The next morning Long Island Estate was awakened by a somewhat broken sound of a dog barking.
To be precise, it was Buddy who was protesting.
"Black Noir, let me say it again, I am already a mature intelligent creature! You can no longer put this collar with a bell around my neck! This not only insults my personality, no, it is a dog! And the noise of this broken bell gives me a headache!"
In the corridor on the first floor, Buddy was clawing at the ground and trying to back away.
Black Noir held a brand new red leather collar with an expressionless face, with a big golden bell hanging on it.
He completely ignored the golden retriever's protest and skillfully grabbed the back of Buddy's neck and fastened the collar with a click.
Buddy lay on the ground in despair. The bell made a crisp tinkling sound when he moved slightly.
"It's over, my tough guy image in front of those female Samoyeds is completely ruined."
Buddy buried his head in his two front paws and muttered helplessly.
The gloating laughter of Reggie and Tommy suddenly came from the restaurant.
Lynn came out of the kitchen carrying a large pot of hot oatmeal and placed a few hard-boiled eggs on the table.
"This is to prevent you from sneaking into the kitchen in the middle of the night and eating cold meat."
Lynn pulled up the chair and sat down, knocking on the table, "The consumption in the kitchen has been abnormally high these days. If you dare to eat the high-end Wagyu you just bought as a snack, I will ask Black Noir to change it for you with a high-voltage electric shock function."
Buddy immediately shut his mouth, pretended not to hear anything, and climbed into his exclusive wooden box seat dejectedly.
Several children have finished washing and are sitting obediently at the dining table.
Everyone is used to this kind of morning full of fireworks.
Lynn slowly peeled the eggs and glanced at these energetic little guys.
"A new rule is announced today."
Lynn put the peeled eggs on John's plate and said in a casual tone, "Starting from this month, Manor will introduce a pocket money system."
The table was quiet for a second.
"Pocket money?"
Reggie took a bite of toast and said with a confused face, "Lynn, don't you have people deliver whatever we want?"
In their perception, Vought International is a huge bottomless cash machine.
In the past, in the laboratory, as long as they performed well, the researchers would give them toys.
After coming to Long Island, Lynn has never treated them materially. The food, clothing, and supplies are all the best.
"You really don't need to worry about basic food, clothing, and equipment for your training."
Lynn took a sip of barley tea and glanced at everyone's face, "But I find that you have been a little too idle recently. Annie wants the latest limited edition doll. Reggie even wanted me to buy a Ferrari sports car last week."
Reggie scratched his head in embarrassment and laughed twice.
"So, in addition to necessary living expenses, all your additional personal wishes in the future, such as game consoles, limited edition running shoes, or some useless luxuries, will have to be purchased with the money you earn."
Lynn pointed to a handwritten form taped to the refrigerator door.
"Wash dishes, trim Lawn, clean the corridors, clean the swimming pool. Each household chore has a corresponding price. Whoever does more will have more pocket money. Please explain in advance that cheating with Superpower is strictly prohibited."
"That's not fair!"
Reggie immediately jumped up, pointed at Tommy and shouted, "If I can't use Super Speed, it will take me a whole morning to trim Lawn! And Tommy only needs to sit there in a daze, and Telekinesis can clean the swimming pool!"
Tommy raised his chin proudly.
"Mental work is also work, Reggie. If you are jealous, you can also use Telekinesis."
Seeing that the two were about to quarrel again, Lynn just raised his fingers and tapped on the table twice. The sound was not loud, but it made the two little guys shut their mouths instantly.
John has been sitting quietly next to him. He looked at the hard-boiled eggs on the plate and frowned slightly.
"Lynn."
John raised his head and Azure looked at the young man opposite him seriously, "If you just want us to experience the labor process, I will wash the dishes or sweep the floor."
He paused, his tone still calm.
"But if you are really short of money, I can go to Federal Reserve Bank in Manhattan. I know that is robbery and a crime, and it is also something you taught me not to do."
The air on the dining table seemed to freeze for a moment. Reggie and Tommy even breathed lightly.
John looked into Lynn's eyes and said word by word, "But as long as you need it, it doesn't matter what's right or wrong. The door of the vault can't stop me. It only takes me two minutes to bring you enough money to buy ten Long Island Estate. I will deal with all the consequences myself."
Listening to these words, Lynn paused slightly while holding the tea cup.
Looking at this blond boy with eyes full of himself, Lynn felt a deep helplessness in his heart, mixed with a warmth that could not be ignored.
This is John.
He already has a complete view of human morality, he knows right from wrong, compassion and rules.
But in front of Lynn, all moral principles, legal bottom lines and even the survival of the world were stepped on under his feet without hesitation.
The whole world's right and wrong are nothing in front of Lynn's demand.
This unreserved preference and pathological loyalty are the sharpest weapons and the heaviest Shackles.
Lynn can't even imagine what crazy things this child who has lost his only moral anchor will do if he really disappears one day.
"I'm not short of money, John."
Lynn sighed, stretched out his hand, and rubbed John's soft golden hair twice as usual.
"I just want you to understand how an ordinary person gets what he wants. A gift bought by accumulating coins little by little with both hands has a different weight in his hand than something snatched from a vault with brute force. Do you understand?"
John Feeling the temperature coming from the top of his head, his tense shoulders slowly relaxed.
In fact, he still felt that robbing banks was more efficient, but he understood what Lynn meant.
Lynn hopes that he can do some housework to earn pocket money like an ordinary boy.
As long as it is what Lynn hopes, it must be the most correct choice.
"I understand."
John nodded obediently, "After dinner, I will be responsible for watering Backyard's tulips."
"Very good."
Lynn smiled with satisfaction, "But remember, use an ordinary water pipe to water it, and you are not allowed to spray water with your mouth. The flowers Annie planted are very fragile."
Breakfast ended in a new competitive atmosphere.
In order to grab those well-paid housework, Reggie and Tommy rushed to the utility room to grab a broom without even finishing their meal.
The early autumn sunshine shines in Backyard, dispelling the coolness of the morning.
John was holding a green rubber water pipe in his hand, standing by the flower bed, controlling the flow of water awkwardly.
Buddy had that noisy bell hanging around his neck, jingling as he strolled over and lay down at John's feet.
"John, aren't you usually quite arrogant? Why do you do such rough work with Reggie and Tommy?"
Buddy yawned and asked lazily.
John looked at the tiny rainbow refracted by the water in the sunlight, his eyes very focused.
"I want to make money." John's voice was calm.
"What do you want to buy? The latest game console? Or like Reggie, a sports car?"
John shook his head.
He remembered the dark gray cashmere scarf he saw when he passed by the display window of Manhattan shopping mall that day.
That color matches the windbreaker Lynn usually wears.
He took another look at it, but was too embarrassed to ask for it.
He wanted to buy it with the money he earned and then give it to Lynn himself.
He did not answer Buddy's question, but slowly moved the water pipe in his hand, watching the clear water droplets fall on the delicate petals of the tulips.
In fact, there is no need to show off or destroy anything, just standing here quietly and doing some boring little things, this feeling is quite practical.
The kitchen window is half open.
Lynn was washing the coffee cup by the sink. Listening to the occasional chattering outside and the crisp ringing of the bell on Buddy's neck, he flipped the washed cup upside down on Dish Rack.