Taking the dog along can protect us?

"It's all right," the short-haired woman hurriedly waved her hand. "We'll just wait at your place."

"Well... I still need to lock up my house. Why don't you stroll around here for a bit?"

Though Chen Anquan trusted the three civil servants, Zhao Xuan and her colleagues, his house was stocked with premium prepared rehmannia and polygonatum—essential medicinal herbs for his own health. He couldn't risk leaving the door open, just in case, just in case something were stolen. That would be quite the trouble.

"It's fine," Zhao Xuan nodded in agreement.

Only then did Chen Anquan lock his door, nodded politely to the trio, and made his way toward Chen Juanjuan’s house.

The man with the video camera, finding himself bored, strolled off toward the car. Before long, he was seated inside, absorbed in his phone.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xuan glanced at the short-haired woman and asked softly, "Did you see? What do you think?"

The short-haired woman watched Chen Anquan’s retreating figure, one arm crossed and the fingers of her other hand stroking her chin, as though appraising a work of art. "Hmm, he's rather handsome. For a grown man, he’s awfully fair-skinned!"

Zhao Xuan’s lips twitched. "He is quite fair! I found it odd too. Last time I saw him, he wasn't this pale, nor was he this strong."

She wasn't lying. In recent days, as Chen Anquan's attributes had improved dramatically, both his height and complexion had undergone a remarkable transformation.

"He seems a bit simple," the short-haired woman mused, rubbing her chin. "Both parents gone, an orphan. But at least he's a college graduate, and used to be an excellent doctor. Still, he lives in such a shabby house—conditions are really poor."

"Sister Hua, don’t be so dismissive. Let me tell you, Chen Anquan used to be one of the best doctors at the county hospital. I’ve heard their salaries were quite high. Even though his license was revoked, I checked—he can take the exams again in a few years. He'll definitely make a comeback!"

The short-haired woman rolled her eyes at Zhao Xuan’s endless praise. "If you like him so much, why don't you go for him yourself?"

Zhao Xuan was momentarily speechless. She looked in the direction Chen Anquan had disappeared, then spoke slowly, "Weren’t you the one who asked me to introduce you to a promising young man? Chen Anquan really has great potential. Don’t just look at his present—consider his future."

"Nicely said, but his parents are gone. Who's going to help raise the children in the future?"

"Uh..." Zhao Xuan was caught off guard.

"And look at how rundown his place is. If we get married, all my relatives, friends, and colleagues would see this mess. Wouldn’t I be embarrassed?"

"Heh..." Zhao Xuan was left dumbfounded.

"And don't be fooled by his honesty. Honestly, the honest ones are the most fickle. What if he cheats on me one day?"

At this, Zhao Xuan was completely at a loss for words.

It was she who wanted a boyfriend introduced, and now she was the one dismissing Chen Anquan. Zhao Xuan couldn’t be bothered with her anymore.

Despite Chen Anquan’s orphaned status, his prospects truly were excellent!

In Zhao Xuan’s eyes, in three years, once Chen Anquan requalified, he would be a force to be reckoned with.

Meanwhile, Chen Anquan, now arriving at Chen Long’s doorstep, had no idea the short-haired woman was the girlfriend Zhao Xuan was introducing him to—let alone that she was looking down on him so much.

Woof, woof, woof!

Woof, woof, woof!

...

Just then, the familiar barking sounded again.

As he reached the courtyard gate, Chen Anquan called out to the pit bull inside the house, "Doggie, missing me already?"

No sooner had he spoken than the fierce barking ceased, as if the dog’s mouth had been sealed shut.

Strutting into the yard, Chen Anquan saw Wang Lixia coming out to greet him.

Wang Lixia was dressed in an elegant wine-red wool coat, her face beaming. "Ah, Anquan, you’re finally here! I’ve already made breakfast—just waiting for you."

She reached out, taking him by the arm, and pulled him eagerly toward the house.

Unable to resist her enthusiasm, Chen Anquan let himself be led into Chen Long’s home.

Chen Long himself was not at home, having left early.

No sooner had he entered the living room than Chen Anquan spotted the pit bull cowering in the corner.

The dog was terrified, trembling like a lamb about to be slaughtered, whimpering softly.

"Don’t be afraid, doggie," Chen Anquan said, approaching it slowly.

But the pit bull only trembled more violently, curling itself tightly and watching him warily.

"Anquan, stop scaring our dog," said Chen Juanjuan, who was having breakfast nearby.

"Fine," he replied, turning away and walking over to her, deciding not to bother the animal any longer. He sat down beside Chen Juanjuan, his gaze resting on her.

Today, Chen Juanjuan wore a sporty outfit in red and black, white sneakers on her feet. Clearly, she’d come prepared.

Unlike her sophisticated office look yesterday, today she seemed more like a housewife drifting between the gym and a yoga studio.

"Don’t look at me like that!" she said, glancing around to make sure her mother had left the room, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"According to American scientists, if a man spends five minutes a day looking at beautiful women, it increases his appetite, helps prevent senility, and relieves stress. Frequent viewing of attractive women improves blood circulation, delays aging, stimulates saliva, quenches thirst, improves sleep quality, stabilizes mood, boosts energy, balances hormone secretion, promotes metabolism, and helps regulate and repair physiological functions."

Chen Juanjuan turned her head away. "Utter nonsense!"

"Don’t be anti-intellectual, Juanjuan."

"Hmph!" She straightened her head, letting him admire her figure. "Go ahead—look all you want!"

But the next moment, her cheeks tinged pink as she puffed them out. "Hmph!"

In truth, Chen Anquan wasn’t so much admiring her as he was busy eating, chopsticks in hand, wolfing down the rather delicious rice noodles.

He had to admit, Wang Lixia’s breakfast put his second aunt’s to shame.

After breakfast, the two walked side by side out into the yard.

There, Chen Juanjuan stopped and called toward the house, "Doggie, do you want to come with us to gather herbs in the mountains?"

"Why bring him along?" To be honest, Chen Anquan didn’t like the dog that had bitten so many people in the past, and even felt some aversion to it.

"My grandma said there are tigers in the mountains. Taking the dog will keep us safe."