Mickey shook his head. "Nothing much. I just suddenly feel like... living this way is pointless."
Hearing that, Mandy realized how serious things were. She was worried. "Because of Dad?"
Mickey offered a faint smile, not wanting to talk about Terry. "Stop rambling. Change your clothes, we're going out."
Mandy paused for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."
Mickey thought for a second, then added, "Wear something... you know, normal."
"...Got it."
The problem was, all the clothes Mandy owned were in that 'bad girl' or 'street thug' style. No matter how hard she tried, she wasn't going to look that normal. Mickey found himself shaking his head with a slight, helpless chuckle, but he didn't press the issue.
The two quickly left and started walking toward Show's Restaurant.
After Dexter arrived, he wasted no time. He quickly grabbed a marker and wrote the lunch specials, quantities, and prices on the whiteboard he'd set up.
The specials were still the same three: Egg Fried Rice, Shredded Pork Fried Rice, and Shredded Pork Noodle Soup with Pickled Cabbage.
Quantity: Fifteen servings.
The price had gone up—to $168 a plate.
In this neighborhood, that price was absolutely insane. Naturally, people walking by saw it and pretty much decided Dexter had lost his mind. They started buzzing and arguing about it, with a few of the neighborhood busybodies stopping right outside the door to voice their opinions.
Inside the restaurant, Veronica, who was dressed in a sharp black blazer and looked like a completely different person, and Vivian, dressed in her usual style, had already cleaned up and were sitting, waiting for customers.
They weren't just sitting idle, though. Veronica was scrolling on her phone. Vivian was engrossed in a book about vampires.
The terrifying $168 price tag effectively shut the door on most people in the area. So, even though there was a crowd outside, nobody had come in yet.
Vivian was totally chill about it, believing someone would walk in eventually. Veronica, however, was starting to get a little antsy. She kept glancing at the crowd and wondering if she should suggest that Dexter just cook one plate. Veronica was sure that if those people outside just got a whiff of that aroma, someone would definitely come inside.
---
Mickey and Mandy arrived outside Show's Restaurant, standing behind the laughing crowd that was basically waiting for the place to go out of business.
Mandy saw the crowd and the empty restaurant with no customers and was confused. "What's the deal? Why isn't anyone going in?" Since she was behind the crowd, Mandy couldn't see the price on the whiteboard yet.
Mickey was a little puzzled too, but he didn't care much. "Who cares? We're going in."
After telling Mandy that, Mickey immediately opened his mouth and, out of habit, yelled at the people in front of him, "Hey! Get out of the way! Don't block the road!"
Mickey's name still carried a lot of weight in this area. Hearing his voice, everyone turned and saw him.
Swoosh.
The crowd immediately parted like the Red Sea.
The spectacle... honestly, Mickey was loving the VIP treatment. He grinned, feeling high on his own power, momentarily forgetting his earlier dark thoughts. He started swaggering toward the restaurant door.
Mandy watched Mickey and shook her head, thinking, "Guess I worried for nothing."
The thought had barely crossed her mind when she finally saw the whiteboard. She was instantly stunned and realized why the place was empty. She quickly grabbed Mickey. "Mickey! Look at the price! This place is straight-up highway robbery!"
Mickey was still soaking in his moment of glory when Mandy grabbed him. He heard what she said and finally noticed the whiteboard and the price.
Mickey was just as shocked.
In the past, with his personality, a ridiculous price like that would have made him start screaming obscenities right away. Now...
He still had the urge to curse them out, but he held back.
Why?
First, he heard the food here was incredible.
Second, and most importantly, he knew Dexter owned the place.
He wouldn't admit it, but he was seriously intimidated by Dexter—the guy whose background was a mystery, who carried a gun, and who looked like he wouldn't hesitate to kill someone.
"It's fine, I've got the cash. Come on, if the food sucks, we just won't pay," Mickey said with a confident, cocky laugh.
Mandy: "..."
The onlookers outside heard that and were immediately pumped. They weren't leaving now; they were practically vibrating with excitement, hoping to see Mickey cause some trouble inside.
Mandy was beyond annoyed. She didn't want to be part of any trouble and didn't want Mickey stirring things up again, so she didn't let go. She kept pulling on him. "Mickey, let's just go."
Mickey grinned, figuring out what Mandy was worried about. He swallowed his pride and changed his story. "I was just messing around. I know the owner. Let's go in."
"Seriously?" Mandy was skeptical.
"Seriously, I promise," Mickey replied.
Mandy thought it over for a second. "Fine."
The two walked into the restaurant under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
---
Seeing them, Veronica felt a headache coming on. She didn't get up right away and subconsciously thought about having Vivian handle them. After all, they were Milkoviches...
But then, seeing Vivian put down her book and start to move, Veronica changed her mind. It wasn't about stealing a customer; she just didn't want Mickey and Mandy to annoy Vivian.
"Mickey, Mandy, have a seat," Veronica said, standing up with a professional smile.
Seeing that, Vivian stopped moving and went back to her book.
"Congrats. I heard the pay here is great. You really hit the jackpot, huh?" Mickey said to Veronica.
Veronica kept her smile fixed. "Yep, definitely lucky."
A moment later, Mickey and Mandy were seated.
"What would you guys like to eat?" Veronica asked, ever the professional. "We have Egg Fried Rice, Shredded Pork Fried Rice, and Shredded Pork Noodle Soup with Pickled Cabbage. The price is the same for all of them."
Mickey and Mandy hadn't tried any of the three dishes.
"Where's your boss? I know him. Let him recommend something," Mickey said.
The moment the words left his mouth—
Speak of the devil.
Dexter had been in the kitchen, heard Mickey and Mandy's names, put down what he was doing, and walked out.
He instantly spotted Mickey and Mandy, who, from a certain perspective, were considered the 'Pure Love Warrior' pairing of the area...
Dexter cracked up, beaming.
"I'm here," he said with a smile.
Mickey already knew, so he didn't react much. "Long time no see. Didn't realize you got into the racket of robbing people for a living."
"Haha, well, then I guess we're colleagues," Dexter shot back, walking over to Mickey and Mandy.
"..." Mickey wasn't sure how to respond. After a moment, he thought, "So, you gotta treat us to this meal, right? Your prices are too high; we can't afford that!"
"Nope," Dexter replied, standing next to them, super quick and decisive.
Mickey had no choice and didn't want to make a scene. "Fine, whatever. So, what's good? Give us a recommendation."
"It's all good," Dexter replied just as quickly. "You should get the Shredded Pork Fried Rice."
Then, Dexter shifted his gaze slightly to Mandy, who was still dressed like a street punk. "Mandy, you should try the noodles. My treat. Sound good?"
Mandy: "Wait, what??"
Mickey was baffled. "What the hell? You just said you weren't treating us!"
Dexter laughed in return. "I'm not treating you. I'm treating your sister."
Mickey: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"