Nolan walks home carrying the clothes he purchased.
Although the police questioning was an unexpected development, it doesn't exceed his expectations. His surface identity is clean. The way he handled things previously was cautious and meticulous.
Nolan has no fear of police investigation. The whole incident is quickly forgotten.
However, the New York police have been under enormous pressure recently. There will definitely be raids on gang territory soon.
Nolan's plan to harvest gang warehouses and replenish simulator resources may need to be postponed for a while. At least until the media reports die down. Better to wait until the storm of public opinion subsides...
Simply put, the cooldown time of the latest simulator isn't very long anyway. Nolan doesn't have to waste precious time switching resource-gathering tactics.
When Nolan returns home, he finds his aunt has collected all the cash, tucked away safely.
As Nolan sets down his new clothes, his aunt mentions hiring Mr. Schultz for the restaurant renovation. She couldn't agree more with the decision and verbally praises Nolan's thoughtful behavior.
What surprises him even more is that his aunt, who seems to be gradually accepting the new reality of the world, has started making subtle inquiries. Questions like whether Nolan would go on dangerous missions or participate in operations.
Nolan's head instantly throbs with the beginnings of a headache. He can only use the excuse of his low status and minimal involvement to deflect her concerns.
Counting the timeline, Captain America should have woken up by now and be adapting to modern life. If it weren't for fear of attracting S.H.I.E.L.D.'s attention and adding unnecessary trouble, Nolan would rather get to know the Captain personally.
After all, the world of a World War II soldier is much simpler than that of a billionaire playboy.
Early the next morning, the clouds over New York have dispersed. Sunlight streams down brilliantly.
In a hurry, Nolan finds Mr. Schultz, who is preparing for work. The two men are just about to leave the apartment when they're chased down by Nolan's aunt, who looks fresh and energetic after washing up.
She's dressed in hard-wearing gray work clothes. Even her short hair is tied up, making her look cleaner and more efficient. After a brief rest, her unmistakable strong-woman temperament has fully recovered.
She opens her eyes wide, stares at Nolan, and says in a solemn tone, "Wake up, Nolan. Your weekend is over! Did you forget about the lessons you're supposed to study this morning?"
Facing his aggressive aunt, Nolan, strong and muscular as he is, feels helpless.
He doesn't want to go to high school and waste time. Wouldn't it be more enjoyable to occasionally go out, kill gangsters, and rob their warehouses?
However, no matter how much Nolan argued last night, he simply couldn't convince his old-fashioned aunt. Even at the end of the dispute, when Nolan tried to invoke the Captain America excuse, his aunt said resolutely:
"If the mighty Captain America needs an eighteen-year-old kid who hasn't graduated from high school to save the world, then the world deserves to be destroyed! There's no saving it!"
"Even if God descends tomorrow morning, if Buddha appears, even if aliens invade the Earth, you, Nolan, still have to go to school! At minimum, you need to get a high school diploma! This matter is non-negotiable!"
Nolan finally chose to surrender.
But after getting up this morning, he'd planned to skip class and deal with consequences later. However, it seems his aunt is more skilled at this game. She's already anticipated his scheming.
Facing his aggressive aunt, Nolan spreads his hands helplessly. "I surrender. I'm going to class! Aunt, please be safe and don't overwork yourself."
"Hmph, brat, do I really need you to tell me that?"
The victorious aunt rolls her eyes at Nolan. Perhaps after the recent series of mental shocks, she's found a better way to cope with the whole messed-up world.
She warmly greets the confused Mr. Schultz, walks out of the apartment, and hails a taxi.
Nolan shakes his head and pushes his bicycle out of the apartment as if resigned to his fate.
But when the morning breeze hits his face, he suddenly thinks of a solution.
Take sick leave. Take a long vacation.
The excuse is simple and true: the family restaurant was robbed, and the traumatized family needs his long-term companionship...
On the streets, Nolan weaves through chaotic traffic, grinning to himself. Even the force with which he pedals seems much stronger.
Fighting with others, fighting with his aunt—the fun is endless!
An hour later, at Midtown High School in New York, through Nolan's vivid and touching detailed description, the grade director and teachers are moved and convinced by his situation.
Nolan successfully obtains special privileges.
Since there are only three months left before summer vacation, as long as Nolan passes several makeup exams, he doesn't need to return to regular classes. And there's no delay in receiving his diploma or attending the graduation ceremony!
Nolan walks out of the school with a broad smile on his face.
He plans to go home and study high school material. After all, Nolan's killing skills are now so perfected it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him "Doctor of Decapitation." It's the academic knowledge that seems to be gradually digesting in his brain, settling into place.
At this moment, Nolan's brow furrows. The muscles throughout his body suddenly tighten!
Someone is constantly watching him!
Right now, Nolan stands on a street outside Midtown High School. Students who should be attending class have already entered the building. There aren't even many passersby on the entire street. It seems most people have joined the protest marches surrounding the New York Police Department, eager for the spectacle.
"Police? Or gangs?"
Nolan's mind races.
If it were the police, there'd be no need for surveillance now. They'd just surround him directly. If Nolan resisted fiercely, shooting him wouldn't even be illegal.
But if it's a gang, wouldn't these guys prefer to shoot first and ask questions later?
Just as Nolan stops, secretly on high alert, a van parked on the side of the road suddenly roars to life.
The tires screech against the pavement as it speeds directly toward Nolan!
Nolan is about to flip aside and dodge instinctively, but he stops his body's automatic response!
The van door slides open suddenly. A pistol with a black muzzle points directly at Nolan!
At the same time, a male voice with a Slavic accent drifts slowly from inside the vehicle.
"Mr. Nolan? The tracksuit gang wants to ask you about something and hopes you'll cooperate."
However, at this moment, facing the deadly threat from the gang, Nolan falls silent for a beat. He slowly narrows his eyes.
He tries to squeeze out a twisted expression on his face, something hard to identify as either fear or excitement.
"Please don't shoot! I'll definitely cooperate with you."
Before he finishes speaking, Nolan actually takes the initiative to step forward. He sits down in the empty seat of the van.
Nolan's cooperation and initiative seem to surprise the armed man. After a moment of hesitation, he pulls out an airtight black hood from his pocket and motions for Nolan to put it on himself.
Then he turns his head and tells the driver, "Drive."
The van door slams shut. The engine roars.
And Nolan, who has just pulled on the hood, hides beneath the dark fabric.
A bloodthirsty smile gradually blooms across his face.
You asked for this!
I just want to be an ordinary citizen.
Why is it so difficult?