Dexter and Bianca got into the car and headed toward the movie theater.
On the way, they got to know each other a little better.
Bianca's full name was Bianca Greene. She was a Chicago local, had parents, sisters, the whole package. Currently a resident at the hospital, she still had a few years of grinding before she could become an attending physician.
Dexter...
Well, there wasn't much to introduce.
Dexter simply applied his real-world situation: no parents, all alone. He tweaked it slightly for flavor.
Bianca, being a normal person in this world, didn't suspect a thing. Instead of doubting his story, she felt that Dexter had overcome a lot and was quite impressive.
"I didn't expect that," Bianca blinked and said softly. "You're doing really well now."
Hearing this, Dexter thought about the people he had killed and gave a sly smile. "You don't really know me yet."
"Fair point," Bianca laughed.
They chatted and laughed, the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant.
As they talked.
Bianca curiously asked about his cooking. "Where did you learn to cook like that? It's amazing. I've had food before, but compared to your cooking, it's not even close."
"That's normal," Dexter replied without a shred of humility. Then, a thought struck him, and he continued to weave a tall tale. "I didn't learn from a regular chef. Many years ago, deep in the mountains , I stumbled upon an old man..."
Having read too many web novels, Dexter spun a yarn about apprenticing under a legendary culinary master in the secluded mountains, practicing diligently until he mastered the art, and only then returning to civilization.
Bianca couldn't handle the power of Wuxia tropes. She was stunned, blinking several times before recovering. She asked in disbelief, "Really?"
Dexter held back his laughter and nodded. "Really."
Bianca couldn't help but marvel. "That's magical."
Dexter sighed. "Unfortunately, my skills aren't perfect yet. That's why I ran away to America—to get as far away from my master as possible."
"If that old man finds me, I'm in big trouble."
Bianca was completely hoodwinked. "He would beat you?"
"Beat me? That's putting it lightly. He'd probably chop off my hands," Dexter said with a straight face.
Bianca's eyes darted mischievously, and she laughed. "So, what's your master's phone number?"
Dexter was startled.
Well, well. I didn't expect this side of you, Bianca.
Even without knowing she had cancer, she was this playful.
Dexter decided to play along. He feigned terror. "You're trying to get me killed!"
"Hehe," Bianca giggled.
Amidst the laughter.
They arrived at the theater.
Dexter hit the brakes and parked the car slowly.
Shoulder to shoulder, talking as they walked, they entered the theater.
A spring breeze brushed past them, warm but with a lingering chill.
Dexter didn't care what they watched, so he let Bianca choose.
Unexpectedly, after considering it for a moment, Bianca chose a newly released horror movie.
Faced with this result, Dexter raised an eyebrow. He strongly suspected Comrade Bianca had ulterior motives.
But she didn't.
They watched the movie like normal people.
It was already 10:00 PM.
Naturally, Dexter drove Bianca home.
Before getting out of the car.
Bianca hesitated for a split second, then steeled herself and kissed Dexter on the cheek. "See you."
Dexter smiled, very satisfied with this outcome.
After all, in this world of Shameless, there were plenty of women like Fiona—ready to bang on the first date if there was even a spark, regardless of how well they knew you.
Bianca wasn't that kind of woman. That was a good thing.
"See you."
Dexter hit the gas and headed to the Alibi Room to kill some time and pick up that dumb dog, Dumb Nine.
---
Three months!
For a woman like Fiona, three months without sex... was practically a death sentence!
So, quite reasonably, in the cramped bedroom that night.
Fiona went crazy.
Again and again.
God knows how long it went on.
Steve was spent. He couldn't hold on anymore.
Fiona, unable to continue for the moment, finally dismounted. She lay down and let out a long breath. "We'll continue later."
Hearing this, the corner of Steve's mouth twitched. He sighed silently. He was helpless, but he didn't refuse.
They lay there for about half an hour.
The battle resumed.
In the blink of an eye, it was early morning.
Fiona was finally satisfied and returned to a somewhat normal state. "Thanks for taking care of Carl and the others for the past three months."
Hearing this.
Even though he was thoroughly exhausted, Steve perked up a bit. An idea struck him, and he replied casually, "I didn't do much. It was mostly the nanny doing the work."
Mentioning the nanny, Fiona said without hesitation, "I'll figure out a way to pay you back for the nanny as soon as possible."
Steve smiled. "No need to pay me back. In fact, I'm willing to keep paying for the nanny. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Fiona's eyes snapped open. She sat up and looked at Steve. "What do you mean?"
Since he'd already started, Steve braced himself and sat up too. "I mean, you saw it yourself. For the past three months, the nanny took great care of Carl and the others."
"Since that's the case, why not let the nanny keep working? I'm willing to foot the bill."
"With the nanny here, you can be much more relaxed. You can work a stable job, make more money. It's a win-win, isn't it?"
The words hit her ears.
Fiona's eyes widened even further. "I'm back now. They are my kids. I should be the one taking care of them! Why do we need a nanny?"
"Do you think I don't take good care of them?"
Steve was helpless.
The truth?
Good care my ass!
You took the whole family on a burglary spree and almost got the entire clan arrested.
That's taking good care of them?
But of course, he absolutely couldn't say the truth.
Steve could only smile and hurriedly explain, "That's not what I meant. Don't overthink it. What I'm saying is, they aren't really your children; they're your brothers and sister. While taking care of them, you need to take care of yourself too."
"With the nanny here, you'll have time to do the things you want to do."
"The thing I want to do is take care of them!" By this point, Fiona's tone had become heavy, her expression stern.
Seeing this, Steve knew he couldn't keep pushing...
But this issue concerned their future...
Steve didn't want to give up just yet. After a brief hesitation, he decided to try again. "Fiona, calm down. Let's talk about this rationally."
Unfortunately.
A second later.
Steve's plan fell apart.
"There's nothing to talk about. I don't need a nanny, and I don't need your money!" Fiona stated her position firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Steve: "..."
What could he say?
This woman was sick.
"Okay, okay. We won't talk about it. Pretend I never said anything. Let's sleep," Steve said resignedly.
Fiona lay back down, fuming.
The small room fell silent.