Chapter 31

As soon as Lin Qing heard the voice, she found it strangely familiar. She immediately ordered someone to turn on the lights.

“Click!”

The room was instantly flooded with brightness.

When she saw the people inside, Lin Qing’s tone was filled with surprise and a hint of irritation.

“Wang Tiezhu?! Why is it you again?!”

“Lin… Officer Lin?!”

Wang Tiezhu was also dumbfounded, looking completely bewildered.

“What are you doing here?”

Lin Qing stepped forward, her tone unfriendly.

“Wang Tiezhu, I never expected you to be into this kind of thing. But then again, which man doesn’t enjoy these kinds of dirty pleasures?

But you sure are bold. Do you not know about the recent crackdown? And yet you still dare to show up here? Both of you, come with me.”**

The two police officers beside her moved in to detain them.

“Wait, wait!”

Wang Tiezhu stopped them. This woman was too aggressive—always acting like a hotheaded fool. He said helplessly,

**”Officer Lin, can you not just barge in and arrest people without asking questions?

Nothing happened! It’s not what you think.”**

“Ha!”

Lin Qing sneered.

“Not what I think? Wang Tiezhu, you’re already caught in the act, and you still dare to argue? I’m telling you, from the moment you stepped into this place, my team had their eyes on you. There’s no mistake!

You won’t be wrongfully accused.”**

Wang Tiezhu rolled his eyes and said,

“Listen to me, this girl is Huang Beibei, from my village. She’s… she’s still a student.”

“What?!”

Lin Qing instantly flared up, her sharp gaze shooting at Wang Tiezhu.

“Wang Tiezhu, you’ve got some nerve! You even dare to—”

“Let me finish!”

Wang Tiezhu interrupted, completely speechless. He was starting to doubt Lin Qing’s intelligence.

“We originally booked two rooms, but the receptionist downstairs said there was only one left. So we had no choice but to share.

Look at the floor—there’s a mat laid out for sleeping. If you don’t believe me, go ask the front desk.

“Fine, let’s ask. Don’t think you can talk your way out of this!”

She immediately ordered someone to call the receptionist upstairs. After confirming the details, Wang Tiezhu was finally cleared of suspicion.

Seeing Lin Qing’s displeased expression, as if she was disappointed, Wang Tiezhu couldn’t help but say,

“Officer Lin, do I still need to explain myself any further?”

Lin Qing snorted.

“Even if that’s the case, you’re still no good. She’s just a young girl, and you’re already leading her astray. You’re truly a terrible person.”

Wang Tiezhu rolled his eyes.

“Officer Lin, my friend here is already eighteen. She’s an adult. She has the right to love and marry freely.

You don’t control everything, do you?

Besides, it’s not what you think.

Now that everything’s been cleared up, can you leave? We need to sleep.”**

Lin Qing pursed her lips and told the other officers to leave first. She stayed behind and said,

“Put on your clothes and step outside for a moment. I need to talk to you.”

After saying that, she turned and walked out of the room.

Wang Tiezhu sighed, wondering what she wanted this time. He put on his clothes and followed her to the hallway.

“Officer Lin, what do you want to talk about?”

Lin Qing asked,

“Have you thought about what I asked you last time?”

“What?” Wang Tiezhu looked puzzled.

“I asked if you’d consider joining our team as an auxiliary officer. What do you think?”

Wang Tiezhu shook his head and refused without hesitation.

“No way!”

“Why not?”

“Didn’t I already tell you?” Wang Tiezhu said.

“This kind of job is like selling top-quality flour but getting paid as if you’re selling cabbage. Why should I work so hard for so little?

Life is short. It’s not worth it.

Besides, I’m about to start planting fruit trees, medicinal herbs, and setting up a farmhouse business. I don’t have time for this.”

“You’re too money-minded!”

Lin Qing scoffed.

“All you think about is money. Can’t you pursue something more meaningful?”

“I admit I’m practical.”

Wang Tiezhu shrugged.

“But think about it—what’s my status compared to yours?

If I can’t even afford to eat, how can I talk about higher pursuits?

If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading back.”

He turned to leave.

“Wait!”

Lin Qing stopped him again.

Wang Tiezhu turned back, exasperated.

“What now?”

Lin Qing compromised.

“Fine, let’s meet in the middle. You don’t have to be a full-time auxiliary officer, but we can hire you as an external consultant.

You won’t need to come in every day—just be available for emergencies or special missions.

We’ll pay you 5,000 yuan a month. How about that?”**

“What kind of emergencies or special missions?”

Wang Tiezhu asked cautiously.

“You’re not expecting me to fight dangerous criminals or robbers, right?

Because I’m not risking my life for 5,000 yuan. That’s not worth it.”

Lin Qing explained,

“If there’s a high-risk situation, we have special forces for that. You wouldn’t be involved.”

Wang Tiezhu was still skeptical.

“Then why do you insist on recruiting me?

Is it because I’m handsome and you need someone to boost your team’s image?”

“Pfft!”

Lin Qing scoffed.

“Can you stop being so narcissistic?

I just think you’re quick-witted and have decent skills.

Our team is short on people right now.

So, are you in or not? Stop hesitating.”

Wang Tiezhu chuckled.

“Well, since you’re offering, I might as well take it.”

Lin Qing nodded.

“Alright, then come by the station tomorrow to fill out the paperwork.”

Wang Tiezhu agreed, then asked

“Officer Lin, we haven’t known each other for long, and you don’t know much about me.

Why are you trusting me so easily? Aren’t you afraid I might have a criminal record?”

Lin Qing raised an eyebrow.

“Do I look like an idiot?

I’ve already investigated you thoroughly—your background, your family history, everything.

But one thing confuses me.

The people in your village all say you’re a fool.

You don’t seem like one to me.

Were you just pretending to be dumb before?”**

Wang Tiezhu smiled vaguely.

“In the countryside, people love giving nicknames.

Calling someone a fool or an idiot—it doesn’t always mean much.”

Lin Qing didn’t dwell on it.

“Also, now that you’re technically a public servant, be mindful of your actions.

No messing around. Got it? Now, you can go.”

Wang Tiezhu rolled his eyes.

“This woman really likes to meddle.”

—-

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Wang Tiezhu first dropped Huang Beibei off at school.

“Beibei, go to class first.

I’ll go back and treat your father’s illness later, okay?”

Huang Beibei hesitated.

“Brother Tiezhu, I really don’t want to go to school anymore.

I’m not good at studying. Didn’t you say I could work for you?”

Wang Tiezhu reassured her,

“I haven’t set up the farmhouse business yet. It’ll take about a month.

Beibei, since you’re already close to graduation, just hang in there a little longer.

Once you finish school, my farmhouse and orchard should be ready.”