Chapter 1 Family

Morning, Los Angeles.

“Bzz~” The alarm on the bedside phone rang.

A young man with a bandage wrapped around his head slowly woke up. Black eyes, black hair, yet with the deep features of a Westerner.

He was originally a Chinese police detective, and it’s been half a month since he crossed over. Every time he wakes up, it still feels like a dream.

Now his name is Luke Johnson, and he is a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department.

His father is Chinese.

His mother is white.

Although he’s still a cop and has Chinese blood, he’s not used to his current identity.

The original owner of this body was flamboyant, unpredictable, and acted entirely on his own whims.

He looked carefree on the surface, but was called a jerk behind his back.

To put it bluntly, he had low emotional intelligence and had offended quite a few people because of it.

This was completely different from how he acted in his previous life, which made him feel very passive now.

What’s even more frustrating is that the original owner didn’t have a good relationship with his family, and now he has to stay at his mother’s house, which is quite awkward.

Still, crossing over isn’t without its perks—he’s younger and stronger now.

The reflection in the window wasn’t very clear, but he could still vaguely see the outline of his muscles.

All in all, getting to live again isn’t so bad...

“Jack Johnson, come downstairs for breakfast.

If you miss the school bus again today, don’t even think about me driving you!”

A woman’s voice called from downstairs—it was his current mom, Linda Smith.

Jack Johnson is his younger brother, a thirteen-year-old chubby kid—not cute at all.

This is a two-story wooden villa. The first floor has the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom.

The second floor has the bathroom, study, and the brothers’ bedrooms.

It was just the beginning of March, and the temperature in Los Angeles was between 10° and 20°, very comfortable.

He put on a thick blue shirt and gray jeans, left his bedroom, and turned into the bathroom next door to wash up.

After washing up, Luke Johnson got ready to go downstairs.

His feet made creaking sounds on the white wooden stairs, as if reminding him of something.

To the right of the stairs was the living room, to the left an open kitchen.

A white woman wearing a Hello Kitty apron was busy in the kitchen.

Luke Johnson forced a smile: “Hi, Mom, good morning.”

Linda Smith didn’t even lift her eyelids: “No, I’m not good at all.

Last night you came home with a bandage on your head, dragging a suitcase. The neighbors are definitely going to gossip again.”

Luke Johnson said helplessly, “I didn’t want this either, but I broke up with Laura Smith... I need to stay here for a while.”

Linda Smith put down the spatula: “I told you before not to be with that woman. She didn’t even show basic respect to elders—girls like that aren’t worth dating.

And you?

You never listen to a word I say.”

Luke Johnson nodded: “She really wasn’t a good girlfriend. I dumped her.”

“You got dumped, didn’t you.” Linda Smith looked like she’d known it all along.

Luke Johnson just smiled and said nothing more.

Linda Smith was a bit surprised. With her eldest son’s personality, he would never back down on this issue—he’d definitely argue, quarrel, and end up storming off.

But now, he just let it go, which made her feel a bit out of sorts.

This kid... is he different today?

Matured?

Luke Johnson walked to the entryway, picked up his black helmet, and called out, “I’m off to work.”

“Creak...”

A thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy came down the stairs, rubbing his eyes with his chubby white hands: “Mom, I’m still growing. Can’t you let me sleep a bit longer?”

Linda Smith shrugged: “You’re already fat enough. What you need now is exercise.”

Luke Johnson drew his right hand straight from his right temple forward: “Isn’t this my adorable little bro? How have you been lately?”

The chubby kid rolled his eyes: “No, every time I think about my New Year’s money being swindled, I feel like turning into the Hulk.”

Luke Johnson still had to stay here for a while, so if he wanted to get along with his family, he couldn’t just pretend he didn’t hear.

He rolled up his sleeves: “Bro, who took your New Year’s money? Tell me.”

The chubby kid looked at Luke Johnson expressionlessly, as if saying, ‘Go on, keep acting.’

Luke Johnson had most of the original owner’s memories, but some details were still unclear.

Seeing the look on his brother’s face, he realized something was off and tried to recall the original’s memories...

Instantly, he felt awkward.

“Uh... just treat the New Year’s money as a loan to me. I’ll pay you back soon, with interest.”

Luke Johnson glanced at his watch: “I’m going to be late. Bye.”

He grabbed his leather gloves and escaped under the expectant gazes of his family.

First attempt at improving relations with his family.

Failed.

“Bang!”

The door closed.

The chubby kid took a carton of milk from the fridge and poured it into a glass: “Mom, did I hear wrong just now? He actually offered to pay me back?”

Linda Smith put the omelet on a plate: “He really is acting a bit strange today. Don’t get your hopes up.”

“I understand.”