Chapter 465: The Shock of the First Meeting
Chapter 465: Chapter 465: The Shock of the First Meeting
Little Red Carp and Zhao Nuanyue now had a much deeper understanding of Pan Ling’er, and they liked her all the more for it.
"Yes, yes! Ms. Ling’er is so kind and brave, so of course you should have a lucky stone to protect you. This lucky stone will bring you good fortune," Little Red Carp said with a cheerful grin, holding out the stone.
Pan Ling’er solemnly extended both hands to receive it, her smile blossoming like a flower. "What a beautiful stone! There’s a small groove in the middle, perfect for tying a red string through it to wear as a necklace."
Just as Little Red Carp and Zhao Nuanyue were about to say more to Pan Ling’er, they heard a group of people approaching quickly from behind.
"Ling’er! Ling’er!" A man in his late thirties, seeing Pan Ling’er at the main gate, called out loudly. "Hurry over here! Let me see if you’re hurt!"
Seeing her older brother, Pan Ling’er instinctively ducked her head. She turned to Zhao Nuanyue and Little Red Carp and said, "I’m so sorry, Nuanyue, Little Red Carp. My brother’s here, so I have to go."
"Go on, go on!" Zhao Nuanyue said, completely understanding how Pan Ling’er’s family must feel. She didn’t want to hold her up.
Pan Ling’er ran cheerfully to her brother and said with a grin, "I’m fine, Big Brother! We put out the fire and caught the criminals last night. Luckily, we discovered them early, so they didn’t manage to steal the item."
"As long as you’re not hurt, I can rest easy." Pan Qingsong carefully looked his sister over from head to toe. She seemed her usual self, aside from her clothes being a bit dirty and torn. Only then did he truly relax.
"I’m fine, Brother. I’m helping with the inventory and audit of the museum’s collection, so I can’t come home just yet. Go tell Mom and Dad not to worry. Oh, and don’t forget to get me a few changes of clothes—underwear and all!" Pan Ling’er was a bit exhausted, but she was running on pure adrenaline.
This was her first time participating in such a critical mission, and she had no intention of leaving.
"I came here specifically to take you home, and you don’t even want to come? Don’t you know how worried Mom is?" Pan Qingsong said, his face stern. He thought his sister was getting more and more headstrong and reckless.
"Brother, I’m perfectly fine, aren’t I? Everyone is busy, and we’re short-staffed. How could I just abandon my post and go home to rest?" Pan Ling’er retorted confidently. "Just go home and tell Mom and Dad what’s going on. They’ll understand."
As Pan Ling’er spoke with her brother, she couldn’t help but glance over toward Zhao Nuan Yang and Zhao Nuanyue. She was afraid they might overhear her conversation and get the wrong impression, thinking she was just a coward who was afraid of hardship.
Setting aside his initial worry, Pan Qingsong followed his sister’s strange glances. His eyes landed on Zhao Nuan Yang, and next to him, Hua Yusen, who was holding a child beside Zhao Nuanyue.
Although Pan Qingsong was more than ten years Hua Yusen’s senior, they saw each other often due to their work and were quite familiar.
Combined with the information Li and Wu had previously gathered on Zhao Nuan Yang, Pan Qingsong’s curiosity was piqued. He decided to take the opportunity to observe Zhao Nuan Yang up close, so he walked over to Hua Yusen. "Yu Sen, you’re here too!"
Hua Yusen spoke with great respect. "Yes, Brother Qingsong. This is Zhao Nuan Yang, my wife’s younger brother. He was part of the rescue effort last night, and we were worried, so we came to check on him."
After Hua Yusen’s explanation, Pan Qingsong’s gaze fell upon Zhao Nuanyue. She was, indeed, a rare beauty. However, what truly earned his admiration wasn’t her looks or her graceful figure, but her deep and unwavering love.
He knew that when Hua Yusen had been in a vegetative state, the Guo Family had seized the opportunity to break off their engagement. Yet in that moment of despair, a beautiful woman like Zhao Nuanyue had willingly stayed by Hua Yusen’s side, ready to marry him and care for him for the rest of her life.
In these difficult times, many couples had parted ways in the face of hardship, making such genuine affection truly rare.
"Your wife is truly a rare beauty!" Pan Qingsong complimented. His gaze then shifted past Zhao Nuanyue to Zhao Nuan Yang. "And you’re not bad either. A fine young man!"
If Pan Qingsong had previously felt some animosity toward Zhao Nuan Yang, the report he received from his subordinates this morning had left him stunned. It turned out this "pretty boy" also knew Martial Arts and was a hero who would step up when it mattered.
"You’re too kind," Zhao Nuanyue said with a smile. "Nuanyang was just doing his duty."
Just then, Dean Xin’s aged voice crackled over the PA system, instructing all museum employees to assemble in the conference room.
Hearing the announcement, Zhao Nuan Yang’s expression faltered for a moment. He bowed to the group. "Thank you all for coming to see me and for the kind words, but I have to get back to work now. I apologize."
"Work comes first. Go on, hurry!" Zhao Nuanyue nodded, making the decision for Zhao Nuan Yang before anyone else could speak.
Zhao Nuan Yang nodded, then turned and hurried toward the conference room.
After hearing the announcement, other staff members also began hurrying to the conference room from their offices and various other corners of the museum.
Not wanting to face her brother alone, Pan Ling’er seized the opportunity. "Big Brother, I have to get back to work, so I can’t talk now! Oh, and when you go home for lunch, tell Mom and Dad I’m fine, and don’t forget to bring me some clothes!"
Watching Pan Ling’er’s frantic retreat, Pan Qingsong was left speechless. He shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. ’I really don’t know what to do with that girl!’
"Miss Ling’er is an enthusiastic, conscientious, and responsible person," Zhao Nuanyue commented, her impression of the young woman growing even more favorable.
Pan Qingsong, however, knew his sister best. ’She’s a bit clumsy and naive,’ he thought. As her older brother, it was his duty to protect her.
But regardless of whether the praise was sincere, Pan Qingsong couldn’t help but let a hint of a smile show in his eyes.
"You’re too kind, too kind!" Although he didn’t have much faith in his sister’s abilities, he couldn’t help but feel pleased hearing her praised. "Zhao Nuan Yang is quite impressive as well—a brave and resourceful young talent!"
Hearing this, Hua Yusen gave Pan Qingsong a knowing smile. "On behalf of my brother-in-law, thank you for the compliment."
"Heh... Don’t mention it..." Pan Qingsong felt conflicted. On one hand, he hoped Zhao Nuan Yang was an outstanding man; on the other, he was afraid that if Zhao Nuan Yang was *too* outstanding, he would steal his sister’s heart.