Playing with the children.
Interacting with the residents.
...
One day!
Audrey went out to work.
While tidying up the house, Lin Lang accidentally knocked over one of Audrey’s old boxes.
The contents of the box scattered all over the floor.
Lin Lang quickly squatted down to tidy up, but discovered they were all gold coins wrapped in old newspapers!
A rough count!
There were more than ten thousand!
Ha!
So it turns out Audrey is a secretly wealthy woman!
...
Waiting for Audrey to return.
Lin Lang held the tin box, asking with a mischievous grin:
"Audrey, you’ve hidden your little treasure chest quite deep, where did all these gold coins come from?"
Audrey saw the tin box and was startled at first, then scratched her head a bit sheepishly:
"I’ve always wanted to save up a million gold coins to open a small store. That way, I’ll have a stable income and won’t have to worry about living expenses anymore."
"These are all saved bit by bit from my frugality and the shelter allowance you gave me!"
"You must not tell anyone!"
Lin Lang then remembered—
Audrey’s life was always extremely frugal!
Her clothes were always those few pieces, washed until they were a bit faded, yet still worn.
Even meals were always dealt with in a simple manner.
But even so, sometimes Audrey would still bring back something delicious for Lin Lang.
She would always nonchalantly say:
"Lin Lang, have a taste, these are leftovers from the restaurants, it’s a shame to throw them away, so I brought them back."
Actually, Lin Lang knew in his heart that these foods might have been bought by Audrey with money she painstakingly saved.
She said this only to spare him from feeling guilty.
Once!
Audrey brought back a delicate little cake, adorned with a few strawberries.
"Lin Lang, eat up, today I got lucky and found a store selling leftovers, super cheap."
As Audrey spoke, she handed the cake to Lin Lang, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Lin Lang took the cake, seeing the expectation in Audrey’s eyes, feeling a warm rush in his heart.
This seemingly carefree girl actually harbored meticulous care for him!
...
In the slum area.
Neighbors always interacted warmly, seeing each other often day in and day out.
Over time, they all knew each other’s lives inside out.
Audrey, being kind-hearted and helpful, often brought homeless people back to the slum area, using her connections and ideas to help them find a means of livelihood.
But this time, everyone noticed Audrey’s attitude toward Lin Lang was especially different—
Usually!
Audrey was fiery and loud, acting recklessly.
But as soon as Lin Lang appeared, she seemed to change.
Whenever they went out together, Audrey’s gaze would unconsciously follow Lin Lang, filled with concern.
Whenever Lin Lang returned from patrol, even if just a bit late, Audrey would anxiously watch by the door.
As soon as she saw Lin Lang’s figure, her frowns would instantly smooth out, and she would jog to meet him.
While taking the things from Lin Lang, she would nag about this and that!
That look!
Just like a little wife waiting eagerly for her beloved to come home!
The neighbors saw it and found it amusing, often joking about them.
One day!
Aunt Maria next door saw Audrey and Lin Lang repairing furniture together in the yard, teasing with a smile:
"Audrey, you and Lin Lang are inseparable every day, people might think you are a pair of loving sweethearts!"
As soon as she said that, the surrounding neighbors all chimed in with laughter.
Lin Lang heard this, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a gentle smile.
Neither admitting nor denying.
But Audrey’s reaction was completely different—
Her usually fair face turned red instantly, like a ripe tomato, she stammered softly in rebuttal:
"Aunt Maria, please... don’t say that, Lin Lang and I are just regular friends, not a couple."
Yet her dodging eyes and nervous little movements betrayed her guilty conscience.
Actually, Audrey knew in her heart—
Lin Lang was unlike anyone she had ever met before.
Lin Lang was tall and handsome, with a distinctive aura about him.
In this chaotic, impoverished slum, where everyone hustled for a living, hurried and anxious.
But Lin Lang always appeared calm and collected, no matter the sudden situations, he handled them with ease, as if nothing could faze him.
Recalling Lin Lang’s composure when resolving conflicts among children, the wisdom in advising neighbors, Audrey’s heart would involuntarily race.
She had to admit, Lin Lang had already occupied a special place in her heart.
She just wasn’t ready to confront these feelings yet.
...
On this day!
The sunset cast a warm orange glow over the slum area.
Lin Lang had finished his day’s patrol work and was heading home.
A few mischievous children had jokingly flung mud at his face during patrol.
Now, there was still a noticeable smudge on his face.
As he stepped home, Audrey, busy inside, immediately noticed Lin Lang’s appearance.
Her gaze instantly showed a mix of heartache and reproach!
Without a word, she briskly walked to Lin Lang’s side.
Audrey picked up a towel nearby, stood on tiptoe, and naturally began to wipe the dirt off Lin Lang’s face.
As she wiped, she mumbled:
"Oh you, playing with those kids without dodging, you’ve turned into a little mud cat. You’re the sheriff now, you should be mindful of your image!"