Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Darwin Community Hospital.

Chen Jiesheng lay on the hospital bed, staring straight at the ceiling. His face showed no abnormal expression, only his rapid breathing revealed his inner turmoil.

After Chen Jiesheng was sent to the hospital, a doctor examined him but didn't prescribe any medication, just advised him to rest more and avoid emotional agitation, observing him for a while.

Li Zhaofeng furrowed his brows, comforting him on the side, "The doctor said you're not in any serious trouble, it's just that anger consumed your heart. Rest well and you'll recover.

Julia is still young, just a bit childish. Talk things over with her, and this matter will pass.

Who hasn't done something foolish when they were young?

Don't think too much now, getting well is more important than anything."

Chen Jiesheng's face remained unresponsive.

Li Zhaofeng sighed softly. He knew his brother-in-law well, a capable man, yet also prideful. He has always treated his daughter as the apple of his eye, what people would now call a doting father.

Ever since she was young, everything Julia ate, wore, and used was the best. He couldn't bear to hit or scold her; she was raised with affection.

Julia didn't disappoint her elders' expectations either; she was beautiful, had a great personality, excelled academically, and even got into a prestigious university, standing out more than her brothers.

Chen Jiesheng always had high hopes for his daughter. Who would have thought she'd suddenly bring home a Black boyfriend?

All his prior expectations were shattered with a single blow.

Luke stood by without saying a word because he didn't know what to say.

He felt that Chen Jiesheng was not in real physical danger, he just wanted to be alone in silence.

"Bang!" The ward door was flung open.

Julia and Luke's aunt rushed in.

Julia ran to the bedside, grabbed Chen Jiesheng's hand, and cried out, "Dad, how are you? Do you feel unwell anywhere?"

Chen Jiesheng turned his face away, refusing to look at her.

"Dad, say something, please, you're scaring me... sob...sob...

I didn't expect this to happen.

I know you have traditional views and may not accept me having a Black boyfriend.

I brought him home this time because I wanted your approval. I respect you and value your opinions.

I never intended to hide this from you.

I just didn't expect everyone would..."

Li Zhaofeng asked, "Julia, since you understand everything, why did you choose to have a Black boyfriend?"

"I'm with him simply because of who he is. I love him and don't care about his race.

He's not what you think; he's truly sincere, ambitious, works hard at his studies, he's really outstanding."

Chen Jiesheng slowly closed his eyes, his face flushing as if angered.

Li Wan, worried about her husband's health, quickly said, "Jiesheng, if you're angry, just scold her a few times, but don't upset yourself."

Still, Chen Jiesheng gave no response.

Li Wan looked at Li Zhaofeng, "Brother, what did the doctor say? Is it serious?"

Li Zhaofeng glanced at his niece beside the bed, "The doctor said it's anger affecting his heart, he needs to rest quietly and be observed for a while."

Li Wan also sighed softly.

The room was left with only the sound of Julia's sobbing apologies.

Luke had no intention of saying more to Julia.

She was the only girl in the family, doted on by her father and mother, spoiled by her grandparents, and protected by two uncles.

Among her peers, Julia was a special presence. As her cousin, his words carried no weight, so why bother causing trouble?

"Since Uncle's okay now, we should go so we don't disturb his rest."

In Luke's view, Chen Jiesheng's 'illness' was partly because he didn't know how to face his daughter and her boyfriend, and partly because he couldn't maintain face in front of relatives, feeling ashamed.

Even though he and his father came to help with good intentions, staying too long might not be welcome.

This matter needed to be resolved by the three of them alone.

Li Wan escorted them to the door, "Thank you both, Brother, Luke."

Li Zhaofeng turned back and took a look into the ward, "Talk to Julia kindly, call me if there's anything.

Go on in."

Li Wan nodded, returning to the ward.

Li Zhaofeng sighed, "Ah, the family was supposed to have a joyful dinner, what has it turned into?"

Luke, however, felt that this matter seemed accidental but was actually inevitable.

It was also a part of Chinese people integrating into American society.

When choosing partners, for various reasons, most Chinese still tend to marry within their race.

But some Chinese choose to marry people of other races.

To be honest, Li Zhaofeng wasn't in a position to criticize his niece, for he was the first to marry outside the race.

The difference was that he married a middle-class white woman.

Though Luke never asked, knowing his grandparents well, his father likely faced some resistance before getting married, as their three siblings only had him marrying outside the race.

Of course, there was a big difference; many Chinese could accept intermarriage with whites but found it hard to accept family members marrying Black partners.

Luke might face the same issue in the future, choosing a white partner or an Asian?

Luke shook his head; it was still too far off for him as a staunch bachelor.

Who knows what the future holds?

The father and son walked through the corridor to the 15th-floor lobby, where they saw a familiar Black man.

The Black man stood up and greeted them, "Hi, I'm Julia's boyfriend, Horst Watt.

I'm sorry for what happened today.

I didn't expect it to be like this…" Horst Watt glanced towards the corridor, concerned, "How's Julia's father? I'd like to see him."

Li Zhaofeng studied him with a cold look.

He also adored his only niece and couldn't understand why she'd choose a Black man. No wonder Chen Jiesheng was angry; even as an uncle, he was furious.

What's this?

Luke asked, "Hey, are you from New York?"

"No, but I really like New York."

"It's indeed a great place. I suggest you take a walk around New York and contact Julia later."

"I heard from Julia before that her family is very traditional, and her parents might not agree with us being together.

But I didn't expect such a strong reaction from her father.

I was scared too." Horst Watt spread his hands, "I'm not in the mood to have fun right now, I want to talk to them personally.

Julia and I are serious, we love each other.

I'll impress them with my sincerity.

I believe that once they truly understand me, they'll allow us to be together."

Li Zhaofeng waved his hand to dismiss, "Leave here, Julia's father doesn't want to see you, don't go near the ward."

"Hey, I don't get why you're all treating me like this, Julia and I truly love each other, this is our private matter.

You shouldn't interfere too much.

I just hope Julia's father can give me a chance to speak.

This is the basic way for people to get along, isn't it?"

Seeing his father wanting to say more, Luke stopped him, and said to Horst Watt, "Buddy, how long have you known Julia?"

"For half a year, we first met at the school library, I'll never forget that day."

"How long have you been dating?"

"Three months ago, we officially started our relationship. She's an excellent girl, everything about her is so charming."

"Are you serious?"

"Of course, I can swear to God."

"Then there's no need to rush.

If you believe in Julia, give her some more time to explain things to her parents.

I'm sure after everything is handled, she'll contact you."

Horst Watt was silent for a moment, then nodded, "OK, thanks for the advice."

Horst Watt glanced toward the ward, turned, and got on the elevator.

After watching him leave, Li Zhaofeng still felt uneasy, "You can go back now, I'll keep an eye here."

Luke asked, "What are you watching?"

"I'm afraid that kid will come back."

"I figure Julia will come out soon, and she should talk to him.

Whose words are more effective, yours or Julia's?"

"It would be better if Julia comes out, I'll persuade him again, it's still not too late to separate now, if something really happens in the future... it will be too late."

"My aunt and uncle should persuade her.

At her age, she wants to save face, if every elder criticizes her, it will only make her more rebellious, counterproductive."

Li Zhaofeng thought for a moment, shook his head, "No, I still don't feel assured.

You go back first.

Regardless of whether she's happy or not, I still have to say what needs to be said.

As her uncle, if I don't intervene and let her really marry a black person, it will ruin her life."

"Dad, mind your words in public.

I'll wait for you in the car." Luke said and went down alone.

About half an hour later, Li Zhaofeng also went downstairs and sat in the passenger seat of the car.

While Luke started the car, he asked, "How did the talk go?"

Li Zhaofeng was silent, they say daughters are like a warm jacket, but sometimes even the warmest jacket fails to keep you warm.

Not to mention Chen Jiesheng, he's now so angry his head hurts.

Li Zhaofeng hesitated for a moment, then dodged the question, "You and Jack are living in Los Angeles, you're not around me.

I'm not worried about you now.

Keep an eye on Jack."

"Don't worry, I'll watch him, he wouldn't dare disobey."

Li Zhaofeng, as a father, doesn't necessarily have as much influence as Luke, the older brother.

At Jack's age, if he gets rebellious, Li Zhaofeng can't manage him well.

If it were Luke, it would just be a beating.

Sometimes, a father's beating might trigger a son's rebellious nature, even leading to estrangement.

Among brothers, it's quite normal to fight if they haven't married.

Take Jack, for example, even if Luke beats him, after a few days, when he cools down, Luke could coax him right again.

If it doesn't work, one could just spend some money and buy a gift.

If that still doesn't work, then another round of beating.

One hand for the carrot, one hand for the stick, the little chubby boy would know what to choose.

As for Julia's issue, Luke didn't ask anymore because Li Zhaofeng's face was filled with frustration, suggesting his persuasion wasn't effective.

If even parents and uncle's words don't work, as a cousin, there's no use bothering.

What Luke truly worried about were his grandparents; if Julia really withstands her parents' pressure to be with her black boyfriend, the old man and old lady would surely be upset, considering their age...

In the evening, Luke received a call from Negan Thomas.

"Hey Luke, how was your day?"

"Terrible."

"Young people shouldn't have such a negative attitude, a happy day is a day, and a sad day is also a day, so why not be a bit happier?"

Luke countered, "Do you have any good news to tell me?"

"Of course, I talked with that friend who was buying the dock, and set up a meeting for you, how about tomorrow morning?"

"Okay, what's his name?"

"Hamidi Shawn, I'll send you the address."

Luke probed, "Is he trustworthy?"

Negan Thomas didn't answer directly, "He's very wealthy."

Luke laughed, "I believe we will become good friends too."