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Pat*eon : belamy20
The Gallagher House.
Ian, who often acted like an outsider and excelled at living in his own little world, finished his dinner, wiped his mouth, and hurriedly picked up Liam. He turned to Fiona. "I'm taking Liam to Carl's. I'm heading out."
Fiona really didn't want Liam anywhere near Peg.
But she had no choice.
She had to leave for work soon.
She couldn't leave Liam home alone.
"Okay," Fiona replied helplessly. "Come back early."
Ian didn't respond. Holding Liam, he walked briskly out the back door.
Watching him go, Fiona felt a pang of sadness. She sniffled and subconsciously looked around the room.
The Gallagher house, usually so lively and chaotic, was now eerily quiet. There wasn't a peep of noise... Fiona instinctively felt uncomfortable, almost dazed.
She stood there in a daze for a moment.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
It was Jimmy.
Fiona stared at the screen, hesitating. One second, two seconds, three seconds. She didn't ignore it this time. She answered.
The main reason she answered... was because she truly couldn't handle the silence right now.
"I want to see you," Jimmy said immediately as soon as the call connected.
Fiona was silent for a moment, then sniffled. "Are you outside?"
"Yeah," Jimmy replied instantly.
Getting confirmation, Fiona felt a flicker of joy. "Come in."
"Coming!" Jimmy heard the invite and was thrilled. He jumped out of his car and sprinted toward the Gallagher house.
Hearing the sound of Jimmy running, Fiona smiled happily and hung up the phone.
Moments later.
Jimmy appeared in front of Fiona, slightly out of breath, grinning at her.
Looking at Jimmy, Fiona's emotions were incredibly complex. She thought for a moment. "Have you eaten?"
"No," Jimmy lied without hesitation.
"Sit down. There's some dinner left. I'll get it for you," Fiona stood up and quickly brought a plate of food, setting it in front of him.
Jimmy looked at Fiona. Seeing she wasn't talking, he thought it over and decided not to say anything either. He obediently started eating.
The two sat at the dining table, saying nothing, just silently having dinner.
After eating.
"I'm going to take a shower. I have work," Fiona said, standing up.
"Together," Jimmy stood up quickly, smiling.
Fiona glanced at Jimmy. She didn't say anything, just silently walked upstairs.
In this context, silence meant consent.
Jimmy wasn't stupid. He followed her immediately.
Second Floor Bathroom.
Warm water sprayed from the showerhead, cascading over their bodies.
The battle commenced.
Ten minutes later.
Fiona curled into Jimmy's arms.
Jimmy looked at her with heartache. "Talk to me. What happened?"
Fiona was carrying too much grievance and pain. She really needed someone to talk to... And since parting ways with Veronica, she genuinely had no one to confide in...
So, hearing Jimmy ask, Fiona broke down. She started pouring her heart out. "Too many things. I don't even know where to start..."
"No rush. Take your time," Jimmy comforted her gently.
"Debbie went to juvie, saw a shrink..." Fiona rattled off everything in one breath, unable to stop.
Naturally.
The vast majority of her grievances and pain came from her family...
Debbie, Carl, Ian, Lip... The remaining part came from men.
Fiona's life pains basically boiled down to these two things.
Jimmy listened quietly until she finished. He hesitated for a long time. Even though he knew saying this might make things worse, he couldn't help himself. "Fiona, maybe it's time you started living for yourself."
Hearing this, Fiona looked up at Jimmy slightly.
The next second.
Even she was surprised that she felt absolutely no urge to argue. Deep down, she actually felt he made a lot of sense.
This realization terrified her.
She didn't understand...
Those kids were her life. How could she think words like that made sense?
Fiona was scared of this change in herself. She hurriedly bit her tongue to snap herself out of it. "Don't say things like that anymore. I'm their sister. I have an obligation to take care of them."
Jimmy really wanted to say 'You don't have an obligation', but he held back. He stayed silent, just holding Fiona quietly.
Time ticked by slowly.
After venting and resting for a bit, Fiona recovered slightly. She took a deep breath, forced herself to pull it together, and stood up. "I have to go to work."
"I'll drive you," Jimmy immediately offered.
Fiona blinked. "What about your wife?"
"I'm figuring out a solution," Jimmy lied smoothly, without blinking an eye.
Fiona was silent for a moment. "Make it quick. I might change my mind anytime."
"Okay. I promise!" Even though he had absolutely no idea how to solve it, Jimmy swore confidently.
Ten minutes later.
They left the house, got into the stolen car Jimmy swiped, and drove toward the bar.
---
The Alibi Room.
Kev stood behind the bar, staring intently at Lip, eavesdropping.
Having worked at the Alibi for so many years, Kev knew exactly what Lip was doing.
Because he knew, Kev frowned, worried.
The truth was, although he had no interest in hanging out with Lip like before and realized the kid had a massive temper and was kind of an idiot, Kev still didn't want to see Lip—who had a bright future ahead of him—go down a path of no return and ruin his life.
Smuggling?
If he got caught, Lip would likely never make it out of the South Side for the rest of his life.
Kev couldn't bear to watch it happen. He thought for a moment, poured a beer, and set it in front of Frank.
Frank had actually figured out what Lip was doing too, and his eyes showed clear approval.
Kev didn't notice the approval. He whispered to Frank, "Frank, you need to talk to Lip. He's going to Canada to smuggle stuff. It's too dangerous."
Hearing this, Frank flashed a brilliant smile at Kev. Then, he lifted the beer—glug, glug, glug—and downed half of it in one go. "What's dangerous about it? We Gallaghers are born criminals. Lip is doing the right thing. Why should I stop him?"
"..." Kev was speechless. He smiled bitterly and shook his head, realizing he asked the wrong person.
Ask Frank?
Frank probably wanted to go smuggling with Lip!
Kev thought of Fiona. Too lazy to deal with Frank anymore, he looked back at Lip and weighed the pros and cons of calling Fiona.
In fact, Kev was right.
Frank did have the idea of going smuggling with Lip.
Case in point: after finishing his beer, Frank decisively stood up and walked over to Lip.
Reaching Lip's side, Frank grinned and patted Lip on the shoulder. "Son, looks like you need help. How about we partner up?"
Lip glared at Frank viciously. "Get your hand off me!"
Frank was genuinely a little afraid of Lip. He obediently removed his hand, but then continued to pester him shamelessly. "Son, your leg is messed up. Plus, how much can you carry back from Canada alone? With me, we can bring back double the goods, earn double the money..."
Frank rattled off his pitch in one breath.
Lip stayed silent, turning to leave on his crutches. But honestly, hearing "earn double the money" definitely tempted him.
Frank wasn't one to give up easily. He chased after Lip. "Worst case, we split my share 70-30..."
"Son, you need me! I have experience in this area. I can guarantee you won't get caught!"
Hearing this.
Lip stopped. He was further tempted and looked at Frank.
Although he claimed to be confident he wouldn't get caught, deep down, Lip was worried. He knew how severe the consequences would be.
"Oh? How can you guarantee we won't get caught?" Lip frowned and decided to ask.
Frank smiled smugly. "Come, let's go to my office and discuss the details."
By "office," he meant a booth in the corner of the bar.
Dropping the words, Frank walked straight to the corner.
Lip hesitated slightly, then followed Frank and sat opposite him. "Talk. If you're bullshitting me, I'm leaving immediately!"
"I promise I'm not bullshitting," Frank swore solemnly. "I know many routes back from Canada..."
Father and son started chatting.
Behind the bar, Kev watched helplessly, feeling his scalp tingle. He felt like all hell was about to break loose.
I mean, are you kidding me?!
Lip was actually discussing smuggling with Frank? Learning from a scumbag like Frank?
This was bad!
In this moment, Kev made a firm decision. He had to call Fiona, explain the situation, and get her to come handle Lip.
Kev didn't waste time. He quickly walked out the back door, pulled out his phone, and called Fiona.
---
The Bar.
Dressed in a sexy uniform, Fiona was carrying a tray serving drinks to customers.
Feeling her phone vibrate in her pocket, Fiona pulled it out and glanced at it. Seeing it was Kev calling, she didn't hesitate for a second. She rejected the call.
Kev and Veronica, those two traitors, treated her like that. In her heart, they were already dead to her.
What was there to say to dead people?
She rejected the call and went back to work.
A few seconds later, the phone vibrated again.
Fiona thought of a possibility and frowned slightly. She guessed Frank might have caused trouble at the Alibi again.
But...
She really didn't have the energy to deal with Frank right now. So, she rejected it again.
Outside the back door of the Alibi.
Rejected twice in a row, Kev frowned. He guessed Fiona just didn't want to answer.
If that was the case, then forget it.
Kev wasn't a man without a temper, nor was he the type to beg for attention.
If she didn't answer, fine. He didn't owe her anything.
Damn Gallaghers! Kev put away his phone, too lazy to care anymore. He turned around and went back inside the Alibi to get back to work.
Inside the upscale bar.
Fiona quickly put the matter out of her mind. She enthusiastically—with a hint of flirtation—served the customers.
Time flew.
Also in the bar, just like last night, Jimmy was waiting for Fiona. He received a call.
The boss of the chop shop urgently needed two Mercedes. He told Jimmy to get them ASAP. If he could deliver before dawn, there was a bonus!
Call ended. Jimmy thought for a moment, then got up and found Fiona. "Fiona, I have to go get two cars. I'll be back before your shift ends."
Fiona's feelings toward Jimmy were still very complicated. She looked at him silently for two seconds. "Do what you gotta do. I didn't ask you to stay here."
Jimmy smiled. "Sorry. I'll make it up to you."
Fiona didn't say anything else, just turned back to work.
Jimmy looked at Fiona. Even though he knew it would take time for things to go back to how they were after everything that happened, he still felt a bit helpless.
After watching her quietly for a moment, Jimmy sighed silently and left.
Nearby.
The manager, who had designs on Fiona and wanted to sleep with her, clearly saw the interaction between Jimmy and Fiona. Seeing Jimmy leave, he grinned slyly and walked toward Fiona.
"Fiona, was that handsome guy just now your boyfriend?" the manager asked with a smile.
Fiona knew exactly what this handsome manager was after.
In this regard, Fiona "Body Count 100+" Gallagher was a pro.
Thinking for a moment, Fiona didn't want to ruin things with Jimmy this time. She nodded. "Yeah, he is."
The manager's brow twitched. He deliberately adopted a playful tone. "I didn't know you had a boyfriend. You should have mentioned it when you applied. I'm really disappointed."
Thump.
Hearing those words.
Fiona's heart skipped a beat. She immediately understood the implication.
The manager was threatening her job!
The next second.
Anger erupted in Fiona's chest.
A clear look of disgust appeared on her face. "Manager, are you saying that if you can't sleep with me, you're going to fire me?"
That was way too direct. The manager cared about his reputation. He raised an eyebrow, unhappy. "Fiona, I never said that. You can't just make things up."
Fiona stared straight at the manager and sneered coldly. "Heh. So? What now? Am I fired?"
The manager sneered back. "I'm still considering it. Depends on what you choose."
Fiona was indeed promiscuous. She had slept with over a hundred men. But those were all her choice!
She did not accept threats. She would not sleep with a man because of a threat!
This was a matter of principle!
"Heh. Fck you!" Fiona snapped, cursing viciously. "I'll show you what I choose! I quit! You piece of sht!"
Dropping that domineering line, Fiona decisively turned on her heel and stormed toward the changing room with aggressive momentum.
The manager watched with a contemptuous smirk, not caring in the slightest.
What was there to care about?
Chicago is huge. There are tons of poor people. Plenty of pretty waitresses. One Fiona didn't make a difference.
If this one isn't obedient and won't put out, just swap her for a pretty one who will.
In the blink of an eye.
Pushing through the crowded room, Fiona rushed into the changing room, opened her locker, quickly changed clothes, grabbed her bag, and strode out.
Outside the bar.
"FCK!!" Fiona was furious. She roared into the night.
No one cared.
Passersby just looked on like they were watching a show.
After shouting and venting, Fiona felt a tiny bit better.
And so, in the hot wind of the summer night, cruel reality placed itself in front of Fiona again, forcing her to face it.
Just like that, she lost another well-paying job... What now?
Principles, in the face of cruel reality, are actually pretty useless.
This ugly world works this way... It's not right, but what can you do?
Moments later.
Fiona was forced to temporarily set aside her anger. She walked forward silently, lonely, desolate, and aggrieved, to find her next job.
After walking for a while.
Fiona thought of Jimmy.
The world was so big.
Except for Jimmy, she had absolutely no one left to talk to.
after a brief hesitation, Fiona dialed Jimmy's number.
He picked up instantly.
"Done with work?" Jimmy asked with a smile.
Fiona gave a bitter laugh. "Just quit."
"Huh?" Jimmy was surprised. "Why so suddenly?"
"The manager saw you. He cornered me, threatened me, tried to get me to sleep with him. I cursed him out and quit," Fiona said with a bitter smile.
"..." Jimmy was speechless for two seconds. "Where are you? I'll come pick you up."
Fiona paused. "Don't you have work?"
"You're more important," Jimmy replied without hesitation.
Fiona felt a warmth in her heart. She gave him her address.
"Be there soon," Jimmy replied crisply.
---
Dex Restaurant.
Dinner service ended.
Dexter took off his chef's uniform and, as usual, had dinner with Bianca in the restaurant.
After eating.
Looking at Veronica clearing tables, Dexter suddenly had a thought. He recalled Veronica's work performance lately.
Thinking back, he felt that Veronica seemed to have gotten used to this life, settling for the status quo.
That wasn't a good thing.
You have to remember, Comrade Veronica is actually quite capable.
Later in the original show, Veronica was killing it selling medical supplies...
If the potentially talented Veronica settled for the status quo now, in a way, wouldn't that mean he ruined her?
After mulling it over, Dexter decided to give her a push. He turned and called out, "Veronica, I want to ask you a question."
Hearing this, Veronica walked over to Dexter, puzzled. "What question?"
"Remember the conditions I mentioned when I hired you?" Dexter asked with a smile.
Veronica froze. Then, a clear look of panic appeared on her face. "Uh..."
"Looks like you remember, you just didn't do it, right?" Dexter smiled even brighter. "It's been almost a year."
"I..." Veronica panicked even more. "I passed the GED..."
"And then?" Dexter asked.
Veronica was speechless. "..."
There was no 'then.'
Dexter kept smiling. "I meant what I said back then. I think you really need to think about a question... If I close this restaurant tomorrow, what are you going to do?"
Thump.
Close the restaurant?
Veronica was instantly terrified.
Veronica had indeed gotten used to earning over ten grand a month while having a relaxed life. More importantly, based on this high income, she had planned a lot of beautiful futures...
Losing this job and going back to breaking her back for pennies?
The drop was too huge. She couldn't accept it.
"Boss, you're not really closing the restaurant, are you..." Veronica asked urgently.
Dexter smiled but didn't answer directly. "I'm unpredictable. Maybe one day I'll just feel like it and stop... Veronica, this job should be your starting point, not your finish line."
"Have a little sense of crisis, okay?"
Veronica definitely had a sense of crisis now. She nodded furiously. "I know. I'll go learn something else immediately. I promise."
Promises meant nothing.
Dexter smiled faintly. "Go back to work."
Veronica walked away with a complicated expression.
The next second, Vivian leaned in, also asking nervously, "Boss, are you closing the restaurant? I am learning other things, but the training centers I went to all suddenly shut down..."
Dexter: "..."
Alright, fair point.
Dexter was amused. He shook his head. "You just work peacefully. Don't worry. Just stay here."
Vivian instantly relaxed. "Thank you, Boss."
After thanking him, Vivian consciously walked away.
"Let's go too," Dexter signaled to Bianca.
Bianca looked a bit confused, not quite understanding what Dexter meant by what he said to Veronica. She stood up blankly and walked out with Dexter, then asked about her confusion.
Dexter explained briefly.
Bianca understood. And because she understood, she said, "You really are a good person."
Dexter chuckled. "Of course."
"So, you're not planning to leave Chicago?" Bianca was actually quite nervous too.
Hearing this, Dexter felt mischievous. "If I leave, will you come with me?"
Bianca bit her lip. "Yes."
"You idiot," Dexter laughed.
Bianca glared. "You're the idiot!"
---
The Alibi Room.
After talking with Frank for a while and calling the driver to confirm, Lip nodded at Frank and agreed. "The money you earn, we split 60-40. I get six, you get four!"
"No problem!" Frank agreed readily.
Of course, Frank had absolutely no intention of splitting the money with Lip like that. His brain was already cooking up various schemes to keep more for himself.
"We leave tomorrow. Find the buyers ASAP," Lip added.
"No problem!" Frank said confidently.
"Then tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM, meet at Karen's house. Be on time!" Lip emphasized.
"Okay," Frank replied.
Lip said no more. He stood up on his crutches and slowly walked away.
Outside the Alibi, Lip leaned against the wall by the door, lit a cigarette, and called Karen, who had gone wandering nearby, to come pick him up.
Before long.
Karen drove up to the Alibi entrance.
Almost at the same time, Dexter and Bianca walked up to the Alibi, chatting and laughing.
Lip saw Dexter. Instantly, his expression changed. His idiotic face showed clear contempt and hatred.
Dexter noticed. He smiled brilliantly, looking at Lip without hiding it at all. He didn't speak, just looked.
Just then, Karen got out of the car. She saw the reactions of both Dexter and Lip. She wanted to laugh but held it in. Then, she greeted Dexter with a sweet smile. "Mr. King, any new dishes at the restaurant?"
"No new dishes, but I am planning to open another restaurant. You're welcome to come eat when it opens," Dexter replied.
Karen was slightly surprised. Then, she immediately had an idea. She wanted to be a waitress at this new restaurant. She quickly smiled and said, "Opening another restaurant? Then you must need waitresses. Do you think I could do it?"
Dexter smiled and shook his head gently. "Appearance and figure are fine, but unfortunately, you're underage."
Karen was helpless.
Waitresses at Dex Restaurant made bank. Over ten grand a month, over a hundred grand a year.
Karen really wanted that money. "Mr. King, no one cares about that stuff around here..."
Dexter shook his head again. "Sorry. Being a regular employee is definitely a no-go. Wait until you're eighteen."
Just as the words left his mouth.
Lip, whose face was twisted with anger, couldn't take it anymore. Leaning on his crutches, he called out to Karen, "Karen, let's go."
Hearing this, seeing Lip's face, Karen really had the urge to kick this idiot to the ground.
Got nothing to your name, yet you act like you're hot sht all day. What a fcking idiot! Karen thought to herself. She took a silent deep breath and endured it. "Okay."
Responding to Lip, Karen said to Dexter, "Then, Mr. King, let's talk another time."
After saying goodbye, Karen walked with Lip to the car.
Dexter watched with a smile for two seconds, finding it genuinely entertaining.
This idiot. If he keeps playing like this, Karen is going to play him to death, Dexter thought. He looked away and walked into the Alibi with Bianca.
"You're opening another restaurant?" Bianca asked curiously.
"Just an idea for now," Dexter nodded. "Maybe a casual Western-style restaurant. A way to give back to the community."
Hearing this, Bianca gave a thumbs up. "Mr. King, your ideological level is just different!"
"Hey, are you mocking me?" Dexter feigned anger.
Bianca smiled playfully and shook her head like a rattle, looking adorable. "Wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare."
---
Jimmy picked up Fiona.
Fiona got in the car, staring out the window with an exhausted expression.
"Maybe take a few days off," Jimmy said, his heart aching for her.
"Rich people can rest. Poor people like me don't have the luxury," Fiona replied purely out of instinct.
That was way too sarcastic. Luckily, Jimmy had a good temper; otherwise, he would have flared up at that.
"So what's the plan? Find another bar?" Jimmy kept smiling and asked.
"Yeah. A bar with a female manager. These men only have one fcking thing on their minds all day!" Fiona said viciously.
"..." Jimmy was slightly speechless. After all, from age 17 to 21—five years—Fiona had slept with over a hundred men. In that department, she was more aggressive than a lot of men.
After a brief silence, Jimmy skipped the topic. "Maybe I can help you find a bar like that."
"You know bar owners?" Fiona asked, desperate for a job.
Jimmy shook his head. "I don't, but I have friends who probably do. I can ask around. How about that?"
Fiona hesitated. "Okay."
"So, what now?" Jimmy asked.
"Don't you have work to do? I'll come with you. I need to blow off some steam," Fiona said.
Jimmy was delighted. "Okay!"
Time flew. About an hour passed.
Jimmy successfully stole a Mercedes and sped away with Fiona.
Partially participating in a car theft, Fiona felt incredibly thrilled. She felt energized instantly and cheered happily.
So, in the end, what Fiona needed was the rush of adrenaline!
Fiona was excited. After cheering for a bit, she turned to Jimmy with a smile. "Let's play!"
Jimmy had no objections. He nodded immediately.
Moments later.
In a dark alley, Jimmy and Fiona started their "battle."
Not too far behind, in the chase car meant to provide backup just in case, Jimmy's accomplice watched this scene. He lit a cigarette furiously, cursing with envy and jealousy. "Fck!"
---
In the broken-down house with almost nothing in it.
Looking at the bed Karen had just bought with her own money, Lip felt happy. He shuffled over and lay down. "New bed is comfy!"
Karen lay down next to him, responding perfunctorily. "Yeah."
Right now, Karen really didn't have the energy to act for Lip. Her thoughts were on the restaurant Dexter was about to open.
Karen really wanted to work there.
On one hand, she could make a lot of money.
On the other hand, getting that job meant being with Dexter every day... Based on that, Karen was confident that with enough time, she could definitely develop things further with him.
Then, work hard. Even if she couldn't replace Bianca, as long as she could get pregnant with Dexter's child, given his wealth, she wouldn't have to worry about money ever again!
"What are you thinking about?" Lip noticed Karen's distraction and asked.
Hearing this, Karen snapped back to reality and flashed a dazzling smile. "I was thinking about what else our home needs. I have to go buy stuff tomorrow."
Lip had no money. Hearing "buy," his inferiority complex kicked in. He tried to act tough. "Don't buy anything for now. Wait until I get back from Canada the day after tomorrow, then I'll buy it!"
"We're living together. No need to be so separate," Karen said sweetly.
Lip shook his head directly. "I'm a man. I have to take care of you, not the other way around. Don't worry, I got this."
Karen smiled, thinking that statement was fcking childish. "Okay, I believe in you."
They chatted for a while.
Then, logically, they started to fck.
After all, besides fcking, what else was there to do?
Done.
Lip set an alarm, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
Karen adjusted her position and lay down too. But she wasn't sleepy at all and couldn't sleep.
She couldn't help it.
There was only one fan. It was too hot.
Karen missed the air conditioning in her own room immensely.
Earning a little money is really fcking hard!
Karen sighed silently in frustration.