Chapter 133 - I Want to Own a Bar

“This, this…

uh, can’t say for sure if I’ll be free then,” Ye Fan said with hesitation.

He did want to have dinner with Tantai Wanrong after not seeing her for a long time, but the thought of a blind date made him very reluctant.

“Hehe,” Tantai Wanrong let out two meaningful chuckles, “I haven’t seen you for a long time, nephew, and I too wanted to have dinner with you.”

Ye Fan gritted his teeth and replied, “Fine, Sunday at six in the evening.”

A man has to be tough on himself, right?

It’s just a blind date.

If all else fails, just bury my head and eat in silence.

There’s no escaping it anyway.

“Good, that’s more like it,” Tantai Wanrong said with a gentle smile.

Ye Fan didn’t want to talk about the blind date anymore, hence he stated the purpose of his call, “Auntie Rong, do you know people in the music circle of Hua Hai City?”

“I know one or two,” Tantai Wanrong said.

“That’s wonderful.

I have a small favor to ask: could you find out who the most skilled music teacher in Hua Hai City is?

I have a friend who wants to learn music and isn’t sure whom to approach for lessons.”

“Male or female?” Tantai Wanrong asked, “It’s different for men and women; they’d need different teachers.”

“A female,” Ye Fan replied.

“Okay, I’ll ask around for you and get back to you in a few days,” Tantai Wanrong agreed.

“Thanks, Auntie Rong,” Ye Fan said with a grin.

“Giggle, no need to be so formal with your auntie,” Tantai Wanrong laughed softly.

After hanging up the phone, Ye Fan returned to the office and saw the enchantingly attractive Hu Jing also there.

As he entered, Hu Jing was facing away from the door.

From behind, he had a clear view of the enticing curves under her pink body-hugging mini dress.

“Damn, this siren!” Ye Fan cursed under his breath and quickly averted his gaze, then walked past her back to his desk to sit down.

Hu Jing seemed to be assigning tasks to Fang Yueyun and Ma Zhengyou.

When she noticed Ye Fan return, she glanced over before continuing her instructions.

After a short while, she finished delegating tasks, looked at Ye Fan, and announced to everyone, “Everyone from our department is here today, so let’s have dinner together tonight.”

Dinner?

Tonight?

Ye Fan spoke up, “I have plans tonight; can we do it another day?”

“No.

Postpone your plans.

Dinner tonight is for work, and no one is excused,” Hu Jing said.

“Is there overtime pay?” Ye Fan muttered.

Hu Jing looked at Ye Fan, her pretty face breaking into a sly smile, “Sure, I’ll pay you for it.”

Though her smile was seductive, why did Ye Fan feel like there was a hint of a threat?

“Hehe, just kidding,” Ye Fan replied hastily with a laugh, “It’s the department’s first group dinner.

I’d attend even if my wife were giving birth at home.”

“Pfft!” Fang Yueyun couldn’t hold back a laugh and, startled, hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand, trying hard not to let herself burst into laughter.

“If your wife were giving birth, you could ask for leave,” Hu Jing said seriously, “But do you have a wife?”

Ye Fan spread his hands in silence.

Hu Jing sashayed away, leaving Ye Fan feeling a bit downcast for breaking his word.

There was no other way; he had to call Yang Yongxi to tell him due to unforeseen reasons they’d have to reschedule the dinner, and he also had to call Lu Xiaoman.

Lu Xiaoman comforted understandingly over the phone, “Don’t worry about it, after all, the first dinner with the new department is important.”

Ye Fan was depressed, but Fang Yueyun and Ma Zhengyou were full of anticipation.

Especially Ma Zhengyou, who had a wild fire flickering in his eyes, eager to try.

How could he not be excited about having dinner with such a beautiful, enchanting, and sexy female boss?

In the afternoon, Ye Fan didn’t go to work.

He wasn’t interested in the nine-to-five lifestyle, and even though Li Zhaojun had arranged for him to be the deputy manager of human resources, he still had no intention of managing anything.

Hu Jing approved his leave request without hesitation.

He entered Hua Hai City 411 Military Hospital and went to Lu Chengqiang’s ward.

Seeing Ye Fan, Lu Chengqiang, who was nearly going crazy sitting in the hospital room, immediately jumped out of bed excitedly and called out, “Boss, you finally came to visit me.”

“Hehe, I’m not a beauty, what are you so excited about?

Sit back down, don’t pull out your IV,” Ye Fan chuckled.

“Hehe!” Lu Chengqiang obediently sat back down on the bed.

Ye Fan dragged a chair over and sat beside the head of the bed, asking, “Feeling better today?”

“Much better, just bored,” Lu Chengqiang said.

“Those pretty nurses always seem to ‘forget’ to pay me warm attention.

Wasn’t it said that the nurses here are both beautiful and gentle, very empathetic?

It’s all lies.”

Ye Fan laughed, “You’re just a lieutenant, rookie, do you really think those beautiful nurses would be interested in you?”

“It’s really just snobbery!” Lu Chengqiang feigned heartache, then begged Ye Fan with a sly smile, “Boss, after I get better and return, if I make a significant contribution, could you promote me to a major or a colonel or something?”

“Promote you to major or colonel, why not make you a three-star general?” Ye Fan scolded jokingly, “You really think military ranks are that easy to come by!”

“Hehe.” Lu Chengqiang scratched his head and chuckled.

Ye Fan suggested, “If you’re bored, you can read some books, getting more cultured will be good for you.”

“Read books?

Spare me,” Lu Chengqiang cried out as he held his head.

“I joined the military because I couldn’t stand studying.”

Ye Fan sighed silently to himself, then tried to ask in a nonchalant tone, “If one day you leave the military, what do you want to do?

How about becoming a civil servant through a transfer?”

“No way, no way!

I plan on staying in the military for life!” Lu Chengqiang declared, “Unless envy from the heavens takes me early.”

“Hehe, I know your thoughts.

But, let’s just assume for a moment,” Ye Fan said.

“It won’t hurt since you’re idle here anyway.

Just think about it seriously.”

Lu Chengqiang laughed, “No need for serious thoughts.

If one day I really do leave the military, my idea is to open a bar.

Not just any small bar but a big one, hire a few guys, drink for free, and pick up girls as I please.”

“Haha, that’s not a bad idea,” Ye Fan laughed.

“Got any better ideas?”

“No, that’s it.

I think it’s great.

Of course, it’s still not one ten-thousandth as good as being in the military!” Lu Chengqiang laughed out loud.

Ye Fan nodded and resolved in his heart to help Lu Chengqiang acquire a large bar before he was discharged, as compensation.

After chatting with Lu Chengqiang for over half an hour, his phone suddenly rang.

Ye Fan pulled it out to see that it was an unfamiliar number.

“Hello, who is it?” Ye Fan immediately answered the call.

A slightly hoarse male voice came through the phone, “Brother Ye, it’s me, Shi Sheng.”

“Ah!

Brother Shi!” Ye Fan called out happily, “You finally called me, I’ve been waiting a long time.

Is your injury healed?”

His mind instantly conjured the image of the tough yet lean figure from elite fighting club’s sparring ring, who could be knocked down but not defeated.

He had been wanting to interact more with Shi Sheng, perhaps even bring him into the Dragon Group.

Unfortunately, since he didn’t have Shi Sheng’s number after that day’s fight, he hadn’t been able to get in touch.

“The injuries from that day have healed long ago,” Shi Sheng said.

“Brother Ye, are you free?

I’d like to meet up with you.”

“Sure, I’m free anytime,” Ye Fan smiled.