Chapter 60: 59 Decisive Character Is Hereditary

59 Decisive character is hereditary

As Leon hesitated whether to move to Happiness Apartments, the girl with a doll-like face beside him stole glances at his furrowed brow, her two watery eyes revealing a thoughtful expression.

Mr. Leon… is such a good person!

At just a teenager’s age, he went out to earn money, took on every dirty and exhausting job, barely held up a small household, and after reaching the age requirement, successfully joined the Police Force and secured a legitimate job to support his younger siblings.

And though he was always short on money, during the gas pipe explosion, he refused outright the compensation he could have had with just a nod—and even after being injured this time, he still didn’t ask for compensation, only worrying about finding schooling for his brother and sister.

Also, when he was knocked unconscious on the shopping plaza yesterday, Mr. Leon was wearing nothing but a tattered old coat, yet beside him were only clothes bought for his brother and sister—he never once thought to get himself a new one…

Gently stroking her smooth back of the hand, recalling the rough texture of calluses, the doll-faced girl saw a shadow of someone in Leon, and her gaze instantly gained a faint warmth and admiration.

Except for lacking his father’s precise business vision, Mr. Leon is truly just like Dad was back then.

Both deeply loved their families, both worked hard every day, both persisted without giving up no matter how hard things got, both held firm to their principles when faced with temptation… hmm… the only not-so-good thing is he’s a bit too young—he’s several years younger than me…

…

Decided! Move!

After much deliberation, considering that Veteran’s Alley was surrounded by prisons and factories with an utterly terrible environment, and that the two children walked over ten kilometers to school every day—Leon finally made up his mind: the whole family would move to Happiness Apartments.

As for that old man with the big scissors…

The old lady who loved knitting seemed communicative; he could try talking to her, explaining he wasn’t a bad person, and see if he could persuade her husband to stop.

If that still didn’t work, he’d use his busy work schedule as an excuse and stay temporarily at the Clearance Bureau—after all, his children’s schooling couldn’t wait any longer.

If William and the others enroll now, and the middle-aged nurse’s husband helps out a bit, they’ll still be able to catch up; if they delay further and fall behind the curriculum, they’d truly have to wait until next year.

After making his final decision, Leon turned to the doll-faced girl lost in thought, and after a moment’s consideration, politely asked:

“Er… sorry, I forgot to ask earlier—what’s your name?”

“Huh?”

The doll-faced girl snapped back to attention, her face flushing; she instinctively raised a hand to shield her swollen eyes, then lowered her head slightly and said:

“Amy—just call me Amy!”

“Alright, Miss Amy.”

Having noted the name of this woman who cried every time they met, Leon nodded and said:

“I’ve decided—please help my brother and sister enroll at Bridge Public School! Thank you for your help!”

“Oh no, it’s nothing, really—it’s what we… we’re supposed to do!”

Sneaking a glance at the hospital window to see her own reflection, she saw only a hideous girl with swollen eyelids—her heart lurched, and she quickly turned her head away:

“Er… Mr. Leon, our company just happens to own a few apartments on Bridge Street—would you…?”

“Cough… no, really, no need.”

Afraid she’d say something like “I’ll give you a whole apartment,” which would further erode his already weakening resolve, Leon coughed and waved his hand in refusal:

“I’ve been to Bridge Street—I know a decent apartment with a good environment, very close to Bridge Public School. I’ve already decided to move there—no need to trouble you!”

“Ah? Okay…”

Having failed to give away an apartment,

the doll-faced girl seemed disappointed; she bit her lip and tentatively asked:

“Er… Mr. Leon, would you tell me where you’re planning to move? Uh… please don’t misunderstand!”

Seeing Leon’s surprised look, the doll-faced girl quickly waved her hands, straightened her back, and explained earnestly:

“I’m not trying to intrude—just… uh… I might soon be assigned to work at a company near Bridge Street, and I’m also preparing to rent an apartment.

But I don’t know the area well—I don’t know which apartment’s better—and since you just mentioned you know a reliable one, I just wanted to ask its name.”

“I see.”

Hearing her explanation, Leon’s eyes flickered with sudden understanding; he smiled and nodded:

“The apartment’s called Happiness Apartments—address is 35 Bridge Street. It was converted from a privately operated charity home; you’ll see a three-meter-wide flower garden out front.”

“I visited there once before—the residents are all good people, very warm and hospitable… hmm… sometimes too warm…”

Happiness Apartments… such a wonderful name… hmm… feels like living there would surely bring happiness~

She didn’t know that Leon’s idea of “warmth” meant being chased down five flights of stairs by a man wielding giant scissors, nearly snipped in half.

After firmly memorizing the name and address of Happiness Apartments, the doll-faced girl clenched her slightly sweaty palm, stared at Leon with a beaming smile, and nodded repeatedly:

“Warmth is great! I’m naturally someone who loves liveliness—I adore warm neighbors! Thank you for the recommendation—I’ll go check it out right away!”

“You’re too kind—I only mentioned the name.”

Since he held a very favorable impression of the doll-faced girl, and she had just helped him greatly, and since her clothing suggested she wasn’t short on money—possibly unimpressed by the shabby Happiness Apartments—Leon paused, then added:

“By the way, while the other conditions of that apartment are excellent and the rent is very low, it’s an old building—the exterior and interior finishes are worn.”

“But rest assured—the building is old but solid, the residents and two managers are trustworthy, and even a single girl living alone would be perfectly safe. Missing it would truly be a shame.”

“Mm-hmm!”

Watching Leon, who clearly wanted her to move in too, the doll-faced girl’s eyes brightened slightly; she beamed and nodded enthusiastically:

“That’s wonderful! If I do end up moving in, I’ll definitely thank you properly—don’t you dare refuse!”

“Haha, alright!”

Having decided to move in next to Leon, the doll-faced girl casually turned her head, glanced at the broom leaning in the corner, then glanced at the shopping bag peeking out from under the bed, and smiled as she bid farewell:

“Mr. Leon, I’m not just going to look at apartments—I also need to help your brother and sister with their enrollment, so I won’t disturb your rest today. See you soon!”