American comics farmer: start by adopting the villain savior.

Chapter 47 Metropolis Part 3: Shadows in the Night

Pushing open the door of the antique shop again, Locke put a relaxed smile back on his face.

The copper bell on the door made a crisp sound as he moved, echoing in the slightly dim store.

"Manager, did this kid cause you any trouble?"

Locke ruffled Dio's blonde hair.

"That's nothing, and..." Pushing his round-framed glasses, the old man's eyes curved into crescents behind the lenses: "Your son has good taste and he likes this little thing."

He pointed at the silver coin in Dio's hand and said, "I heard that today is his birthday. Consider this a small token of my appreciation."

"Oh?"

Locke took the silver coin from Dio and rubbed it gently.

"Old man, how much is this silver coin? This..."

Turning the half-black and half-white silver coin over, he also noticed that the ruby ​​in the black snake's eye was reflecting a strange light.

"It's a bit expensive."

"It's not worth much." The old man waved his hand, and his wide sleeves swept up a cloud of dust. "It's just a small thing. As long as the child is happy, that's all."

hiss~
Locke gasped.

This old man is so good at doing business. This sentence is a real blow to parents!
"That…"

Locke looked around in distress until his eyes stopped on a slightly old wooden globe next to the counter.

"I want this as a toy for my child."

"Okay." The wrinkles on the old man's face instantly smoothed out. "One hundred dollars, let's be friends."

"?!"

Locke's hand shook and he almost dropped the globe on the ground.

This crudely crafted wooden object doesn't look worth the price at all. Jonathan could carve one for himself, right?!
However, looking at Dio who was happily playing with the coins, Locke gritted his teeth and took out his wallet.

"Dad"

Sensing his father's hesitation, Dio's red eyes flashed with cunning, "How about we..."

"purchase!"

Locke generously paid the money.

But just as I was about to leave, I couldn't help but feel a little bit of a throbbing in my heart.

He said casually:

"Old man, do you know Jackie Chan?"

"?"

"Chen Long?" The old man was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "Sir, you're joking. I don't leave the house much, so I don't know many people."

"It's presumptuous."

Smiling sheepishly at his own foolish thoughts, Locke led Dio towards the door.

But the moment he left the store.

Locke can still see through the peripheral vision of Star Platinum
The old man was putting the hundred-dollar bill into the drawer, and the drawer was filled with several Ouroboros silver coins.

It’s bad, I fell into a trap!
but
He took a look and walked out of the store, excitedly playing with the two new Diors he had received as gifts.

Never mind, as long as Dio is happy.

"Dad, that old man is quite good at business!"

"You know you have to please the kids first so they can get their parents to spend money."

"So you knew that." Locke rubbed Dio's head unhappily. "Are you happy to see your father being slaughtered?"

"You're wrong, you're wrong. I'm happy just because I see you spend money on me." Dio snorted.

"Hey!" Locke laughed, "Your smooth talking skills have really improved."

Well, I have to admit that seeing Dio like this.

I'm quite happy to spend this hundred dollars.
-
Night falls.

After strolling around Chinatown for a day, the father and son decided to change their taste.

after all
"We. (chew chew chew). Eat. (chew chew chew). What. (chew chew chew). Tonight?"

"."

Looking at Dio who was happily eating a candied haws, Locke held his forehead with his hand.

This kid has been eating all over the street and has no intention of stopping. If he continues like this, his wallet will be empty.

"Drip~"

"The Daily Planet has arrived."

After getting off the sightseeing bus with Dio, the two of them immediately rushed to the Daily Planet.
Next to the most prestigious French restaurant.

'Le Cieltoilé'

starry sky.

It is said that this is one of the only few Michelin three-star restaurants in the metropolis, and reservations must be made three months in advance.

As for your question about how Locke made the reservation?
Um.
Thanks to my good brother Lionel for the meal ticket he gave me last Christmas. You can use it when you enter the store, no reservation is required.

"Hello, you can go directly to the seat of Leo."

The waiter respectfully handed the meal ticket back to Locke with both hands, a standard professional smile on his face. "Hmm?"

Puzzled, Locke took the gold-stamped card and couldn't help asking, "Aren't you going to take back this coupon?"

The young waiter was startled, but he quickly adjusted himself and said in a low voice:
"Sir, this is the Luther Group's Black Gold VIP voucher. It is permanently valid in our store and can be used an unlimited number of times."

"You can even have twenty guests dining at once if you like," he quickly added.

Locke's mouth twitched.

Last Christmas Eve, Lionel had said as he slipped the ticket into his pocket—

"There's a great new steakhouse in the Metropolitan area. I'm giving you a coupon for a main course."

"Consider it your Christmas present."

Damn rich guy!
oh.
Is this rich man my friend?

That's fine.

Following the waiter through the main hall, which was covered with Impressionist paintings, the restaurant was softly lit, with a warm glow flowing over Dior's blond hair. The waiters, dressed in crisp black uniforms, gracefully poured wine and served dishes to the guests.

Sitting at a table covered with snow-white napkins, Dio's red eyes reflected the cold gleam of the silver cutlery. Even though many elegantly dressed guests were around, observing the simply dressed father and son with either curiosity or scrutiny.

He is still casual and elegant.

"dad."

Dio chuckled and deliberately tapped the crystal glass with his fork, making a crisp sound.

"I think the noble gentlemen in the metropolis have never seen such a handsome farmer and his talented son."

Locke's old face flushed, and he quickly turned his head and said:
"Children's words have no restraints, children's words have no restraints."

However, the upward curve of his lips betrayed that he was in a good mood.

Appetizers are served——

Foie gras with figs, truffle-baked snails, and some kind of gold-dusted caviar that Dior and Locke had never seen before.

The boy carefully scooped a little with a silver spoon and put it into his mouth.

moment
His eyes widened.

“What is this?”

Locke looked at him with a smile: "Is it delicious?"

"It has no taste. I feel it's not worth the price."

"....."

"is it?"

Locke, who didn't believe it, also scooped a spoonful and put it into his mouth.

"How is it?" Dio asked.

"The taste of adults?"

Locke smacked his lips. The fish roe was just like his first half of life.

The main theme is boring.

The main course was pan-fried duck breast with cherry sauce. The meat was so tender and juicy that it could be cut with just a light pressure of a knife and fork.

"Ok?"

"Ok!"

Just one bite, and Dio stopped talking and began to concentrate on finishing the delicious food in front of him. He cut carefully, his movements slow, as if he was afraid to drop a little bit of the food and miss any delicious taste.

"It's really delicious." Locke couldn't help but praise, "It just feels a little less"

"?!"

Before he could finish his words, his back suddenly tensed.

Locke also had that feeling.
Something is watching him?!

Not the curious guests in the restaurant, but something colder, more dangerous. That gaze slithered across the back of his neck like a venomous snake, making the hairs on his arms stand on end.

“Dio.”

Looking at Dio who was still eating heartily, Locke put down his glass and said calmly, "I'm going to the bathroom. You can eat slowly."

"Ah."

Dio mumbled a response with his mouth full of duck meat.

Standing up, Locke walked through the dimly lit corridor. Star Platinum's senses were fully activated, picking up any unusual movements amid the noisy voices.

“——Crack!”

Until an extremely slight, almost imperceptible sound of metal collision was heard from the back alley.

Pretending to adjust his cuffs, Locke turned sideways and summoned Star Platinum.

Then, using his super eyesight, he looked out through the glass window of the restaurant's back door.

I saw
A burly figure wearing a pure white porcelain mask stood deep in the alley.

1s, 2s
The man seemed to have finally noticed it. He slowly turned his head and stared into the air for a while.

The next second, the figure disappeared into the darkness like smoke.
Only a small pool of evaporating dark red liquid emitting black smoke was left on the ground.

Locke's heart sank.

Dio and what he sensed
It’s not an illusion!
(End of this chapter)