Chapter 63
"As you all have probably heard, last night, Zhang Peng, a senior teacher at our college, died at the age of 34 after accidentally starting a fire at home due to excessive drinking. I stand here with a heavy heart to announce this tragic news to you all again, and I earnestly urge all my colleagues to cherish life, drink alcohol in moderation, and use fire with caution."
Director Ma stood in the middle of the aisle in the office, speaking with a serious expression like a paratrooper. Some people below almost laughed because of his wording and earnestness, until he said, "The hospital has sent me as their representative to take someone to see off Professor Zhang Peng. Which teacher doesn't have classes this afternoon?"
There was complete silence below. Someone suggested, "If Klee doesn't go to class, why doesn't she go with the headmaster?"
Anna: "Klee doesn't go to class, so you do all her chores for her?"
The man chickened out. Anna had never lost when it came to arguing her case, whether it was helping others or herself. She was adept at speaking out against injustice.
Director Ma looked around and everyone immediately appeared very busy. At that moment, Director Ma noticed a young man sitting in the back, looking up at him with a carefree smile.
The moment Xin Ran met Director Ma's gaze, she raised her hand and said with a smile, "Director, I'd like to volunteer this time."
Director Ma nodded, then glanced around at everyone. "What has extinguished your courage and energy, making you all so indifferent at work? Let's go, Teacher Xin, let's go buy a wreath first."
Director Ma took Xin Ran away, and the office relaxed as if it had surfaced. It seemed that the resistance of being called upon to do things by the head of the teaching department would not feel easy even when one grows up.
In contrast, Xin Ran happily followed along. Chi Xia watched Xin Ran's departing figure. She had originally wanted to go too, but she had made an appointment with Feng Xu that night.
Xin Ran followed Director Ma and got into his car.
He proactively asked, "Director, shall I drive?"
Director Ma glanced at him, started the car, and said, "It's already very kind of you to come. I'll drive."
Xin Ran smiled and fastened her seatbelt. "Director, are meals provided?"
Director Ma paused for a moment, then grinned and turned the wheel to leave the parking space. "You wait here, kid. Zhang Peng has no relatives, and his social connections are as clean as your pockets. However, I'll treat you to a meal."
Xin Ran smiled innocently, "Then thank you in advance, Director."
When the two arrived at the funeral home, Zhang Peng's funeral ceremony was very simple. The police transferred a portion of his money from his account to ask the funeral home to give him some face. Since his body was already charred, they decided to burn it even more thoroughly.
The entire funeral involved only the two police officers in charge of the case, two people from the funeral home who were in charge of arranging the ceremony, and the three people in charge of burning the paper offerings. When Xin Ran and Director Ma walked over, Xin Ran was carrying the wreaths that the two of them had bought on the roadside.
The police officers shook hands with the two men, exchanging words of thanks. The group walked around the urn containing his ashes twice, each offering a bouquet of white flowers, thus concluding the ceremony.
Police officer: "In Mr. Zhang's case, a cemetery is unnecessary. If he did not tell you colleagues about his will before his death, then we will take his ashes back to the police station."
Director Ma nodded without saying anything.
Xin Ran: "What will happen to them after they're taken back to the police station?"
The officer seemed surprised that anyone was concerned about this issue, and coughed lightly, "Let's see if we can take a typical sample for testing. If not, we can bury it in the yard as fertilizer."
Xin Ran clicked her tongue. "Someone who was lively and energetic yesterday is now fertilizer. How much fertilizer like this is there in the police station yard?"
Police officer: "There are quite a few. Life is unpredictable, and we only have one life, so cherish every moment."
Watching the police officers take away the ashes, and the funeral home taking back their wreaths, Xin Ran leaned closer to Director Ma and said, "Look, we don't even need to buy wreaths. If we do, they're just secondhand items."
Director Ma: "We're colleagues, so I should at least contribute a few hundred yuan."
Xin Ran: "Does the college reimburse?"
Director Ma glanced at Xin Ran again, and said as he walked towards the door, "The college gave 10,000 yuan, the wreath 600 yuan, and I'll treat you to dinner 20 yuan."
Xin Ran quickly followed, "What kind of meal is only 20! Director, if you keep doing this, no one will respond to your call in the future."
Director Ma smiled faintly, said nothing more, and finally led the person into a fairly decent buffet restaurant.
Xin Ran happily carried the empty plate around, filling it with food. Director Ma originally wanted to get some as well, but seeing how hungry Xin Ran looked after several meals, he took two bottles of lactic acid milk and quietly sat back down.
Xin Ran went back and forth several times. Director Ma looked at the food that had been magically piled up on the table and raised an eyebrow. "Have you been starving for years?"
Xin Ran: "Since we're already here, we have to eat our money's worth at 300 yuan per person."
Director Ma: "At worst, it won't be considered a work-related injury. Judging from your social connections, you're also cut out to be a fertilizer worker. I advise you to calm down."
Xin Ran laughed, "We're all fertilizer makers, why do we need to be calm? Director, are you also a fertilizer trainee?"
Director Ma glared at him, then started grilling the cured meat that Xin Ran had brought. "No. If you behave well, I'll try to make sure you don't become one either."
Chi Xia, another fertilizer trainee, finished her third class in the afternoon, and that was the end of her day's lessons. She sent a message to Feng Xu.
Feng Xu replied almost instantly, saying he would arrive in half an hour.
After finishing her lesson plan and packing her things, Chi Xia greeted Lin Keli, who was engrossed in her work, and left the office.
The sun, which was close to five in the afternoon, was as hot as a freshly steamed bun. Chi Xia took off her coat and hung it on her arm. With her other hand in her pocket, she walked slowly toward the side door.
The black, fitted suit trousers, with their flowing, soft fabric, hugged her long, straight legs. The folds of her legs with each step elegantly accentuated their perfect proportions. Her pristine white shirt was tucked snugly into the waistband, highlighting her slender waistline. A button was undone at the collar, giving her a relaxed and relaxed look.
Feng Xu parked his car in the alley behind the flower shop at the side gate. He saw Chi Xia walking out of the school gate from afar. Even though everyone was wearing the same uniform, he recognized her at a glance. Such a perfect figure that was not deliberately shown was rare.
He gripped the steering wheel, watching her cross the street and walk towards him. His slender fingers tightened on the handlebars as he watched her take off her glasses and put them in her coat pocket. Looking at her small, delicate face, with its smooth and flowing features, he saw a unique blend of refinement and composure.
Feng Xu got out of the car, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the car door for her.
Chi Xia nodded slightly, "Thank you."
Feng Xu raised his hand to protect her head, and only after she got into the car and closed the door did he return to his own seat.
"It's my friend's restaurant, it just got five stars, want to go try it?"
Chi Xia: "Okay."
Feng Xu glanced at the back seat, where he had just bought a new bouquet of black bucky from the flower shop. This bouquet was of better quality, with larger buds, and the dark red hue was complemented by the matte finish of black gemstones, mysterious and captivating.
Feng Xu started the car. "Want to listen to music?"
Chi Xia: "Whatever."
Feng Xu played some light music, keeping the volume very low. The rhythm was like a gentle breeze, and combined with the car's aromatherapy, it gave people a comfortable feeling of relieving fatigue after get off work.
Chi Xia then noticed how clean Feng Xu's car was; the leather seats were so shiny that even the seams were reflecting light, and the glass and interior were brand new.
Chi Xia: "Is this a new car?"
Feng Xu glanced at her in the car mirror. "No."
Chi Xia: "This is the first time I've ever seen someone's car so clean."
Feng Xu nodded slightly, and remembering his own personality, he added, "I had a beauty treatment done before coming here."
It was done on purpose, so it should be clearly expressed.
Chi Xia: "I recommend it, I'll go get my car serviced too."
"...Okay, I'll give it to you in a bit."
The conversation ended there. Chi Xia closed her eyes to rest, and Feng Xu slowed down the car.
During this time, Feng Xu couldn't help but observe Chi Xia through the rearview mirror. Looking at her now, he could always think of Tong Yue's painting, and wondered if the aggressive person overflowing from the canvas was her true self.
When they arrived at their destination, Feng Xu parked the car, unbuckled his seatbelt, and just as he turned to look at Chi Xia, she suddenly opened her eyes, and their gazes met.
Before Feng Xu could even gather his gentle gaze, he immediately lowered his eyes, his ear tips turning bright red. "We're...we're here."
Chi Xia replied expressionlessly, "Okay."
After getting out of the car, Feng Xu walked to Chi Xia's right, leading the way half a step ahead. The restaurant was Chinese style, with an open-air lotus pond in the front yard. Summer had passed, and there were only a few lotus flowers, pure white and flawless.
The two stepped onto the stone bridge leading to the dining area. Feng Xu kept an eye on Chi Xia's reaction. If she wanted to stop and admire it, he would tell her about the history of this lotus pond. Unfortunately, Chi Xia just glanced at it as she walked, looking at it quietly without any lingering interest, and without even a word of emotion.
After crossing the stone bridge, you'll find both outdoor and indoor dining areas. Most of the outdoor seating is already occupied, with many people taking photos by the lotus pond.
Feng Xu: "Do you want to be outside or inside?"
Chi Xia: "Do you have any private rooms?"
When the two arrived at the private room, Feng Xu handed her the menu, and Chi Xia casually ordered two signature dishes before pushing them to Feng Xu.
Feng Xu ordered a few dishes with beautiful names and auspicious meanings, such as "Good Fortune and Prosperity." After thinking for a moment, he also ordered a few of the restaurant's signature desserts, including lotus flower pastries.
After ordering, the waiter brought the two a pot of tea, explaining that it was lotus tea. Feng Xu poured her a cup, and its delicate fragrance instantly filled the air.
"Can I call you Xiaxia?"
"Pfft!" For the first time, Chi Xia spat out the water she was drinking.
Feng Xu hurriedly grabbed a tissue for her, saying, "I'm sorry, I offended you."
After saying that, his refined and dignified face turned completely red.
"The tea was too hot; I drank it too fast." Chi Xia wiped the tea stains from the corner of her mouth, glanced at the man's face discreetly, and stated her purpose directly, "President Feng, I've come to this appointment today because I need your help with something."
Feng Xu paused in wiping the table, looked up at her, and asked, "What is it?"
Chi Xia: "I would like to inquire about the current use of the Feng family's food factory warehouse in the old capital."
Feng Xu frowned. "Why are you asking about this?"
Chi Xia: "Can I say?"
Feng Xu withdrew his hand, lowered his eyes, and wiped his fingers with a tissue. "I know you're not an ordinary person, but I suggest you don't inquire about the warehouse."
Chi Xia poured him tea, saying, "Please tell me."
"Knock knock knock!" A knock on the door to serve the food interrupted their conversation.
The two waited quietly for the food to be served. After the waiter left, Feng Xu used serving chopsticks to serve food to Chi Xia and also ladled her a bowl of lotus root soup. "Shall we eat and chat?"
Chi Xia: "Okay."
Feng Xu looked at her, a hint of tenderness in his eyes, "Chi Xia, our Feng family has long since given up on that warehouse, but I have information that there are often corpses and remains around that warehouse, and the stench is unbearable if you get within a hundred meters."
Sure enough, that was the base where the music had harmed the Dawn Assassins.
Feng Xu: "You should know that the security in the old capital has never been as good as in the new territory. The new city is lenient towards people with no background or social connections who die suddenly, and in the old capital, no one cares about the fighting in those dark corners."
At this point, Feng Xu lowered his eyes slightly, "I originally wanted to get involved, but my people kept disappearing and their fates were unknown. I realized that my abilities were limited and I couldn't manage it at all. My father is old, and I didn't want him to get involved, so I went to great lengths to suppress the matter there, hoping that as few people as possible would be curious, or at least not go looking for trouble."
Chi Xia guessed that the Feng family was intentionally blocking the news, making the investigation difficult. But she never expected that the person in question was Feng Xu, and that the reason was actually out of good intentions.
Feng Xu looked at Chi Xia, "Are you trying to get involved in this mess?"
Chi Xia nodded, "I have a reason why I absolutely have to do it."
Feng Xu sighed softly, "Chi Xia, I originally wanted to do something daring tonight, but now, I'm not sure anymore. You are not someone I can protect."
Chi Xia: "Thank you for your appreciation."
Feng Xu gave a faint smile and continued serving her food. "Let's eat. It's a rare opportunity to come here; we drove for almost three hours."
While eating, Chi Xia asked casually, "Sell me that piece of land."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, you name your price."
Feng Xu was silent for a few seconds, and seeing that he couldn't persuade him, he said, "I'll give you the land, but you have to agree to one condition."
Chi Xia took a sip of soup, turned her head, and said, "Go on."
Feng Xu: "Don't be so stubborn, just live well."
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