Dexter didn't resist. He turned off the hairdryer and let Evangeline take his hand to feel his pulse. He looked down at her, who was seriously feeling his pulse, smiling. After a while, Evangeline took his other hand and continued to check his pulse. After a few minutes, she released his hand and frowned slightly. "Why is your pulse so erratic? And I've noticed you seem a bit depressed lately. Is something bothering you?"

Dexter looked down at her and said, "Not seeing you for so long makes me anxious. We've never been apart this long."

Evangeline was stunned. She thought carefully and realized they had indeed never been apart since they met. She had been abandoned at birth and later adopted by a homeless, intellectually disabled elderly person. Her grandfather died when she was three, leaving her homeless. According to city planning regulations, homeless people weren't allowed on the streets, so she was often taken away in the middle of the night and sent to another city with other homeless people. After a long journey, she was eventually abandoned in a chaotic area of a southern border city. Though poor, it was tolerant and open, not rejecting homeless people. Of course, it was also dangerous and rife with crime; she later learned it was called the slums. She met Dexter, two months younger than her, and they became dependent on each other. She'd heard people talk about being taken for organ harvesting by the wealthy.

Fearing abduction and organ removal, she and Dexter hid during the day, venturing out for food only at night. They lived in hiding for two years until, at age five, they met Naomi, five years older. Because her adoptive grandfather had intellectual disabilities, he never gave her a name. Learning this, Naomi named her Evangeline, saying the name represented happiness and peace. Naomi, a mysterious woman, had a dilapidated house in that chaotic area and took them in. They lived together for five years until everything changed when Dexter and Evangeline were ten and Naomi fifteen. Naomi fell seriously ill, and went abroad to earn money for medical expenses. Dexter was found by his family. He and Evangeline hadn't been separated from age three to nineteen, until the Gallagher family wanted to take her back a year ago. She was curious about how her biological family differed from the Johnson family, who had adopted her.

The Johnson family was very wealthy and powerful; they initially refused to adopt her. Dexter's insistence made them relent. She didn't blame them; after all, they'd cured her illness and given her a secure life. Though they didn't love her, they never made her suffer. Because of Dexter, they remained polite, even if indifferent. She was grateful to the Johnsons. They had shown her genuine, albeit limited, affection. Whenever they met, Dexter wondered if her parents had found her, whether they would have cherished her as much as the Johnsons (despite their limitations). People often fantasized about what they'd never had. Therefore, at the Gallagher family's repeated requests, she decided to reunite with them. Before leaving, she warned Dexter not to look for her and asked him to take care of himself.

Shaken with anger, Dexter didn't contact her for a year. "Did you miss me, Eva?" His clear voice brought Evangeline back from her memories. Evangeline blinked guiltily. Honestly, she hadn't. She'd been very busy at the Gallagher residence and had no time for him.

"I know your answer, Eva. You don't have to say anything," Dexter said. "After defeating the white tiger," Evangeline said, "the first person I thought of was you."

Dexter said in a low voice, "You don't have to explain, Eva. Even if you place me last and only think of me when you need help, I won't be upset."

Evangeline's mouth twitched. She knew that whenever he called her "Eva," it meant he was angry. He rarely used that name casually; when upset, he used it deliberately, sending shivers down her spine.

Evangeline tried to comfort him. "I'm sorry. Don't be mad at me, okay? You're starting to get depressed. Anger isn't good for your health."

Dexter glanced at her seriously. "You have a special way of comforting people."

Evangeline laughed awkwardly.

Dexter continued, "Don't worry, Eva. Even if I get sick because of my anger, I won't blame you, and you don't need to feel responsible for it."

Evangeline felt helpless. "I wasn't saying that"

Dexter said, "And you don't need to pay for my funeral."

Evangeline's mouth twitched. She reached out to pat his head. "Enough. If you keep acting weirdly, I'll beat you!"

Dexter pursed his lips and stared at her. Then, without a word, he grabbed her shoulder, turned her around, and continued to dry her hair. After drying her hair, he walked into the living room silently. Evangeline followed, collapsed on the couch, and kicked him. "Can you stop being mad at me? Let's make up, okay?"

Dexter said in a low voice, "No. Never. I like being mad. It's none of your business."

Evangeline said, "If you keep doing this, I'll get mad too."

Dexter glanced at Evangeline and quickly gave in. "Fine, I forgive you this time, but remember, next time you can't go so long without contacting me. Maybe when you finally think of me one day, I'll be dead."

Evangeline smiled. "Okay." She got up to look for her phone in her suitcase. Having been plugged into a power bank, the phone still worked after a month. As soon as she turned it on, countless WhatsApp messages popped up. She slumped back onto the couch and checked them. Arthur and Steven had sent several texts. In addition to them, Bethany, Samson, and Jasper had also texted; some were concerned, some congratulated her on winning. Evangeline felt annoyed. After adding them back on WhatsApp and live-streaming George and Meghan's actions, she'd forgotten to block them. Evangeline blacklisted the three men without hesitation. Then she began replying to Arthur and her friends' messages.

Dexter took a nail clipper from the table, placed her feet on his legs, and silently trimmed her toenails. Evangeline used to do this for Dexter when they were kids; now it was his turn.

As soon as Evangeline replied to Steven's message, he immediately set up a group video chat. When she joined, four people were waiting.

"Congratulations, Evangeline! You not only won the competition but also broke the record!"

"You may not know how happy we are, Evangeline. Many websites crashed because of the online frenzy, and major media outlets are congratulating you on Twitter. Every TV channel is reporting your story!" "Now everyone on the street is praising you!"

"You've worked hard these past few days, Evangeline. Take some time to rest. When you're back, we'll celebrate with you in person."

Dexter paused and looked up at the smiling Evangeline. He remained expressionless and continued trimming her nails.

"Ouch" Evangeline gasped, feeling a sharp pain in her little toe.

"What's wrong, Evangeline?"

"Are you okay, Evangeline?"

"Are you hurt, Evangeline? If you are, go to the hospital now."

They were worried. Before Evangeline could speak, Dexter apologized, "Did I go too deep? I'm sorry. I'll pay more attention next time."

The four men on the phone fell silent.