Luke Johnson glanced at the menu, which had both Chinese and English. At the very top was ‘General Tso’s Chicken’.

Many people in China might not have heard of this dish, but it’s extremely popular in the United States.

Luke Johnson had never tried it either.

He scanned the menu and ordered four dishes: General Tso’s Chicken, Spicy Boiled Blood and Beef, Laoganma Fried Kidney, and Seafood Hotpot, plus a bowl of rice and a bottle of Wuliangye.

Lately, Luke Johnson had been feeling very stifled—he couldn’t go home even though he missed it, and he couldn’t afford to eat his hometown’s food even though he craved it.

Now that he had money, he could finally eat to his heart’s content.

Just go for it.

The U.S. also checks for drunk driving, and law enforcement is very strict.

But in this area, they still emphasize human rights and freedom, including the right and freedom to drink.

As a result, the U.S. is also the most lenient country in the world when it comes to alcohol-related driving offenses.

Luke Johnson could hold his liquor well; two shots weren’t a problem and wouldn’t affect his ability to ride a motorcycle or walk in a straight line.

After eating and drinking his fill,

Luke Johnson ordered a pot of Longjing tea to sober up and ease his homesickness.

The meal cost over two hundred dollars.

It was past seven in the evening.

Luke Johnson tucked most of the bottle of Wuliangye into his jacket and rode his Harley home.

In the end, he still had to face reality.

Because he’d been drinking, Luke Johnson didn’t ride very fast.

As he rode near the Yiruo Community Commercial Plaza, he spotted a familiar figure.

A chubby kid with black hair and a white girl in a school uniform were strolling down the street.

As for how to tell the difference between a white girl and a Chinese girl—

From the front, look at the face; from behind, look at the hips. White girls’ hips are a bit rounder.

Luke Johnson slowed down. That chubby kid was none other than his younger brother, Jack Johnson.

The two of them were chatting and laughing along the way, and the white girl was holding a cup of boba tea.

The chubby kid tried several times to put his arm around the girl’s waist, but pulled back each time.

Judging by their expressions and body language, their relationship was definitely not just ordinary classmates or friends.

Luke Johnson stopped his bike, half amused and half exasperated: “What’s going on? That chubby kid is only thirteen!”

Chapter 9 Brothers

The Ino Commercial Plaza was at the intersection of three communities.

The chubby kid and the white girl didn’t go into the Ino Community to the west, but instead headed to the Carlisle Community to the south.

After a few minutes, the girl walked up to the door of a gray-roofed villa and waved goodbye to the chubby kid.

The chubby kid stood at the door grinning foolishly, watching the girl go home.

It was a while after the girl went inside before the chubby kid finally turned to leave.

He’d only walked a few steps when he noticed a black Harley motorcycle in the distance, with a young man with black hair standing by it, watching him with a half-smile.

The chubby kid hesitated for a moment—maybe feeling guilty—then put on a smile and greeted him: “Wow, what a coincidence! What are you doing here?”

Luke Johnson lit a cigarette and took a drag. “Is that your girlfriend?”

“No, we’re just classmates, don’t say that.” The chubby kid denied it immediately.

“I saw you two drinking boba tea with the same straw. Do you do that with all your classmates?”

The chubby kid snapped, “Were you following me?”

“So I guessed right. You really do have a girlfriend.”

“Are you trying to trick me?”

“I’m just concerned about you. You’re too young—dating now will affect your studies.”

“Did I hear that right? You actually care about me? The sun must be rising in the west.”

Luke Johnson exhaled a puff of smoke. “Watch your tone. I’m your older brother.”

“So what? You’re not my guardian.”

“You’re right. I should tell Mom about this. Congratulations in advance—she’s going to be a grandma.”

“We just started dating, we haven’t done anything like that yet. Please don’t tell Mom.” The chubby kid’s tone was a bit pleading.

Luke Johnson didn’t want to get too tense with his brother—after all, he still had to stay at that house for now. “OK, if you want me to keep it a secret, you have to agree to one condition.”

“Yeah, I get it.” The chubby kid looked like he’d expected this, pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket, and handed it to Luke Johnson.

Luke Johnson was baffled. “What’s this?”

“Come on, that’s all my pocket money.” The chubby kid looked reluctant, but still shoved the money into Luke Johnson’s hand with practiced ease that was almost heartbreaking.

Luke Johnson counted it—there was a total of $126.

“We have a deal, mm-hmm.” The chubby kid shrugged and turned to leave.

“Wait.”

“Dad’s New Year’s money was all swindled away by you. This is all I have left.” The chubby kid’s eyes turned red and his voice choked up.

Luke Johnson pulled out another four hundred dollars from his own pocket and stuffed all $526 into the chubby kid’s hands.

“What’s this?” Now it was the chubby kid’s turn to be confused.

“Returning your New Year’s money.”

“Are you serious?”

“Don’t overthink it.”

“No, no, no! I’m just so surprised.” The chubby kid took back the money and counted it carefully. “You only took three hundred from me—why is there an extra bill?”

“That’s your pocket money.”

“Oh my god, am I dreaming?” The chubby kid slapped himself—‘smack’—a crisp sound, and a red mark appeared on his face.

“You’re not dreaming. I still can’t quite believe it.” The chubby kid was dazed for a while, then suddenly remembered: “You just said I had to agree to a condition. What is it?”