WE ARE FAMILY

WE ARE FAMILY

Seeing George was tempted, Alvin tirelessly worked his silver tongue to brainwash him. He knew what a girl's father most wanted to hear: safety, focus, and high-quality teachers. Those were all things the Community School could provide.

Matt, who had finished eating, came over and said, "I can guarantee that everything Alvin said is true. I don't think any student who comes out of that school could fail to get into college."

After saying that, Matt's mouth twitched. That school was like a concentration camp; the students it produced would all become machines for studying and taking tests.

Matt asked himself: if he had attended that school back then, he should not have gone to Columbia University's law department, but Harvard Law School instead.

It was rare for Matt to speak up for him on his own initiative. In his good mood, Alvin decided he could let him keep collecting welfare for a few more months.

After finishing his business, Chief George drank another beer and took his leave. Alvin had not seen a driver with him, but as the police chief of Big Apple City, no one was likely to be foolish enough to give him trouble over drunk driving.

Seeing George leave, Matt looked as though he wanted to say something but hesitated. Alvin took out two cigars, handed one to him, and pulled him outside the Restaurant.

After lighting the cigars and affectionately greeting Thor and Dom, Alvin smiled and said, "Matt, just say whatever's on your mind."

Matt thought carefully before saying, "If what Chief George said is true, then Hell's Kitchen has Vampires too. And I may have dealt with one before."

Alvin was a little surprised. Hell's Kitchen had Vampires? Why had he never heard about them?

Alvin's expression turned serious. "Where? When?" He could not tolerate something that dangerous lurking near his school. They were completely outside the rules.

"About half a year ago, several times I heard something and rushed over. The victims were already dead. I didn't know how they died, but there was very little blood at the scene.

"The last time, when I got there, that thing hadn't left yet, and the victim was still alive. I drove it away. Before the victim died, he said one word: Vampire."

Matt recalled and described it carefully. He could not see and had to rely on what he heard, so there were many details he could not explain clearly.

Alvin rubbed his chin and asked, "How strong was that thing in a fight? Was it easy to deal with?"

Matt thought for a moment. "It was difficult to deal with. That thing was almost impossible to kill. Its speed and strength were both exceptional."

Alvin did not know whether the Vampires here were the kind he knew. But he would find out soon enough. He contacted his Crows and told them to watch for suspicious people at night, especially anyone who brought someone home late at night and never went out during the day.

Matt did not say he had encountered one recently. Either that thing had already left Hell's Kitchen, or it was feeding somewhere hidden.

After ending the conversation, the two returned to the Restaurant together.

Inside, Ginny was giggling as Fudge teased her. Alvin walked over, picked up his precious girl, and kissed her. Looking at Fudge, he said, "If you don't have anything to do today, don't leave. Dinner's on me tonight. Nick found his father, so we need to celebrate. Drinks are on the house."

Fudge cheered. "Great! Alvin, you're a good man. This really is worth celebrating. I need to get myself drunk. Lately, I haven't even had the money to drink myself drunk."

That evening, Peace Hotel closed early. At eight o'clock, the Restaurant's official dinner began.

Two long dining tables had been pushed together into one large square table. Seated there were Jessica, Ginny, Nick, JJ, Frank, Matt, and Fudge.

Alvin was the first to stand, raising his glass as he spoke. "Tonight's dinner is for Nick finally finding his father, Frank. I'm happy that our family has gained another member."

Alvin tilted his head toward Frank. "I don't care whether you recognize yourself as one of us. You're Nick's father, so I'll consider you family. My family has only one rule: don't betray your family."

"Cheers!"

Jessica was thrilled at having gained family status. She downed a large glass of beer, her face bright red as she gazed foolishly at Alvin. "Then you're my big brother?"

Alvin smiled and rubbed Jessica's head. "Silly girl, I'm your boss brother, and you're my waitress sister. Nobody can change that."

Jessica was left a little confused. "What does that mean?"

Big-mouthed Nick snapped venomously, "It means Alvin is still the boss, and you're still the waitress. Jessie, you're so stupid. You'll definitely have a hard time finding a boyfriend in the future. Nobody likes an idiot!"

Ignoring Nick, who was asking for death, Jessica angrily grabbed him by the ear, making him howl in pain.

Alvin raised his glass toward Matt and Fudge. "Guys, you're my best friends in Hell's Kitchen. May our friendship last forever!"

"May our friendship last forever!" The three clinked glasses and drained them happily.

"JJ, you bastard, when are you bringing Temple back? Then our family can have one more member. And starting tomorrow, get your ass next door. Before you leave, remember to clean out the storage room."

"Boss, thank you!" JJ pretended to wipe away a tear and clinked glasses with Alvin. Alvin could clearly see that the guy really was crying, though he still made a strange face to hide it. Fine, he would not expose him.

Looking at his precious daughter Ginny, who held up a cup of apple juice, Alvin said, "Oh, of course, there's my precious girl too." He clinked his huge beer mug against her little cup, and they laughingly took a drink together.

Ginny looked happily at Alvin and said, "Daddy, happy. Ginny happy. Hee-hee."

This girl was so sensible. She was far better than that foolish boy Nick. His real father had not even said a word as he watched Jessica beat him up.

After disciplining foul-mouthed Nick, Jessica sat beside Alvin with her lips pursed, sulking in silence.

When a woman acted like this, a man had better honestly apologize and coax her. Otherwise, the consequences would be serious. That was experience bought with blood and tears by a man who had been married.

Alvin rubbed Jessica's head and smiled. "No matter what you think, I've always considered you my little sister. You've always been family to me. You stayed by my side during my hardest days.

"This world has been cruel to us. It took away our blood relatives. But it has also been fair. After that, it allowed us to find each other."

Those heartfelt words left Jessica's eyes brimming with tears. She lowered her head rather than look at Alvin and murmured softly, "I don't want to be your sister."

Alvin pretended not to hear. He patted Jessica's shoulder and was about to turn around to drink with JJ when Jessica suddenly grabbed him, hugged him, and planted a hard kiss on his cheek. Alvin smiled without saying anything. Getting kissed by a beautiful girl would not cost him a piece of flesh.

Just as Nick, who had a death wish, was about to unleash his venomous tongue again, Frank quickly covered his mouth. He had a feeling that if his son caused trouble now, he would lose his other leg too.

Seeing Jessica kiss Daddy, Ginny decided that she had to kiss him too. Alvin picked Ginny up and let her plant a big kiss on him, then kissed her back with satisfaction. He felt that his life was complete.