Chapter 53

"Hiss~"

"Phew~"

"Life is like smoking again—it makes you addicted when it makes you miserable," Frank said with emotion. "But we Gallaghers are like cockroaches. We just can't be beaten to death or blown away, and we keep on surviving!"

"Since ruining my own future, I've occupied Ginger's house and made a living by stealing, defrauding, collecting insurance, drinking, taking drugs, and having promiscuous sex."

"Hehehe~ Like a walking corpse."

"I originally thought it was because I was so lazy by nature, but when I saw the various so-called laws and regulations in the United States, I resolutely chose to be lazy."

"Why?"

"I've seen through the employment system, welfare system, and tax system in the U.S. Not working, not paying taxes, and cheating on subsidies by changing the law. This is the easiest and most effortless way to survive."

Frank looked like it was the most natural thing.

"Life is heading toward death. If I die, I'll die happy. Why do I have to live so hard every day, even though I'm half-dead already?"

"Wherever there are people, there will be class. So why bother yourself and make others happy? It won't matter if I take advantage of the country like this. Besides, I'm robbing the rich and giving to the poor!"

Lip wanted to laugh when he saw Frank speaking so righteously.

"Lao Ma and Lao En are right. The country and society are used by a few people to enslave and exploit the rest."

"Only when the vast majority bear the burden and move forward can the few live in peace."

Lip was surprised. He never thought these wise words, which he had heard before traveling, would come from the mouth of this most shameless old bastard.

But he had to admit, these were the harsh truths!

"I was actually very happy from the start of self-destruction. Otherwise, I wouldn't be a happy alcoholic. I'm the first believer in alcohol and would love to be with it for life."

"What about women?"

"When it comes to drinking and debauchery, women will only slow me down. Please wait a little longer."

Lip suddenly remembered that after Frank died, his body would explode when thrown into the incinerator by the workers, due to the alcohol concentration in his cells being too high, causing the workers' faces to turn black. When he saw this, Lip laughed until he cried.

Frank, the old bastard, seemed to be living in pain.

All his hobbies were based on destroying his body and facing death on the streets. All of it left his body riddled with holes, but he seemed to enjoy it endlessly.

Lip thought for a while—could it be that mental destruction was more desperate than physical pain, so Frank chose to live in a drunken state?

Frank sucked down the last of his cigarette and flicked the butt into the fire.

"Lip, now I'm like a train that has braked but is still moving forward. The inertia of life has made it impossible for me to stop, let alone deviate from the original track and choose a new direction."

"But I hope you seize the opportunity, choose wisely, and never become the second shameless Frank."

Frank patted Lip on the shoulder, turned, and walked toward the basement.

After a while, he walked out carrying a green canvas bag.

"This is a little thought-provoking letter from Fiona and you guys, bye!" Frank pulled a pink envelope from his jacket and handed it to Lip. Then he smiled and walked toward the end of the street without hesitation.

Lip took the envelope, staring blankly at Frank.

He felt a little lonely, but his steps remained firm and steady.

After a while, Frank's figure completely disappeared down the street. It was still some time before dawn, and the sky was pitch black.

Lip didn't know what was going on, but he felt as if a huge sadness was gripping him tightly.

Even his heart hurt.

"Farke! What the hell is going on, and why do I feel a little sorry for this old bastard?!"

Lip pulled his gaze from the street and looked at the pink envelope in his hand. He didn't know what he was thinking, but he felt a strange sense of loss. At that moment, the first hint of deep blue appeared in the sky.

Back home, Fiona had woken up and was making breakfast with Steve.

"Lip, aren't you going for a run? Why are you back so soon?" Fiona asked, licking her fingers covered in cream.

"Frank is gone, and this is what he left for you," Lip handed the pink envelope to Fiona.

Fiona took it in surprise, opened it, and paused.

Lip was also shocked when he saw the wad of bills in Fiona's hand. He was stunned.

Fiona immediately unfolded the white letter inside.

There were only a few sentences on it:

"My dearest daughter Fiona, please allow me to say thank you for all your hard work over the years."

"Please allow me to apologize to you, to Lip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam."

"I'm gone now and may never come back. Please don't come looking for me."

"I wish you more and more joy and happiness!"

"Love you forever!"

Fiona burst into tears.

Lip quickly pulled out the letter and read it too.

Suddenly, Lip remembered the original scene when Frank treated him to a big dinner and went skating after he graduated from high school, but ended up falling on the ice…

Thinking of this, Lip rushed out the back door like a madman, running toward the basement quickly.

"Lip!" Fiona shouted from behind.

Ian, Carl, and Debbie, who had just come downstairs, saw this.

Lip hoped the truth wasn't what he feared. But when he opened the basement door, the smell hit his face. The fishy odor confirmed it.

"Da da da~" Fiona and the others followed closely behind, coming to the basement.

In the dim light, they saw Lip standing alone, head lowered, seemingly lost in thought.

As they approached, they too lowered their heads.

Everyone stood frozen.

There was a large pool of bright red blood on the ground!

It was slightly frozen, like a flower blooming from the other side, under the ice.

Lip suddenly snapped back to reality. He pushed through the crowd and ran frantically toward the corner where Frank had disappeared.

But after running for a long time, he found no trace of Frank.

"Frank! Frank!!!"

Lip screamed hysterically, his eyes wet with tears.

At the same time, on a bus bound for the U.S.-Mexico border, Frank quietly stared at the address on the note. He closed his eyes.

He wanted to get a good night's sleep.