Chapter 520: Hooked into a Smile

At this moment, Lin Yuan was in the lab, continuing to research the X Vaccine with Shen Nan Zhi.

The research had reached a critical moment.

Lin Yuan didn't even have time to check his phone.

Thus, that message on his phone was put aside.

Lin Yuan didn't see the WeChat message.

It wasn't until eleven at night that he and Shen Nan Zhi finished the experiment.

He picked up his phone and then saw the message Qin Bore had sent.

Lin Yuan hurriedly replied: 【Sorry, Miss Qin, I was just working overtime and didn't see it.】

Qin Bore replied: 【It's fine, I've already had dinner. By the way, you've been working overtime a lot lately, huh?】

Lin Yuan explained in reply: 【Recently I've been helping the group research the Lipid-Lowering Vaccine; I know a bit of traditional Chinese medicine, and I'm assisting with R&D using TCM techniques. So I've been busy.】

Qin Bore replied: 【Not bad, not bad, you've made some small achievements in your career—keep it up.】

Lin Yuan asked: 【Aren't you on a blind date today? Why are you suddenly asking me to eat?】

Qin Bore: 【The blind date is over, so I came to find you.】

Lin Yuan wondered, puzzled: She's finished her blind date—shouldn't she be eating with her date?

Lin Yuan couldn't help but ask: 【How did the blind date turn out?】

Qin Bore: 【It worked out—we're getting married next year.】

Seeing this message, Lin Yuan's face fell instantly, his heart felt like it was being cut by a knife, but he still replied: 【This, so fast? Then, congratulations to you two.】

Qin Bore: 【Why did you use the two words "you guys"? You should say "us". Congratulations to "us".】

Lin Yuan: 【Huh?? What does that mean??】

Qin Bore: 【We're getting married next year, me and you. "We".】

Lin Yuan was dumbfounded???

Lin Yuan: 【We, getting married? Miss Qin, you, what does this mean?】

Qin Bore: 【The meaning is, I rejected my blind date and intend to marry you. For you, I gave up such an excellent blind date prospect.】

Lin Yuan's heart raced!

He was about to reply, but for a moment didn't know how to respond.

Lin Yuan: 【Miss Qin, you, want to marry me??】

Qin Bore sent a funny emoji: 【Silly, I was just teasing you. I definitely don't want to marry you~just joking with you.】

Lin Yuan replied dejectedly: 【Oh.】

Qin Bore continued replying: 【However, it's true that I turned down my blind date.】

Seeing this message, Lin Yuan felt his heart ease again.

Fortunately, she didn't succeed in the blind date.

Qin Bore: 【My stomach's hungry again, treat me to a late-night snack? I want fried food, barbecue~and beer.】

Lin Yuan's heart raced, and he immediately agreed: 【Okay.】

Qin Bore: 【Come pick me up, you know my address, right?】

Lin Yuan: 【I know, I'm coming right now.】

Lin Yuan hastily tidied the lab bench, then turned and headed for the changing room.

【It's so late, where are you rushing off to?】 Shen Nan Zhi's voice came from behind.

Lin Yuan turned around and saw Shen Nan Zhi walking toward him holding a thermos.

【I'll treat you to a late-night snack, and I've brought the freshly brewed goji berry tea—it's good for staying up late.】 Shen Nan Zhi shook the cup in her hand.

【No thanks, Sister Shen Nan Zhi, I have an appointment.】 Lin Yuan waved with a smile, his steps not stopping.

【With a young lady?】 Shen Nan Zhi raised her eyebrows, a flicker of hardly noticeable disappointment crossing her eyes.

Lin Yuan didn't deny it, nodding slightly.

Shen Nan Zhi quickly adjusted her mood, stepped forward and patted his shoulder: 【Not bad, not bad, you've finally had your breakthrough—keep it up.】

She gave Lin Yuan a once‑over, furrowed her brows: 【But you can't go out dressed like that; a date needs a bit of ceremony.】

【Huh?】 Lin Yuan looked down at his coat speckled with some medicinal powder, then realized he hadn't changed clothes yet.

【And you haven't shaved your beard clean, you have no scent—how are you going to attract a young lady?】 Shen Nan Zhi pulled him toward her office.

Lin Yuan felt a bit embarrassed: 【I didn't bring any cologne.】

【Mine, borrow it.】 Shen Nan Zhi took a bottle of women's perfume from the drawer: 【The scent is light, not overpowering, suitable for guys too.】

She lightly sprayed his coat twice, then brushed off the herbal powder from it: 【Hurry to the changing room and clean up—don't let the young lady wait anxiously.】

【Thanks, Sister Shen Nan Zhi!】 Lin Yuan took the items, smiling gratefully.

Ten minutes later, Lin Yuan finished shaving and came out of the changing room.

He carried a faint fresh scent, his whole spirit much refreshed.

【That's more like it, hurry up and go.】 Shen Nan Zhi waved at him.

Lin Yuan nodded, grabbed his car keys, and ran downstairs.

……

Twenty minutes later, Lin Yuan's car stopped outside Qin Bore's building.

He sent Qin Bore a WeChat message: 【I'm here.】

A few minutes later, he saw a familiar, stunning figure walk out of the office building entrance.

Qin Bore walked over in low heels, swaying gracefully.

She wore a mid‑length black belted trench coat; its sharp cut set off her temperament, making her stand out even more.

The belt lightly tightened at the waist, perfectly outlining a slender waistline, its length falling exactly at the thigh position, sexy, absolutely beautiful.

Her lower body wore a pair of black semi‑sheer thick stockings, which not only shaped her straight, long legs but also added a touch of mature charm.

Qin Bore's legs were so long they made people drool; such perfect legs, one could never tire of them even in a lifetime.

On her feet in the thick black stockings she wore a pair of black low‑heel shoes.

The glossy material gave off a soft sheen under the streetlights.

Qin Bore walked over, exuding an innate mature‑older‑sister aura.

Qin Bore walked to the car, opened the door and got in, her body carrying a faint scent of body wash.

She had obviously taken a shower.

Lin Yuan looked at Qin Bore in the passenger seat, his heart racing.

Qin Bore had no makeup on her face.

Tonight she came bare‑faced.

Yet her skin was fair and delicate, glowing naturally, her features finely sculpted as if carved, so beautiful one couldn't look away.

Even bare‑faced, she was stunningly beautiful, leaving Lin Yuan unable to avert his gaze.

The bare‑faced Qin Bore was even more beautiful, a beauty of pure charm that came from within.

"Why are you staring at me?" Qin Bore asked.

"Um, you're very nice to look at, pleasing to the eye," Lin Yuan replied awkwardly.

"Hey, after a few days apart you've learned how to flirt? Those lines of yours come in sets," Qin Bore teased.

Lin Yuan scratched his head embarrassedly, "I'm telling the truth."

"I'm not wearing any makeup, where's the good looks?" Qin Bore laughed.

"Miss Qin, you're gorgeous even without makeup, outshining those internet celebrities," Lin Yuan said.

"Very few people have seen me without makeup; you're the first." She turned her head to look at Lin Yuan, a hint of smile in her eyes.

Lin Yuan blinked, then instinctively replied, "But don't women usually stay at home after taking off their makeup? It's rare to go out bare‑faced, right?"

"You little rascal, still thinking about coming to my place to see me without makeup?" Qin Bore reached out and lightly tapped his arm, her tone tinged with annoyance but her eyes full of laughter.

"I didn't mean that!" Lin Yuan hurriedly waved his hands in apology, his cheeks instantly flushing red.

"Hmph, want to watch me take off my makeup at home? Your level isn't enough yet—you need to keep trying." Qin Bore blinked her beautiful eyes and laughed coquettishly.

Hearing that, Lin Yuan's heart raced.

She said, I still need to keep trying?

What does that mean?

It means, do I still have a chance?

At that moment, Lin Yuan's heart raced and he felt a bit light‑headed.

Although he hadn't yet started dating Qin Bore.

But this pre‑relationship, the teasing push‑pull feeling, is really interesting.

Lin Yuan, this honest guy, has already been hooked by Qin Bore and is grinning foolishly.

Lin Yuan drove his Tesla Model S sedan, slowly entering the night.

"Miss Qin, what late‑night snack place would you like? Any favorite?" Lin Yuan asked.

"I don't know; I never eat those street‑stall fried foods and barbecue. Do you know a good place? Or you could lead the way." Qin Bore sat in the passenger seat, applying lipstick.

"Um, okay, I'll pick a place—the barbecue joint I used to go to often." Lin Yuan said, then drove toward that old‑time barbecue restaurant.

Along the way, Qin Bore kept applying lipstick while asking, "Lin Yuan, your car isn't bad—is it new?"

Lin Yuan replied, "Um, the company provided it."

"Not bad— the company gave you a car, and you've recently made some progress in your career. Tonight I'll have to give you a good feast." Qin Bore blinked her beautiful eyes.

"Sure, feel free to order whatever you like later, Miss Qin." Lin Yuan replied with a smile.

……

Qin Bore laughed at his embarrassed look, stopped teasing him: "Did you pick the barbecue stall? I'm starving."

"I already chose it—this place's flavor is especially authentic." Lin Yuan started the car and headed toward the Lao Zhang Fried & Barbecue stall…

……

Ten minutes later, the two arrived at their destination.

【Lao Zhang Fried & Barbecue】

It's a very popular street‑side barbecue stall.

In front of the Lao Zhang Fried & Barbecue stall…… crowds gathered, the atmosphere buzzing with life, the shouts and the sizzle of skewers intertwining, especially lively..

The night‑market scene is where a city's true vitality lies.

The richer a city's nightlife and the greater its crowds, the more youthful its vitality.

Lin Yuan brought Qin Bore to find an empty table at the roadside and sat down.

He called out familiarly to the stall owner: "Uncle Zhang, two skewers of lamb kidneys, ten of beef, five of chicken wings… and a bottle of cold beer!"

"Sure thing, Xiao Lin, it'll be ready soon!" The stall owner Lao Zhang looked up, saw Lin Yuan, and replied enthusiastically.

Lin Yuan and the boss seemed quite familiar.

Qin Bore looked around at the lively scene and asked curiously, "Do you come here often to eat?"

Lin Yuan nodded: "Back when I did Didi chauffeur work, I'd get hungry at night and often came here for late‑night snacks— the taste was reliable and cheap."

"You still did Didi chauffeur work?" A flicker of surprise crossed Qin Bore's beautiful eyes.

Lin Yuan nodded: "I've done many jobs."

Qin Bore became interested, propping her chin as she asked: "What other jobs have you done before? Do tell."

"Security guards, delivery workers, couriers… a lot of manual labor." Lin Yuan sounded a bit ashamed, "They're just the lowest‑level jobs, not worth mentioning."

"How could it be not worth mentioning?" Qin Bore immediately retorted, her eyes especially serious, "You don't steal or rob, you earn money with your own hard work—you're far better than those spoiled rich kids who live off their parents. I think that's great; it shows you're down‑to‑earth and willing to work."

Lin Yuan froze; since he started working, few people had ever affirmed his "low‑level jobs" like that.

And yet Qin Bore right in front of him was affirming him like that?

Lin Yuan's eyes felt a little hot; he quickly picked up the water cup on the table to hide his emotions.

At that moment, the skewers and iced beer were brought over, the sizzling, oil‑dripping aroma of the skewers wafting over.

Qin Bore picked up a chicken wing skewer, took a bite, and narrowed her beautiful eyes in satisfaction: "Wow, the taste is really good—you didn't lie to me."

She lifted her beer cup and raised it toward Lin Yuan: "Come on, let's have one!"

The two ate and chatted, the atmosphere exceptionally harmonious.

……

Not far from the barbecue stall, under the shade of trees, a camouflaged military vehicle sat quietly.

YeHaiqiong wore a full camouflage uniform and sat in the passenger seat.

YeHaiqiong had secretly followed Qin Bore here.

At that moment, he was not far away, secretly watching Qin Bore on a date with another man.

YeHaiqiong's gaze, through the car window, was firmly locked on the direction of Qin Bore and Lin Yuan…

YeHaiqiong's face was calm and cold, showing no expression.

"Who is this man? Have you checked his identity?" YeHaiqiong said in a light tone.

The guard quickly handed over a document: "Reporting, Colonel, we've looked into it. His name is Lin Yuan, from Yue Zhou; he currently works at Su Group, just an ordinary white‑collar employee."

"Just an ordinary white‑collar worker?" YeHaiqiong sat up straight in surprise, her face full of disbelief, "Qin Bore would actually get this close to an ordinary white‑collar worker?"

He stared at the smiling Qin Bore not far away, watching her actively hand a skewer to Lin Yuan and clink cups…

YeHaiqiong's heart felt as if gripped by an invisible hand, a surge of defeat unlike anything she'd ever known rising within her.

……

Just then, in front of the barbecue stall not far away…

Qin Bore had drunk a lot of beer, her stomach feeling a bit bloated.

She put down her beer cup, stood up, and told Lin Yuan, "I'm going to the restroom."

Lin Yuan nodded.

Qin Bore got up and went to the restroom.

……

Meanwhile, inside the off‑road vehicle not far away, a glint flashed in YeHaiqiong's eyes.

YeHaiqiong said to the guard, "Let's go over and meet this new friend."

The two opened the car door and headed straight for Lin Yuan's table.

Lin Yuan was lowering his head to nibble a skewer when a steady male voice suddenly sounded in front of him: "Hello."

Lin Yuan raised his head in doubt to look?

He saw two men in camouflage uniforms standing at the table.

The leading man's shoulder insignia of a Senior Colonel was especially conspicuous,

Lin Yuan's heart skipped a beat; seeing two soldiers arrive, he instantly felt nervous!

Lin Yuan thought he'd done something wrong, and quickly stood up: "Who are you? May I ask what you want?"

"Hello, let's get acquainted. I'm YeHaiqiong, a Senior Colonel of the Capital Military Region Air Force Group." YeHaiqiong extended her hand, her tone calm, a faint smile on her face.

But in her gestures she gave off a cold, lofty, arrogant aura.

This is an innate presence.

Just as Lin Yuan was about to reach out to shake her hand, the guard beside him shouted sharply: "Impudent! Do you think you can just grab the Colonel's hand?"

Lin Yuan's hand froze in mid‑air, his face instantly turning cold: "Comrade, watch your words. Is the Colonel's hand made of glass? So fragile you can't even touch it? If the Colonel is that delicate, then please leave—it's windy here, I'm afraid the Colonel will catch a cold from the breeze. Please don't disturb my meal."

Lin Yuan also got angry, simply withdrew his hand and issued an outright expulsion order.

Never mind whether they're soldiers or not.

Lin Yuan isn't someone to be provoked either.

"You're asking for death!" The guard, enraged by Lin Yuan's attitude, lunged to grab his shoulder.

Lin Yuan slightly shifted his body, casually raised a hand to block; the guard felt a tremendous force surge through him, stumbling back two steps before regaining his balance, his face full of shock.

YeHaiqiong's pupils also suddenly contracted.

He could clearly see that Lin Yuan's move, though it looked easy, actually contained exquisite force‑application technique—something no ordinary white‑collar worker could pull off.

Heh, interesting. It seems this white‑collar worker isn't so simple after all.

YeHaiqiong's lips curled up in an arc.

"Xiao Xia, don't be rude." YeHaiqiong reprimanded the guard.

YeHaiqiong put a smile back on her face and proactively extended her hand to Lin Yuan: "Mr. Lin, sorry, my subordinate doesn't know better."

Lin Yuan didn't shake hands, merely asked coolly: "Mr. Ye, we don't seem to know each other, do you? Why did you suddenly look for me—what's the matter?"

"I'm Qin Bore's friend; I happened to be passing by, saw you together, and came over to say hello." YeHaiqiong explained with a smile.

But YeHaiqiong's gaze remained fixed on Lin Yuan.

YeHaiqiong continued, "May I ask what your relationship with Qin Bore is, Mr. Lin?"

"We're good friends," Lin Yuan replied frankly. "And may I ask what your relationship with Qin Bore is, Mr. Ye?"

YeHaiqiong's lips turned up in a meaningful smile: "I am Qin Bore's blind‑date partner."