End of the World: The materials consumed by women are returned ten thousand times.

In a small, dark shed.

Audrey found a few loaves of bread that were as hard as stones and a small jar of jam that was almost empty from the cupboard.

Then he stuffed it into Lin Lang's arms and said generously:
"Eat now! You must be starving!"

Lin Lang took the food and was hesitating whether to eat it.

And Audrey had already sat down on the broken stool right opposite him!

The stool creaked!
Audrey was unaware of this, staring straight at Lin Lang and asking:
"Tell me about it! Where are you from? What happened? How did you become homeless?"

"Oh!"

Lin Lang took the bread and said naturally:
"A friend said he would bring me here to live a good life, but he ended up abandoning me halfway..."

After hearing this, Audrey frowned and said indignantly:
"How can I have such a friend? It's so abominable!"

"They actually left you here all alone, not caring whether you live or die! This is simply too much!"

"Alright! Eat something quickly! Just follow me from now on. I won't watch you starve to death!"

As she spoke, she patted her little chest!

His face is full of righteousness!
Lin Lang: “…”

He looked at the hard piece of bread in his hand.

Finally I took a bite——

Anyway, with his current horrible physique, he can even digest a screw!

I'm not afraid of getting sick or anything!

……

Lin Lang ate slowly and leisurely.

From time to time, he would say a few words to Audrey who was sitting on the small bench.

Until nightfall!

The shanty became dim and dim.

"what--"

Audrey yawned and patted her mouth with her little hands:
"It's time for bed."

"sleep?"

Hearing this, Lin Lang looked at the only bed in the room, which was so worn out that it could fall apart at any time, and asked:

"How do we sleep?"

This bed can't support two people, right?
Audrey waved her hand casually:
"You sleep here, and I'll just go and squeeze in with Aunt Maria."

"It's right next door."

"If you are scared, you can shout my name and I will come to rescue you immediately!"

Done.

She winked at Lin Lang and went out.

Lin Lang looked at the back of this girl with a unique personality and couldn't help but curl his lips:
"It's really interesting..."

……

The next morning!

The sun had not yet had time to completely dispel the chill of the slums.

Audrey ran to the room where Lin Lang was sleeping.

She banged on the door and shouted:

"Hey! Get up! The sun is shining on your butt!"

After a while!

Still haven't waited for Lin Lang's response!
"Really!"

Audrey thought Lin Lang was still sleeping in!

So he frowned slightly!

He pushed the door open and walked in with big strides:
"Wake up..."

But he saw Lin Lang already standing in the room fully dressed.

Lin Lang smiled at her:
"Good morning."

Seeing this, Audrey was slightly stunned——

When she met Lin Lang yesterday, it was already dark evening.

And now the morning sun shines in, falling on Lin Lang's handsome face.

It appears clearer and softer!

She thus discovered that

This young man from the East has a special temperament!

Different from anyone here!
……

After a while, Audrey came back to her senses and said:

"It's getting late! Hurry up and pack up. I'll take you to find someone who can arrange a job for you."

She walked to the dressing mirror and hurriedly tidied herself up while urging Lin Lang:
"Hurry up and don't dawdle. Grandpa Tom doesn't have much time!"

Lin Lang was helpless:

"I'm the one waiting for you now, okay?"

All he could do was wait patiently for Audrey to finish packing and leave the shack.

……

All the way!

Audrey was like a tireless little trumpeter, constantly introducing every detail of this slum to Lin Lang!
From time to time, say hello and chat with acquaintances passing by.

……

Soon, they came to a simple little courtyard.

yard.

A gray-haired foreign old man was sitting in a rocking chair, basking in the sun leisurely.

Audrey walked in familiarly and said:
"Grandpa Tom, are you basking in the sun? I brought someone to you. Can you please arrange a job for him?"

Old man Tom looked up at Lin Lang, who was standing there calmly.

Then Tom looked at Audrey again, frowning slightly:

"Audrey! It's not that Grandpa won't help you, but how can you arrange a job like that? I don't have any suitable work here recently!"

Audrey pouted when she heard this:
"Grandpa Tom, you can't say that! You're very capable! Just think of a way!"

Old Tom closed his eyes:

"I'm an old man who has been retired for many years, what kind of ability can I have? Besides, if he wants to find a job, it depends on his ability!"

Audrey continued to act coquettishly:

“Grandpa, Lin Lang is very capable! Please help him!”

Tom was so annoyed by Audrey's clinging that he could only turn his gaze to Lin Lang:

"Dongfang boy, what are you capable of? Tell me first."

Lin Lang thought for a moment and said:
"I'm stronger!"

Hear this!

Tom smiled disdainfully:

"What's the point of being strong? Can you be stronger than those super-powered people?"

But suddenly I noticed Audrey's angry look!
So he quickly changed his words:

"It's good to be strong! If you are strong... you can come... to maintain the law and order of our residential area!"

"I'll give you ten gold coins a day, would you do it?"

Ten gold coins?

Lin Lang felt amused.

This amount of money is just a drop in the bucket in Fantasy Star City!

Just enough to buy a cup of coffee!
but……

I didn't come here to make money.

He then agreed without thinking.

When he turned around, he saw Audrey's serious expression.

Audrey counted on her fingers and said with a longing look:

"Ten gold coins a day, that's three hundred in a month! If you save them slowly, you will definitely be able to live a good life in the future!"

"The key is that this job is stable, and you can settle down here!"

Lin Lang looked at Audrey's carefree yet sincere appearance. The sunlight shone on her face, outlining her well-defined facial features. Her straightforwardness touched his heart.

The corners of his mouth slightly raised, and he nodded in response:

"Yeah, everything's going to be fine!"

……

then!

Lin Lang became the sheriff of this slum!
He stood tall and straight, walked steadily, and scanned everything around him with sharp eyes, guarding the peace of this area!
But actually!
Everyday work content...

It’s not about stopping kids from fighting;
Just help the kids find toys!
Either help the owner find the lost items;

Or help divorcing couples mediate family conflicts...

……

but!

Love what you do!
As time went by, Lin Lang's outstanding performance not only won the love of children, but also made adults look at him with admiration.

The adults gradually became familiar with this warm-hearted young man. Every time they saw Lin Lang patrolling by, they would greet him enthusiastically:

"Sheriff, you've been hard at work today!"

Lin Lang always responded with a smile:

"It's not hard."

……

End of a busy day.

Lin Lang rushed back to Audrey's shack.

Audrey was already waiting at the door, holding the tools she had just borrowed from her neighbor:
"Lin Lang, let's reinforce the legs of the bed today."

Audrey gestured as she spoke.

no way--

Yesterday, when Lin Lang was sleeping, he accidentally broke the small bed.

……

The two worked together, Lin Lang was responsible for hammering in the nails, while Audrey helped hold the wooden board!

Every time she hammered a nail, she shouted "Come on" excitedly.

at last!

The cot was repaired.

There are still quite a few wooden boards left.

Lin Lang proposed:

"Since we have enough materials, why not make another bed? You can sleep here in the future, and you don't have to stay at Aunt Maria's house."

Audrey thought about it and realized that there were too many children in Maria's family, so it was indeed not very convenient for them to sleep at night.

I agreed.

So Lin Lang placed another small bed in this small room!
A floral curtain is carefully used in the middle to divide the rooms into small spaces.

Audrey stood by the bed, her cheeks as red as ripe apples, her eyes looking around in panic, her hands tightly clenched around the corners of her clothes, her fingers slightly white.

She glanced at Lin Lang secretly and found that he was making the bed as if nothing had happened, and his throat was a little tight with nervousness.

Lin Lang noticed Audrey's strangeness, deliberately slowed down his movements, and said softly:

"Audrey, look at this curtain. The pattern I picked is beautiful, isn't it? From now on, we will each have our own territory."

Audrey lowered her head and responded in a low voice:

"Well, it's beautiful."

The sound is as small as the buzzing of a mosquito.

Lin Lang picked up another small doll, which was given to him by a child when he was patrolling during the day.

"This is for you. Let it sleep with you."

Audrey glanced at the doll secretly, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a smile.

"Don't just stand there. You've been busy all day. Take a rest."

Lin Lang said this, walked to his bedside, lay down, and stretched comfortably.

Audrey took a deep breath, and like a frightened little rabbit, she carefully sat on her bed, with her back to Lin Lang, and lay down little by little.

After lying down, she wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, leaving only a pair of eyes exposed, staring at the curtain nervously.

My heart was pounding as if it was going to burst through my chest!
She never expected that—

One day I will be in the same room with a man so close that I can even hear each other's breathing and heartbeat!
The feeling of shyness and anticipation made her cheeks get hotter.

Lin Lang seemed to notice Audrey's nervousness and comforted her softly:
"Don't think too much, just go to sleep."

Hearing Lin Lang's gentle voice, Audrey's mood calmed down a little.

She hummed softly and silently told herself to relax.

……

The days in the slums passed by.

Audrey and Lin Lang's lives gradually became regular.

……

Lin Lang finally waited for the day when his salary was paid!
I got a total of three hundred shiny gold coins!
Look at these gold coins.

There was no ripple in Lin Lang's heart!
Even felt like laughing!

……

But Audrey!

But I almost drooled just looking at those gold coins!

then!

She put her hands on her hips and said to Lin Lang seriously: "Lin Lang, now that you have a job and can support yourself, you should move out and live on your own!"

"But if... you still want to live with me, you have to pay me a fee!"

"One gold coin a day, no cheating!"

Lin Lang just found it interesting.

Seeing Audrey's serious look, he also agreed with a smile:

"Okay, Boss Audrey!"

"From today on, I will pay my protection fee on time every day."

Food and accommodation are included, and only one gold coin a day is required!
This boss is quite conscientious!
"Yup!"

Audrey counted the thirty gold coins she had received and smiled happily!
……

The days passed so leisurely.

Lin Lang still patrols the slums every day.

Play with the children.

Dealing with residents.

……

one day!
Audrey went out to work.

While Lin Lang was cleaning the house, he accidentally knocked over an old box of Audrey's.

The contents of the box were scattered all over the floor.

Lin Lang hurriedly squatted down to clean up, but found that it was full of gold coins wrapped in old newspapers!

Just a rough count!
There are more than 10,000 of them!
Ah!
It turns out that Audrey is a hidden rich woman!

……

Wait for Audrey to come back.

Lin Lang held the iron box and asked with a sly smile:
"Audrey, your little treasury is hidden deep enough, where do you get so many gold coins?"

Audrey was stunned for a moment when she saw the iron box, then she scratched her head a little embarrassedly:
"I've always wanted to collect one million gold coins and open a small shop. This way I'll have a stable income and won't have to worry about my life anymore."

"I saved all this by living frugally and adding the money you gave me to take me in!"

"Don't tell anyone else!"

Lin Lang then remembered——

Audrey always lives a very frugal life!
She always wears the same few pieces of clothes, and she still wears them even when they have turned white from washing.

On weekdays, I always keep my meals simple.

But even so, Audrey would occasionally bring back some delicious food for Lin Lang.

She always said nonchalantly:

"Lin Lang, try some quickly. These are leftovers from the restaurant. It would be a shame to throw them away, so I brought them back."

In fact, Lin Lang knew in his heart that these foods might have been bought by Audrey with the money she had saved up with great difficulty.

She said this only because she was afraid of feeling bad about it.

Once!
Audrey brought back a delicate little cake decorated with a few strawberries.

"Lin Lang, eat quickly. We are lucky today. We came across a store that was selling leftovers. They are super cheap."

Audrey said as she handed the cake to Lin Lang, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Lin Lang took the cake and looked at Audrey's eyes that were expecting him to taste it, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.

This seemingly carefree girl actually has a meticulous care for herself in her heart!

……

In the ghetto.

The neighbors have always gotten along well with each other and everyone sees each other every day.

After a long time, they know each other's lives inside and out.

Audrey is kind and warm-hearted. She used to bring homeless people back to the slums and help them find a way to make a living with her connections and ideas.

But this time, everyone noticed that Audrey's attitude towards Lin Lang was particularly different——

On weekdays!
Audrey is impetuous, speaks loudly, and acts carelessly.

But as soon as Lin Lang appeared, she seemed like a different person.

When they went out together, Audrey's eyes would always follow Lin Lang unconsciously, her eyes full of concern.

Whenever Lin Lang came back from patrol, even if he was just a little late, Audrey would look out the door anxiously.

As soon as he saw Lin Lang's figure, his originally frowned brows instantly relaxed and he trotted towards him.

While taking the things from Lin Lang's hand, he kept asking questions here and there!

That look!
She looks just like a young wife who is waiting for her lover to come home!
The neighbors saw it all, were amused, and often made fun of them.

one day!
Aunt Maria from next door saw Audrey and Lin Lang repairing tables and chairs in the yard, and laughed and teased:
"Audrey, you and Lin Lang are so inseparable every day. If someone doesn't know, they would think you are a loving couple!"

As soon as these words came out, the neighbors around echoed and laughed.

When Lin Lang heard this, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a gentle smile.

Neither admit nor deny.

Audrey's reaction was completely different -

Her originally fair face instantly turned red, like a ripe tomato, and she stammered in a low voice:
"Aunt Maria, you...please don't say anything nonsense. Lin Lang and I are just ordinary friends, not a couple."

But her evasive eyes and nervous little movements all exposed her guilty conscience.

In fact, Audrey knew clearly in her heart——

Lin Lang was different from everyone she had ever met.

Lin Lang has a tall figure, handsome face, and a unique temperament.

In this chaotic and impoverished slum, everyone is struggling for a living all day long, looking hurried and with anxiety written on their faces.

But Lin Lang is always calm and composed. No matter what emergency he faces, he can deal with it calmly, as if nothing in the world can make him anxious.

Audrey's heart beat faster involuntarily when she recalled Lin Lang's calmness when he helped the children resolve conflicts and his wisdom when he gave advice to the neighbors.

She had to admit that Lin Lang had already occupied a special place in her heart.

It's just that she is still too shy to face this feeling.

……

this day!
The afterglow of the setting sun cast a warm orange hue on the slums.

Lin Lang finished a day's patrol and was heading home.

A few naughty kids threw mud on his face for fun while he was on patrol.

At this moment, there was still a conspicuous stain on his face.

As soon as she stepped into the house, Audrey, who was busy in the house, saw Lin Lang's appearance at a glance.

Her eyes instantly revealed heartache and anger!
Without saying a word, he quickly walked to Lin Lang's side.

Audrey picked up the towel beside her, stood on tiptoe, and naturally wiped the stains on Lin Lang's face.

While wiping, he kept muttering:

"You, you didn't even hide when playing with those kids. You've become a little cat. After all, you're a sheriff, you should pay attention to your image!"

Her tone was full of complaints, but her hands were incredibly gentle, as if she was wiping an extremely precious treasure.

Lin Lang looked at Audrey in front of him, listening to her nagging words, and a special warmth surged in his heart.

In the past, he was used to being the dominant one in relationships, and all the women around him obeyed him in everything under his authority.

But at this moment, Audrey's parental behavior made him feel an unprecedented warmth——

It's a feeling of home!
Full of fireworks and deep care.

This unprecedented wonderful feeling made Lin Lang unable to control his emotions for a moment!
He looked at Audrey's focused expression and slightly pouting lips, and his heartbeat suddenly accelerated.

next second!
As if possessed by a ghost, he reached out his hand, gently put his arm around Audrey's waist, leaned over slightly, and kissed her.

Audrey had never expected Lin Lang to do this. Her eyes widened instantly and her face was full of surprise.

Her mind went blank and her body went rigid.

Can!
Lin Lang's kiss.

So gentle and so domineering!

It was like a swamp, if she fell in she couldn't climb out!

She then closed her eyes.

however!
Just when Lin Lang wanted to deepen the kiss and try to win Audrey's heart in one fell swoop!

Audrey suddenly came back to her senses.

Her cheeks instantly became hot, like a ignited flame!

He pushed Lin Lang away in panic, turned around and ran out the door!

Only Lin Lang was left standing there, looking at her departing back with amusement.

……

Lin Lang's mood towards Audrey was completely different this time. He rarely showed any sign of anxiety.

In the past relationships, he was used to quick decisions, and he could quickly conquer the other party with his own charm and means!
But facing Audrey, deep in his heart surged a tenderness that he wanted to take good care of her.

He wanted to protect her persistence.

Protect the inviolable pride deep in her heart.

……

dinner time!

Audrey returned home in the twilight as usual.

She was carrying a carefully selected selection of food.

Although these foods may seem insignificant in the eyes of the rich, they are rare delicacies for people in the slums.

She placed the food one by one on the shabby table, her movements gentle and skillful.

Then she looked at Lin Lang, frowned slightly, and started her signature mumbling:
"Lin Lang, look at you. You are always so perfunctory when eating. How can you have the energy to patrol in the future? This won't do. You have to take good care of your body before you can work well."

As she spoke, she pushed the food towards Lin Lang, her eyes full of concern.

It was as if the heart-pounding scene in the afternoon had never happened.

Lin Lang also tacitly did not mention it again.

……

The night was dark.

The room fell into silence.

Lin Lang lay on his bed, his breathing gradually became steady, and he soon fell asleep.

……

On Audrey's side, the situation was completely different.

She lay on the bed, her eyes wide open, staring at the dilapidated roof above her head.

In the darkness, her thoughts were like a wild horse running out of control, constantly replaying the moment when Lin Lang kissed her in the afternoon in her mind.

Her heart was beating like a drum, and every beat seemed to be about to burst through her chest.

As long as Lin Lang turned over slightly in his sleep, or made a slight sound!

She would be startled.

My body tensed up instantly, like a frightened little rabbit, with my ears perked up nervously, alert to everything around me.

Time passed by minute by minute, and Audrey tossed and turned in bed, crumpling the sheets.

at last!

In the second half of the night, she could no longer endure the torment.

She carefully moved to the side, stretched out her hand, and gently pushed Lin Lang, her voice as quiet as a mosquito's buzz:

"Lin Lang, Lin Lang, wake up."

Lin Lang was awakened by her. He opened his eyes sleepily and looked at Audrey with a hint of confusion:

"What's wrong, Audrey?"

Audrey took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down, but her voice couldn't help but tremble slightly:
"Why did you kiss me today?"

Her eyes were fixed on Lin Lang, flashing with tension and anticipation in the darkness.

Lin Lang sat up, looked at Audrey, and answered calmly:
"At that time, I looked at you, and suddenly a strong impulse surged in my heart, and I couldn't help but do it."

His voice was low and gentle.

In the silent night, it was like an electric current that struck Audrey's heart.

Audrey's cheeks instantly became hot when she heard this.

She subconsciously lowered her head, not daring to look directly into Lin Lang's eyes. After hesitating for a moment, she asked in a low voice:

"Do you like me?"

As soon as she said this, her heart rose to her throat and she nervously waited for Lin Lang's answer.

Lin Lang said without hesitation:
"Yes."

"what!"

This word, like a heavy hammer, hit Audrey's heart hard, making her heart beat faster.

She was shy and happy!

But then!
Audrey was silent again.

She was in a fierce struggle.

On the one hand, she also has special feelings for Lin Lang, and this feeling grows quietly as they spend time together day after day!
On the other hand, she knew that her dream had not yet been realized.

Opening a small shop requires a lot of capital, and falling in love seems to distract her attention and delay her progress in making money...

I have been struggling for a long time!
She raised her head, bit her lip, and said helplessly:
"But I still have to make money! I really don't have time for love..."

"Being in love will delay my earning money..."

There was a hint of bitterness in her voice, as if she was compromising with reality.

After hearing this, Lin Lang just shrugged lightly, a faint smile appeared on his face, and responded:
"Oh!"

He didn't argue too much, but just looked at Audrey quietly, respecting her every thought.

Audrey hesitated for a long time, her fingers unconsciously tugging at the bed sheets, her inner struggle making her breathing quicken.

At last!
She seemed to have mustered up great courage and whispered:
"Unless you give me two gold coins every day from now on!"

After saying that, she closed her eyes nervously, not daring to look at Lin Lang's reaction.

I am both looking forward to and afraid of——

I don't know how Lin Lang will respond to my somewhat greedy request. (End of this chapter)