Hello, Frank, I'm Alven, Alven Ye. You're a hero in Nick's heart, and I think he'd be thrilled to see you. I'll call him down right away." Alven shook hands with Frank, noticing that the alcohol seemed to have worsened Frank's injuries, and his calloused hand didn't feel as strong as it should.
Frank stopped Alven and said, "I've been here for many days, just sitting there." He pointed to a seat in the corner, then said with some guilt and uncertainty, "You're more of a father than I am. I might not be ready yet."
Alven looked at him strangely and asked, "Then why come to me now? You could have waited until you were ready."
Frank smiled bitterly at Alven and replied, "Because you have a daughter, and seeing you interact with her makes me incredibly jealous.
Nick and I should have been like that too. I once thought missions were more important than family, but after I lost them, I realized family is more important than anything."
"Then what are you waiting for?" Alven asked.
Frank's expression was a little strange as he said, "I'm waiting for my offer letter. I found a job. That way, I can accompany Nick with peace of mind."
Alven asked curiously, "What kind of job?"
Frank's expression grew even stranger as he said, "Head of disciplinary affairs at a community school."
Alven's expression immediately became incredibly colorful. Which school would have a "Head of Disciplinary Affairs" position? Only the community school in Hell's Kitchen.
If this guy takes that job, with his grim reaper personality, will the punks in the school even have a chance? If they're locked in a room with Frank, they'll pee their pants without him even lifting a finger.
But it's also good; this school needs such a strong person, someone who can use tough methods. Otherwise, half the students here have gang backgrounds, and the teachers are under immense pressure.
Alven straightened his collar, formally shook Frank's hand, and joked, "Then I welcome your joining in advance. We'll be colleagues from now on. For Nick to recognize his father sooner, perhaps I should write you an offer letter right away."
Frank waved his hand, "No need, it'll only be a few days. Actually, I'm really not ready. I don't even know what to say to my child. I need to prepare."
"Prepare what? Buy a book on 100 ways to interact with your son? No need! Buddy, Nick just needs his father by his side.
Even if you just sit with him and listen to him talk! If you can go upstairs now and help him finish his homework, you'll easily earn his adoration," Alven said with a smile.
Frank was still a bit hesitant and added, "You seem to be in some trouble. How about I solve your problem first, and then we can talk about my situation?"
Alven waved his hand and said, "Those are minor issues. Nothing is more important than Nick finding his father. You are a father first now, not the killing machine you used to be."
As Alven spoke, he grabbed a plate of pizza from a passing guy and handed it to Frank, gesturing, "Go on, no need to wait. When you truly face it, you'll find that you'll naturally know what to do."
The hardened tough guy, who had killed countless people, took the pizza and, at that moment, was like an eager student, asking uncertainly, "Really?"
Alven found it a bit amusing and joked, "That depends on whether you can help him finish his homework. If you can, absolutely no problem. You'll be that kid's savior."
Then Alven playfully asked, "You'll be okay, right? Nick is only in second grade this year."
Feeling insulted, Frank emphatically said, "Of course, I'll be fine! I graduated from LA." After saying that, he carried the plate and walked towards the attic upstairs.
Alven watched this tough man, like a clumsy waiter, carefully carrying a plate of pizza upstairs, feeling a little touched. This was the power of family affection; it could turn a hardened killer into a cautious father.
"Hey~ buddy, I think bringing a drink would be a good idea," Alven called out mischievously.
Frank, who was already extremely nervous, almost missed a step forward. He turned back, glared fiercely at Alven, hurried downstairs to get a glass of lemonade, and then snarled at Alven with a bit of annoyance and renewed courage before starting to go upstairs again.
Alven wasn't afraid of this guy; a future employee under him wouldn't dare to challenge him. He just couldn't bear to tease this anxious, almost-breaking guy anymore.
Since Nick's father had shown up, today was a day of double blessings, so let's quickly resolve the matter outside! Those punks might be getting impatient too.
Alven tapped a wine glass, which made a crisp "ding~" sound. Everyone in the restaurant quieted down.
Alven smiled and said, "Two good things happened today. One is that I have a daughter, which I think everyone knows. The other thing, I'll announce after I take care of the matter outside.
Guys, don't leave. Today's drinks are on the house, but my servers have a task, so I need two volunteers to entertain everyone here."
Soon, two young men sprang out, looking at Alven with admiration, waiting for his instructions.
Alven pointed to the beer keg behind the bar, "Guys, it's all yours!" After saying that, he high-fived and chest-bumped the two young men.
He refused Old Kent's idea of bringing a few guys along. As a principal going out to talk to a student's guardian, it shouldn't look like a gang negotiation. Only JJ followed, with an M500 tucked into his waistband.
At the restaurant entrance, the black kid Jason was already on the verge of a breakdown, sitting on the chair as if on pins and needles, with a suspicious wet stain under the chair. When Alven finally came out, he tried to speak several times but was forced back by Thor's dagger-like gaze.
Across the street, several brightly painted muscle cars were parked. A bear-like black man was surrounded by a dozen punks.
Alven gestured to JJ, who whistled across the street to get their attention, then waved at them, signaling them to come over and talk.
The burly man, surrounded by his subordinates, crossed the street, all the while sizing up the guy opposite him.
The other person didn't seem very old, probably not over 30, and looked unremarkable: jeans, a plaid shirt, a gray jacket. Dressed like that, he resembled a redneck farmer from the North.
At the moment, he was lighting a cigar with the help of a black bodyguard-like strongman.
But everyone in Hell's Kitchen knew that this farmer-like guy had driven out all the gangs within three blocks of the area.
Even Kingpin, the underground boss of Big Apple City, had to negotiate politely with him, and the result of the negotiation was that all of Kingpin's forces obediently withdrew from those three blocks.
Black Bear didn't know Alven's background or why Kingpin was afraid of him. However, to have reached his position and not been taken out, he possessed some street smarts.
Although his boss's strength was not much different from Kingpin's, he wasn't at his boss's level, was he?
Since Kingpin was polite enough to negotiate, then it should be fine for me to approach this matter respectfully and politely, right?