Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Morning.

Luke yawned as he walked down the wooden stairs and greeted Li Zhaofeng in the kitchen, "Good morning."

Li Zhaofeng glanced at his son, "The weather in New York is quite cold. Do you want me to take you to buy a coat?"

Luke walked into the dining room, pulled out a wooden chair, and sat down. "No need. Once the work things are finished, I barely go out. Either I'm in the house or in the car. I won't freeze."

Luke poured himself a glass of milk, took a sip, and the cold milk instantly woke him up, "Dad, for today's visit, what should we bring?"

Earlier, Luke planned to invite the family for a get-together before leaving New York. He personally called the elders in the family.

Luke's grandfather and uncle agreed, but his uncle-in-law intercepted, not allowing Luke to host the dinner outside and instead invited Luke to his home.

Initially, Luke thought his uncle-in-law was just being polite, so he followed suit with kind words. However, his uncle-in-law was adamant and repeatedly invited him.

Unable to refuse such hospitality, Luke accepted the invitation.

Luke's uncle-in-law is Chen Jiesheng, a lawyer in New York. He's usually busy with work and Luke and his brothers don't have much interaction with him.

After breakfast.

Luke took two bottles of Maotai from the house, then went to the supermarket to buy some gifts, and the father and son drove straight to his aunt's house.

Whether or not you like drinking Maotai, it's always an appropriate gift in the Chinese community.

Luke's aunt, Li Wan, is four years younger than Luke's father but has the best family conditions among the three siblings, living in a high-rise apartment in downtown New York.

Luke and his father parked the car in a nearby parking lot and crossed the street to the apartment opposite.

This apartment has more than thirty floors and has been around for over twenty years, but it shows no signs of aging. Instead, it embodies the marks of time and history.

Luke had heard more than once that high-rise buildings eventually turn into slums.

This might apply to most cities worldwide, but New York is an exception.

There are plenty of old residential buildings in New York City, and instead of becoming slums, the property prices and rents continue to rise every year.

New York is the world's most vibrant city, also the international center for economy, finance, commerce, trade, culture, and media. People from all over the world want to own a property here, which is the main reason real estate prices remain high.

Even Luke hopes to own a high-end apartment here.

The reason high-rise buildings turn into slums is mainly that with the increasing residency years, the facilities in the apartment age, requiring timely maintenance and repair.

The longer people live there, the higher the maintenance costs become. Some residents can't afford it, and others are unwilling to pay more. When maintenance is neglected, decay accelerates, property prices drop, and residents become even less willing to pay for upkeep, forming a vicious cycle that eventually results in elevators not working and utilities being cut off, turning into a slum.

In contrast, wealthy people live in New York, property prices keep rising, and residents are willing to spend money on apartment maintenance, forming a virtuous cycle.

As long as the building structure doesn't collapse, it won't look dilapidated, and property prices will remain firm.

The father and son took the elevator to the fifteenth floor.

Luke couldn't remember his aunt's apartment number and had to follow Li Zhaofeng.

Li Zhaofeng walked to room 1504 and pressed the doorbell.

"Ding dong."

After a while, the door opened.

A slightly thin Asian man in his forties stood at the door and greeted them with a smile, "Big brother, Luke, you're here, come in."

This Asian man was Luke's uncle-in-law, Chen Jiesheng.

"Hello, Uncle-in-law," Luke said, carrying the gifts as he entered the apartment.

The apartment's living room was very bright and spacious, with white tiles and floor-to-ceiling windows that allowed plenty of light.

"Oh, we're family. Why did you bring so many things?"

Luke smiled, "It's nothing. I know you like to drink, so I brought two bottles from home, and the rest are just some snacks."

"Next time, don't bring so much. Otherwise, I won't open the door for you," Chen Jiesheng said, taking the things and inviting Li Zhaofeng and Luke to sit on the sofa.

At this moment, Luke's uncle, Li Zhaonian, walked out of the kitchen, "You're here too."

Luke was a bit surprised, "Uncle, you got here before us. Where's Auntie and Will?"

"Your Auntie is frying pork in the kitchen, and Will went to pick up your grandparents. They should be here soon." Li Zhaonian glanced at his watch, "I'll get back to cooking. We'll talk later."

After saying this, Li Zhaonian returned to the kitchen to continue cooking.

As a professional chef, no matter whose house it is, he's always invited to help with cooking.

Luke's aunt, Li Wan, also came out wearing an apron to greet them, then went back into the kitchen.

Chen Jiesheng poured two cups of tea and handed one to Luke, "Luke, when did you come back?"

Luke took a sip of tea, "Almost a week ago.

The FBI asked me to assist in investigating a murder case. Now that it's done, I finally have time to gather with the family."

"I heard your aunt say you're now a criminal consultant for the FBI?"

"Yes, but my main focus is still with the LAPD."

"Not bad. Being able to navigate between two departments at such a young age, your future will undoubtedly be promising." After saying this, Chen Jiesheng seemed to think of something, "Recently, the news has been covering a dismemberment murder case. Both the New York Mayor's wife and the model Olina Back were victims.

The case had a severe impact and a broad spread. I heard it was handled by the FBI.

Did you also participate in the investigation of this case?"

"Yes, after the Mayor's wife was killed, the FBI director felt the case was quite serious. To solve it quickly, they brought me from LA to assist with the investigation." This case has been solved, and many details were on the news, so Luke didn't deliberately hide anything and continued, "The murderer had a terminal illness and joined a church with the intent to scam. Under the brainwashing of the church leader, he committed several murders."

Chen Jiesheng asked, "Did the suspect confess?"

Luke nodded, "When we caught him, he was about to harm the fourth victim, caught red-handed, so to speak."

Chen Jiesheng pondered for a moment, "Does the killer have mental issues?"

Luke glanced at him, remembering he was a lawyer, and replied evasively, "The killer only had some minor injuries.

On the contrary, the victim was quite frightened."

"Ding dong…"

The doorbell rang.

Chen Jiesheng went to open the door.

Luke's grandparents and Will walked in together.

Luke hurriedly went up to them, "Grandpa, Grandma."

Luke's grandma held his hand and warmly asked, "When did you get back?"

Luke replied, "I came back a couple of days ago and have been busy with work. I finally got some free time today and thought of inviting everyone out for a meal.

Uncle suggested not to book a table at a restaurant but to invite us all to his home for a gathering instead."

Luke's grandpa said, "Having a meal at home is better, more lively."

Luke helped his grandparents sit down on the sofa.

Luke's grandma asked, "Wasn't Julia supposed to come back today? Where is she?"

Chen Jiesheng responded, "Mom, I just called Julia. She's already landed and is on her way back. She should be here soon."

Luke's grandpa asked, "Last time we talked on the phone, she said her school schedule was tight. Why is she suddenly coming back for no reason?"

Chen Jiesheng chuckled, "Who knows, a few days ago she called her mom saying she wanted to come back to surprise us.

I thought, since you want to surprise us, I'll arrange a surprise for you too.

That's why I invited everyone here for a meal." Chen Jiesheng took out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Luke, "We were quite busy around the new year, and I didn't get to see you and your brother when you came back.

Now that you're back, I, as your uncle, ought to at least show some gesture."

Luke accepted the cigarette and asked, "Is Matt coming back today?"

Matt is Chen Jiesheng's son.

Chen Jiesheng snorted, "Ever since that kid went to college last year, he's been like a kite with a broken string, let alone coming home.

If he didn't need money, he wouldn't even call.

Raising a son all for nothing.

It's the daughters that are more caring."

Li Zhaonian laughed, "Our family isn't short of sons, just this one precious daughter, who doesn't cherish her?"

"Ding dong." The doorbell rang.

Luke's grandma chuckled, "Oh, it must be my precious granddaughter back, go open the door quickly."

Will eagerly ran over and opened the door. Outside stood a young Chinese girl, it was Julia.

She was a bit surprised to see Will, "Will, why are you at my house?"

Will stood aside, smiling, "Waiting to surprise you."

Julia's expression changed slightly and she glanced backward.

Noticing her odd demeanor, Will also looked behind her and his eyes widened.

"Is this...your friend?"

"Ah." Julia vaguely nodded.

Luke's grandma also came over, "Dear, come inside quickly, you're home now, why are you still standing at the door?"

"Grandma." Julia laughed, though her smile seemed a bit strained, as she entered the house, followed by the person behind her.

Luke also looked toward the door but overlooked Julia and instead focused on the man behind her.

A young Black man, probably in his twenties, about the same height as Luke, grinning broadly, showing his white teeth, with a somewhat shy smile.

Luke's grandma was taken aback for a moment, looking at the young man, she asked, "Um, who is this?"

"Ah...Grandma, this is my friend," Julia said in Chinese.

The Black man waved, "Hi, nice to meet you all.

I'm Horst Watt, Julia's boyfriend."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

The room immediately fell silent.

Luke's grandma seemed confused, "What did he say?"

In fact, Luke's grandma could understand some English, but it was either that he spoke too fast or she couldn't believe it.

Chen Jiesheng's face darkened as he questioned, "Julia, who is he?"

Julia glanced at her father and then at the Black man next to her, biting her lip, she gathered her courage and whispered, "He's my boyfriend."

Chen Jiesheng's veins bulged on his forehead, his teeth chattering with anger, "This is your so-called surprise?"

"I never said it was a surprise, I just told Mom I was coming back for something...

How would I know you invited so many people..."

"You're even feeling wronged, you..." Chen Jiesheng gasped for breath, clutching his forehead, suddenly his legs gave out and he started to collapse.

Luke, quick on his feet, hurriedly caught him.

"Jiesheng, what's wrong?"

"Dad, don't scare me!"

Luke hurriedly helped Chen Jiesheng onto the sofa and faintly heard him whisper, "Take me to the hospital."

Luke glanced at him. Having seen many critically injured patients, he thought Chen Jiesheng's situation wasn't serious. It seemed more like he couldn't face the current situation and was eager to leave.

Right, this meal was definitely out of the question.

Everyone was awkward, it'd be better to disperse.

Let their family handle it by themselves.

"My uncle's condition doesn't seem good, it's better to take him to the hospital."

Julia quickly ran over, grabbing Chen Jiesheng's hand, "Dad, what's wrong, where are you feeling unwell?

Don't scare me!"

Chen Jiesheng kept his eyes closed, pursed his lips, and didn't answer.

Afterward, Luke and his father assisted Chen Jiesheng downstairs and drove him to the hospital.

Everyone else also left.