Chapter 12 Ringo and the Circus
119.
Bruce and I rescued Little Richard from a killer during a night patrol (we later investigated and found out that the killer was a biological weapon specially cultivated by the "Court of Owls": Claw).
But what was even more surprising was that when we sent him home, we discovered that he was the Grayson child we had rescued a few days ago during the "Flying Grayson" circus performance. It turned out that the little boy who once flew freely in the air was actually involved in such a dangerous conspiracy.
Due to the dangers and unscrupulousness of the Court of Owls, the Graysons proactively sought Batman's protection, and Little Richard was placed on Wayne Island.
To be honest, this arrangement is somewhat inconsistent with the "playboy" image that Bruce is currently trying to create. He is trying to completely separate the identity of Bruce Wayne from Batman, and even frequently criticizes Batman in various banquet reports, resolutely drawing a line between himself and his vigilante identity.
So, according to common sense, Little Richard should not appear in Wayne Manor. However, with the security situation in Gotham City, where the war between the two families has just ended, it is a good opportunity for various forces to make moves and take advantage of the situation.
With the exception of Wayne Island, no place else could possibly withstand the claws of the Court of Owls.
Therefore, I was forced to add a character who "admires Batman immensely". His main task is to stop Bruce when Bruce spews venom to Batman in a sarcastic manner and refuses Batman's commission, so that Little Richard can live in Wayne Manor normally without violating the character.
I can only say that Bruce is really dedicated and hardworking, but he obviously only needs to reveal his identity. After all, I knew at first glance that Little Richard is definitely my younger brother!
"No," Batman said, "It's too dangerous."
120.
"I dare say Bruce will be exposed in no more than a month." I said to Barbara beside me while taking off my combat boots.
Even though we used to be able to head straight to the kitchen after our night patrols, dressed in our uniforms, we'd go to the kitchen and search the refrigerator, and Bruce would walk up and down the hall in his Batsuit, like a living sculpture.
But because of Little Richard, Bruce strictly forbade us to walk around outside the Batcave in our uniforms.
——Yes, Barbara finally passed Bruce’s rigorous test during the Maroni event. Now she doesn’t have to sit in the Batcave all day, but can tour the city with us (Afu: It seems that I, an old man, am the only one left to ensure the logistics).
Her uniform is still a rough sketch and has not been fully completed, but it has been decided that her code name outside will be Batgirl (I said back then that this was the one you prepared for yourself!).
Barbara thought for a moment. "Two weeks."
"Oh?" I raised my eyebrows. "Why do you say that?"
She leaned against the locker, tilting her head as she analyzed, "First, Richard is a frighteningly smart kid. Sooner or later, he'll notice that we mysteriously disappear for a few hours every night. Second, Bruce's secret base is always filled with new equipment. Do you think Richard won't be attracted to these things?"
I nodded. "Indeed, the little guy has tried to sneak into the Batcave several times, but was stopped by Alfu every time. He even knows the location of the mechanism now and hangs around the library door every day."
"Not to mention Bruce's serious tone," Barbara shrugged. "Every time Dick asked something, Bruce's answer was ambiguous. A child's curiosity is like a snowball. The less you tell him, the more he wants to find out."
"Also, he's been showing up in front of Dick lately, pretending to be some clueless billionaire." Barbara spread her hands, "But he also has a batarang in his pocket. He probably doesn't even realize it."
I couldn't help but smile, "That's a really interesting detail."
"Finally," Barbara continued, "Dick began to question his 'business entertainment.' He once came to me and asked, 'Why does Bruce always come home from dinner so tired and even with dust on his clothes?'"
"Ha, that's a classic." I laughed and sat down. "When do you think he'll get to go into the Batcave?"
"It's not difficult to get into the Batcave, but he might think it's a 'secret boys' club'." Barbara shrugged. "After all, there's Alfred's dessert research and development lab here."
"In that case, I bet he'll think we're top dessert connoisseurs," I added with a smirk.
"What about Bruce's bandages and bruises?" Barbara asked with a sly smile on her face.
"Oh, that depends on Bruce's ability to explain things." I leaned back in my chair and said leisurely, "After all, isn't telling lies with open eyes gradually becoming his forte?"
The two looked at each other and couldn't help laughing out loud.
121.
After fully exchanging our experiences, I smacked my lips and said, "But I'll give Bruce a month. After all, he does have a talent for disguise."
Barbara smiled and said, "Then let's make a bet and see who is right."
"What are you betting on?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"If I win, you have to help me fix the communication device on my uniform." She pointed to the uniform she had just taken off. "It's been making strange noises lately."
"No problem," I said, a smile playing on my lips. "But if I win, you have to design me a special cape. I don't think my cape is flowing enough."
"It's a deal." Barbara extended her hand and we high-fived.
At this moment, Ah Fu walked in with two cups of hot milk, his usual smile on his face. "Ladies, you two are discussing so enthusiastically. Are you planning how to 'dig out' the young master's secrets again?"
"We were discussing whether Bruce would be exposed." I took the milk with a smile, "What do you think, Alfu?"
Ah Fu gave a meaningful smile, "If the young master's secret can really be hidden from that young master Richard, I am willing to prepare midnight snacks for you for another ten years."
"How long do you think it will take?" Barbara asked curiously.
Ah Fu put down the tray gracefully, his tone as calm as ever, "I'm afraid it won't even last two weeks."
122.
Alfu is worthy of being Alfu. Bruce’s secret can’t last more than two weeks.
That day, Richard skipped back upstairs after dinner with a glass of milk, while Barbara and I sat in the living room chatting as usual. Bruce locked himself in his bedroom, pretending to be busy working on Wayne Enterprises' documents.
"Guess how Little Richard will find out?" Barbara bit the straw, her tone full of excitement.
"He's been keeping a close eye on Alfred's movements lately. I think he'll attack from the entrance." I took a sip of my hot cocoa and lazily leaned back on the sofa. "Bruce's cover-up isn't enough for him."
However, before we could continue the discussion, a slight "click" sound came from upstairs.
We exchanged glances, quickly set down our cups, and ran upstairs. Sure enough, the bookcase swung open a crack, revealing a spiral passageway leading to the Batcave, with the elevator entrance at the end. Richard was standing at the end of the passageway, concentrating on studying the closed elevator door.
Bruce had obviously heard the noise too. He rushed out of the bedroom, his face filled with helplessness and shock. "Richard!" His voice was low and commanding. "What are you doing?"
Richard looked up, his blue eyes filled with excitement. "Bruce! There's a secret passage behind your bookcase! Where does it lead to? The treasure room?"
"It's just a storage room." Bruce tried to make his voice sound calmer. "Richard, stay away from there."
"Storage room?" Richard tilted his head, disbelief written all over his face. "Does the storage room need a password?" He raised the small notebook in his hand. "I wrote down the order that Ah Fu entered."
I almost laughed out loud, leaning against the wall and whispering to Barbara, "This little guy is even more amazing than we thought."
"Obviously, Bruce underestimated him." Barbara blinked and watched the contest with interest.
Bruce sighed, trying to intimidate him with his authority. "Richard, this is none of your business."
However, Richard's eyes lit up, as if he had found a breakthrough. "Oh, if it's not a storage room, then what is it?"
Bruce was speechless for a moment, and his face became even stiffer.
"You're not Batman, are you?" Richard suddenly asked, his tone half tentative and half certain.
I couldn't help but tap the wall lightly, trying hard to hold back my laughter. "Oh my god, this kid is so smart."
"We absolutely have to record this!" Barbara nodded, pulling out her phone and starting to record. "This is a rare and famous scene."
Bruce stared at Richard, clearly caught in a dilemma. He knew that any denial would be futile and would only make Richard more suspicious.
"Richard." Bruce took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. "There are some things you don't need to know right now."
"But I already knew that." Richard gave a sly smile. "You're Batman, right?"
Bruce frowned, and finally, he just sighed and whispered, "You are smarter than I thought."
"So, is that so?" Richard asked, his eyes full of anticipation.
"No." Bruce quickly denied, his tone so calm that it was believable. "Batman is a symbol, not a person."
"Ha! So you admit you're part Batman!" Richard cheered, jumping up. "I knew it! That's so cool!"
Barbara and I laughed our asses off. Bruce glared at us, pinching his brows helplessly. "You guys have a lot of free time too, don't you?"
"Not at all." I tried to suppress my laughter and gave Richard a thumbs-up. "Well done, Little Richard!"
Barbara smiled and added, "Welcome to the Bat Team."
Ah Fu came up from downstairs with tea in hand, his usual calm smile on his face. "Looks like there's a new insider to Master's secret. Do you need uniforms for the new member?"
Bruce gave him a stern look, and Richard exclaimed excitedly, "Uniforms! Really?"
"Of course not," Bruce replied coldly. "Now, go back to your room, Richard."
Richard stuck out his tongue and winked at Barbara and me. "I'm sure I'll find more secrets!"
Bruce looked at the little guy who ran back to the room and sighed with a headache. "Alfred, don't let him see the password next time."
Ah Fu elegantly picked up the tray and said nonchalantly, "Master, I don't think this will be a problem for him."
Barbara and I fell on the sofa laughing again.
113.
From then on, well, Bruce probably just took a desperate attitude and agreed that he should know more secrets directly.
So, on a quiet night, Dick—who felt that the secrets we exchanged made our relationship more intimate, and so the names we addressed should also be more intimate—finally got his chance, and with sparkling eyes, he followed Barbara and me through that secret passage and stepped into the Batcave for the first time.
"Oh my god!" Dick gasped in shock as he entered the cave entrance, as if he had discovered a new world. "This is even more advanced than a science fiction movie! Have I arrived 20 years in the future?"
He opened his eyes wide and scanned everything in the cave: countless high-performance computers, fully functional training areas, sophisticated laboratories, and the Batmobile that flashed with a cold light.
"Twenty years from now?" Barbara smiled and shook her head. "Maybe. After all, Bruce's technology is always ahead of the times."
"Look! What's that?" Dick spotted the Batmobile and ran over to it with brisk steps. He circled the car as if examining a priceless work of art. "Can I drive it? Just one lap!"
"No." Bruce's voice came from behind, as cold as ice.
"Oh, please!" Dick turned around with a pitiful expression, like a bird caught in the rain. "I'll be careful! I can even ride a bike really well!"
"The Batmobile is different from a bicycle." Bruce stepped forward, his tone as calm as ever. "It requires very precise operation, even..."
"Stop!" I raised my hand and interrupted him. "Bruce, have you forgotten that you are facing a child now? He will not understand your preaching style at all."
"I understand!" Dick protested, then gave him a sly grin. "And since you won't let me drive the Batmobile, let me try that big computer!"
As he said that, he ran excitedly towards the host area.
"Bruce, you have to keep a close eye on him." I said to Bruce with a smile as we walked. "This little guy's curiosity is endless."
——Although he is only one year older than me, and even the same age as Barbara, we somehow naturally treat him as a child.
Bruce shook his head helplessly as he kept up with Richard, "Dick, this isn't an amusement park. You need training before using any equipment."
"Training? That's great!" Little Bird turned around and asked excitedly, "When can I start training?"
I couldn't help but laugh. "Bruce, you asked for this."
Barbara stood aside, arms folded across her chest, watching the interaction between the black-haired, blue-eyed boy and the younger one with great interest.
"Training can be arranged," Bruce finally compromised, but his tone remained serious, "but the premise is that you must strictly abide by the rules."
"Understood, sir!" Dick stood at attention and saluted, then turned back to me and Barbara and winked. "See, I told you he'd agree!"
Watching Dick bounding towards the training area, Bruce sighed helplessly, "I really shouldn't have let him in."
"It's too late." I patted his shoulder, smiling broadly. "Welcome to the 'Superheroes with Kids Club,' Bruce Wayne."
Ah Fu then appeared from the stairs, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand. "Master, this may be a new challenge for you, but I believe it will make you stronger."
"It might just be more of a headache," Bruce muttered.
We all laughed, and Dick was already in the training area, swinging a boxing stick around enthusiastically, muttering to himself, "I need to come up with a really cool code name..."
114.
The lights in the training area shone on Dick as he swung the boxing stick. His movements were not yet skillful, but full of energy. He kept muttering, "Super cool name... It has to be interesting and intimidating..."
Barbara and I sat aside, eating the cookies that Ah Fu prepared for us, and watched him work with great interest.
"Are you sure you want a code name?" Barbara asked, a hint of teasing in her tone. "After all, 'Dick' is cool enough."
"That's not enough!" Dick paused solemnly, turning to look at us. "I want a name that's right up there with 'Batman'! You know, like Peregrine or Batgirl!"
"Oh, then we're all ears." I raised my eyebrows and motioned for him to continue.
He frowned and thought for a while, then suddenly slapped his forehead, "Robin!"
"Robin?" Barbara stopped chewing her biscuit and tilted her head to look at him. "Little Robin? That name sounds cute."
"What's so cute!" Dick said anxiously, "It's the nickname my mom gave me. It symbolizes hope, freedom, and... light! It feels like a superhero!"
"Bright?" I couldn't help but laugh. "Gotham is one of the darkest places in the world. Are you sure that's the right name?"
"Of course!" Dick held his head high, his blue eyes filled with determination. "Even in the darkest night, Robin can bring a ray of light to Gotham!"
Hearing this, Barbara and I looked at each other and suddenly didn't know what to do next.
Just then, Bruce's voice came from the side, "Are you sure?"
We turned together to find him leaning against the wall of the training area, his arms folded, his eyes fixed on Dick.
Dick nodded vigorously, "Of course!"
Bruce was silent for a moment, and the corners of his mouth raised an almost imperceptible arc, "Then Robin."
Dick cheered immediately, running around the training area waving his boxing stick. "I knew I made the right choice! Robin—Batman's perfect partner!"
Boy, I can't help but find fault with this.
"I am the well-known best partner of Batman." I glanced at the little boy who was half a head shorter than me - yes, I have grown taller successfully - after all, girls develop earlier than boys.
"Where did you get this little cookie? If it wasn't Peregrine Falcon, it would have been Batgirl or Pennywise. You haven't even started training yet, little robin, why are you so exhausted and delusional?"
Alas, a little bit of the bat family's well-known disputes.
"Best partner?" Barbara couldn't help but laugh. "You don't even have a uniform right now, don't get too cocky."
Dick stopped dead in his tracks when he heard that, his face puffing up with anger. "Hey! Who said uniforms are important? A superhero isn't defined by the clothes they wear!"
"Oh?" I breathed a sigh of relief and took a slow bite of the biscuit in my hand, a slight smile on my face. "So, are you planning on going out in your tracksuit, Dick Little Robin?"
"It's Robin," he corrected. "The uniform is just a formality. What matters is my belief!"
"Hmm," Barbara interjected, suppressing a laugh. "Your belief is the one about not washing the dishes after dinner and then getting scolded by Alfu?"
Dick's face instantly turned red, "It was an accident! An accident!"
"Oh, of course," I smiled and raised my eyebrows. "A little robin with such conviction like you should go and help Alfu clean the windows right away, right?"
Dick immediately retorted, "No! I'm a future superhero! I need to spend my time training—yes, training!"
Bruce stood at the door of the training room, his eyes sweeping over us before landing on Dick. He said calmly, "Since you're going to train, train until you're fully qualified to bear the name 'Robin'."
"I can!" Dick shouted, straightening his back. "I'll prove it to you!"
Barbara and I looked at each other and smiled at the same time, "We'll see, little Robin."
Dick raised his fist, "Call me Robin!"
"Okay, little Robin."
"Don't add 'small'!"
"I know, Robin Mockingbird."
"Sister Leona!" He jumped up and down in anger.
Bruce sighed softly and turned away, "Start by completing two sets of basic training, Robin."
Dick's expression instantly fell, his eyes darting back and forth between us and Bruce, and finally he gritted his teeth and said, "I will definitely prove that I'm the best!"
"Well, prove it slowly, little robin," I said lightly, giving him a loud applause.
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