Chapter 382 Christmas
Early morning.
Luke is a little later than usual.
The case is solved, and there is no urgent work in the team, Luke can be lazy and go later.
Luke poured a cup of coffee and sat in the yard drinking coffee while basking in the sun. Occasionally someone would pass by the door, running or walking the dog.
Although most of them are Chinese, Luke doesn’t interact much with his neighbors. On the one hand, he is busy, and on the other hand, he rents a house, and he may move someday.
Next door, a white man dragged his suitcase out of the house and said hello, "Mr. Li, good morning."
"Mr. Smith, are you going on a business trip?" Luke looked at this neighbor. Although it has been a while since he moved here, the other party often travels on business, and there is not much intersection with each other.
"Hawaii has some business to discuss, and by the way, spend Christmas there." While speaking, Smith put his luggage in the trunk of the car.
The two chatted briefly, and Smith left in a gray Volvo.
Luke glanced at his watch, finished his coffee, packed his things and was about to go out.
Last time, Luke bought Christmas decorations in the supermarket, but because of the investigation, he didn't take care of sending them to his mother and grandpa's house.
There are three types of Christmas trees, large, medium, and small. Luke bought three medium and one large, and left a medium Christmas tree at home. When he has time, he will decorate it by himself. There will always be some festivals atmosphere.
The other three boxes of Christmas trees and decorations were put in the trunk and drove to the Eno community.
Christmas is already a holiday, and there are obviously more cars and pedestrians on the road than usual, and many of them go out with their families. Because the Christmas holiday is long, many people will choose this time for vacation.
Entering the Yinuo community, Luke slowed down the speed of the car, because he didn't plan to stay for a long time, and parked the car on the side of the road.
As soon as I got out of the car, I saw the little fat man with a backpack on his back, pushing a mountain bike out, "Brother, are you on vacation yet?"
"not yet.
Where are you going? "
"library."
"Coincidentally, I was going to the library to borrow books, and you happened to drop by and borrow them for me."
fatty"…"
"I don't go to the library."
Luke showed a look that I knew, "Don't open your mouth, next time I lie, I will tell my mother.
She should be happy to use this excuse to deduct your pocket money. "
The little fat man seemed afraid that Linda would hear it, so he hurriedly looked in the direction of the room, "Actually, I was going on a date with Maggie...but my uncle came just now, and I was afraid of irritating him. I didn't mean to lie."
Luke also found Val's car, "Why is uncle here today?"
"I don't know either. Talking to my mother in the living room looks mysterious. I probably don't want me to hear it, and I'm not interested." The little fat man got on the bicycle, greeted Luke and left.
Luke opens the trunk of the car and walks to the house with the Christmas tree and decorations…
In the living room.
The two siblings were sitting on the sofa, and the atmosphere seemed unfriendly.
Val grabbed his hair and said helplessly, "What should I do now?"
"Promised her?"
"Yes."
Linda dissatisfied, "What did you do long ago?
Already agreed, and came to ask me what to do? "
"I don't want to agree either..." Val sighed, "Yesterday afternoon, when I got off work from the supermarket, I was shocked to see her waiting at the door.
Before she could say a few words, she put her arm around me and went to the restaurant for dinner.
Then, she said...
How can I say no? "
Linda asked, "I thought you had lost contact."
"We haven't been in touch for a long time. I had a stable job a while ago, so I told her the news..."
"She was looking for you, why didn't she tell me?"
"This is not a good thing, and I am afraid that you two will quarrel... So, I originally wanted to solve it myself."
"Then you can solve it yourself, why are you looking for me again?"
"I can't think of a way, so I want to discuss it with you."
"nonono, don't ask me to help you share the firepower."
"Then give me advice." Val looked like I depended on you.
"Christmas is coming soon..." Linda pinched her forehead, as if thinking of something, "Is she short of money? Did she ask you for money?"
"I just bought a car, where is the money..."
"Crackling..." At this moment, the door opened, and Luke walked in carrying things, "Mom, I brought the Christmas decorations.
If you leave work early, come and decorate together. "
Linda asked, "Are you on vacation?"
"Tomorrow is a holiday, if there are no accidents..."
"Then you go to work and let Jack come back and let him do it. If you don't get him some work, he'll gain ten pounds a Christmas."
"Uncle, are you on vacation?"
"Yes, I am starting to retire today."
"I bought a Christmas tree for my grandfather, you can take it back later."
"OK."
"What are you talking about? About Christmas?"
Val opened his mouth to say something, but Linda said first, "Yes, we are discussing preparations for Christmas."
"Should I still spend the holidays at Grandpa's house this year?"
"certainly.
You go to work.
Arrange work in advance, I don't want you to miss Christmas Eve. "
"I see." Luke and Val left the house.
Luke moved the Christmas tree to Val's car, "What happened?"
Val took a deep breath, "It's better that you don't know."
"OK, call me if you have anything to do." Since it was a matter for the elders, Luke didn't ask too much.
Val waved his hand and watched Luke leave.
…
Robbery and Murder Division, Office.
Luke brought the Christmas tree and ornaments into the office and put them on the vacant desk, "Guys, whoever has time, arrange the Christmas tree."
"give it to me."
“And me, I hang our Christmas decorations every year.”
Xiao Hei and Jackson took the initiative to take over the job.
Luke went to the office once and came out with a mug in his hand.
Xiao Hei said, "Captain, when are we going on vacation?"
Luke took the hot water to make green tea, "Everyone, deal with the work at hand and take a day off tomorrow."
The deputy team asked, "Do you need to arrange overtime?"
"I talked to Red, and he arranged for the third and fourth squadrons to be on duty."
Xiao Hei smiled, "Nice job."
Jenny shrugged, "It's time to take a good vacation, otherwise those fellows from the Mutual Aid Club will target us, and they might attack us."
Jackson put together the Christmas tree and placed it in the southeast corner of the office, "I also think that the murderer, Park Jung-min, has a mental problem, and does the mutual aid club feel a little bit X-educated."
The deputy team rolled their eyes, "Boy, there are good people and bad people in any organization, you can't beat the Workers' Injury Mutual Aid Association to death just because of Park Jung-min.
In a country like the United States, if there is no mutual aid association for industrial injuries, you cannot have more than 100 days of vacation every year, and overtime pay will also be greatly reduced.
The existence of this mutual aid association is still very necessary.
Each of us is enjoying the benefits brought by this mutual aid association. "
If Luke just came to the United States, he might find it funny when he heard the words of the deputy team. If the United States is called a roll, then the East Asian countries should not die.
Most Americans don't care about East Asian countries at all. It's not that they despise them, but they don't care.
Most ordinary people in the United States don’t care about international affairs at all, and they don’t have a strong willingness to understand even domestic affairs. They only care about their own lives.
So, most Americans talk about things and rarely think about East Asian countries, usually compare with other western countries.
Compared with other Western countries, Americans are indeed diligent, hardworking, and introverted.
Many people are familiar with the term American Dream.
Many Americans or immigrants want to achieve success through personal efforts, achieve class leaps, and break the monopoly of the nobility.
Few people in Europe regard making money as their dream.
America is relatively hardworking and curly in Western countries, which is similar to East Asian countries.
"Congratulations to the host for successfully solving the 'Mutual Aid Club Murder Case', rewarding you with 80 points." A familiar voice sounded in Luke's mind.
Luke has no shortage of cards now, and has not exchanged them for the time being.
He is going to save some points for a rainy day.
Under the arrangement of Xiao Hei and Jackson, the Christmas tree, lights, and pendants were all installed. The curtains were drawn and the switches were turned on. The decorations and lights in the house were all lit up, creating a somewhat festive atmosphere.
…
The next day, the first squadron had a holiday.
Luke cleans at home, arranges the Christmas tree, and prepares all the family's gifts.
He is going to his grandpa's house for the holidays, and the house is simply decorated with Christmas trees and colored lights.
Luke invited Daisy to have dinner together, and Daisy will go to her mother's house for the holiday together tomorrow.
…
December 24.
In the morning, Luke took the Christmas gifts for his family and drove to the Eno community, picked up his mother and brother and went to his grandfather's house.
The little fat man on the road looked very excited, and looked out of the window from time to time. Every household has already prepared for Christmas, and the festive atmosphere is very strong.
"Mom, shall we go to the mall today?"
Although many shops are closed, there are still some large shopping malls that will hold Christmas activities, as well as the beloved Santa Claus.
Linda rolled her eyes, and usually let the little fat man go to the mall with her to coax and lie, so what is there to do in the mall at this time?
Although no response was received, the little fat man was still full of energy, showing a flattering expression, "Mum, what gift did you prepare for me?"
"You will know tomorrow."
"Tell me, I want to know now, even a little bit."
"Today is not Christmas." After Linda finished speaking, she turned her head and looked out the window, as if she was not close to acquaintances.
Luke glanced in the rearview mirror. He could feel that Linda was in a bad mood today, so he wisely didn't interrupt.
Soon, the three arrived at the home of grandfather Robert.
Robert and Val have started decorating the yard.
Different from the simple arrangement of Luke's house, Robert's house has a larger yard, and a real Christmas tree was transplanted in the yard ten days ago.
Then everyone divided the work.
Linda and Val prepare the Christmas food.
Robert takes Luke and Jack to put up the Christmas decorations.
Robert’s house was arranged relatively late, and most of the neighbors around him have already arranged it.
The yard of Robert’s house is much larger than the one Luke rented. Not only the Christmas tree needs to be decorated, but the entire yard and the house must be decorated with colorful lights.
After decorating the yard, the house will also be decorated. In the living room, there is a fake Christmas tree bought by Luke, with ornaments and lanterns hanging on it. There are gifts under the Christmas tree, which will not be opened until tomorrow.
After three o'clock in the afternoon, Luke and others made arrangements.
Linda poured a pot of black tea, and everyone chatted while drinking tea.
Luke took the video with Fatty and his father’s relatives. Although the Chinese community cares more about the Spring Festival, it’s good to have a holiday for family reunion. Many Chinese have also integrated into the local culture and celebrate Christmas as the Romans do.
What made Luke a little dumbfounded was that a large family on the opposite side of the video was sitting around making dumplings.
Luke's grandma and uncle yelled at him to go back to eat dumplings.
Going back is definitely going to go back, but not now. Luke is going to take the little fat man back to live for a few days during the Spring Festival. Although it is not easy to ask for leave, it has a more festive atmosphere.
In the evening, the family also began to prepare dinner.
Dinner is very rich, grilled chicken, jalapeno cheese sauce, beans in gravy, grilled sausage, cornmeal vegetables, cranberry sauce, stewed potatoes, cabbage.
Luke also spent a lot of money to buy a piece of Spanish ham, which is a delicious appetizer.
After dinner, Val played games with the little fat man, with a Santa hat on his head.
Luke, Linda, and Robert are playing cards, with ham slices and red wine on the table.
The TV in the living room is also on, and Luke occasionally watches it.
Suddenly, there was a burst of singing outside.
Linda stood up and directed, "The choir is here. I'll prepare refreshments. You go outside to greet them."
The little fat man also faintly heard Christmas carols, and frowned, "Mom, is it necessary to do this every year?"
Linda pointed to the little fat man and Luke, "It's quite necessary, and you guys are going to 'report the good news' later."
"No."
"No."
The two brothers spoke in unison.
Linda frowned, dissatisfied, "Why don't you go?
Now listen to my orders, I will prepare refreshments, and you go to open the door. "
Just when the atmosphere was a bit stalemate, the doorbell rang.
"Ding Dong..."
Linda said happily, "Is the choir here?"
"It doesn't sound like it sounds." Luke can hear the voice of the choir, and it should be some distance away from Grandpa's house.
Besides, if the choir really came, there was no need to ring the doorbell.
"I'll go and have a look." The little fat man jumped up from the ground and ran to the door to open it.
The choir entered the neighbor’s house next door. There was no one in their yard, and there was a large cardboard box not far from the door.
The little fat man was a little puzzled, "There's a box outside, is it your courier?"
Val stood up from the ground and walked over, "Don't be stupid, no one will deliver the courier at this time."
Luke, Linda, and Robert also came over.
The little fat man was just at the age of curiosity, so he walked directly to the box, looked left and right, and stretched out his right hand to touch it.
"Hold on." Luke grabbed his arm and pulled him behind him.
It was a big holiday, and the courier was also on vacation. A large box suddenly appeared at the door, and there was no one who seemed to be delivering the box around. It seemed that something was wrong.
Luke waved his hand, signaling everyone to go back to the house first, took out the dagger his father gave him, and walked around the box to check.
Suddenly, the box moved and suddenly lifted into the air.
Luke instinctively took a few steps back, glanced over, and found two legs under the box.
"surprise!"
The box was thrown on the lawn aside, and a woman was exposed under the box, to be exact, a white old lady in her sixties, dressed stylishly and wearing a Santa hat.
Everyone was taken aback.
Val's eyes widened, panicked, "Mom, why are you here?"
Linda patted her forehead and sighed softly.
The little fat man rubbed his eyes, "Grandma?"
Luke put away the dagger.
Robert's face sank, he turned and entered the house.
The old white woman opened her arms, "That's right, it's me, the most beautiful Santa Claus in the world.
No,
nonono, I'm not an old man.
It should be Christmas Beauty.
Babies, I miss you so much, Merry Christmas! "
(end of this chapter)