85-87

Chapter 85: The Valentine's Day Overtime Duo 

"No! No! NO!!!" 

Maroni stared, eyes wide with fury, at the chaotic mess of the restaurant, instinctively letting out a roar of outrage. 

Vernon was right behind Maroni. When he saw the scene of the explosion, he stumbled back a few steps, terrified. He clutched the wads of cash in his arms tighter, his body trembling uncontrollably. Right now, all he wanted was to get out of Maroni's restaurant immediately. 

It was too dangerous. Staying near a major mob figure like Maroni was just too risky. For Vernon, a civilian type, this kind of dual attack – explosions and gunfire – was a bit too much excitement. 

Cody, hiding behind others in the kitchen, heard Maroni's angry shouts and instinctively pursed his lips. Today was his first day back at the restaurant, and it got blown up – the losses this time were far worse than some crystal chandelier, a kitchen fire, or even dealing with Batman at the Red Dragon previously. The whole place, people and building, was wrecked. In other words, Cody might be stuck at home idling for the next two weeks. 

While Cody was lost in thought, Maroni had already sprinted out the door in a few steps. The blazing fire from the burning car lit up the snowy night, and also illuminated a few items placed next to the car. 

"What's this?" 

Maroni, using the firelight, looked down to examine the items at his feet: a .22 caliber pistol with the serial number filed off, a damaged baby pacifier, scattered shell casings, and a Valentine's Day chocolate wrapped in bright red heart-shaped packaging. 

Who was responsible for this? The answer was painfully obvious. 

"Holiday Killer!" 

Maroni gnashed his teeth, spitting out the name that brought hatred, fear, and spread unease throughout Gotham City. He picked up the red chocolate from the ground, clenching his fist in the firelight. 

A giant shadow was cast on the wall by the roaring flames. It raised a fist, waving it furiously, its voice filled with the rage of being provoked. He roared, "Alright! You want war? I'll give you war!" 

... 

Even though Maroni declared such a bold statement, tonight's business definitely had to shut down. Only some people were left behind at the restaurant, while some higher-ups went to arrange repairs and medical help. Smaller fry like Cody were simply given the night off to go home. 

Just as he was walking along, Cody's system prompt chimed again. It was a new one. 

[Ding] 

[You have a new gig available, please check it out] 

[The Valentine's Day Workaholic] [Mission Description: Valentine's Day is a romantic day. Some people are sad, some are happy – but you probably didn't expect someone would be working overtime on this day.] [Note: A message for Harvey could save the Valentine's Day for two families, and perhaps, save something else.] [Status: To Be Completed (0/1)] [Reward: Special Language 20% Discount Card - Intermediate Natural Language Mastery] 

Cody went into the shop to take a look. The price for Intermediate Natural Language Mastery in the shop was 300,000 USD asset points. The 20% discount card could lower the price to 60,000. 

To be fair, the original price was reasonable, considering it was a supernatural ability. The discount was also pretty steep, an 80% off green bar like that on some Steam platform, even for a game like Starfield with its completion status, Cody would at least buy it to see how it was. 

But for now, Cody still felt it was better to save his asset points for unforeseen needs – because this ability didn't seem like something he urgently needed. 

He'd save it. At least this discount card wouldn't expire. 

Thinking this, Cody casually dialed Harvey Dent's number. Over this period, he had also been invited to visit Harvey and his wife's home as a guest. They had become more familiar with each other, and given they already shared a secret, their relationship had become quite good. 

Of course, the downside of having contact with Harvey Dent was being eyed suspiciously by the Falcone family. Fortunately, Cody wasn't considered part of the Falcone family, so he was only viewed with caution, not directly seen as a traitor – his 'exile' back to the Red Dragon might not have been unrelated to this. 

Ring. The call connected. 

"Hello? Harvey, where are you? Can you talk? I have something I want to tell you." 

"Me?" Harvey looked up, glancing at Commissioner Gordon beside him, and the elegant old butler dressed in formal wear. 

"The two gentlemen might be hungry, I'll fetch some refreshments," the old butler smiled, excusing himself, very considerate. 

"No need, Alfred," Harvey waved his hand. "I'll take this outside, I'll be right back." 

... 

Rewind time slightly, back to earlier, when Bruce and Selina were dancing in the square. 

Ding dong. 

The doorbell at Wayne Manor rang. 

The large door opened, and an old butler with a receding hairline opened the door. His expensive, high-class tuxedo was sharp and sophisticated, perfectly complementing his elegant and composed demeanor. Looking at the two guests at the door, he asked, "May I help you, gentlemen?" 

"It's cold out here, can we come in to talk?" Harvey exhaled a puff of smoke standing at the doorway. 

Gordon added from the side, "Ah, the District Attorney and I wanted to know – is Mr. Wayne home, Alfred?" 

"Unfortunately, the Master is not here," Alfred shook his head, but he still made a welcoming gesture. "You are welcome to come in and wait, although..." 

"Okay." 

"Alright." 

Before he could finish speaking, Harvey and Gordon immediately agreed. It was clear their intention to talk to Bruce was very firm. 

The two followed Alfred into Wayne Manor. This magnificent and grand estate was mostly managed by this old gentleman alone – cleaning, cooking, gardening, seasonal maintenance, routine checks and maintenance of various facilities within the manor, including chimneys, fireplaces, security systems, and more. He supervised all these tasks alone, and some work he even had to do himself, and this had gone on for decades. 

Harvey and Gordon walked through the manor, feeling a sense of awe – this Alfred was practically a superhero. 

Arriving by the warm fireplace, Alfred started preparing black tea for the two. Harvey's mood had calmed down by now, and his thoughts about the manor were simply expressed as: "Nice place." 

"You haven't been to Wayne Manor before?" Commissioner Gordon asked instinctively. 

"I was invited to his Halloween party once, but – like I told Gilda, I'm not the type who likes dressing up." 

"Even for the billionaire, Bruce Wayne." 

Alfred smiled gently, replying, "A pity, Mr. Dent." 

"Master Bruce's costume parties are always... quite interesting." 

Chapter 86: Full, This Doggie Can't Eat Anymore 

Mid-February, Valentine's Day. The sky was gradually darkening. Wayne Manor was peaceful. District Attorney Harvey Dent and Commissioner Gordon sat before a warm fireplace. The fire burned brightly, neatly split birch wood and coal quietly burning together in the glowing red flames, occasionally crackling and popping. 

The atmosphere was comforting to them both. Even without mentioning Alfred's brewed black tea, or the comfortable environment of Wayne Manor, or the extraordinary art pieces scattered everywhere with their significant commemorative value, or the large mural depicting the manor's past – just sitting by the warm fireplace, listening to the crisp crackle of burning wood, opening a book by the bright firelight, and slowly reading, was enough to make one forget the cold wind and snow outside the window. 

But neither of them was in the mood to read at the moment. So, Harvey simply strolled around the room, while Gordon occasionally pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. 

Just then, Alfred suddenly spoke, raising his voice slightly. 

"Gentlemen, given that today is Valentine's Day, there is something I feel would be remiss of me not to point out." 

Harvey and Gordon both looked over at him at once, listening as he continued, "Ah, how should I put this? Given Master Bruce's... popularity..." 

"He may not be returning for quite some time." 

Hearing this, Gordon looked up at the huge floor-to-ceiling window near the stairs. Dusk had veiled the sky; the sun was gone. It was nearly night, and Bruce Wayne was still nowhere to be seen. 

He sighed slightly and casually asked, "Harvey, do you want to visit again later?" 

The person behind him didn't respond. 

"Harvey?" 

Gordon turned his head and saw Harvey Dent standing before a large portrait in Wayne Manor, examining it carefully. The portrait showed a handsome man and a gentle woman. The man's features bore a striking resemblance to Bruce's. Undoubtedly, the people in the portrait were the previous head of the Wayne family and his wife. 

"So, that's Bruce's old man, huh?" 

Harvey turned around and pointed a thumb at the man in the portrait: "This gentleman, uh, Alfred, right? You wouldn't just happen to remember someone named 'Falcone' ever visiting here, would you?" 

"To see Dr. Thomas Wayne?" 

Listening to Harvey's questions, Alfred's smile slightly faded. Hearing Harvey's blunt and direct questions, Gordon couldn't help but sigh, taking off his glasses and rubbing his forehead in frustration. 

The butler no longer looked directly at Harvey, but turned his head to look at Commissioner Gordon. "As I said, today is Valentine's Day. I trust you have some... other obligations. Commissioner Gordon, how is Mrs. Gordon? We haven't seen each other in quite some time." 

Gordon's expression instantly changed. He knew this was Alfred the butler's way of seeing them out, but he also knew there was a high probability that Mrs. Gordon was indeed waiting for him at home. 

"Ring, ring, ring—" 

Just then, Harvey's mobile phone suddenly rang. 

"Hello? Harvey, where are you right now? Is it a good time to talk? I have something I need to tell you..." 

Following that, Harvey said goodbye to both of them and went outside to take the call. 

"Alright now, Cody, what do you need to say?" 

"Okay, Harvey, I'll make it short. Listen carefully." 

"First, when I was working at Maroni's restaurant, I saw Vernon and Maroni cozying up, and he took a lot of money from him. I'd say you're being watched." 

"Second, the Holiday Killer paid a visit to Maroni's restaurant. Four people died, a car was blown up. Left behind at the scene were a handgun, a baby pacifier, shell casings, and the kind of Valentine's Day chocolates you find in stores. The scene has already been cleaned up by Maroni, so you don't need to rush over." 

Listening to the news Cody delivered, Harvey couldn't help but clench his fist. 

"Speaking of which, here's a juicy piece of gossip." Cody's voice rang out again, "Today I saw Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle having dinner together. I guess they might be having a romantic sleepless night tonight – heh, I'm not jealous at all." 

This gossip also made Harvey feel bad, because it meant he and Gordon had waited in vain at Wayne Manor today. Bruce most likely wouldn't be coming back tonight. 

...... 

Ten minutes later, Harvey walked back in from outside. Gordon could tell from his expression that he seemed tired, and also somewhat angry and frustrated. 

"Harvey, is something wrong?" 

"No, Gordon." Harvey shook his head. "Nothing major. I can handle it." 

Seeing this, Gordon didn't press further. Instead, he sighed, "Barbara... Harvey, did you remember to get Griselda a Valentine's Day gift?" 

Harvey instantly froze. The gloom on his face temporarily receded, replaced by an expression of despair. He reached up with both hands and covered his cheeks. "No... Oh god, Griselda is going to kill me." 

"Harvey, you haven't hung up yet." 

Just then, Cody's voice suddenly came from Harvey's phone: "Harvey, Commissioner Gordon, long time no see – you two are in luck. I made a few extra boxes of Valentine's chocolates. On my way home, I'll find a way to get a package delivered to your places, marked 'For the Master of the House, Personally.' These chocolates are now what you 'ordered.' Remember not to say the wrong thing when you get home." 

"It's 9:07 PM now. If you hurry, you can still make it home before Valentine's Day is over and maybe beg for a little forgiveness from Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Dent." 

"That's it. I'm done for the day. I should head home and enjoy my bachelor life." 

"That's all. Ciao—" 

A stunned Gordon and Harvey exchanged glances. After a moment, both let out a long breath, as if they had narrowly escaped disaster. At least today's Valentine's Day wasn't a complete waste. 

...... 

"Creak" 

"The delivery guy told me you'd be home soon." 

Barbara, holding a blonde baby, was sitting at the table feeding the baby with a bottle. The food on the table had been reheated, and an unopened package lay beside it. 

"So I just warmed up the food." 

"Barbara..." 

Gordon looked at his smiling wife, momentarily speechless. It wasn't until she pulled him to sit down at the table that he reached out to open the package, taking out a beautifully wrapped heart-shaped chocolate from inside. 

"I... I know I've told you too many times, but I'm still... I'm so sorry." 

"Shh—" 

Barbara gently put a finger to Gordon's lips, took the chocolate from his hand, and then kissed him softly. It felt very familiar, just like the night he proposed to her many years ago. 

"No matter how many times you say it, I never get tired of hearing it..." 

Chapter 87: St. Patrick's Day 

"Breaking News: 'Holiday Killer' Strikes Again, Maroni's Restaurant Attacked!" 

"Car bomb, four dead, multiple injured inside the restaurant. Financial losses still being tallied. Left at the scene: a .22 caliber handgun with no serial number, a damaged baby pacifier, multiple metal shell casings, and Valentine's Day chocolates." 

"Currently, the Gotham City Police Department has launched an investigation into the case." 

The supervisor put down the Gotham Daily and stared blankly at the innocent-looking Cody in front of him. 

He picked up the newspaper again, looked at the news report, and confirmed the date. 

Then he put the newspaper down and looked at Cody again. 

"You mean..." He struggled to organize his thoughts, which were somewhat jumbled by the news, "You just went to Maroni's and served plates for a day." 

"Just one day – I just sent you over yesterday, and then Maroni's restaurant blew up?" 

"Strictly speaking, it's not my fault," Cody tried to maintain a semblance of his image, defending himself, "Yesterday just happened to be Valentine's Day, and the Holiday Killer was planning to make a move that day anyway – so I was just the unlucky guy who got caught up in it." 

"There are many holidays in February, Cody." The supervisor closed the newspaper. "Just the ones I've heard of, and that have already passed, there are quite a few. The Holiday Killer also has many places they could strike, and even if you narrow it down to 'gangsters' restaurants,' there are hundreds in Gotham City." 

"So please, don't underestimate yourself. Don't compare yourself to ordinary folks." 

"You, my friend, are a genuine jinx." 

Cody's face darkened. 

"Alright, my friend." The supervisor shook his head. "Regardless, your work efficiency far exceeded my expectations. Maroni's restaurant was torn to pieces, people and all – this is work I originally thought would take two weeks, or even a month, but you finished it in just one day." 

"Here's sixty thousand dollars – please don't think you don't deserve it, this is what you've earned. Take it." 

"The restaurant has been rebuilt. Go on, go home quickly. Don't come to work here anymore. Your job from now on is to be on standby at home – we'll find you a new place to work." 

"Don't come here to eat either. Try to go to Maroni's restaurants. We have faith in you." 

Cody's face grew even darker. It was truly difficult for him to tell if the supervisor was genuinely praising him or genuinely mocking him, but he could hear that the supervisor was now taking a cautious distance from him. The only thing that offered him a little comfort was that with the supervisor's explicit approval, the sixty thousand dollars in asset points, along with the stacks of cash the supervisor handed him, arrived instantly. 

"Whatever. The supervisor's just a strange guy anyway. I should go get some fries to eat." 

...... 

"Cody, are you completely free this month?" 

"Strictly speaking, you could say that," Cody shrugged. 

"Then can you make us Laba Porridge again?" 

"You've been drinking it all winter, haven't you had enough?" 

Jason nodded and casually stuffed a fry into his mouth. "You haven't made Porridge in a long time. We all think fast food isn't as good as your Porridge." 

"Yeah!" 

"The Porridge is good, the Porridge is good." 

"Please, if there's no Porridge..." 

The group of children eating fries nearby immediately started chirping in agreement. 

"Aren't the meat patties good?" Cody scratched his head. "Maybe the fast food place's cooking isn't great. Next time, I'll buy meat and make them for you." 

He conveniently glanced at the system notification bar. The system mission's active period had already passed. 

【Winter in Gotham City Status: Completed (100%) Reward Activated 'Holiday' attribute effect activated. Cooking the holiday food 'Laba Porridge' grants the attributes 'Harmonizing Nourishment' and 'Body Warming and Cold Dispelling'. Harmonizing Nourishment: Mixed grains, mixed Porridge, Laba Porridge enhances the nutritional supplementation effect for the consumer. Body Warming and Cold Dispelling: Ingredients are warm in nature, warming the body and dispelling cold. Laba Porridge enhances the cold resistance effect for the consumer. Current permanent attribute enhancement for holiday food 'Laba Porridge': 50% Note: This bowl of Porridge is not a reason to run naked in the winter.】 

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore." 

Cody clapped his hands together lightly to attract the children's attention. "Let's review our lesson from last time – Jason, quickly, you go first. After you finish talking about car repair, I'll talk about cooking." 

"No way—" 

The children, who had been happily making noise, suddenly erupted in sounds of agony. This was easily understood; learning was always something people resisted, whether adults or children. 

However, Cody genuinely wanted to rely on teaching to help them learn a skill, because given the situation in Gotham City, growing up through social welfare or foster homes would more or less encounter problems – either gangs recruiting talent or encountering terrible parents. The probability of these situations wasn't low. The fact that homeless children refused to join foster families was not unrelated to these realities. Becoming a cook or a car mechanic, at least, meant not getting stabbed. 

Perhaps, Cody was the earliest vocational school founder in the Gotham homeless children's area? 

Although Gotham's winter had passed, the citizens still couldn't see the sun after the ice and snow melted. The city remained gloomy and rainy. 

"Fantastic..." 

Harvey gazed at the photos on the table, his tone slightly sarcastic, even a little gleeful. The photos showed bodies, pools of bright red blood, and gang members killed in shootouts. Only a month had passed since the Holiday Killer's last crime, but the casualties from the conflict between the two major gangs, Falcone and Maroni, had already far exceeded the total number of victims from all of the Holiday Killer's cases combined. 

"Well, we certainly have a pile of bodies in the city now." 

Commissioner Gordon stood by the window, watching the light stream in through the glass. The greyish-black sky shone through the tinted windowpane, casting patches of dark green light into the room. 

"Maroni thinks Falcone is providing support for the 'Holiday Killer' from behind the scenes. So, he's taking his anger out on the Roman's men." 

"The best part about dealing with these guys is, Jim old buddy – they all want to do our job for us." 

"Our job?" 

Gordon shook his head. "Our job doesn't include murder, Harvey. I do want to stop Falcone and the other gangs, but not like this." 

"Definitely not like this." 

Harvey turned to look at Gordon and shrugged. 

"Of course, of course." 

"Don't take it seriously, Gordon."