Chapter 14 I Like You!

After seeing off Skyler, Arlo returned to the rented house.

He had planned to lie down for a nap, but the door was already broken and wouldn't close properly.

Plus, he had a thick stack of cash in his pocket, so Arlo hesitated before deciding to go to the bank to deposit the money.

Though it was morning, there was already a queue forming outside the bank next to Urban Village.

He took a number and sat on a chair, feeling almost asleep by the time his turn came.

After depositing all the money into his account, a total of 31,200 dollars, Arlo felt a strange emotion welling up inside him.

Despite working so hard for so long as a mover in the furniture center, he had only earned seven or eight thousand dollars.

Looking at the balance in his account, Arlo couldn't help but feel a sense of irony.

Working so hard for so long, yet those few hooligans earned more by just beating people up.

After leaving the bank, he transferred all thirty thousand dollars to his mother's account using his phone, leaving only a thousand dollars for himself in case of emergencies.

He then made another call, which was quickly answered.

His mother coughed a few times before answering, "Hello, Arlo, why are you calling back? Are you short of money?"

Hearing his mother's voice, Arlo felt a pang in his heart. He sniffled and said, "Mom, I'm not short of money. I've earned some. I just transferred thirty thousand dollars to your account. Use twenty thousand to pay back the money to those aunties in the village. Keep the remaining ten thousand for yourself, buy more meat for my little sister. She's at the age where she needs proper nutrition to grow."

"T-Thirty... thirty thousand dollars?" His mother coughed violently a few times, gasping, "Arlo, have you done something illegal? I don't want this money. You, you'd better return it!"

Arlo had to tell a little lie, "Mom, what are you thinking? I earned this money. I found a good job, and my boss is very kind. This is a reward she gave me for helping her."

"Helping others is commendable, but how can you take people's money? Return it to your boss, do you hear me?"

"Mom, I know helping others is commendable, but my boss said if I didn't accept this money, she would fire me." After a pause, Arlo added, "Mom, please don't worry. I'm now the head of the security team for my boss, earning ten thousand dollars a month, plus other bonuses. Trust me, our days will get better in the future!"

After a few more words, Arlo reluctantly hung up the phone.

He could sense his mother's concern and longing. It was the first time he had been so far from home.

Thinking of his mother, who had aged prematurely from years of hard work, and his little sister, who despite being in high school still hadn't grown taller, Arlo clenched his fists.

He vowed to make sure his mother and sister would have better days!

He woke up from his nap at two in the afternoon. Just as he finished washing up, Lydia called, "Arlo, where do you live? I've cooked some food, and I'm waiting at the intersection near Urban Village!"

Hearing Lydia's gentle voice, Arlo's heart couldn't help but beat a little faster. "Just wait at the intersection; there are all sorts of people inside. I'll come out to meet you."

After hanging up the phone, Arlo put on his clothes and headed out.

Before long, he spotted Lydia's petite figure at the intersection.

He hurried over and tapped her on the shoulder. Lydia turned around, revealing a soft smile, "So fast, are you starving?"

"Not very hungry, just eager to see you, so I ran all the way here." Arlo looked her up and down, a hint of admiration flickering in his eyes.

Despite wearing a simple white T-shirt and faded skinny jeans, Lydia's curves were accentuated, exuding youthful vitality.

"Go on," Lydia noticed his gaze and blushed slightly, teasing, "You've become naughty!"

As she spoke, her long eyelashes fluttered gently, causing Arlo's heart to itch.

"Don't accuse me wrongly. I'm known for being a good guy." Arlo protested innocently as he took the bag from her hand.

Feeling the weight, Arlo asked curiously, "What's in this bag? It's quite heavy."

Lydia explained, "I brought some pickled vegetables I made myself. See if they're tasty; if you like them, you can keep them."

"I trust your cooking. I'll be sure to taste them later."

Laughing and chatting, they returned to the rented house. Lydia looked at the loose door and remarked, "Did you get burgled? Why are all the doors broken?"

Arlo chuckled, "Isn't that what happened? But I don't have anything here. If burglars came, they'd probably end up shedding tears."

Lydia chuckled at his words, playfully giving him a glare, "What if it's a female thief? You'd be at a loss, wouldn't you?"

"A female thief?" Arlo rubbed his chin, winked mischievously, and said, "If a female thief looked like you, I'd surrender immediately!"

"You... wouldn't you resist at all?" Lydia widened her eyes, "After all, you're a big man. How could you be afraid of a female thief?"

Arlo chuckled, "If you're like this, I'm making a big profit. Why should I surrender?"

Lydia realized this time, her face flushed red, "Oh my, you, you're taking advantage of me!"

Looking at her blushing cheeks, there was a faint fragrance lingering around her nose.

It wasn't the scent of perfume, but the faint smell of soap.

Arlo suddenly had a mischievous thought and smirked as he leaned closer, "So, do you want me to take advantage of you?"

Lydia was caught off guard by this question, she looked at Arlo dumbfounded, unsure whether to say yes or no, blushing.

Sometimes not saying anything is actually an answer, the girl's shy eyes and blushing cheeks already made Arlo understand her thoughts.

He reached out and hugged Lydia, lowering his head to smell the nice fragrance in her hair, he asked, "Lydia, do you like me?"

"Oh!" Lydia's body trembled, embarrassedly she said, "I, I don't..."

"So you don't like me?" Hearing her say that, Arlo let go of her, pretending to look disappointed.

Seeing the disappointment in Arlo's eyes, Lydia's heart ached, she quickly reached out and hugged Arlo softly, saying, "No, I, I like you..."

Arlo had a smirk on his lips, teasingly said, "What? I didn't hear you, speak louder!"

Knowing he was just teasing her, Lydia pouted and gathered courage to lean towards his ear, saying softly, "I said I like you, I like you, I like Arlo!"