19: Chapter 19 Gao Qilan: I've Become Smarter

After Xu Jiang's case entered the interrogation stage, Zhao Yang took the initiative to take a half-step back.

It wasn't that he wanted to be lazy, but the reason was simple—his merit from being undercover was already enough for a Second-Class Merit. Merits from interrogation and subsequent arrests should be given to other colleagues. One shouldn't hog all the credit; that's the rule within the System.

At noon, he arrived at Gao Qiqiang's home as agreed.

Before he even reached the door, Gao Qilan came out to meet him.

"Brother Yang!"

Today she wore a light-colored sweater, her hair tied in a ponytail, revealing a section of her fair, clean neck. The moment she saw Zhao Yang, her eyes lit up.

Zhao Yang gave her a thumbs up: "Xiao Lan, well done!"

On the day the net was closed, Zhao Yang had arranged for Gao Qilan to deliver the letter. It was handwritten by Meng Dehai himself and given to An Changlin. In this day and age, one couldn't trust anyone but their own people. Gao Qilan was just an ordinary female college student; no one would notice her.

Thinking of that bald director's expression like he'd seen a ghost when he saw the letter, Gao Qilan couldn't help but laugh: "Brother Yang, Director An's legs were trembling, and he kept shouting 'nonsense,' saying he'd settle the score with you. Did he scold you later?"

"I let him earn a huge credit; he'll be too busy thanking me to scold me." Zhao Yang sniffed the aroma in the air. "What did your brother make? It smells so good."

"Braised fish and braised pork, all your favorites! Come in quickly!"

Zhao Yang looked at her joyful back, his heart stirring slightly.

The affection value for Gao Qilan shown by the System had been rising; he could see what was on the girl's mind. In the original show, she could wait for An Xin for twenty years, relying on that purity and stubbornness. Now that all this affection was given to him, Zhao Yang cherished this luck and would ensure her happiness for a lifetime.

...

Gao Qiqiang meticulously prepared a table full of dishes, with Gao Qisheng accompanying them. The two brothers were incredibly attentive to Zhao Yang.

During the meal, Zhao Yang asked about the phs business.

Gao Qisheng glanced at Gao Qiqiang and stammered, "Brother Yang, everything else is going smoothly, but we're stuck at the Telecom Company. That leader named Gong Kaijiang—we've had meals, found connections, and given benefits... but he just won't get things done."

"Gong Kaijiang?" Zhao Yang's tone was calm. "Alright, leave it to me. Go to the Telecom Company again tomorrow; he'll definitely get it done."

He spoke with confidence.

Given his current relationship with Meng Dehai, asking Meng Dehai to make a phone call was just a matter of a few words.

Now, anyone even slightly related to Xu Jiang was trembling with fear, afraid the Public Security, Procuratorate, and Court would come knocking. At a time like this, Gong Kaijiang definitely wouldn't dare to disrespect Meng Dehai's Face.

...

After eating and drinking their fill, Zhao Yang had to work in the afternoon and Rose to take his leave.

Gao Qisheng was about to see him out, but Gao Qiqiang pulled him back.

"Xiao Lan, go see Officer Zhao out."

Gao Qisheng's eyes darted around as he joined in, "Yes, you go, chat a bit longer."

Gao Qilan blushed and stole a glance at Zhao Yang: "Brother Yang, I'll walk you out."

"Okay."

Zhao Yang stood up and casually draped his jacket over his arm.

Stepping out, the two walked side by side in the alleys of Jiuchang Street. Sunlight leaked through the gaps in the overhead sheds, scattering like broken gold on the ground.

Zhao Yang suddenly spoke: "Xiao Lan, are you interested in your major?"

Gao Qilan thought for a moment: "It's okay... my brother chose it for me, saying it's a stable job with high social status."

"Then what do you like?"

"I... I don't know." She was silent for a while, then whispered, "Actually, I think my second brother's books are quite interesting."

Zhao Yang laughed: "Like family, like mind. Want to be a female boss?"

Gao Qilan's Face turned even redder, but she still nodded gently.

"Alright. Brother Yang will help you fulfill this wish," Zhao Yang's tone was casual, as if he were saying the weather was nice today. "In a while, I'll buy a company for you."

"Ah?" Gao Qilan was stunned. "Brother Yang, I don't know how to do business!"

"If you don't know, you can learn. My Xiao Lan is the smartest; she learns things very quickly, right?"

Zhao Yang stared into her eyes, a smile on his lips.

Gao Qilan's heart instantly raced out of control.

He said "my" again.

Does Brother Yang... already consider me his person in his heart?

"Stop daydreaming," Zhao Yang reached out and flicked her forehead. "I understand what you're thinking."

"Brother Yang!" Gao Qilan was so embarrassed her neck turned red. Her hands twisted the hem of her clothes, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.

"If you're too embarrassed to say it, then don't," Zhao Yang reached out and pinched her cheek. "As long as I understand. Don't think about anything else for now; think about whether you've felt smarter lately?"

Gao Qilan was stunned for a moment, then thought seriously: "It seems so... I couldn't understand my second brother's books before, but these past two days I seem to understand everything. When he talks about budgets, costs, and profits, I can follow along. Brother Yang, how did you know?"

"It's called the influence of one's surroundings," Zhao Yang said with a smile.

He wasn't bluffing.

Due to the increase in affection value, he and Gao Qilan had established a Partner Bond, triggering the [Partner Bonus Aura]. Gao Qilan would randomly receive an attribute bonus from him, and she had received intelligence.

However, Gao Qilan clearly took these words as sweet talk, and her heart was bubbling with sweetness. She felt that Brother Yang's way of expressing affection was much more Advanced than those boys at school who held Roses and said cheesy things.

The two walked a bit further, and seeing that time was almost up, Zhao Yang stopped: "Go back now."

Gao Qilan stopped reluctantly, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something but didn't dare.

"Alright, if you dawdle any longer, I'll be late," Zhao Yang smiled and waved his hand. "Go back."

Gao Qilan bit her lip, watching him walk away, and then skipped back home.

After entering the house, she didn't speak to her two brothers and went straight into her room.

Gao Qisheng curled his lip: "Brother, Xiao Lan's heart has truly flown away."

Gao Qiqiang sighed and gave a helpless smile: "That day was bound to come. Officer Zhao... is a good man."

Gao Qisheng was silent for a while, his expression becoming complex: "Brother, Officer Zhao is a good man, that's true. But our sister is too naive."

Gao Qiqiang was stunned, then smiled bitterly: "You're right. Officer Zhao has a bright future; I hope he continues to treat Xiao Lan this well."

"So we have to work hard," Gao Qisheng clenched his fist. "Only if her family is strong will Xiao Lan not be bullied."

...

The Public Security Bureau in the afternoon was even busier than in the morning.

Those public officials taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission had vacated their positions, but the number of people in the bureau hadn't decreased at all—Xu Jiang had confessed too much, and people like Bai Jiangbo and Chen Tai were all implicated. Even the offices were converted into temporary interrogation rooms.

Zhao Yang walked through the corridor, looking at his colleagues with bloodshot eyes and dark circles, their feet barely touching the ground, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

In the original show, because of Zhao Lidong's Black Umbrella, the people of Jinghai were tormented by underworld forces for twenty years.

Now, they wouldn't have to wait twenty years.

Zhao Lidong won't escape this time. After he falls, the one most likely to replace him is Meng Dehai.

But this matter isn't certain yet.

Zhao Yang withdrew his thoughts, felt the item in his pocket, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

He had to add some insurance for Uncle Meng's promotion.