Rebirth 2010, the best

Chapter 327 24 Hours
On the 1st, Lu Yao and his girlfriend stayed at home all day.

Of course, the two of them went out as well.

Hu Li was quite curious about Shengshi Garden. After dinner, she and her boyfriend went for a stroll. They also bought some groceries for dinner... In Hu Li's words, what she liked most was "living life" with Lu Yao.

It's simple and ordinary, but it's also quite flavorful.

The two chatted and laughed, seemingly having endless topics to discuss.

Because of this joy, time seemed to fly by.

Time flies, and dinner is already over.

Hu Li touched her slightly protruding belly and said:

"Baby, I'm pregnant."

"..."

Lu Yao's lips twitched.

I subconsciously made a comment:
Are you sure this is pregnancy and not constipation?

"Ah~~~"

The woman looked disgusted.
"You're disgusting."

"Just to be honest, you haven't gone to the bathroom since yesterday, have you?"

"Nonsense! I did it! ...Fairies don't get constipated!"

"I just finished eating, can you please stop using such disgusting words?"

"You brought it up first!"

"Yes Yes Yes……"

Lu Yao walked to the cabinet in the house and opened it.

Inside is my mom's medicine box, which contains all sorts of common medications like band-aids, alcohol, and cold medicine.

He found a box of digestive aid tablets, intending for his girlfriend to chew a few, since she had eaten quite a lot that evening. Just then, he suddenly felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.

Actually, every time Hu Li came back, he paid close attention to this matter. Whether it was Bai Yao, Xu Ruochu, or anyone else... he would carefully explain to them not to bother him for the next few days. And everyone did follow the "rules," but the necessary precautions were still necessary.

So he didn't think much of it, and while looking for the medicine, he picked up his phone and glanced at it.

But when he saw the caller ID, he felt a chill run down his spine.

WeChat contact: Luo Xuewei.

He glanced at his girlfriend subconsciously; Hu Li was sitting on the sofa watching the news broadcast on TV.

In her words, the most important news is actually this half-hour news broadcast.

So basically, as long as she's in the country, she tries her best not to miss anything.

And they watched it very attentively.

This habit wasn't unique to her; Xu Ruochu also had it.

So she didn't notice her at that moment.

Seeing this, Lu Yao relaxed slightly, took the phone into the cabinet, continued to rummage through the medicine with her left hand, making various sounds of medicine bottles clattering, and directly unlocked the phone with her right hand.

There is only one piece of information about Luo Xuewei.

"24H".

Nothing else.

But Lu Yao knew perfectly well what was going on.

24H.

24 hours.

24 hours…

In other words, from now on... He glanced at the time on his phone.

19:21.

He must provide an answer by 19:21 PM tomorrow.

otherwise……

Thinking of this, his fingers grew cold.

Even though he had prepared for this, seeing this death knell-like text message still caused him waves of physical discomfort.

However, the good news is that he found digestive aids.

"Give."

After handing it to his girlfriend, Hu Li was speechless.
"Big brother, am I some kind of little kid? I ate a little too much, and now I have to eat this?"

"Choose one: this or a glycerin suppository."

"emmm..."

Hu Li tilted her head:

"You'll open it for me?"

"...?"

Lu Yao was stunned.

Immediately following was a wave of disdain:
"Ah~~~"

"Hey hey hey..."

Hu Li snatched the box of pills and grinned mischievously.

Normally, she would never say something like that, even if you beat her to death.

But she spoke to her boyfriend without any hesitation, which made me secretly eager to try it out...

Eh?
So, what does it really feel like...?

How about trying it tonight?
Just as I was lost in thought, I heard Lu Yao say:

"I'm going downstairs to pick up my package."

"Me with you?"

"You should just take your medicine."

"Oh, okay, what did you buy?"

"Let me see if the dust cover for the keyboard has been delivered."

In fact, he didn't order the package at all; it was just an excuse he came up with because he needed to call Zheng Xiaofan to discuss things.

Fortunately, Hu Li didn't think too much about it.
"Then bring a bottle of Coke too, it'll be nice and cold."

"it is good."

Lu Yao responded and walked out.

First, I knocked on the door across the hall, then I pressed the elevator button.

Less than 10 seconds later, Zeng Ming opened the door, and Lu Yao said, pretending to be loud:

"Brother Zeng, I'm going to pick up a package."

"me and you togather."

Zeng Ming didn't think much of it at first, until he went outside and saw the phone Lu Yao handed him.

"...24 hours?"

Hearing his words, Lu Yao nodded slightly:
"Ah."

"..."

Zeng Ming remained silent, his brows furrowing.

Soon, the elevator doors opened, and the two of them walked out together.

……

Downstairs, Lu Yao was on the phone with Zheng Xiaofan, while Zeng Ming, as was his professional habit, looked around.

"what should I do?"

"...Let's discuss this. Give me some time, at least half an hour...After half an hour, call me whenever it's convenient for you."

"it is good."

After hanging up the phone, he and Zeng Ming went to buy Coke for Hu Li.

After taking a few steps, Zeng Ming suddenly said:

"Lu Yan, there's absolutely no need to worry about your family's safety. You have to trust our capabilities."

"Uh……"

Lu Yao looked into his confident and determined eyes, paused for a moment, then nodded:

"Yes, I'm very relieved."

……

"Where's the delivery?"

"It hasn't arrived yet... I saw that Taobao has already delivered it."

Lu Yao looked helpless. Hearing this, Hu Li didn't think much of it and nodded, saying:

"It'll probably be tomorrow."

"Ah."

"Ouch……"

Perhaps because of those few digestive tablets, she suddenly sat up from the sofa and hurriedly walked to the toilet.

About ten minutes later, he came out looking relaxed and happy.

Lu Yao smiled and said:

"Didn't they say that fairies don't go to the toilet?"

"I went to inspect the area."

"Ah~"

As Lu Yao expressed her disdain, she snuggled into her boyfriend's arms again.

The evening news has ended; it's time to find something else to watch.

Lu Yao rarely had a chance to call Zheng Xiaofan, since he couldn't let his girlfriend suspect anything.

So he patiently watched "Interview with the Vampire" with his girlfriend for a while, then checked the time, touched his stomach, and said:

"Are you hungry?"

"...?"

Hu Li was taken aback at first, since she had never seen her boyfriend eat late-night snacks since they got together.

Besides, he ate quite a lot for dinner.

"You are hungry?"

"I'm fine, how about you?"

"...I don't feel anything. Why would you eat a late-night snack if you're not hungry?"

Lu Yao thought for a moment, then stood up and said:

"Should I go out and buy some fried skewers and a beer? Just looking at it dry isn't very interesting."

"Oh?"

This woman's eyes lit up instantly:

"I think it works!"

"Ha~"

Lu Yao chuckled softly and walked straight out.

"Then I'll go buy it. What are you going to eat?"

"Just buy whatever you like... mainly beer, peanuts, um... I want spicy strips, the spicier the better. You can decide on the rest."

"Okay." Lu Yao replied, walked out the door, and then knocked on the door across the street again.

After Zeng Ming came out, the two went straight downstairs.

Lu Yao then dialed Zheng Xiaofan's number.

"Hey, Fan, I'm out buying some snacks to go with my drinks while watching the movie."

"Okay, let me tell you... Tomorrow, think about what to do and have Hu Li go find Luo Xuewei."

"...?"

Lu Yao's expression as he held up the phone quickly turned to one of confusion:

"why?"

"Based on our assessment of the past 24 hours, we believe that our main target, whom we intend to apprehend, will arrive in Hong Kong the day after tomorrow morning. Given her professional experience, Luo Xuewei's urgency likely stems from pressure from the British authorities, making her desperate to complete her mission. Our plan is for you to arrange for Hu Li to go to Luo Xuewei tomorrow. Have her go first and deliver a message to Luo Xuewei, such as a temporary visit to her workplace. After securing her presence, you two can go together in the evening..."

"...and then tell Luo Xuewei face-to-face that I didn't get it?"

Following his train of thought, Lu Yao roughly understood the plan.

“That’s right. Just say you went to the research institute today, but didn’t go in because it’s a holiday, and the security guards even became suspicious of you. Anyway… find an excuse to tell them you’ll give her the thing the day after tomorrow at noon, after Qingming Festival. As long as you can get through tonight, then… everything will be over by tomorrow morning. Understand?”

"..."

Lu Yao didn't agree immediately, but instead pondered it silently in his heart.

Hu Li was tasked with stalling Luo Xuewei... while Hu Li herself pretended to have "failed to take the model," but her attitude was tantamount to acquiescing and agreeing to the other party's demands.

Then wait another day...

"Okay, I understand. I'll think of something when I get back."

"Well, as for security, you don't need to worry. She's just trying to scare ordinary people; spies aren't assassins or mercenaries... Besides, this is off-limits to these people. And her threats to you are simply an insult to our intelligence."

"……Um."

Doodle.

The phone hangs up.

Lu Yao stared blankly at the Jue Wei Duck Neck shop not far away.

……

Wow, I bought so much!

Seeing Lu Yao return with bags and packages, Hu Li happily accepted them and quickly spread them out on the table.

Wine, meat, vegetables...

"Are we going to drink until we drop again tonight?"

Upon hearing her words, Lu Yao knew that this person had clearly forgotten how she had sworn to quit drinking that morning.

After washing my hands, I sat down on the sofa; the wine glass was already full.

"cheers!"

"Ah."

The combination of beer and duck parts creates a unique flavor in the mouth.

The short-haired, mature woman, her expression becoming incredibly relaxed, said with a smile:
"That's right... How can you watch a movie without alcohol? It's so boring without alcohol."

"Ah."

Lu Yao smiled and nodded, then asked:

"Where do you want to go tomorrow? How about we go camping?"

"Camping?...Overnight stay?"

"Hmm, no way. Just go out during the day and come back at night. Not overnight, so as not to cause trouble for Brother Chen and the others."

"Oh yes."

Hu Li belatedly realized what was happening.

Of course, my boyfriend isn't all alone anymore. If he were to spend the night out, security would be a bit of a challenge.

Even though it's safe here:

"Their security work is indeed governed by regulations, and violating them has serious consequences. Indeed... So, how are we going to camp tomorrow? What are your plans?"

Seeing that she was already interested, Lu Yao knew what to do.

Said directly:

"Before you came back, I did some research. This season is actually the best time for camping, it's not too hot. You pick a campsite later, and we'll get ready tomorrow morning. We don't really need to do anything there, just have some tea, chat, play some cards... experience the best season and springtime in Shanghai, what do you say?"

"can!"

Her boyfriend's description clearly touched her heart.

The images that came to mind as Lu Yao described were enough to captivate her.

Seeing that she agreed, Lu Yao asked directly:
"Should we invite Vesna along?"

"all right."

Perhaps because of the good groundwork laid, or for other reasons, Hu Li agreed without any hesitation.

After wiping my hands with a tissue, I picked up my phone:
"Vesna, how about we go camping tomorrow?"

Less than ten seconds after she sent those words, Luo Xuewei's voice rang out:

"camping?"

There was also some loud music playing in the audio, so it was probably from a nightclub.

"Yes, camping. Lu Yao invited you to go camping tomorrow."

This time, after a few seconds' delay, the female spy chief replied with a smile:

"Haha, great! This handsome guy asked me out, I'll definitely go! Oh my, I'm so happy, Lu Yao asked me out!"

"Hey, are you crazy? This is my boyfriend, you're not allowed to have any thoughts about him."

Listening to his girlfriend's voice message, Lu Yao understood perfectly.

Luo Xuewei's words were actually a direct reference to him.

Hu Li's reaction further confirmed this...

To take it even further and go along with the conspiracy theory, following his girlfriend's attitude... it's as if Luo Xuewei is saying, "Look at your girlfriend's possessiveness. If she knew what you did, what do you think she would think?"

Thinking of this, he took a sip of his drink.

The wine tasted so bitter that it was almost impossible to swallow.

It was the worst-tasting Budweiser he had ever drunk.

"Haha, so what are the plans for tomorrow?"

"We're going to buy supplies this morning to prepare for camping, wash the RV and stuff... wait a minute."

As they talked, Hu Li asked her boyfriend how he planned to arrange things. After they went over the process, she sent another message to Luo Xuewei:
"We'll probably finish around noon. Our RV is filthy, we need to clean it up. Once we're done, we'll let you know. You'll probably sleep until noon too, right? Then we can all head out and meet up there. But let's make this clear, no overnight stays. Lu Yao has bodyguards now, so it's hard for them to arrange work if we stay overnight. We'll only stay until evening at most, then we'll come back."

Her words quickly received a reply from Luo Xuewei:

"Okay, I'll contact you guys tomorrow after I wake up. Just the three of us?"

"No, there are four people. Lu Yao's bodyguards will definitely have to come along too."

"Okay, I got it. I'll bring the wine tomorrow."

"Yes, we'll be in charge of bringing the food."

The two chatted for a while, oblivious to everyone else. After hanging up the phone, Hu Li, looking overjoyed, picked up her wine glass and started chugging with her boyfriend.

Then... Lu Yao quickly got drunk.

There was no way around it; with something on his mind, even drinking tasted bitter. Besides, he wasn't a big drinker, so after two cans, his consciousness started to blur.

"Huh? You've already had too much to drink?"

"..."

Lu Yao, whose vision was starting to blur, stared blankly at his girlfriend, then suddenly chuckled foolishly:
"Hu Li."

"...?"

Hu Li was stunned.

She rarely heard her boyfriend call her by her first name.

Or……

It seems to be the first time.

After all, when we first met, he called me "Sister Li," but after we got together, he always liked to call me Hu Dabao or Baby...

This is the first time I've ever called someone by their first name.

It was somewhat unexpected.

Until... she heard a sentence.

"No matter what, just know that I love you... okay?"

"……what?"

Hu Li was momentarily confused and chuckled as she asked in return:
"Are you really drunk? What nonsense are you talking about?"

"what."

Lu Yao chuckled softly, shook his head, downed the beer in his glass in one gulp, leaned back on the sofa, and his consciousness gradually faded.

Silent all night.

Although he was tipsy but hadn't actually consumed much alcohol, he didn't sleep soundly that night.

When I woke up, it was already past 9 o'clock.

"Quick, get up! Let's go buy groceries first, then we'll wash the car."

He woke up his equally sleepy girlfriend, and the two of them began their routine work.

Occasionally, Hu Li would scoff at his drinking capacity.

But Lu Yao didn't respond, as if he hadn't drunk anything the night before.

I bought some frozen kebabs, fruit, bottled water, and other miscellaneous items. By the time I had everything ready, it was already past 11 o'clock.

Hu Li, who hadn't eaten breakfast, took the car to a car wash, and the three of them found a restaurant nearby to grab a quick bite.

During the meal, Lu Yao seemed to suddenly remember something and said:

"Oh right, I forgot something."

"……What's the matter?"

"Work-related."

In front of Hu Li, he dialed Zheng Xiaofan's number, and the first thing he said was:
"Hey, Director Li, did you see the data I sent you before the holiday?... Huh?... What!?... That shouldn't be the case... Hmm... Well... Okay... Alright, I'll come over now."

"?"

Amid Hu Li's bewilderment, Lu Yao, after hanging up the phone, gave a wry smile:
"What a coincidence! Someone needs to talk to me about work, so I have to go over there... You go first, and then I'll take a taxi to find you?"

"Huh? Is it urgent?"

"Yeah, it's urgent."

Although her boyfriend didn't tell her why it was in such a hurry, Hu Li, knowing the nature of his work, didn't ask any further questions and simply nodded.
"Okay, hurry up then."

"know."

Lu Yao hurriedly ate a few mouthfuls of rice and then walked out with Chen Xiaoqun.
Be careful while driving.

"Don't worry, just hurry up."

"Ah."

After Lu Yao left, Hu Li pursed her lips speechlessly and sent a message to Luo Xuewei:
"Are you awake? My boyfriend dumped me! Hurry, I need you."

"Where is Lu Yao?"

He said he's going to his workplace. Where are you? Have you left yet? Shall we go together?

Okay, I'll come find you now.

On the other side, the spy who saw Hu Li's message revealed a satisfied smile.

(End of this chapter)