8 – Is He a Firefighter?
Jiang Wanning hadn’t planned on calling the police. Besides, as Fu Yan had said earlier, the man had been about to touch her but hadn’t actually managed to. There was no evidence. Even if the police came, at most they’d give the guy a scolding—they couldn’t arrest him and lock him up.
It would be pointless, ineffective.
Jiang Wanning called over the bar manager and gave him a rough account of what happened. Just as the manager was about to address her as “Miss Jiang, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family,” she quickly stopped him with a warning look.
The bar manager was a perceptive man.
One glance at Fu Yan standing beside Jiang Wanning, and he understood that she didn’t want her identity exposed.
The manager asked her in an inquiring tone, ”Miss Jiang, how would you like us to handle this man?”
Jiang Wanning replied, ”I’m a customer at your bar, and I was nearly groped. I doubt I’m the only woman this has happened to. I think you should take responsibility and investigate properly—find out whether this man has harassed other girls. If he has, I suggest you take the evidence and hand him over to the police.”
The manager agreed at once. “You’re absolutely right. We’ll deal with this matter seriously.”
There was nothing left for Fu Yan to do. He had already checked everything he needed to and given all his reminders to the person in charge of the bar.
It was about time for him to return to his unit.
The moment Fu Yan left, a little tail followed after him, trailing unhurriedly behind his back.
He went out through the side door, and Fu Yan stopped.
He felt rather helpless. He’d never met such a clingy, troublesome woman who simply couldn’t be shaken off.
And worse, there was no reasoning with her.
Fu Yan turned around to look at Jiang Wanning, who was leisurely playing with her fingers. His tone hardened. “Miss Jiang, are you done yet? How long do you plan on following me?”
Jiang Wanning dropped her arms. “Why aren’t you calling me Wanning anymore? Fu-gege, you’ve already kissed me, so why do you keep acting so distant?”
Deflated, she complained in a low voice, “I can’t get your phone number, you won’t give me your WeChat, and you still haven’t given me an answer. Was I not clear enough? Or am I not pretty enough, my figure not good enough—you don’t find me attractive?”
Wasn’t it supposed to be that when a man pursues a woman, it’s like crossing a mountain, but when a woman pursues a man, it’s like piercing a layer of gauze? Why was Fu Yan different?
For starters, she couldn’t even get his contact information. What a failure.
You should know, Jiang Wanning had been a beauty since childhood, pursued by countless boys. After she grew up, there was no shortage of mature, wealthy, refined men—there were plenty of them—but Jiang Wanning hadn’t fancied a single one.
Then she’d finally set her sights on someone.
She felt the faint flutter of attraction.
She wanted to be with him, to date him.
Unfortunately, this man didn’t think much of her and actually wasn’t buying it.
Jiang Wanning looked at herself, then at Fu Yan, and said with utter dejection, “Am I really that bad? Is it my face that’s not pretty, or my figure that’s not good enough? I can play the piano, I can dance, and I can make money too.”
She was selling herself like a saleswoman pushing a product, practically wishing Fu Yan would take a liking to her and carry her home on the spot.
Jiang Wanning reached out and gently tugged at Fu Yan’s clothes to get his attention, pinching just a corner and giving it a little shake.
“I want you to tell me your phone number yourself. If you don’t, I’ll assume you’re just playing hard to get.”
“Gege, you had your arm around my waist just now.”
“Captain Fu, do you know that a woman’s waist isn’t something you can just touch? A man is only allowed to touch his girlfriend’s or his wife’s waist. Touching another girl’s waist means you’re being a hooligan! I could go find a police officer to help me, you know.”
“But I won’t go find a police officer, because I like you. So you’re allowed to touch me.”
Jiang Wanning showed no regard for her own dignity at all, boldly flirting with Fu Yan. “Captain Fu, Ningning only wants you to touch my waist. Only Captain Fu, only big brother Fu, is allowed to touch Ningning’s waist.”
The girl leaned in very close, her red lips curved in a smile, her beautiful eyes sparkling with laughter too.
There was also the faint sweet fragrance in the air, and the girl’s soft, gentle voice from just now.
Nothing like the person who would splash water in a man’s face in a bar, who would coldly and sharply rebuke a man.
Right now, the person in front of him was clearly a soft, harmless little kitten. No—more like a little enchantress who knew exactly how to captivate a man’s soul and act coquettish.
Fu Yan’s heart skipped a beat.
Looking into Jiang Wanning’s eyes, he felt a deep sense of helplessness. He looked away, his expression remaining calm and unruffled, and recited a string of numbers in an even voice.
“Hey, wait a second!”
Jiang Wanning’s eyes lit up. Excited, she took out her phone and opened her contacts. “Captain Fu, say it again.”
Fu Yan repeated the numbers.
The moment the last digit fell, his own phone rang. He hadn’t lied—it was real. Jiang Wanning’s lips curved into a smile, a smile that came from the heart.
Fu Yan saw it and was momentarily dazed.
Soon, he averted his gaze, said nothing more, and strode away on his long legs.
This time, Jiang Wanning didn’t follow.
When chasing a man, you have to advance and retreat in turns.
Jiang Wanning was about to head back when Jiang Zhe’s call came in right at that moment, saying he had arrived and telling her to come to his private room.
Jiang Wanning went over quickly.
As she passed a booth, she didn’t pay much attention, walking quickly past and disappearing from view.
The two men there were talking about Fu Yan.
“That firefighter just now was Fu Yan, right? If I’m not mistaken, it was him.”
“Fu Yan? Fu Chi’s younger brother, the second young master of the Fu family? After all this time, he’s still working as a firefighter?”
“I wonder what he’s thinking. He could be a young master living the easy life, inheriting the family business just by sitting back, but he insists on being a firefighter—such a dangerous, exhausting, thankless job. What’s going through his head?”
“Maybe he just wants to experience life.”
“Bored from having too much money, more likely.”
…
Jiang Wanning arrived at the private room. When she opened the door, Jiang Zhe was the only one inside.
Jiang Zhe was perhaps tired. His suit jacket was placed neatly folded on one side of the sofa. With the top button of his white shirt undone, he was leaning his head back against the sofa, eyes closed, resting.
Hearing movement, Jiang Zhe opened his eyes.
“Big brother.”
“You’re here. Come in and sit.”
Jiang Wanning sat down, casually setting her bag and phone on the sofa. Jiang Zhe sat up straight, glanced at it, and said lightly, “New phone?”
“Mm, my old one got soaked in water and died.”
After saying this, afraid Jiang Zhe might interrogate her, Jiang Wanning quickly changed the subject, looking around. “Where’s your secretary? Why didn’t she come along with you?”
Jiang Zhe looked at her. “What, do you like her that much?”
Jiang Wanning smiled and shifted into a more comfortable position, resting her chin on her hand, her voice carrying a hint of laziness. “Of course I like her. She’s pretty, gentle, and considerate—don’t you like her, bro? I can see how clingy you are with her! You’re the CEO of Jiang Corporation, and you’re her boss. If you like the girl, you should make a move! CEO and secretary—so close at hand, a match made in heaven!”
Jiang Zhe was not amused.
She actually had the spare energy to meddle in his affairs.
Jiang Zhe said, “Stay out of my business. What kind of little sister meddles in her brother’s affairs? Let me ask you—what’s going on between you and that firefighter? Are you two dating?”
Caught off guard, Jiang Wanning was stunned.
It took her a moment to process, and then she stared at Jiang Zhe’s handsome face with an odd expression. “Bro, did the hotel manager tell you, or one of your friends?”
Jiang Zhe said, “Just answer me. Yes or no.”
Jiang Wanning blinked. She thought it over in her mind and, without hiding anything, said, “No, we’re not dating. I’d love to date him, but unfortunately, he doesn’t think I’m worth it. Your little sister isn’t loved by everyone after all.”
With that, Jiang Wanning let out a dejected sigh.
She was a little unhappy.
Jiang Zhe poured Jiang Wanning a glass of lemon tea and handed it over, saying unhurriedly, “He’s a firefighter?”
“Mm.”
Jiang Zhe didn’t pass any judgment, only said, “There are plenty of men in the world. There’s no need to look so beaten down and insist on taking on the challenge. Ningning, listen to your brother—his profession isn’t right for you.”
Jiang Wanning looked up in disbelief.
She couldn’t believe those words had come out of Jiang Zhe’s mouth. Though there was no outright contempt, the implication carried a hint of it.
“Bro, what’s wrong with his profession? What’s wrong with being a firefighter? You’re being prejudiced—this is occupational discrimination. What gives you the right to say he’s not suitable?”