Chapter 313

The following morning.

Luke and the vice squad handed over their work.

The old man, the vice squad, had no shortcomings except for his age and grumpy temper, so there was absolutely no need to worry about work.

Luke got the itinerary from Reed and returned home in the afternoon to prepare for the trip to Washington.

One of the most important points was family.

The United States attaches great importance to the concept of family, running for president also have to show affection, just like the retired Guanhai brothers, many people think of his first impression is not the president, but a good father, a good husband, the ability to balance the family and work is regarded as an important campaign chips.

Regardless of whether it is sentimental or rational, it is better for the family to accompany Luke to receive the award than to receive the award alone.

In the evening, Luke invites his family to a dinner party.

The gathering place is in his own small yard.

Luke was also too lazy to cook today, and directly ordered Chinese takeout.

At five o’clock in the evening, the family members arrived one after another.

Grandpa Robert, uncle Val, mom, brother and brother’s little girlfriend Maggie.

Since the two young lovers had a conflict, Luke saw Maggie for the first time, and the two of them were talking and laughing and sticking together, and their relationship was so good that people envied them.

Val walked over with a bottle of beer and whispered, “Did you invite Maggie?”

“No, the little fat guy decided on his own, I can’t always refuse.”

“Seeing the two of them like this makes me feel a little redundant.”

Luke clinked glasses with the other, “Trust me, you’re not the only one who feels that way.”

“Haha, that makes me feel better.” Val took a big gulp of his beer, “By the way, what’s your reason for having a get together today?”

“Do you need a reason for a family dinner?”

“Come on, I’m your uncle, you can’t fool me.”

Luke smiled, “Wait until dinner.”

Val bristled with an I knew it look, then he pulled a flash drive out of his pocket and put it in Luke’s hand.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a new song I just recorded.

You know, I got a steady job, made a little money, and rented a studio.

You’re the first listener, so give me some input after you listen.”

“I’ll listen attentively.” Luke put the flash drive in his pocket.

A car pulled up to the curb and a young man stepped out and opened the trunk, “Mr. Lee, your takeout has arrived.”

Luke greeted, “Jack, come help.”

“Coming.”

There were six people in total, and Luke ordered eight dishes and two soups.

The restaurant was not far away, and there were a few dishes that could be heated up with alcohol lamps and set on the table, and a standard Chinese food party was officially underway.

Luke had gone to this restaurant to eat, and the flavor was done in a more authentic way.

Although Luke can cook, but only simple home-cooked meals, want to eat a little more complex Chinese food still have to go to the restaurant or call takeout, if he let himself prepare this table of Chinese food is not realistic at all.

Maggie revealed a surprised look, “Wow, there are so many dishes I haven’t seen before. What is that reddish dish, it looks so appetizing.”

“Golden lionfish.” Luke introduced, “The main ingredient of this dish is fish, coated in flour, deep fried, somewhat resembling the shape of a lion, and finally topped with a sweet and sour tasting sauce.

It’s kind of like a fish version of sweet and sour pork.”

“I like sweet and sour pork.”

“Then you’ll love this dish too.” In fact, there was one thing Luke didn’t say, this dish was also modified, except that it wasn’t the flavor but the fish that was modified.

All the golden lionfish in China used carp, the restaurants here switched to sea fish, the taste was almost the same, the disadvantage was that it was overpriced, the advantage was that there were no spines.

Robert said, “I’m also looking forward to this Chinese food party.”

Linda looked complicated, “I haven’t had it in a long time either.”

Luke spread his hands, “So what are we waiting for? Everyone take your seats.”

Under Luke’s warm greeting, the party officially began.

Little Fatty, who preferred mutton like Luke, picked up a piece of hand-held meat and took a bite, “Damn chef, actually forgot to put in the seasoning.”

Luke explained, “Lamb stew only needs green onions and ginger, no other seasonings.”

Jack questioned, “Are you sure? It doesn’t even have salt in it, there’s no flavor at all.”

Luke’s psyche was suddenly a little uncomfortable …… his brother actually had not eaten authentic hand-held meat: “Jack, this is called hand-held meat, you have to dip it in chive blossom taste will be better.”

Jack did as he was told and tasted it, “It tastes good, and it’s a lot less greasy to eat.”

Luke felt that in the future when he had time, there was a need to take his brother to eat some more authentic Chinese food.

The Chinese culture was profound, Luke didn’t expect his brother to be able to know it as well as he knew it.

But as a person with Chinese blood, he should at least understand Chinese cuisine.

Food is the people, familiar with the Chinese food culture, for the whole national culture will also have a certain understanding.

At least the two brothers will have more common language to communicate in the future.

When the meal was almost finished, Luke put down his chopsticks and said, “Families, I have something to announce.”

“I knew it.” Val wiped her mouth, “You getting another promotion? Or getting a medal?”

Luke laughed, “Not bad for my uncle, a talent for being a detective.”

“I’ve been awarded the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, and I’d like to invite you to join me for the investiture ceremony.”

“Haha ……” Robert laughed, “That’s great news, I’ll definitely be there.”

“My son, you are my pride.” Linda got up and gave Luke a hug.

Jack said, “Mom, I’m going too, you’ll get my vacation time, mmmmm.

Maggie, you come along too, it should be fun.”

Maggie put down her chopsticks and shook her head, “I do want to go, but my dad won’t approve ……”

“Why?”

“He won’t allow me to leave L.A. alone.”

“There’s no need to leave L.A. The ordination ceremony is in L.A., right old man?”

Luke held out his fist and bumped fists with Maggie, “Maggie’s right, the award ceremony is in Washington, the White House to be exact.”

“WHAT? The White House! You kid aren’t kidding.” Val was shocked, his mouth hanging open.

“It seems I need to educate you guys, the Public Safety Officers Medal of Valor is the nation’s highest badge of honor awarded to public safety officers, and it’s a medal presented by the President himself.”

Robert stood up and spread his arms wide, “Jesus Christ, the President of the United States is going to personally present an award to my grandson?”

Luke nodded, “That’s right.”

Robert directly gave Luke a bear hug, “Son, you are my pride, the pride of our entire family.”

Linda was directly moved to tears, “Thank God, I’m so happy ……”

Little Fatty pointed to his chest, “That means I can go to the White House to meet the president ……

I’m not dreaming.”

Maggie twisted him directly on the arm.

The little fat man exclaimed, exulting, “Oh yeah …… it’s true!”

At eight o’clock in the evening, the family dinner was over, and after Luke saw his family off, he drove to Daisy’s house as well.

Telling Daisy about his trip to Washington, and at the same time, inviting Daisy to come along.

But Daisy still had a job at the law firm and couldn’t be gone for days at a time, and besides, it wouldn’t be comfortable for her to go with Luke’s family.

Early the next morning, Luke left Daisy’s house and went to a nearby breakfast place to eat breakfast.

As he ate breakfast, he looked at the airfare information.

“Buzz.”

Luke received a text message from his mom, “Luke, don’t forget your father.”

Luke frowned slightly, forgotten?

No, it’s just that the contact was low and he was subconsciously avoiding it.

After a moment of hesitation, Luke dialed his father’s cell phone number, “Hey, Dad.”

“Luke, I was trying to reach you? How have you been doing lately?”

“Pretty good, how about you?”

“I’m good too, do you have time for Christmas? I’d like to ask you and Jack to come to New York with me for Christmas.”

“I’m not sure, I’ll take Jack if there’s no case.”

“OK, it’s a deal.”

“Dad, remember the last time I was robbed in Las Vegas?”

“Of course, you shot down the shooter and saved the festival goers. Not only do I remember, our entire family, neighbors, and my colleagues all know that you are the pride of the Lee family.”

“Because of this incident, I’ve been awarded the Public Safety Officers Medal of Valor, and there’s going to be an awards ceremony at the White House on October 22nd, and I’d like to invite you to come along.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, “Congratulations son, that’s the best news I’ve heard all year. Your mother was complaining to me earlier this year ……

Oh, I reckon your mother should be crying with joy.

I’m proud of you.”

“Will you be coming? I’ll book you a flight.”

“Uh, I’d like to go, of course I’d like to go.

But …… I’m still in the hospital with a minor injury, and I’m not sure the doctors will let me out?”

“Where did you get hurt?”

“Accidentally hit by a car, nothing serious.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I just didn’t want you guys to worry, it’s almost over.”

“Luke, I’m Uncle Two, I’ll take care of your father, don’t worry.”

“Uncle.” Luke snorted.

“Luke, I’m proud of you too, be sure to come to New York for Christmas, let’s have a good drink as a couple.”

“Okay.

Dad, get well and I’ll send you pictures from the awards show.”

“Don’t tell Jack about my injury.”

“I know.”

“Luke, I’m proud of you.”

Hanging up his cell phone, Luke’s mood was a little heavy.

If he didn’t know that Li Zhaofeng was injured, he could not go to the hospital, but now that he already knew, it was reasonable that he should go to visit.

But unlike his family in Los Angeles, Luke hadn’t had any contact with Li Zhaofeng since he crossed over, so he couldn’t talk about any kinship.

Forget it, let’s go to Washington first, and then go to New York if there’s time ……

October 20th morning.

Luke’s family rushed to the Los Angeles International Airport.

The airfare and hotel expenses were paid by Luke, which might be a considerable expense for ordinary people, but it was nothing to Luke.

The family went through security and waited in the terminal for half an hour before boarding the plane one by one.

The little fat man was carrying a black backpack, walking with a bobbing excitement, “Washington, I’m coming!”

Luke and others took a large passenger plane, there are ten seats in a row, two-way aisle, the family sat in the 10th row, Luke’s seat number is G, next to the right side of the aisle.

Little Fatty and Val found their seats first, Luke was putting his suitcase in the aisle, suddenly, Luke felt bumped by a soft body, twisting his head to see, it was a Latina beauty in a wrap-around skirt, with a bumpy front and a curvy back.

At first glance, Luke thought he had run into Orty, but on closer inspection it wasn’t Orty, who was a bit taller.

The woman dragged her luggage and smiled unobtrusively, “Sorry, I accidentally bumped into you.”

“The passageway is a bit narrow, don’t worry about it.”

“Sir, can you help me put my suitcase in the luggage compartment? I’ve brought quite a few things with me, and lifting the suitcase is a bit heavy for me.”

Raising his hand, Luke didn’t refuse and lifted the other person’s case to put it in the luggage compartment.

“Thanks, my name is Laura, I’ve been sent by my company on a business trip to Washington, how about you?”

“Luke, traveling with my family.”

“I’m jealous, the last time I traveled with my family was six months ago.” The woman finished, sat down on the other side of the aisle, pulled out her headphones and started listening to music.

Val, who was on the side, looked at Luke, and then sized up Laura, the female beauty in the wrap-around skirt, and squeezed her eyes, “Luke, this girl is nice, don’t say that as an uncle I didn’t warn you.”

Luke smiled, usually when others ask this, there is another layer of meaning, do you want it or not, if you don’t want it, I want it.

“Silly smile what? Such a good opportunity, of course I have to take the initiative.”

Luke also swept a glance at Laura, comparing her and Ortie secretly, both are Latin beauties, Ortie is taller and has a more outstanding temperament, Luke still prefers Ortie.

Luke asked rhetorically, “Want to switch places?”

Val froze for a moment, “Wow.” Val rubbed her hands over her legs, “Are you sure you don’t want to try it?”

“No.”

Val gulped, took a deep breath, looked at the Latina beauty, Laura, and then at herself, “Uh…… never mind.”

“Huh ……”

Little Fatty had been paying attention to this side of the situation, seeing his uncle’s clear heart, but did not dare to act, couldn’t help but let out a shushing sound.

Val was dissatisfied, “What are you booing?”

Little Fatty clenched his fist, “Uncle, you have to be braver.”

“Brat, what do you know.”

“You’re right, I don’t understand, but, I have a girlfriend.

Almost forgot, haven’t told Maggie yet, I boarded the plane, huh?”

Val glared at Jack for a long time and let out a long sigh, “I want to punch him so bad!”

Luke patted him on the shoulder, “Just get used to it.”

“Bang!”

Suddenly, a square object hit Val on the head, causing him to bare his teeth in pain, “FUCK, who threw that?”

A white woman in the front row stood up with a touch of apology, “Sir, I’m sorry. The kids were playing and accidentally hit you.” The woman then turned to a curly-haired little boy and said, “Moist, apologize to this gentleman.”

The curly-haired little boy said, “Where’s my Rubik’s Cube? That’s my toy.”

The little girl on the side said, “No, you obviously took it from me.”

A slightly older girl with glasses shouted, “Will you two shut up and let me read in peace. It’s been noisy all the way and it’s getting annoying.”

The white woman educated, “Luna, don’t be so hard on your younger siblings.”

The girl with glasses turned her head aside and pouted.

The white woman was apologetic, “I’m sorry, the kids can be a little noisy.”

Linda was unimpressed, “I can understand that, it’s not easy being a mother of three.”

“Four.” The white woman pointed to a boy sitting next to her in the aisle, “That’s my son too.”

“Wow.” Linda looked in awe, “That’s a lot of work, you’re a super mom.”

The white woman laughed, “I’m sorry, this trip may be a little ‘loud’, I’ll try to restrain them.”

Linda said, “That’s okay, I have two sons and a little brother, I know how hard it can be with kids.”

“Thanks.” The white woman finished and sat back down.

Luke didn’t care about this little episode, and a few minutes later, the plane lifted off and flew to Washington.

Soon, Luke understood what the white woman meant when she said it was a little noisy.

The two kids were constantly fighting, and the two slightly older kids would join in from time to time, accompanied by the sound of adults scolding them.

It was really annoying.

Luke also did not want to be general with the children, simply put on the headphones to watch the movie ……

At three o’clock in the afternoon, the airplane stopped at Washington Dulles International Airport.

Technically, this was part of Virginia, about half an hour’s drive from Washington D.C.

An announcement sounded in the cabin, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, this flight has ended and the plane has landed at Dulles International Airport ……’

“Jesus Christ, we’re finally at the station!” Val let out a long breath, he was getting annoyed with the four kids in front of him.

Many of the passengers were starting to pack their bags in a mess.

The four bears in front of them had long been suffocating and clamoring to get off the plane, and the white women and their husbands could only placate them while moving their luggage.

Seeing that they were a bit busy with both the kids and the luggage, Linda moved with compassion, “Hey, give me this suitcase, I’ll help you guys get off the plane.”

“Thanks so much.” The white woman said gratefully.

The group got off the plane and onto a ferry.

The white woman looked at Linda and her group, “Are you guys traveling to Washington?”

“Yes, and you guys?”

“We are going to Los Angeles for our honeymoon.” The white woman took her husband’s arm.

“Honeymoon?” Linda looked at the four children with a puzzled look.

The white woman said, “Actually, we’re a remarried family, and my husband and I each brought two children to form a large family.”

Linda gave a surprised look, “Wow wow …… congratulations.”

The white woman took her husband’s arm and said with a sweet face, “In fact, my husband and I were first loves, then for some reasons we didn’t get together, each got married, had children, and each got divorced, fate is a very magical thing, and by a chance we met again, and then, decided to stay together.”

Linda was a little moved, “That’s amazing, you guys are going to be happy.”

“Yes, it was God’s plan for us to meet again.” The white woman leaned on her husband’s shoulder.

Getting off the ferry, Linda waved goodbye to the family of six, muttering to herself, “I can tell they’re happy, fate is marvelous.”

Val rolled his eyes, “A bunch of bears making a lot of noise, sooner or later it’s going to be all over the place.”

Linda glared at her brother, “Val, can you hope for the best.

Don’t you think their love is beautiful?

Two people who were each other’s first love, and after breaking up for years they were able to renew their relationship to form a big loving family, it’s like a fairy tale in reality.”

Val said, “Anyway, I don’t see that kind of combined family.”

Linda looked to the others as if looking for supporters, “What do you think?”

Robert shrugged, two for two.

Luke analyzed out of habit, “I don’t know exactly when they broke up, but looking at the ages of their children, the two have been separated for at least ten years.

The probability of two people who have been separated for ten years meeting again is not high, and the probability of meeting after the same divorce is even lower.

It’s a bold speculation that they may have been in contact with each other long ago or have been ……”

Val got a great look on her face, “Wow wow, so the real reason the two of them got divorced ……”

Linda chortled, “Shut up, don’t apply that crime investigation stuff to life. You should find the good in life with your hearts.”

Luke threw up his hands in surrender, “I’m rambling, still bless them.”