The real life of an American police officer: Winning over others with virtue

Chapter 236 Killing God

Helen smiled and greeted Ray, then her gentle gaze fell on Zizimin before moving to Eric. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes when she saw Eric, as if she hadn't expected him to be so young.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting."

Ray and Eric exchanged a glance and laughed, "Not at all, Helen, the timing is perfect, he didn't come?"

Helen smiled and said, "I told him to wait outside."

Father Donnie said, "Then let's begin. Sister Helen, you talk to the child first."

Helen subconsciously glanced at Eric. The girl had instinctively shrank back toward Eric when Helen entered, a subtle movement that did not escape her notice.

This shows that the girl's source of support and reliance is this young man named Eric.

Eric nodded in agreement. The key to the interview wasn't him, but whether the foster family and the child could establish a connection.

As long as both parties are satisfied, it can be finalized on the same day; that's how Zhizhimin's brothers always arrange things.

Helen responded with a warm smile, then looked at Zhizhimin and naturally sat down opposite her.

“It’s quiet here, isn’t it?” Helen said softly. “I hope it doesn’t make you feel too uncomfortable.”

Zhizhimin glanced quickly at Eric, seemingly trying to gain some courage from him, before answering softly in English:

"...A little."

Helen noticed her dependent glance, her smile unchanged: "It's good to be honest about feeling nervous; it shows you value this meeting, and so do I."

-

The conversation proceeded under the gentle gaze of Eric and the others.

Helen asked about her feelings about the church, and Zhizhimin's answers were brief and cautious. After each answer, she would secretly watch Eric's reaction as if confirming that the answer was correct.

Eric would nod encouragingly at her each time, but this seemed to deepen Zhizhimin's subtle expectation that he would say or do something, rather than just stand there watching.

Unfortunately, Eric did nothing.

As Zhizhimin looked at Eric's encouragement, her heart felt a slight pang, and the faint flame of hope within her was extinguished.

She understood what Eric meant, because it was good, it was right, and it was the choice he wanted her to make.

So, Zhizhi Min lowered her head, subconsciously avoiding Helen's outstretched hand, and whispered as if completing a task that had to be done:

“I…can go with you.”

Helen's hand gently rested on Zhizhimin's hand, sensing the stiffness and subtle resistance, but she said nothing, only gently covering Zhizhimin's hand.

"it is good."

-

The interview ended in an atmosphere that was outwardly gentle but inwardly filled with Zhizhimin's complex thoughts.

Helen spoke a few words in hushed tones with Father Donnie, then smiled and said to Eric and Ray, “Thank you so much for bringing Zizimin. She’s a very special child, and I’m looking forward to spending time with her.”

Her gaze finally landed on Zhizhimin, who was still looking down.

Eric looked at Zhizhimin and reached out to pat her head: "I believe you two will get along well." With this matter finally resolved, Eric felt a weight lifted off his shoulders.

"I hope so." Helen smiled, her eyes filled with complex emotions. Her health was not good; the cancer she thought she had defeated had relapsed.

Her purpose in adopting the child was actually more for her husband's sake.

Then, noticing Eric's thoughtful look, she took a deep breath and said.

"Then it's time for us to part ways. Zhizhimin, would you like to say a few more words?"

Zhizhimin looked at Eric in silence.

Eric immediately snapped out of his reverie and laughed, "It's not like we can't meet. I'll come to see you often."

Zhizhimin hummed in agreement. "Then let's go," Father Donnie said appropriately.

"Okay." No one objected.

The group walked out through the heavy wooden door of the side aisle of the church and returned to the corridor connecting to the main hall.

Just then, Eric's gaze inadvertently swept over a row of secluded benches at the back of the main hall.

A lone figure sat there.

The other person was wearing a perfectly tailored, dark-colored suit. Even when sitting, his back was ramrod straight, his profile was hard and cold, and his temples were slightly gray, like a silent statue.

The man did nothing, simply sitting quietly in the shadow of the empty church pews, yet he naturally exuded a sharp aura that was completely different from the tranquil and sacred atmosphere around him, a sharpness that was restrained to the extreme, like a piece of black iron thrown into a lake, calm yet carrying an undeniable weight and coldness.

As if sensing their presence, the man raised his head and cast his gaze precisely over them, or more accurately, at Helen Wick.

The moment his eyes met Helen's, the cold barrier in the man's eyes seemed to melt slightly—very subtle, but enough to change his entire aura. He stood up, his movements fluid and quiet, and walked towards them.

Eric's gaze met that of the man.

In that instant, Eric felt as if a cold electric current had struck his spine; his steps faltered, and his pupils contracted sharply.

That face—a face that combined Keanu Reeves' handsomeness with Halle Berry's resolute qualities, yet added a touch of coldness and vicissitude.

John Wick?

The name was like a bullet, instantly piercing Eric's thoughts. Now, he finally understood the source of the deep sorrow hidden in Helen's eyes.

Images from movies I'd seen in my past life flooded my mind, and previously hazy memories instantly became clear.

Special security consultation? What a load of rubbish!

They could wipe out an entire Russian mafia just for a dog.

Wait, what? It's the Russian mafia again? This is hopeless.

Eric's unusual behavior was noticed by Ray, who whispered, "What's wrong? You've been acting like you've seen a ghost since just now. Do you know John?"

As he spoke, Lei's expression became somewhat strange.

Eric slowly exhaled a breath of stale air: "I don't know him." But the look in his eyes as he looked at Ray had a slightly ambiguous change.

Ray knows this couple? Well, Ray... he's really kept this from me.

That makes sense, since Ray had no reason to introduce him to that other underground world.

Father Donnie clearly recognized the visitor, smiling and nodding in greeting: "John, is the prayer over?"

John Wick walked up to Helen and stood there naturally. His presence immediately transformed the space around Helen into an invisible safe zone.

He nodded slightly to the priest, his voice low and concise: "Father."

Then his gaze shifted to Eric and Ray, finally lingering for half a second on Zizimin, who was clinging tightly to Eric.

Helen smiled warmly and gently touched her husband's arm: "Darling, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I just finished."

She turned to Eric and introduced him: “This is my husband, John Wick.”

John, this is Officer Stevens, whom I told you about, and this very brave girl, Zizimin, will be part of our family from now on.

John Wick's gaze fell on Eric, and he nodded slightly: "Officer."

His greeting was extremely brief, with a metallic, cold quality, which made Helen pat his arm gently.

"I'm sorry, my husband is a little inarticulate, but he's definitely a good person."

Eric's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. Yes, a good man, a 'good man' who had slaughtered his way through the entire underworld.

He was incredibly lucky to have run into this living devil.

(End of this chapter)