Dex Restaurant.
Clutching the twenty-something dollars he had earned, Carl walked in with a grin. He headed straight for the kitchen, pushed the door open, and excitedly said to Dexter, "Dexter, I figured out how to make money!"
"Oh?" Dexter was a bit curious. "Tell me about it."
Carl recounted his money-making experience at the Alibi Room in one breath.
Dexter was amused. "Actually, you're right. If you meet the right kind of beautiful woman, you are indeed quite cute."
Carl scratched his head.
This comment was a bit complicated; he couldn't quite wrap his head around it, and it gave him a headache.
"Of course," Carl couldn't be bothered to think about it. As he spoke, he pulled the money out of his pocket and handed it to Dexter. "Total is twenty-eight dollars. I'm paying you back this much for now."
Dexter smiled. He hesitated for a moment, feeling that accepting the money might be better than refusing it, so he reached out and took it. "Carl, making money is fine, but don't do anything criminal."
"Okay, no crimes. From now on, I'll go to the Alibi to make money," Carl nodded with a smile. "You get back to work. I'm going home."
Carl turned to leave just like that.
"Not staying for dinner?" Dexter roughly guessed how Carl would answer.
"Nope. I'll come eat when I make more money," Carl said without looking back as he left the kitchen.
Dexter shook his head but didn't insist.
In the original show, this kid Carl never seemed to beg anyone for anything. Well, if he wanted something, he might rob someone for it, and if someone gave him something, he'd take it, but he almost never actively asked for things.
He probably had his own set of logic.
Can't beg, but can rob.
Later, when he grew up a bit, he stopped robbing too.
Truly interesting.
Thinking about this, Dexter continued his work.
Leaving the restaurant.
Grumble, grumble.
His stomach started growling. Carl rubbed it and immediately picked up the pace, running towards home. The basically decorative backpack on his back bounced up and down with his movements, full of energy.
Back at the Gallagher house.
Fiona, who had been waiting for a while, saw Carl and immediately asked anxiously, "Where did you run off to? Why are you back so late?"
Carl gave a cocky grin. "Went to Dexter's restaurant. Is dinner ready? I'm hungry."
"It's ready. Come eat," Fiona didn't waste words and hurriedly called out, "Debbie, Lip, dinner."
Hearing the call.
Lip, with a bruised and swollen face, silently carried Liam to the dining table and sat down.
Debbie did the same. After sitting down, she glanced at Lip's face again, very worried. Although she had learned what happened to Lip not long ago, she couldn't help but ask quietly, "Lip, you got into a fight... it wasn't because of Karen again, was it?"
Lip glared at Debbie. "Eat your dinner."
Debbie didn't dare ask again.
Carl ignored all this. He wolfed down his food, filled his stomach a bit, looked left and right, and realized someone was missing. He asked Fiona, "Where's Ian?"
"Working," Fiona replied casually.
"How much does he make a day at that job?" Carl asked again.
Fiona was slightly surprised. "Why ask that?"
"Curious," Carl didn't intend to reveal that he had made money that night.
"Eight or nine dollars an hour. A few hours, maybe tens of dollars," Fiona answered without thinking much.
Carl nodded and didn't say anything more.
Tonight, the Gallagher house was slightly calmer.
But, of course.
This calm was destined not to last very long.
---
Grocery Store.
Without that aspect, the relationship between Ian and Kash was clearly a bit awkward.
Ian felt it, and so did Kash.
"I'm sorry. I'll get Linda pregnant as soon as possible," Kash said softly to Ian once the customers left and the store was temporarily empty.
Ian wasn't really sure what this awkward feeling counted as. He nodded gently. "It's okay. No need to apologize. It's not your fault."
Kash gave a faint smile. "It'll be fine soon. Then we can do whatever we want."
Ian bit his lip. "Still can't let others know."
Kash was at a loss for words. "...There will be a day."
Ian didn't quite believe it. "Let's talk about it later. Time to stock the shelves."
Their conversation ended temporarily.
That sense of awkwardness became a bit clearer.
He stocked shelves for about half an hour.
7:15 PM.
Saying goodbye to Kash, Ian put on his backpack and headed home from work.
Walking for a while.
Mickey, with a cigarette in his mouth, walked past Ian with a swaggering, bow-legged gait. He turned his head and glanced at Ian.
Ian also glanced at Mickey.
Neither of them spoke.
Mickey was walking faster and soon left Ian behind.
Ian continued walking at his own pace, unhurriedly.
The distance between the two gradually lengthened.
---
Hospital Parking Lot.
Dexter sat in the car, lit a cigarette, closed his eyes, and waited quietly.
He waited for about five minutes.
Bianca walked up to the car. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's okay. I just arrived too. Get in," Dexter responded with a smile.
Bianca got in the car.
"Had dinner?" Dexter asked as he drove.
"Ate at the hospital. I've eaten," Bianca replied. "You closed up so early today?"
Dexter laughed. "I'm sort of self-employed. Opening hours depend on my mood. Today's mood told me I should close early."
Bianca smiled. "Where are we going?"
"I booked a hotel. Heard it's pretty good. Let's go experience it," Dexter replied.
Regarding this topic, Bianca was too shy to discuss it directly, so she didn't reply. She turned to look out the window and changed the subject. "What about your dog?"
"That dumb dog, sleep, eat, eat, sleep all day. It's the same anywhere. I let Veronica take him back."
"Is that okay?"
"It's fine," Dexter laughed. "By the way, speaking of Veronica, you know who she is, right?"
Bianca nodded. "I know. The African-American waitress in your restaurant."
"Yeah. She and her boyfriend Kevin are having their wedding on the first of next month. They invited us to be best man and maid of honor this afternoon."
"Huh?" Bianca was instantly surprised. She turned to look at Dexter, a bit anxious. "But I don't know her at all."
"Are you willing to get to know her? We can hang out when we're free," Dexter asked. "If you feel it's not appropriate, I'll help you decline."
Bianca hesitated for a few seconds. "I'll try."
"Thanks."
Business discussed, the two started chatting casually, eventually talking about the hotel.
Bianca wasn't poor, but she wasn't rich either. So, seeing the luxury of the hotel, she was still a bit shocked. She thought for a moment. "I'll pay half the room rate."
Dexter paused, then put his arm around Bianca. "What nonsense are you talking about? You don't know, my restaurant is basically robbing people every day. One meal costs less than ten dollars to make."
Bianca widened her eyes and teased, "So you robbed my money too?"
"I've robbed you, stealing a little money is nothing," Dexter smirked.
Bianca was speechless for a moment. "...I suddenly feel like I should go home."
"Too late. Let's go. While it's still early, let's experience the spa and pool in this hotel," Dexter suggested.
Bianca didn't mention paying half the room rate again. She just silently pondered what gift she should buy for Dexter.
This was quite a headache.
Dexter was so rich...
Giving a gift to a rich person isn't an easy task.
Checking in.
"Mr. Ding, welcome to XXX Hotel," the front desk manager said with a beaming smile. "During your stay, if you need anything, please contact us immediately. Also, if convenient, we would be grateful if you could take some time to give some pointers to our restaurant later."
Once a person becomes famous, they get recognized everywhere.
This wasn't good for criminal activities.
Dexter felt slightly helpless. "Okay, definitely."
The two entered the room.
Presidential suite, naturally very luxurious.
Bianca looked around curiously. Finally, she walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked down.
This was actually Dexter's first time staying in this kind of hotel and this kind of room in his life.
Dexter was also curious and went to Bianca's side.
Looking down from this height.
Half of Chicago was in view.
Have to say, the scenery was indeed breathtaking.
Before long.
In front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
The two began to exercise.
In Bianca's nature, there was a crazy attribute.
In fact, for the vast majority of people who have been well-behaved for a long time, regardless of gender, once the craziness in their nature is released, it's basically crazier than people who usually seem crazy.
The reason is simple.
No one's nature is just to be well-behaved.
The outburst after being suppressed for a long time will naturally be very violent.
This was a good thing for Dexter.
He didn't like purely good girls either; found them boring.
This was just right.
In front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, accompanied by the night view of half of Chicago, wanton noise.
How interesting.
About twenty minutes later.
Exercise ended.
The two went out to experience various facilities in the hotel.
They played until almost eleven o'clock and returned to the room.
Played until they were a bit hungry. Dexter called the front desk. "Please send up two suppers... wait."
After speaking, Dexter asked Bianca, "Want to drink some wine?"
Bianca thought for a moment and nodded gently. "Red wine. Just a little bit."
Dexter then spoke into the phone again. "What kind of red wine do you have?"
The front desk staff knew who was on the other end of the line and enthusiastically introduced a few.
"The one that costs over ten thousand dollars, bring a bottle," Dexter didn't understand red wine at all, adhering to a simple principle: choose the expensive one.
Hearing this.
"Okay, sending it to you right away," the front desk said with a smile.
Bianca's brain was a bit fuzzy.
A bottle of red wine for over ten thousand dollars?
That was worth several months of her salary.
Can't afford it, can't afford it...
"Dexter, too expensive..." Bianca snapped back to reality and hurriedly tried to get Dexter to change to a cheaper wine, but saw Dexter had already hung up. "Uh..."
Bianca's reaction was really funny.
Dexter couldn't help laughing. "Future Dr. Greene, I'm treating now. You can treat me later."
Bianca's pretty face fell. "Not many young doctors can afford such expensive red wine... for me to treat you, you'll have to wait at least ten years."
"It's okay, I'm willing to wait."
Bianca: "..."
That sounded kind of sweet.
Bianca didn't know what to say for a moment.
Meanwhile.
Hotel restaurant, inside the kitchen.
The three-star Michelin chef the hotel had hired heavily listened quietly as the manager in front of him said, "The guest is Dexter from Dex Restaurant. Please bring out 100% of your skills. Thank you very much."
Dexter!
The chef of a small restaurant in the South Side slum!
The chef was instantly full of motivation. "Don't worry!"
About ten minutes later.
Two suppers, perfect in color, aroma, and taste, were delivered to Dexter and Bianca.
"Two distinguished guests, please enjoy," the waiter said politely.
Dexter took out a fifty-dollar bill and handed it over. "Thanks."
Before long.
Opening the thermal cover, they saw the supper.
Have to say...
It was really good-looking.
Western food is indeed quite fun in this regard.
Thinking this, Dexter reached for his phone, deciding to take a picture.
Seeing Dexter taking pictures, Bianca followed suit.
After taking photos,
The two started eating.
The taste was indeed quite good.
After eating.
Dexter thought of the manager's words at the front desk earlier. After pondering, he opened Twitter and uploaded the photo. [The supper at XXX Hotel tastes very good.]
"This should satisfy the manager's request," Dexter threw the phone aside after posting and smiled at Bianca.
"Perfunctory," Bianca commented with a smile.
The two messed around for a while longer, drank some more red wine, and went to sleep.
Bianca leaned into Dexter's arms and slept soundly.
---
2113 North Wallace.
Veronica saw Dexter's tweet. "Damn!"
Exclaiming, Veronica moved the phone to show Kevin. "Look where Dexter went to play?"
Kevin looked at the phone. "XXX Hotel. What about it?"
Veronica was helpless. "This is the best hotel in Chicago."
Kevin understood and smirked. "Envious?"
Veronica admitted frankly. "A little."
"Then we'll go stay for a night sometime too," Kevin said without hesitation. "We're making good money now too."
Veronica was reluctant to spend the money. "...Too expensive."
"As long as you're happy, what's spending a little money?"
"Damn! When did you become such a smooth talker?"
The two started messing around.
On Twitter, some night owls were still active.
[Is this flavor serious?]
[Showing off affection late at night, is it appropriate?]
[That bottle of red wine on the table is over ten thousand dollars.]
[Looking at the structure, it's a presidential suite too.]
[Fine wine and beautiful woman, the boss really knows how to enjoy life.]
[Envious...]
[Shameless! Releasing this kind of poison at this time. No, I have to find a beauty too.]
[Want to fall in love. Are there any handsome guys here?]
[Beauty above, I can't be bothered to expose you. Is that wanting to fall in love?]
[Drooling.]
[...]
2119 North Wallace.
Humans are truly strange and complex creatures, and some women are the leaders among them.
Fiona, who had just finished exercising with Steve, glanced at Steve who had already fallen asleep beside her, unable to sleep for a moment.
Juggling between three men was exciting.
But at the same time, very vexing.
Fiona knew this was wrong, very slutty, but she coveted that stimulating feeling and didn't want to stop.
She didn't realize that some addicts are just like this.
Couldn't sleep.
Eyes open, mind chaotic for a while.
Inexplicably, she thought of Dexter.
Dexter was the man she could have played with, but never managed to.
Mostly, things you can't get make you unwilling to let go.
Thinking about it, Fiona picked up her phone, opened Twitter, and clicked on Dex Restaurant's homepage.
Less than a minute later.
Seeing Dexter's latest tweet, reading some comments...
Fiona threw the phone irritably, even more unable to sleep.
Irritated for a while.
Fiona turned over and moved, using her glib tongue to wake Steve up.
Then, she sat on top.
In this barren life, in this long night, only this little thing could bring her joy.
---
The night grew deeper.
Somewhere in a gathering place for homeless people.
Frank satisfyingly finished off the last bit of drugs, shaking his head in pleasure. Done, he hugged a homeless woman weighing about two hundred pounds and emitting a stench from head to toe, closed his eyes very enjoyably, and fell asleep.
---
A New Day.
Life continued.
After being woken up by the alarm, Bianca hesitated for a while, sent a text to a colleague asking them to cover for three hours, then burrowed under the covers and started working.
Dexter woke up.
This way of waking up was really great.
Dexter enjoyed it quietly.
Bianca worked for a while, then sat up and started rocking.
Early in the morning, life was pretty good.
9:00 AM.
The two packed up, took the bottle of red wine that was about half full, and left.
Arriving at the front desk.
"Mr. Ding, welcome back next time," the manager with outstanding looks said to Dexter with a smile. Then, she picked up a heavy gift bag and placed it gently on the counter. "Mr. Ding, thank you for promoting our hotel. This is a small token of our appreciation, please accept it."
"Okay, thanks," Dexter thanked with a smile.
Soon.
The two went out and got in the car.
In the car, opening the gift bag to look.
Good guy, inside was a solid wood, very exquisite wooden box. Inside the wooden box were two bottles of red wine.
These two bottles of red wine were exactly the same as the one they drank last night, both costing over ten thousand dollars a bottle.
"Why do I feel like we not only didn't spend a cent but also made money?" Dexter thought for a moment and said to Bianca with a smile.
Bianca also laughed.
This kind of place, this kind of life, this kind of experience, Bianca had never had before.
Very novel, very happy, felt good.
"You're amazing," Bianca gave Dexter a thumbs up mischievously.
Dexter laughed, feeling like he had become a freeloader. "Let's take one bottle each."
Bianca shook her head. "No, no. I don't like drinking, very rarely drink. Giving it to me would be a waste."
"Alright. Then leave it at my place, we'll drink together later."
"Mmh."
The vehicle started.
Dexter dropped Bianca off at the hospital first, then returned to the restaurant.
Mickey didn't come to work today. Only Veronica and Vivian were in the restaurant, as well as the dumb dog Dumb Nine sleeping soundly on the sofa as usual.
Seeing Dexter come in...
Veronica immediately said with a bad smile, "Played very well last night."
Dexter nodded with a smile. "Indeed very well. I still have half a bottle of red wine left. Want to call Kevin over, we'll have lunch early and drink some?"
Veronica was just about to say, drinking red wine at noon...
Dexter took out the half bottle of red wine. "This stuff is over ten thousand dollars a bottle. The taste is really good."
Veronica was shocked and swallowed her words. "Jesus!!! Over ten thousand dollars?"
Exclaiming, Veronica instantly changed her mind and said excitedly, "Drink, must drink!"
Before long.
Kevin, equally excited, who hadn't even dreamed of drinking such expensive red wine in past years, arrived at the restaurant with hurried steps.
Dexter made four meals.
The four sat around a table.
Dexter shared the red wine. Finally, a little bit was left, so he found a bowl, poured it in, and gave it to Dumb Nine to drink.
This scene made Kevin and Veronica's hearts ache.
"Dexter, that wine is probably worth a few hundred dollars. Giving it to a dog, too wasteful," Kevin said with heartache.
Dexter shook his head with a smile. "Not wasteful. First, this dog is not an ordinary dog, actually very powerful. Second, the hotel gave two more bottles of this wine this morning. There's more wine, no need to save."
Kevin: "????"
Veronica listened dumbfounded. "Boss, you mean the hotel you stayed at gave you red wine worth over twenty thousand dollars?? Are you joking?"
"No. I calculated the account. I played, and then made money. Amazing, right?" Dexter beamed.
Veronica was speechless.
Kevin's brain couldn't turn around at all. "Why?"
"Probably because I tweeted last night praising the hotel's supper," Dexter replied.
"Just that??" Kevin couldn't understand.
Dexter nodded. "Just that."
Kevin and Veronica's cognition was limited, and it was really hard to imagine such a thing.
However, hard to imagine or not.
Happy was truly happy.
After all, the wine was really good, and it didn't cost money.
The four ate and drank, the atmosphere very joyful.
This joy went up another level after Dumb Nine finished licking the red wine in the bowl, spun around dizzily, and then fell straight down.
"Haha."
"This dumb dog."
---
In the blink of an eye, the sun set in the west.
Mickey, who had been wandering around aimlessly all day wanting to feel his old self again, wandered under the bleachers of the school playground with a cigarette in his mouth.
Walking along.
Suddenly.
A strange noise reached Mickey's ears.
Mickey heard it and was amused. He decisively quickened his pace and followed the sound.
Before long.
Ian and a boy entered Mickey's field of vision.
"Yo, what's going on here?" Mickey immediately shouted cockily.
The voice sounded.
Ian also looked at Mickey, his expression very complicated.
Mickey had a face full of proud smiles. While walking towards Ian and the other, he laughed and said, "You guys have some nerve, doing this kind of thing. I have to teach you a lesson."
Hearing this.
"Sorry, sorry," the little boy was really scared bad. His voice trembling, he apologized to Mickey and ran away.
Mickey didn't chase either, only threatened, "Don't let me see you again."
After ten seconds or so, confirming the little boy had run out of sight, Mickey turned to the silent Ian and smiled. "What should I do with you?"
A moment later.