"Is your hand really okay?"
As they walked out of the restaurant, Zhu Dan deliberately paused for a moment. Lin Fan had been hiding his right hand since they returned to the private room.
"It really is okay, sis. Don’t worry. I’m tough, a little injury won’t kill me. But, how about your head, are you okay?"
Lin Fan looked at Zhu Dan with a grin, the gentlemanly demeanor really made her like him even more.
"I’m definitely fine. If anything, I owe you one this time. I’ll find a way to repay you in the future. You take care and rest up, see you Monday."
Lin Fan nodded, watching as the family of three got into their car until it drove away. He stood there, prompting Zhu Dan, still in the car, to glance at him a few more times through the rearview mirror.
"Stop looking. The guy already has a girlfriend. I told you not to rush into marriage back then, but you wouldn’t listen. You ended up with who knows what. Had you followed my advice, with our family’s status and your looks, would it have been difficult to find a son-in-law like Lin Fan?"
Zhu Defu, sitting beside her, spoke with a stern face. Holding the position of Deputy Mayor, how could he not notice the admiration in Zhu Dan’s eyes?
"Dad, don’t spout nonsense, please. I just think Lin Fan is indeed a pretty good official, someone who genuinely helps out the rural population. It’s just normal admiration. Li Bo is also good to me; don’t always look down on him."
Zhu Dan quickly averted her gaze, changing the subject. She dared not mention what had happened in the restroom; otherwise, Zhu Defu would definitely have killed Li Libo.
"Hmph, to be respected, one must be ambitious, just like Lin Fan. Although he used to be frustrated, once he got the chance, whether speaking or acting, he was flawless. Seizing opportunities relies on real skill."
With a sigh, Zhu Defu mumbled and then stopped talking, knowing that further discussion would lead to an argument. He did not want Zhu Dan, who rarely came back home, to stay away for even longer because of this matter.
Elsewhere, Lin Fan, having said goodbye to Zhu Defu’s family, stretched himself out. Just then, a Porsche stopped in front of him, the window rolled down, and Zhang Caini smiled at Lin Fan, "Get in the car, let’s chat somewhere else."
Lin Fan grinned, opened the door, and got into the car. The vehicle took a turn and headed into an underground parking lot. Finding a spot with no surveillance, Zhang Caini stopped the car.
"Little brother, have you been having too much fun recently, did you miss your sister at all?"
"Of course I did; I even dreamt of cuddling with sister in sleep."
Lin Fan chuckled, pulled Zhang Caini closer, and kissed her on the lips, while his hand had already slid through her loose collar and grabbed her voluptuous figure.
"We’ve just met and you’re already misbehaving; you really are my little adversary."
Gently kneading her, Zhang Caini melted into a stupor, leaning on Lin Fan’s shoulder, indulging in his invasive caresses.
"Who can blame sister for being so seductive? If you were demure, that would be a disservice to that pretty face of yours. Let me get close and feel whether sister has improved these past days."
Laughing, Lin Fan was about to unbutton her shirt when Zhang Caini slapped his hand away.
"Not today. It’s not convenient. Just enjoy the touch for now. I came to give you something."
Curious, Lin Fan looked at Zhang Caini, who took a black bag from the back seat and handed it to him: "This is your reward from Old Zhu."
Looking into the bag filled with cash, there must be at least three hundred thousand.
"That’s nothing. After all, the position of County Health Bureau Chief is worth much more. The City has already accepted Wu Duowen’s transfer request. This is also a tribute from those below. You won’t lack for benefits in the future."
Zhang Caini was accustomed to these dealings, but this was Lin Fan’s first time. After a moment of thought, he placed the bag back in Zhang Caini’s embrace, "Keep the cash, use it to buy some cosmetics for sister."
Laughing, Zhang Caini pushed the money back to Lin Fan: "I have plenty of cosmetics, but not enough happiness. The fact that you care is enough to make me happy. Keep the money. After all, as a newcomer, you have many expenses. You’ll understand over time that money is necessary at every turn. But remember, always take cash, so don’t deposit this money."
Lin Fan, looking at the stacks of cash, couldn’t deny his desire, but if he accepted it, he would struggle with his conscience.
"Do you think this money is dirty?"
Zhang Caini saw through Lin Fan’s hesitation: "Wu Duowen isn’t all that great either. By normal standards, he should have stepped down from his duties long ago. He’s clinging to his position to promote his son and doesn’t want to let go of his illicit gains. So replacing him isn’t a big deal. And money isn’t inherently dirty; it’s all about how you use it."