When you're popular, troubles follow.

As the media coverage of Li Xiang increased, more and more people sought him out—some wanting to sign him, others hoping to ride his wave of fame.

But each and every one was flatly refused by Li Xiang.

Those people were indignant, throwing sarcastic remarks that he was putting on airs, holding out for the best offer, and knew how to hype himself.

Rumors like that, repeated enough, become as convincing as truth.

Even some well-informed colleagues at the police station started gossiping behind his back.

"Have you heard? The department plans to award him a second-class merit."

"Is that true? Swapping 300,000 for a second-class merit is really quite the deal!"

"No wonder he turned down the 300,000! He must have gotten expert advice!"

With more and more comments like these, even if Li Xiang didn't want to listen, he couldn't help but hear them.

This left him a bit helpless. Clearly, he didn't want to be famous; he had already restrained himself a lot, trying to minimize his presence. Yet, things still turned out this way. If he had started with all sorts of promotions and statements, he would've been impossibly famous, and the rumors would've been even more outrageous.

Although life now involved a lot of finger-pointing, Li Xiang's daily work had not slackened.

He still sought to be on duty at Times Square.

"Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and there are activities at Times Square. We need police for duty. If anyone is available, please sign up."

The instructor came around, trying to see who had time to go.

"My father-in-law is calling me for drinks; I can't make it. I'll definitely go at other times."

"I've also got plans with my girlfriend for dinner and fireworks."

"My dad rarely comes back all year, just arrived today. I plan to have a couple of drinks with him tomorrow."

Various reasons and excuses, all expressing the same idea: no time to go.

"I'll go!"

"Alright, Li Xiang, I'll schedule you then. Thank you for your hard work."

After the instructor left, Li Xiang returned to his seat. Before long, Sun Zhidong came over, face full of curiosity, and asked, "You're not going home for the New Year?"

"I'm not going back, the little furball is still young, taking it home isn't convenient."

This year he didn't plan on going home. To be honest, he didn't feel up to it.

Every year going back is like putting himself on the roasting rack.

Aunts and uncles interrogating like detectives:

"Where do you work now?"

"How much is your salary?"

"Have you found a girlfriend yet?"

"My daughter-in-law works as a manager in a listed company now, earning twenty grand a month, with good prospects."

"You need to work hard!"

These seemingly encouraging words were actually annoyingly sharp to his ears.

His family's less fortunate relatives can't stand to see others doing better, so without any success, he really doesn't want to go back.

"That's understandable. But if you ever want to go back, you can leave the little furball with me to take care of."

"It's no bother. Ever since I got the little furball, I've felt much more fulfilled."

Before, going home every day meant entering an empty dorm room, sometimes feeling incredibly lonely. Now, the little furball brought a bit of joy into his life.

"Okay then, but don't mind the rumors at work. They just can't handle it when someone else has what they can't have. If they're so capable, let them catch an A-level wanted criminal. Don't lower yourself to their level."

Sun Zhidong clearly heard some things, so he came over to offer some words of comfort.

Though he sometimes didn't fully understand Li Xiang's thinking, after spending so much time together, he still supported his brother's decisions.

"It's alright, mouths are on others; I just need to do what's right for me. You go ahead, don't worry about me."

-----------------

January 21, New Year's Eve.

In the afternoon, a small event was organized at Times Square, supposedly bringing together snacks from all over the country for people to enjoy on one street.

It was actually just stallholders from different places in Jinghai City gathering to set up stalls, hoping to make one last round of money before returning home for the New Year.

The winter chill couldn't dampen the foodies' enthusiasm.

The square was bustling, with crowds moving in and out among the stalls, eyeing this, glancing at that, wanting to try it all.

With the heavy crowds, some security issues arose, so Li Xiang took on the honorable task of patrol duty.

Though the job only rewarded 100, unlike last time's lucky A-level wanted criminal catch, he wasn't sure when he'd ever gather enough to open a new quest with 3000 diamonds.

Thus, accumulating as much as possible over time was especially important.

Currently, the daily free quest opportunity afforded him a fixed 3000 Skill Experience. For now, this was enough for skill upgrades, so he didn't need to spend additional diamonds on quests. Therefore, tasks like patrol duty, which rewarded 100 diamonds, could be spared.

"Li Xiang? What a coincidence, is it your shift again today?"

While Li Xiang was calculating how many more times he'd need to patrol to accumulate 3000 diamonds to open a new quest, a voice as clear as an oriole suddenly came from behind.

Hearing this, Li Xiang turned around, only to see someone wrapped in a dark green coat, covering them thoroughly with a beige scarf around their neck, hiding half their face. But he recognized her immediately: "Lin Feifei? You're here too!"

At this moment, Lin Feifei looked a bit tired, but her delicate makeup compensated for some imperfections.

"Yeah, I can't go home this New Year, but to me, home is wherever I am."

"Why do you say that? Don't your parents miss you?"

"I'm an orphan."

"Sorry, I didn't know..."

Li Xiang didn't keep up with celebrities much, so he wasn't aware of her background, and swiftly changed the topic:

"I believe you're innocent; everything will pass."

"Yeah, let's not talk about this. What about you? On such a special day, not going home is one thing, but why aren't you even with your girlfriend?"

At that concert, she had seen Li Xiang bringing his girlfriend to see her perform.

"No girlfriend, going home just means more pressure to marry, so being on duty lets me enjoy some peace."

Seeing Li Xiang not admit to having a girlfriend, Lin Feifei assumed he hadn't succeeded yet, and changed the topic: "By the way, are you hungry? I was just wandering around and eating, want me to get you something?"

"Uh, no need, I'm on duty, I can't eat. Thank you for the thought though."

"Then how about we meet after your shift? I've wanted to treat you to a meal since last time, and since we bumped into each other today, how about celebrating the New Year together?"

"Alright~" Li Xiang couldn't refuse the kind offer, so he agreed.

Seeing him agree, Lin Feifei happily said, "Good, it's settled then. What time do you get off? I'll come find you later."

These past days she'd been feeling quite suppressed, and her old insomnia issue seemed to worsen. She originally came out today to ease her mind but, unexpectedly meeting this helpful policeman again, suddenly lifted her spirits.

Li Xiang glanced at the time and replied, "I finish at five, so an hour and a half to go."

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