Chapter 56

Qiao Qing called Shen Xin and Lei Lie. Shen Xin’s phone indicated that her phone was turned off, so she could not get in touch with her. When Lei Lie received the call and learned that Lan Qianyu was back, he could not help but be wild with joy and immediately set aside his work at hand and went to the restaurant to meet up with both of them.

The three of them went to the Caprice restaurant for lunch. Surprisingly, there were no cars in the carpark. Two security guards stood by the door to prevent any patrons from entering.

“Seems like the place has been reserved by someone. Let’s leave,” Lan Qianyu said lightly.

“That’s so disappointing.” Qiao Qing frowned. “We have no choice but to go to another restaurant.”

Lei Lie noticed Lan Qianyu’s disappointed gaze and asked softly, “Qianyu, is it that you really want to eat in this restaurant?”

“It doesn’t matter to me.” Lan Qianyu smiled faintly.

“Last time when we passed by, we already wanted to come here. But at that time, we couldn’t bear to spend money, so we didn’t go. This time, I wanted to spend my hard-earned money and treat you two to something good, but I didn’t expect someone to reserve the entire restaurant,” Qiao Qing sighed grudgingly.

“Previously when I was handling a case, I got to know the manager here. I’ll go and talk to them, maybe they’ll let us in,” Lei Lie said.

Lan Qianyu was about to say no, when Qiao Qing effused delightedly, “Go on and talk to them then, we’ll wait for you here.”

“Okay.” Lei Lie nodded and headed straight for the restaurant.

“Actually, it doesn’t matter if we go to another restaurant. It’s not a must to dine here. Why do we have to make things difficult for Lei Lie?” Lan Qianyu looked at Lei Lie’s back view.

“As long as it makes you happy, it’s not making things difficult.” Qiao Qing smiled at her.

Lan Qianyu was deeply moved. There was really nothing to complain about with these friends. Qiao Qing’s family’s financial situation was not good. She had to work part-time while studying in order to be able to study at the Music Conservatory. Yet today, she forked out a month’s worth of living expenses to treat her to dinner. Lei Lie was a morally upright person and had never asked for help. Today, in order to make her happy, he actually approached others to ask for a favour. Friendships like that were so precious and she hoped that it would last forever…

While a myriad of thoughts ran through her mind, all of a sudden, she saw the security guard stepping forward to stop Lei Lie. Her brows furrowed and she quickly said to Qiao Qing, “Let’s call Lei Lie back and leave, we can go to another restaurant.”

“Okay.” Qiao Qing also did not want to make things too difficult for Lei Lie, and was about to call Lei Lie back.

Just then, the restaurant manager hurried out. When he saw Lei Lie’s face, his expression immediately changed. Instantly, he reprimanded those security guards, and asked them to move aside. Then, he actually bowed to Lei Lie in greeting. Lei Lie made a hand gesture. The manager seemed shocked and he froze for a while before reaction and saying loudly, “Officer Lei, last time, you helped our customer apprehend the thief and helped to prevent our restaurant from losing its reputation, we’re very grateful to you…”

“Hee hee, to think Lei Lie actually knows his stuff. The manager seems to show him quite some respect.” Qiao Qing looked at Lei Lie’s back view infatuatedly.

Lan Qianyu did not say anything. She kept feeling that the manager’s attitude towards Lei Lie was not as simple as pure gratitude.

Lei Lie exchanged a few words with the manager and quickly walked over to them. “Qianyu, Qiao Qing, we can go in already.”

“That’s fantastic.” Qiao Qing was ecstatic, “Lei Lie, you’re really something!”

“Hehe, usually when I handle cases, I get to meet a lot of people. Previously, there was a theft case at this restaurant and I caught the suspect very quickly, so the manager is very grateful to me,” Lei Lie explained with a smile.

“Didn’t someone reserve the whole restaurant?” Lan Qianyu asked rather casually.

“They have a private room that’s usually used by the restaurant owner. Now, they specially cleared it for us to use. That private room is on the first floor and is not together with the guest who reserved the restaurant, so it will not hinder them.” Lei Lie said while shooting the manager a meaningful glance.