Chapter 25: Nostalgia
Let me preface this by saying, Li Lin, from transmigration to now, had zero experience dating girls.
Although he had a crush on a girl before, compared to him now, it was already a kind of eternal separation in some sense, so there were no lingering thoughts. As a titanium alloy straight man, the ones he encountered in Terra might be a group of exceptionally unique female friends… not girlfriends.
If it were girlfriends, relying on his rich web novel experience and nonsensical ideas, Li Lin felt he could probably pull off some romantic stuff eighty percent of the time. But this kind of work-related treating female colleagues to drinks, apart from the Penguin Logistics group who started singing and messing around once drunk, this was a first for Li Lin. Regarding how to invite normal working women, Li Lin had no related concept in his mind.
Saying he'd treat them to drinks or something, but with Li Lin's meager brain, he couldn't think of any special place to go.
Finally, after thinking for a bit, he still brought Ch'en, who was carrying documents, to the barbecue shop where she had originally planned to treat Li Lin to a meal. The shop owner stared at Li Lin for a long time before finally recognizing who this person was. Thanks to Li Lin's appearance not having changed too much, otherwise, he really wouldn't dare recognize this regular customer who used to really like their barbecue.
Originally, the owner wanted to ask where all his beautiful girls had gone, but looking at Ch'en standing behind Li Lin with her hands on her hips, holding a stack of documents with an impatient face, the owner, who somewhat knew what this big shot did, ultimately suppressed his desire to court death and led them to a private room. And unsure if it was intentional, from the position, it seemed to be the same private room Ch'en herself sat in back then. Making this female police officer show a somewhat subtle expression.
"I still remember I originally planned to ask you for help, but you refused me. Didn't expect it's now you treating me."
Somewhat nostalgically pulling open the sliding door and sitting inside, Ch'en flipped through the menu , looking at the dishes recorded on it, and said somewhat subtly:
"It should be about half a year, right? Eating two portions of barbecue alone, because of a bad mood, the barbecue even got burnt. But since I ordered it myself, I didn't want to waste it, could only eat it myself. Thinking back on that failed memory now, it's amazing I still remember it so clearly."
"Then I am truly deeply sinful ."
"Think carefully about how to atone for your sins. No need to order anything too expensive, I'm not used to it either."
Anyway, it's your treat.
Closing the menu at hand and handing it to Li Lin's side, Ch'en sat upright in her seat, watching Li Lin frowning as he ordered, and somehow smiled.
And seeing Ch'en's smiling face, Li Lin somewhat strangely touched his own face and body, didn't find anything amusing, and looked somewhat curiously at the girl before him.
"Is there something wrong with me?"
"No. Just feel that fate is truly a very wondrous thing."
The smile on Ch'en's face became even more relaxed.
"When I first expelled you from Lungmen, I still felt whether I had done something very wrong, and felt guilty for a long time. But didn't expect you would eventually appear before me again. Then during the first recruitment attempt, I was also dejected for a period, yet you appeared before me once more, and even became my subordinate. Don't you think this is some kind of fate?"
"Fate? Perhaps."
Maybe it's some kind of inevitability.
Recalling his journey so far, Li Lin shrugged noncommittally.
"Speaking of which, Officer Ch'en, did you dress up today? I was quite surprised to see it."
"Why be surprised?"
"Because I feel Officer Ch'en is the type who is wholeheartedly devoted to work, the kind who has given up personal life. Seeing your casual side now makes me feel quite surprised."
"That's an illusion. Actually, I usually set aside some spare and free time for private activities and hobbies. It's just that one must have a working attitude during work, and a living attitude during life. The two must be clearly separated. Perhaps because I'm very serious during work, it gave you and others an unnecessary illusion."
"Is that so? Then you are truly a very impressive person."
"No, just feel life should have a living attitude."
"I think just that alone is very impressive."
Li Lin said casually, ordered a few dishes he liked, and some flavors Ch'en preferred, then called the waiter outside.
That waiter was also someone who had a deep memory of Ch'en and Li Lin. Glancing strangely at the two sitting in the private room, the waiter repeated the order, confirmed it was correct, then scurried away, not even saying any business-like pleasantries. This attitude couldn't help but make Li Lin feel somewhat curious.
And Ch'en showed an embarrassed smile towards Li Lin's curious look. The Lungmen Guard Bureau sometimes also conducts team-building activities.
Li Lin recalled the trajectory of his journey so far, shook his head, not wanting to say anything more. Instead, he pointed at the documents Ch'en placed aside.
"Are those the materials for the Death Cult ? Is the recent turmoil in Lungmen all caused by them? If so, then I might not be able to retire from part-time activities for long."
"You're thinking too optimistically. Don't think I can easily let you go, okay? This is just part of the reason for Lungmen's chaos. Although it is indeed a relatively important part, there are still many unexposed factors within. Take it and have a look. Tomorrow, after your logistics work is done, we'll come find you."
"Is that okay?"
"No problem. And if you don't mind, can we have two pitchers of beer?"
"I have no problem… But Officer Ch'en, is it okay for you to drink beer? Won't it hinder work?"
"Oh, I'm fine."
"Good then."
Officer Ch'en really trusts people without suspicion, and doesn't use those she suspects.
And also has a good alcohol tolerance. Truly a respectable and outstanding working woman.
I should learn from her too.
Holding sincere respect in his heart for this female police officer before him, Li Lin also gave up the idea of asking directly and began to enjoy this barbecue.
But what neither of them noticed was that, in a noisy corner of the shop, within the barbecue spot Li Lin had once frequented, several very familiar-looking figures were sitting with their backs to them, row after row on chairs, silently eating barbecue. Several tails and ears perked up, listening to the conversation in the private room.
And hearing words like 'won't easily let go', gray and black ears and tails also twitched and curled slightly.
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