Chapter 25

At the Gathering 

All the attendees were acquaintances of Wei Shian. 

So there was no concept of greeting guests ahead of time. 

When the young couple entered the private room, it was almost full. 

Upon seeing them, everyone in the room began to cheerfully tease: 

“Wow, such a perfect match, it’s really envy-inducing!” 

“Old Wei, you’re being sneaky. Let me tell you, this guy, Wei Shian, ignored all the introductions before. We really thought he was solely focused on work and had high standards for relationships.” 

“Hey, hey, hey, don’t say that. Give our team leader some privacy; he’s only just managed to get a girlfriend.” 

This comment prompted another round of laughter. 

Despite their serious demeanor at work, when off-duty, these people were just like anyone else. They laughed and joked around. 

Wei Shian sat down with his girlfriend, naturally taking her cloak and hanging it with his own down jacket before sitting next to her. Half jokingly, half reassuringly, he said, “Ignore them. Just a bunch of jealous bachelors.” 

“Hey, hey, hey, who’s a bachelor? I have a partner!” 

“Yeah, even Old Yan is married now.” 

“Don’t be silly; I already have a child.” 

Wei Shian didn’t bother responding to their banter. He was busy helping his girlfriend with her utensils, his lips curved in a faint smile, clearly in a good mood. 

Lu Jiu had never seen him so relaxed and playful. Though she felt a bit embarrassed by the teasing, she watched with interest. 

“Have all the dishes been ordered?” After handing the utensils to his girlfriend, Wei Shian looked at Luo Wei, who had arrived early. 

“Ordered, ordered.” Luo Wei then handed over the menu and a notebook. 

Wei Shian glanced over and saw that not many dishes had been ordered, so he took up the pen and added a lot more, including Lu Jiu’s favorites. 

After finishing, he handed the list to Lu Jiu and asked gently, “Is there anything else you want to add?” 

Lu Jiu didn’t look at the menu, just glanced at the notebook and saw that her favorites were already included, so she shook her head, “That’s fine.” 

“Alright then. Luo Wei, give this to the waiter.” 

Luo Wei pretended to complain, “Another task for me.” But he took the menu and went out to call the waiter. 

Unexpectedly, the usually reserved team leader was unusually annoying today. 

He rested his hand on his girlfriend’s chair back and leaned lazily, his handsome face full of contentment, “What can I do? I have a girlfriend to take care of. You’re a bachelor, so bear with it.” 

The remark was infuriating. 

Not only did Luo Wei immediately get worked up and start complaining about his boss’s various ‘secrets,’ but even Lu Jiu felt embarrassed and reached out to tap her boyfriend’s arm, thinking he was being a bit annoying. 

Wei Shian opened his hand and, when Lu Jiu’s hand touched it, pulled her soft hand into his palm, pressing it onto his leg to keep it from slipping away. 

Lu Jiu’s ears turned red, and she instinctively looked around. 

She then met a pair of teasing, curious eyes. 

It was Lin Ling, the forensic expert, sitting on her other side. From her expression, she had definitely noticed Wei Shian’s actions. The warmth instantly spread to Lu Jiu’s entire face. 

Lin Ling also liked the girl who had prepared a bouquet for her. 

Women appreciate beauty too. 

A few days ago, at the wedding, Lin Ling had been amazed when she first saw Lu Jiu. 

Not to mention, today Lu Jiu was wearing a pink fitted qipao that perfectly highlighted her slim figure. 

Her beauty was striking, making it hard to look away. 

Seeing her so easily embarrassed, Lin Ling felt a pang of sympathy and winked at her, giving an expression of “I’ll keep it a secret.” 

Feeling even more embarrassed, Lu Jiu, with a hint of mischief, pinched the man’s palm. 

The usually unfeeling Officer Wei thought his girlfriend was being affectionate and chuckled as he opened his hand to intertwine their fingers. 

Due to professional reasons, 

None of the attendees drank alcohol. 

But the level of excitement was undiminished. 

Various games emerged one after another. 

Fortunately, as everyone was not familiar with Lu Jiu and with the black-faced Officer Wei guarding the front, she only had to focus on eating and watching. 

Of course, this was just what she thought. 

Just as Lu Jiu was almost full, the focus finally turned towards her: 

“Sis, tell us how you met Wei’s team.” 

“Yeah, Lu Jiu, Old Wei’s mouth is like a clam shell, you can’t pry it open.” 

Not expecting to be the center of attention, Lu Jiu didn’t rush to answer but looked at the man beside her. 

Wei Shian raised an eyebrow, “If you don’t want to say, just ignore them.” 

There was nothing to hide, so Lu Jiu recounted the mix-up during their first meeting. 

Luo Wei was the first to react, “No wonder you were feeding the boss during the Zhao Dashan capture. Was that a case of a hero saving a beauty?” 

Lin Ling was also curious, “So, was it love at first sight for you two?” 

Lu Jiu thought for a moment and shook her head, “Not really.” It was actually the fourth or fifth time they met before she started to like him. 

She then looked at her boyfriend and said, “I remember the first time we met, you didn’t even see what I looked like.” 

Wei Shian laughed. They weren’t exactly love at first sight. Back then, Lu Jiu had looked like a flower-patterned cat, plus, “I was a bit unhappy at that time. I was annoyed that she was sitting in random places.” 

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter: “Old Wei, you’re done for. How dare you say that about your girlfriend.” 

Although it had been half a year since the incident, Lu Jiu still felt the need to clarify: “Actually, when the Lu’s department store was being built, we were worried about people having second thoughts, so we installed transparent netting around the perimeter.” 

And to maintain the building’s appearance, it was regularly cleaned and replaced, making it hard to notice with the naked eye. 

Many were hearing this for the first time and praised Lu’s company for their excellent measures. 

The meal lasted for over two hours. 

Relishing the rare gathering, the group was still not satisfied and decided to go to KTV for a song. 

Knowing that his girlfriend didn’t like noisy places, Wei Shian directly refused and gave Luo Wei a few hundred dollars to entertain the group on his behalf. 

“Is it okay if we leave like this? Actually, it’s fine if I go back later,” Lu Jiu said, still a bit worried after parting from the group. 

Wei Shian led his girlfriend to the parking lot and, while opening the passenger door, rebutted, “What do you mean ‘it’s fine’?” 

“What could go wrong?” 

Lu Jiu sat in the car and habitually reached for the seatbelt. 

Wei Shian leaned over. 

As the familiar “click” sound echoed, Lu Jiu protested softly, “I can buckle it myself.” 

She felt like he was treating her like a child. 

Wei Shian chuckled, his voice deep and husky, “I know, but I want to buckle it for my girlfriend.” 

Lu Jiu’s face turned red again. She fidgeted with her small bag and tried to sit up straight, “What did you say earlier about something being wrong?” 

Seeing that Lu Jiu was embarrassed again, Wei Shian withdrew his gaze from her red lips, returned to the driver’s seat, and started the car. He then said seriously, “It’s already past eight. If I drop you off at home, it’ll be about nine. If it’s any later, your mother might get a bad impression of me.” 

The mention of “mother” made Wei Shian seem sly. 

Lu Jiu, blushing with irritation, unwrapped a piece of candy and stuffed it into the man’s mouth, “Eat this.” And also to keep him quiet. 

Wei Shian. 

Wei Shian’s Concerns Were Not Unfounded 

When Lu Jiu returned home with a light step, carrying her small bag, she found her mother, Mrs. Fang Wenyi, who should have been in the bedroom by now, sitting in the living room watching TV with a white fluffy ball on her lap. 

Seeing her, Mrs. Fang looked her up and down to confirm her daughter was in high spirits, then smiled and asked, “Why are you back so early? Just for a meal?” 

Lu Jiu sat down beside her mother. “There was singing afterwards, but Wei Shian said it would be too late to take me home and you’d worry.” 

Fang Wenyi appreciated the young man’s thoughtfulness and said with a smile, handing over the meowing kitten that wanted to climb onto her daughter, “Little white-eyed wolf,” before asking, “Did Wei Shian drop you off?” 

Lu Jiu stroked the purring kitten. “Yes, he was worried about me driving late.” 

“Why don’t you come in and sit for a while?” 

“Oh, come on,” Lu Jiu said, looking at her contradictory mother. “If he had come empty-handed in the middle of the night, you would definitely have given him a cold shoulder.” 

Mrs. Fang didn’t argue but gently pushed her daughter. “It’s late. Go wash up and get ready for bed.” 

“And you?” 

“I’ll join you.” 

Indeed, she had been waiting for her. 

Back in her bedroom, after Lu Jiu finished washing up and lay down on the bed, she already had a message from her boyfriend: “I’m home.” 

Lu Jiu: “You were right.” 

Wei Shian replied almost immediately: “What?” 

Lu Jiu: “My mom was waiting for me in the living room. She usually goes to the bedroom by 9.” 

Wei Shian was relieved that he hadn’t delayed on purpose just because he didn’t want to part ways. 

Still, he was uneasy, so he decided to call his girlfriend directly. As soon as she answered, he asked, “Does your mother think well of me?” 

Lu Jiu discovered something new about him. “Hearing you say that, I know my mother doesn’t think badly of you.” 

It wasn’t necessarily a good thing that her boyfriend was so perceptive. Lu Jiu pouted, “When did you get home?” She had heard that Officer Wei owned a house in the old district. 

Wei Shian: “Just arrived a little while ago.” 

From the city bureau to where Officer Wei lived was about a forty-minute drive. “Will you be making this trip back and forth often?” 

“No, I plan to sell the house in the old district and buy one in the new district.” 

“That’s good,” Lu Jiu said. “Otherwise, with how busy you are, even a half-hour nap would be a luxury.” 

“You think so? Then when will you accompany me to look for a house?” 

“Me?” Lu Jiu sat up in shock. “How did the topic change to this?” She was stunned, considering they had only been dating for a few days. 

Wei Shian, as if it were obvious, said, “You’re my girlfriend. As my future partner, isn’t it right for you to help me choose?” 

Lu Jiu was still confused!!!