Leaving the cafe, Ray and Lily headed to Micky's gym. On the way, the girl asked:
"Have you thought about how we'll tell your mom and Grandma? Where will we say the money for Violet's operation came from?"
"I've been racking my brains over this for a while, and I have a couple of ideas. We need to talk to Micky; I'm sure he'll agree to help us."
Seeing them, the old man smiled and said:
"I'm very glad you had the courage to open up. You're a very beautiful couple."
Seeing the old man, Lily said sincerely:
"Thank you so much for helping my sister."
"No need for thanks. I'm sure that under the care of you two, she'll grow up to be a good person. If you really want to thank me, then look after my family's graves when I'm gone."
"Old man, you're not old enough to die yet, so let's drop this topic. But I give you my word: as long as I live, your family's graves will be under my care," Ray said seriously.
"But as it happens, we need your help again," he added.
"I'll do everything in my power to help you," Micky replied without hesitation. He believed that as long as there were people like these two in this country, it would have a chance to rise. He saw that they were very worthy representatives of the younger generation, which was why he was ready to go to great lengths, even commit crimes, to help them.
"I never doubted you. Let's discuss this after we finish cleaning."
When Ray and Lily finished cleaning, Micky invited them for tea to talk.
"As you know, thanks to you, we have the money for Lily's sister's operation. All that's left now is to hope the girl gets a donor in time. But we still need to explain to my mother and Lily's great-grandmother where we got such a large sum."
"I want to say that you gave it to us. I hope you can play along," Ray said.
"I'm only a mediocre actor, but I'll still agree to help you. However, I have one condition."
"What condition?" Ray asked calmly. He knew Micky wouldn't ask for anything outlandish. He not only respected this old man; to some extent, Micky had become a father figure for Ray, so if it was within his power, the boy was ready to help.
"I want you to start training at my gym. Don't worry, it'll just be for show. I know your father is a scumbag, but believe me, he was very talented at boxing. I need his name to increase my chances of getting funding. If you agree, you should be prepared for journalists possibly bothering you."
Ray hated his father not only for hanging the sword of Damocles over his head, but mostly because he hadn't appreciated his mother, who had given her all to a bastard who didn't deserve it. The very fact that he bore his surname disgusted the boy. But after thinking it over, he nodded and said:
"Fine."
Micky had helped him a lot; if this would help the old man, he was ready to do it.
"Where is that money now?" Micky asked.
"Joe helped me put it in the bank. His acquaintance owns the bank, so if a donor appears and we need to withdraw it, there won't be any problems."
"Thank you again for your help. When my great-grandmother finds out you helped us, she'll definitely want to meet and thank you, so be prepared."