Chapter 7: Another SSR
When Luca returned to the living room, Matilda had already made herself at home, turned on his brand-new large-screen TV, and was sitting on the sofa watching a Spider-Man cartoon.
Seeing Luca approach, Matilda came forward with pastries, “Luca, these are pastries I made myself, would you like to try some?”
“Oh, thank you, I was just wondering what dessert to have with dinner, and now I don’t have to worry.”
Luca took the bag with a smile, holding the bottom of it in his palm; it was still warm, as if it had just come out of the oven not long ago.
Inside were some cookies and biscuits, shaped like cute cartoon animals, emitting a rich milky fragrance.
Matilda showed a satisfied smile.
She noticed the apron around Luca’s waist and asked curiously, “Are you making dinner?”
“Yes, I’m making Chinese food.”
“Chinese food?” Matilda was stunned for a moment.
“Let’s try it together, I guarantee it’s more authentic than the Chinese restaurants outside!”
In fact, it was indeed very authentic.
So, what does authentic Sichuan cuisine taste like?
In short, when Matilda saw the plate piled high with chili peppers, her whole face turned green.
Do Chinese people eat this? Will this really not kill someone from the spiciness?
In the end, Matilda, who preferred sweet flavors, was so spicy she almost cried, drinking a mouthful of milk with every bite of food, constantly exhaling through her mouth, and after eating, her lips were swollen and numb.
It was the feeling of an electric shock.
Luca wasn't much better, also constantly drinking water to relieve it.
This body's tolerance for spicy food wasn't great, not as fierce as his previous life, but if he put less chili, Luca felt uncomfortable all over.
The two, one large and one small, were both sweating profusely, and seeing each other's disheveled appearance, they both coincidentally broke into funny smiles.
“You can’t even eat spicy food, yet you put so much chili!”
“That’s not important, the main thing is authenticity. My cooking skills are good enough to open a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown.”
“It’s too spicy, besides Chinese people, no one else can get used to it. Your shop will just go bankrupt.”
After complaining, Matilda gave a shallow smile, “Although it’s very spicy, I like this kind of dining atmosphere, it’s exhilarating!”
When Luca was clearing the table, Matilda sat back in front of the TV, watching some popular cartoons of that era, such as the Transformers series, and the Marvel and DC superhero series.
Matilda watched the TV for a few moments, then looked at the busy Luca, a hint of curiosity and doubt flashing in her eyes.
Why was this new neighbor so good to her? She was clearly someone no one cared about...
No one cared about her at school, no one cared about her at home, she was always a loner, a person with no sense of presence.
Before Luca moved in, only her young brother would actively hug her and show kindness.
Matilda instinctively sensed that Luca had ulterior motives, yet she couldn't feel any malice.
Just then, the TV happened to be showing Spider-Man fighting criminals and eliminating evil.
“Luca, what do you do for work?”
“Community administrator.”
“???”
Matilda didn't believe it, “Luca, your identity isn't simple, right? You’re very skilled, when you threatened that scumbag, my father, you acted very practiced, without even blinking an eye. You’re very much like my father’s gang friends... No, you’re even more formidable than those people.”
Matilda, of course, knew what her father was doing; there was a small drug workshop at home, and she even knew where her father hid the drugs.
“Don’t think too complicated, I’m just a warm-hearted neighbor,” Luca said with a smile.
“Okay.”
Matilda obediently shut her mouth.
After a long while.
“Luca, you are a good person,” Matilda said very seriously, “People who like to meddle in other people's business can’t be too bad.”
Luca: “...”
When sending Matilda back, Luca was still thinking about what kind of reasonable excuse to make to get into her house, but he didn't even need to speak first. Isha, who had already changed into a sexy short skirt, proactively invited Luca to come in and sit down, even saying she had prepared a small party to welcome the new neighbor.
Good, good, free America, parties every day... Luca gladly accepted.
Under Matilda’s scornful gaze, Isha swayed her big butt and dragged Luca to the living room, arranging drinks, alcohol, snacks, flour, pastries, and everything else.
Then she put on Nirvana's “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” aiming for both disturbing the neighbors and having a good time.
Luca didn’t use that stuff, and he didn’t even drink alcohol from strangers, only the drink Matilda handed him.
This blatant double standard made Matilda laugh happily and made Isha even more resentful.
Could it be that this handsome guy likes flat-chested girls like my sister?
Luca pretended not to see Isha’s flirtatious glances and hints, just secretly installing listening devices.
Norman wasn't home today, otherwise Isha wouldn't dare to throw a party at home. Luca had to seize this rare opportunity to secretly install listening devices in various hidden corners.
He even used the excuse of going to the restroom to install one in the bathroom as well.
They were all miniature listening devices, high-end goods obtained from the Continental Hotel, costing Luca 1 gold coin—gold coins were the common currency of the Continental Hotel and one of the mainstream currencies in the underground assassin world.
You might not be able to get services from the Continental Hotel with money, but you definitely can with gold coins.
Intelligence, medical, weapons, body disposal... all assassin services were available.
Luca loved the Continental Hotel; the people inside spoke nicely, and they were all talented. Moreover, the Continental Hotel was nicknamed “Peace Hotel,” emphasizing peace above all else, and killing was forbidden inside.
This coincided with Luca’s philosophy.
Opening a Continental Hotel was one of Luca’s goals.
After easily and pleasantly installing the listening devices, Luca lingered for a while longer, then left under Isha’s reluctant gaze.
Although Luca could be a scoundrel when he let loose, he wasn’t indiscriminate with his choices. Isha wasn’t pretty, and her relationship with Matilda was so bad that even for the sake of his bond with Matilda, he couldn't get too close to Isha.
But he also couldn’t be too distant, to avoid a disappointed and angry Isha taking out her frustration on Matilda with domestic violence.
The main thing was to prioritize peace.
Isha also sensed Luca’s ambivalent attitude, feeling like there was a chance, yet also like there wasn’t?
Such self-controlled men were really difficult to deal with.
“Matilda.”
Isha sat down next to her sister with a smile, “Your relationship with Luca is very good, right? He cares about you a lot, and he even let you eat at his house.”
“None of your business.”
“The remote control at home is yours from now on. You can watch cartoons whenever you want, I won’t fight you for it. Can you tell me more about him? I want to get to know Luca better.”
Matilda scoffed, “Isha, you disgust me. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. Stop dreaming, Luca would never be interested in an uncultured woman like you.”
Isha suppressed her anger, trying her best to soften her tone, “Listen, Matilda, I don’t want to argue with you. I just want to talk to you. You can ask for anything you want, as long as you can help me pursue my happiness.”
“How many times have you been happy? I know you’ve had many boyfriends at school!”
“It’s different, those were just flings. This time I’m really smitten. Do you know what love at first sight is?”
“You’re like a sow in heat right now!”
“Bitch!”
The short-tempered Isha couldn’t stand it, raising her fist to hit, but this time Matilda didn’t dodge at all, her eyes shining brightly as she stared at her.
“Luca will punish everyone who bullies me!”
“...”
Isha clenched and released her fist, finally letting it fall dejectedly, “Matilda, I’m your sister, please help me, okay? At least please don’t speak ill of me in front of him.”
Watching her sister show a pleading look for the first time, Matilda felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.
But she would not forgive her sister.
In this family, she could not forgive anyone except her brother.
“Aren’t you good at seducing men?” Matilda said with disdain, “He lives right across the street, go find him yourself. But I’m telling you clearly, even if I don’t speak ill of you, you still have no chance, never in this lifetime.”
【A domestic dispute was prevented because of you. Due to your presence, Isha gave up hitting Matilda. You have once again upheld the peace of the family!】
【Obtained Skill Point X1】
Looking at the prompt in front of him, Luca, who was about to open the door, couldn't help but freeze for two seconds.
Good heavens!
If Isha had a character card, their bond would probably have reached beyond close friends by now.
Just then, faint footsteps approached.
Luca turned his head alertly.
He saw a tall man wearing a long trench coat and round sunglasses, carrying a box, walking over expressionlessly.
With that iconic outfit, Luca recognized this man he was meeting for the first time at a glance.
【Character Card Discovered: Leon (Unlocked)】
【Leon: SSR】
【Source: “Leon: The Professional”】
【Skills: silver queen, Ring Trick, Shadow Assault, Lone Assassin, Oath of Protection】
【Bond: Stranger】
Indeed, Leon was also an SSR with five skills!