Chapter 60

Page Ten: A Very Kind Person

It turned out that the gangster big brother was just going out with a bunch of bags to bribe the neighbors?

No, this must be so-called hush money, not to make any noise about anything seen or heard around the house from now on.

What should I do? Should I ask for help?

Even if I were to find Empress Xiaohaitang of the city village at this moment, it would be too late.

Pretend I’m not home?

Impossible, the old air conditioner outside my room is quite noisy when it operates.

“Is anyone home?”

The doorbell rang with no response, and the gangster big brother started shouting.

If I don’t open the door now, and he discovers I’m here, the consequences will be even worse!

Standing in the entrance hall, pacing back and forth, taking three deep breaths, pounding my chest to muster courage, I yanked open the door.

With his side-parted hair pressed down by a cap, his clean-shaven face looking very refined, he didn’t seem much like a gangster after removing his suit.

This gangster big brother was unexpectedly young; after all, his daughter was still so small, so his age wouldn’t be too far off.

But various films and TV series tell us that such seemingly refined people are often the most dangerous, like a deadly cobra, striking only when you let your guard down.

“You, you, you, hello, may I ask whom you’re looking for?”

Oh no, I’m so nervous that I can’t even speak clearly.

“Oh, are you stuttering, young man?”

“No, I’m just a bit nervous.”

“Don’t be nervous, after all, I’m not some devil.”

Your smiling face is terrifying enough!

“Speaking of which, the weather is really hot lately… it’s better to stay at home on days like these…”

As he spoke, Beihai uncle undid two buttons of his shirt, and through the open collar, I caught a glimpse of… a large expanse of dark tattoos. That claw, is it a green dragon?

Who cares what the tattoo is! In any case, this tattoo is proof of his gangster identity! Is he intentionally showing it to me? A display of power? Will I have to live next to such a scary person from now on?

If I offend him, will I end up with my teapot cut off and sent to become an idol?

“Oh, young man, are you shaking all over?”

“No, I’m not shaking. It’s the Earth moving, caused by tectonic plate movements.”

What am I saying?

“In that case, I have a ten-year-old little girl at home.”

That soft and obedient little girl, hopefully, she’s not some self-centered superpower girl.

“I’m a man raising a daughter alone, and it’s often inconvenient. I hope you’ll take care of her in the future.”

“I understand, I understand.”

After all, scenes of cutting and dismemberment aren’t suitable for children to see.

“By the way, are your parents at home?”

“Haha, my dad is at work, and my mother has been missing since I was young.”

Hearing that there’s only my old dad at home, this gangster also showed a look of loneliness.

“Single-parent family, huh? I have the same situation. Raising a child alone must be tough, right?”

It’s incredibly tough. To say the least, as long as he has a fear of women, he’ll always live a hard life.

“The weather is too hot, I still need to visit other neighbors. Let’s talk another day. When your father is home, I’ll bring my daughter over to greet him. Goodbye.”

“Ah, please go carefully.”

Uncle Beihai left, and through the sweat-soaked white shirt… one could see he had tattoos on his back as well.

Throughout the entire conversation, there were no threatening words, but he was probably a gangster for sure.

Living next to a gangster is too scary, hoping nothing bad happens.

I returned to my room with the paper bag, trembling with fear, and opened it, only to find it was just a regular box of pastries. I thought…

Indeed, even a gangster couldn’t just give away money to neighbors.

My room has a balcony and a window, facing the front door and courtyard. The window behind my desk faces the neighbor’s house. Occasionally, I see the little girl in a white dress running around the room, very lively and cute. If she weren’t a gangster’s daughter, watching her would be quite enjoyable.

But now I fear seeing too much might get my eyes gouged out by her father, so I pulled down the blinds.

My phone rang.

It was Xiaohaitang.

“Hello, what’s up?”

“Chairman! I know where we can go!”

“So it’s so hot outside, why do you want to go out? I don’t want to leave my room for even a minute.”

“I found a place you’ll definitely like!”

“What place?”

“The ‘Water World’ indoor water park! Although it’s still in trial operation, I have a way to get tickets!”

“Water World,” I know this place because it’s mentioned frequently due to the recent heat. I’ve even searched online for information.

As a newly built dome-shaped indoor water park, it hasn’t officially opened yet. It’s impressive that Xiaohaitang managed to get tickets.

Not only does it have cool indoor air conditioning, but during the trial period, there won’t be overcrowding like at a swimming pool.

“That sounds nice. When?”

“Well, because many people are booking, group tickets are available the day after tomorrow, Sunday. You shouldn’t have any plans, right?”

“Group tickets? Who exactly are you planning to invite?”

“You, Zhao Zhao, and Orange, then my student council mates. If you want to bring friends, you can. Group tickets allow up to twelve people.”

“I plan to invite two more friends… but I’m not sure if they’ll accept… We’ll see later.”

Tán Lǐn Huā’s issue has been weighing heavily on my mind, lingering unresolved. I’ve thought about it for a week, whether it works out or not, it’s time to talk to him.

“Alright, there are still spots available, so it would be a waste not to use them.”

After hanging up Xiaohaitang’s call, I messaged Yán Liúzhuǎn and Tán Lǐn Huā about going to Water World, asking if they wanted to join.

Actually, I don’t know Yán Liúzhuǎn well. If not for being late once before summer break, he might not even remember my name.

Surprisingly, he replied quickly, succinctly stating that if Tán Lǐn Huā goes, he will go too.

Though he doesn’t say it, his expression shows he’s actually quite concerned about Tán Lǐn Huā’s situation.

However, Tán Lǐn Huā hasn’t replied to the message.

I sat there waiting for a while, then started playing games as usual until around three or four in the afternoon. I went out to buy groceries, preparing dinner.

I feel like I’m quite domesticated, maybe I’m suited for this kind of thing…

“We’re back.”

It was Old Dad and Wū Qínglán.

Suits really show off a person’s character.

Next-door Uncle Beihai wears a suit that makes him look like a ruthless gangster.

My old dad is wearing a black suit, looking like a diligent office worker.

Qínglán is even worse; he’s too skinny to fill out a suit, slouching lazily, looking like one of those real estate salesmen at subway stations… the ones with terrible sales records.

“Oh oh! Tonight, Xiao Kai’s kitchen menu is curry, right?”

Where did this third-rate cooking show come from?

Wū Qínglán basically eats whatever is given to him, neither picky nor standoffish, sitting down to eat.

“Son, have you been making simpler dishes recently…”

Compared to my old dad, who still nitpicks, curry is a lot of trouble to make!

“If we have curry, we can solve tomorrow’s meal too.”

“In fact, regarding Uncle Chang’s treatment, this genius has come up with a new method.”

Old Dad frowned, seeming resistant: “What are you going to do again?”

Since the “Monika incident,” his mental state hasn’t been good, and he no longer plays visual novels.

He’s begun rejecting treatment and giving up.

“This treatment method is a bit radical, but as long as we prepare well, it should be relatively safe!”

He took a bite of curry rice.

“It’s called the [Isolation Contact Therapy]!”