Chapter 24

The next day, Zhen Fan got up very early and ran a lap outside as usual, but he didn't run into Christine. She had joined the film crew and hadn't appeared for several days.

After breakfast, Zhen Fan prepared to buy a tent. This was best left to Carrie. When he mentioned it at the supermarket, Carrie was more than happy to help and even took a day off to take Zhen Fan to a specialized store for camping and outdoor equipment to help him choose a set of tent equipment.

Since Carrie had driven, the tent was placed in the trunk. On the way back, Zhen Fan insisted on treating Carrie to coffee, so they parked in a parking lot and found a nearby coffee shop.

Sitting down, Carrie seemed a bit nervous, stammering a few words, but gradually relaxed with Zhen Fan's smile.

"Has Zoe contacted you?" Carrie stirred her spoon, "I didn't mean to give her your address, but she must have caused you some trouble, right?"

"No, she's fine, just a bit mischievous!"

"Mischievous?" This word clearly made Carrie laugh. She couldn't imagine using such a word to describe Zoe. "She told me you could help me!" Carrie said, pointing to her face. This was one of her troubles; she had too many freckles, which made her feel less confident.

"She's right, but this requires traditional Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine. If you trust me, and not think I'm just trying to get customers!" Zhen Fan laughed as he said this.

"How could I? I trust you. When will you get your medical license? I heard you want to open a clinic. Have you found a place? I think there's a place near our supermarket, not far from you. It used to be a small clinic, rented by a dentist. He moved to Canada."

"But I still need about a month to get all the licenses."

Zhen Fan frowned, "I just arrived in the U.S. and don't know how to get the licenses. If possible, I'd like to ask for your help. Of course, I'll treat you to a Chinese feast!"

"Forget the feast, no problem, I'll help you!" Carrie smiled, "The sooner you open, the sooner my problem will be solved, right?"

Actually, Carrie didn't have much hope that Zhen Fan could treat her freckles. She just enjoyed talking and spending time with him.

"Let's settle it then!"

Zhen Fan raised his hand, and Carrie understood. They slapped hands in the air, making a crisp "snap" sound.

Carrie drove Zhen Fan to his doorstep and helped him carry the tent inside. Zhen Fan wanted to invite her to stay for a meal, but Carrie declined, saying she had work to do. Zhen Fan had no choice but to see her off, watching her leave. Carrie was a warm-hearted girl, and Zhen Fan didn't deny it, but from today's behavior, it didn't seem like she was in love with him, as Zoe had suggested.

Zhen Fan shook his head and laughed, quickly dismissing the thought. If Carrie liked him, she would have said so. Besides, he wasn't sure if he wanted to start a relationship with a foreign girl. Since he wasn't ready, he decided to let things take their natural course, neither actively pursuing nor avoiding it.

After organizing the equipment and just about to close the door, he saw a middle-aged couple in the front yard of the house on the left waving at him. The man was sturdy and tall, at least as tall as Zhen Fan. The woman was mature and graceful, with a slim figure that looked somewhat sexy.

"Hi!" Zhen Fan stopped, took a few steps, and waved back.

The couple walked over, and the man, reaching the fence, extended his hand to Zhen Fan, and they shook hands.

"I'm the new neighbor, Raymond Turner, and this is my wife, Angela."

"Hello, Zhen Fan, hello Mrs. Turner!" Zhen Fan also shook hands with Angela, feeling her smooth, fine skin, unlike the rough skin of typical Western women. Clearly, she took good care of herself.

"Hello, Mr. Zhen!" Angela smiled sweetly. She had a curvaceous figure and looked young, like a woman in her twenties or thirties.

"We just moved in, and everything isn't settled yet. Once it is, we'll invite you over. By the way, where is Mr. Zhen's wife?" Raymond asked.

"I'm still single!" Zhen Fan felt a bit awkward, rubbing his nose, a gesture that made Angela smile.

Raymond waved, "We won't disturb you. We have to get busy too!"

Just as they were about to part, two teenage girls ran over, shouting at the couple.

"Dad, Vera ruined my clothes! I was going to wear them to school tomorrow. She has to buy me a new one! I don't want to look like an old woman! The old clothes are too outdated!" The taller girl, about seventeen or eighteen, complained to Angela.

"I didn't ruin them, she's lying!" The shorter girl, about fifteen or sixteen, looked aggrieved.

"Sorry to trouble you," Angela smiled at Zhen Fan.

"Hi!" The taller girl waved at Zhen Fan, her face beaming. Zhen Fan was tall and well-built, with a handsome face and distinct features, the kind of man who immediately caught people's attention.

"Hi, I'm your neighbor, Zhen Fan!"

Zhen Fan waved back.

"My name is Brenda!"

"Goodbye, Zhen!" Angela said goodbye to Zhen Fan again.

"Goodbye!" Zhen Fan waved to the family and then turned to go inside.

"Wow!" Brenda whistled, "Our neighbor? I like him, he's quite handsome." She followed Angela, forgetting about the clothes.

"Don't even think about it, he's just our neighbor!" Angela warned her eldest daughter, Brenda, "Don't have any ideas. You're almost done with high school, don't think about these things all day!"

"So what if I like him?" Brenda huffed, quickened her pace, and walked past Angela to her room, slamming the door.

Angela shook her head and said to Vera, "Go get her clothes, I'll sew them for her."

"Okay, Mom." Vera nodded obediently, went upstairs, and brought down the clothes Brenda had thrown on the sofa, then handed them to Angela, who was in a corner of the living room with a sewing machine and a standing iron.

"Thanks, Vera!" Angela took the clothes. Seeing Vera hesitate, she asked, "Is there something else?"

Vera thought for a moment and said, "Brenda was just angry. I think our neighbor seems quite decent, don't worry about it."

Angela smiled and nodded, "I know. You go do your own thing. I'll sew for her."

"Okay!"

Vera left the living room, found a place outside, set up a lounge chair, and closed her eyes to read a book, but her eyes kept drifting toward Zhen Fan's house, unable to resist another glance.

"Damn, why am I thinking about this!" Vera's face turned red. Zhen Fan's smiling face kept popping into her mind. His smile was warm and inviting, making her want to get closer.

The next day, the Thomas family greeted Zhen Fan from their house. They were already prepared, driving out a large SUV from the garage. Zhen Fan didn't have a car, so he was going with them. Thomas drove the car and parked it at the door.

"Zhen, we'll wait a bit. Claire's cousin should be here soon!" Annie smiled apologetically at Zhen Fan.

"No problem!" Zhen Fan waved to Claire.

"Uncle Zhen." Claire bounced over, wanting to stay with Zhen Fan. Annie just shook her head, smiling with relief.

Zhen Fan had packed his things, not much, except for the tent. The food and clothes were packed separately.

Claire had already come over, snuggling up to Zhen Fan. This little girl was getting closer to Zhen Fan, even making Annie a bit jealous at times!

At this moment, a minivan drove up and parked in front of the Thomas house, behind the SUV. Two young women got out. One was a blonde with a slender figure and a full chest, the kind of figure men dream about.

The other woman surprised Zhen Fan. It was none other than Zoe, whom he had met and who had stayed at his place for a while. This discovery left him stunned.

"Hi, Zhen, come over!" Thomas called to Zhen Fan.

"Uh, coming!" Zhen Fan quickly brought his things over.

"Claire's cousin, Julia Fuller." Annie quickly introduced Zhen Fan, "This is..." Clearly, she didn't recognize her, so she looked at Julia.

"Zoe!"

Zhen Fan spoke first, looking at Zoe with a playful smile.

Zoe pursed her lips and winked at Zhen Fan, as if to say, "What do you think? Didn't expect to see me like this, did you?" But she didn't see Zhen Fan's surprised expression, which disappointed her.

"You know each other?"

This question was almost simultaneously asked by Thomas, Annie, and Julia. Clearly, they were the ones surprised, not Zhen Fan.

"Yes, we met the day before yesterday, and I even treated her to Chinese food! Of course, I cooked it!" Zhen Fan winked at Zoe, showing he wasn't fooled by her.

"Really?" Julia asked Zoe, clearly skeptical.

"Um, yes, Zhen knows my friend Carrie, so..." Zoe shrugged, indicating it wasn't strange.

The three of them finally understood. Since they knew each other, it would be easier. Zhen Fan and Julia would go in one car, and the Thomas family in another. They allocated the luggage and put it in the cars.

Julia confidently sat in the driver's seat and started the car. Zoe wanted to sit in the back with Zhen Fan but, seeing Julia's playful look, had to sit in the front.

"Let's go!"

Julia said, starting the car and following Thomas's SUV.

"I heard you've been in the U.S. for not long!" Julia tried to make conversation.

Zhen Fan nodded, "Yes, only about a month. I'm still not familiar with many places, so today's camping trip is a good opportunity!"

"I can take you anywhere you want to go!" Zoe chimed in.

Julia laughed, noticing Zoe's emotional波动. Zhen Fan was interesting. He was handsome and well-built, like a bodybuilder. Any woman would be attracted to such a man, and Julia was no exception.

Of course, it was just a good impression, not some dramatic, life-changing infatuation.

"I can't wait!" Zhen Fan replied to Zoe, making her very happy.

The car hit the road, and Julia gradually accelerated, the trees on both sides flying by...

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