"Younger Brother Zhou, you... what's wrong?"
Faced with the sudden, soul-chilling killing intent emanating from Zhou Fan, Zhang Long was so frightened he stumbled back two steps, nearly collapsing to the ground.
"It's nothing, Brother Zhang. Where did you get this piece of bamboo?" Zhou Fan asked, exhaling softly. As he looked up, his eyes were calm again, as if the previous moment had been nothing more than an illusion.
"After you left yesterday, I went to handle some matters. When I got back last night, I received news that a friend of mine had passed away. I rushed over, and his family gave this to me. They said it was left by the murderer and that they hoped I could help find him."
"I've asked several people, but with no results. I figured with your incredible medical skills, Brother Zhou, you must not be an ordinary person, so..."
As he spoke, Zhang Long handed the bamboo to Zhou Fan, took a step back, and bowed. "I hope you can help me investigate this, Brother Zhou!"
"How close were you with this friend...?"
"If there's anyone else in this world I can trust unconditionally, he's at the top of the list. He once took a knife for me when we were younger."
"I'll have news for you tomorrow."
Zhou Fan said no more. He patted Zhang Long's shoulder, then turned, took Chu Yan's hand, and left.
Chu Yan drove again on the way back, with Zhou Fan in the passenger seat. He didn't say a single word the entire time, his eyes gazing out the window, lost in thought.
"Zhou Fan, can you tell me about yourself?"
The car came to a stop. Chu Yan suddenly spoke in a soft voice, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion. She suddenly realized how little she actually knew about Zhou Fan. There was his medical skill—so miraculous that even Divine Doctor Ouyang was no match for him. There was the combat prowess he had displayed last night. And just now, there was the terrifying aura he had unleashed at the sight of that piece of bamboo, an aura that had filled her with fear.
These were not things an ordinary employee in the sales department could possibly possess all at once.
"There will be chances in the future. For now, all you need to remember is that I'm your husband," Zhou Fan said with a slight smile. As soon as the words left his mouth, he took advantage of her distraction to launch a sneak attack, stealing a kiss before throwing open the car door and bolting.
"Ah! Zhou Fan, you jerk! You're bullying me again!"
Furious, Chu Yan gave chase in her high heels.
That afternoon, everyone at Fenghua International was busy.
"Ladies, the sales department is having a dinner party tonight, and the company is paying for it!" As quitting time arrived, Chen Yi walked in, swaying her slender hips. She clapped her hands and announced loudly, "Let's all give a big thanks to Zhou Fan. It's because he signed that huge deal that we're having this party!"
"Keep it low-key, low-key. I'm not one for the spotlight!"
In response to the cheers from the group of beautiful women, Zhou Fan stood up smugly and waved to the ladies, which only elicited even louder cheers.
"You're amazing, Brother Fan!"
"I've got something even more amazing. Want me to show you sometime?"
"Bring it on! You think I'm scared? I'm just worried you're all talk!"
"Now that, I can't tolerate. Believe it or not, I could give the ladies a live show right now."
Amid the playful banter with Gu Feifei, Chen Yi led everyone to the Manyun Hotel.
Since the company was paying, they naturally chose the best hotel available.
And then Zhou Fan realized he had become a spectacle. Surrounded by so many women, the number of heads turning to stare at them was skyrocketing.
"Come on, Feifei, take my arm. Let them eat their hearts out!"
Seeing the looks of envy, jealousy, and pure hatred from the men all around, Zhou Fan, far from being flustered, grew even more audacious. He pulled Gu Feifei, who was beside him, closer, tilted his head back smugly, and shot a provocative glare at the crowd.
The other single girls in the group, seeing this and never ones to shy away from making a scene, all joined in the fun. They piled onto Zhou Fan in a group hug, and a couple of the bolder ones even planted lipstick marks on his face.
'Does life get any better than this?'
Zhou Fan realized his past life abroad had been far too harsh. This was much better. Not only did he have a wife, but he was also surrounded by a bevy of beauties. What more could a man ask for?
Around midnight, most of the women were staggering drunk, leaning on each other as they left. However, Chen Yi, who was completely passed out, had fallen asleep on Zhou Fan's lap.
"Sister Chen... Sister Chen..." Zhou Fan gently nudged Chen Yi. With a sigh, he slid one arm under the crook of her knees and the other around her waist, lifting her into his arms.
Luckily, it was as if Chen Yi knew she would get this drunk, as she had given him her address in advance. And luckily, the apartment she was renting wasn't far—only a ten-minute walk.
Once he got to Chen Yi's apartment, he laid her on the sofa. 'Jeez, she doesn't look fat,' Zhou Fan remarked to himself, 'so how is she so heavy to carry?' His eyes scanned her incredibly curvaceous and voluptuous figure.
'It's a good thing it's me. Anyone else seeing you like this would have eaten you alive by now,' Zhou Fan muttered to himself as he took off her shoes and propped her feet up on the sofa. With that done, he prepared to leave.
But the moment Zhou Fan stood up to leave, Chen Yi grabbed his hand.
"Xiaofan, please stay with me, okay? I'm so scared!"
Chen Yi's eyes were hazy from the alcohol. She blinked her large eyes slowly, looking at Zhou Fan with a pitiful expression.
"But..."
"Don't talk. Kiss me."
As she spoke, Chen Yi gave Zhou Fan a hard pull. Before he could say a word, he felt something fiery and soft press against him, sealing his lips.
BOOM!
In that instant, nothing else mattered. Zhou Fan's passivity turned to aggression, and he pounced.