Chapter 48 – This Guy Definitely Liked You Before

Yi An’an looked up and sized up the man before finally recalling who he was.

“Lu Changfeng?” she called his name.

Lu Changfeng was Yi An’an’s classmate from middle school. Back then, they had a good relationship. In her previous life, Lu Changfeng got into university through a recommendation, then rose steadily through the ranks—first becoming a town mayor, then county chief, and eventually city mayor.

After Lu Changfeng became successful, many of their old classmates sought him out for favors, but Yi An’an had never once appeared before him.

Back in middle school, Lu Changfeng had been her academic rival. The two always battled for the top ranks in class, but their lives had taken dramatically different paths since then.

“It really is you!” Lu Changfeng exclaimed with surprise, his usually serious face breaking into a smile. “I wasn’t even sure just now!”

Yi An’an had always been pretty, but now, after a bit of grooming and makeup, she looked even more dazzling. Her fair and radiant skin, large expressive eyes, and rosy lips made it hard to look away.

“What brings you here…?” Lu Changfeng asked.

“I…” Yi An’an glanced at Sister Wang beside her.

As soon as Sister Wang heard the name “Lu Changfeng,” she beamed and quickly said, “I’m her god-sister. I brought her here to look at a place.”

“What unit are you working for now?” Lu Changfeng immediately asked.

This courtyard was government housing for town officials.

“That hasn’t been announced yet. It’s a secret for now,” Sister Wang replied with a ready-made excuse they had prepared in advance.

Lu Changfeng nodded, and his gaze toward Yi An’an sparkled. “You had such good grades back then. I remember feeling sorry to hear that you didn’t go to high school. But it looks like you’re doing really well now.”

Sister Wang chuckled and tugged Yi An’an away.

“Once you move in, let’s catch up properly,” Lu Changfeng called out reluctantly as he watched her go.

After Lu Changfeng left, Sister Wang frowned slightly and asked, “You two know each other well?”

Yi An’an hesitated. She didn’t know what Lu Changfeng’s current position was, and she was worried Sister Wang might back out if she said too much. For a moment, she didn’t know how to answer.

“You don’t have to say anything. I could already tell—this guy definitely had a thing for you back then!” Sister Wang said. “Alright, you just stay here without worry. If anyone asks, just say it hasn’t been made public yet. Don’t say anything more.”

Yi An’an nodded.

The place Sister Wang found for her was at the far end of the compound, a bit secluded, but it was already a blessing for Yi An’an to have a place to stay in town. She could always look for something better later.

Sister Wang grinned as she touched the watch. “So this watch really is mine now?”

Yi An’an nodded. “Thanks for finding this place for me, Sister Wang.”

Sister Wang nodded in satisfaction, told her to tidy up, and left contentedly.

Someone had lived in the house before, but they’d moved out after a promotion. The furniture was basic but usable.

Yi An’an spent the whole afternoon cleaning. When she returned home that evening, she shared everything she had found out with Zhan Nan Hui.

Zhan Nan Hui frowned slightly after hearing her report.

The educated youth Yi An’an mentioned was someone he had seen when visiting Wang Xiaohuan before. He had sensed something unusual between the two but hadn’t expected Wang Xiaohuan to actually do something like this.

With no identification or household registration, where could Wang Xiaohuan and that man even go?

“I took a few days off from the hair salon. I’ll go in for two more days. After that, when it’s time for your college entrance exam, I’ll go with you. The house is already sorted, so I’ll go there to prep it. Since your exam will be in town, you can stay there for now,” Yi An’an said.

Zhan Nan Hui nodded. “Thank you.”

“This is my promise to you,” Yi An’an said.

Zhan Nan Hui lowered his gaze. Yes, a promise. He shouldn’t read too much into it.

The night passed uneventfully. Early the next morning, Yi An’an went to the salon, waiting for Wang Daning to come by and pay for the watch.

“You really followed through,” Wang Daning said as he counted the money—thirty-four large bills, a thick stack.

“Do you have any other things I might need?” Yi An’an asked.

Her new place still lacked many basic living necessities.

“What do you need?” Wang Daning asked, giving her a quick glance.

Yi An’an handed him a written list.

Wang Daning chuckled. “I do have these things, but none of them are cheap. Altogether, this’ll cost you thirty yuan.”

Yi An’an handed him three more large bills. “Deliver them to this address before noon. Keep a low profile.”

Wang Daning glanced at the address. “You’re living in the town government compound now? Impressive. No problem, don’t worry. I’ve delivered things to big shots before—I know what I’m doing.”

He left with the money.

Right before noon, someone knocked on Yi An’an’s door.

Wang Daning walked in carrying a large postal bag, making it look like he was delivering mail.

“See? I’m good at this!” he laughed as he pulled out the requested quilts, pots, bowls, and utensils.

Yi An’an hadn’t misjudged him. Wang Daning really had connections. They could work together more in the future.

He looked around and commented, “Not bad—these government units are really spacious.”

Yi An’an didn’t want him to linger, so she said, “You’d better go. Don’t let anyone see you.”

Wang Daning smiled. “I was planning to leave anyway. Ran into that Lu guy just now—he’s like a haunting ghost! Wherever I go, he pops up. I swear we must’ve been enemies in a past life.”

He muttered as he blew air into a plastic bag, stuffed it inside the postal sack, slung it over his back, and walked out.

Yep, Wang Daning really was cautious.

Not long after he left, Yi An’an was just about to tidy up when someone knocked again.

She pressed herself against the door cautiously and peeked out—Lu Changfeng stood outside, holding two large red apples.

Glancing at the mess inside, Yi An’an hesitated briefly but opened the door and stepped out.

“Lu Changfeng!” she greeted him with a bright smile.

Lu Changfeng looked at her as she closed the door behind her and asked, grinning, “What, not inviting an old classmate in for a seat?”

“It’s messy inside, I haven’t cleaned up yet,” Yi An’an quickly explained.

Just then, people passing through the courtyard greeted Lu Changfeng.

“Oh, Secretary Lu, off work early today?”

“Secretary Lu, how come you haven’t checked out the blind date I introduced you to?”

“Secretary Lu, about my kid’s job…”

…

Yi An’an had no choice but to quickly usher Lu Changfeng inside.

He looked around and saw the unpacked items. “You really haven’t settled in yet.”

Yi An’an quickly cleared a spot on the table for him to sit.

The thermos had just arrived and hadn’t been used yet.

Lu Changfeng handed the apples to her. “Remember when you picked apples from the mountain and gave me one? Try these—see which one tastes better.”