Early morning.
Luke yawned as he went down the wooden stairs and greeted Li Zhaofeng in the kitchen, "Good morning."
Li Zhaofeng glanced at his son and said, "The weather in New York is relatively cold. Do you want to take you to buy some clothes?"
Luke walked into the restaurant, pulled up a wooden chair and sat down, "No need, I'm done with work, and I don't go out much. I either stay in the house or in the car. You can't freeze."
Luke poured a glass of milk and took a sip. The cold milk entered his mouth and made him feel more energetic. "Dad, what should we bring for our visit today?"
Previously, Luke planned to invite his family to have a dinner together before leaving New York, and he personally called the elders in his family.
Luke's grandfather and uncle both agreed, but his uncle cut it off and refused to let Luke entertain guests outside. Instead, he invited Luke to his home.
Luke originally thought that his uncle was saying polite words, so he responded with some polite words, but his uncle was very firm and invited him again and again.
Overwhelmed by the hospitality, Luke agreed.
Luke's uncle is Jason Chen, a New York lawyer. He is usually busy with work, so Luke's brother doesn't have much contact with him.
Have had breakfast.
Luke picked up two bottles of Maotai from home and went to the supermarket to buy some gifts. Afterwards, the father and son drove straight to his aunt's house.
It doesn’t matter whether you like to drink Moutai or not, in Chinese circles, it is still very appropriate to give it as a gift.
Luke's aunt is called Li Wan. She is four years younger than Luke's father, but she has the best family situation among the three siblings. She lives in a high-rise apartment in the center of New York City.
Luke and his son parked their car in a nearby parking lot and walked across the street to the apartment opposite.
This apartment has more than 30 floors and is more than 20 years old. However, the apartment shows no signs of aging. Instead, it has a little more time and precipitation.
Luke has heard it said more than once before that the final destination of high-rise buildings is the slums.
This statement may apply to most cities around the world, but New York is special.
There are many elderly residences in the New York City area. Not only have they not turned into slums, but house prices and rents have also been rising year by year.
New York is the most prosperous city in the world and an international economic, financial, commercial, trade, cultural and media center. Rich people all over the world want to own a property of their own here. This is also the main reason why housing prices remain high. .
Even Luke hopes to have his own high-end apartment here.
The reason why high-rise residential buildings have become slums is mainly because as the years of residence increase, the facilities in the apartments will age and require timely maintenance and repair.
The longer you live in the apartment, the more maintenance costs will gradually increase. Some residents cannot afford it, while other residents are unwilling to pay more. If the apartment loses maintenance, it will become dilapidated faster, housing prices will decrease, and residents will be even less willing to pay for maintenance. A vicious cycle was formed, which eventually resulted in the elevator being unable to operate, water and electricity being cut off, and the city becoming a slum.
On the contrary, New York is full of wealthy people, housing prices are rising, and residents are willing to spend money to repair their apartments, forming a virtuous cycle.
As long as the main body of the house does not collapse, the house will not appear dilapidated and housing prices will remain strong.
The father and son took the elevator up to the fifteenth floor.
Luke could no longer remember the house number of his aunt's house, so he could only follow Li Zhaofeng.
Li Zhaofeng walked to the door of 1504 and pressed the doorbell.
“Ding dong.”
After a while, the door opened.
Standing at the door was a thin Asian man in his forties. He smiled and greeted, "Brother, Luke, you are here, come in quickly."
This Chinese man is Luke’s uncle Jason Chen.
“Hello, uncle.” Luke entered the apartment carrying the gift.
The lobby of the apartment is very bright, with white tiles, floor-to-ceiling windows, and good lighting.
“Oh, I’m not an outsider, how can I buy so many things?”
Luke smiled and said, "I didn't buy anything. Knowing that you like to drink, I took two bottles of wine from home, and the rest was some food."
“Next time you come, don’t bring so many things, otherwise I won’t open the door for you.” Jason Chen took the things and asked Li Zhaofeng and Luke to sit on the sofa.
At this time, Uncle Luke, Li Zhaonian, walked out of the kitchen and said, "You are here too."
Luke was a little surprised, "Uncle, you came earlier than us. Where are aunt and Will?"
“Your aunt is frying crispy pork in the kitchen, and Will has gone to pick up your grandparents. They will probably be there soon.” Li Zhaonian glanced at his watch, “I’m going to cook first, and we’ll talk later.”
Li Zhaonian said hello and went into the kitchen to get busy again.
As a professional chef, no matter who the guest is, you must always ask him for help.
Luke’s aunt Li Wan also came out wearing an apron to say hello, and then entered the kitchen again.
Jason Chen poured two cups of tea and handed one to Luke, "Luke, when did you come back?"
Luke took a sip of tea and said, “It’s been almost a week.
The FBI asked me to help investigate a murder case. Now that I’m done with my work, I have time to spend time with my family. "
“I heard from your aunt that you are now a criminal investigation consultant for the FBI?”
“Yes, but the focus of the work is still on the Los Angeles Police Department.”
"Yes, at such a young age, I can work in two departments with ease, and my future development will definitely get better and better." After Chen Jason finished speaking, he seemed to have thought of something, "Recently, there have been reports of dismemberment and murder cases in the news, and the mayor of New York Madame and supermodel Olenna Barker were both killed.
The case had a very bad impact and spread widely. I heard that it was investigated by the FBI.
Are you also involved in the investigation of this case? "
"Yes, after the mayor's wife was killed, the FBI director felt that the nature was serious. In order to solve the case in time, he invited me from Los Angeles to assist in the investigation." This case has been solved, and many details have made the news. Luke has not Deliberately concealing it, he continued, "This murderer was terminally ill, joined a church for the purpose of fraud, and committed many murders under the brainwashing of the church leader."
Jason Chen asked, "Has the suspect confessed?"
Luke nodded, "When we caught him, he was preparing to kill the fourth victim. It can be said that he got both the stolen goods and the stolen goods."
Jason Chen thought for a moment, "Is there something wrong with the murderer's mind?"
Luke glanced at the other party and thought that the other party was a lawyer, so he answered unexpectedly, "The murderer only suffered some superficial injuries.
On the contrary, the victim was very frightened. "
“Ding dong…”
Doorbell rang.
Chen Jason walked over and opened the door.
Luke hurried up to greet him, "Grandpa, grandma." Luke's grandma grabbed his hand and asked kindly, "When did you come back?"
Luke replied, "I came back two days ago and have been busy with work. I finally have some free time today, so I wanted to invite everyone to have dinner together.
After my uncle found out, he wouldn't let me book a table in the restaurant and invited us to have dinner at his house. "
Grandpa Luke said, "The food at home is good and lively."
Luke helped his grandparents sit on the sofa.
Luke’s grandmother asked, “Didn’t I say that Julia would come back today? Where is she?”
Jason Chen replied, "Mom, I just called Julia. She has already got off the plane and is on her way back. She will probably be there soon."
Grandpa Luke asked, "Last time I called, she said that the school schedule was very tight. This is out of season. Why did she come back suddenly?"
Jason Chen said with a smile, "Who knows, two days ago, she called her mother and said she was coming back as a surprise for us.
I thought to myself, if you want to surprise us, I will also arrange a surprise for you.
Jason Chen took out a pack of cigarettes and handed one to Luke, "It's quite busy during the Chinese New Year period, so I didn't show up when you two brothers came back."
This time you come back, as an uncle I have to express my gratitude. "
Luke took the cigarette and asked, "Will Matt be back today?"
Matt is Jason Chen’s son.
Jason Chen snorted, "That kid has been like a kite with its string broken since he went to college last year, let alone go home.
If it wasn't for lack of money, I wouldn't even make a phone call.
This son was raised in vain.
She is still a daughter. "
Li Zhaonian smiled and said, "Our family is not short of sons. Who wouldn't care about this precious daughter?"
“Ding dong.” The doorbell rang.
Grandma Luke smiled and said, "Come on, my precious granddaughter must be back. Go and open the door."
Will ran over and opened the door. There was a young Chinese girl standing outside, it was Julia.
She was a little surprised when she saw Will, "Will, why are you at my house?"
Will stepped aside and said with a smile, "Isn't this a surprise waiting for you?"
Julia’s face changed slightly and she glanced back.
Seeing her strange expression, Will also glanced behind her, and his eyes suddenly widened.
“This is...your friend?”
“Ah.” Julia responded noncommittally.
Grandma Luke also came over and said, "Daughter, come in quickly, you are already home, why are you still standing at the door?"
“Grandma.” Julia smiled, but the smile looked a little forced. She entered the room, and the people behind her also walked in.
Luke also looked towards the door, but ignored Julia and looked at the man behind her.
A black man, who looked to be in his twenties, about the same height as Luke, with a wide grin and white teeth, and a shy smile.
Grandma Luke was stunned, looked at the black man and asked, "Swarthy, who is this?"
“Ah...Grandma, this is my friend.” Julia said in Chinese.
The black man waved his hand and said, "Hi, nice to meet you.
My name is Horst Watt and I am Julia’s boyfriend. "
Hearing this, everyone was stunned.
The room immediately became quiet.
Grandma Luke seemed to understand, "What did he say?"
In fact, Luke’s grandma could understand some English, but she didn’t know because the other person spoke too fast, and she still couldn’t believe it.
Jason Chen's face was a little gloomy and he asked, "Julia, who is he?"
Julia glanced at her father, then at the black man next to her, bit her lip, mustered up her courage, and whispered, "He is my boyfriend."
Jason Chen had veins popping out on his forehead, and his teeth were trembling with anger, "Is this the surprise you were talking about?"
“I didn’t say it was a surprise, I just told my mother that I would come back if I had something to do...
How did I know you invited so many people here..."
"You are still wronged, you..." Chen Jason gasped, covering his forehead, his legs went weak, and he fell to the ground.
Luke had quick eyesight and quick hands, and hurriedly supported him.
“Jason, what’s wrong with you?”
“Dad, don’t scare me.”
Luke hurriedly helped Jason Chen to the sofa and faintly heard the other party whispering, "Take me to the hospital."
Luke glanced at the other person. He had seen many seriously injured patients. Based on his experience, Chen Jason's condition was not serious. It seemed like he was unable to face the current situation and was eager to leave.
That’s right, this meal is definitely inedible.
Everyone is embarrassed here, so we might as well leave.
Let them solve it as a family.
“My uncle’s condition is not very good. It’s better to send him to the hospital.”
Julia rushed over and grabbed Jason Chen’s hand, “Dad, what’s wrong with you, are you feeling uncomfortable?
Don't scare me! "
Chen Jason closed his eyes, pursed his lips, and did not answer.
Subsequently, Luke and his father helped Jason Chen downstairs and drove him to the hospital.
Everyone else also dispersed.