Chapter 215: Zhou Fan's Promise
"Bye, Uncle!" That little girl, Han Yu, was quite lively. As she left, she even made a face at Zhou Fan, as if she still thought "Uncle" was an unflattering title. "Bye, Sister Chen!"
"Hahaha, so now you're an 'uncle,' and you still had the nerve to say *I* have a generation gap with them!" Chen Yao was laughing cheerfully as they left the barbecue joint. Her face was flushed from the drinks, and she clung to Zhou Fan's arm with both hands, chattering excitedly.
SMACK!
Zhou Fan slapped Chen Yao on the butt, earning a coquettish glare from her. "Hmph, you jerk. Why do you always like hitting me there? Is it just because I dragged you into that mess without your permission? But you should be thanking me! If I hadn't stepped in, would you have met that Han Huan guy's daughter?"
"Just think. If you meet Han Huan in the future and Han Yu happens to be there, what if she tells him she was being bullied while you just stood by and watched without helping? Imagine how disappointed he'd be!"
"Keep making excuses," Zhou Fan said. He didn't want to admit it, but he had to concede that she had a point.
"Hmph, what do you mean, 'excuses'?" Chen Yao pouted, reaching out a small hand to playfully pinch Zhou Fan's nose.
"Alright, you win. So, where to next? At this rate, I estimate Li Mei will break by tomorrow. She'll be the one to call, begging us to come over." Zhou Fan didn't argue back. In less than two days, Liang He from the bar had been dealt with, Li Mei's niece Li Shufen and her son Sun Wei had been killed one after another, and on top of all that was the pressure on her company. He was sure Li Mei had reached her breaking point.
That was right. Zhang Lei had taken Sun Wei away only because he didn't want to kill him in front of so many people. The plan was to behead him, just like Li Shufen, and deliver the head to Li Mei.
"It's all going to be over tomorrow? That was so fast..." Chen Yao's voice suddenly grew quiet. She fell silent, simply holding onto Zhou Fan's arm as they walked ahead with no destination in mind.
After walking for a long time, they somehow found themselves at the foot of Nanjiang Tower, the city's most iconic landmark.
"Zhou Fan, have you ever been to the top of this tower?" Chen Yao asked suddenly, tilting her head back to look at its spire.
"I've wanted to, but I've never had the chance. You want to go up?" Zhou Fan paused, a little surprised. He hadn't been back long—just over a year, all told. He'd heard all about it but had never actually gone up himself.
"I do! But... it looks like it's closed for the night," Chen Yao said, nodding before shaking her head with a touch of regret.
"Come on. I'll find a way in." Zhou Fan took Chen Yao's hand and led her on a lap around Nanjiang Tower. His original plan was to find a spot to climb in and then make his way to the top from the inside, but the place was teeming with people. There was no opportunity at all.
"Maybe we should just forget about it," Chen Yao said softly. "We can come back and see it during the day, if we get another chance."
"I'm getting you to the top tonight. If I don't, my name isn't Zhou Fan!" he declared, his voice full of conviction. For some reason, his stubborn side had flared up.
Gazing up at the top of the tower, Zhou Fan thought for a moment. He told Chen Yao to wait right where she was, then turned and ran off toward the other side.
Chen Yao had no idea what Zhou Fan had in mind, but she trusted that if he said he could do it, he would find a way. So, she waited obediently right where she was.
"Hey, beautiful. Can I get your number?"
A moment later, Chen Yao sensed someone approaching. She thought it was Zhou Fan coming back and turned around, only to see a decent-looking guy trying to get her number.
Chen Yao smiled politely and turned him down.
But Chen Yao was just too eye-catching standing there. Even though she was dressed casually, her tall figure, beautiful face, and an elegant air that had been cultivated over years—an air most people couldn't hope to match—made it impossible for her not to attract attention.
So, when Zhou Fan ran back, he saw a crowd of men—a dozen or more—all trying to get Chen Yao's number. They had even started a competition among themselves to see who would be the one to succeed.
Meanwhile, Chen Yao was trapped in the middle of them like a rare animal on display, anxiously looking around. There was a hint of helplessness in her beautiful eyes.
"Excuse me, coming through!" Zhou Fan squeezed his way in from the edge of the crowd, only to be suddenly blocked by the man beside him.
"Hey, buddy, ever heard of 'first come, first served'?" The man blocking Zhou Fan held up his phone. "Even if you want her number, you can't just cut in line. Everyone here is waiting for a chance!"
"That's not how you get the girl," Zhou Fan said with a mysterious smile, glancing at the guy without a trace of anger.
"Oh yeah? You think you're so slick?" the man retorted, unconvinced.