The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Busy with Work, No Partner

Han Xiaorui was singing to herself, and her child was happy as well.

Pingping pointed ahead. ”Mama, car, uncle.”

Han Xiaorui looked up, blinking in surprise. Parked at her gate was Ye Feng’s army-green jeep.

When Ye Feng heard her singing stop, he knew she had seen his car. He opened the door and got out.

The door opened, and the first thing to emerge was a long leg.

’Wow, that’s a long leg!’

His summer trousers were thin, revealing the firm, well-proportioned muscles of his long legs.

Sister-in-law Xiao Yu’s description of him as an ”Adonis” automatically flashed through her mind.

Han Xiaorui shook her head with a laugh. ’I refuse to admit Sister-in-law Xiao Yu has been a bad influence on me,’ she thought. ’It was just a coincidence that I remembered that!’

Han Xiaorui smiled and asked, ”Mr. Ye, what brings you here so late? Is there something I can help you with?”

Ye Feng nodded. ”Yes. The reconnaissance devices you salvaged are among the most advanced foreign models, and they provide an excellent reference for our own work.”

”The relevant maritime agencies are co-hosting an event to honor outstanding individuals from various fields. Considering you’ve salvaged so many reconnaissance devices, I’ve already put your name forward.”

”Some experts and officials want to discuss the details with you tomorrow. I came by specifically to let you know.”

Han Xiaorui wasn’t interested when she heard this. ”Isn’t that drawing too much attention? The weather’s supposed to be good tomorrow, and I was planning to go fishing!”

Ye Feng smiled. He knew Han Xiaorui didn’t care about these things. ”It’s not about showing off; it’s an honor. Besides, the maritime administration is made up of many different agencies. If you want to buy a bigger fishing boat in the future, or learn how to pilot one, or apply for subsidies, you’ll need to work with them.”

Han Xiaorui’s indifferent expression changed the moment she heard Ye Feng’s words. A spark lit up her wide, bright eyes. ”Oh, wow, so there are that many perks?”

”And that’s not all!” Ye Feng smiled. He found Han Xiaorui’s eyes particularly beautiful, like limpid pools of spring water in which he could almost see his own reflection.

”When you’re out fishing, it’s inevitable that you’ll accidentally catch some rare or protected species. Most of the time it’s unintentional, but if someone wanted to make an issue of it, it could get a little messy. If you’re officially recognized by the maritime agencies, it’ll be easier to make big problems small, and small problems disappear!”

”You’re absolutely right!” Han Xiaorui nodded eagerly. ”That’s definitely a good point. With so many protected species, who knows which are okay to catch and which aren’t? I should be more proactive instead of avoiding the relevant agencies just because it’s a hassle. Mr. Ye, what time tomorrow?”

Ye Feng thought for a moment. He was originally going to tell Han Xiaorui to be at his office at seven-thirty.

But when the words reached his lips, he changed them. ”How about this: I’ll come pick you up at seven tomorrow. I can also introduce you to a colleague of mine. In the future, you can call him with any questions about seagoing vessels.”

Han Xiaorui didn’t stand on ceremony with Ye Feng. After all, salvaging all those reconnaissance devices had earned him a great deal of credit. ”Alright, I’ll be waiting.”

Those three simple words—”I’ll be waiting”—coming from Han Xiaorui’s lips, sent a wave of emotion through Ye Feng.

He took a few deep breaths, smiled, and said, ”Okay, see you tomorrow then. Goodbye, Pingping and An’an.”

”Goodbye, Uncle.” Pingping and An’an recognized Ye Feng and were no longer afraid of him like they had been at first. They said goodbye politely.

Ye Feng opened the car door to get in.

”Wait a second. I got something special today, let me give you a bottle,” Han Xiaorui said with a smile. Before Ye Feng could refuse, she led her children into the house.

Han Xiaorui brought out a bottle of peach blossom honey and handed it to Ye Feng. ”You often pull all-nighters. Have some honey. It’s good for your digestion and overall health.”

Ordinarily, protocol dictated that Ye Feng should refuse. But looking at Han Xiaorui’s smiling, expectant expression, he decided to break discipline just this once.

He resolved to bring some candy for Han Xiaorui, Pingping, and An’an the next time he visited.

”Thanks,” Ye Feng said, taking the bottle. ”I’ll be going now. You should head inside.”

Ye Feng started the car and waved. In the rearview mirror, he saw Han Xiaorui still waving under the porch light. The pale yellow glow illuminated her, tinting her hair a soft blond.

’For some reason, he found himself a little envious of that lamp!’

Han Xiaorui turned to go back inside, the song she was humming changing to ”Picking Red Lotus.”

”We row our boat together, picking red lotus, oh, picking red lotus... The boy is willing, the girl is keen, just like a pair of lotuses born on the same day, oh, our two hearts beat as one...”

Han Xiaoqing was in the middle of a conversation with her niece when she paused, her ears catching the sound of her older sister’s light, sweet singing. A knowing smile graced her lips.

’Looks like Sister-in-law Xiao Yu was right,’ she thought. ’My sister is so wonderful; she deserves a much better man.’

’A scumbag like Yang Jianming is completely unworthy of her!’

Han Xiaorui took a bath, changed into a nightgown, turned on the fan, and went to sleep with her two children.

She had such a wonderful dream!

As for what it was about... well, that’s not for outsiders to know!

The next morning, Liang Xiaoyu came over with some pastries. ”Xiao Rui, my mother-in-law made some tasty treats. We’ll have something delicious to eat out on the sea.”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”We’re not going out to sea today. The maritime agencies are holding a conference. Mr. Ye said I performed a great service by finding all those reconnaissance devices, so he nominated me. I’m going to get an award today.”

”Could you do me a favor, Sister-in-law Xiao Yu, and go tell everyone at the shore? After that, you and Xiao Jing can take the kids to their class.”

Hearing this, Liang Xiaoyu raised an eyebrow and smiled knowingly. ”In that case, you’d better dress up and make yourself look gorgeous.”

”Don’t you worry about that,” Han Xiaorui retorted playfully. ’I knew it,’ she thought, ’Sister-in-law Xiao Yu is starting with her teasing again.’

Liang Xiaoyu rode her bicycle to the docks to let the others know, and everyone set out to sea to fish without waiting for Han Xiaorui.

When Liang Xiaoyu returned, she saw Song Sixth’s van parked at the gate, with a jeep next to it.

Liang Xiaoyu sidled up with a wide grin. ”Mr. Ye, our Xiao Rui has never been to such a formal event before. You’ll have to make sure to look after her.”

Ye Feng smiled. He’d met Liang Xiaoyu a few times and knew she was Han Xiaorui’s friend. ”Naturally. You can rest assured.”

”Mr. Ye, I heard someone call you ’Director’ before. That’s very impressive! How old are you, exactly?” Liang Xiaoyu, appointing herself the family representative, began her ”background check.”

Ye Feng glanced up with a faint smile. ”Twenty-six. And unmarried.”

”Oh, my!” Liang Xiaoyu gasped, covering her mouth as she sized up Ye Feng. ”A director at twenty-six? So young and promising! Not married... then you must have a girlfriend already.”

Upstairs in her bedroom, Han Xiaorui was changing clothes when she looked out and saw Sister-in-law Xiao Yu practically doubled over with laughter. ’What on earth is she saying to Ye Feng?!’ she wondered.

By now, Han Xiaorui had changed into a plaid, Hong Kong-style dress, paired with the latest trend: pointed, dark-khaki leather shoes, also in the Hong Kong style.

Her hair was pulled back and styled in a half-updo, secured with a butterfly clip.

Just as Han Xiaorui looked out from the second-floor window, Ye Feng glanced up and saw her. His eyes widened in stunned admiration. At that exact moment, he heard what Liang Xiaoyu said. The look in his eyes shifted, and he replied,

”I’ve been busy with work. No girlfriend!”