Chapter 2179 - 2380: Narrow Encounter with an Old Foe

"How about... you go in and talk, I'll wait outside for you." Hao Jian suggested, his eyes staring at the word 'Director' on the door, meaning that this office belonged to the director of the Yun City Police Department.

Actually, his intention for suggesting this was quite simple; it was merely an excuse to slip away. Liang Yuwei would handle the task inside, while he could escape or find a place to hide, thus avoiding any chance of meeting He Yingzi and increasing the likelihood of preserving his own safety. It was a spur-of-the-moment idea.

But Liang Yuwei immediately objected, countering: "No way, you need to come in with me."

Hao Jian showed a helpless expression. But just as he was about to say something to change the situation, the director's office door opened, and the young officer at the reception said to them, "The director is inside. Please come in."

Liang Yuwei went inside, and at this point, even if Hao Jian wanted to say something, there was no way to do so, so he had to follow her in. After they went in, the officer closed the door and stood outside guarding it.

"Yuwei, long time no see, you've grown prettier and prettier." The director, a middle-aged man with glasses, seemed quite capable and energetic, speaking as if he had known Liang Yuwei for ages.

Liang Yuwei smiled and extended her hand to shake the director's, laughing as she said, "Director Wang, long time no see."

Director Wang also chuckled, saying, "Not too long, about two years, right? Back then, you were just a fresh college graduate coming to handle tasks at my office. Now, two years later, you've become even more beautiful. Hearing Old Wu mention that he's sending you again this time really made me happy for a while. I've long wanted to meet you again."

The last encounter was just after college graduation, during a stint as an intern at the Hua City Police Station, coincidentally given a task to the Yun City Police Department, leading to her meeting Director Wang. However, he was only the deputy director at that time. After two years of not seeing each other, he's become the director, which surprised her a bit. Yet, thinking back to his strong skills in handling cases, it seemed pretty normal.

"Were you saying I wasn't pretty before?" Liang Yuwei suddenly joked.

This comment made both Director Wang and herself laugh. Director Wang laughed heartily, perhaps not expecting Liang Yuwei to crack such a joke with him, leaving him momentarily without a suitable response. Ever since becoming the director, the subordinates acted more formally around him, so his day-to-day life aside from work had become quite dull. Liang Yuwei's playful remark made him laugh openly.

"You haven't changed, still love joking," Director Wang said. "It wasn't that you weren't pretty; wasn't there all those interns who admired you back then?"

He ended with a question, hoping to clear up any misunderstanding and wrap up the comment, since he would be at a loss if Liang Yuwei continued to ask questions.

However, he didn't leave Liang Yuwei hanging for long. Just after speaking, he turned his gaze towards Hao Jian and asked in confusion, "Who is this gentleman?"

Upon hearing Director Wang's question about Hao Jian, Liang Yuwei immediately showed a happy smile, introducing him: "He's Hao Jian, my boyfriend."

Right after Liang Yuwei introduced him, Hao Jian extended his hand for a handshake with Director Wang. Director Wang paused for a moment but immediately extended his hand and joked, "Great, great, a perfect match of talent and beauty. Young man, you're quite lucky; back then, the line of admirers for Yuwei stretched down several streets. You really pulled it off; impressive."

Hao Jian laughed and said, "She just couldn't see well and that's why she picked me. If her eyesight improves one day, she'll ditch me for sure."

Right after he spoke, Liang Yuwei punched him, saying, "Shut your mouth, or I'll use my foot next."

Hao Jian laughed, and so did Director Wang. Hao Jian's joke immediately broke the ice, dissolving the unfamiliar air that typically surrounds a first meeting, turning it into one with the warmth of old friends meeting anew. Director Wang even gave Hao Jian a glance, as if to imply that their days ahead were promising.

However, Director Wang quickly added, "Alright, alright, seeing how good you both are makes me happy too. Come, have a seat, let's not just stand. Sit and talk."

Hao Jian and Liang Yuwei listened and promptly sat down. The introductory remarks were done, saying more would seem overly formal, so Director Wang shifted from his playful demeanor, looked at Liang Yuwei, and said, "Yuwei, I'll leave the task this time to you. Wait for a bit; I've asked someone to organize the materials, and after some chatting, they should be ready."

Liang Yuwei nodded and said, "No rush, we can sit for a while longer."

Director Wang chuckled, and then the two started talking about past events. Hao Jian sat quietly on the side, listening to their conversation. From what he observed, Director Wang seemed to be a good person, likely efficient at work as well, giving off a positive impression. Hao Jian's first impression of him was quite favorable.

Through their conversation, Hao Jian learned some past stories about Liang Yuwei, including amusing incidents from when she was an intern at Hua City Police Station and many peers pursued and admired her. Listening to this, Director Wang would occasionally bring up Hao Jian, saying he was quite lucky to stand out among many and successfully court Liang Yuwei. Hao Jian smiled in response.

"Knock, knock!" As the three were talking, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

"Surely it's the documents arriving," Director Wang remarked, "Come in."

As soon as he spoke, the door opened, and a young man entered with a large stack of documents in hand, coming over.

"Just place it here," Director Wang said.

The young man then placed the documents on Director Wang's desk, aware that Director Wang, Liang Yuwei, and Hao Jian were discussing business, so he said nothing more, putting down the documents and leaving, closing the door behind him. Director Wang promptly picked up the stack of papers and handed them to Liang Yuwei, saying, "Here's the information you requested; it's all organized."

Hao Jian quickly stepped forward on Liang Yuwei's behalf and received the documents. Liang Yuwei then thanked Director Wang, "Thank you, Director."

Director Wang waved his hand and said, "No need for such formalities; if you're going to speak with such distance, don't come to me for favors next time. If you do, I'll have to trouble you a bit."

Liang Yuwei laughed, and even as Director Wang said this, he was smiling. Having gathered the items and caught up with old friends, Liang Yuwei prepared to leave. She was about to bid farewell to Director Wang when, unexpectedly, the door swung open without a knock.

In the next moment, seeing who entered, Hao Jian was utterly shocked; the person he least wanted to see turned up just as he was about to leave. Without knocking, barging through the door was none other than He Yingzi, who had past grievances with Hao Jian.

He Yingzi entered without knocking and walked straight past everyone to stand before Director Wang, saying, "Director, I must tell you, I demand stern action on the Sanshan Street matter. It's outrageous, that person actually..."

However, before she could finish, Director Wang interrupted her, saying, "I've told you several times: you need to knock before entering. You just barged in without knocking — what kind of behavior is this? We have guests here; do you want me to seriously reprimand you before you understand?"

He Yingzi was instantly dumbfounded. She was accustomed to being straightforward, and she usually entered the director's office this way. But this time, for some reason, the director was particularly angry. Normally, he'd just say a few words, but seeing his demeanor now, she glanced over at him.

It wasn't until Director Wang spoke that she noticed Hao Jian and Liang Yuwei. But this sight made matters worse; when she glanced at Hao Jian, she instantly looked blank, realizing this wasn't just a petty thief from yesterday — no, not a thief, but that damned guy from yesterday. Why was he here?

Yesterday, she was cross when Hao Jian ran off, and she couldn't catch him despite chasing. It truly was a small world that they would meet again here today without warning. Recognizing Hao Jian, she immediately wanted to confront him, demanding answers about yesterday.

However, Hao Jian took the lead, turning to Director Wang, "Um, Director Wang, since you have business to attend to, Yuwei and I will be going now."

Saying this, he held the stack of documents and led Liang Yuwei outside. Liang Yuwei didn't resist and allowed herself to be pulled out.

At this moment, He Yingzi saw Hao Jian leaving and her eyes flashed with rage. The chance to confront him was rare, and she wouldn't let him escape easily. She swiftly chased after him, intending to grab Hao Jian, demanding explanations and accountability for yesterday's events, or else he shouldn't think of leaving.

However…