Grasping the Lifeline

"Godfather, did you lose your job?"

Kara asked, eating a steamed bun as she watched the news on TV.

The news was still covering the Iceberg Lounge incident, and she knew he worked there.

"No, just taking a few days off."

Li Ang replied, eating a fried dough stick himself.

"Godfather, I heard the Iceberg Lounge is the Penguin's lair, and the Penguin..."

The Penguin's reputation preceded him, even Kara knew about it.

But she'd learned this through her Super Hearing before.

So she felt a bit worried for her godfather.

Li Ang sat down next to Kara: "Gotham is full of gangs everywhere, even the Chinatown we often go to is controlled by someone."

Those words made Kara fall silent for a moment.

Then she asked, slightly confused: "Doesn't Gotham have Batman? Why is it still like this?"

"Because he's also one of the beneficiaries."

Li Ang let out a sneer.

Unfortunately, Kara didn't understand yet.

But she didn't dwell on it either, as long as Li Ang was fine.

On Earth, she only cared about two people.

One was Li Ang, and the other was her cousin.

The reason she came to Earth was chasing the spaceship of her 'cousin' Kal-El.

She'd arrived safely, but she wondered how her cousin was doing.

During these few days off, Li Ang didn't go out for the first two.

Until Friday, when Kara went to school, he went out in the afternoon to meet up with that French girl.

Because that girl also came to Gotham for work, and she worked at Wayne Enterprises... a subsidiary.

She had slightly wavy hair, big bright eyes, and very sweet features.

"Hello!"

When she saw Li Ang, she spoke directly in Chinese.

But after coming to America, she was a bit rusty.

"Lianlian, isn't it hard to get into Wayne Enterprises?"

Li Ang glanced behind her; the 'Wayne Pharmaceuticals' sign was very conspicuous.

"Mm, I wanted to get into the main group, but I didn't expect to be assigned to a subsidiary."

Lianlian replied, but from the expression on her face, it was clear she was still proud.

Wayne Group's shadow loomed over every industry in Gotham; working at Wayne Enterprises was like being part of Gotham's elite.

"What about you? What do you do in Gotham?"

Li Ang had been through this many times, so he smiled and said: "I'm a manager now."

"Oh? Where?"

Seeing her press on, Li Ang could only answer: "The Iceberg Lounge."

"..."

Lianlian thought of the recent news.

She was silent for a moment, then said: "Maybe... I can come visit sometime."

"Welcome."

Li Ang quickly noticed that Lianlian had suddenly become a bit cold.

So he didn't suggest eating, but instead invited her for coffee.

Lianlian also started talking about topics Li Ang didn't understand.

As if to show they had nothing in common.

Since that was the case, Li Ang checked the time and said: "It's getting late."

"I'm a bit tired, I want to go back and rest."

Lianlian seemed worried that Li Ang would want to keep spending time together, since it was dinner time, so she answered preemptively.

Li Ang then smiled and said: "Me too, my daughter is also out of school."

"Uh..."

Lianlian's expression immediately shifted again.

She hadn't expected Li Ang to already have a daughter, and she immediately grew more distant.

But Li Ang didn't care what she thought; he simply took his leave with ease.

For this mess, he'd even come to Gotham's 'Financial District,' located at the city's southernmost point, close to Blackgate Island.

Thinking that Kara hadn't eaten, he made a call back, telling her he'd buy food.

After that, he didn't walk anymore—he took a car.

From here back to the Diamond District, he'd have to cross two districts: the Civic District and Gotham's Old Town. Taking a car was clearly faster.

About half an hour later, carrying dinner, Li Ang returned to the apartment in the Diamond District.

But he found it a bit strange.

What was with this inexplicable silence?

"Kara!"

Li Ang opened the door and called inside.

But the person inside caught him off guard.

Sitting on the sofa wasn't Kara—it was another woman.

One he'd seen just a few days ago.

Sophia Falcone.

Though he knew Kara was unlikely to be in trouble, Li Ang still growled, "This isn't a place for you. Where's Kara?"

What he hated most was this kind of situation.

Someone disturbing their peaceful life.

Seeing Li Ang so agitated, Sophia smiled.

Everyone had someone they cared about, and she loved using this method to control others.

Still, the enraged Li Ang startled her a bit too.

"Don't worry, I just had a little chat with her."

Sophia said with a smile, then clapped her hands: "Come out, dear."

Kara's door opened, and she came out obediently with her hands behind her back, her big eyes fixed on Li Ang.

"Godfather."

Seeing that Kara was fine, Li Ang finally relaxed. He looked at Sophia and said, "I have nothing to do with you. What do you want?"

Sophia stood up from the sofa—it really was uncomfortable to sit on.

"I saw what happened that day..."

She started, speaking with a meaningful tone.

When she'd left that day, she'd glanced back, never expecting Li Ang could actually stop Batman.

That was what sparked her intense interest in him.

Otherwise, he was just a bartender—Sophia wouldn't have given him a second thought.

These words made Li Ang stare at her intently.

Sophia felt a chill for no reason, as if she were being watched by a beast, not a person.

So she didn't finish what she was saying, instead changing tack: "Don't be nervous. I didn't bring anyone else, so you can relax."

Hearing this, Kara immediately glanced at the next room and gave Li Ang a meaningful look.

In her vision, these walls couldn't block her sight—she could see plenty of people through them.

So she looked at her godfather with eager anticipation, as if to say: Let me handle it, I can beat them all!

Li Ang gave her a slight shake of his head.

Kara looked a little disappointed but still stood obediently to the side.

"What do you want?"

"Simple. Work for me."

Sophia smiled, her beautiful face now taking on a seductive edge: "The Penguin doesn't know talent when he sees it. Whatever he can give you, I'll give you ten times over."

"If you don't want to do those things, you can just be my bodyguard. I'll provide you with a nice house instead of cramming into this rundown apartment."

"And Kara—I really like her. I'm sure you like me too, aren't you, dear?"

Kara looked at her, then curled her lip.

Sophia didn't mind. Her big eyes turned back to Li Ang: "I'll get Kara into Lois Memorial School. When she grows up, whether she wants to go to university or study abroad, I'll support it all."

Her words could hit any old father right in the weak spot.

Hearing this, even Li Ang felt a flicker of temptation. This was exactly what he wanted to provide for Kara.

A good living environment, and a better education.