Kevin's House.
It was early in the morning, so Dexter didn't knock. Instead, he pulled out his phone and made a call.
The phone rang for a while before it was picked up.
"Not up yet? I'm here to pick up the dog," Dexter said to Kevin with a smile.
Kevin was dazed for a couple of seconds. "Right, right, right. I'll be right down."
A moment later, a shirtless Kevin, showing off his fit physique, opened the front door.
A split second later, zip—Dumb Nine, who had been lying on the sofa, bolted out and rushed to Dexter's side.
Kevin stared blankly. "That dog is really fast."
After making that observation, Kevin flashed a goofy grin at Dexter. "Looks like you had a good time last night?"
Dexter smiled. He took a cup of coffee out of the bag he was carrying and handed the bag to Kevin. "It was pretty good."
"Hehe, I heard from V that the doctor is really hot? You're quite the player."
Dexter nodded with a smile. "Don't gossip. Alright, I'm gonna walk the dog."
Kevin chuckled. "You got it. By the way, had breakfast yet? If not, come over in a bit."
"Sure," Dexter agreed, leading Dumb Nine toward the Gallagher house.
Just as he reached the door.
Dexter heard the chaotic noise coming from inside.
No surprises there. It wouldn't be the Gallagher house without the chaos.
Dexter stepped up to the door and knocked. Everyone inside was awake anyway, so no need to be polite.
Hearing the knock.
"Carl, get the door," Fiona's voice rang out.
Carl couldn't be bothered to reply. He ambled slowly to the door, opened it, and seeing it was Dexter, his expression instantly changed. He grinned. "Dexter, what are you doing here?"
"Came to see you. Heard you went to the hospital yesterday?" Dexter asked with a smile.
Carl was startled. "How do you know?"
"Come on out. I have the dog, so I won't go in," Dexter said.
Carl had no objections and slipped out quickly.
Two people and a dog sat on the bench in front of the house.
"The female doctor you saw yesterday is my friend. She told me last night," Dexter answered after sitting down. "Running away like that last night really screwed her over."
Carl was dumbfounded. "?? That hot doctor is your friend? Like, sleeping together friend?"
Dexter nodded with a smile.
Carl decisively gave a thumbs up. "Nice!!! She's really hot!"
Dexter reached out and ruffled Carl's hair, laughing. "Is that really the point?"
Carl grinned, showing his teeth. "Sorry for screwing over your woman, but I didn't have money to pay the bill. Had to run."
"Make good money in the future," Dexter said with a smile. "Strive to live differently."
Hearing this, Carl nodded repeatedly. "Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too."
"Let's see if you change. If you do, maybe I can give you a job," Dexter said.
Carl got excited. "Awesome! I want to help out at the restaurant too!"
When it came to school, Carl was hopeless.
He wasn't cut out for academics; spending years in school wouldn't help.
Better to enter society early, see its cruelty, and toughen up.
The truth was.
Dexter actually did have a job suitable for Carl. Of course, not right now.
Carl was still in elementary school; he was too young.
Wait until he graduated elementary school, and it would be about right.
He planned to buy a vacant lot in the South Side and build a shooting range.
When the time came, he'd let Carl help out there.
Carl's nature was fine... that was enough. No matter what happened later, he wouldn't go too far off track.
"Not the restaurant, and not now. Wait until you finish elementary school," Dexter replied.
Carl was instantly disappointed. "Ah, gotta finish elementary school? I don't even know when I'll graduate."
"Haha, then work hard at it," Dexter laughed.
Just as the words left his mouth.
Fiona, realizing Carl had opened the door but hadn't made a sound since, rushed out in a panic.
Rushing out, she saw Dexter and Carl sitting together, with a handsome Husky beside them. Fiona was confused, not sure what to make of it.
"Good morning, Fiona," Dexter greeted her proactively with a smile.
Fiona nodded, puzzled. "What are you doing here?"
"My girlfriend told me Carl went to the hospital yesterday. I happened to be picking up my dog at Kevin's, so I thought I'd check on Carl," Dexter explained.
"Your girlfriend?" Fiona didn't catch on.
Carl interjected, explaining excitedly, "It's that hot doctor from yesterday."
Then, he added somewhat sheepishly, "We ran away yesterday and really screwed that hot doctor over."
Fiona understood now. Immediately, her expression became complicated.
After a moment of silence, Fiona spoke. She didn't apologize, feeling no need to. "So that doctor is your girlfriend. What a coincidence."
"Yeah, pretty coincidental," Dexter smiled, ignoring Fiona's complicated expression. He stood up straight and said to Carl, "Carl, anyway, glad you're okay. Come eat at my restaurant when you're free. My treat. We have some new dishes recently; they taste great."
Carl had been craving it for a while and was instantly thrilled. "Okay! I'll go tonight!"
"Alright, I'm heading out," Dexter said goodbye to Carl, turned to Fiona, didn't say much, just nodded with a smile, and led Dumb Nine toward the house next door.
Gallagher House Porch.
Fiona's emotions were indescribable for a moment. She stared blankly at Dexter, unable to stop thinking about what if.
What if back then, things had gone smoothly? If Lip hadn't interfered, if she had slept with Dexter and they became boyfriend and girlfriend... what would life be like now?
Carl was also watching Dexter. After a few seconds, seeing Dexter walk toward the neighboring house, he suddenly remembered something and shouted, "Dexter! When will this house be finished? Can I come over to play later?"
"Of course. But it'll probably take some time to finish the renovations," Dexter shouted back with a smile.
"Speed it up!" Carl yelled.
Dexter nodded. "No problem."
Carl wanted to say more, but Fiona spoke up. "Carl, breakfast is ready. Come eat. You still have to go to school."
Hearing about school, Carl agreed very readily this time. "Okay."
During breakfast.
Carl happily repeated Dexter's words. "Starting today, I'm going to study hard and graduate as soon as possible!"
Hearing this, Steve smiled and praised him. "Very good."
Lip instinctively opposed it. "Even if you finish elementary school, you still have middle school. Working is a long way off."
Fiona hurriedly chimed in to agree. "Right. After middle school, there's high school. Don't think about working right now."
What does it feel like to have cold water thrown on you when you're happy and hopeful?
The answer is simple.
It sucks!
Carl stopped smiling instantly. He glared at Lip and Fiona, stopped talking, and ate his breakfast in silence.
Seeing this.
Steve smiled and shook his head slightly, staying out of it and minding his own business.
---
Meanwhile.
After briefly checking the renovation progress and walking the dog a bit more, Dexter returned to Kevin's house to have breakfast with Kevin and Veronica.
Veronica thoughtfully fried a bowl of bacon for Dumb Nine.
Giving delicious bacon to a dog... before meeting Dexter, Kevin and Veronica would absolutely never have done such a thing.
But now, their standard of living had undeniably improved significantly.
Kevin and Veronica felt absolutely no emotional fluctuation about it, not heartache at all.
Of course, their own breakfast was lavish too. In terms of quality, it was catching up to a middle-class family.
While eating, Dexter smiled, having an idea. He spoke up, "I have something to tell you guys. Can you keep a secret?"
"Of course!" Kevin and Veronica said in unison.
"I plan to buy as many houses as possible around here," Dexter didn't beat around the bush. "You two have some money now. I suggest you do the same."
"Why?" Neither Kevin nor Veronica understood.
Dexter smiled faintly. "Times are changing constantly. The South Side of Chicago won't stay like this forever. Maybe three years, maybe five years, things here will slowly start to change."
"Right now, you can buy a house here for less than a hundred grand. In three to five years, the value will at least double."
"When that time comes, if you choose to sell, you can make a huge profit... But I suggest you keep the houses, rent them out, and collect rent monthly. As long as you have a few properties and don't mess it up, you two, including your future children, will never have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of your lives."
Thump!
Never worry about food or clothing for the rest of their lives??
How beautiful is that!
Kevin and Veronica instantly got excited, their faces showing clear interest.
However...
Interest was one thing...
Their knowledge was limited, and unlike Dexter, they didn't know the future...
"Dexter, double in three to five years? For houses in this dump?" Kevin instinctively found it hard to accept.
Veronica couldn't quite accept it either. "Seems unlikely. Only poor people live here."
Dexter understood their concerns. "When the time comes, the people buying houses here won't be poor. They'll be rich people from other neighborhoods."
"The poor people here, if they don't work hard and continue to drift through life, will only be driven out."
"Take Fiona's family for example... with their current state, in three to five years, it's unlikely there will be a place for them here."
Veronica and Kevin: "..."
They didn't know what to say for a moment.
Dexter didn't mind. The food was served; if Kevin and Veronica didn't eat, he couldn't force-feed them. "Anyway, that's my plan. Think about it. Whether you do it or not, it doesn't matter."
Hearing this.
Compared to Kevin, Veronica was more aware of Dexter's intelligence and money-making ability. She was a bit anxious and helpless. "Dexter, even if we wanted to, we don't have the money to buy a house."
"Veronica, your income isn't low anymore. I estimate it should be enough to buy one house," Dexter smiled.
That was a fact.
Buying one house was basically doable, but that was it.
If they spent the money on a house, they'd be broke immediately.
Veronica couldn't bear to part with the cash.
Dexter understood.
In any country, any place, there are reasons why poor people are poor.
Opportunities actually appear quite often.
It's just that poor people usually can't grasp them, or don't dare to grasp them.
Except for the Gallaghers...
The Gallaghers spit on opportunity. When they encounter one, not only do they drive it away without hesitation, but they also curse it with a few "fuck yous."
It's a very interesting phenomenon.
The three of them chatted a bit more.
After breakfast, it was about time, and they were going the same way.
Kevin and Veronica got into Dexter's car to pick up Vivian and then head to the restaurant.
The Gallagher House.
Through the window, Fiona saw this scene clearly. She couldn't help but mutter with a face full of resentment, "Fucking rich people!"
---
Time flew by, and it was afternoon.
Frank, having cleaned himself up as best as he could, worked for a few hours at the Labor temp agency, earned a little money, left the agency, and planned to hit the road.
But walking through the alleys, seeing that he was getting closer and closer to the Alibi Room...
Frank struggled with himself again and again, and finally decided to slightly alter the plan: have a drink at the Alibi first, then run.
Decision made, Frank didn't delay. Clip-clop, he quickened his pace and went around to the back door of the Alibi Room.
Knock, knock, knock.
Frank knocked hard on the door.
Hearing the knock, Kevin was a bit confused and went to open it.
"Frank?" Seeing Frank again after a few days, Kevin was genuinely surprised.
Frank smiled and asked, "Those black guys I bet with the other day, are they inside?"
Kevin shook his head immediately. "No. Haven't seen them for a few days."
"That's good," Frank sighed in relief. "Damn it. That thug actually asked me for ten thousand dollars. That bet was just a joke. Black people just can't take a joke."
Frank grumbled as he walked into the bar.
Kevin understood why Frank knocked on the back door. He smiled and didn't say much.
Before long, Frank sat in his old spot at the bar, smiling and greeting the familiar barflies, acting like a king returning in triumph.
The barflies barely acknowledged Frank.
Frank didn't mind. He drank on his own, one glass after another.
While drinking.
Suddenly, a black delivery driver walked in. As he approached the bar, he called out to Kevin, "Kevin, give me a rum."
Kevin knew this delivery driver. "Drinking and driving on the job again? Come back after you finish your deliveries."
The delivery driver sat next to Frank, tossed his car keys casually on the bar, and smiled. "Fast deliveries today. Only one left for Dottie Coronis. I'll just walk over there in a bit."
Hearing this, Kevin didn't argue further. He quickly poured a rum. Since Dottie Coronis was a regular but hadn't been around in a long time, he asked, "What's up with Butterface? Haven't seen her in ages."
The delivery driver took a sip, shook his head, and replied with some emotion, "Sick. All kinds of illnesses. Heart problems. She doesn't have much time left..."
Hearing this.
The other barflies felt a bit sentimental.
Amidst the sentiment.
One barfly casually remarked, "She worked for so many years. All that pension money... now it's all going to waste."
The words hit his ears.
Ding.
Frank's nerves jolted. He had a great idea.
A few seconds later, Frank skillfully swiped the delivery driver's car keys from the bar, quickly slipped away, and left the bar.
All that pension money... if I could get my hands on it...
I wouldn't have to run!
If he had a choice, Frank really didn't want to run.
Now, he had a choice.
Frank was excited.
Dottie Coronis probably wouldn't be excited. After all, barring any accidents, she was about to be indirectly murdered by Frank.
---