Chapter 188 : My Mom is Missing
Chapter 188: My Mom is Missing
Ding Dian's "anxious" expression on her face immediately disappeared, and she regained her calm and elegant demeanor.
"You really don't have a sense of humor."
"Is this the house you bought?"
Chen Fan nodded, "Just bought it, what do you think?"
Ding Dian walked around the house in a circle and commented, "The layout is not bad, it's well-ventilated with south and north exposure. I like that big balcony."
"Actually, I came to this Yuhai Family Garden community last year, and to be honest, this neighborhood is really well-built."
"It's just that the prices are a bit overinflated, and the location is too remote."
Ding Dian looked at Chen Fan with a puzzled expression, "With your current wealth, you could easily buy a house in the most prosperous area in the city center."
Chen Fan shook his head.
"I'm old, and I don't like the noise, so I just want to find a quiet place to spend my retirement."
Ding Dian pursed her lips and muttered softly, "Finding such a remote place to buy a house, you must be keeping a mistress behind your girlfriend's back?"
"What did you say?"
Ding Dian quickly smiled, "Nothing. By the way, why did you call me here? Is it just to let me help you with some planning?"
Chen Fan smiled and pointed, "Aren't you a designer? I want you to help me decorate this house."
Ding Dian glared at him, "Mr. Chen, no way. I'm the manager of your club now, not your personal maid."
"Besides, there's still a huge mess at the club. The haunted house building has started renovation, and I need to keep an eye on the construction progress."
"The club has also hired a few new middle-level managers, and you, as the boss, rarely show up, so I have to hold meetings for them."
"Now you're asking me to help you decorate your house. You might as well kill me."
Chen Fan smiled ingratiatingly.
"The main reason is that I don't trust other designers, and we have a personal relationship, don't we?"
"Here's what we'll do. The haunted house renovation at the club can be put on hold for now. If it really doesn't work, I'll find Old Feng or have you assign a few middle-level leaders to supervise it."
"For the next few days, you can focus on helping me decorate this house."
Ding Dian looked curious, "Is it that urgent? Is this house more important than the club's renovation?"
"More important!" Chen Fan nodded seriously.
"I have an idea for a renovation plan in my mind. When I get back, I'll draw a rough sketch, and you can help me design it."
"Also, use the best materials and the best construction team. I hope it can be completed before July 12th."
Ding Dian looked curious.
"Why does it have to be finished before July 12th?"
Chen Fan smiled mysteriously.
"It's a secret."
"Tsk!"
Ding Dian pursed her lips, "Still keeping secrets, it must be some woman's birthday."
She had actually guessed correctly.
In fact, that date is Su Ruochu's birthday.
Chen Fan had already made up his mind.
On Su Ruochu's birthday this year, he would introduce her to everything he currently owns.
The house, his career... This time, he wants Ruochu to accompany him to the pinnacle of his career.
"It's May now, and there are less than two months left until July 12th. You might as well just kill me now," Ding Dian complained in frustration.
Chen Fan, however, smiled flatteringly, "Aren't you a renowned designer? I know you'll have a way."
"I believe in you. You can do it."
Ding Dian: "Stop it. Could you please not believe in me so much?"
Chen Fan: "I'll give you a bonus when it's done."
Ding Dian snorted coldly, "Don't try to corrupt me with money."
However, she then said, "Just this once, and it's not setting a precedent."
"And after I finish this task, I demand paid leave."
Chen Fan smiled, "No problem."
Ding Dian was also in a good mood because she found that this boss Chen Fan was truly special.
Down-to-earth, easy to talk to, and their private interactions were more like friends rather than superiors and subordinates.
She liked this way of interacting with each other.
Chen Fan left the keys with Ding Dian, and the two of them went downstairs together.
As they were leaving the neighborhood, Chen Fan casually asked, "How did you get here? Do you want me to give you a ride?"
Ding Dian glanced to the side and saw the black Volkswagen Touareg parked by the roadside, and her eyes immediately lit up.
"You bought a car?"
"Bought it a while ago."
Chen Fan walked over and pushed out an old dilapidated bicycle from behind the Volkswagen Touareg.
The excited light in Ding Dian's eyes was instantly extinguished.
"Never mind. You can keep this car for yourself."
After saying that, she waved down a taxi. Before getting in, she couldn't help but comment.
"You should get rid of this piece of junk. I find it embarrassing."
Seeing the taxi leave, Chen Fan couldn't help but shake his head, "Why would I get rid of it? I spent a hundred dollars buying it."
"Women really don't know how to live frugally."
...
That evening, when Chen Fan was having dinner with Su Ruochu at a restaurant, he smiled and asked, "Your birthday is coming up soon. What kind of birthday gift would you like?"
Su Ruochu's lips curved up, "You actually remembered?"
"Of course I remembered."
Su Ruochu: "I don't want anything. Just have a nice meal with me on that day."
However, Chen Fan shook his head, "That won't do. I need to prepare a big surprise for you."
Su Ruochu smiled, "With your wooden brain, what kind of surprise could you possibly have?"
Chen Fan pretended to think, "Let me think about how to scare you at that time."
Suddenly, Su Ruochu put down her chopsticks, "Oh, I have something I want to ask your opinion on."
Chen Fan quickly sat up straight.
"You know how I joined a club at the beginning of the semester? Recently, our club is planning to hold a small evening party, and the president has selected some members to go out and seek sponsorships."
"I was also selected. What do you think? Should I go or not?"
Chen Fan smiled, "What do you think about it yourself?"
Su Ruochu frowned slightly, seeming a bit conflicted.
"To be honest, I want to challenge myself, but I'm also worried that I won't do well and let everyone down..."
Chen Fan quickly interrupted, "Then just give it a try. Whether you succeed or not is another matter, but at least it's a good experience."
"Besides, you're a newcomer. Your club can't expect you newcomers to secure sponsorships, right? I think they just want you to tag along and gain some exposure."
Su Ruochu nodded, "That's what I was thinking too. Alright, I'll go then."
Suddenly, Chen Fan remembered something, "Oh right, when are you going? We're supposed to go to the beach resort in a few days."
Su Ruochu smiled, "It doesn't conflict. Our club is going out these two days."
"That's good then."
After finishing lunch, Chen Fan walked Su Ruochu back to her dorm.
On his way back, Chen Fan felt conflicted.
He hadn't returned to the faculty apartment for almost a week.
But he couldn't keep avoiding it like this, as he needed to write code, and his computer was in the study room.
Moreover, why did he have to avoid it in the first place? He had paid the rent.
At worst, he could just hide in the study room and try to avoid coming out as much as possible after returning.
After some mental preparation, Chen Fan turned around and headed towards the faculty apartment.
But after a few steps, his phone suddenly rang.
Teacher Wen?
Chen Fan was stunned. It was unusual for Wen Wan to take the initiative and call him.
How strange.
Could it be that because he hadn't returned for several days, Wen Wan was unable to hold back her concern and wanted to ask about it?
At least she had some conscience.
With these thoughts in mind, Chen Fan answered the call.
"Hello, Teacher Wen..."
Before he could finish his words, Wen Wan's anxious voice came through the phone.
"Chen Fan, can you come back for a bit? My... my mom is missing..."
Chen Fan: "..."