Chen helped Ding Li into the co-pilot seat while Ding Li muttered about being a "good man" for the next 18 years. Xiao Chen warned him not to urinate in Mr. Su's car, or he'd be fired.