Running at full speed, Yang Xu, carrying Daredevil, soon arrived at a shabby, simple apartment. This was the residence of Claire Temple, known by some as the "Night Nurse," and she was indeed a night nurse.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
"Who's outside?"
The sudden, urgent knocking late at night startled Claire, who had been anxiously awaiting Daredevil's return. She didn't answer immediately but quietly moved to the door and carefully peered through the peephole.
The scene outside tightened the knot of worry in Claire's chest. A muscular man with a red, starfish-shaped hairstyle stood there, looking intimidating. In the chaotic environment of Hell's Kitchen, Claire, living alone, had faced such situations before, but carefulness usually sufficed.
However, the man was holding someone. She couldn't see the carried person's face, but she recognized the black uniform.
"Daredevil?! He's been caught!"
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Claire quietly retreated and picked up a pistol, its weight a small comfort in her hand. She returned to the door and cautiously opened it a crack.
"Claire! He's not a bad guy, help me!"
Despite his senses being dulled by severe injuries, Daredevil still registered the sound of the door opening.
Facing a formidable stranger, Claire was stunned by the weak but familiar cry for help. Her reaction was swift; she threw the door open completely.
Claire knelt down quickly and with considerable effort helped Daredevil up, her voice thick with emotion. "Daredevil! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."
Daredevil, severely injured and carried all the way by Yang Xu, managed a weak smile. "Claire!"
Seeing his torn clothes and the blood at his mouth and chest, Claire's eyes welled up. "I'm sorry, Daredevil! It's all my fault..." she repeated, bewildered.
"My lady, perhaps we should postpone the reminiscing and tend to him first," Yang Xu interjected from the doorway. "Otherwise, this gentleman doesn't have much time."
Yang Xu's words snapped Claire out of her panic. She quickly turned, put one of Daredevil's arms around her shoulders, and helped him into her apartment.
Claire laid Daredevil on the coffee table and began a frantic assessment and treatment. Even with Yang Xu's subtle healing touch aiding the process, it took her over an hour to stabilize Daredevil.
"I'm so sorry, Daredevil! This is all my fault!" Claire sobbed as she changed his dressings. "I know it's dangerous, but I still… still…"
"This isn't your fault, Claire!" Daredevil, though weak, reassured her. "This is what I choose to do. Even if you hadn't told me anything, I would have acted once I knew."
In the living room, Daredevil, having barely recovered, gently comforted the still-crying Claire.
After a long while, Claire's emotions calmed. She turned to Yang Xu, who was sitting on the sofa. Lowering her voice, she asked Daredevil, who was lying on the coffee table, "Is he your friend? Or is he asking you for help too?"
Claire's question made Daredevil hesitate. After a moment of struggle, he said, "No. I'm not sure who he is, but he doesn't seem like a bad guy."
After a brief pause, Daredevil recounted the events of the night to Claire.
…
"You mean, the person controlling the patient's family was an old lady, and she managed to beat you up this badly?!" Claire exclaimed, incredulous. "And there's also the 'Heritage of God,' secret organizations, and all that?!"
Seeing Claire's disbelieving expression, Daredevil said helplessly, "I know it sounds unbelievable, but it's true!"
Claire frowned, her gaze fixed on the seriously injured Daredevil, confusion evident in her eyes. She knew Daredevil wouldn't lie to her, and there was no reason for him to.
"It's hard to believe, but it's the truth." If Daredevil hadn't experienced it himself, he wouldn't have believed it either.
"Alright," Claire sighed, a small smile gracing her lips. "Regardless, he saved you!" She deliberately glanced at Yang Xu and whispered to Daredevil, "Perhaps we should both thank him for saving your life!"
"Maybe," Daredevil agreed. He supported his weak body and, with Claire's help, slowly rose from the coffee table. He walked unsteadily towards Yang Xu and said sincerely, "Thank you very much for your help, sir! May I know your name?"
Looking at Daredevil, who looked like he might collapse without support, Yang Xu said casually, "My name is Ah Fu. Though, you can also call me by my nickname, 'Black Tiger'!"
Daredevil considered this for a moment, then slowly said, "Then I'll call you 'Black Tiger'." He then winced, clutching his chest, and said through gritted teeth, "Please don't trust Madam Gao. I can tell she's not a good person!"
"Of course, I know she's not a good person!" Yang Xu replied matter-of-factly. "Besides, I also know she won't be of any real help."
Hearing Yang Xu's knowing tone, both Daredevil and Claire were stunned, identical question marks forming in their minds.
"How did you know?" Claire asked, unable to contain her curiosity.
Yang Xu calmly explained, "It's obvious. Faced with my threat, she agreed far too easily."
"And she didn't even bother to call me dad… cough cough… cough cough…"
Yang Xu suddenly caught himself and coughed to cover his slip, his mind racing. That's not right! Aren't all of Fuku-chan's strange phrases related to his fighting moves? Why am I saying weird things even in normal conversation now?
After a few strategic coughs, Yang Xu continued, under the slightly worried gazes of the two, "Mrs. Gao didn't even ask my name or which organization I belonged to! It's clear she has no intention of cooperating; she just wants to trick me into leaving!"