Chapter 33

Zhen Fan's magic amazed everyone, and their surprise was genuine and heartfelt.

"This is an ancient Chinese medical technique!"

Zhen Fan tried to explain such things in a way that wouldn't shock the world, so he could only use this excuse.

"Like a shaman?"

Raymond was the most curious. He had read a book about Native American shamans and felt that this method was similar.

"There are differences, because this is something that has been passed down for thousands of years in Chinese civilization!" Zhen Fan's words were vague.

Despite his curiosity, Raymond could see that Zhen Fan didn't want to talk more about it, so he didn't ask further. However, after Zhen Fan sat down, although the few people chatted intermittently, their eyes all had a strange look when they looked at Zhen Fan, which made him uncomfortable.

"Will such things happen again in the future?"

Raymond asked another question.

"I mean, is there still a problem with Angela's illness?"

Zhen Fan looked at Angela, who had already come out and was sitting on the sofa, and smiled: "Actually, it's also because Angela's physical condition is relatively poor, which is one of the reasons. This also explains why you, Vera, and Brenda don't have this problem."

Angela nodded: "I've had a bit of neurasthenia since I was a child. I've seen doctors, but... the result is still the same!" She shrugged helplessly and sighed.

"Zhen's medical skills are very good!"

Annie interjected.

"Clare used to have trouble sleeping and seemed very depressed, but Zhen cured her! Clare is my daughter, she's six years old!"

"Really?" Angela's eyes lit up.

"I'm about to get my license!" Zhen Fan added, thinking that winning a client was not bad, even if she was his neighbor, it didn't affect his ability to make money.

"Then we can give it a try!" Raymond concluded the topic, Zhen's performance had convinced him.

Then the few people discussed some household matters and the murder case of George killing his wife, analyzing various possible reasons. Finally, Raymond and Angela asked again if there was a problem with the house and received Zhen Fan's reassurance that there was no problem, which ended the evening gathering.

Raymond warmly saw everyone to the door. But Brenda insisted on seeing Zhen Fan off a bit further and naturally linked her arm with his.

This action made Raymond frown, but he said nothing and turned to go inside.

"Did you see that?"

Raymond asked Angela, who had come in with him.

"I saw it, our daughter Brenda linked her arm with Zhen, what does that mean?" Brenda was cleaning up the leftovers and garbage from the party.

"Zhen is our friend, and Brenda is only seventeen!"

Raymond's words had two meanings: one was that Zhen and they were friends, and he shouldn't have anything to do with their daughter; the other was that Brenda was too young.

"You're overthinking it. Brenda is young, but that doesn't stop her from having thoughts about Zhen. But I think, no matter what Brenda decides, do you think Zhen is only seventeen? If that were true, I'd be happy, Zhen is a rare good person and quite capable!"

Raymond raised his hand: "Alright, you decide, but... maybe it's a good thing!"

Perhaps what the Raymonds thought wasn't very important, because the key was what Brenda thought. Now, Brenda was linking her arm with Zhen Fan and asked in front of Thomas and Annie: "Zhen, can I come to your place now?"

Zhen Fan's expression immediately became unnatural.

"We're leaving, Zhen!" Thomas smiled and said goodbye.

"Clare is still at home, I wonder how she's playing with Julia? But to be honest, Julia is really good with kids!" Annie glanced at Zhen Fan as she said this, "Goodbye, Zhen, goodbye, Brenda!"

"Goodbye, Uncle Thomas, Aunt Annie!"

Brenda was very polite at this moment, showing no hint of frivolous behavior.

After Thomas and Annie walked away, Zhen Fan stopped and looked at Brenda: "Speak up, what's the matter?" Zhen Fan, of course, understood why Annie mentioned Julia, the intention was obvious.

"Nothing, just wanted to see you off and visit your room!"

Brenda's eyes sparkled mischievously.

"Sorry, Brenda, it's very late now, and... I need to sleep. How about we say goodnight now?"

Zhen Fan wasn't buying her act.

"Alright..." Brenda seemed helpless, "Can you come to my school tomorrow? I mean, you've never been to our school, it's really nice!"

"Is that the reason?"

"Yes, tomorrow our school club has a dance, don't misunderstand, it's... a regular practice session. My dance partner hurt his foot, I was wondering... if you could replace him." Brenda stammered.

"Is that all?"

"That's all!" Brenda, not daring to meet Zhen Fan's puzzled eyes, nodded.

"Alright, I'll do it, but... just this once, no more!" Zhen Fan patted her head, "I'm your dad's friend, I'll help you once!"

This was said clearly, but Brenda didn't care; a satisfied smile spread across her face.

"Then... won't you invite me to your place?"

"See you tomorrow, Brenda!"

Zhen Fan waved and walked forward.

"One day you will invite me!" Brenda said to herself, then waved, "Goodbye, Zhen!" and muttered softly: "Goodbye, Winnie the Pooh."

Winnie the Pooh? Poor Zhen Fan, he had already been turned into a cute toy by this girl.

Back home, Zhen Fan saw his phone on the table glowing, with two missed calls. Zhen Fan didn't like carrying his phone, and not many people knew his U.S. number, just a trip to the neighbor's, not a long journey.

The calls were from Ray and Sarah.

Zhen Fan first called Ray back.

"Hey, Zhen, I did some investigating. If you want to see the results, come to the office tomorrow. And... the boss called you too, damn, so late, where were you hanging out?"

"Talk about it tomorrow, goodbye!"

Zhen Fan immediately hung up, leaving Ray on the other end feeling extremely frustrated, as he had been eager to show off his findings.

Should he call Sarah? Zhen Fan thought about it but decided not to. He would go to the office tomorrow anyway, so it could wait. It was probably about Ray's investigation.

The next day, Zhen Fan got up early, wearing shorts and a tank top, ready to go jogging when he met Raymond, who was about to take the two sisters to school.

"Hi, Zhen, good morning!"

"Good morning!"

Zhen Fan and Raymond greeted each other, and Brenda ran over, giving Zhen Fan a hug: "Before 3 PM today, don't be late!" she whispered. Then she let go of Zhen Fan and walked back, waving as she went.

"Good morning, Zhen!"

"Good morning, Uncle Zhen!"

Vera's greeting made Zhen Fan feel a bit overwhelmed. The girl was already fifteen or sixteen, yet she still called him uncle. Was he really that old? Zhen Fan touched his chin, which he had shaved clean, and didn't look old at all. Why was he being called uncle!

"Goodbye, Vera!" Zhen Fan waved and said goodbye to them, then started jogging behind the car.

Brenda turned her head and watched Zhen Fan from the back window, his muscles and charm radiating as he ran, and her lips curled up slightly.

"Sit down, Brenda!"

Raymond, seeing Brenda's actions in the rearview mirror, couldn't help but remind her. Perhaps, as Angela said, Brenda was only seventeen, and this couldn't be stopped, but Zhen wasn't seventeen. Let it be!

"I know, Dad, focus on driving!"

Brenda grumbled.

The car stopped steadily near the Chaparral High School gate. The two sisters got out, Vera waved goodbye to Raymond, and Brenda walked to the entrance, waving to a few friends who were coming over.

"Brenda, Ryan's foot is hurt, what about today's practice? And the dance competition at California High is starting soon, I'm really worried... Jennifer will replace us!"

A tall, fair-skinned girl walked over and complained to Brenda.

"Exactly, our team relies on you and Ryan. Damn Ryan, if he hadn't been fooling around with Jennifer, he wouldn't have been chased and wouldn't have twisted his foot!" Another dark-skinned girl grumbled, "Damn little pervert, the boys at Chaparral High are all scum!"

"Who says the boys at Chaparral High are scum?" Someone suddenly challenged. A group of girls with eye-catching clothes gathered, and the leader was very pretty, not inferior to Brenda.

"Jennifer, it was you who seduced Ryan! You have the nerve to come here!"

The black girl was furious at the sight of the girl, who turned out to be the Jennifer they were talking about.

"So what if it was me? Can't even keep your own dance partner, don't you feel ashamed?" Jennifer didn't care about the challenge, instead, she was smug. She had come to show off, and without Brenda's competition, she could represent Chaparral High at the California competition.

"Bitch!"

The white girl next to Brenda flipped Jennifer the middle finger.

"You damn—"

Jennifer was furious and lunged to grab the girl's hair.

"Enough, Jennifer!"

Brenda couldn't stay silent any longer and grabbed Jennifer's arm.

"Let go, you bitch, do you want a beating?"

Jennifer fiercely shook her arm, throwing Brenda's hand off.

"I'll be waiting for you, don't come with useless tricks, if you have the guts, we'll see on the stage, not now!" Brenda glared coldly at Jennifer.

"Fine, remember that!"

Jennifer glared at Brenda, pointed at the white girl, flipped the middle finger, and walked away.

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