Dexter and Bianca were just stepping out, preparing to head to the hospital for Bianca's shift.
Seeing Ian and Carl, Ding couldn't help but smile.
Yesterday afternoon, Peg had called to inform him that Ian was moving out of the Gallagher house.
This was too amusing.
So, why not add a little joy and let Carl and Ian experience the warmth of the outside world?
Of course he should.
"Carl, Ian," Ding acted immediately, calling out.
Carl genuinely liked Ding. He was walking away, but hearing the voice, he turned around instantly, saw Ding, and ran toward him with a smile, answering, "Ding."
Seeing Carl run off, Ian hesitated for a moment, then followed.
Ding flashed a brilliant smile at Carl. "Open your mouth."
"????" Carl was confused, but obediently opened his mouth wide.
Ding pretended to inspect it, then turned to Bianca. "Do you think he needs braces to straighten his teeth?"
Bianca understood Ding's intent. She squatted down immediately and examined Carl's teeth carefully.
After a thorough look.
"He's only ten, right? A few teeth are growing in crooked. Braces would be best, otherwise, they'll get worse," Bianca said to Ding.
Ding turned to Carl. "How about it? Come with us to the hospital. Get you some braces, and a check-up while we're at it. I always feel you're unhealthily skinny."
"I think my teeth are a bit crooked too, but I don't have money," Carl touched his teeth, speaking frankly.
"You're my unofficial employee now. I'll pay," Ding smiled. "Or, you can compliment Bianca a lot, and then Dr. Bianca will pay."
Bianca: "..."
Carl immediately beamed at Bianca. "Beautiful Dr. Bianca..."
Bianca, being thin-skinned, couldn't handle it. She interrupted hurriedly, "Stop! Get in the car. Ding is paying. Once we're at the hospital, I'll find you a good doctor."
"Awesome!" Carl was delighted and hopped into the car quickly.
Ian didn't move. Watching Carl like this, he couldn't help but smile. He thanked Ding. "Thanks."
"No problem," Ding replied, then told Bianca, "Wait for me in the car for two minutes. I need to chat with Ian."
Bianca nodded obediently and got in.
Ding took out a cigarette and offered one to Ian. "I heard from Peg you moved over."
Ian took the cigarette. "Yeah."
"Trouble with Mickey? Need my help?" Ding saw Mickey at the Alibi last night. As a romantic warrior, Mickey basically had "trouble in paradise" written all over his face.
Ian was startled. "What did Mickey tell you?"
Ding smiled and shook his head. "Someone like him? How could he say anything?"
"Then how?" Ian was puzzled.
"I ran into Mickey at the Alibi last night. He drank a lot. I could tell," Ding replied.
Ian fell silent.
As a Gallagher, Ian instinctively resisted asking for help. After two seconds of silence, he shook his head. "Thanks, but I'll handle it myself."
Ding smiled and didn't insist.
Rushing to offer help wasn't his style.
"Alright. If you need help, you can find me," Ding said casually.
Ian nodded.
"I'm off then," Ding didn't say more. Dropping the sentence, he turned, got in the car, and drove Bianca and Carl toward the hospital.
Ian will handle it himself.
How?
Although Ding didn't know how serious it was, based on Mickey's behavior last night, it felt pretty serious. He guessed they broke up.
If so...
What would love-struck Comrade Ian do?
Would he, like in the original show, run off to join the army in heartbreak?
Ding mused silently for a while, feeling it was quite possible. He decided to come back later and have Xiao Wu keep an eye on Ian.
About twenty minutes later.
They arrived at the hospital.
Bianca took Carl inside. Ding gave Bianca a few thousand dollars for Carl's medical expenses, didn't follow them in, and left.
---
2113 North Wallace.
Katherine had proven her capability and finished her probation period. She could handle the Alibi alone. So starting today, Kevin didn't need to rush to open the bar early. He was currently changing clothes, preparing to go play basketball.
Changed and having told Veronica, Kevin strode toward the backyard.
In the backyard, Ethel, having adapted slightly to this home, was wearing a hat and happily tending to her vegetable garden.
"Ethel, sure you don't want to come play basketball with me?" Kevin had no interest in vegetables and extended an invitation.
Ethel shook her head decisively. "No, Mr. Kevin. These vegetables need my care, or they might die."
Kevin glanced at the scene in the backyard, unable to understand Ethel's joy. "Alright, as long as you're happy. I'm going. If there's any problem, call me immediately."
"Okay, Mr. Kevin," Ethel nodded with a smile.
Kevin didn't linger and strode away.
Ethel continued working contentedly under the morning sun.
Not long after.
Veronica walked out the back door with a coffee, looking at Ethel.
Even after living together for a few days and adjusting her attitude toward Ethel, Veronica still found the girl very strange. She just couldn't warm up to her.
This made Veronica doubt and worry about something.
If she had a child in the future...
And she couldn't warm up to, or even like, her own child... what then?
Thinking about this gave Veronica a headache.
After watching quietly for a while, Veronica sighed silently and spoke up. "Ethel, I have to go to work. Will you be okay home alone?"
Hearing this, Ethel looked up, squinting against the sun, and replied affirmatively with a smile. "Yes, Veronica. Go to work."
"Okay. Call me if anything happens," Veronica said habitually.
"Okay," Ethel answered.
Veronica went back inside, tidied up, and went out to find Vivian.
The two walked toward the restaurant together.
---
The sun shining persistently on his face started to hurt.
Frank slowly opened his eyes. It took him several dozen seconds to realize he was sleeping under the train tracks behind Sheila's house.
Shaking his head, Frank gritted his teeth, mustered his strength, stood up bit by bit, and then stumbled toward Sheila's back door.
The distance was short, but because his whole body ached, it took Frank several minutes to reach the door and knock. "Sheila, Sheila..."
Inside the house.
Hearing Frank's voice out of the blue.
Instantly, Sheila, who hadn't seen Frank for days and missed him dearly, jumped up. Excitedly, she ran to the back door and opened it.
"Oh! Frank! Where have you been? I was so worried. I thought you died..."
Seeing Frank, Sheila started chattering non-stop, simultaneously imagining the anal games she would play with Frank later.
So exciting.