Chapter 81 - 81 Gathering
81 Gathering
Shang Sheng looked pleadingly at the Old Master sitting at the head of the table. Grandpa Lian smiled comfortingly and said, “Calm down. Little Jing is very happy now.”
Even if he was old and his eyesight was failing, he had still noticed the object on Shen Yin’s hand. Lian Jing seemed to have put in a lot of effort. Now, he would not have to worry about Lian Jing’s marriage anymore.
The car drove to the usual place and stopped. Shen Yin looked suspiciously at Lian Jing, who was holding back his laughter. “I have the feeling that you guys are hiding something from me.”
“Really? What can it be?” Lian Jing turned his head to look at her, unable to hide the amusement in his eyes. “You still can’t bear to get out of the car?”
“Rubbish!” Shen Yin snorted. She pushed open the car door, and walked out.
She met many colleagues at the entrance of the police station. All of them greeted Shen Yin with a smile before walking away with a strange expression.
Shen Yin frowned, wondering if there was something wrong with her face. Just as she was about to go to the washroom to take a look, she saw Meng Heng walking towards her with a smile. “Sister, the police station is having a gathering tonight. Do you want to go together?”
“But the case hasn’t been solved yet, right?” Shen Yin looked at him blankly. Then, she saw his expression grow darker. He was staring at her hand, as if trying to stare right through it.
Meng Heng’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he forced a smile. “Sister, did you buy that yourself for fun?”
Shen Yin followed his gaze and raised her hand. To her surprise, she realized that she was wearing a ring shaped like a leaf on her left hand. It was simple and understated, making her fingers look slender and delicate.
“Yes, I bought it myself.” Shen Yin put her hands behind her back awkwardly. She inwardly cursed Lian Jing’s schemes, but her heart throbbed inexplicably.
No wonder he asked her to wait for him and then mysteriously refused to tell her what it was.
No wonder everyone had looked at her so strangely this morning. It turned out that Lian Jing had played a dirty trick on her and put the ring on her finger while she was asleep.
She rebuked herself for being too careless. She had been wearing this ring for the whole morning!
“I see.” Meng Heng did not expose her lie. Instead, his smile became brighter. “Then you must make time tonight. All the colleagues from the police station will be there this time.”
“Okay.” Shen Yin nodded and agreed. When she returned to the office, she sent a message to Shen Nian first, telling him that she would be home late tonight.
Shen Nian anxiously told her to be careful but did not say anything else.
Shen Yin wanted to tell Lian Jing, but she was furious when she thought about how that guy had kept her in the dark for so long and how he must be laughing behind her back. She put away her cell phone in frustration and left the task of informing Lian Jing to Shen Nian.
After work, all the colleagues in Team Three stretched tiredly. They had found no clue about Lin Hui’s disappearance. They would not find anything even if they stayed in the office to investigate. They might as well relax. Perhaps they might gain something unexpected.
Shen Yin got into the off-road vehicle that Team Three had prepared. Along the way, everyone chatted and laughed, deliberately avoiding talking about that vexing case.
It was only when the car stopped at the entrance of the Phoenix Bar that Shen Yin realized that the gathering was not just a simple meal in a restaurant. Instead, they had booked a booth in a bar to drink.
“I don’t drink.” Shen Yin waved her hand and refused.
But Zheng Ling would not to let her off easily. “Boss, this is the first time we’re participating in a group activity together. How can we enjoy ourselves if we don’t relax a little? Don’t worry, we’re all friends here. If you drink too much, we’ll send you home!”
Shen Yin could not refuse. She was forced to remove her hand which was covering her glass, and let Zheng Ling fill it with beer.
Meng Heng sat beside her with a wine glass in his hand. He probed with concern, “Sister, why don’t I drink it on your behalf?”
“No need. How can I trouble you?” Shen Yin picked up the glass and took a sip. The cold beer slid down her throat and into her empty stomach, causing a wave of discomfort.
“Eat something first.” Meng Heng brought her some snacks. “Sister, relax. It’s just a gathering between colleagues. It’s fine if you don’t drink.”
“Thank you.” Shen Yin smiled politely, but from the corner of her eye, she suddenly caught sight of a blurry figure.
She subconsciously turned, but did not see anyone suspicious.
For the past two days, she felt that someone was following her, but she found no signs of anyone.
“Sister, you look so pale. Are you not used to the environment here?” Meng Heng raised his hand and touched her forehead. Shen Yin hurriedly avoided his hand and leaned back. Seeing Meng Heng gaze grow dim, she realized that she had overreacted and hurriedly stood up apologetically. “I’m going to the washroom.”