Chapter 69: Emma Megan and a Song (2-in-1)

With a "ka," the just-started vehicle came to a stop.

Chen Yaozu stared at his phone, a flash of surprise appearing in his eyes.

"Mr. Sergei, time, location."

On the phone, Mikhailov's voice carried a smile, yet also a hint of seriousness: "The time is now! The location, my home. Right now we're having a family gathering party, you can come."

Chen Yaozu turned to look at Cindy and Antonio in the car, replying: "I can't now, I need to settle my friends. After all, you already know, because of me they're involved, and my friends aren't very safe right now."

"And, I still need to pick up two people!"

Sometimes, a person's voice can truly express the mindset of me now controlling the overall situation.

For example, Mikhailov right now, even over a phone call, could feel the confidence in his speech.

"The person you want to pick up, is Lin He and her daughter, who were released by the Fuzhou Gang and returned to their housing?"

Chen Yaozu remained silent. Mikhailov indeed controlled the overall situation, but was this the kind of energy one person in education could have?

Aren't you just a superintendent?

A subordinate official of the State Education Department, similar to the education bureau director of a school district.

When did they have this much energy?

Although countless thoughts flashed through his mind, all he said was: "Yes! After all, she's my friend's woman. Although she's been released, there could still be danger! So, after I pick them up, I still need to settle my friends in a safe place before coming to talk to you."

On the phone, Mikhailov raised another question: "No no no, A Zu, right now in Los Angeles, you can't find a place too safe, at least that's how it is for your friends."

"But these are all small problems!"

"Drive to the next intersection. Someone will be waiting for you there. They'll help you settle your friends at the Calver Hotel, including your friend's woman and child."

"The security there is decent, and even gangs wouldn't dare provoke them."

"However, you need to come to my house as fast as possible. The Eastern-style lamb skewers I personally roasted might get cold."

"I'll send you the address!"

Then he hung up the phone.

Chen Yaozu looked at the already-hung-up phone, silent for a while. Was he already not allowed to refute? Cindy, who had been quietly listening to the conversation in the back seat, suddenly spoke up: "Can this be refused?"

Chen Yaozu looked back at her. The recent traveling had made this originally fiery South American girl look somewhat haggard. For a moment he didn't know what to say, only able to reply: "Probably can't be refused!"

He didn't know Mikhailov's background, but just from those few short sentences just now, Mikhailov had shown he completely knew anything that happened at the restaurant.

So, what was Mikhailov's true identity behind the facade of appearing before people as the Los Angeles School District Superintendent? Chen Yaozu didn't know.

But he could tell that Mikhailov's invitation just now couldn't be refused.

"Since it can't be refused, then don't hesitate!"

"Obviously, he might want to use me and Antonio to threaten you, but actually whether it's you or us, we both know."

"Our relationship, from the beginning just guide and customer, you actually don't need to worry too much about us."

"Although, what we're suffering now is because of you, but actually we guides originally come into contact with all kinds of people, so there would be certain risks."

"If something happens, that's God's arrangement!"

"If the other side wants to use us to threaten you, your own safety is what you should consider first."

"Of course, if you still have energy left, you can consider our safety again."

This girl should have misunderstood. Mikhailov shouldn't be this kind of person, although he had become mysterious now.

Chen Yaozu seriously stared at Cindy sitting quietly in the back seat. He could be certain she was speaking from her heart.

This made him somewhat silent, and after a while he squeezed out a sentence.

"I'm sorry!"

Indeed, it was himself who had dragged them into this.

Antonio wanted to speak on the side, but didn't know what to say, only able to silently swallow the words back into his stomach.

Sure enough.

When the car reached the intersection, several black Audis were seen parked by the roadside. Seeing his car come out, four black-clothed men got out of the lead one.

"Mr. Chen, we're here to pick someone up!"

"Okay, thanks for your trouble!"

Chen Yaozu didn't get out of the car. In the driver's cabin, he looked at these four black-clothed men who looked strong and capable at a glance.

Unfortunately, his Deduction Ability had been used up twice today. Otherwise, he really wanted to check what unit these black-clothed men belonged to.

They couldn't be people under the Education Department, right?

Watching several black Audis drive away, he then opened the navigation and found the address Mikhailov had just given.

Fortunately, it wasn't far, a journey of over ten minutes.

I have to say, the roads in this community were very wide and looked comfortable. He soon found Mikhailov's house—a detached house that was quite pretty, probably costing quite a bit of money.

The house was also easy to find.

He rang the doorbell, and Mikhailov came out, opening the courtyard gate for him.

"You came fast, but don't tell me you came empty-handed!"

Mikhailov joked, as if the serious tone on the phone just now wasn't spoken by him.

"Of course not. When visiting someone's home, you can't come empty-handed!"

Chen Yaozu smiled and opened the trunk, carrying out a large jar of Shaoxing glutinous rice wine bought at the Chinese Supermarket—the kind of large jar containing twenty jin of wine.

He was also quite surprised that there was this kind of wine at a Chinese Supermarket in America, and it was even jar-packed.

This was one of his bad tastes. Aren't you claiming to be half an Eastern Person? Then I'll bring you a jar of Eastern-specific glutinous rice wine. Let's see if you can get used to drinking it—a small retaliation for the other side secretly controlling everything.

I have to say, this was a bit childish.

"Hah?"

Unexpectedly, Mikhailov quite liked it, directly marking out the Chinese: "Shaoxing glutinous rice wine?

"Didn't expect to find this kind of wine in America! A Zu, you've got to tell me where you bought it. When I was studying in the East, this glutinous rice wine was my favorite."

Just as he was about to take it, Chen Yaozu signaled him not to.

Just...

Such a coincidence? He just happens to like glutinous rice wine, or is he faking it?

Chen Yaozu followed him inside with a weird expression, walking straight through the seemingly minimalist-style living room, into the backyard.

The backyard was quite large, with a tree whose name he couldn't place, its canopy like an umbrella, and three people beneath it.

A middle-aged brown-haired white woman with hair draped over her shoulders, a girl in her twenties with a ponytail, and a white young man who looked quite capable — the three were sitting there roasting meat.

Seeing them enter, they also stood up to welcome them.

"This is my family!"

Mikhailov: "Megan, my wife."

The middle-aged woman Megan smiled, and actually spoke Chinese. To tell the truth, if you closed your eyes you'd suspect it was a countryman speaking: "Welcome, Mr. Chen Yaozu."

The ponytail girl also smiled and introduced herself, also in Chinese, and the accentless kind: "I'm Emma Sergei, nice to meet you, Mr. Chen."

The young man's Chinese was much worse, a bit stiff: "Andrejlev Sergei, you can sample my roasted black pepper beef leg in a bit."

This shocked Chen Yaozu somewhat — the entire Mikhail Sergeyev family speaks Chinese?

You're Russian-American, not Chinese-American. Even with bilingual education, you should be learning Russian! Chen Yaozu's surprise lasted only a moment; he quickly gestured at the wine jar he was still holding: "I'm also very happy to visit, but this 20-plus pounds of Eastern glutinous rice wine, I need to set it down first."

Andrey Andreyev hurriedly reached out: "Give it to me!

I'm quite curious about Eastern wine too, but my impression of Eastern wine is only Moutai and Fenjiu."

Mikhailov was about to speak when Megan spoke first: "Back then, our teacher mentioned Eastern wine and said the best Eastern wine is Jiangnan rice wine.

Especially Shaoxing's Nu'erhong — when drinking it you can still sense the flavor of history. I deeply agreed at the time.

What a pity, so many years have passed in a flash; who knows if the teacher is still around!"

Mikhailov also seemed somewhat impatient.

"Andrey Andreyev, go, you open the sealing mud on the wine jar. I'll get a few bowls. In the East you don't drink glutinous rice wine with wine cups, you use bowls!

Using wine cups seems a bit stingy!"

"I'll go!"

Emma darted into the house first to get things.

"Then let's go open the wine jar's sealing mud!"

Mikhailov and his son Andrejlev carried the entangled jar inside to open it, leaving only Chen Yaozu and the smiling Megan Sergeyev in the backyard now.

"Oh, right!"

Madam Megan suddenly extended her right hand very formally: "Forgot to do a detailed self-introduction.

Hello, Mr. Chen Yaozu.

I am the head of the FBI, local law enforcement, and the Los Angeles regional joint task force of the American ATF dispatched to control Triads, Mafia, and other gangs — Megan Sergei.

Once again, nice to meet you, Wizard from the East!"

Although he was mentally prepared, the key figure wasn't Mikhailov but Mikhailov's wife — this truly exceeded Chen Yaozu's expectations.

"So having me called over was also your idea, Madam Megan?" "Yes!"

Madam Megan nodded, and actually said something that surprised Chen Yaozu quite a bit: "Several days ago we received word that Fuzhou Gang's hall master Zhang Rusong contacted Tianhou Palace, Guangming Shengdao Temple people, obtained glutinous rice that had been blessed, and some Spirit Talismans."

Then she continued with a smile.

"And today he also invited some Eastern Daoist exorcists to help him hold the fort at Dongpo Grand Restaurant.

But they were all intercepted by us! Because we wanted to see — how does a metaphysics killing with real cases actually kill.

But didn't expect that even though they prepared glutinous rice and Spirit Talismans, they seemed able to counter your metaphysics killing.

But they failed to investigate that you also possess combat techniques this powerful..."

"Sure enough this wine is fragrant and sweet!"

The voice came over, cutting off Madam Megan's words; she raised an eyebrow and didn't speak further.

Mikhailov came out carrying a bowl of wine, sipping as he walked, drinking with a beaming smile: "This is the taste!"

Behind him followed Andrey Andreyev holding the already-opened wine jar and Emma holding shallow bowls.

From these bowls, Chen Yaozu could tell this family's understanding of Eastern culture wasn't just superficial.

Hiss...

How does this feel a bit off?

If not for his once-daily deduction ability being gone, today no matter what he'd have to see just what kind of people this family really are.

"Ah! Honey, you forgot to flip my lamb skewers, they're burnt!"

Mikhailov, just having come out, smelled a burnt scent; one look and clearly it was his own lamb skewers, and Andrey Andreyev's roasted beef leg burnt too.

He hurriedly set down the wine bowl and rushed over, flusteredly flipping the lamb skewers and beef leg.

Emma poured Chen Yaozu a bowl of wine: "Heard you know very powerful Kung Fu. If you have time later, could you teach me?"

Andrey Andreyev handed over a few roasted lamb skewers, warning: "Emma, as a professional, I'm telling you seriously — you need a gun, not Kung Fu! If you want to look cool, go learn Taekwondo or dance! If you want health, go run and swim.

If you want safety, you just carry your gun in situations where you can, and guarantee at least two range practice records per month."

Can tell Andrey Andreyev never spoils his little sister — or maybe she is his little sister! "Andrejlev is right, Emma.

Whether Kung Fu or Karate, Brazilian Wine-Jitsu or Southeast Asian Muay Thai — none are enough to let someone form combat power in a short time. That requires long-term, bitter training.

The self-defense method that can protect, is relatively safe, effective, and fast is a handgun.

This point is correct!"

Mikhailov came over with a pile of already-roasted lamb skewers, interjecting.

On this point Chen Yaozu strongly agreed. He didn't know what kind of situation he'd face next. Megan sought him out — she definitely has her purpose.

But since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it — eat what's to be eaten, drink what's to be drunk.

If they really want to make a move on me, they wouldn't need to go to all that trouble — just wait and see! Emma was lively, kept coming over to clink glasses with me, ah... no, clink bowls!

This glutinous rice wine was sweet, seemingly low in alcohol, but it really could get you drunk.

Before long the girl was muddled, and started singing.

"Young friends

Meet here today

Row the little boat

Warm breeze blows gently

Flowers fragrant, birds sing, spring scenery intoxicates..."

Chen Yaozu stared dumbfounded — even this big brother himself wouldn't know this one!

And now, across the ocean, hearing a young American girl sing such a red song.

However you look at it, it feels weird. Just as he thought this, the song reached the chorus, and Mikhailov and Megan exchanged a glance, then actually joined in the chorus.

"Ah... dear friends

Beautiful spring belongs to whom belongs to me belongs to you belongs to us the new generation of the eighties..."

With someone accompanying her, Emma sang even more enthusiastically.

"In twenty years we meet again

How beautiful the great motherland will be sky anew earth anew spring even brighter

Cities and villages everywhere radiant

Glory belongs to the new generation of the eighties

..."

Have to say, this family sang quite well, and even little Emma made hand gestures as she sang, as if giving the song more power.

Then, amid Chen Yaozu's dumbfounded expression, this family barbecue party reached its emotional peak.

After the party ended, Emma went back to her room drunk, Andrey Andreyev cleaned up the mess, and Chen Yaozu followed Mikhailov and Megan into a tea room with a very Oriental style.

The only difference was this tea room actually had a large LCD screen, so normally one could drink tea while watching TV.

But now what Chen Yaozu and the Mikhailov couple were watching wasn't some TV program, but surveillance footage from the first and second floors of Dongpo Grand Restaurant.

From seeing his own figure enter the restaurant and go up to the second floor, Chen Yaozu didn't make a sound, and the Mikhailov couple didn't speak either — they just watched.

Suddenly the image paused, and Mikhailov spoke: "A Zu, do you know how many gangs there are in all of Los Angeles?"

Chen Yaozu knew the real business had finally come, so he shook his head: "You know me — just arrived in Los Angeles not long ago, came and did delivery, then became a PE teacher at Portwater High School, don't know much about gangs."

Seeing him say this, Mikhailov gave the answer directly: "Originally there were 63, now there are still 53.

These 53 gangs divide up all of Los Angeles's nights, and of course the days where sunlight isn't sufficient either, and the dark corners.

Among them is the Fuzhou Gang, which has a conflict with you! These gangs traffic unique products, smuggle weapons and luxury goods, kidnap, extort, blackmail, usury, prostitution, underground casinos, etc. — even basically half the gangs are involved in organ trafficking.

Every evil imaginable is the portrait of these gangs; for society, for ordinary disaster victims, they are social tumors.

But American society seems to be a hotbed for these gangs — these gangs are repeatedly banned but never cease.

What's your take on this?"

Chen Yaozu didn't know what identity or attitude he should use to answer this question, so he simply countered: "Ms. Megan, as the person in charge of jointly controlling gangs, this should be your problem to consider!

As for me, I'm just an ordinary person — not in position, not plan politics!"

Ms. Megan smiled: "You know Zhang Rusong knows you're this mysterious and powerful, so why did he still come provoke you?"

Chen Yaozu thought: "Should be because last time at the casino, or rather the underground bank, when I acted in self-defense, too many of his men died.

So if he doesn't take revenge, it can't be justified.

Another is, he thought he found a means to resist me — those Daoists, monks, exorcists you intercepted!"

Ms. Megan shook her head: "Yes, and no!"

She suddenly asked another question: "The East has an ancient saying: 'If a man has talent but is not for my use, he must be removed, lest he be used by others in the future and become a future trouble in my heart.'

You should have heard this saying!"

Chen Yaozu really wanted to say sorry, he truly hadn't heard this saying, but he understood the meaning, so he could only nod.

Ms. Megan continued: "Los Angeles has 53 gangs, and the Fuzhou Gang, the Los Angeles Hall is only 1/53 of them.

Normally they also have conflicts and disputes with other street districts, gunfights not few.

But basically all are tit-for-tat; truly ruthless Eastern people are actually quite ruthless too.

This forms a balance.

But your appearance broke the balance — you didn't just kill dozens of gunmen at the casino, you also struck at the Fuzhou Gang's prestige in the Los Angeles underground world.

If he just swallowed it, it would bring the Fuzhou Gang destruction, because others would see his fear and weakness.

Even more afraid you'd be recruited by other gangs.

After all, you killing so many people isn't a secret in the whole Los Angeles underground world — everyone's looking for you, just not as frantically as him.

So he desperately searches for you, while also researching methods to deal with you.

Of course, the best outcome would be him recruiting you for his own use — pity he failed, and therefore lost his life."

Chen Yaozu fell silent, not knowing what to say.

Mikhailov didn't speak either, just clicked the remote to continue playback.

Watching himself in the surveillance video, Chen Yaozu was somewhat embarrassed, but endured it.

Until in the surveillance video, he finished that sentence: "... I used to be a fortune-teller, one look at a person and I know their background and intentions..."

Here it was paused again, and Mikhailov and Ms. Megan looked at Chen Yaozu together.

Ms. Megan spoke softly: "Then now, Wizard from the East, Mr. Chen Yaozu, could you divine for us husband and wife, and see our background?"

Chen Yaozu looked at Mikhailov and Megan before him who had been speaking Han Dynasty language with him, and for some reason, felt his back turn a bit cold.

He suddenly had a premonition that if he said the wrong thing today, he might die.

(Chapter End)