Robbing the Bank While Eating Hotpot and Singing

"Damn right, we hate freelancers like you the most!"

The guard opposite continued after Manager Ryan.

"Why don't you stick to a convenience store to get some experience, you lone wolf?

You must be new to Gotham; I haven't heard of any Asian rookie like you in the neighborhood.

Seeing as you've got some guts, put the gun down, and I might take you to see the boss. Maybe we could even become colleagues!"

With that, the guard nodded to his cohorts, and the remaining two guards immediately moved toward Downton.

Watching them approach without a hint of caution, Downton patted Ryan on the shoulder.

"Manager Ryan, it seems they don't hold your life in high regard."

"They aren't my subordinates; we're partners. They're just here to guard their family's money and valuables."

Manager Ryan replied with a helpless sigh, then turned to persuade Downton again.

"So, you should put the gun down before things get out of hand.

You're all alone, you're inexperienced, and you haven't even secured the people in the lobby.

Once they escape, they'll call the police, and the cops won't want to see the Maroni Family throw a fit.

Maroni is the right-hand man of Falcone. Surely you've heard of Roman? He donates three or four times the daily salary of the entire Gotham Police Department.

When it comes to working for them, those cops are more than eager!"

"Then we'll just have to finish the job before the police arrive!"

Faced with Manager Ryan's persuasion, Downton grinned and turned his muzzle toward the two approaching gang guards.

"Guys!"

Downton continued.

"I honestly didn't expect you security guards to be mobsters. After all, gangs are much more dangerous than regular security.

But no matter who you are, you wouldn't turn down money, would you?

There are two paths before you. The first one isn't very pleasant; even if you manage to take me down, I can at least take one or two of you with me.

Are you really that eager to die?

Or can you guarantee that you won't be the one who gets killed?

Now listen to the second path—it's much more interesting. Even though your family's money and valuables are kept in this bank, I'm not robbing your family's assets!

I must emphasize that I'm robbing the bank's money, and I'm willing to share some of it with you.

In other words, I'm not alone anymore; it's not too late for you to become my partners.

You only need to turn a blind eye, and you'll walk away with a significant portion of this heist. As for the aftermath, I'll be the only one facing your family's hit squads and the police.

See? Zero risk, high reward. So, do me a favor and tell those ladies at the counter to hurry up and get our money.

Even if I break my word and don't give you a cut, there are three or four of you—are you really afraid I'll get away?

Give me an answer: do you love money, and do you value your lives?"

As he finished speaking, Downton swept his muzzle back and forth across the guards.

Watching the swaying barrel, the guards exchanged glances before instinctively checking the surveillance cameras.

Confirming once more that the cameras were off, one of the guards nodded to the others.

"I think he's right. He's robbing the bank's money. As long as our family's valuables are safe, the boss won't punish us.

Besides, we can always kick a portion of our share up to the boss!"

"Exactly, I think it's a good idea. I like this Asian kid!

He's a perfect fit for Gotham. If he survives, he might just become a big shot!"

"So, we're doing it?"

"We're doing it!"

With that, the security guards left two men to continue the standoff with Downton, while the other two went to the counter and began forcing the tellers to retrieve the cash.

The tellers were trembling like leaves, looking conflictedly toward Manager Ryan, who was being held by Downton.

Facing their silent plea for help, Manager Ryan took a deep breath and spoke softly to Downton.

"Sir, since you've already partnered with the Maroni Family's men, would you mind... adding a few more partners to the mix?

If you don't, I believe the customers and employees here could all become your partners.

While we still can't stop the customers who have already fled from calling the police, at least there will be fewer people who hate you, and there will be less resistance to your operation. What do you think?"

"I think you're a talented man, Ryan!"

Downton nodded in appreciation and beckoned to the nervous tellers behind the counter.

"Did you hear that, ladies? We're all in the same boat now.

Hurry up and get the money. This time, we're withdrawing our own money—make it snappy!"

And for those of you who just wanted to conduct business, your luck has arrived—I am your luck, ha-ha!

Maybe a few thousand, maybe tens of thousands; who would mind having a little extra tax-free cash on hand with no strings attached?

Go find some bags to stuff the money in, and don't forget to fill your pockets and purses to the brim!

Life shouldn't just be about fighting and killing; let's be harmonious. Isn't it great that we're all getting rich together?

I'm not some capitalist; I'm actually sharing the wealth with you. Get moving, quickly!"

Following Downton's words, the crowd, after a brief moment of stunned silence, erupted with immense enthusiasm.

"I'll help with the hauling!"

"Count me in!"

"I've got a travel bag here, you can borrow it!"

"Hurry, hurry, move fast, or the police will be here!"

"Is anyone going out to chase those guys who ran off? If we can delay them calling the cops, or stop them entirely, we'll have plenty of time!"

"We can also report a fake crime to the Gotham police, tell them the Burnley District or the Diamond District is being robbed to distract their forces!"

"Quick, block the doors and windows first, don't let anyone outside see anything unusual!"

One person's wit is limited, but the wisdom of the crowd is boundless; when everyone adds wood, the flames rise high.

With a large group of partners joining in, the entire operation smoothed out. Not only did the tellers start counting money much faster, but there were even people assigned to handle the police.

For a time, the people on the scene were busy blocking windows, locking doors, stuffing cash, and dividing the loot.

In less than two minutes, someone delivered a travel bag full of banknotes to Downton.

"How about that? We make a pretty good team, don't we?"

Seeing the expectant look on the young pregnant woman who had brought him the money, Downton nodded heavily and offered praise.

"Everyone is doing a great job, and you are doing especially well!"

"Thank you, thank you so much!"

After receiving a massive boost in emotional satisfaction, the young pregnant woman clutched her chest in excitement.

"I never imagined I would encounter something like this. I'm pregnant, but the child's father has vanished. Even if I emptied all my accounts, it wouldn't cover my surgery and nursing costs.

I thought I had reached a dead end, but then I met you. With this money, whether I choose to give birth or terminate the pregnancy, it's all taken care of!

I don't know what to say. Thank you for giving me a glimmer of hope in this godforsaken city of Gotham. May I know your name?"

"Why not? I'm Downton, Downton of Downton Abbey, ha-ha!"

Facing the young woman's gratitude, Downton laughed as he took the travel bag full of cash.

After slinging the bag over his back, he pushed Ryan the manager forward.

"Don't just stand there, Ryan, go get your share."

"Many thanks, Boss Downton!"

Ryan was also quite excited. After all, the atmosphere at the scene was so feverish—just like the pregnant woman who had handed the money to Downton, she even had banknotes stuffed into her cleavage; Ryan had been impatient for a while!

In the distance, even though Downton no longer had a hostage, the security guards couldn't be bothered to aim at him anymore.

Your life is your own, but the money belongs to everyone—who doesn't know what's more important?

Watching everyone frantically stuffing money away, Downton leaned against the bank door with the bag on his back, laughing as he waited for them.

Once the last person's pockets were filled to capacity, Downton clapped his hands lightly.

"Folks, the carnival ends here. It's been over three minutes, and I have to go.

If nothing goes wrong, you'll hear my name in the future, or perhaps by then, I'll have some other codename.

But regardless, don't forget our cooperation, and don't forget... I am someone who is never stingy and never breaks a promise!"

"You're a smart man, you'll definitely make a name for yourself in Gotham, Boss Downton!"

"Thank you, Boss Downton, our partnership was truly fantastic!"

"Maybe one day I really will call you boss, provided you survive the hunt from our Maroni Family!"

"Don, Gotham welcomes you!"

Accompanied by the cheers of the crowd, Downton laughed as he opened the rolling shutter, then pushed the door open and walked out.

Outside the bank, the police hadn't arrived yet; only passersby were hiding in various shops nearby, peering toward the bank.

Watching Downton saunter out, and listening to the cheers inside the bank—which, though restrained, were impossible to suppress—the onlookers were completely bewildered.

You call this robbing a bank?

Can robbing a bank be this lively?

And what the hell, cheering?

Why don't you guys have a hotpot and sing a few songs while you're at it?

Competition is fierce during the new book period, and poor performance can lead to a total collapse, making it easy to fail.

If you have even the slightest interest in this book, even if you intend to "fatten it up" by waiting, I beg you to quickly flip to the last page of this book to help boost the follow-read count.

I have written two completed premium works of two million and three million words respectively. As long as this book's performance is moderate, I will write several million words to entertain you all.

I hope you can lend a hand; I am deeply grateful.