Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  He was not exaggerating at all. There were quite a lot of those people who eyed on single women and would give them name cards or knock on their doors late at night. But as long as the other party did not cross the line, the police could not do anything more than issue a verbal warning.

  “Oh.” Qiao Nan’s head hurt. “Where else can I stay then?” Could it be that she had lucked out when she had first arrived in Qingshui Town? She had never experienced any of those things that Xiao Xu had just mentioned. Although she had not experienced such things, Qiao Nan did not doubt Xiao Xu. Soldiers would not lie, after all.

  Besides, the boss of the motel had told her about such a situation too. If it were to happen, she would just have to ignore the other party and lock the door.

  She did not dare to stay in a motel, and neither would she be able to stay in this rented apartment. Thinking through all her options, it seemed to Qiao Nan that she would have to return to Ping Cheng to find somewhere safe to stay.

  Xiao Xu glanced back and forth. He was just shy of telling Qiao Nan to simply stay at the chief’s house. The chief’s house was huge and had its own yard. Even if the house itself was not the biggest, it had many rooms, and its security went without saying. Besides, he would be there. Sister Qiao would be able to take her pick of the rooms and stay as long as she liked. It would be best if she decided to stay forever and not leave.

  Moreover, it would be the new year soon. If Sister Qiao remained at their house, she would probably spend the new year alone. If she were to go to the chief’s house, Sister Qiao would be able to spend the new year with other people. Only then would she be able to feel the true atmosphere of the new year!

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  Unfortunately, it was not Xiao Xu’s place to say such things explicitly, so he could only give some subtle hints through his gaze. But Qiao Nan had not caught that, so Xiao Xu was in a frenzy.

  To Zhai Sheng, Xiao Xu had performed rather well today. Seeing Xiao Xu’s flushed face, Zhai Sheng was finally willing to speak up. After all, he was the one who had fallen for Qiao Nan, and he had been the one to come up with the idea for Qiao Nan to move to the Zhai family’s old villa. So how could he possibly push the responsibility completely to Xiao Xu, who was now scared stiff? “If you don’t mind, you can stay at my place for the time being.”

  Zhai Sheng had finally been able to spit it out. Xiao Xu could not help but let out a sigh of relief on Zhai Sheng’s behalf. The chief definitely had no experience in chasing girls. Otherwise, why was he so gentle and indecisive in his actions? Sister Qiao looked gentle but was, in fact, an extremely opinionated person. If the chief continued acting in this manner, when would he be able to marry Sister Qiao and give birth to a young chief?

  “No, that’s not very convenient.” Qiao Nan dared to say such impolite and embarrassing things when facing Zhai Sheng. Because her dream had influenced her quite significantly, Qiao Nan was not afraid even in the face of such an important figure like Zhai Sheng. “I’ll go back to Ping Cheng. As long as I stay out of the city center, I’ll be fine.”

  Qiao Nan had never thought that Zhai Sheng would not have any understanding of the news in Ping Cheng while he was staying in Qingshui Town. Besides, everyone around Ping Cheng had already heard about the Qiao family’s matter.

  The only people she had to avoid were the Qiao family.

  “Not convenient?” Zhai Sheng was surprised that Qiao Nan had rejected his invitation so readily as if she was not afraid that he would get upset. But Qiao Nan’s firm stance would undoubtedly be a boon to him chasing after her. “What’s so inconvenient?”

  There was no one else around!

  Qiao Nan could not help but cry out from the bottom of her heart. To her, being in close proximity with Zhai Sheng was the greatest inconvenience.

  Qiao Nan hesitated and remained silent. Zhai Sheng continued. “You were previously worried that it would be inappropriate for a man and a woman to be alone together. Now that there are many people in my house, what’s there for others to misunderstand?” After all, all those guesses were not misunderstandings but reality.

  Thinking about how there would still be Xiao Xu and Xiao Zhao in the Zhai family’s old villa, Qiao Nan seemed less hesitant to agree. “Would I be too much of a burden?” It was also because of her self-confidence and her dream that she felt uncomfortable in Zhai Sheng’s presence.

  But even if she had any thoughts or ideas about Zhai Sheng, would she really be able to get together with someone like Zhai Sheng just by thinking about it? Since that was the case, there was no need to worry about it at all. Besides, she would probably not do anything foolish with Xiao Xu and Xiao Zhao around.

  But Qiao Nan did not know that she would not even have to act on her ideas or thoughts. All she had to do was ‘think’ and ‘dream’ about them.

  Both Zhai Sheng and Xiao Xu saw that Qiao Nan was now wavering on her stance.

  Xiao Xu felt that he had to put in a little effort at such a time. “Sister Qiao, don’t consider it anymore. There’s no need for you to feel burdened or pressured. You’re from Ping Cheng and the chief is quite used to the dishes you cook. If you feel bad that you’re troubling the chief, you can make it up by preparing a few of your specialty dishes during the new year for everyone to share. That would be a lot more practical than your apologies. Sister Qiao, it’s late. You’ll be staying over for quite some time. Do you want to go get some clothes? As for this house, I’ll inform my mom about this later. I promise you that none of your belongings will go missing while you’re away. But of course, you should bring your valuable items along with you.”

  With Xiao Xu urging her, Qiao Nan muddleheadedly went back into the house, packing her money, household registration book, and clothes into a bag.

  Seeing that Qiao Nan had only packed a few pieces of clothes for the winter and the start of spring, Xiao Xu had to resist the urge to grab Qiao Nan’s luggage over from her to stuff all of Qiao Nan’s clothes in.

  Thankfully, Zhai Sheng’s gaze caused Xiao Xu to restrain himself. If he allowed Xiao Xu to do that, all his effort would be in vain. No matter how foolish Qiao Nan was, she would be able to sense that something was amiss. Not to mention that he had quite a few people at home now. In fact, those people were much more important than he was.

  “Sister Qiao, what else do you use more often? But it’s fine if you forget about them now. When you remember about them, I can always drive down to pick them up for you. It’s very convenient. Otherwise, I can ask my mom to retrieve it for you when she visits me.”

  That was right. He would ask his mother to retrieve it for her. If he said that he would retrieve it, Sister Qiao might be too embarrassed and might want to return to pick it up herself. Then, she might refuse to return to the Zhai family’s old villa.