Chapter 992

In the old district of Wangdu, Bridge Street, inside a two-person carriage heading toward Happy Apartment.

“Actually… I don’t dislike you.”

After sitting in silence with Li Ang the entire journey, the emerald-eyed girl could no longer bear the awkwardness; she averted her gaze from him and looked out the window, her voice tinged with guilt:

“You might not believe it, but I did this only because I didn’t want my situation to hinder your personal development.”

“…”

“You know my circumstances are unusual—I’ll likely never leave Wangdu. If I joined your team, you’d lose a reliable partner during field missions.”

“…”

“Besides, my strength is weak, while you’re already stronger than most Level One Cleaners. Partnering with someone like me would only drag you down.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Ugh… feels like he’s holding a grudge…

Watching Li Ang still sitting stiffly across from her, having said nothing throughout the entire ride, the anxious emerald-eyed girl hesitantly ventured:

“Um… Mr. Li Ang, don’t you have anything to say?”

“Yes.”

After the carriage halted in front of Happy Apartment, Li Ang reached out and opened the door for her, then announced coldly:

“Split the fare. This ride wasn’t just to take me home—it was also to show you the staff dormitory, so you owe half.”

“Huh?”

The emerald-eyed girl blinked in surprise, then awkwardly replied:

“Um… I don’t have any money on me right now. Could I…?”

“One and a half copper wheels. Pay me back next week.”

“Alright…”

Li Ang pulled her down from the carriage by the collar of her coat. Standing on the roadside waiting for him to pay, she followed closely beside him as they cautiously entered the first-floor lobby of Happy Apartment.

There, the white-haired female manager, wearing a brand-new pair of reading glasses, sat hunched over in the reception room, knitting the same endless ball of yarn.

“Hmm?”

Hearing footsteps approaching, the manager lifted her head, adjusted her glasses, glanced at Li Ang, then smiled warmly.

“Back from your trip?”

“Mm. I arrived in Wangdu this morning by steamship, just returned from submitting my report at the Bureau.”

Facing the kind manager, Li Ang’s rigid expression instantly softened. He reached into the Mirror World, pulled out a neatly wrapped small bag, and passed it through the reception window with a smile:

“Auntie Mary, this is something I came across during my trip. A little gift.”

“You silly child!”

Seeing the luxurious label on the bag—“Premium Spun Wool Yarn”—the manager beamed, yet still scolded:

“Spending money again! This clearly isn’t cheap. You’ve only been working a few months, and you’ve got two kids in school at home—there’ll be plenty of expenses ahead. Save where you can!”

“I am saving. I am.”

After muttering a quick reply, Li Ang pulled out another small metal box and handed it over, grinning as he explained:

“Auntie Mary, this is a gardening tool maintenance set I bought in the Kingdom of Krok. It includes polishing stones, anti-corrosion grease, rust-removal sandpaper, and reusable juice-cleaning cloths. Uncle John will probably like it.”

“Oh my, you really are…”

Seeing the clearly expensive gardening set, the manager sighed helplessly. She knew refusing it would only lead Li Ang to claim it was bought overseas and couldn’t be returned, so she accepted it and reached beneath the desk to pull out a cloth bag.

“Here, take this home!”

“What’s this…?”

“Knitted gloves for your two little rascals. Made from the wool yarn you gave me last time.”

Seeing Li Ang’s surprised expression, the manager chuckled:

“Kids grow fast at that age—I made them a bit larger so they’ll still fit next year. Don’t say they’re too big!”

Gloves knitted by Auntie Mary?

Looking at the manager’s kind smile, Li Ang’s eyebrows lifted slightly. He reached into the bag, his fingers brushing gently against the intricate pattern woven into the wool gloves.

【Name: Exquisitely Woven Wool Guardian Gloves (Miracle, Protection)】

【Appearance: A pair of children’s wool gloves with neat texture, tight stitches, scratch- and wear-resistant, excellent warmth. Though the knitting is simple and humble, it is exquisitely crafted and radiates a peculiar warmth.】

【Ability: Repel Evil Entities, Avoid Accidents】

【Cost: These gloves may only be worn by Melanie Lane. The user must greet the first-floor manager grandmother each morning before leaving, but avoid accepting her fruit candies frequently—otherwise, Anna Lane may deliver a stern scolding.】

【File: Crafted by an ultra-experienced knitter with 135 years of experience, using wool yarn gifted by the Food God’s Follower, Nation-destroying Rebel, Traveling Thrush Prince, Dreamworld Destroyer, Nightmare of the Death Emissary, and Level Three Cleaner of the Virgin Branch, Li Ang Lane.】

【Beyond the anomaly’s innate ability to repel accidents and intimidate hostile targets, if the wearer suffers unjust humiliation, a muscular old man named John may arrive wielding a one-meter-long gardening shear to seek revenge.】

【Evaluation: I actually wanted to punch her, but before I could raise my fist, a tall old man—nearly two meters—emerged from the roadside bushes.】

【He said nothing, just stared at me with wide, unblinking eyes, then raised a pair of shears, blades gleaming and coated in anti-corrosion grease…】

【Contamination Level: 0.1】

Damn… this is basically a portable, one-person version of Happy Apartment. With these, William and the others could probably shrug off any Level Three Cleaner.

“Since they’re made especially for them, I won’t refuse.”

After accepting the precious gift on behalf of the two children, Li Ang smiled warmly, observing how the manager’s soul had grown significantly brighter since their last meeting:

“Auntie Mary, you look much better than the last time I saw you!”

“Really?”

Setting down her knitting, the manager touched her cheeks and beamed:

“Maybe it’s because I’ve been busy again? When you’ve been idle too long, suddenly getting busy improves your complexion… By the way, did you see the new orphanage behind us on your way back?”

“I did. Once the funding came through, they built it incredibly fast.”

Li Ang nodded, smiling in response:

“And besides the new orphanage, I saw Uncle John—he’s wearing a plumber’s badge, helping the workers lay pipes.”

“Hah! That old man just can’t sit still—he insists on lending a hand.”

After chatting happily for a few more moments, the manager noticed the emerald-eyed girl standing behind Li Ang, curiously observing her. She gasped:

“Oh my, I got so caught up talking to you, I forgot to ask… who is this child?”

She’s an orphan coming to stay at the orphanage.