Sarah's eyes revealed a hint of teasing and curiosity as she turned to gaze at Leo. A slight smile played at the corner of her mouth as she spoke with a touch of mockery, "You're quite bold, coming to drink without money. Were you prepared to get beaten up from the start?"
Leo felt a wave of embarrassment, his cheeks turning slightly red. He forced a smile and unconsciously ran his fingers through his hair, appearing nervous. He looked at Sarah in front of him, unsure of how to respond. Her presence gave him an unfamiliar sense of security, but also brought some hesitation.
"Um... I'm sorry," Leo finally spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse. "I didn't expect it to be like this. I just... just wanted to find a quiet place to sit for a while." He avoided Sarah's gaze, looking instead at the busy crowd and flashing neon lights in the bar, feeling a bit lost and helpless.
Sarah observed Leo's expression, seemingly pondering something. Her gaze softened, as if she had gained a deeper understanding of Leo's predicament. She sighed softly and said, "Well, it seems like you've been through a lot lately. But since I've already bought you this drink, you might as well enjoy it." There was a hint of encouragement in her voice, as if she hoped to give Leo some strength.
When another girl walked over, her steps were brisk, and she seemed a bit impatient. As soon as she saw Sarah, she couldn't help but speak up: "Hey! We've been waiting for you for a long time. What are you doing?" Her tone carried a hint of complaint.
Sarah turned around, smiling at the girl and said, "Emily, look, it's Mr. Homeless." She pointed to Leo, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
A woman with shoulder-length hair and glasses, Emily, showed a surprised expression when she saw Leo. "Oh... my goodness? Are you okay?" Her voice revealed genuine concern.
Leo felt a little awkward with their attention, but also relaxed a bit. He awkwardly smiled, suppressed the pain in his body, and responded with a slight nod, "I... I'm fine." His voice was weak, but he managed to maintain a strong appearance.
Sarah and Emily exchanged a glance, both with a hint of uncertainty in their eyes. They clearly sensed Leo's predicament but were unsure how to further help him. The atmosphere was somewhat awkward, yet filled with unspoken concern.
Sarah seemed to have noticed Leo's predicament and gently broke the silence, asking, "So... Mr. Homeless, do you have any plans now?" Her tone carried a hint of curiosity and care.
Leo pondered for a moment, then replied somewhat helplessly, "Let's first find a job and earn some money, then we'll see." His voice carried a hint of confusion and uncertainty.
At that moment, Emily turned her head and whispered a few words to Sarah. Their conversation seemed to hold a secret, but it didn't make Leo feel excluded. He just sat quietly in his chair, slowly sipping his beer, using this as a way to disguise his embarrassment and unease.
The lively atmosphere in the bar is completely different from Leo's inner world. Around him are the sounds of laughter and conversation, but in his own world, it is filled with uncertainty and the unknown. His thoughts are slowly turning, trying to find a way out of the predicament.
Sarah's laughter stands out brightly amidst the noise of the bar. She turns to Leo, with a playful smile on her face, and says, "Oh my goodness! You wouldn't believe it, this bookworm Emily actually came up with such an interesting suggestion." Her words are full of banter and warmth.
Emily then rolled her eyes lightly, her expression revealing a hint of bitterness and helplessness, but at the same time, a hint of satisfaction. Leo felt somewhat confused, not quite understanding the interaction between them, and just looked at them somewhat flustered.
At this moment, Sarah leaned slightly towards Leo, looking directly and sincerely at him, "We actually have a job opening recently. Would you like to come here and learn more about it?" Her words seemed to open a window, allowing light to enter Leo's dark world.
Leo's heartbeat involuntarily accelerated a bit, and a hint of surprise and anticipation flashed in his eyes. He tried to conceal his excitement, but the slight trembling at the corners of his mouth and the beads of sweat on his forehead revealed the turmoil within him. He quietly looked at Sarah, unsure of how to respond. This was a fresh start, and also a path leading to the unknown.
Sarah's laughter stood out in the lively atmosphere of the bar. She looked at Leo and, with a hint of playful sarcasm, said, "Hey, Mr. Vagabond, since you have nothing to lose, understanding our work wouldn't hurt, right?"
In the lively background music and flashing lights of the bar, Sarah's laughter seemed like an irresistible melody, stimulating Leo's nerves. When her somewhat mocking words reached Leo's ears, his mood became even more complicated. He realized that his situation was indeed as Sarah had said - having nothing, but such a reminder was a sting for Leo, who had just emerged from the humiliation of his military career and the courtroom.
Emily's appearance and her response to Sarah's words seemed to provide a slight relief to this sudden awkward situation. Leo looked up at them, and the confusion and struggle in his eyes became more apparent. He was not someone accustomed to seeking help, especially after such a great setback. His heart was filled with self-doubt, unsure whether he was qualified to accept their help, or whether he could adapt to this new environment so different from military life.
His gaze fell once again on the beer in his hand, the foam in the glass gently swaying to the rhythm of the music. The chill of the beer and the foam seemed to remind him of Mike's words - to smile in the face of difficulty. In this moment, an inexplicable courage surged in his heart. Despite the uncertainty of the future, he knew he couldn't give up.
Finally, after a fierce inner struggle, Leo took a deep breath, lifted his head, and in a tone that was almost self-encouraging, said to Sarah and Emily, "Well, I'll give it a try." His voice trembled slightly, but his eyes sparkled with renewed hope.
This decision is not only a sign of accepting help for Leo, but also a symbol of his determination to start anew. He knows the road ahead will be full of challenges, but he also believes that on this new path, he may find his own direction and tomorrow.
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