0036: Waiting and Dinner

When they arrived at the local police station, Xu Lin couldn't help but think that, although he hadn't been in this world for long, this was already his second visit to the station. In his previous life, apart from coming once to apply for and renew his ID card, he’d almost never set foot in a police station or similar establishments.

Compared to last time, when both he and Ji Yun had been tense and nervous, Xu Lin, now familiar with the process, felt even calmer than Chu Qingchan. The two of them sat in a small conference room, waiting alone for the results, with not a single officer present.

“What if they aren’t scammers after all?” Chu Qingchan asked, glancing at a nearby bottle of mineral water. Was she allowed to drink it? She was thirsty.

“There’s no way they aren’t scammers. They definitely have their reasons. Why else would they pretend to be rich, spend so much money, treat us to meals, buy things for us, all just to flirt? It’s not plausible.”

“True, but you told me to call the police, and I was still a bit startled. I’ve never actually called the police in all these years.” She’d gone out to touch up her makeup, and Xu Lin had messaged her, suggesting she call the police while she was out, so she’d done so without much thought.

“You’re a celebrity, you know. Safety should be your top concern. The police can always help you. That much is certain,” Xu Lin replied, twisting open a bottle of water and handing it to her.

She accepted it and whispered, “Are we really allowed to just open their water like this?”

“Last time I was here, there was an incident at school. They just handed me a bottle from the table. It’s fine.”

“Alright, I didn’t expect you to become so familiar with police stations.”

After a dozen or so minutes, several officers came in carrying files and sat down across from them.

“Thank you for waiting. We’ve conducted a thorough interrogation and cross-referenced with other records. They are indeed scammers, but it’s more than simple fraud. They’re also involved in illegal detention, unlawful entry, extortion, and the illegal sale of pornographic materials. Your quick thinking has truly assisted us.

These two typically work as a team, targeting young, attractive men and women with good physiques at train stations and airports. They approach their targets, flaunt wealth, and have an accomplice of the same gender help dispel suspicion. Posing as locals, they use rented luxury cars to drive their victims, buying them gifts to reinforce the illusion of being wealthy socialites or heirs. After adding them on social media, they use material temptation to lure their victims into traps. They plant hidden cameras in hotels or other locations beforehand to record compromising footage, which they then sell for profit. So far, five young people have been harmed. We’ve been monitoring the illegal website involved for some time, but didn’t expect to find such a direct connection. Thanks to your report, we now know one of the sources of those videos. We owe you our gratitude.”

“It’s nothing. Having them arrested will keep more people from getting hurt,” Xu Lin replied.

“There’s nothing else required. Just sign here and leave a contact number, and you’re free to go.”

After a few more minutes of paperwork, they finally left the station before seven. The sky outside had already turned completely dark.

“Shall we take a car home, or find a hotel?” Xu Lin asked.

“Home, please. I just want to go home,” he replied.

“You came all this way on a four-hour journey since noon, and you’ve been busy for hours. Aren’t you tired?”

“If you were my girlfriend, I’d suggest getting a hotel room. But what’s the point of staying in a hotel alone?”

“Going home, you’ll be alone anyway. The only exception was that one time you didn’t feel well, and I made an exception for you.”

He laughed. “Wearing those long pants, who are you guarding against? It’s just like wearing leggings—meant to ward off scoundrels, but you don’t need to guard against a gentleman like me, do you?”

“If you want to go home, then let’s go home.”

“Let’s go, before we miss the last ride.”

She watched as Xu Lin picked up her bag in one hand and several shopping bags in the other, a smile appearing on her face. She hurried to catch up, hooking her arm through his like a child.

Xu Lin glanced at her smile and couldn’t help but smile himself. The exhausting ordeal of meeting her at the airport suddenly didn’t feel so tiring anymore.

By the time they returned to Linshui, it was already eleven. They hadn’t even had dinner, but Xu Lin, exhausted, had fallen asleep for four hours.

At half past eleven, the two of them arrived at the door. Xu Lin opened it quietly, afraid of disturbing his parents, since both of them had work in the morning.

But as soon as they entered, he saw two figures curled up together on the couch, covered with a space blanket.

“They left the lights on?” Chu Qingchan whispered, as Xu Lin gestured for silence and set their things by the shoe cabinet.

She slipped in, carefully closed the door behind her, and changed her shoes.

Xu Lin walked into the living room. His parents were snoring softly together, but a fragrant aroma drifted from the side. He looked over to see seven or eight dishes laid out on the table.

His nose prickled. He’d told them there was no need to prepare anything, to go to bed early and not wait up. Yet here they were…

Chu Qingchan came over, taking in the sight of the table full of dishes. She took a deep breath, feeling tears prick her eyes. This, she thought, is what a family should be.

“We should wake them, or they’ll catch a cold,” she whispered.

“Wait a bit. I’ll heat the food first, then we can all eat together. We haven’t had dinner yet.”

“I’ll do it, you rest awhile.”

“Can I trust you in the kitchen?” he teased.

“…I can at least heat something up,” she replied, not arguing further.

She carried a dish into the kitchen, and Xu Lin followed with the rest.

“Don’t use the microwave; give them here, I’ll heat them in the wok.” Xu Lin turned on the stove and gave the food a quick toss. Instantly, the kitchen filled with the scent of hot, savory dishes.

Watching his skilled movements, Chu Qingchan teased, “You clearly know how to cook. Why do you always leave it to your mom?”

“I can cook, but they get home from work and want to eat right away. I can’t have them waiting for me to make dinner from scratch. They get to rest, cook, and by the time I’m home, dinner’s ready. But you’re right: on weekends like this, I should cook for them sometimes.”

“What about me?” she asked.

“The apartment across town is ready. Aren’t you moving in?”

“All my furniture’s arrived?”

“Yes, Uncle Ji helped oversee everything.”

“I should thank him. But if I live there, does that mean I can’t come here for dinner?”

“You’ll eat so much you’ll turn chubby. How will you keep being a star then?”

“I can’t get fat. When have you seen me diet on purpose?”

“That’s true. You are amazing. By the way, when does your short film start shooting?”

“Next week, I think. I’m waiting for confirmation.”

“But you said last week it was next month.”

“Well, October to next month—that’s November, isn’t it?” she replied earnestly.

Xu Lin shook his head, speechless, and plated the food. After dealing with the scammers today, he felt he might have a knack for it and was no longer as afraid.

“My side’s done too. I’ll go wake your parents.”

But as they turned, they saw the older couple standing there, both grinning with indulgent affection.

“You’re awake! Let’s eat.”

“We called and told you to eat first,” Chu Qingchan said.

“We weren’t in a hurry. Besides, we snacked on some cold dishes. We’re off work tomorrow, and Xu Lin has no school.”

“Alright, you two sit. I’ll get the bowls and chopsticks.”

“The rice cooker’s still keeping everything warm. I’ll serve the rice. Qingchan, you just sit.”

Seeing her awkwardly holding several bowls and chopsticks, Mrs. Li immediately recognized she hadn’t done much housework and quickly took over. Embarrassed, Chu Qingchan took the chopsticks and retreated to the dining room.

A few minutes later, the food was steaming hot. At midnight, the four of them finally sat down to their long-awaited dinner.