amaotonovel Chapter 4146 When the Pumpkin Ripens (28)
Chapter 4146 When the Pumpkin Ripens (28)
Chapter 4146 When the Pumpkins Ripen (Twenty-Eight)
The dishes on the table were steaming hot, making the atmosphere even more lively and cheerful. The fireplace was burning brightly, and the firelight cast a pale orange hue on the white bowls and plates, while the silver cutlery gleamed under the lamplight. The clinking of glasses sounded like the prelude to a beautiful country tune from a memory, and behind them, the night sky was a deep, intense blue-purple, with the long Milky Way flowing down, and the shimmering surface of the lake in the breeze giving each star a cradle.
Although there was no alcohol, the delicious food and cheerful conversation were intoxicating enough. Perhaps because they had consumed so many carbohydrates, after the meal, everyone's foreheads were covered in fine beads of sweat, their steps were unsteady, and they were drowsy.
Then they threw themselves onto the sofa in front of the fireplace, lounging around, yawning, and muttering meaningless things like a bunch of happy drunks.
“Okay, I admit it, if I really had to send food to Krypton, I would choose this meal.” Harley placed her hands on her stomach. She was no longer the skinny girl she used to be. As she grew older, she began to grow taller and her figure became fuller. Even her cheeks were fuller than other Harley Quinns, which made her look younger.
"How many pancakes did you eat?" Pamela slowly turned her head and asked.
"Three, I guess. What about you?"
“Ha! Harley Quinzel! You’ll weigh five pounds tomorrow morning,” Pamela grinned. “I only ate one.”
“Don’t think I didn’t see it. You ate five whole lamb ribs, deep-fried ones.” Tim immediately exposed him. “You’re not much better off.”
“Sorry, I have magic,” Pamela said smugly. Then she twitched, reached behind her and pulled her long hair out, placing it behind the sofa chair, saying, “My weight can be adjusted at will.”
"Oh my god, you're so mean!" Harley slapped the armrest and said, "You know you won't gain weight, that's why you eat so much, and we all ended up eating so much too!"
"Whether it's my fault or not, you know the answer in your heart." Pamela rolled her eyes.
"What are you planning to study, Tim?" she asked, turning to Tim.
"I don't know, but I don't want to study those conventional majors at all, like psychology or criminal investigation. I'd rather study them in Gotham. I'd rather study a European-style major."
"European characteristics? Ballet? Classical music? Drama? Wine tasting?"
"Do you think Europe is still in the Middle Ages?" Tim said, somewhat speechless. "I want to study a modern profession, one that is technically advanced and will be useful in Gotham's future renovation projects."
"Do you have an idea?"
“That’s right, I’m going to study architecture,” Tim said. “Brainiac told me that Gotham Cathedral was a bit too old and he wanted to renovate it, but most people disagreed because they were worried that Brainiac would turn their cathedral into a Bauhaus style.”
“Oh my god, I wouldn’t agree either,” Harley was the first to object. “The cathedral is the most historically and culturally significant building around here, and what’s wrong with a Gothic cathedral?”
“Brainiac really wanted to restore it to its original state, but there is a shortage of people with that kind of talent everywhere. There are many more buildings that need repair than the cathedral, and everyone is too busy with their own work, so it keeps getting postponed.”
"Are you planning to enroll in a one-year program?" Pamela turned to him and said, "That's fast, but are you sure you'll succeed?"
"Don't you know my learning ability? Although it's a year, I don't plan to stay there for a year at all. I plan to finish all the courses in five months and find a project internship in the remaining months."
“Don’t let Professor Schiller hear you say that,” Harley said, shaking her head. “Which university are you planning to go to? Politecnico di Milano? Or the University of Madrid?”
"I don't know, I'm still thinking about it. Maybe I'll go to the art school, because if it's pure science and engineering, Gotham University is also an option. The architecture department at Gotham University is ranked pretty high."
"Art school? Well, looks like we're going to have another art student among us. Dick's ballet, Jason's classical literature, and you're going to join the European school of painting. Thomas will be so proud of you all."
"Actually, it's because what we need more than technology is aesthetic education, because Gotham's art style is really a bit abnormal. The new era doesn't need so much crazy creation; we have to study what humanity really considers beautiful."
"I'm speechless."
"Me too."
The three of them looked at each other in silence, then all turned to look at the back door. Harley asked, "You were digging in the ground before dinner. What were you digging for?"
"The doctor told us to dig up the soil, and we took the opportunity to check if there was any kitchen waste buried in the backyard, since we had to make sure we weren't actually eating moose."
"Now that they've finished eating, why are they going to till the land again?"
“Oh, that really is hoeing. You know, nobody gets a free meal from Dr. Schiller,” Tim said, spreading his hands. “We can sit here because we’re really suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, and once these symptoms subside, we probably won’t be able to…”
"Tim Drake! Go to the storeroom and get some more plastic sheeting!"
Tim gave him a "See, I told you so" look, and the other two stopped lounging on the sofa. Pamela downed her water in one gulp, while Harley grabbed a bottle of sparkling water, and the group headed towards the backyard.
The backyard was bustling with activity, and greed was keeping everyone on their toes, including Batman from the main universe, with everyone having to help him build the greenhouse.
Fortunately, the field in the backyard wasn't big, and the greenhouse didn't need to be built very professionally. Bamboo strips were used as the frame, and plastic sheeting was laid on top to keep it airtight. As for heating methods, we could deal with that when it got colder.
As the only two professional physicists present, the Fries were setting up the framework, while the others were either turning over the soil or tidying up the plastic sheeting. In the short time it took to finish eating, the greenhouse was already taking shape.
“I always had a feeling that he invited us over for dinner just so we could do this,” Selena whispered.
“Then your intuition is very accurate. Alright, Miss Sensitive Senses, stop playing with that plastic sheet and go put it up there.” Greedy pointed to the east side of the greenhouse, Selena sighed, and walked over.
They worked for quite a while, drinking several bottles of soda, and finally finished tidying up the backyard. As everyone prepared to leave, Tim leaned against the front door frame and said, "Consider my suggestion, Professor. Just by borrowing your umbrella, we can find out whether Darkseid is truly the mastermind."
“No need for you to trouble yourself,” said Arrogance, then he handed Tim a handful of candy and distributed the rest of the Halloween candy to the others. They parted ways at the gate and got into their respective cars to go home.
“I have a feeling something’s not right,” Jason said as he drove back with Tim. “I don’t know how the doctor is, but the professor cares about the kids. He usually helps out in things like this, and his condition is much better than before. He even lent his umbrella to someone else. Why wouldn’t he lend it to us?”
“This means there must be some part we don’t know about,” Tim said after thinking for a moment. “Barry is going to search around that family’s house. Why don’t we go with him? Maybe we’ll find something.”
"Okay, I'll give him a call. Do you have a gun with you?"
"No, I work in my own factory, why would I carry a gun? Where's your pistol for self-defense? Was it taken by Brainiac too?"
"No, I just didn't bring it with me when I came out."
“Oh my God, listen to this! Our Red Hood is going out without a gun? Brainiac really gave you a good dose of anesthetic.”
Jason rubbed his nose and said, "Aren't you the same? This is your car, and you're asking me for a weapon?"
The two exchanged a glance, staring at each other blankly, then sighed in unison. Tim said, "Too much security has its downsides. Neither of us is armed; wouldn't we just be causing trouble if we went?"
"They might not even fight, right?... God, I must be under some kind of spell." Jason himself exclaimed, "I actually thought that going for a stroll in the East District this late wouldn't trigger a fight."
“That’s true,” Brainiac said. “I’m pretty sure there was no deadly violence in the community he lived in.”
"But he's a cult member, aren't you afraid he might be hiding a gun?"
“Coincidentally, I also have a gun hidden away,” Brainiac said. “You can use my directions to retrieve your equipment from the armory.”
"Yay!" Jason and Tim gave each other a high five.
They drove around in a maze of turns until they arrived at a neighborhood store not far from the family's house. Before they even got there, the door was already open, and inside the store's storeroom was a cellar door. Climbing down the ladder, they found themselves in an armory filled with all sorts of firearms and ammunition, though most were locked in cabinets, with only two gun cabinets open.
“Seriously? This is all you have? This little pistol?” Jason was clearly dissatisfied. “Cultists are very vicious, and the fighting area might be quite small later on. Let’s bring a shotgun instead.”
"That's why I don't recommend you use high-powered firearms, precisely because the area is rather small. Also, there are night vision goggles over there, please bring them."
The two hesitated, wanting to get their hands on the big gun, but Brainiac wouldn't budge. Tim sighed and said, "Damn it, I haven't touched a gun in years, not even at the shooting range."
“You’re a rich kid, what’s there to complain about? I’m not used to not having a gun.” Jason was practically drooling over the big guns in the gun cabinet. He said, “Before Brainiac came, Alfred wouldn’t let me play with sniper rifles, and he even confiscated one of my Garands…”
"Where did you get Garland from? I don't know anything about it!" Tim asked immediately.
"Of course I have my own channels."
"Harley gave it to you, right? Ha, and you said you two were okay!" Tim practically jumped for joy.
“Let’s not talk about that,” Jason said. “Tonight’s operation is crucial. Barry isn’t good at hand-to-hand combat, and his space-cutting superpowers are too noisy to be used in a residential area. We’ll have to rely on the two of us to fight him head-on. Brainiac, we really can’t…”
Before they could finish speaking, the cellar door above rattled, and the two men immediately turned around alertly, leaning against the wall and cocking their guns.
But when the figure's face came into view, Jason and Tim were both startled.
"Schiller?! Wait, how come you're so young?"
Tim sized him up, then said, "You're an agent, aren't you?"
The other person nodded, and then with a click, the cabinet containing the sniper rifles opened. He casually pulled one out, making Jason and Tim extremely envious.
"My God, why can he use a sniper rifle?!" Tim exclaimed indignantly. "You just said something about 'firearms use regulations'..."
The agent flashed his badge at them and said, "Agent Rodriguez. I'll be providing sniper cover for tonight's operation. Any other questions?"
Tim was about to speak when Jason pulled him back. The two sighed dejectedly, saying, "Okay, having a license is great. Brainiac, you have to promise us a couple of shots after the operation, even just to hunt rabbits..."