A leisurely life starting in a bar after being reborn

Fu Yan picked up his phone and sent Lin Xiaochen a text message: "Help me find a private investigator tomorrow. I want him to investigate some things for me. The situation is a bit complicated. Have the private investigator come to the office so we can discuss it in person."

After sending the message, he put his phone aside and continued lying down to look at the stars.

The night breeze was cool, carrying the scent of summer.

Tomorrow will be another new day.

……

The next day, at 7:30 in the morning, Fu Yan was eating a steamed bun when Liu Meilan started nagging.

"Don't forget about bringing your girlfriend home today."

"I haven't forgotten."

"You really haven't forgotten?"

"real."

"What time is she arriving? Should we prepare anything? Should I go buy groceries?"

"No need, Sister Zhou has already prepared everything."

"Then don't stay out too late, and come back early to wait for me."

"understood."

Did you even hear me?

"I listened."

Liu Meilan was still worried and gave Fu Yan two more instructions before letting him leave.

Fu Jianguo, who was watching from the side, couldn't help but laugh. Liu Meilan glared at him and said, "What are you laughing at?"

"It's nothing," Fu Jianguo said, taking a sip of porridge. "It reminded me of when we met each other's parents back then."

"How can that be the same? We're farmers to farmers, while he's dating a city person, and a big-name TV host at that..."

"Alright, alright, our son has already left."

Fu Yan rode his electric scooter out of the yard, and Liu Meilan's voice came from behind him: "Remember to come back early~~"

He waved and rode his bike towards the neighborhood committee.

-

At eight o'clock sharp, Fu Yan appeared in the neighborhood committee office.

There were no foreign guests to receive today; his task was to go to the subdistrict office with Director Ma Jianguo for a meeting—a coordination meeting regarding community security patrols during the Olympics.

Ma Jianguo rode a bicycle with a briefcase tucked under the back seat, while Fu Yan followed behind on a small electric scooter. The two walked towards the subdistrict office, one in front of the other.

"Xiao Fu," Ma Jianguo said as he pedaled his bike, "you've done a good job these past few days. The neighborhood office has heard about it and is preparing to nominate you for an award."

"No, no need."

"Why not use it?" Ma Jianguo turned and glanced at him. "Young people should do more and be selfless. But they should be humble when they should be, and absolutely not be humble when they shouldn't be. They can't refuse any honors."

He mouthed the words but didn't say them aloud, but Fu Yan knew he was referring to joining the organization.

"Director, really, it's not necessary."

"Alright," Ma Jianguo turned around, "I'll remember that anyway."

At 9:30, Fu Yan left the street office and rode his bicycle towards his office.

……

We've already bought the office space from Yanchen Investment with full payment. We've also expanded it recently, and now the entire entrance is ours, covering about 500 square meters.

Fu Yan parked his electric scooter in parking space number one, wobbled into the office, and had just sat down and poured himself a glass of water when Lin Xiaochen knocked on the door and came in.

"Mr. Fu, I've found that person for you."

"Who is it?"

"You asked me to help you find him," Lin Xiaochen said. "The head of the Yanjing Blaze Investigation Agency is named Liang Xiaotian."

Fu Yan thought for a moment and nodded: "Let him in."

A short while later, Lin Xiaochen brought in a man in his thirties. He wore black-rimmed glasses and a plaid shirt, and looked somewhat scholarly, but his eyes were quite sharp.

"Hello, Mr. Fu," Liang Xiaotian said, extending his hand. "I am Liang Xiaotian, the head of the Yanjing Blazing Flame Investigation Agency."

"Please sit down," Fu Yan gestured to the sofa. "Lin Xiaochen told you why I contacted you, right?"

"Yes, Manager Lin said there's something you need to investigate."

"Yes." Fu Yan took out a piece of paper from the drawer, on which were written several pieces of information—Bincheng City, name, family residence and members, and possibly information about working in other places, etc.

"Just these few points, help me find out the details about this family."

Liang Xiaotian took the note, read it carefully, and then asked, "President Fu, are there any special requirements for this matter?"

"Don't alert them, and don't make a move that might alert them. I just want to know who they are, where they live, what their family situation is like, and what their weaknesses are. I want to see the information before deciding how to proceed."

"Understood." Liang Xiaotian put the note away. "As for the fees..."

"Has Lin Xiaochen spoken with you?"

"We've discussed it. It'll be ten thousand yuan, half of it upfront."

"Okay." Fu Yan took out five thousand yuan from her bag and handed it to him. "Is two days enough?"

"That's enough," Liang Xiaotian said, taking the money. "I'll come over in person to report on this at this time the day after tomorrow."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

Liang Xiaotian stood up, shook hands, and left.

After Lin Xiaochen returned from dropping someone off, Fu Yan told her, "Keep an eye on him and make sure he investigates thoroughly. Don't try to fool me."

"Don't worry, I told him that this is your private matter, and he wouldn't dare to be irresponsible."

Fu Yan nodded.

It's much better to leave this to professionals than to try to find out for yourself.

-

Meanwhile, Fu Xiao drove his white Audi A4, with his parents and Chen Shiwen in tow, towards Badaling.

Today's trip was Fu Xiao's own suggestion—she noticed that her parents hadn't done much since they arrived, only visiting the courtyard houses and Houhai. Since she had finally managed to get them out of the house, she wanted to take them to a proper tourist attraction.

"Mom and Dad, where are you going to have fun?" Fu Xiao asked.

"The Great Wall!" Liu Meilan exclaimed excitedly, "Coming to Yanjing and not visiting the Great Wall is like not having come at all!"

"But the Great Wall is too far away, and there are too many people..."

"What's there to be afraid of if it's far?" Fu Jianguo chimed in, getting excited. "Your mother and I have never even seen the Great Wall in our lives!"

Fu Xiao sighed inwardly and resignedly started the car.

Chen Shiwen sat in the back seat, quietly looking out the window.

She barely slept last night; Fu Yan's words kept replaying in her mind. "You're not alone," "I'll figure something out for you." She didn't know what Fu Yan could do, but for some reason, hearing those words made her feel much more at ease.

"Shiwen," Liu Meilan turned her head, "Are you feeling unwell? You don't look well."

"It's nothing, Auntie, I just didn't sleep well."

"Young people should get more sleep, don't be like your brother Fu, always messing around."

"Mom, what are you saying? When did my brother ever do anything reckless?" Fu Xiao protested from the front seat.

"When does he ever stop causing trouble? Your brother was a kid..."

"here we go again!"

Chen Shiwen listened from the side, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

……

The Badaling Great Wall was packed with people.

Fu Xiao parked the car, and the four of them bought tickets and followed the flow of people toward the entrance.

The sun was scorching at the end of June, making everyone sweat profusely. Fu Jianguo and Liu Meilan, however, were full of energy, each carrying a small flag and walking ahead, occasionally stopping to take a picture. Chen Shiwen followed behind, while Fu Xiao was panting after every few steps.

"I can't go on, ahhh!" Fu Xiao leaned against the city wall. "How many steps are there?"

"This is nothing," Fu Jianguo said, turning around. "Back when your mother and I went to work in Bincheng, we walked dozens of miles of mountain roads every day. What are these few steps?"

"That's you, not me!"

"Young people just lack exercise."

Fu Xiao was on the verge of tears, but could only grit her teeth and continue climbing...