Hoping he might manage to sneak in, Leon stood for the second time in front of Happiness Apartment''s building.

    After glancing up at the location of his apartment on the sixth floor, he took a deep breath, clutched the Holy Spirit pendant on his chest, and tiptoed into the building''s foyer.

    Somehow, whether folks had already gone to sleep, or the Badge''s effect had counteracted, Leon managed to walk through the first-floor foyer and into the stairwell without encountering the burly man with the scissors, or even the lady administrator.

    So... can I go home now?

    Overjoyed, Leon quickened his pace, sprinting up the stairs. But just as he raised his hand to knock, the door swung open, as it had countless times over the past three years, before he could touch it.

    "Bro?"

    Seeing Leon''s face full of smiles, beaming with happiness, Anna couldn''t help but curiously ask,

    "Didn''t you say you''d be too busy these days and wouldn''t come home to sleep?"

    "Yeah, originally, I was very busy, but suddenly not so much, so I could come back… By the way, I haven''t had dinner, is there… uh…"

    Spotting the burly old man sitting by the dining table, glaring menacingly at him, Leon''s smile froze on his face.

    No way... how did you set up an ambush like this?

    "Oh, bro, this morning you didn''t have time to help us move our luggage; Uncle John helped us carry everything upstairs. And while I was busy tidying up the house this afternoon, William and Melanie were well taken care of by him; he even helped put them to sleep just a while ago."

    Seeing Leon staring intently at the burly old man, Anna smiled and explained proactively,

    "Uncle John has helped our family so much, and he refused to take the gratuity I offered. I just didn''t know how to thank him, so I decided to invite him for a dinner at our place as thanks."

    "…"

    So... it turns out you willingly let the stranger in?

    Leon flapped his mouth wordlessly, slowly relaxing his stiff facial muscles, and forced out a smile.

    "Well, he indeed deserves a good thank you. Uh, how was Mr. John''s meal?"

    "Good."

    The burly old man answered Leon''s question with a few words, forcing a rigid smile that matched Leon''s. He then suddenly stood up and reached towards a basket with a large pair of scissors.

    Oh crap!

    As Leon''s expression changed and he prepared to bolt for the door, a sudden dry cough erupted from behind him.

    "Ahem…"

    ?!!

    Was this... an attack from both sides?

    Turning his head to see the familiar face of the lady administrator, Leon''s heart skipped a beat. He grabbed the Holy Spirit pendant on his chest, ready for any protective action.

    However, the lady, stealthily approaching him, didn''t attack. Instead, she cheerfully lifted a large tray, offering freshly baked crispy beef bread rolls.

    "Young man~ Hungry, aren''t you? Want to try one?"

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

    "Well, if you''re not, make way, let me get through first... hehe, this is quite hot."

    "Ah! Sure!"

    Feeling bewildered, Leon stepped aside, allowing the administrator lady to pass with her tray. He sniffed the aroma of the dish lingering around and glanced at the burly old man playing with the large scissors, feeling more confused about whether he could enter or not.

    Was I supposed to come in or not? Why did both of you have different attitudes?

    …

    "Bro?"

    Watching Leon dawdle at the door for ages without entering, Anna blinked in surprise before pulling him inside.

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

    "Uh... okay."

    Circling half the table to find a spot farthest from the burly old man, Leon picked up a knife and fork, feeling uncomfortable under the intense stare. He cut a slice of the meat roll and ate it tastelessly.

    After observing the situation, realizing why Leon was acting awkwardly, Anna lightly pinched his thigh and chided,

    "Didn''t you tell me before that Uncle John might look fierce but is actually a warm-hearted good guy? Why are you acting so uptight now?"

    "…"

    *Bro, this isn''t being uptight; it''s worrying that this ''good guy'' might think I''m not a good person and decide to snip me with those scissors…*

    "Haha, men are like that."

    Seeing Leon''s complex expression, the white-haired, curly-headed lady administrator chuckled before kindly chiming in,

    "My old man is the same. He actually praised your brother to me, saying that although he works in the Purification Bureau, he''s a nice guy, hoping to get along well, and become close... Put it down, why are you still fiddling with those blasted scissors?" sea??h thё novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    With a swift tap on the burly man''s hand, the administrator lady snatched away the gleaming large scissors, pushed the basket away with difficulty, and barked at her husband, who was helplessly watching her after losing his scissors,

    "Go wash your hands! Your scissors are dirty with dust; how can you eat after touching them?"

    "Oh..."

    After being yelled at, the burly man''s bear-like back hunched down as he reluctantly left his seat, glancing back every few steps on his way to the bathroom.

    *Phew... it seems the lady has more authority at home than the man, so I guess I''m safe now…*

    Watching the poor old man go to wash his hands, Leon breathed a sigh of relief, feeling more at ease as he gave the lady a genuine thumbs-up.

    *Master at keeping a husband in check, you are the one!*

    "Oh no, it''s not like you think, it''s because the old man lets me."

    Embarrassedly waving off Leon''s admiration, the lady chuckled,

    "So, tell me about yourself. Anna said you work at the Purification Bureau. What do you all do there every day?"

    "Well… mostly assisting and handling some troublesome situations and stuff."

    Glancing at Anna, who was equally curious, Leon hesitated before awkwardly admitting,

    "As for specific work details, it''s not quite suitable to discuss over a meal… How about we talk about your family''s matters? Mr. John he… uh…"

    Seeing Leon suddenly stop speaking, the lady administrator instinctively followed his gaze towards the bathroom.

    The lady found herself deeply exasperated when she saw her husband washing his left hand while making scissor motions with his right hand, gesturing towards Leon through the glass, mouthing "snip" "snip."

    "Wash your hands properly!"

    With another sharp yell, the lady turned back to an apologetically nodding Leon,

    "Unlike me, responsible for preventing danger, my old man is quite stubborn, hating to see… well… you understand what I mean, right?"

    "Uh-huh, I get it."

    Hearing the lady''s words, Leon nodded with sudden realization, understanding the couple''s dynamics.

    Happiness Apartment had two abilities, a "Level One Accident Avoidance" and a "Level Two Malice Vanquisher." It appeared the couple each took charge of one, with the burly old man in charge of "Vanquisher," which was why he constantly kept an eye on Leon.

    "Haha, it''s good you understand."

    After subtly explaining her home''s situation, the lady shot a glance at Anna, who was utterly confused, and continued cheerfully,

    "Young man, the Purification Bureau is a good place. Although I don''t know much about your bureau, I''ve met folks from there before.

    "Hmm... or let''s say, part of why my old man and I are where we are today is thanks to your Purification Bureau''s help~"