Chapter 26

Cen Zhao had already made full preparations to be invisible for an hour, and even sent a message to Zeng Baoguo in advance asking him to go back on his own.

But just as the message was sent, a figure appeared in front of him. Chen Liuchi looked at his screen and asked, "Who are you sending the message to?"

Cen Zhao was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously answered, "Zeng Baoguo, I told him to go first, don't wait for me."

After he finished speaking, he felt something was wrong, and unconsciously turned his head. His gaze swept across Chen Liuchi's cheek and fell to the distance, where he met Zhang Ning's eyes. The latter's expression was much better than before, and his smile was more natural.

"Oh, it's really unfortunate today. I'll have dinner with Captain Zeng another day."

Seeing that his eyes were not on him, Chen Liuchi sighed softly, cupped his face, and straightened his head: "What are you looking at?"

It was almost lunchtime, and most people were heading to the cafeteria in such a hurry that they seldom noticed the side door.

But Zhang Ning was watching.

Cen Zhao's cheeks felt slightly hot from being held by Chen Liuchi, but he didn't want to hide. After hesitating for two seconds, he still felt that it was a bit too presumptuous, so he raised his hand and pulled down Chen Liuchi's hand, holding it in his palm and squeezing it: "I didn't see anything. How was the talk with your mother?"

Chen Liuchi felt the warmth of his hand, and the smile on his face became more obvious: "Very good, my mother asked if you want to have lunch together at noon."

This meal was naturally beyond Cen Zhao's expectations, or rather, beyond the expectations of any of them.

It’s not a fancy restaurant, just a small home-style restaurant next to the hospital. We asked for a private room in Chenliuchi. It’s not very big, but it’s quieter and cooler than the hall outside. The temperature and atmosphere are just right.

"Auntie, are there any dietary restrictions?"

Cen Zhao returned with the menu, handed it to Zhang Ning, and whispered to Chen Liuchi, "I just saw they have the yogurt you used to like, but they don't have the peach flavor. How about the melon flavor?"

Without waiting for Chenliuchi's reply, he stuffed the yogurt pot into his hands. It was cool and refreshing. "If you don't like it, leave it for me."

Chen Liuchi was in such a good mood that he could drink any yogurt. He rubbed the back of Cen Zhao's hand with a smile and turned to look at Zhang Ning: "Mom, can you order me some sweet and sour pork? Oh, and what are Dad and the others having for lunch? Do you want to take some back?"

Zhang Ning had been keeping a surreptitious eye on the two of them. When her son suddenly turned around, she felt a little embarrassed at being caught. She coughed dryly and said, "Well, I'll see what I can bring them."

She paused and looked at Cen Zhao: "Does Xiao Cen have any dietary restrictions?"

Cen Zhao naturally said no. But Chen Liuchi said, "Don't order spicy food, Mom. We have a wounded person here too."

Zhang Ning had already noticed Cen Zhao's arm hanging in a sling, so she could ask, "What's wrong with his arm?"

Cen Zhao replied, "It was just a fall, it's nothing serious, it will heal quickly."

Zhang Ning couldn't help but remind the child, who was about the same age as her own, "You have to be careful. No matter your age, human bones are very fragile."

Chen Liuchi laughed: "I know, I know. Forensic Doctor Cen knows the human body best. It's not that someone made a mistake. It was an accident."

Cen Zhao subconsciously pulled the sinking pool. It wasn't because of anything else, but it was true that some older generations were a little shy about the profession of forensic medicine.

Chen Liuchi knew what he was worried about and gave him a look that meant, it's okay.

As expected, upon hearing that Cen Zhao was a forensic doctor, Zhang Ning's eyes lit up: "Xiao Cen is a forensic doctor? Oh, he looks like someone wearing a white coat. Hey, Xiao Cen, you forensic doctors are really like those on TV..."

Cen Zhao was surprised when he heard Zhang Ning suddenly open her mouth, but then he laughed and realized that Zhang Ning must have watched too many criminal investigation TV dramas and had a filter for police and forensic doctors.

Chen Liuchi's quiet voice was reassuring: "My mother is not afraid of these things. Her Bai Yueguang is a famous forensic doctor."

Cen Zhao raised his eyebrows. Auntie’s white moonlight?

Chen Liuchi mentioned a name, a male actor who was very popular in the early years. His most popular role was a forensic doctor who was both good and evil.

Cen Zhao laughed again. He never realized that Zhang Ning was such a fan.

Thanks to Cen Zhao's professional bonus, the meal was quite enjoyable.

The three of them didn't talk much about serious matters. Firstly, Shen Maoyuan and others were still waiting upstairs, and secondly, now was not a proper occasion to meet the parents.

However, this meeting gave all three of them some peace of mind. Although it only lasted half an hour, Cen Zhao's demeanor and demeanor were natural and appropriate, and his small interactions with Shen Liuchi were intimate and appropriate. Zhang Ning knew from looking at him that he was a calm and composed child.

Not to mention the people on the other side of the sinking pool, neither of them expected to have a peaceful meal with Zhang Ning today.

"Okay, I'll go upstairs now. I don't know if your dad and the others have eaten lunch."

It wasn't even midnight yet, and lunchtime hadn't passed yet. The hospital's lobby was bustling with family members buying meals. Zhang Ning, carrying several plastic lunch boxes, waved to Cen Zhao and Chen Liuchi, not forgetting to remind them, "Pay attention to the company. Don't let your brother worry about you while he's recovering."

Chenliuchi naturally agreed.

After watching Zhang Ning go up the stairs, Chen Liuchi pulled Cen Zhao towards the parking lot, saying as they walked, "It's just that the time and place aren't right today, otherwise I would have taken you up to meet the parents."

Cen Zhao shook his head. "This is already very good. Your brother is in the hospital, and I'm very happy that your mother is willing to take some time off to have a simple meal with me."

Cen Zhao rarely uses such strong degree words, but when he said it now, it was clear that he was in a really good mood, with the corners of his eyes and eyebrows raised.

"You're so easily satisfied." Chen Liuchi looked at him with a smile, but his tone was serious, "It will get better in the future."

Cen Zhao locked eyes with him, and couldn't help but move closer, gently pressing his forehead against his. "I know."

Chen Liuchi was in a good mood and kept laughing on the way to send Cen Zhao back. Even going to Yinhe was no longer a chore. He was determined to protect his brother's foundation.

But this lofty ambition was completely worn away in just one week. Early on Friday morning, Chen Liuchi sat in his office, staring into the distance, his eyes dull and lifeless.

I want to die, but I always feel that someone else should die.

"Mr. Shen."

The assistant knocked on the door and came in. Seeing Chen Liuchi's expression, he couldn't help but want to laugh, but his professional ethics made him hold back: "The Chamber of Commerce Galaxy is also invited tonight. President Shen specifically told us that we need to attend."

The implication is that you are not allowed to be distracted.

Chen Liuchi came back to his senses and touched his nose angrily: "Of course, I will leave on time."

After spending a week with Shen Liuchi, the assistant felt that Mr. Shen had a good temper and was capable. No wonder Shen Maoyuan dared to let him go and didn't go to Yinhe once for a week.

After the assistant left, the compromise on Chen Liuchi's face disappeared. He sighed heavily, took out his phone and complained: [I can't go home for dinner tonight QAQ]

Cen Zhao's fracture wasn't serious, and he'd been back to work for the past two days. He couldn't do any heavy work, but things had been peaceful and peaceful lately, and they didn't have much work to do, so he replied quickly: "Overtime? I'll go deliver the food."

Chen Liuchi typed away on his phone, his dissatisfaction evident: [No, I'm going out for a feast, but it's definitely not going to be good. I might as well go home and eat potato chicken.]

Cen Zhao felt sorry for him, but this was part of the job. Since Chen Liuchi had taken over, there was no reason for him to be perfunctory.

He scrolled through the emojis and sent the top one, [Puppy Kiss], and then typed: [I'll pick you up tonight and make you potato and chicken stew rice for supper.]

Chenliuchi rubbed his face and felt like he was feeling better.

Chen Liuchi had participated in some chamber of commerce gatherings, although not many, but he was familiar with the procedures. Besides, Yinhe had the confidence to support him, so even though he was just a substitute, Mr. Shen, no one dared to look down on him, and he handled the overall situation well.

To his surprise, Chen Du had also arrived. Chen Liuchi thought to himself, "How bizarre! This young master could have escaped from this beautiful land? Could this Chamber of Commerce really have some hidden gem?" Then, looking up, he saw Xin Xin standing not far away at the dining table, chewing on a snack like a hamster.

Oh, no wonder she was willing to come. Who wouldn’t be happy to have her boyfriend accompany her?

Mr. Shen's face drooped again.

I wish he had brought his boyfriend too!

Chen Du, seeing him, exclaimed, said something to the people around him, and walked over. He stared at Chen Liuchi, who was dressed in a suit and tie, and asked curiously, "What day is it today? Young Master Chen actually showed up here."

Chenliuchi was already feeling annoyed with the way he was doing this, and when he heard his strange noises, he didn't even bother to look at him, and rolled his eyes decisively.

"Well, I've offended Master Shen."

Chen Du was happy even when people rolled their eyes at him. After all, his wife was with him, so he couldn't be annoyed.

"Why are you here?" Chen Liuchi was annoyed, but also puzzled. "Is our bar really not making any money? Are you here to expand your network?"

Chen Du told him to spit it out quickly: "How unlucky! Our bar business is booming. Xiaobei just showed me the account book last week. I can give you this extra amount as a bonus this month!"

Chen Liuchi was surprised when he saw him hold up five fingers: "Fifty thousand?"

Chen Du: "What are you thinking about, fifty."

Chenliuchi: "...get out."

Chen Du chuckled and bumped shoulders with him, "Alright, now that you're here, don't look so gloomy. Go and socialize a little. The Chamber of Commerce has several good projects this time. I guess your brother asked you to come here to give you some practice."

The news of Shen Maoyuan's injury hadn't been spread, so Chen Liuchi naturally didn't say much. He just said a few perfunctory words and then turned to understand: "Is there anything in this project that you care about?"

Chen Du picked up a glass of wine from the table and pointed to the second floor with an unpredictable look on his face: "The first floor is full of small fry, come up to the second floor and play with me?"

Chen Du's lips moved, puzzled, but no sound came out. He could faintly make out the words "government took the lead." He sighed inwardly, thinking it was a waste of time for him to come to the Chamber of Commerce. He should have sent Shen Maoyuan, the feigning illness, instead.

Chen Du saw his dilemma and said with a smile, "Since you're here, why not just get involved? Anyway, I don't think you'll be affected by it later, but the fact that someone from Yinhe is here shows his attitude."

What he said made sense. Upon hearing this, Chen Liuchi picked up his wine glass and followed the others upstairs, sighing, "I was thinking of going back home tonight to have potato chicken with Cen Zhao, but now I guess I can only have hangover soup."

Chen Du snorted complacently: "When this is over, I'll take my wife out for a delicious meal!" As he said that, he lowered his eyes to look at Xin Xin. The young couple exchanged glances, and Chen Liuchi couldn't bear to look at them.

"What's so great about that? My wife will come and pick me up after this—"

Before Chen Liuchi could finish his words, he suddenly heard a rude shout from above his head. A second later, a figure rushed out from the corridor on the second floor. Due to inertia, he hit the fence heavily, and his head fell straight from the second floor to the hall on the first floor!

The whole audience fell silent.

A few seconds later, panic and screams broke out. Chen Liuchi and Chen Du were standing at the corner of the stairs, stunned. Chen Du reacted, threw away the wine glass and went downstairs to find Xin Yin.

Chen Liuchi followed for two steps and soon saw the blood spreading on the first floor.

Well, I guess we don’t have to wait until it’s over. Their forensic doctor Cen will come to pick us up soon.