The Delicate Darling with Her Rough Man

The official observed He Qingqing’s expression. Seeing her shy and timid look, he figured she wasn’t lying.

However, when he saw their empty hands, his eyes narrowed.

"You’re visiting relatives empty-handed?"

Lu Yuanbin was about to say they hadn’t bought anything yet, but He Qingqing beat him to the punch. "We have something. It’s right here."

With the official present, He Qingqing felt much bolder. She walked forward and picked up two trussed-up old hens from beside one of Old Nine’s lackeys.

"These are mine. They stole these from me."

Bringing old hens as a gift for relatives? Nothing wrong with that.

The official finished taking notes and then turned to Old Nine and his men.

"What’s your name? Where are you from? Why are you here? Were you just conducting an illegal transaction?"

Old Nine gave his name and address but refused to admit to any illegal trading.

The words had barely left Old Nine’s mouth when several more officials approached, dragging a few people with them.

They were, in fact, the very street vendors who had just been selling their wares.

The vendors’ faces all went pale.

Old Nine’s expression turned ugly as well, and he frantically shot glances at the vendors.

’I can’t admit to this, no matter what. If I do, it’s not just me who’s done for. These vendors won’t get away either.’

But the vendors didn’t even notice Old Nine’s signals. As soon as an official spoke to them a little more sternly, they confessed everything.

Old Nine’s legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground.

Having confirmed the nature of Old Nine’s crime, the official closed his notebook, gave a wave of his hand, and had everyone taken away.

Even Lu Yuanbin and He Qingqing had to go with them.opting out of this part of the conversation.

He Qingqing was a little frightened. Lu Yuanbin stepped forward to reassure her. "Don’t be afraid. Once we get there, just do what you did before and answer their questions honestly."

He Qingqing nodded.

When the group walked outside, they saw Leng Yuan waiting. Lu Yuanbin was about to go over to him when he saw the very same official who had been so severe with Old Nine just moments ago walk up to Leng Yuan with a broad smile.

"Comrade, thank you so much for your help just now. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what might have happened. We’re truly grateful!"

Leng Yuan shook his head. Noticing Lu Yuanbin in the crowd, he asked calmly, "Comrade, this is my friend. What’s happened to him?"

Lu Yuanbin was speechless.

The official glanced at Lu Yuanbin and quickly explained, "He’s fine. He just happened to witness an illegal transaction and was nearly silenced. We just need to take him back to ask a few questions. It’ll be quick."

Leng Yuan put on a worried expression, looking as if he couldn’t rest easy unless he accompanied Lu Yuanbin. The official, who held Leng Yuan in high regard, immediately agreed.

Besides, it was within regulations.

Lu Yuanbin was dying of curiosity. He desperately wanted to know what on earth his Brother Leng had done to make the officials so polite to him.

But he couldn’t find a chance to ask.

The group soon arrived at their destination and went inside.

They asked him the same questions as before. Once he answered and they had a clear picture of the situation, Lu Yuanbin was free to go.

He glanced over at He Qingqing. In the heat of the moment, he’d claimed the young woman was his girlfriend. Now, in front of Brother Leng, it felt a little awkward.

’It’s not like I was trying to take advantage of He Qingqing,’ he thought. ’If I hadn’t said that, she would have been in big trouble for selling things at the black market.’

’He saw the many patches on He Qingqing’s clothes and her calloused fingers. Life at home must be tough for her; otherwise, her family would never let a young woman like her come out to sell things alone.’

’A wave of sympathy had washed over him, so he’d come up with an excuse.’

He Qingqing knew Lu Yuanbin had helped her, and she was deeply grateful.

It was just that she had no way to repay Lu Yuanbin’s kindness.

While He Qingqing had avoided trouble thanks to Lu Yuanbin’s help, the other vendors who had been caught by the officials were not so lucky.

The current crackdown was so severe that getting caught could mean getting a bullet.

A pang of sorrow struck He Qingqing as she watched.

’In times like these,’ she thought, ’who would sell off their family’s precious food if they had enough to eat themselves? Most of us are still going hungry!’

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