Chapter 1006: Gourmet Delights
"Sure," Kevin's eyes lit up. Doris's mother's dumplings were legendary, and he had loved them since he was a child.
But Doris scoffed, “Keep dreaming. You're on your own with instant noodles.” With that, she turned and left.
Kevin, frustrated and dejected, thought she might have had a change of heart. He unlocked his door, tossed his backpack on the floor, and collapsed onto the couch. From waking up at 7 a.m., enduring multiple rounds with Natalie, rescuing a child, and playing mental games with Jasper, he was utterly exhausted. The moment he relaxed, he drifted off into a deep sleep.
When he woke, it was already dark. Kevin checked the time—6 p.m. Feeling the call of nature, he went to the bathroom and then noticed his stomach growling. Opening the fridge, he found only three eggs, two tomatoes, and half an onion. He sighed, accepting that instant noodles were his fate. Life without a woman in the house was tough, and he wondered when his cousin might return.
Just as he moved to boil water, there was a knock at the door. Upon opening it, he saw Doris standing there. Irritated, he asked, "What do you want?"
"My mom made some delicious food and insisted I bring you some since you're alone. If you don't want it, I'll take it back," Doris said, shaking the thermal box in her hand and turning to leave.
"I do, I do!" Kevin, touched to the point of near tears, pulled Doris inside, grabbed the box, and eagerly started eating. The aroma hit him immediately, and he devoured a dumpling, letting the savory juices explode in his mouth.
"Slow down, or you'll choke," Doris scolded as she followed him into the living room. Noticing the empty house, she added, "So, your mom really isn't home. My mom wanted to invite her to the trade market in two days."
"What trade market?" Kevin, his mouth full of dumplings, asked.
"The new one by the south park. It’s twice the size of the shopping center and has a grand opening with 20% off everything. Haven't you heard?" Doris said.
Kevin shook his head, confused. His summer had been chaotic, juggling several women—Grace, Evelyn, Vanessa, Natalie, Audrey, and Kimberly—completing assignments for Alissa and Audrey, and occasionally chatting with Maurice. His summer vacation had been thoroughly exhausting yet fulfilling.
"The market has a great location, surrounded by residential areas. Getting a stall there would be profitable," Doris sighed. "Mom wanted one, but they’re all taken by people with connections. It’s infuriating."
An idea sparked in Kevin's mind. Although still a high school student, he knew many influential people—Evelyn, the wife of the city planning director; Daisy, the principal’s wife and deputy leader of the dance troupe; and, of course, Maurice, the vice governor’s wife. He could surely leverage these connections to help Doris.
He quickly finished the dumplings, wiped his mouth, and said, "Don’t worry, sis. I’ll see what I can do."
"You?" Doris looked skeptical. "What can a kid like you do?"
Kevin smiled and stepped aside to make a call, deciding to ask Mark first. He didn’t want to approach the women he knew, fearing rejection might be awkward.
"Hey, Kevin! What’s up? Got another case for me?" Mark answered, cheerfully.
"Mr. Mark, I need a favor. Are you free to help?" Kevin asked, a bit nervous. After all, Mark was a police captain, not someone to waste time on trivial matters.
"Sure, tell me. If it’s something I can do, I will. But no illegal stuff," Mark replied.
"It's like this. Our county has a new market opening, and my 'sister' wants a stall, but they’re all taken. Can you help?"
"Oh, that’s all? I thought it was something serious," Mark replied, relieved. Kevin had helped him significantly before, and he didn’t want to refuse his first request. "Hold on a sec, don’t hang up."
"Okay," Kevin waited with the phone, Doris peeking curiously over his shoulder.
"Who are you calling? Do you really know someone at the market? Regular staff won’t help; you need a manager," Doris said.
"I’m not calling market staff; I’m calling the police captain," Kevin replied nonchalantly.
"Captain? Yeah, right," Doris scoffed, ready to pummel Kevin if he was messing with her.
Mark returned to the line and provided Kevin with the market owner's number, instructing him to mention he was Mark’s cousin. Kevin was both skeptical and hopeful, but with Doris’s questioning look, he dialed.
The owner, hearing Kevin was Mark’s cousin, was extremely accommodating. He took down Doris's mother’s details and promised her a stall, suggesting she come by the next day to finalize it.
Hanging up, Kevin watched Doris’s skeptical expression turn to awe. "Kevin, are you sure that wasn’t a scam? I've heard a stall costs at least $5,000 under the table."
"I’m not sure, but who would dare scam a police captain?" Kevin chuckled. "Have your mom go tomorrow and see. If it doesn't work, I’ll find another way."
"Kevin, you're impressive." Doris couldn’t believe such a tough issue was resolved with one phone call. "If this works out, I’ll owe you. We can’t afford much, but I'll give you $5,000. Don’t think it’s too little."
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