Chapter 742 Gotham 1990

The early spring in Gotham is far from being as gentle as in the wilderness. In this season of growth, the cold wind still howls every night.

However, the sound of the wind outside the window cannot cover the sound of the blazing fireplace. Merkel, who was cold, put the firewood he had just taken from the warehouse back into the fireplace.

The flames made his shadow very long. In the hall without lights on, the outline of each piece of furniture was looming in the light and shadow of the flames.

Footsteps came from the stairs. Merkel stood up and looked back. He walked quickly towards Schiller who had just come downstairs and took his coat from the hanger next to him. After Schiller put on his coat, he picked up a black umbrella from the umbrella stand.

Merkel looked down at his watch and said, "Sir, the opera tonight doesn't start until nine o'clock. Do you have an appointment with someone?"

"Yes, someone asked me to have dinner at the restaurant next to the Grand Theater. He called the school directly to find me, so you didn't know." Schiller adjusted his tie in front of the mirror. Merkel picked up the duster and dusted off the dust on the corner of his clothes. He said, "It seems that this is a modern gentleman. He asked you to have dinner and called the school directly."

"Yes, after all, this year is 1990. New Year, new atmosphere, many old orders should be retired."

After that, Schiller walked out of the gate and got on the car that he had arranged in advance. Through the car window, he could see that the road was extremely prosperous. The originally declining West District Manor District became brightly lit again.

After the logistics business in Gotham developed better and better, the corresponding supporting service facilities were also developing continuously. The catering business in the East District was extremely popular, especially those local restaurants with small stores, even slightly poor and shabby, which became the favorites of dock workers and truck drivers.

Every restaurant near a logistics cluster has these characteristics. The ingredients may not be the best, but the quantity must be large enough. If it has its own flavor and characteristics and can be spread by word of mouth among drivers, porters, construction workers and other groups, then there is absolutely no need to worry about business.

Just as Schiller was sitting in the car and heading to a restaurant near the Grand Theater to keep an appointment, Copperbot was also sitting in the car, going from the North District to the East District to prepare for the opening of the Iceberg Restaurant.

Before deciding to open a restaurant, he did a long investigation, so he chose the location in the East District.

Most of the restaurants here meet the criteria mentioned above. Sitting in the car and looking out the window, the roads here are still a bit shabby. Compared with the re-prosperous West District, there are no luxurious Gothic facades, no cursive letters, no restaurant signs written in French, and no waiters in suits and leather shoes whose reflections are brighter than lights.

Cobert saw that all the restaurants here had no decent facades. Most of them were renovated from the first floor of residential houses. There was a small round window for handing out food and a wooden door. There was an awning on the wooden door. Next to the awning was a sign that said what was sold here.

French lamb chops and Italian desserts were not popular here at all. As the vehicle slowly moved forward, it entered the commercial street with the most traffic. The most popular restaurant there was called "Anderson Old Street Steak House".

The steaks here were not the kind of high-end steaks that were placed on exquisite porcelain plates. After being cut, they were slightly red and would ooze juice. Cobert, who had investigated the suppliers and supply channels, knew best that Anderson, the old bastard, was reluctant to buy good beef. He would only buy the cheapest one.

The steaks here were not authentic. The most famous dish here was called Old Street Secret Steak, which was poured on the steak with a large bowl of chili sauce. The secret chili sauce was Anderson's capital for making a living here.

The small steakhouse has less than ten tables, all of which are now full of people, and many people are squatting outside the door to enjoy their meals.

Gotham is cold and damp all year round, and spicy food here is very popular. Cobblepot has taken advantage of this and found a Mexican to make chili sauce for him. At the same time, people who do physical labor always crave a lot of meat and carbohydrates. The bigger and thicker the steak, the better. If you can have some juice to dip in bread, it will be even better.

Cobblepot recalled the menu of his restaurant. Of course, he did not forget to put a large thick-cut steak with bread as the first main course.

At the moment when the car whizzed past, the "dinglingling" car bell rang. Cobblepot looked out the right window and saw a dozen children outside a bakery. Some were moving boxes, some were packing bread, and some were counting milk.

Cobblepot also did this kind of work for a while, just when his mother was just admitted to a mental hospital. Of course, he went to deliver bread and milk, not just to make money, but more importantly to find out the activities of these vendors.

He has a huge ambition in his heart. He hopes that these children can be used by him, and in the end he did it. Now he is the real king of children in Gotham.

It sounds like this is not a very impressive title, but the locals in Gotham know that the person with this title will definitely have a place in the upper class of Gotham, and his foundation is more solid than anyone else.

In the process of the development of the logistics industry, it is not without setbacks. The previous snowstorm dealt a heavy blow to the newly developed industry in Gotham, but it made the children of Gotham develop better and better.

The heavy snow blocked the door, the weather was cold and the roads were congested. It was impossible to go out to work. Everyone stayed at home. What about food, drink and firewood?

Most people would not choose to buy by themselves. On the one hand, they don’t know which store has the goods. If they go there in the cold wind and go through so much effort, but are told that the goods are sold out, wouldn’t it be a wasted trip?

This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!

On the other hand, in a city full of gangs, a strong adult who walks around in other people’s territory at will is easy to be shot.

But the children don’t have this worry. They are originally doing this. They know which bakery has stock and where to get the freshest warm milk, seasoning beer, and daily necessities. They know it very well.

The gangs don’t care about these children, nor do they regard their intrusion into the territory as a provocation. Moreover, they know too many small roads, especially underground passages. As long as they pay a little errand fee, they can get newspapers, bread, milk, beer, and everything.

Cobert figured out their veins in a short time, and because the previous child king was involved in Constantine’s affairs, he has now been sacrificed to the devil.

Afterwards, several gangs of children fought fiercely in order to compete for the throne of the king of children. At the beginning, Cobblepot, who came out halfway, was questioned by many people.

However, the ambition and wisdom of the Penguin are unquestionable. He can successfully sit on the throne of the king of children, not only by violence, but more importantly, he can make money with everyone.

No child has such strength as him, who can coordinate all the children in Gotham, rearrange suitable positions and the most efficient routes for them, so that they can double their daily income, and there will be no conflicts because of snatching customers.

The bakery in the East District will sell milk part-time. Every morning, fresh milk will be delivered to the bakery from the ranch outside the city. Children can buy bread and milk directly here. According to different customer groups, they may have to go to the tobacco shop and bar to buy cigarettes and beer, and go to the newsstand to buy a newspaper.

Cobblepot set these things into different packages. If someone only buys bread and milk, then the vendors will recommend them to add a newspaper. If someone often buys cigarettes and beer, the vendors will recommend him a breakfast package.

During the previous snowstorm, they were trapped at home and had no choice but to drive these children to buy things, but after they developed the habit, they felt that this was indeed very convenient.

Every morning before getting up, hot milk and steaming bread were already waiting outside the door. Every evening when they wanted to drink, they could have a drink without going to the bar.

After a few months, most of the citizens of Gotham had bought the full set meal.

An ordinary family of three in the East District would order a pound of ordinary white bread and a bottle of milk for breakfast. Those with better conditions would also add two slices of bacon and ham, plus a newspaper.

As for those who like to buy cigarettes and alcohol, they usually order it the day before and it will be delivered the next day, and the same goes for daily necessities.

Although the East District is a slum, because the overall economic level of Gotham is good and the materials are relatively abundant, the people here are not so poor that they go hungry for nine meals in three days. The biggest problem of the Gotham slums is that the living conditions are very poor, there are frequent water and power outages, and diseases caused by poor hygiene.

The slum renovation work in the living hell is going very smoothly. Now it has reached the third phase. The entire periphery of the living hell has been completely renovated. However, when it was implemented in more distant places, it encountered great resistance.

The living and sanitary conditions in the living hell have reached the point where it is unbearable, but other places are not so serious. And because people are not starving to death, many people are not so eager to improve their living environment, and even many people think that it is better to keep it as it is.

A local who has lived here since childhood, has never been to school, and has almost no contact with other places, has no urgent need to improve his life. After all, life is not impossible.

They envy those old men who live in manors and go to theaters and high-end restaurants every day. They occasionally have such dreams, but this does not mean that they are willing to let their houses be renovated into a mess.

The living habits of this generation have been formed. They have no higher pursuits. As long as they have enough food and their houses do not leak, it will be fine. So in the end, the problem goes around and around and returns to education.

If they want to accept the change from the bottom of their hearts, they must improve their education level and make them realize that this living environment and sanitation are abnormal. However, it is very unlikely that this generation will be educated from scratch, so in the end, they still have to start with the children.

This is why the Godfather allowed Cobert to change the original luxurious mansion into an ordinary restaurant. This will allow the children here to see another society that is different from the environment they live in. They must have the motivation to climb up before they have the motivation to receive education.

Cobert took a car to the Iceberg Restaurant. At this time, the children who had changed into waiter uniforms stood in a row and were listening to a waiter telling them the job requirements.

"First, I want to teach you how to clean. I don't know if you have done this kind of work, but it's actually very simple. Everyone is divided into three groups, one group is responsible for dry cleaning, one group is responsible for wet cleaning, and the remaining group is responsible for changing water. What you have to do is to clean the floor, tables and chairs here..."

"Those who are stronger will go to the water changing team, and those who are weakest will go to the cleaning team. You, yes, that's you. Has your fever gone?" The waiter called out the thinnest little boy among them, and he stretched out his hand to touch He touched the little boy's head and said, "No, your fever has not gone away. Go back and take another pill, and then go and lie down."

But who knows, the little boy trembled and said: "I can work... I'm not sick, I can wipe the floor, I have done it before..."

"Yes, if you take a rag and wash it in cold water, you will die tonight. Do you expect me to get up in the middle of the night and throw your body into the trash can?" Cobot walked forward quickly. While saying: "If you all die like this, who will do the work?"

The waiter urged the little boy and said, "Go quickly. If you are well tomorrow, we will call you."

The little boy sniffed, and the fear on his face weakened slightly. He nodded and walked away.

After the remaining children started working, Cobot discovered that they actually didn't know how to work at all, and couldn't even do the simplest job of mopping the floor.

The oldest of these children is only seven or eight years old, and they are extremely thin due to long-term malnutrition. They can hardly do any physical work, but in fact, the area to be eradicated is not large. With the cooperation of nine children, it should be completed quickly. .

But they wiped the floor in a haphazard manner. Instead of mopping backwards, they wiped forward. As soon as they finished wiping, they were soiled by footprints again. Two people worked together to wipe a chair, and the surface of the chair was so reflective that it became reflective. The legs were not brushed at all.

Cobot stood there and watched for a while. He was not angry. Instead, he turned to the waiter and said, "Is Mrs. George here? Ask her to come over and teach them how to work. In addition to mopping the floor, they You also have to learn to boil water, serve dishes, shine shoes, carry luggage, close umbrellas and other tasks that waiters do..."

The waiter shook his head and said: "Mopping the floor and serving dishes are okay, but other tasks require a lot of strength. Maybe we should try to see if they can do it..."

"It's not like I haven't hired professional waiters like you. Tomorrow, they will come to report. One person will take care of two children and let them help first. If they really can't do this job, let them deliver newspapers. "

After Cobot finished speaking, he turned around and went upstairs without making any more arrangements. His attention never completely fell on these children, as if he didn't care about them at all, but when those children saw his behavior attitude, but they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Because they know that if Cobot puts all his energy on them like his original parents, it means that he will definitely want to recover ten times and a hundred times the reward from them.

If Cobot doesn't care much about them, how well they work, or how much money they make, it means that he is actually very rich and does not need to squeeze them to make money.

After arriving upstairs, Cobot stood on the balcony of the mansion building. From here, he could see the lights of the dock. Although it had started to rain lightly, the dock was still busy with traffic. Countless goods were moved from cargo ships to trucks. Stored in cold storage.

It won't take long for these goods to be taken out of the cold storage, put on other vehicles, and sent to various parts of the East Coast.

Gotham has now become the largest cold chain transportation distribution center on the East Coast, covering the entire Gotham underground natural cold storage, becoming the trump card for this megacity's sustainable industry turnaround.

The cold chain industry can serve as the economic pillar of a city. Generally speaking, the cold chain industry in coastal cities does not exist in isolation. Most of them will also cooperate with fishery, light processing industry and tourism.

Such supporting industries may not necessarily make this city a first-tier city, but they can indeed become the basis for economic development.

The problem is that Gotham has no way to develop fisheries, light processing industries and tourism, and the cold chain industry alone cannot replace those unsustainable gray or even black industries.

"It is indeed much better now." Gordon put down the fork in his hand and wiped his mouth and said: "For the security of a city, the most terrifying thing is that there are homeless people everywhere, but on the contrary, if everyone has If you work hard, the chance of committing a crime will be much smaller.”

"Working consumes physical strength. Gangster gangs consume physical strength, but also bleed and get injured. Working can make money, and gangsters may be able to expand their territory, but the benefits may not be as much as working, so why not work? What?" Schiller said as he cut the steak on the plate.

"Yes, that's it. The gang bosses I often deal with all say this. The people below are too busy to hold guns. He said that if I drove a police car along the entire street and patrolled it, I might not be able to touch it. The last person to shoot at me was something I couldn’t imagine before,” Gordon said with great emotion.

He held the wine glass, leaned back on his chair and said, "But the most important issue now is the education of the children."

"There are 23 community elementary schools in the entire Gotham. It may sound like a lot, but for a large city on the East Coast, this number is pitifully small. Even if it is not compared with the metropolis, it is only compared with Bludhaven. Bruder Haven is only one-fifth the size of Gotham, but they have 16 elementary schools.”

"This is actually against the law, but because the mayor had no force before, no changes were made at all."

"There are even fewer middle schools, and there is only one university. This kind of educational conditions, even in the west, can be said to be weak and pitiful."

Schiller tapped the table lightly with his fingertips and asked: "Do you think it's because the people in Gotham are unwilling to receive education that there are few schools, or because there are few schools, the people in Gotham are unwilling to receive education?

Gordon was stunned for a moment and said, "I think it's the former, because I saw in the file that there were originally more than forty schools in Gotham City, but later, many schools were closed due to various reasons, including public security The reasons account for the vast majority.”

Schiller shook his head and said, "I think it's the latter."

"Want to hear the details," Gordon said.

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!

"Some time ago, I read the book "The History of Urban Construction on the East Coast" which mentioned the situation in Gotham. Initially, all the schools in Gotham were established by churches or privately invested by wealthy families, and there were almost no municipal elementary schools."

"The church and private primary schools have a monopoly on education here, which has resulted in the vast majority of citizens losing the opportunity to receive education. Church primary schools only allow a very small number of citizens to enroll, and privately invested private primary schools are only for the children of the wealthy. open."

"Later, the security of Gotham City began to get worse and worse. Some wealthy people left here, investment was interrupted, leading to the dereliction of schools. Later, the church began to no longer pay attention to this sinful place. Now, it is still open The primary school is either invested by the Twelve Family or the Wayne Family.”

"No matter the quantity or quality, it is impossible to support the educational requirements of such a large city. Over time, the vast majority of Gotham citizens are limited by their educational level and unable to engage in technical jobs."

Gordon fell into deep thought and said, "I haven't really paid attention to this issue, but why were there no public elementary schools when Gotham was built? Didn't the state Legislature care?"

Schiller shook his head. Lucifer had previously erased the existence of the Court of Owls, but Gotham has not changed for the better. This means that the setting of Gotham as Sin City may be the basic rule of the DC universe. The Court of Owls If it is wiped out, there may be other forces.

In short, someone must have artificially interfered with the educational development of Gotham. Otherwise, there would not be a city in the United States at the end of the 20th century where the vast majority of people had never even attended elementary school.

“If you want to improve the education level of citizens, you have to open primary schools. If you want to open primary schools, you have to have money. If you want to have money, you have to develop new industries. If you want to develop new industries, you have to improve the education level of citizens. It’s a dead cycle. "Gordon covered his forehead with his hands and said, "But if companies and gangs are involved in school construction, it won't work."

"The gangs have spontaneously started to set up schools." Schiller said as he put a piece of shrimp steak into his mouth: "But they are destined not to develop systematic education. If they lack electricians, they will pull people to learn electricians. If they lack security guards, they will pull people. In security training, no one wants to teach grammar, calculation, art and thinking logic at the same time.”

"That's the problem." Schiller shook his head and said: "They have no way of understanding what systematic education is teaching. They think it is very correct to learn whatever they don't know."

"Actually, I was thinking about this problem before." Gordon touched his cheek and said, "I used to think, I don't plan to be a musician, so why should I take music classes? The work I do now doesn't require calculation, then Why should I learn arithmetic?”

"Again, the process of learning these things is actually helping people establish their way of thinking, but it is difficult for you to explain these things to the gangs. They hope to see the results tomorrow."

Schiller tapped the plate lightly with his fork and said: "I discussed this matter with Victor and Anna. We think we can open a vocational middle school so that people who want to learn technology can go there."

"Learning technology can improve their living standards, broaden their horizons, understand the outside world, and realize the significance of systematic education. Then, they may allow their children to receive systematic education like people in other cities. , which is a relatively conservative approach.”

Gordon nodded in agreement, but Schiller said: "The problem is that this technical school must maintain its purity. We cannot let this turn into a gang war."

"Some gangs hope that their men will have more electricians, and some gangs manage tap water. Naturally, they need talents in this field. Even the Twelve Families have their own priorities. They want the school to only teach this subject, okay? So they can cram in more students, but you know, that's not possible."

Gordon sighed with regret and said: "In a city where no amount of force can suppress the gangs, it is very difficult to confront them. The Gotham Police Department may be able to perform some security work, but we certainly can't deal with ten "Second Family."

"What if the Wayne family comes in?" Schiller asked.

"But there is absolutely no need for him to do this." Gordon shook his head and said, "Everyone knows that this must be a troublesome matter. Which department recruits more people, which department recruits fewer people, how many people can be admitted into each family, How to distribute the big gangs and small gangs... This will cause a lot of conflicts. "

And Gordon hesitated and said: "I always feel that Bruce has not turned a corner. I don't know what he thinks. He seems to just want to save this city and save everyone here."

Schiller showed a smile and asked: "Why do you ask such a question? Don't you think so?"

Gordon shook his head helplessly and said: "No, we are different. Batman wants to send all patients to hospitals, send all criminals to prisons, and send all children to schools. He wants to keep everyone in To create a perfect society.”

"I'm not saying this is wrong, but we all know that this is unrealistic. Maybe he knows it too, or maybe he thinks that if he can practice with such a high goal and save one person, it is at least a good thing."

Schiller looked at Gordon and asked: "Who do you think, Batman or Bruce, can save Gotham?"

"If it was Batman who asked me this question, I would definitely say it was him." Gordon pursed his lips and said, "I hope to give every good person the answer they want to hear, but because it is you who asked this question, A professor of psychology, so all I can say is that I’m more optimistic about Bruce.”

This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading!

"We all know that Bruce Wayne is a rich man. Rich people in this world do things much simpler, and the same is true when it comes to saving people."

"Then do you know why he is unwilling to do this?" Schiller lowered his head to eat, and then asked: "Do you know why, he would rather spend a lot of money to maintain that ridiculously expensive armor, and then go and fight with criminals? Fist, saving people one by one, are you not willing to save the city as Bruce? "

Gordon shook his head and said, "That's what I can't figure out the most. It's just money, why not spend it on something more useful?"

"Have you ever thought about it, maybe someone has done this, but it was unsuccessful and paid a huge price, which led to him resisting doing this all the time." Schiller said.

"But I don't think Batman is so easily swayed. Even if others fail, he will feel that he may not fail. He is a very enterprising person who will not be swayed by others." Gordon spread his hands and said. .

"What if this person is his parents?"

Gordon was silent.

"A wealthy businessman, a generous philanthropist, and a kind-hearted rich man, these identities did not bring a good ending for his parents. The Waynes tried to save the city, but in the end, they died, and Bruce Witnessed it all.”

"If it were you, would you take this road again?" Schiller looked at Gordon and asked.

Gordon was silent for a long time, and Schiller continued: "We regard Bruce Wayne's soul as the identity of a third person. He has two choices, either becoming Bruce Wayne or becoming Batman."

"His reason will definitely tell him that the road to becoming Bruce Wayne is much simpler. There are too many resources at his disposal. If combined with his wisdom, he may really be able to save this city. City."

"His reason will also tell him that the road to becoming Batman is too difficult. Saving a city of sin by fighting crime sounds like a joke."

"People seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. If someone violates this innate instinct, it means that there must be a reason driving him to do so. Most of the time, this driving force comes from the heart."

"At least in my observation..." Schiller paused and said, "He hates the identity of Bruce Wayne. He doesn't want to be Bruce Wayne."

"He became Batman not because he wanted to be Batman, but because he didn't want to be Bruce Wayne and he didn't want to make the same mistakes his parents made, and he was afraid of that."

Schiller sighed softly and said: "When he was Bruce Wayne, he also kept doing charity. He spent a lot of money, but his purpose was not to save people, just to spend money. He I feel like Bruce Wayne can't save anyone, just like he can't save his parents."

"He doesn't have any hope for Bruce Wayne, because if Bruce Wayne can't save his parents, he can't save anyone."

Gordon looked at his plate and said: "I feel very sorry for his tragic childhood, but if this continues, he may go to the other extreme."

"His parents chose a happy family and a peaceful life, and did not use violent means to deal with the city, but they fell to violence because of it. Batman, on the other hand, had he chosen violence, then he might not have Having a family again.”

Gordon showed a sad expression and said: "...I am the same way. I really hope that he can realize this early and maybe there is a chance to redeem himself."

"He will."

After Schiller finished speaking, he turned to look out the window of the restaurant. The night was getting darker, the rain was getting heavier, and the manor buildings were looming in the rising rain and fog.

When the wind blows over the roofs of the manor area, everyone feels frightened by those sharp Gothic spiers. When it blows into Wayne Manor through the warm windows, it does not become warm.

"Now, you go to bed, go to sleep, understand? Don't stand here, don't look at me like this, lie on the bed, and then fall asleep, is it difficult?" Bruce pressed his hands on the shoulders of an extremely thin little girl. said to her.

This little girl was one of the children he brought to the hospital before. The other children were already lying on the hospital bed for treatment, but she was the only one. No matter how much Batman tried to persuade her, she would just cry and cry. It barks but only runs away and bites.

The little girl kept looking up at him, her big eyes full of fear, but she didn't move at all. When Bruce tried to hug her, she ran away and forced her into a corner. She bit, couldn't speak or communicate. , like a crazy wild cat.

Bruce squatted on the spot and covered his eyes with his hands. He said, "Then can you tell me what you want to do?"

The little girl turned to look at the window. Bruce closed his eyes hard and said, "It's raining outside, and you have a high fever now. If you go out, you will die immediately. Why don't you understand?"

Bruce felt that what he said was very clear. Even Aisha could completely understand what he said, but this little girl seemed to not understand anything.

Bruce even had the illusion that she was deliberately going against him, but when he calmed down, he felt that this was impossible. He was not abusing her. Why on earth would she do this?

"Dick, Dick! You come here and look at her while I look for a book." Bruce called Dick over and asked him to look at the little girl. He went to his study and got a book on child psychology.

This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading!

This is his textbook. He didn't read it carefully in the past, but now he must read it carefully.

After watching for a long time, Bruce discovered that the little girl should have stress-trauma disorder, which is a disease that often occurs in abused children. The treatment suggestions given were to establish a sense of security for her, especially to establish a sense of security for her. A safe environment.

Bruce raised his head and looked at Wayne Manor. He felt that there was no safer place in the world than here.

The hall is paved with warm-colored floors, and all the furniture is made of solid wood. The flame burning in the fireplace is very strong, bringing a cozy warmth. The windows and doors are sealed tightly, so that no cold wind can blow in.

If it wasn't safe here, wouldn't it be safer in those dark, cramped alleys?

Bruce felt that the comfort he had done was much more than what was written in the book. He kept asking, caring, and taking care of her, but it had no effect at all. Not only did she not respond, she refused to give injections, take medicine, eat, or Drinking water and exhibiting aggressive behavior.

After tossing until midnight, Bruce felt that he was very tired. Fortunately, the little girl was also tired. Her physical strength could not support it for so long, so she just passed out. Fortunately, Alfred checked him and fed him. After taking some medicine, the fever gradually subsided, and now I just need to rest.

Bruce leaned on the sofa and wiped his face. He felt sleepy coming, and at this time, he heard the sound of "ta-ta-ta-ta" footsteps. Dick, who had already changed into pajamas, came down the stairs, holding in his hand Also holding a pillow.

In the dark hall, only the fire in the fireplace was lit, and the outlines of the furniture were clearly visible. Bruce had the illusion that the scene he had lived in for so many years was unfamiliar.

"What's wrong, Dick?" Bruce asked, perking up.

"I just... I just want to ask, what happened to that little girl... what happened to her?"

"...She's sick." Bruce replied: "This may make her a little irritable, but she will be fine soon. Don't worry, just go back to sleep."

Dick sighed, walked over to Bruce and sat down. He was next to Bruce, and Bruce could even feel his body temperature. Dick turned his head, looked up at Bruce and said, "I have something to say to you."

"Go ahead." Bruce didn't look at him.

The firelight of the fireplace shines on the two people, and the light and shadow pass over the body. When the two figures, one large and one small, sit side by side on the sofa, there is always a sense of warmth, like the scene of a father-son conversation engraved in human genes. .

"I think... that little girl may not want to stay here." Dick hesitated and said, "She may not like us very much."

Dick rubbed the pillow in his hand and said, "In other words, she is in pain. Staying here makes her suffer. We shouldn't let her suffer, right?"

"Why does staying here cause her pain?" Bruce asked, "There are medicines and food here, a safe room, and a soft bed. Why does this make him suffer?"

"If it makes her suffer here, do I have to send her back to the place where she originally stayed? That shabby shed with a piece of iron sheet casually erected between two alleys as a roof?"

"I don't know." Dick leaned to the other side and said, "I just think that if she feels uncomfortable, we should think about why she feels uncomfortable and try to make her life as good as possible. "

"I'm trying to do that." Bruce said in a higher voice: "He has taken the medicine now and is asleep, which means there is progress."

"But she fainted from exhaustion..." Dick whispered, "I just saw that she was frowning when she was sleeping..."

Suddenly, a "bang" sound came, startling Dick. He saw Bruce banging the table with his hand. He immediately stood up, stood one meter away from the coffee table, and then looked at Bruce. .

Suddenly, Bruce lowered his head, took a deep breath, and said, "Go back to sleep, Dick...go back to sleep."

Dick faced him and took two steps back until he was out of the range of the light source, then turned and ran upstairs. Bruce leaned on the sofa alone, listening to the sound of night rain outside the window, and then fell asleep.

The next morning, there was no Dick on the dining table. Alfred explained, "Master Dick left early today. He went to school."

Bruce nodded without saying anything. However, Dick did not come back until the evening. Bruce asked Alfred, "Can't he go home on Monday and Tuesday? Why didn't he come back?"

"Master Dick just asked the newspaper boy to send a letter back. The content was roughly that he was too busy with school and had to stay overnight for a few days."

Bruce took the letter from Alfred. He saw the handwriting on it, but he couldn't recognize it. He remembered that he had glanced at Dick's homework book last time, and the handwriting on it was still very immature.

But now, the English on this letter has some cursive style, which looks like a letter written by an adult. Bruce found that he had never paid attention to these changes.

And when it started raining again in Gotham, he was still sitting alone on the sofa, accompanied by only the dark and heavy bells in the manor.

Before he fell asleep, he clenched his fists, as if he had made a decision, but as he fell asleep, he relaxed his arms, his fingertips trembling slightly with his breathing, as if playing the firelight of the fireplace.

On this cold night in Gotham in 1990, all that could be seen were the fleeting lightning in the sky and the shadows of clouds hidden in the rain and fog in the distance under the light.