Chapter 30 Carefree~

Xue Qingdai let go of Xie Yan’s hand. Her usual sweet-talking tricks didn’t seem to work on him. The calm look on Xie Yan’s face and the slight frown that flashed by didn’t escape her notice.

Maybe it was better to just go home. Back in the village, if she so much as yelled, five out of the seven family members would rush over to protect her. As the local “village tyrant,” she’d always been carefree and unrestrained—no need to even think to get her way. But now her third brother was busy, and Xie Yan, with his cool and distant demeanor, didn’t seem like someone she could rely on. Could she and her master really take on that pair of troublemakers?

Her master was in her sixties but still looked healthy—definitely capable of putting up a fight. And this time she wasn’t bullying anyone; she was just helping her master get what she was owed. That was a good deed. Her master had even said that all the money collected would go to her.

“Xie Yan, just stand next to me later. If anyone hits me, protect me a little, okay? You’re taller than my brother, sturdy and strong, and super manly. Plus, you’re really kind—you’re the best man I’ve ever met, aside from my brothers.”

Xue Qingdai suddenly realized how exhausting it was to give compliments—her mouth felt dry.

“So that’s how you see me?” Xie Yan was clearly pleased. He had been worried about her getting bullied, but the last part of her compliment sounded too fake. Just yesterday she had said he was scary, only changing her tune after he hugged her tightly. Little liar…

Xue Qingdai felt a bit uneasy under Xie Yan’s gaze, but she still wanted him there. Her third brother was too busy to protect her, so she had no choice but to hold on to Xie Yan.

When they arrived at Jiren Hall, the bizarre family was already there, each holding a bowl, lined up like they were queuing for food. If you didn’t know better, you’d think Jiren Hall had turned into a soup kitchen.

“Little apprentice of Dr. Shen, hurry up—we haven’t had breakfast yet. The whole family’s waiting on your free meals.”

“We went over the numbers again last night. Turns out we still owe 5.43. You better add that to the bill.”

Dr. Shen had just seen off a patient and announced the clinic was closing for the day—rare for someone who never took breaks.

“You people have taken enough advantage of me, and now you want to bleed my little apprentice dry!”

Xie Yan immediately stepped in front of Xue Qingdai when he sensed the situation was turning hostile.

“Dr. Shen, that’s not fair. Your little apprentice wants to feed us, and we’re cooperating. We even gave her all the old and new debts over the years.”

“Look at this stack of account books—one of them was even pulled out of the old man’s shoe insole. You know how hard we worked?”

Xue Qingdai pinched her nose, determined not to touch those stinky, moldy papers.

“Alright, alright. Look at how desperate you all are. After all the years you’ve owed money, what’s one more meal? You’ll get free meals all right—plenty of them, behind bars.”

Xue Qingdai made sure to stand far away from the ridiculous family. Free meals? They could only get that in jail.

Xie Yan asked, “Li Xinren?”

The male lead’s connections made her envious. His closest friend, currently the head of Xinjie Police Station, would one day be the top official in a rich province’s public security system.

Xue Qingdai blinked, eyes full of surprise. “Xie Yan, how did you know?”

Xie Yan: “…”

Daidai really underestimated the lengths people would go to for a free ride—it could get people killed. The Xue family had protected her too well.

He could do the same. He could make sure Daidai never had to worry.

“Alright. Come with me.”

The moment Xie Yan spoke, the noisy family instantly went quiet. His oppressive aura made their legs go weak. But Xie Yan didn’t look like someone who would bluff.

Half-doubtful, they followed him.

Xue Qingdai stood behind Xie Yan, trying to hold in her laughter. She pinched her arm to keep from bursting out.

“Hey little apprentice,” said the strong-shouldered, pushy old lady, following them with a falsely sweet smile, “do you need a husband? My third son may be unemployed, but he eats well, drinks well, and has strength. A perfect match for you.”

Xie Yan’s cold eyes fixed on her. “She already has someone.”

Xue Qingdai had found the old lady’s words annoying before—twisting black into white with that thick-skinned shamelessness. But how did Xie Yan know she was taken?

She’d have to ask him later.

She casually tossed back, “I like pairing with rat poison. Got any pesticides? Since he eats and drinks so well.”

The old lady was about to retort when she looked up and saw the police station sign—Building 1028.

She took off running instantly. “Old Three! Old Five! Old Seven! The kid’s dad—split up and run! Don’t get caught!”

“Oh my aching arms and legs…”

Xue Qingdai gave the two people closest to her a subtle needle jab. The old lady fell flat on the ground, glaring at her with a venomous look.

“This is all your fault! Our family was law-abiding, and you tricked us! The most wicked thing is a woman’s heart!”

The rest of them were quickly caught by Xie Yan. The entire group foolishly thought they’d be safe back at their house, but Xie Yan took them down in one go.

Xue Qingdai crossed her arms, keeping her distance in case the old lady tried anything dramatic.

“What are you looking at, old hag? Acting tough in front of me? Go ask around in Pengyang Village—who doesn’t know my name?”

“You mess with me, and none of you will have a good time.”

“You wanted free meals? Delivered right to your cell.”

“If you don’t pay up, get ready to squat behind bars.”

The old lady tried to get up again, but her strength was gone. When she finally did, her hands were already cuffed.

“Sorry,” said the officer calmly, “a young woman reported that you’re suspected of fraud, theft, and intentional injury. If you don’t get her forgiveness, you’ll be subject to criminal detention for education.”

“Honesty gets leniency, resistance gets severity. Be honest and state the facts clearly.”

“The more money involved, the longer the sentence. And hiding anything will affect your entire family’s sentencing.”

The old lady’s vision went black, and she fainted. “Honesty gets leniency, resistance—” sounded way too familiar. Of course—it’s a common saying in police stations!

Oh, heaven help us!

Xue Qingdai saw that this family only bullied the weak and feared the strong. In front of the police, they were meek as sheep, apologizing left and right. But in front of her master, they’d acted like tyrants—taking advantage of her kindness.

Xie Yan said, “Stop looking. If something like this happens again, tell me earlier.”

Xue Qingdai didn’t respond. When she went home, her grandfather would handle these things immediately. But for now, she had Xie Yan.

He took her back and stopped outside Jiren Hall. Her bright red scarf accidentally snagged on one of the buttons of his uniform.

Xie Yan gently moved her loose hair aside and untangled the scarf from his button.

Then he tried tying her hair into a simple ponytail. His long fingers weaved gently through her scalp. His touch was so soft that she closed her eyes in comfort.

Xie Yan’s hands were perfect for giving massages.

“Keep your hair tied up. Static will annoy you again,” he said.

Xue Qingdai leaned lazily on Xie Yan’s arm like a pampered Persian cat, her pretty little face full of bliss.

She wanted him to massage her head all day long.

Looking up at him, she asked pointedly, “Xie Yan, you said I have a boyfriend? How come I didn’t know that?”