(TN: Over 300 shot everyday and over 100 die of gunshots everyday in the US, just so no one thinks the title is just Chinese propanda)
The Robber brandished a pistol and rushed straight to the checkout counter, his muzzle aimed fiercely at the pale young Store Clerk. "Money! Take out all the money! Fast!"
The young Store Clerk trembled all over, frantically opening the cash register and grabbing the bills inside, stuffing them all at once into the canvas bag the Robber had thrown over.
Tracy's heart almost stopped. She froze on the spot, her wallet and coffee nearly slipping from her hands.
She forced herself to stay calm, quietly backing toward the shelves, trying to avoid the man's line of sight.
However, just as the Robber finished looting the counter and prepared to turn and flee, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Tracy shrinking into the shadows.
Tracy was wearing a well-fitted professional suit today that outlined her graceful figure. Her face, pale from shock, looked even more pitiable under her exquisite makeup.
A malicious glint immediately flashed in the Robber's eyes.
"You! Come here!" He suddenly turned his gun toward Tracy, his voice trembling with excitement. "Quick! Come to the back with me!"
All color instantly drained from Tracy's face as fear washed over her like ice water. She instinctively backed away, her spine hitting the cold shelf with nowhere left to retreat.
"No... please..." Her voice shook, her heart filled with regret over her decision to come downstairs for coffee today.
"Fuck! Get over here!" Flying into a rage, the Robber strode forward, reaching out to grab her.
Clang!
At that very moment, the sound of a metal impact and the Robber's scream rang out simultaneously!
His gun-wielding wrist was struck hard by a fast-flying can of Spam!
The Robber cried out in pain, his fingers loosening as the pistol hit the floor with a thud.
Bang! The sound of a misfire immediately followed; the bullet flew into the air, hitting no one.
The clerk and Tracy both crouched down, clutching their heads and screaming in terror.
Almost at the same time, a figure rapidly approached the Robber.
The man tried to struggle, but his hands were already firmly pinned and then twisted back with great force—
"Agh—!" An even more shrill scream rang out as the Robber felt his wrist was about to be broken.
The newcomer used his left foot to stomp and kick, neatly sliding the pistol on the floor into a far corner.
Immediately after, he raised his right knee, slamming it into the Robber's side like a sledgehammer!
"Ugh!" The Robber groaned, the intense pain making him go limp instantly.
Then, the man used the momentum to turn, executing a clean takedown and pinning the Robber face-down on the floor! His knee pressed firmly into the man's lower back, making him unable to move.
"Don't move! The police will be here soon." A low, cold voice sounded in the Robber's ear, brook no argument.
Hearing that familiar voice, Tracy finally dared to look up—it was indeed him, the man who made her heart flutter, Landon.
"Landon!" She could no longer suppress the fear and grievance in her heart as tears burst from her eyes.
She stumbled forward and hugged Landon's broad back tightly from behind, as if to confirm his existence. Her body trembled uncontrollably from excitement and lingering fear, her voice choked with sobs:
"Waa... you scared me to death... Landon..."
She could clearly feel the firmness and heat of his back muscles, and she could smell the reassuring scent on him.
Her identity as an Agent, her adult restraint—everything collapsed in this moment. She only wanted to hold onto this man who had descended like a god.
As it turned out, Landon, who had been watching the convenience store's entrance, had noticed the Robber the moment he burst in.
He had quietly gotten out of the car, followed him inside, and witnessed the moment the Robber intended to assault Tracy.
Fury ignited instantly. Landon's gaze swept across the shelves, and he quickly grabbed the hardest can of Spam and threw it with all his might—a direct hit!
Knocking the gun away was just the beginning. In the split second while the Robber was still wailing and clutching his wrist, Landon had already lunged like a cheetah! He crossed several meters in a few steps, closing the distance instantly to subdue the Robber.
Landon could feel the soft touch against his back, and Tracy's hot tears were slowly soaking into the fabric of his suit.
His heart softened, but he still held the Robber down firmly with his knee, soothing her in a low voice: "It's okay, Tracy. It's over. Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Landon's voice was steady and powerful, acting like a barrier that shut out the panic from moments ago. Tracy's agitated breathing gradually leveled out, but the arms wrapped around him did not loosen.
The young Store Clerk finally came to his senses and tremblingly dialed the police.
A few minutes later, the piercing sound of sirens approached from afar, and two police cars stopped in front of the convenience store.
The police quickly secured the scene, handcuffed the Robber still pinned by Landon, and took him into the police car.
Landon let go and stood up, then gently supported Tracy, who could barely stand.
Landon, Tracy, and the shaken Store Clerk were then invited to the police station to cooperate with the investigation and make a detailed report.
The surveillance footage completely recorded the incident, and the police confirmed that Landon's actions were a heroic intervention. By the time everything was processed and they walked out of the station, they had already missed the scheduled audition for 24 hours.
Tracy's emotions had calmed down a lot, though her face was still a bit pale. Sitting in the passenger seat, her gaze frequently drifted toward Landon as he drove, her eyes filled with a newfound dependence.
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "It's all because of me that you missed the audition."
"Don't say that," Landon interrupted gently. "Your safety is more important than anything. How could an audition be as important as you?"
His words warmed Tracy's heart. She involuntarily reached out and gently covered his hand on the steering wheel. Landon paused slightly, then turned his hand over to clasp her cold fingers, squeezing gently.
Just as they thought this thrilling day was coming to an end and planned to contact the production crew to see if they could reschedule, Tracy's phone suddenly rang—
The caller ID on the screen was clearly visible: Casting Director's Assistant, 24 hours.
Tracy took a deep breath, adjusted her emotions, and picked up the phone: "Hello, this is Tracy Miller. I am so sorry, we encountered some unexpected circumstances this morning..."
She was preparing to explain and apologize, but an excited voice came from the other end: "Ms. Miller! No need to apologize! We saw it! We all saw it!"
Tracy and Landon glanced at each other, both somewhat confused.
"Saw what?"
"The news! The local midday news! The news about you subduing an armed Robber in a convenience store! My god! Mr. Landon Williams, right? That move where he threw the can was so cool! It was just like an action movie!"
The assistant's voice was full of excitement.
"Director Hawkins happened to see the news in the lounge, and he's very interested!
He specifically asked me to contact you to ask if it would be convenient for Mr. Landon to come in again tomorrow?
He feels that Mr. Landon's skills and on-the-spot reactions perfectly match the requirements for a certain character in our show! It might even be more than just that original minor role!"
What a turn of events!
Tracy covered the mouthpiece and excitedly relayed the news to Landon.
Landon was also quite surprised; this truly was a case of light at the end of the tunnel.
As it turned out, the area where the convenience store was located happened to have a local news station's newsroom.
When the police were handling the case, sharp-nosed media reporters arrived on the scene and managed to buy a copy of the surveillance footage from the convenience store owner.
This clear video, which recorded the entire process of how Landon accurately threw the can and swiftly subdued the Robber, caused quite a stir as soon as it was broadcast on the local midday news!
In the footage, Landon's calm and decisive gaze, his cheetah-like agility, and the powerful sense of strength he showed while finally subduing the Robber formed a huge contrast with his extraordinary handsome appearance, making for a highly impactful visual.