dkrc Chapter 98 A Glimmer of Hope
Chapter 98 A Glimmer of Hope
Chapter 98 A Glimmer of Hope
When Lu Ya entered the backyard, Zhang Beichuan was sitting at the stone table writing price tags.
"Comrade Zhang Beichuan," Lu Ya called out.
Hearing the sound, Zhang Beichuan looked up and glanced at Lu Ya, who was wearing a polka-dot dress. Her hair was tucked behind her ears, and she looked less like the heroic figure she usually was at work and more like a refreshing girl next door. He put the things in his hands aside.
"Officer Lu is here, please have a seat."
"I hope this won't interfere with your business?" Lu Ya's gaze lingered on the price tag in his hand for a moment before she sat down across from him at the stone table.
"No need to delay, Officer Lu wanted to see me about something?"
"Don't call me Officer Lu anymore, it sounds too formal. We've known each other for a long time, just call me Lu Ya." Lu Ya said with a blush on her face.
Zhang Beichuan smiled and said, "That makes sense."
"Alright then, stop calling me comrade and just call me Xiao Chuan."
Lu Ya smiled and nodded, then said with anticipation.
"Are you free later? I'd like to treat you to a meal."
Zhang Beichuan was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. How could he miss such a good thing as someone he liked inviting him to dinner?
"You're free... Of course you're free! But let's make it clear first, this time it's my treat. If you hadn't reacted quickly last time and hit Huang Zhenjiang with a brick, I might be done for."
Lu Ya smiled, her eyes sparkling.
"That's all part of my duty. Besides, if you hadn't been so brave to rush in, I would have been in serious trouble on my own. This meal is on me."
Seeing her insistence, Zhang Beichuan stopped refusing.
"Alright, then I'll gladly accept your invitation today. Next time, it'll be my treat."
Lu Ya nodded. "I know a restaurant that has good food and is quiet."
"Okay, I'll do as you say." Zhang Beichuan readily agreed. "Wait for me a moment, I'll go tell Baojun."
"No rush."
Lu Ya sat quietly on the stone bench, looking around the clean and tidy courtyard, feeling a little nervous.
The two walked out of Beichuan Department Store side by side. The restaurant that Lu Ya mentioned was not far away; it was a Sichuan restaurant on the street.
The storefront isn't large, but the interior is spotless and clean.
The boss clearly recognized Lu Ya and warmly invited them to sit down.
"What would you like to eat?" Lu Ya handed him the menu.
Zhang Beichuan didn't take the menu, but looked up at her and said, "You come here often, so you can order. I don't have any dietary restrictions."
Lu Ya ordered several signature dishes: boiled fish, twice-cooked pork, and stir-fried seasonal vegetables.
The atmosphere became somewhat quiet while waiting for the food.
It was also Lu Ya's first time having dinner with a strange man, and she had no idea where to start the conversation. Her eyes darted up and down, looking Zhang Beichuan across from her.
"Are you settling in well after being transferred to the city?"
"Is your wound healed?"
The two spoke in unison, breaking the silence.
Zhang Beichuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said with a smile, "The superficial wound is almost healed."
"It's alright. I originally wanted to go to the criminal investigation team." Lu Ya laughed, gently turning the teacup in her hand. "The work in the pre-trial department is a bit different from before. It's more about looking at case files and taking statements. Sigh, it's quite boring."
There was a hint of disappointment in her voice, which Zhang Beichuan noticed, and he also recalled her unusual expression at the commendation meeting a few days ago.
"Being a frontline criminal investigator is indeed very dangerous; perhaps the pre-trial investigation department is a good alternative."
"I know." Lu Ya lowered her eyelids, looking at the tea leaves floating in the cup. "I'm just feeling a little frustrated."
After saying that, she seemed to feel that something was amiss, so she looked up and smiled, trying to lighten her tone.
"But it's nothing, work is work no matter where you are. How about you? How's business at the shop lately? Has anyone been giving you trouble?"
Although he likes Lu Ya quite a bit, he can't tell the truth to everyone, can he?
Besides, whether Lu Ya likes him or not is another matter entirely.
So Zhang Beichuan mumbled, "It's not bad, just enough to make a living. Thanks to Wang Suo and the others taking care of me, no one dares to cause trouble."
Lu Ya nodded slightly, then suddenly remembered the materials she had seen at Lu Dajiang's place a few days ago, and gave him a disgruntled look.
"You're just kidding me. If you could barely make ends meet, where would you get the money to contract the Dongfeng Injection Molding Plant?"
Zhang Beichuan's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and the tea almost spilled.
He looked up at Lu Ya and saw a knowing smile on her lips, her eyes filled with a mischievous "Let's see how you make this up this time" look.
Zhang Beichuan's heart skipped a beat, and several thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.
How did she know? Who told her?
Could it be that she has been keeping an eye on me and investigating me in secret?
"You..." Zhang Beichuan put down his teacup, his face showing just the right amount of surprise and a hint of embarrassment at being exposed. "Officer Lu... no, Lu Ya, how did you know?"
Looking at his flustered expression, Lu Ya was also very curious. Was it really necessary?
Just then, the owner brought out a pot of boiled fish, breaking the awkward atmosphere.
"Please enjoy your meal."
"Okay, thank you." Lu Ya picked up her chopsticks and put a piece of fish in his bowl, saying with a smile.
"A few days ago, I went to my dad's office and happened to see the materials submitted by the Second Light Industry Bureau. Your name and the contracting plan were written on them in black and white."
Zhang Beichuan breathed a sigh of relief, but was then startled again.
"Lu Dajiang... no, is Vice Mayor Lu your father?"
Seeing his surprised expression, Lu Ya chuckled, nodded, and then gently shushed him, signaling him to be quiet.
"Well, you're one of the few people I know who knows about my dad, so you have to keep it a secret for me. I don't want people to say I got in through connections."
Zhang Beichuan chuckled upon hearing this. He longed for a powerful backer but couldn't find one, while others who did have backers were keeping them hidden and unwilling to use them.
I really can't compare to that level of awareness!
At the same time, his mind raced.
This is like finding a needle in a haystack, only to have it come to you effortlessly.
Isn't Lu Ya right in front of you the most direct bridge to Lu Dajiang?
If Lu Ya had put in a good word for him, Lu Dajiang might have reconsidered his idea of contracting the Dongfeng Injection Molding Plant.
Even if Lu Ya can't directly help, she might be able to use this relationship to meet Lu Dajiang in person, increasing her chances of taking over Dongfeng Factory!
This is much faster than waiting for an opportunity from the Second Light Industry Bureau.
"Hehehe... I really didn't recognize your talent." Zhang Beichuan said, while pondering how to bring it up.
Seeing his sudden change in demeanor, Lu Ya regretted mentioning the Dongfeng Factory earlier.
"My dad is my dad, and I am me. We're friends, so you don't need to be so nervous."
Zhang Beichuan seized the opportunity and immediately continued along with her words.
"Since we're friends, could I do you a favor?"
Lu Ya was slightly taken aback, and immediately realized that she had been worrying about him for nothing!
Come to think of it, last time I told him at the hospital that the bureau was going to apply for an award for him, he immediately asked how much the bonus was, which shows he's not the kind of person who's coy.
That suits her taste quite well; she's straightforward.
"What is it?"
"Could you introduce me? I'd like to speak with Mayor Lu in person... no..." Zhang Beichuan was about to continue calling him Mayor Lu, but quickly changed his words, "...to talk to Uncle Lu?"
They're all friends, and he's the father of one of them. How can he call him Mayor Lu?