Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Inside a pink Rolls-Royce.

Lilith yawned lazily and asked, "Were you satisfied with the French meal earlier?"

"Every dish was exquisite, and the taste was great.

The key is someone else footed the bill." Luke laughed and asked, "Where are we going next?"

"I'm a bit sleepy, going to take a nap first, then a spa in the afternoon. What do you think?"

Luke stretched, "Where to take a nap?"

New York, Four Seasons Hotel.

Luke and Lilith took the elevator to the 51st floor of the hotel and checked into one of the only two presidential suites on that floor, 5101.

It was Luke's first time staying in a presidential suite. The interior was extraordinarily luxurious, with full amenities, a marble gas fireplace, entertainment table, and precious oil paintings. The tall floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of most of New York City.

At this moment, Luke deeply felt the joy of the wealthy again; many things are decided at birth.

Lilith stretched and went to the bedroom to rest.

Luke went to the north terrace of the room, poured a glass of red wine, and gazed at Central Park in the distance.

In the afternoon, after Lilith woke up, the two booked a couple's spa.

The couple's spa room came with a swimming pool, steam room, hydrotherapy Jacuzzi, and private service room, all lavishly decorated.

The spa masseuses were two Latin girls, looking around twenty years old, with great figures and looks, and their techniques were very comfortable.

While enjoying the massage, Luke asked, "Any plans for tonight?"

"How about watching a Broadway musical?"

"What kind of musical?"

"Hamilton

This musical is based on Alexander Hamilton, deeply exploring the period of American independence and early history.

Previously, I thought a play of this theme would have a lot of classical music, but most of the songs were actually rap.

This is undoubtedly an innovation for musicals, making the story more engaging while incorporating modern music elements.

My friends watched this musical. They said the singing and performance were excellent, and the rap lyrics were very dense, making them feel a bit breathless just listening. Yet, the performers sing and dance without stopping—it's truly amazing!"

After listening, Luke showed little interest. Most Americans have little interest in American history. America is an immigrant country; when it was founded, their ancestors were unsure of which continent they were trying to settle on, lacking a sense of involvement.

After the comfortable spa, Luke swam in the pool for a while.

Then, he and Lilith had dinner together.

Regarding watching the musical, he couldn't muster enthusiasm.

After dinner, he took Lilith back to the presidential suite, enjoyed a couple's bath in the luxurious bathroom, and did some couple's yoga on the soft bed—this was true comfort.

The next day, they woke up around eight in the morning. After accompanying Lilith for breakfast, Luke left the hotel.

As for this experience of 'high society,' overall, it was quite pleasant and boosted his motivation to make money.

Of course, Luke wouldn't foolishly think he could live such a life just by being with Lilith.

Luke was clear; he and Lilith were just friends with benefits or lovers and unlikely to progress further.

If he truly wanted to advance the relationship, Lilith might distance herself instead.

Ultimately, their family backgrounds differed greatly. Even though Luke had some success in his career now, compared to Lilith's family heritage, it was far inferior; a decade of hard study cannot match several generations of accumulation.

Of course, Luke didn't feel dissatisfied. He was still young and could think about the future later. Enjoying life now was enough.

Able to have fun without responsibilities, who needs a bicycle?

As soon as Luke returned home to his father's house, he saw the little fat kid ready to go out.

The little fat kid curiously asked, "Where did you go last night?"

Luke answered perfunctorily, "Had drinks with a friend; it got too late, so I stayed outside.

Where are you going?"

"Will invited me out to play." The little fat kid licked his lips, "Do you want to come along?"

"Where are you planning to go?"

"Arcade."

"OK, have fun."

"You're not coming?"

"Not my scene." Luke was familiar with the little fat kid enough to know he wasn't being truthful and clearly didn't want him tagging along.

"See you tonight then." The little fat kid closed the door and cheerfully headed out of the community.

The little fat kid went out of the community and headed to the subway station. Compared to Los Angeles, New York's biggest advantage is its more developed public transport.

The little fat kid took the subway for twenty minutes and got off at Columbus Avenue station.

He exited the subway from the south station, walked about a hundred meters, and turned into the right street. On the east side of the street was a coffee shop where a white girl stood at the entrance.

Upon seeing the white girl, the little fat kid trotted over excitedly.

From a distance at the street corner, Luke saw this scene. Although he couldn't see the girl's face clearly, he recognized her by her figure—Maggie.

This made Luke somewhat speechless but seemed reasonable upon thinking about it.

He didn't interrupt their date and retraced his steps back to Li Zhaofeng's house. Last night had been late, so he needed a nap today.

Late morning, Luke woke up. Li Zhaofeng had already prepared lunch.

Spicy stir-fried clams, cold dressed century eggs, smashed cucumber, pan-fried salmon, along with his favorite donkey meat, with baked pizza as the main course.

Li Zhaofeng opened a bottle of Moutai, poured two glasses, and said, "Today, let's have a good drink, just the two of us."

Luke took the glass, "Dad, here's a toast to you."

"Okay." The two of them finished a glass, and Li Zhaofeng said, "Eat something, have a bite before drinking more."

Luke picked up a piece of donkey meat, and as he chewed, it tasted just as delicious as he remembered.

Li Zhaofeng ate a bite of cucumber and asked, "Luke, your career is going well right now, and you've matured a lot. Have you thought about getting married?"

Luke was taken aback for a moment and shook his head, "No."

"Weren't you dating a lawyer before? How's that going now?"

Luke continued to shake his head, "Hard to say."

She's a career woman, busier than me at work, and she's a staunch non-believer in marriage."

Li Zhaofeng picked up his glass again, clinked it with Luke's, drank half of it, and said, "Doesn't sound like a great candidate for marriage."

Luke laughed, "Marriage still feels a bit early for me; at least I haven't thought about it at all right now."

Li Zhaofeng pondered for a moment, "You're still young, so there's no rush. Take your time."

Luke thought, instead of focusing on me, you might want to push the little chubby one more; maybe in a few years, you could have a big grandchild.

Thinking of this, Luke couldn't help but laugh; if that really happened, who would raise the child?

The little chubby one is just a kid himself and might not have that capability.

Li Zhaofeng? Or Linda?

However, for Luke, it's not a bad thing. If the little chubby one has a child, then no one would nag Luke about it.

He'd be freer.

The brothers spent five days in New York, enjoying a pleasant Spring Festival holiday.

February 13th.

Li Zhaofeng sent his two sons to New York International Airport, watching them pass through security.

The little chubby one waved goodbye to Li Zhaofeng, then walked into the waiting hall looking downcast.

Luke glanced at him and thought, is he reluctant to leave New York, or his father, or Maggie?

He's indeed quite sentimental.

This entire journey, the little chubby one remained silent, a stark contrast to when they came to New York.

After more than five hours, the plane landed at Los Angeles Airport.

The brothers disembarked, dragging their luggage to the parking lot, and then Luke drove the little chubby one home.

Luke glanced at the little chubby one in the front passenger seat, "Why the long face? Tell me what's bothering you, so I can cheer up a bit."

Jack glared at his brother, "You're going to be disappointed; I'm just a bit tired."

"Not planning to chat about Maggie?"

The little chubby one hesitated and sighed, "Seems like you figured it out; I knew I couldn't hide it from you.

But, thank you...

For asking now."

"Since you two have met, I hope you had a pleasant holiday together.

But now that the holiday's over, I want to hear what you think."

"Yes, we're in touch, roughly once a week."

Luke reminded, "You know that's dangerous, right? Maggie is in the witness protection program, and she's not supposed to contact people from her past.

Last time, her and her father's identities were exposed, likely because she secretly kept in touch with her mother."

"I know, so we don't talk by phone; we use encrypted messaging on the internet, which is nearly impossible to trace."

"Does Maggie's father know about this?"

"Originally, he didn't, but Maggie told me she's planning to tell him this time.

She wants his permission."

Luke shook his head, "Maggie's father won't agree."

"Maggie says she can convince him, and I believe her."

Luke said helplessly, "But that doesn't eliminate the potential danger.

As long as you stay in contact, not only Maggie might be exposed, you could also be in danger."

"With you by my side, I don't think anyone would dare harm me?"

"I can't always be by your side."

"Big brother, I know you're concerned, but... the world is full of dangers.

A while ago, my friend's father took his dog for a walk near the park and got shot by gangsters; he died before reaching the hospital.

Danger is everywhere.

You face dangers every day as a cop, and mom worries about you all the time.

Should we stop doing things because we're afraid of danger?" The little chubby one licked his lips, "Big brother, I know you're looking out for me.

I may not be very old, but my thoughts are mature.

I've thought long and hard about staying in contact with Maggie.

I'm willing to bear the consequences; I feel it's worth it...

If I gave up on this relationship due to a bit of danger, I'd never forgive myself.

I really don't want to miss out on Maggie, can you understand?"

Luke sighed lightly, saying nothing more, suddenly feeling envious of his brother, having such a sincere love at the most beautiful age...