Chapter 544: Chapter 543: Love-Struck at Home 25

In an instant, many eyes were on Lu Yan.

His expression was sincere, with an air of straightforwardness.

He was doing it on purpose; recently, many people in the department were interested in Ah Chen, and if he didn’t make it obvious, they wouldn’t get it!

"I heard drinking milk in the morning is nutritious," Lu Yan added.

Ah Chen nodded, "Okay, thank you, Brother Lu."

"You’re welcome." Faced with someone he liked, Lu Yan was still a bit embarrassed, "I’ll bring you some again tomorrow morning."

After saying this, he hurriedly left.

Ah Chen picked up the milk and began to drink. Her colleague, who originally intended to introduce her to someone, looked a bit regretful.

It was just too obvious!

When Captain Lu returned, he made such a display, fearing no one would know. Everyone understood what it meant.

Moreover, since Ah Chen accepted it, it meant the two liked each other, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for others to introduce her to someone else.

Noon, the cafeteria.

After getting his meal, Lu Yan sat in front of Ah Chen.

Those who once wanted to pursue Ah Chen could only retreat; they didn’t think they could win. Besides, Ah Chen hadn’t given them a chance before.

Lu Yan pushed a bowl of spare ribs toward Ah Chen, knowing she liked them from their meal yesterday, and had gotten them separately for her.

Ah Chen gently laughed and pushed some back, "Such a big bowl, let’s eat together."

Now she was truly in the mood to savor the delicious food, so encountering something tasty meant taking a few more bites.

He really paid attention to details.

Lu Yan nodded and was already thinking about what to give her.

Chasing a girl means catering to her interests and treating her well, doesn’t it?

Another week passed, and everyone who knew them realized Lu Yan was very attentive to Ah Chen. A usually serious person actually had this side to him.

No one expected that this guy had even learned to give flowers.

Ever since he knew Ah Chen liked flowers, Lu Yan would place a flower on her desk every day.

The last time Ah Chen saw Lu Yan, he didn’t know from where he moved many potted flowers into the house. The flowers he gifted were plucked from these.

He sure knows how to find ways.

He’s quite good at taking care of them; the flowers he brings her every day are always vivid and beautiful. He’s practically a flower expert.

Today was a day off, and Ah Chen planned to buy some things to take home.

Knowing this, Lu Yan naturally wanted to accompany her, playing the role of the helper carrying the items.

He wanted to follow her back to the village, but they hadn’t known each other long, and he was still in the phase of pursuing her. It wouldn’t make sense to expect her to agree to be his girlfriend after just a week of courtship. Patience is key.

He had plenty of patience.

When Ah Chen decided to buy a pen, Lu Yan didn’t think much of it, assuming she was choosing a gift for Jiang Maochuan and his wife.

It wasn’t until Ah Chen picked out a pen and asked if Lu Yan liked it did he realize.

Was it for him?

"Don’t you like it?" Ah Chen asked. This pen seemed to be the prettiest and highest quality one.

Lu Yan hurriedly said, "I like it."

"Then we’ll get this one."

"It’s too expensive," Lu Yan wanted to refuse, but seeing Ah Chen insist, he planned to pay himself, but couldn’t outmaneuver her this time.

Ah Chen pushed him aside, "Hold my things properly. Who gives a gift and then asks the recipient to pay? That’s too funny."

The magazine company had already sent her a reply, and her current job already paid well. Combined with her earnings from the magazine, she wasn’t short of money.

It’s just that buying things now wasn’t convenient; it would be better once there’s more availability.

You could still buy things now; everything was more relaxed, but there was no rush. After all, buying from such places wasn’t always compliant, and it wasn’t absolutely necessary.

After wrapping the pen, Ah Chen gave it directly to Lu Yan, "Take it."

Lu Yan put it away carefully, constantly checking on it, afraid of losing it. The cost was secondary; what mattered was that it was a gift from someone dear to him.

Watching the girl ahead of him still choosing items, he felt as if he was soaked in a jar of honey, utterly sweet.

Lu Yan took Ah Chen to the entrance of Jixiang Village but didn’t go in—after all, they still weren’t in a relationship, and it wasn’t the right time for a visit.

"Brother Lu, do you want to be my boyfriend?" Ah Chen asked suddenly.

Lu Yan tensed up, like he was taking an oath, "I do."

He dreamed of it.

"Haven’t you raised many potted flowers?"

"How many have bloomed?"

"They’re all blooming," Lu Yan said. He took great care of those flowers, wanting to give her one every day, giving each plant his utmost care and attention.

Fortunately, there weren’t many cases lately, and smaller ones could be handled by his subordinates, helping them grow. Everyone under him needed opportunities to develop.

That was how he managed to find the time for gardening.

"Come pick me up tomorrow afternoon and take me to see your flowers. If I’m satisfied, we can date."

Lu Yan couldn’t express his joy outright, but he nodded eagerly, his expression still tense.

People back then were reserved, and Ah Chen didn’t expect him to make declarations of love in broad daylight; it wouldn’t be appropriate. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"If everything goes well, next time, you can come home with me," Ah Chen added. From what she knew, Lu Yan was alone without any other family, so it would be good to introduce him to her family earlier, to let him feel the love from elders.

She left with a smile.

Lu Yan watched her back, feeling reluctant. Seeing her carry her things with ease, he thought to himself, is this the strength of girls from the village? He’d worried she couldn’t manage before.

When Ah Chen reached home and waved back at him, only then did he turn and leave.

On the way back, he was bursting with excitement. Once in his dorm, he carefully tended to his potted flowers, his expression serious.

Next to them were several books, all related to gardening.

Meanwhile, the Jiang Family was bustling with activity.

When Ah Chen mentioned bringing gifts to Jiang Maohua, Jiang Aiguo’s and Chen Xiuying’s smiles faded a bit.

There hadn’t been any conflicts recently, but seeing their second son toil so hard while Su Man did nothing but whine and make him lose his head—how could they feel at ease? But they couldn’t do anything; they really had no control over it.

"They went to the town," Chen Xiuying said with displeasure, "I heard Su Man’s appetites have changed, and Jiang Maohua took her to a restaurant."

Ah Chen understood and comforted Chen Xiuying, sharing some amusing workplace anecdotes, including mentioning Lu Yan.

Everyone in the Jiang Family knew Lu Yan, and they had even heard from Jiang Maochuan about his and Ah Chen’s mutual feelings.

Hearing Ah Chen now, the Jiang Family naturally understood.

"Bring him home to meet your parents next time. He has no other family, and it’s just him alone."

"That’s quite pitiful," Chen Xiuying commented, having seen Lu Yan—a very handsome young man.

Ah Chen also reminded Jiang Aiguo about smoking less. If he could quit, it would be best. From the Commissioner’s memories, both Jiang Aiguo and Chen Xiuying eventually succumbed to lung cancer.

"I asked the old doctor for a herbal remedy. If you’re willing to quit, Dad, I’ll get the herbs for you, and Mom can prepare them. Drinking it for a few days should help with quitting."

If he wasn’t willing, then so be it; it was entirely up to him. It’s not something to be forced.

Knowing their eldest son’s wife was expecting and hearing Ah Chen’s words, Jiang Aiguo had already taken to smoking outside.

Now, hearing Ah Chen, he thought for a moment, "Then I’ll quit."

The youngest daughter was so earnest; she must genuinely care for him.

In the evening, Ah Chen met Jiang Maohua and Su Man. Compared to before, Jiang Maohua looked even skinnier, while Su Man seemed more radiant.

Ah Chen delivered the items but didn’t stay long.

Let Su Man wear Jiang Maohua down; he didn’t do anything wicked, so there was no need to intervene.

As for Su Man.

She’d wait for Gu Lingfei to return and take her away, then surely deal with Gu Lingfei.

Even if she didn’t step in, Su Man likely wouldn’t leave the Jiang Family alone.

The next day, Lu Yan came to pick up Ah Chen.

By coincidence, Su Man happened to see them. Su Man paused for a moment, then, recalling that Lu Yan was supposedly doomed to a short life, she brightened.

Waiting for Ah Chen to become a widow!

Lu Yan wasn’t supposed to have long left.

Ah Chen noticed the anticipation and schadenfreude in Su Man’s eyes, paused but quickly deduced the reason.

The Commissioner hadn’t recalled anything about Lu Yan since she had married into the Yu Family and had little contact with the outside world.

Lu Yan’s job was dangerous, so it wasn’t hard to guess what Su Man was thinking.

Lu Yan might encounter trouble on a case, and Su Man’s delight likely stemmed from an assumption he’d perish on duty.

That couldn’t happen.

Meeting Ah Chen should prevent his death; otherwise, wouldn’t it render her powerless?