Not So Simple

"As the only legitimate doctor present, at least formerly," Mr. Green said to Matchstick Marlon, "let me examine you first."

He had been retired for at least twenty years, so he used the past tense brilliantly in his self-introduction.

If you know anything about Gotham, you would know that the true lower class people are not as terrifying as people imagine. They might join a certain organization out of necessity, act as cannon fodder in illegal deals that bring them little profit, and be lucky enough to earn sandwich money for a few days, or unlucky enough to have a few bones broken by Batman.

These people might have fallen into drugs, or become emaciated from long-term exposure to the elements, or have been apprentices to some older thugs, and happened to have good genes, so they become the fierce bodyguards by the side of gang leaders.

Nevertheless, limited by objective conditions, Norman Green would say that in his decades-long medical career, he had rarely seen someone like Matchstick Marlon.

The sharp-eyed old man scrutinized the patient much more professionally than Baia and Holly, even though the man was wrapped in a coat, hunched over, Mr. Green still noticed his uniqueness.

For an ordinary passerby or street thug, he was too strong, just like a Siberian tiger in its prime. Those muscles were not developed in the gym; quite the opposite, they were all born for battle and did not hinder his agility. He also noticed the other light-colored scars on Matchstick Marlon's forearm, indicating that this gentleman had fought to the death several times.

Looking at the current wound, although its length was astonishing, it did not cause permanent damage—perhaps he was lucky, or it meant that he had an extraordinary keen sense of combat, knowing how to avoid harm and only paying the smallest price.

Norman hesitated to speak.

"Well, this street is full of surprises, Master Bruce," Alfred's relaxed voice came through Matchstick Marlon's concealed earpiece, "Norman Green seems to be a retired professor from the clinical medicine department of Gotham University, and he also served as a vice dean of a certain term at Gotham City Hospital."

How could this be? Bruce felt a headache coming on.

He deliberately chose a time when Selina was not around, intending not to face anyone and just to have close contact with this little witch. She seemed to have hidden many things, but without malice. However, in the eyes of Batman, there shouldn't be too many secrets in Gotham, at least not in front of him.

Let alone mentioning the two identities Dick encountered in Blüdhaven and Gotham, this behavior was basically equivalent to scamming in Batman's view.

Being a test subject in some medical competition was not within his estimate for today's schedule.

For a moment, Holly also felt that things were not simple.

Although she didn't know the next-door old couple—what could Baia and someone born in the last century have to talk about?—she could see that the situation had fallen into a somewhat awkward atmosphere. The silent Matchstick Marlon and the slightly stunned Mr. Green were at the center of the event.

The only two people who were out of the situation were Baia and Mrs. Berenice, the latter grabbed Baia as soon as she entered and started discussing things with her, which Holly automatically filtered into background noise. Baia said, "Actually, you can taste the cream—"

Mr. Green said, "Who exactly are you—"

Mrs. Berenice said, "Last time you asked me about Pruss's 'Shadow'—"

Holly said, "Can you guys—"

Matchstick Marlon said, "Actually—"

"Sorry, am I not here at the right time?" A woman with light makeup appeared at the door, and the chaotic scene calmed down for a moment.

She must have cried a lot last night, so her eyes were still noticeably swollen.

She was the first guest on Swallow's Clinic's appointment list, a plain and fallen woman named Baoli Fung.

As for whether that was her real name, and the reason she came here, and Baia's way of treating her, were not within the scope of curiosity between them.

This was the truly safe way to do business, and it was the most normal appearance of the clinic that Holly and Baia imagined.

But they had plunged into a pile of unexpected chaos early in the morning, but fortunately, it seemed that things were now returning to normal.

"Alright!" Holly took the lead, "From now on, no one is allowed to speak at the same time."

She said sternly, like a kitten baring its teeth.

However, the situation did not improve for long.

"Well," Mrs. Berenice spoke up, "then this afternoon—"

Baia tried to regain control of the situation. "Why don't I go first—"

Matchstick Marlon seemed to have an intention to leave. "I was just casually—"

Mr. Green persisted, "Are you really—"

Suddenly, the Great Detective jumped down from the cabinet, landing on the table like a fluffy missile, emitting a loud "thud."

The scene fell silent again, and everyone looked at the giant black cat.

"Meow." The Great Detective didn't seem uncomfortable under the scrutiny.

It had taken control of the situation.

That's why, after a moment, everyone sat back on the sofa in an orderly manner, holding the cream puffs and tea that Baia forcibly distributed, waiting for each issue to be addressed.

The professor couple sat together, elegantly enjoying their morning desserts, Matchstick Marlon looked empty, Sister Baoli teared up, and Holly and Baia looked worried.

Taking a deep breath, Baia, who had been gathering her strength all morning, finally managed to speak up. "Alright, let's address things one by one."

"Professor Green," Baia turned to him, having learned his identity from Mrs. Berenice's introduction, "how is Mr. Marlon's condition?"

Professor Green said, "In my opinion, there is no need for treatment. The wound has been well taken care of."

Upon hearing this, Baia turned to Matchstick Marlon to admonish him, "Since you've already been seen elsewhere, you should follow the doctor's advice, trust the doctor, and not be jumpy."

"Dr. Leslie must get along well with Miss Baia," Alfred commented.

Matchstick Marlon nodded repeatedly, deciding to distance himself from affairs. "The doctor is right, then I'll leave first."

"Hold on!" Holly stood up, giving Baia a look. "We can help!"

This one indeed could be helped. Baia nodded.

Matchstick Marlon, who had just stood up, sat back down very patiently under the gaze of the two girls.

Next was the issue of the appointment with customer Baoli.

When she took off her coat, revealing large patches of bruises on her arms and neck, the cheerful atmosphere that had been hovering in the clinic all morning disappeared without a trace.

Mrs. Berenice let out a small gasp. Professor Green and Matchstick Marlon seemed accustomed to it, immediately politely averted their eyes, only slightly furrowing their brows.

Baia decided not to show her sympathy because she wasn't sure if it would make Baoli feel better or hurt her pride.

"Don't be sad," she simply said, checking the open wounds on her body under her lowered eyelashes, and then comforting her, "You'll be fine soon."

Baia and her assistant took Baoli into the treatment room without further examination in the front hall for guests. Baia guessed there were even more shocking injuries under her clothes, and indeed there were.

Baoli was one of Holly's acquaintances. The girl helped clean the open wounds on her body and then let her lie down, lighting some incense.

"We'll apply some medicine for you," Baia said, her emotions seemingly stable, "Close your eyes and rest for a while. You'll be fine when you wake up."

[Baoli Fung] 81.2%

System: ... You're quite ruthless.

Baia ignored it and started focusing on brewing Moon Dew.

System: To treat and care for others, seeing things like this every day. There are countless cases more tragic, helpless, and harder to accept than hers, and you can't even handle this. What will you do in the future?

Baia remained silent for a moment. "So what I need to do is to protect them."

System tentatively asked, "You know these people aren't your responsibility, right? They're not injured because of you."

Baia retorted, "Then what's the point of all this? If I just want to be an ordinary person and make a living by cheating a little, why did you choose me? What qualifications do I have to be chosen by you?"

The system quieted down for a while.

System: That's the reason.

Baia didn't understand what riddle the system was playing, she just sighed. At this moment, Holly was chatting happily outside with several guests, although she claimed to dislike being with elderly people, she was now chatting and laughing carefreely.

Professor Green wasn't as angry as expected; surprisingly cheerful, he vividly recounted anecdotes from his teaching days in medical school, even mimicking his serious expression and students' foolish looks when he was young. Even Matchstick Marlon was drawn to his attention. Baia listened for a while leaning against the door frame, then went to the kitchen to brew a cup of coffee and returned to the treatment room.

She sat beside Baoli and had the system open a holographic screen in front of her.

As the task was completed, more things appeared on the interface.

System: Sometimes, your superhero teammates or mission targets won't share their talents with you, but they'll provide you with a new skill.

A bright blue bird icon appeared, and the progress bar was nearing completion.

The system was quite misleading, as even after reaching enough favor, a second purchase was still required, along with sufficient skill points.

Although she didn't yet know what skill she unlocked through Nightwing. What's even more baffling was that they had only met once. It took Selina over a month to reach the same level of favor.

Was Bruce Wayne's superhero insight that practical?

System: You were saved once, and your favor rating with Dick skyrocketed to a string of nines, didn't it?

Although Baia felt that things weren't straightforward, she didn't dwell on this question.

She clicked on the page for the 5-minute casting skill again.

The simulated effect of the "Song of the Angels" skill was extremely dazzling. When chanting, it was almost like a large light bulb emitting holy light and golden ribbons floating around. Unfortunately, apart from being flashy, it was of little use. Otherwise, given how Moon Dew consumes her patience with its healing speed, she would have given up long ago.

It felt like this skill was screaming, "Come and hit me!"

Baia asked: Can't this light effect be blocked?

The system replied: I can make it so you can't see it, but others will still be able to.

Baia: ...Well, you're certainly useful.

The system was praised and felt quite pleased, not realizing that Baia was being sarcastic: Don't worry, with so many nocturnal creatures in Gotham, there's bound to be a mission that provides you with a stealth skill!

Sigh, she always felt this system wasn't too bright. Was it just her imagination?

Baia waited for a while and then helped Baoli change the hot towel on her back. The wounds on her back had already healed by half, leaving only a faint bruise. When Moon Dew took effect, people seemed particularly prone to falling asleep. According to Selina's description, it made one feel warm all over.

She returned to the living room, preparing to take another look at the injuries of the uninvited guest.