Chapter 17: Only a Fool Passes Up a Good Deal

Looking at the woman in front of him, dressed in a police uniform, Lin Fan couldn't help but inwardly sigh. Why did he always run into her? Yes, this woman was Zhao Ying. Just last night she had pointed her gun at him, demanding to drag him back to the police station, but today she suddenly announced he was her boyfriend. Lin Fan truly couldn't figure out what she was thinking.

Zhao Ying blinked hard at Lin Fan, her eyebrows arching, her gaze flickering to the man behind her. There was no need to ask—this man in uniform was surely yet another of her pursuers. Remembering how Zhao Ying had brandished her gun at him last night, Lin Fan felt his temper flare. With a sly smile curling his lips, he said nothing but simply wrapped his arm around Zhao Ying’s shoulders, pulling her close. Feeling the softness beneath his arm, Lin Fan couldn't help but feel his heart stir. Yet he kept silent, expressing himself only through his eyes.

Zhao Ying clearly hadn’t expected Lin Fan to do this. She had only wanted him to admit he was her boyfriend so she could shake off the man behind her. But Lin Fan seized the moment to take advantage, and Zhao Ying couldn't even get angry. As the police station’s beauty, Zhao Ying was known for her temper, but every time she faced Lin Fan, her heart raced uncontrollably, throwing her off balance.

She remembered the first time she got drunk, when Lin Fan had taken advantage of her, and then last night, when he teased her again. If this went on, she’d completely fall into his hands. So Zhao Ying reached out and fiercely twisted the softest spot on Lin Fan’s waist, spinning her fingers several times while smiling sweetly at the uniformed man before her. “Yan Dong, I’ve already told you—I have a boyfriend. You didn’t believe me, but now you see him. Are you satisfied?”

Lin Fan inhaled sharply, wincing at the pain. Was it really necessary to be so ruthless just because he’d taken advantage of her a few times? In truth, Lin Fan had no idea that Zhao Ying had dated Wei Liang for a year, and Wei Liang had barely even held her hand, let alone shared a bed. Yet Lin Fan had taken liberties time and again, and now he was finally getting a taste of payback.

Yan Dong clearly didn’t believe Lin Fan was Zhao Ying’s boyfriend. In his eyes, Lin Fan was just someone Zhao Ying had pulled in randomly. All he had to do was expose her ruse and see what tricks she had left.

Yan Dong’s certainty stemmed from two things: first, when Lin Fan put his arm around Zhao Ying, he caught a flash of panic in her eyes, which, as a policeman, he noticed keenly; second, he hadn’t seen Zhao Ying interact with any men recently. He knew she habitually ate lunch alone every day, which was why he waited for her here. He simply didn’t believe in such coincidental timing—he arrived just as Zhao Ying’s boyfriend did? With a smirk, Yan Dong pointed at Lin Fan and said, “Ying’er, isn’t he just someone you dragged over? Look, he already has a girlfriend.”

As he spoke, Yan Dong gestured at Fei Fei, who was sitting opposite Lin Fan.

Zhao Ying’s expression changed at once. If Yan Dong was right and the younger-looking woman was Lin Fan’s girlfriend, then she was snatching someone else’s boyfriend right in front of her. But then Zhao Ying reconsidered—if that girl was truly Lin Fan’s girlfriend, he wouldn’t have dared to take advantage of Zhao Ying just now. With that realization, Zhao Ying quickly regained her composure.

“Yan Dong, Officer Yan, please don’t make trouble for me. She’s my sister,” Lin Fan glanced at Fei Fei and continued, “Ying’er is my girlfriend. But I hope you’ll call her by her full name from now on—otherwise, people might misunderstand.”

As he spoke, Lin Fan slipped his arm around Zhao Ying’s waist, took a napkin and wiped his mouth in a “gentlemanly” manner, then tossed it aside with a smile. If he didn’t take the chance to tease Zhao Ying a little, he wouldn’t be himself. Wasn’t there a saying—never miss out on a good thing?

Unfortunately, when Lin Fan declared that Fei Fei was his sister and Zhao Ying his girlfriend, he failed to notice the fleeting look of disappointment in Fei Fei’s eyes. It lasted only a moment, but it spoke volumes.

Yan Dong’s face darkened, a shadow crossing his gaze. He had been waiting for Zhao Ying and Wei Liang to break up, believing his own chance had finally come. He’d stepped up his pursuit, thinking that winning Zhao Ying—and leveraging her father’s influence—would guarantee his future. But now, out of nowhere, a rival had appeared. Yan Dong was anything but pleased. Still, a policeman’s adaptability was impressive, and Yan Dong quickly composed himself. “Zhao Ying and I are just colleagues. You’re overthinking it. May I ask your name and occupation?”

With that, he shattered the awkward atmosphere.

“Lin Fan—just an ordinary Fan. I’m currently unemployed at home,” Lin Fan replied, easily seeing through Yan Dong’s shifting demeanor. He knew how to handle men like him.

Hmph, just a security guard—how could Zhao Ying possibly be interested in someone from the lowest ranks? She was probably just curious, playing around with him. Yan Dong felt better, though his gaze at Lin Fan was filled with disdain and contempt. He said coolly, “Would you like me to help you find a job? Our department is short one logistics staff. If you joined us, you could be with Ying’er every day.”

Logistics sounded decent, but in plain terms, it was just cleaning. If Lin Fan actually accepted, Yan Dong would be delighted. Then he could trample Lin Fan in front of Zhao Ying daily, and soon enough, Zhao Ying would realize who was her best choice.

Lin Fan heard Yan Dong’s words but ignored him, turning to Zhao Ying instead. “Ying’er, do you want to order anything else? Look at you—hasn’t it only been a short while? You’ve clearly lost weight.”

As he spoke, Lin Fan gently pinched Zhao Ying’s cheek, pursing his lips in a show of concern.

The last time Lin Fan and Zhao Ying had been so close was the night she got drunk. Now, Lin Fan dared to pinch her cheek in front of so many people. For a split second, Zhao Ying felt as if she’d been shocked. She never imagined Lin Fan would dare such a move.

Yet, to get rid of the annoying man before her, Zhao Ying had to cooperate. “No way,” she replied, shaking Lin Fan’s arm and sticking out her tongue at him, playing the part of a coquettish woman. Seeing Zhao Ying’s act, Lin Fan mused to himself, “Goodness, she’s wasted as a cop. If she were an actress, she’d win an Oscar for sure—a future superstar, ready to inherit Faye Wong’s throne.”

Zhao Ying and Lin Fan’s seamless performance completely ignored Yan Dong, a slap in the face if ever there was one. But Yan Dong could only swallow his anger. Sensing the timing was right, Lin Fan smiled slightly. “If Officer Yan doesn’t mind, please join us for lunch.”

Of course, Lin Fan’s words carried another meaning: it was a polite way to ask Yan Dong to leave.

“Then I’ll gladly accept,” Yan Dong replied with a hint of arrogance and provocation, plopping down beside Fei Fei, thinking, “You want me gone? I refuse, just to spite you.”

Had he known things would turn out like this, Lin Fan would never have foolishly extended such an invitation. He hadn’t expected Yan Dong to be so shameless. Polite invitations like these were universally understood, yet Yan Dong stubbornly tagged along, like a piece of sticky tape, irritating everyone.