Chapter 485: What Help Did You Give?

Hoping he might somehow slip in, Li Ang returned to the front of Happy Apartments for the second time.

After glancing toward his sixth-floor apartment, he took a deep breath, gripped the Holy Spirit pendant at his chest, and tiptoed into the building's lobby.

Yet whether the man had gone to sleep or the badge's effect had canceled out his detection, Li Ang passed through the first-floor lobby and reached the stairwell without seeing the burly old man appear with his scissors—or even the female manager.

So… can I go home?

Overjoyed, Li Ang quickened his pace and bounded up the stairs; just as he raised his hand to knock, the door—just as it had countless times over the past three years—opened before he could even tap.

"Brother?"

Seeing Li Ang outside, smiling brightly as if delighted, Anna curiously asked:

"Didn't you say you were busy these two days and wouldn't be coming home to sleep?"

"Yeah, I was indeed busy, but suddenly I wasn't anymore, so I came back… by the way, I haven't had dinner—do we have… uh…"

Seeing the burly old man seated at the dining table, glaring fiercely at him, Li Ang's smile froze on his face.

Wait… how did you set up an ambush?

"Brother, you didn't have time to help us move our luggage this morning—John John Dashu carried everything up. In the afternoon, while I was cleaning, William and Melanie were looked after by him, and just now he even helped put them to sleep."

Seeing Li Ang staring intently at the burly old man, Anna smiled and explained:

"John John Dashu did so much for our family and refused to accept any payment. I didn't know how to thank him, so I decided to invite him to dinner—consider it my thanks."

"…."

So… you invited the demon in yourself?

After a stunned silence, Li Ang flexed his stiff facial muscles and forced out a smile.

"Then we really should thank him properly… hehe, uh… how did Mr. John like the food?"

"Good."

Answering Li Ang with minimal words, the burly old man's lips twitched slightly, revealing a smile even more rigid than before. Then he suddenly stood, reaching for the basket beside him containing the large scissors.

What the hell!

Just as Li Ang's expression changed and he prepared to bolt for the door, a loud cough echoed from behind him.

"Cough…"

?!!

Is this… an ambush from both sides?

Turning to see the familiar face of the female manager, Li Ang's heart skipped a beat. He instantly grabbed the Holy Spirit pendant at his chest, ready to defend himself at any moment.

But the manager, who had stealthily slipped behind him, didn't attack. Instead, she smiled warmly, lifting the large tray in her hands and offering him a crispy roasted beef bread roll.

"Young man~ Hungry, aren't you? Want a bite?"

"Uh… I'm fine… I'm not really that hungry…"

"If you're not hungry, then move aside—let Auntie pass first… hehe, this thing's still hot."

"Ah! Okay!"

Confused, Li Ang stepped aside to let the manager pass with her tray. He sniffed the lingering aroma of food beside him, then glanced at the burly old man across from him, still fiddling with the scissors—and fell into bewilderment.

Are you letting me in or not? Why are your attitudes so different?

…

"Brother?" Seeing Li Ang lingering at the door, Chichi not entering, Anna blinked in surprise, then walked over and pulled him inside.

"Didn't you say you hadn't eaten dinner? Come sit and eat!"

"Uh… okay."

Walking halfway around the large table, Li Ang sat as far from the burly old man as possible. Nervous under the man's stare, he picked up his knife and fork, gritted his teeth, sliced a piece of the meat roll, and swallowed it without tasting a thing.

After observing Li Ang's discomfort, Anna gently pinched his thigh and chided him softly:

"Didn't you tell me John John Dashu may look scary, but he's actually a kind-hearted man? Why are you acting so tense now?"

"…."

Brother isn't being tense—he's terrified this kind-hearted man will decide I'm not a good person and just grab those scissors and *snip*.

"Hehe, men are always like this."

Seeing Li Ang's complex expression, the white-haired female manager smiled at him and kindly smoothed things over:

"My husband's the same—he's actually told me good things about you. Said you work in the Police Department, but you're a decent guy, and he hopes you two can get along well, spend more time together… Put it down! Why are you still fiddling with that stupid scissors?"

She yanked the burly old man's wrist, snatched the polished scissors from his grip, struggled to carry the heavy basket away, then shouted at the now-helpless man, who stared at her with wide, pleading eyes:

"Go wash your hands! Your scissors are covered in dirt—how are you going to eat after touching them?"

"Oh…"

After being scolded, the burly old man's bear-like back hunched slightly. Reluctantly, he left his seat, glancing back over his shoulder every few steps as he shuffled toward the bathroom.

Phew… looks like Auntie has higher authority than Uncle. I'm probably safe now…

Watching the pitiful old man head off to wash his hands, Li Ang exhaled deeply, his smile becoming more natural. He sincerely gave the manager a thumbs-up.

You've got your husband under control—bravo!

"No, no, it's not like you think—it's all because my husband lets me."

Blushing slightly, the manager waved her hand and chuckled:

"Tell me about you—Anna says you're in the Clearance Bureau of the Police Department. What exactly do you guys do every day?"

"Uh… mostly assisting, handling complicated situations and such."

Glancing at Anna, who watched him with equal curiosity, Li Ang hesitated, then said with visible discomfort:

"As for the specifics of our work… some things aren't suitable to discuss over dinner… how about we talk about your family instead? Mr. John—he…"

Seeing Li Ang suddenly stumble, the manager paused, then followed his gaze toward the bathroom.

She then stared in utter disbelief: her husband was washing his left hand while using his right to mimic scissors, gesturing through the glass at Li Ang, mouthing "snip-snip" over and over.

"Wash your hands properly!"

After shouting again to silence the burly old man, the manager turned back, offering a slightly apologetic nod:

"Unlike me, who handles danger prevention, my husband is stubborn—he can't stand… uh… you know what I mean?"

"Mm-hmm, I understand."

Hearing the manager's hint, Li Ang nodded in sudden comprehension—he now understood how this couple operated.

Happy Apartments had two abilities: "Accident Avoidance" and "Evil Entity Extermination." Clearly, they each handled one half—the burly old man was in charge of "Extermination," which explained his constant suspicion of Li Ang.

"Hehe, good that you understand."

After subtly explaining their situation, the manager glanced at Anna, still bewildered beside her, then continued cheerfully:

"Young man, the Clearance Bureau is a good place. Though I don't know much about you, I've met people from your bureau before."

"Hmm… or rather, the reason my husband and I are like this today? We owe it all to your Clearance Bureau's help~"

(End of Chapter)