Chapter 52

"Thank you, Lip!" Frank smiled and took the flower from him.

"Come on~" Lip lit the lighter and held it out to Frank.

Frank leaned forward, cupping his hands around the lighter to block the wind.

"Hiss~"

"Huh~"

Frank exhaled a long stream of smoke into the cold wind.

"The next person to come to you for debt collection should be Monica!" Lip felt it was strange to mention Monica in front of Frank.

That feeling was still hard to explain, and it was actually the most troubling thing!

"Yes, Monica!" Frank's pupils dilated as he lost himself in thought. "Lip, you're right. Monica is here to collect debts."

Lip felt there were only two women who had a significant impact on Frank's life.

One was his mother, Peggy, and the other was his true love, Monica.

Unfortunately, both of them were crazy women.

So Lip summed it up: Cherish life, and stay away from mad women!

"Lip, I was more handsome than you when I was young! I had a big body and a good job…"

"I know, just three eggs—look at you, old bastard!"

"Hehe, I had excellent grades, a bright mind, and a sweet mouth. I was a well-known master of seducing girls."

"I think you were more like a walking humanoid Teddy!" Lip teased.

"Haha, it means the same thing. The girls who were willing to sleep with me could be arranged from school to home," Frank said proudly.

"But I don't know why I fell in love with Monica! I couldn't help myself."

"Still thinking about it now?"

"Um!" Frank nodded.

Lip remembered two things: one, "Evil people will have their own troubles!" The other, "Every cause has its effect, and your retribution will come!"

It fit Frank and Monica perfectly.

"I sometimes feel like Monica and I are 'a bitch paired with a dog, forever and ever,'" Frank smiled to himself.

Lip smiled too.

I have to say, Frank is so self-deprecating!

"Lip, you have a girlfriend too. You should understand one of the characteristics of our Gallaghers!"

"Ah?"

"So fierce!"

"Cough, cough, cough~"

"Don't be shy, alcoholism and lust are hereditary in the Gallaghers." Frank glanced at Lip and added, "This is called extraordinary talent."

"Frank, you weren't like this when you were young, wallowing in the quagmire of alcohol, flour, and promiscuity all day long!"

"Are you kidding me? I was a hippie when I was young. I was one of the sacred 'Beat Generation' in people's mouths. I advocated instant gratification."

"I'm still a Vietnam War soldier!"

"What?"

"Although I was afraid of death and escaped military service in the end, I can't deny my great contribution to the United States!"

"What a mouthful you have! You'd be a shame not to run for congress and president."

"I think if I had successfully graduated from college back then, I might actually be a state legislator now."

"You actually went to college?"

Lip looked at him in disbelief.

"I was well-known as an academic back then, everyone at Northwestern University knew me. If I hadn't hit a naked Monica with my car during junior year, causing things to spiral out of control, I would've graduated without a problem."

"Hey~ What a nostalgic college life! Countless free time, countless beautiful women, countless novel gadgets…"

Frank looked full of recollection and enjoyment.

Suddenly, Frank looked at Lip with wide eyes and said very sincerely, "Lip, don't waste your precious youth procrastinating in twelfth grade just to make a little money. You must go to school and get into a good university to start your new life."

"Hey, don't be like me, trapped in women and liquor, wasting years in vain." Frank forced a smile.

Lip looked at Frank quietly, feeling a little dazed for a moment. He couldn't tell whether he felt pity or resentment for the man in front of him, who had such a special relationship with him.

"Sorry, Lip! To some of you, I'm indeed not a good father!" Frank actually had some guilt in his eyes.

"I once forgot Fiona, Ian, and you in the park one night in winter. This caused deep hurt to Fiona and you.

I've never apologized for it, but I still feel guilty and self-blame."

Lip believed him.

Because when Frank was unconscious after his liver transplant, he had deeply confessed to the little girl he thought was Fiona.

"I also thought about selling baby Debbie, but unfortunately, she had a hernia and couldn't. Hahahaha."

Lip paused for a moment, horrified. Were these really Frank's only children?

"Frank, tell me honestly, how many children have you sold?"

Lip's expression was cold and serious.

"Not a single one!" Frank smiled and said, "I wish I were that cold and heartless. Then I could be like Monica and leave you all behind, regardless of life or death."

"So what happened to Aunt Ginger? Did you kill her to take over this house?"

Lip pointed to Frank's feet as he spoke.

Frank sighed. "I'm sorry for Ginger too. I took refuge in Ginger after ruining my future. She was tolerant, understanding, and even encouraged me to get back on my feet. But just when I was about to take the last of my drugs and start over, she killed me!"

This old bastard's acting skills are so good! He was about to cry as he spoke.

Lip thought as he looked at Frank, who seemed on the verge of tears.

"Ginger had a heart disease and couldn't take drugs. But I was high that day, so I let her take a little too. Who would have thought that just a little would…"

"After she passed, I buried her in the yard, probably right where you're standing now."

"Farke!" Lip cursed and jumped away from where he stood.

"Frank, how have you gotten through all these years?"

"This is a long story." Frank reached out to Lip. "Give me another one!"

Lip handed Frank another cracker and lit the fire.