Seeing Yang Jian looking a bit dazed, Lu Yao quickly walked ahead of him.
"Brother Jian, this is Officer Lin Nan, I call him Brother Nan, you should call him Brother Nan too."
Lu Yao wasn't very familiar with Lin Nan, but because of her mother, Lin Nan had visited her home once, and she had a basic understanding of his situation.
Yang Jian extended his right hand, "Hello Brother Nan, I'm Yang Jian."
Lin Nan shook his hand, "Hello, Yang Jian, right? I heard your name as soon as I got back. You crippled Liu Ming, forced Pan Wenbin out, Old Gui dares not provoke you, Wu Laizi and Bao Guo avoid you, and you beat Hong Xing at the courthouse. You've practically swept through the underworld of Chengguan. The common people even consider you a hero."
"Brother Nan, are you mocking me or planning to arrest me?"
"Haha, no one has reported you, so why should I arrest you? I heard your martial arts are very impressive, and I'd really like to spar with you."
"That can be arranged, but I was just discharged from the hospital not long ago. I'll have to wait until I've recovered for a while."
"Then it's settled, I'll be waiting."
Lin Nan patted Yang Jian heavily, feeling a sense of having met a kindred spirit.
Lu Yao pulled Wei Xia forward from the side, "Are you two grown men done yet? The main characters are here today."
Lin Nan scratched his head and quickly pulled out a chair, "I'm sorry, Little Wei, please sit here."
Wei Xia didn't stand on ceremony and sat down, smiling, "I'm quite curious. One is a police officer, and the other is involved in the underworld. What do you two talk about when you're together?"
Yang Jian immediately retorted, "Sister Xia, don't label me like that. I'm not involved in the underworld. You know what you say can have a huge impact on Brother Nan, and it wouldn't be good if he suspects me."
As soon as he said that, all three of them burst into laughter.
Lu Yao playfully punched him, "Brother Jian, I didn't realize you had the potential to be a matchmaker. You've tied them together with just one sentence."
"What do you mean tied together? Brother Nan and Sister Xia are a perfect match. One is a handsome and heroic people's policeman, the other is a beautiful and capable surgical knife. One is the guardian of the people's safety, and the other is an angel in white who saves lives. The two of them together are a divine couple made in heaven."
"Wow, you're so eloquent, speaking so smoothly. Impressive."
Lu Yao praised him and gave him a thumbs-up.
Wei Xia laughed even harder, her body shaking.
Lin Nan also secretly gave Yang Jian a thumbs-up. This was a divine assist, because he could see that Wei Xia was very pleased with Yang Jian's flattery, indicating that her impression of him had improved. Now, it was up to him to perform.
"Come, Little Wei, what would you like to eat?"
Lin Nan handed the menu to Wei Xia.
Wei Xia, however, passed the menu to Lu Yao opposite her, "Yao Yao, you order. I like what you like too."
"Then I won't be polite. Brother Jian, let's go all out today. It's rare to have the chance to extort a police officer."
"Yes, these two look like stingy people. Once they get married, this opportunity will be gone. Order all the signature dishes in the restaurant."
Before Yang Jian could finish speaking, Wei Xia almost spat out her tea, "You two jokers, you have so much to say even when ordering food. With this momentum, you're determined to get us two together, aren't you?"
"Sister Xia, this isn't forcing it. You two are already a match made in heaven. Brother Nan, hurry up and confess! Sister Xia is dropping hints."
Yang Jian winked at Lin Nan.
Lin Nan was stunned for a moment, then picked up the bouquet of flowers he had brought earlier and hadn't had a chance to give, placing it on his chest. "Xiaoxia, I served in the army for twelve years, always guarding the national border in the harsh northwest. Due to the poor environment and difficult conditions of the stationed area, I never had a girlfriend. I thought I would be destined to be without love in this life. After meeting you, I realized that the person I had been waiting for all these years was you."
"Good, Brother Nan, well said."
Lu Yao clapped her hands happily. Her mother's task was to get these two together.
Wei Xia also graciously accepted the flowers, "You're speaking a bit too soon. Although I have a good impression of you, we don't know each other well. How about we get to know each other for a while? If our personalities don't match, we can just be friends."
This was a tactful acceptance. Lin Nan immediately became excited, "Okay, let's get to know each other for a while. Xiaoxia, I come from a military background, my temper is a bit blunt, and I've been stationed on the border highlands. I've only been transferred to civilian work for half a year, and I don't understand some social niceties. You'll have to help me adapt."
"Ahem, I've studied for twenty years, and I've been out in society for less than a year. I haven't adapted to social niceties either. Let's learn from each other."
"See, see? I told you two you're a match made in heaven. Although you're both older youths, you're also both new to society, like blank slates, perfect for writing the most beautiful love story."
Yang Jian once again flattered the two of them.
Wei Xia rolled her eyes at him, "Can you speak properly? I'm only twenty-seven, how am I an older youth?"
Lin Nan also chimed in, "That's right, I'm only thirty, and I'm not within the category of older youths yet."
"Alright, I was wrong. You two have formed an alliance so quickly. Yao Yao, should we switch seats for dinner? They probably think we're an eyesore."
As soon as Yang Jian finished speaking, the private room erupted in laughter again. The atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious.
During the meal, Lin Nan recounted his experiences.
It turned out he entered military school through the college entrance examination. After graduation, he volunteered to serve in the most arduous northwest border region, becoming an officer in a special operations brigade. He received second-class merits twice and third-class merits three times, becoming a major battalion commander in just eight years.
As he was the only son and his parents had poor health and needed care, he applied for a transfer. Otherwise, he would have had greater development in the military.
After transferring to the police bureau, he solved two major cases in half a year. Based on his performance and transfer rank, his superiors appointed him as the deputy captain of the criminal investigation brigade, a full section level position. The order was just issued two days ago.
"Wow, Brother Nan, then we'll have to call you Captain Lin from now on."
Lu Yao didn't know he had been promoted yet.
Lin Nan quickly waved his hands, "No, no, no. You and Little Yang should still call me Brother Nan, it's more intimate. I haven't been back for long, and besides my police colleagues, I don't have many friends outside. I really like both of your personalities, and I'm willing to be your older brother. Let's get together more often in the future."
"That would be great. If I had known you as an older brother earlier, those thugs wouldn't have been so arrogant, and Brother Jian and I wouldn't have been bullied. Sister Hui wouldn't have been injured and hospitalized either."
"Don't worry. From the moment I joined the police force, my goal has been to change the public order situation in Chengguan and even the entire Xinhe. Now that I've been promoted, cracking down on crime and eliminating evil is my top priority. I want to make the so-called underworld forces in Chengguan disappear completely, and let the common people live a peaceful and harmonious life."
"Great, Brother Nan, no, brother-in-law, I support you. I hope this day comes soon."
After Lu Yao finished speaking, the private room burst into laughter again.
Wei Xia laughed so hard her stomach hurt. It was clear she had accepted Lin Nan, this responsible and spirited people's policeman. He could provide her and those around her with a full sense of security, and that alone made him someone worth entrusting herself to.