I Really Didn’t Want to Increase My Favorability!

Upon arriving at the local police station, Xu Lin felt he hadn’t been in this era for very long, yet he had already visited the police station twice.

Before his rebirth, apart from getting an ID card and updating it, he rarely visited units like the public security bureau.

However, compared to the tense atmosphere during his previous visit with Ji Yun, Xu Lin, who had been through this once, seemed much calmer this time.

The two sat in a small meeting room, with no police officers present. It was just the two of them, waiting for the results.

“What if they’re not scammers?”

Chu Qingchan asked, her eyes glancing at the mineral water nearby. Can she drink it? She’s thirsty.

“How could they not be scammers? They definitely have a purpose. Otherwise, pretending to be wealthy and spending so much money, inviting us to dinner, buying things—it’s all just to impress.”

“Well, but you asked me to report it to the police. I was quite startled. In all these years, I’ve never reported anything to the police.”

At that time, when she was out doing her makeup, Xu Lin sent her a message, asking her to report it to the police casually. She didn’t think much and reported it directly.

“As a celebrity, you really need to pay attention to safety. The police can help you at any time. That’s absolutely true.”

Xu Lin said, twisting open a bottle of mineral water and handing it to Chu Qingchan. She took it and whispered, “Is it okay to just open someone else’s water like this?”

“Last time there was an incident at school, I went to the police station, and they handed me a bottle of water from the table. No problem.”

“Well, I didn’t expect you to have experience entering and leaving the police station.”

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, several police officers finally walked in with some folders and sat across from them.

“Apologies for the wait. We conducted a thorough interrogation and compared their information with other data, and they are indeed scammers. However, it’s not just simple fraud. It also involves illegal detention, unlawful entry into residences, extortion, the illegal sale of obscene items, etc. Your quick thinking also helped us. They usually operate as a duo, targeting young, attractive individuals with good figures at train stations and airports. They use various methods to approach and present themselves as wealthy, then have the other accomplice of the same gender cooperate to dispel suspicion.

Then, posing as locals, they used rented luxury cars to chauffeur their targets, buying gifts to further convince them they were wealthy individuals or heirs.

With the introduction of WeChat, many young men and women fell into the trap due to materialistic temptations. In hotels or other locations, they would strategically place hidden cameras in advance.

The content would then be sold for profit, and five young individuals have already been harmed. We’ve been aware of this illegal website for a while.

It’s unexpected that you two were able to directly link to this, and we also know one source of these videos. Thank you for reporting.”

“No problem; it’s good they were caught. It can prevent more people from falling victim.”

“Yeah, nothing else for now. Both of you, sign here and leave a contact, then you can go home.”

After a bit more paperwork, they finally left the police station before 7 p.m., and the sky outside had completely darkened.

“Take a car back, or find a hotel?”

“Chu Qingchan, let’s go home. I want to go home.”

“You drove for over 4 hours after midnight and then worked for several more hours. Don’t you want to rest a bit?”

“If you were my girlfriend, I’d choose a hotel. Going home and sleeping alone—what’s the point?”

“Go home. You sleep alone at home anyway, except for that one time when you weren’t feeling well.”

“Hah, wearing long pants, who were you guarding against? Just like wearing leggings, guarding against bad people, not someone like me, a gentleman.”

“If you want to go home, then go.”

“Let’s go; there are no more buses later.”

She looked at Xu Lin, who was carrying her bag in one hand and bags of items in the other, and smiled. She quickly caught up, clutching his arm like a child.

Xu Lin glanced at her smiling face, and he smiled too. He felt that this airport pickup, which had been a bit mentally exhausting, wasn’t as tiring anymore.

When the two returned to Lin Shui, it was already 11 p.m. They hadn’t had dinner, but Xu Lin was so tired that he slept for four hours straight on the bus.

At 11:30 PM, they arrived at the doorstep, and Xu Lin quietly opened the door, afraid of disturbing his parents’ rest, especially since both of them had to work the next morning.

However, as soon as they entered the house, Xu Lin saw two figures leaning against each other in the living room, covered by a blanket.

“Why are the lights still on?”

Chu Qingchan remarked from the side, and Xu Lin made a hushing gesture, placing their belongings by the shoe cabinet.

Chu Qingchan followed into the house, carefully closed the door, and changed into her shoes.

Entering the living room, Xu Lin found the elderly couple already snoring in their sleep. However, a delightful aroma wafted from the side, and when he looked, there were seven or eight plates on the table.

Suddenly, Xu Lin felt a lump in his throat. Despite telling them not to prepare a meal and not to wait for them, they had gone through the trouble.

Chu Qingchan also walked over, seeing the spread of dishes and letting out a deep breath. She felt a bit emotional; this was what a real home looked like.

“Wake up Uncle and Auntie; they might catch a cold like this.”

“Yeah, in a moment. Let me heat up the dishes first. We haven’t eaten yet.”

“I’ll go; you take a rest.”

“Do you think I’d let you into the kitchen?”

“…” She could manage heating something up, but she didn’t argue.

Directly holding a plate, she went into the kitchen. Xu Lin picked up the other dishes and followed, starting to heat the food.

“Don’t use the microwave for that one. Give it to me; I’ll heat it in the pot.” Xu Lin turned on the stove, stir-frying it a couple of times. Instantly, warmth and fragrance filled the air.

Watching him skillfully handle the spatula, Chu Qingchan teased, “Clearly, you can cook. Why do you bother Auntie to cook every day?”

“I can cook, but they finish work and need to eat immediately. I can’t expect them to wait for me to come back and cook. Let them take a break, have a good meal, and I can join them when I’m back home.”

“But you’re right. On weekends, I could cook some dishes for them.”

“What about me?”

“The other house is already set up; why not go live there?”

“Has my furniture arrived?”

“Yeah, Uncle Ji has been keeping an eye on it.”

“Then I need to express my thanks. But if I live there and don’t mooch off meals here, is there any need to keep in touch?”

“Eat too much and become a little fatty. Let’s see how you’ll be a star.”

“I don’t gain weight. When did you see me deliberately watch my diet?”

“Indeed, you’re right. By the way, when does your short film start shooting?”

“Next week. I’m waiting for the detailed schedule.”

“Weren’t you saying it would be next month just last week?”

“Yeah, in October, I said the next one, which is November, right?” Chu Qingchan said it with a serious expression.

Xu Lin nodded speechlessly, placing the dishes on the plates. It was a matter of time, but after dealing with the two scammers today, he felt like he had a talent for this and wasn’t as afraid anymore.

“I’ve heated up the dishes here. I’ll go call Uncle and Auntie.”

“Sure.”

But as the two turned around, they saw the couple standing there, both wearing smiles.

“Awake, huh? Then let’s eat.”

“Uncle and Auntie, I was about to call you. Since you guys are awake, you can eat first.”

“We’re not in a hurry, and we’ve had some cold dishes. Besides, we have the day off tomorrow, and Xu Lin doesn’t have school.”

“All right, sit down first. I’ll get bowls and chopsticks.”

“The rice cooker is keeping the rice warm. It’s still hot. I’ll serve the rice. Qingchan, you go sit.”

Li Yuan saw Chu Qingchan picking up several bowls and pairs of chopsticks at once, but she seemed a bit lost. Immediately, she realised this girl probably hadn’t done much housework.

So she quickly took the bowls from her and crouched down beside her. Chu Qingchan felt awkward and walked out with the chopsticks.

A few minutes later, the food was hot again, and the family of four, facing midnight, finally started their dinner.

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