131 Losing the Battle but Not the War

The following days in Han Bin’s life could be summed up in a single word:

Busy!

The gambling den operated for two consecutive nights, resulting in the arrest of more than thirty gamblers. The remaining participants were summoned through WeChat and phone calls.

For a time, the Yuhua precinct was overcrowded. Apart from taking statements, it was all interrogation; the second squad was working tirelessly without a moment’s rest.

The first squad was also called in by Zheng Kaixuan to assist. After four or five days of relentless work, they finally concluded the case involving the organized gambling ring.

The mountain casino was shut down as well. If it weren’t for Biao Ge leading the way, the place would have been nearly impossible to find.

Biao Ge and several of his men were arrested for organizing the gambling operation and would face criminal charges.

The gamblers, depending on the severity of their offenses, were either detained or fined.

…

Saturday arrived, and Han Bin could finally enjoy a proper day off and sleep in.

At least, that’s what he thought.

It was just past eight in the morning.

The sound of a door opening echoed softly.

Half-awake, Han Bin heard it and, out of professional instinct, reached into his bedside cabinet and pulled out a police baton.

“Son, what time is it? Hurry up and get out of bed,” came the familiar voice.

Han Bin yawned, putting the baton back into the cabinet.

Wearing a tank top and shorts, he stepped out and saw Wang Huifang tidying the living room.

“Mom, it’s Saturday. I finally get a day off. Can’t you clean up another day?”

“Do you think I want to clean? I’m here for something important today,” Wang Huifang grunted.

“What could you possibly need from me?” Han Bin took a sip of room-temperature water.

“It’s serious.” She gestured towards the sofa, inviting Han Bin to sit.

“What serious matter? You sound so solemn,” Han Bin asked, puzzled.

“Have you contacted the girl whose number I gave you?”

“I… I’ve been too busy these past few days.”

“I knew it.”

Wang Huifang sighed deeply, frustrated. “It’s been days and you haven’t reached out to her. What do you think she’ll make of that?”

“I really have been busy,” Han Bin sighed. Not only was the case demanding, but the shooting suspect situation was weighing heavily on him.

There was no headspace for romance.

“Are you busy today?” Wang Huifang pressed.

“All right, I’ll call her now. Can’t I just do it now?” Han Bin said helplessly.

He didn’t want to disappoint his mother’s efforts.

“You’ve delayed for so many days. When you talk to her, be sincere, understand?” Wang Huifang advised.

Han Bin adopted a serious tone. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Don’t go all formal on me,” Wang Huifang replied, unimpressed.

---

“What’s the girl’s name?” Han Bin asked.

“Tan Jingya.”

“I’ll just call her Xiao Ya,” Han Bin smiled.

“Don’t get familiar without even meeting her. Be serious and don’t act all chummy,” Wang Huifang scolded.

Han Bin took out his phone and dialed Tan Jingya’s number.

After a moment, the call connected, and a lazy voice answered, “Hello?”

Listening to the voice, it sounded like she just woke up.

“Miss Tan, hope I’m not disturbing your rest,” Han Bin said.

“And you are?”

“Han Bin.”

Tan Jingya hesitated. “What do you do for a living? I just bought a car; I can’t afford a house.”

Han Bin was speechless.

“If you don’t speak, I’m hanging up,” she yawned.

“Miss Tan, I was introduced by Aunt Lin. I’ve been busy these few days and couldn’t get in touch,” Han Bin reminded her.

“Oh, I remember now,” she said with sudden realization.

“Do you have time at noon? I’d like to invite you to lunch.”

“I already made plans with friends for lunch,” Tan Jingya politely declined.

“How about coffee then?”

“Where?”

“How about Starbucks at Letai Plaza at 2 p.m.?”

“Okay.”

“See you this afternoon.”

“Alright.”

After hanging up, Han Bin turned to Wang Huifang. “Boss, how’s the mission going?”

“Don’t call it a mission. You haven’t even made a move yet. Dress up this afternoon, look sharp, and drive over.”

“Dress up? With my looks? Wherever I stand, that girl will be falling for my police pants,” Han Bin joked.

Wang Huifang nodded. “True, you do look like me.”

Han Bin was speechless.

…

At 1:57 p.m., Han Bin arrived punctually at the Starbucks in Letai Plaza.

He ordered a latte and sat by the window, sipping his coffee and daydreaming.

He had been exhausted these days. For him, doing nothing but sitting and daydreaming was a kind of happiness.

Time passed by slowly, and he unknowingly drank more than half his coffee.

---

Glancing at his phone, it was already 2:20 p.m.

Han Bin had anticipated that after so many days of no contact, the girl might be annoyed and was prepared to wait a bit longer.

But twenty minutes passed with no call.

Growing impatient, he dialed Tan Jingya’s number again.

The ringtone played: “Love coffee, a low-key vibe, uniquely collecting strange alternative music...” and then stopped naturally—still no answer.

“Damn, this girl’s something else,” Han Bin muttered, frustrated. Was he being stood up?

After waiting a few more minutes with no response, Han Bin felt the meeting was a lost cause.

Just waiting like this—even if they met—he’d already lost the upper hand.

That wasn’t how you woo a girl.

Han Bin had seen Tan Jingya’s photos; she was beautiful and elegant. She probably had many suitors. His one-sided attempts seemed hopeless.

He paid the bill and sent her a text: “Sorry, something urgent came up. I can’t make it today. My apologies.”

A few minutes later, Tan Jingya replied: “Harsh!”

Han Bin chuckled, feeling relieved.

The girl was probably just a little angry halfway there.

Though the message wasn’t friendly, it was better than being ignored.

Han Bin drove home, prepared to face his mother’s lecture.

“Ring ring…”

As soon as he got out of the car, his phone rang.

He answered: “Uncle.”

“Binzi, are you off tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Let’s meet tomorrow to check out some shops. Come help me take a look,” Wang Qingsheng said.

“Will there be food?”

“Of course. Whatever you want to eat tomorrow, your uncle will bring it. I’m no lightweight either.”

“Uncle, why wait until tomorrow? If you’re free, come over tonight. I’m off, so we can have a good time. Tomorrow morning, we’ll go together.”

“Alright. I’ll have mom prepare the meal.”

“No problem. Come early and fill me in on the shops.”

“Sure. Once I close up, I’ll be over,” Wang Qingsheng said before hanging up.

Han Bin pressed his car key to lock the doors, thinking to himself that with his uncle here, some of the pressure might be eased.

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