Chapter 38: He’s Done For! He’s Falling in Love!

Chapter 38 He’s Done For! He’s Falling for Her!

If she hadn't been rushing to give Quan Ruifeng his bankbook and money, she wouldn’t have run into these people and caused such a misunderstanding.

"Explain what?"

"Their brains are no bigger than a melon seed kernel; there’s no point in trying to explain anything to them. No need to explain."

Quan Ruifeng casually disparaged them.

Xia Xian pondered the size of a melon seed kernel and winced slightly—Quan Ruifeng’s sharp tongue truly lived up to its reputation.

"Maybe we should just leave first."

Afraid Quan Ruifeng might unleash more biting remarks, Xia Xian dared not say another word and quickly helped him back.

Quan Ruifeng’s dorm wasn’t far from the police station—normally a ten-minute walk. But today, playing up his ‘illness,’ they slowed their pace, taking about fifteen minutes.

As the dorm door opened, Xia Xian got her first glimpse of the "capital guy’s" surprisingly neat room—clean, tidy, and even carrying a faint, pleasant scent.

A genuine fragrance!

Xia Xian couldn’t help but twitch her nose, taking a deeper whiff.

"Why are you standing at the door? Come in and have some water."

Quan Ruifeng invited her in, his expression calm and composed, while Xia Xian finally remembered the meaning of "maintaining proper boundaries."

A man and a woman alone together—this wasn’t appropriate!

Xia Xian shook her head vigorously, nearly turning herself into a bobblehead.

"No, I have other things to do. The main reason I came today was to return your bankbook and this three hundred yuan."

"I was a bit rushed today and didn’t have time to deposit the money for you. Is that alright? If you mind, I can run to the credit union now to deposit it for you."

She spoke earnestly, her bright, almond-shaped eyes not meeting Quan Ruifeng’s gaze, but instead fixed on the window.

"Now you have time to make an extra trip?"

"I don’t mind. No need to go to all that trouble."

Quan Ruifeng gave her a faint glance, seeing right through her lie, but ultimately didn’t make her run another errand.

"That’s good. Then take care of yourself and rest soon. I should get going too."

Xia Xian showed no embarrassment at being exposed; instead, she offered a slight smile and made to leave.

However, the fragrance in Quan Ruifeng’s room was strangely appealing—subtle yet persistent, subtly drawing her in. Even as she was about to leave, she couldn’t resist turning back to ask him.

"Did you spray perfume in your room? Or use something else with a scent?"

"Oh, I don’t mean anything by it—it just smells really nice. If it’s not too expensive, I’d like to get the same thing."

Her house was small but crowded, making the rooms somewhat messy. The inevitable smells of sweat, cooking, and other odors lingered even with ventilation. While not unbearable, the air at home wasn’t exactly pleasant.

She wondered if a little of this fragrance might help.

"Perfume?"

Quan Ruifeng raised an eyebrow slightly—that was giving him too much credit. He was still a young man, not so refined as to spray perfume in his room.

"I didn’t use perfume. There are clothes drying in the room; it’s probably the scent from the soap."

"This soap I brought from the capital is excellent—the scent is unique and not overpowering, and it cleans clothes very well. You can take two bars to try."

Quan Ruifeng pulled out a wooden crate from under his bed, filled with neatly stacked bars of soap—a rough count showed a dozen or two.

He casually took out four and handed them to Xia Xian for her to take home.

His nails were neatly trimmed, his fingers pale and slender, with faintly visible veins on the back of his hands—quite beautiful.

Just by his appearance, one could tell he was meticulous about cleanliness. But few would have guessed he’d go so far as to lug so much soap all the way from the capital, just to wash clothes! Enough to let the scent permeate the entire room!

From this, it was clear just how much soap he used per wash to make the fragrance linger so long, saturating the air.

This was far more refined than simply spraying perfume in a room!

At his words, Xia Xian suddenly recalled noticing traces of this scent on him before. But since they’d always kept their distance, it hadn’t been very distinct.

As for their recent embrace—the proximity was certainly close enough—but he’d spent the entire day at the police station in those clothes, picking up all kinds of smells, leaving nothing but body odor.

Yet, Xia Xian thought carefully and realized Quan Ruifeng didn’t smell of sweat at all. Instead, he had a fresh, clean smell, mixed with something else—something that felt oddly reassuring.

Her mind had already drifted far away when Quan Ruifeng noticed she still hadn’t taken the soap. He couldn’t help but ask,

"You’re not actually going to pay me for these, are you?"

"Don’t embarrass me. If you really feel uneasy, just give me more input on cracking cases in the future. I’ve noticed you have a real talent for this. So, what do you think—interested in joining the force?"

Quan Ruifeng smiled as he looked at Xia Xian. He’d said it casually at first, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense.

If Xia Xian partnered with him, he’d actually welcome it. Working together, their efficiency might even double—they’d already collaborated well this time.

Once they returned to the capital, he could arrange for her to join the police bureau, starting as a temporary worker. Once she proved herself and earned some merit, getting a permanent position would be a done deal.

Even if the bureau had no vacancies or budget, he could pay her salary himself—money wasn't an issue for him.

Besides, if Xia Xian moved to the capital, she’d need a job anyway. Why not this one? He could offer her better pay than most alternatives.

Quan Ruifeng wasn’t just thinking; he was already planning her future, down to housing and wages.

Xia Xian’s eyes lit up, she perked up. Become an officer? Could she really?

But her excitement quickly fizzled. With zero combat skills, she’d only be dead weight in a fight—more likely to get herself hurt than help. Better to forget it.

Just as she was about to shake her head, Quan Ruifeng dismissed the idea faster.

"Street duty’s too dangerous. You’d be better off handling clerical work at the bureau—organizing files. You could still offer insights on cases from there."

"I can’t keep using you as bait, putting you in harm’s way."

His brow furrowed.

Just imagining Xia Xian injured made him uneasy. Last time, he’d nearly let it happen. While circumstances had forced his hand, and he’d been confident in protecting her, putting her in danger still felt wrong.

If he could do it over, perhaps he wouldn’t have made that choice.

"But if I’m not directly involved in cases, just sorting files at the bureau, I probably wouldn’t even have access to critical case details when major incidents occur—those are usually confidential."

Xia Xian clearly articulated the problem.

However, a psychological expert wouldn’t face the same restrictions. As an external consultant, if she pursued that path, she’d be among the first generation of such talent, with broad employment prospects. Of course, if she didn’t study well, none of that would matter.

"I already have my own plans. You don’t need to worry about me. Who knows—we might really have a chance to collaborate as equals in the future."

Not as bait, not as an assistant—but as his true partner!

The thought sent a thrill through Xia Xian, her almond eyes shining with dazzling starlight.

Quan Ruifeng watched her, radiating confidence, and paused. His heart suddenly pounded.

Only one clamoring thought remained in his mind:

He was done for.