Chapter 149 - Dinner Invitation

But Ye Fan sat at the computer, tapping his fingers on the desk in thought, before he came up with a way to deal with Tongyi Group.

However, he couldn’t act now, he had to wait till Li Zhaojun truly couldn’t retrieve the patent before he would secretly make his move.

With his worries gone, Ye Fan returned to having nothing to do and idly browsed the web and played games.

Around four-thirty, Ye Fan took his cellphone and walked out of the office to the end of the corridor, where he called the safety elevator.

“Jingwei, how have you been these past couple of days?” Ye Fan asked Zeng Jingwei on the phone.

Zeng Jingwei’s quiet, pleasant voice came through the phone, “Brother Fan, I’m okay.

You don’t need to worry.”

Zeng Jingwei in the end refused to call Ye Fan ‘brother’.

“Hehe, I’m not worried.

Let’s have dinner together tonight.

I’ll pick you up from the school after I get off work,” Ye Fan said.

Since he had promised to take care of Zeng Jingwei like a younger sister, looking after her materially was far from enough, he must also care for her mentally and in her daily life.

“Okay,” Zeng Jingwei agreed.

“Haha, then, see you later,” Ye Fan laughed, “bye-bye now.”

“Bye-bye.”

After hanging up the phone, just as Ye Fan was about to walk back to the office, his phone rang.

He thought it was Zeng Jingwei calling back, but when he looked at the caller ID, it was actually Bobo Helián’s.

Ye Fan gave a wry smile, this girl was definitely calling to invite him to dinner, but unfortunately, she was going to be disappointed today.

Even so, Ye Fan still answered Bobo Helián’s call.

As soon as the call connected, a charming, coquettish plea immediately came from the phone, “Brother Ye, are you free tonight?

I’ve been so bored these last few days.

Can we have dinner together tonight?

My treat.”

Just as Ye Fan was about to refuse, a thought suddenly struck him, and he said with a smile, “Dinner tonight sounds great, but there’s no need for you to pick up the tab.”

“Really?!” An excited, high-pitched surprise came from the phone, “Giggle, that’s awesome!

Brother Ye, I thought you didn’t want to bother with me anymore.

Hehe, after we eat, let’s go play together.

I know lots of fun places.”

Ye Fan chuckled and said, “However, it won’t be just you and me, there will be someone else too.”

“Someone else?

Yaoyao?” Bobo Helián immediately asked, her joy diminishing slightly.

“No, it’s another friend of mine.

You can try to make friends after meeting her,” Ye Fan said.

He thought about how Zeng Jingwei was in a state of sadness and how easy it was for her to become depressed and solitary, and feared that she might encounter some problem, so he decided to have her meet lively friends.

Bobo Helián was, without a doubt, a perfect choice.

“Okay.

I love making new friends the most.

Your friends are my friends, hehe,” Bobo Helián said with a laugh, not being Qin Mengyao, her spirits lifted once again.

Since he intended for Zeng Jingwei to befriend Bobo Helián, Ye Fan took the opportunity to introduce Zeng Jingwei, “My friend is a girl, also from Hua Hai University, and you’ll soon be alumni.

She is the sister of a very close comrade-in-arms of mine, who unfortunately perished not long ago, leaving her an orphan.”

“She’s so pitiful,” Bobo Helián said with sympathy, “Brother Ye, don’t worry, I will become good friends with her and often take her out to have fun.”

“Mhm, thank you, Bobo,” Ye Fan responded.

“Hehe, no need to thank me,” Bobo Helián giggled.

After chatting a bit more, they finally hung up the phone.

No sooner had the call ended than another came in, it was Qin Mengyao.

“Brother Ye, my aunt has to work overtime again tonight, and I have no appetite to eat alone,” Qin Mengyao said, “Could you treat me to dinner?”

“Sure,” Ye Fan agreed.

“Really?” Qin Mengyao exclaimed with delight.

She had thought that Ye Fan would flat-out refuse.

“Nope,” Ye Fan said irritably.

“You can’t do that!

You made a promise, you can’t back out now,” Qin Mengyao pretended to cry.

“If you dare to go back on your word, I’ll tell my aunt and have her ignore you forever for toying with me!”

How can this girl be so annoying?

Would introducing her to Jingwei be a bad influence?

Ye Fan thought to himself.

When Qin Mengyao saw that Ye Fan was silent, she called out, “Brother Ye, say something!”

“Alright, alright,” Ye Fan said, growing impatient.

“I said I’d take you to dinner, and I will.

Wait for my call after six.”

“Hehe, I knew Brother Ye keeps his promises.

Once you say something, not even four horses can pull it back,” Qin Mengyao said smugly, flattering him.

Ye Fan couldn’t help but laugh and said, “Stop it, your flattery is terrible.

That’s it, I’m hanging up now.”

“Wait!” Qin Mengyao hurriedly called out.

“What else is it?” Ye Fan asked.

“Ye Fan, should I dress more ladylike for dinner, or a bit sexier?” Qin Mengyao inquired.

Ye Fan was speechless for a moment and replied, “Just don’t show up bald, and we’ll be good.”

“How rude, I’ve already decided to grow my hair out.

But it’s only grown a little bit so far, it’s so hard,” Qin Mengyao complained.

Ye Fan didn’t want to listen to her nonsense and promptly hung up the phone.

After hanging up, Ye Fan remembered that he had already told Helian Bobo that Qin Mengyao wouldn’t be available, so he sent Helian Bobo a text message.

At six in the evening, Ye Fan drove his second-hand Citroen out of the underground parking lot and joined the endless stream of vehicles.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

When he picked it up, it was Tantai Wanrong.

“Hehe, Auntie Wanrong,” Ye Fan said with a smile.

The phone conveyed two gentle and soothing chuckles, then she spoke, “Xiao Fan, you asked me last time about finding a good music teacher in Hua Hai City.

I’ve asked around.

Professors Yan Yusong and Zhou Yumei from the Huahai Music College are both widely recognized as excellent teachers in the music community of Hua Hai City.

Especially Professor Yan Yusong, who has a vast number of students and has trained many top-level singers and musicians.”

“Yan Yusong and Zhou Yumei, I’ve seen their information online,” Ye Fan interjected, “The current top idol star Shen Yan is one of Yan Yusong’s proudest students.”

Tantai Wanrong said with a laugh, “It’s great that you’ve looked up their information.

When you get a chance, ask your friend which teacher she wants to study under.

I’ll have someone greet her.

As long as your friend is not too below par, she can probably become their student.

Whether she can become a direct disciple, that’ll depend on your friend’s luck.”

“Alright, I’ll give you an answer before noon tomorrow,” Ye Fan said cheerfully, “Thank you, Auntie Wanrong.”

This was a good opportunity to call his mom, Qiao Xuanfei, later at night and ask if she had any better suggestions.

“Hehe, no need to be so formal with your aunt,” Tantai Wanrong giggled, “Remember, we have a dinner date on Sunday.

I’ve made arrangements with the young lady; you better not stand her up.

And don’t forget to dress sharply to make a good impression.

Wear the clothes I bought you at Wanda Mall last time.”

Ye Fan was embarrassed.

Yet another blind date, he said, “What day is it today?

That’s still so far off.”

“Is it really that far off?

Your aunt doesn’t think you’re taking it seriously,” Tantai Wanrong said teasingly.

Ye Fan hastily laughed and said, “Not at all, I’ve been so nervous about the blind date, I’ve lost sleep for two consecutive nights.

Now that you brought it up, I’ll probably lose even more sleep.”

“Don’t try to be slick with your aunt; I know you too well,” Tantai Wanrong teased with an inadvertent hint of coquettishness, “You’re driving, aren’t you?

I won’t keep you any longer.

Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

(A big thanks to Blue Sky, Black Cat Sheriff, Sad Summer, — and Teenager with a Dream for their support.

Thank you all.)