5: Chapter 5 Gao Qilan: Yang-ge, I think I'm in love.

Early the next morning, the three Gao siblings arrived at the Public Security Bureau.

Zhao Yang met them at the entrance.

Gao Qiqiang submitted the letter of guarantee and paid the fine; the procedures were completed very quickly.

Gao Qisheng handed over the business proposal he had worked on all night, holding it with both hands as if it were a precious treasure: "Officer Zhao, thank you for your trouble!"

Zhao Yang took it, flipped through it, and patted his shoulder with a smile: "Stayed up all night?"

“It's New Year's Eve anyway, I had to stay up to see the New Year in!”

“Alright. Wait for my news tomorrow; I'll contact you regardless of whether it works out or not.”

“Thank you, Officer Zhao!”

Gao Qiqiang suddenly spoke up: “Officer Zhao... are you still on duty today?”

“On duty, a colleague has something going on at home, so I'm covering for him.” Zhao Yang looked at him, “Is something the matter?”

“I... I realized something yesterday.” Gao Qiqiang's eyes were a bit red, “My situation—you were the one helping me! Otherwise, I would have been in big trouble! Could Officer Zhao do me the honor of letting me treat you to a meal after work?”

Zhao Yang smiled: “Let's make it tomorrow, that way there will be a result regarding A Sheng's matter too. I'll contact you later.”

Gao Qiqiang immediately beamed: “That's great, Officer Zhao! Thank you!”

After a few more auspicious New Year greetings, the three siblings took their leave.

As they walked, Gao Qisheng teased: “Xiao Lan, stop looking back, Officer Zhao has already gone inside.”

“It's... it's nothing! Brother, don't talk nonsense.”

Gao Qisheng rolled his eyes: “Big Brother and I aren't blind! The way you look at Officer Zhao is like a cat seeing a fish; I was worried you'd pounce and bite him.”

Gao Qilan lowered her head and muttered softly: “What are you guys talking about... Officer Zhao is so handsome, how could he ever be interested in me...”

Gao Qiqiang sighed, feeling a bit complicated in his heart.

His own little cabbage was really about to be stolen away by someone.

...

Zhao Yang just casually flipped through Gao Qisheng's proposal before setting it aside.

The so-called investor was just a pretext—the one who was actually going to provide the money was himself.

He was well-acquainted with the development trajectory of these two brothers. In business, Gao Qisheng was very capable. What he lacked was correct guidance. Originally, this mentor was Gao Qiqiang; one could say Gao Qisheng was a smaller version of Gao Qiqiang, so like his brother, he embarked on a criminal path and eventually dragged Li Xiang down with him in mutual destruction.

But now, with the identity of an investor, he could naturally keep Gao Qisheng on the right path.

With this bond to Gao Qisheng, even if Gao Qiqiang wanted to go astray, he wouldn't be able to.

Furthermore, Gao Qiqiang's tragedy was largely a problem of the social environment in Jinghai City. From the local bullies like the Tang Xiaolong brothers to the protective umbrella above like Zhao Lidong—it was the combined force of these people that birthed the boss who dominated Jinghai for nearly twenty years, Gao Qiqiang.

As for those guys, Zhao Yang already had a plan in mind.

In the year 2000, he would eradicate the dark forces and the soil that bred them.

...

Being on duty on New Year's Day, there wasn't much to do.

At nine o'clock the next morning, Zhao Yang dialed the number for Gao Qiqiang's home.

It was picked up after just one ring.

“Hello! Hello, this is Gao Qisheng.” There was a tense expectation in his voice.

“A Sheng, it's Zhao Yang. The investor is very satisfied with your proposal and wants you to go to the Dingxin Grand Hotel for a face-to-face meeting. 10:30, Pengcheng Wanli private room. Bring your brother and sister along too; we'll eat there at noon.”

There was silence on the other end for two seconds.

“Okay, okay, okay! Thank you, Officer Zhao!” Gao Qisheng's voice clearly changed pitch, carrying a hint of a sob.

“See you later.”

Zhao Yang hung up and glanced at the System panel.

Over the past two days, the Emotion Points had been rising on their own—all from the Gao siblings.

The most points came from Gao Qilan.

He didn't even need to ask to know that this girl must be daydreaming about love.

Zhao Yang also realized one thing: besides face-to-face interactions, the lingering effects of interacting with characters in the story were also a major source of Emotion Points.

...

On the Gao family's side, Gao Qisheng exploded with excitement as soon as he put down the phone.

“Brother! Xiao Lan!” He jumped straight up from his chair, “The investor said he's very satisfied with my proposal and wants to meet me! Hahaha!”

Gao Qiqiang also broke into a smile and patted his shoulder hard: “A Sheng! Congratulations! Your decision to open a shop was the right one!”

“Brother! Don't sell fish anymore, come and help me, otherwise I'll have to hire people anyway!”

“Don't get ahead of yourself.” Gao Qiqiang's expression turned serious, “Didn't you say you still have to meet the investor? That's also a test.”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Gao Qisheng forced himself to calm down and took a deep breath, “Officer Zhao said to be at the Dingxin Grand Hotel at 10:30. I need to go prepare. Oh, he also said for you and Xiao Lan to come along and have lunch there.”

With that, he turned and went back to his room.

As soon as Gao Qilan heard she could see Zhao Yang, she turned and went to dress up.

She ran to the mirror, pulled out the light-colored long trench coat she had been reluctant to wear, and held it up against herself repeatedly. She also took out her treasured cosmetics, drew her eyebrows, and applied a bit of lipstick. Looking at herself in the mirror, she took a deep breath, her heart racing wildly.

Gao Qiqiang stood in place in silence for a while, thinking about the high class of the Dingxin Grand Hotel, a bitter look appearing on his face.

He silently went back to his room and began searching for his bankbook.

...

The three of them arrived at the entrance of the Dingxin Grand Hotel just after ten o'clock.

Although Gao Qiqiang's leather jacket was still a bit cracked, he had maintained it well, making it shiny and bright. His hair was neatly styled, clearly freshly washed, and still carried the scent of soap.

Gao Qisheng wore a jacket and trousers with a side-parted hairstyle and glasses, looking quite like a refined scoundrel.

Gao Qilan wore the light-colored long trench coat with her long hair over her shoulders and light makeup; standing at the hotel entrance, she drew frequent glances from passersby.

But at this moment, standing at the entrance of the magnificent hotel, all three were a bit hesitant.

Gao Qisheng checked the time: “Brother, are we too early?”

Gao Qiqiang said: “For this kind of thing, how can we be late? The earlier we are, the more it shows our sincerity.”

Gao Qisheng nodded, closed his eyes, and silently organized his words.

Gao Qilan stood on her tiptoes, looking around for the figure that occupied her thoughts.

At 10:25, Zhao Yang arrived.

He wasn't wearing his police uniform; instead, he wore a light green short jacket on top and narrow straight-leg trousers. With his crisp short hair, 1.8-meter height, and a face that bridged the gap with Daniel Wu, he attracted the gaze of countless young women and wives along the way.

Gao Qilan was directly stunned.

She involuntarily covered her small mouth, her heart rate accelerating, even feeling a bit short of breath.

What young girl doesn't dream of love?

“Officer Zhao!”

The words escaped her, and then she quickly ran over, her long hair trailing in a beautiful arc.

It was only when she reached him that she realized she had been too forward; her face flushed red, and she turned to look at Gao Qiqiang and Gao Qisheng.

The two of them looked up at the sky in unison, wearing expressions that said "I didn't see anything."

She lowered her head in embarrassment, wishing she could find a hole in the ground to crawl into.

Zhao Yang waved and walked up to her: “Hello, Xiao Lan. You're very beautiful today. Coming over in such a hurry, do you have something to say?”

“Ah? I... I...”