Whether or not he could even get in was still a question, let alone finding Chris Brooks. Andrew Brooks gave a wry smile, anxiously looking across the street at the dark, imposing compound, his palms sweating.

　　He lingered for a long time on the curb across the street, when he suddenly remembered that his classmate Evelyn Owen's family seemed to live in the provincial party committee compound, though he wasn't sure if it was the small or large family quarters. However, he didn't have much contact with Evelyn Owen, not even her phone number.

　　Standing in a small tin newsstand at the intersection, he bought a cup of freshly squeezed iced orange juice for one yuan and drank it in one gulp. Still, he made a long-distance call to Yanjing, got Evelyn Owen's phone number from his mentor Julia Morgan, and tried dialing it.

　　"Hello, who is this?" A lazy, crisp female voice came from the phone.

　　"May I ask if this is Evelyn Owen's home?" Andrew Brooks asked softly.

　　To his surprise, the crisp female voice on the other end immediately grew louder, full of delight, "That's me. You are—are you Andrew Brooks?"

　　Evelyn Owen actually recognized his voice right away. Andrew Brooks didn't have time to dwell on this interesting detail; he let out a tired sigh of relief. "Evelyn Owen, it's me, Andrew Brooks. I'm in Tiannan right now. I have something urgent and need your help..."

　　"You're in Tiannan? Oh my, when did you get here... Alright, you're calling from a phone booth outside, right? Tell me where you are, I'll come pick you up."

　　"I'm across from the provincial party committee's small family compound at No. 2 Jiefang Road. Sorry to trouble you..." Andrew Brooks's voice was a bit hoarse, and just as he was about to say more, he heard the phone hurriedly hang up on the other end.

　　In less than five minutes, a slender, beautiful girl with long hair flowing over her shoulders ran out from the dark small family compound across the street. She was wearing slippers and a loose pink nightdress, clearly having rushed out without changing clothes.

　　"Andrew Brooks!" Evelyn Owen stood across the street, excitedly waving her fair little hand.

　　Andrew Brooks felt a surge of joy, quickly crossed the street, and greeted her in a low voice, "Evelyn Owen, sorry to bother you so late."

　　"Why so polite? We're old classmates. Why didn't you let me know earlier you were coming to Tiannan? I could have picked you up in advance." Evelyn Owen said with a gentle smile, glancing at Andrew Brooks with a soft look in her eyes. Her pretty face was slightly flushed, perhaps from excitement or for some other reason.

　　Andrew Brooks rubbed his hands together. "Evelyn Owen, you live here? That's great. I have something I need your help with..."

　　Andrew Brooks was anxious and didn't bother with too many formalities, getting straight to the point.

Chapter 014 Meeting

　　"Deputy Minister Brooks?" Evelyn Owen looked at Andrew Brooks in surprise. "Andrew Brooks, do you know Deputy Minister Brooks?"

　　Andrew Brooks felt as if a knife had sliced through his heart. He gritted his teeth and shook his head, "No, I don't know him."

　　Evelyn Owen was even more surprised. "You don't know Deputy Minister Brooks, so why are you looking for him? He's quite a... leader, and you..."

　　Andrew Brooks understood what Evelyn Owen wanted to say, but he was too anxious to care. He grabbed Evelyn Owen's soft, slightly moist hand, not even noticing her embarrassment. "Evelyn Owen, please, I really need your help. I must see Chris Brooks as soon as possible. It's truly urgent."

　　Evelyn Owen's heart trembled. In fact, what she wanted to say was that Chris Brooks was not only a powerful department-level leader, but also a rather formidable one. To use a trendy phrase, he was quite arrogant and cold, with a big ego and hard to approach.

　　Her gaze grew dreamy as she looked at the tall young man standing so close to her, the affection in her eyes deepening. Compared to the "famous" Emily Summers at university, Evelyn Owen was always very low-key. Although many boys pursued her, she always kept them at arm's length, and graduated without ever having a boyfriend.

　　No one knew that during all four years of university, she had secretly loved Andrew Brooks. Whether it was his tall, handsome appearance or his outstanding talent, she was deeply attracted to him. But before she could confess, Emily Summers had already won his heart. After graduation, she thought she'd never see her prince charming again, but unexpectedly, fate brought him right in front of her on this dimly lit night.

　　Evelyn Owen gently withdrew her hand from Andrew Brooks's, thinking to herself, Andrew Brooks, you're just an ordinary kid from a regular family, while Chris Brooks is the powerful Executive Deputy Minister of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department. How could he possibly meet you? Even ordinary provincial officials can't just see him whenever they want.

　　Why is he looking for Deputy Minister Brooks? Could it be—

　　Thinking of this, Evelyn Owen said softly, "Andrew Brooks, we're old classmates. If you have any difficulties, just tell me... My dad may not have much power, but he's at least the Executive Vice President of the Provincial Party School, also a department-level leader. If you're looking for a job, when my parents return from their trip to Nanhai, I can..."