Donkey meat is more fragrant than beef, and this kind of fragrance isn't greasy, but a special meaty aroma.

If you find donkey meat unappetizing and the meat strips too coarse and dry, it's likely you've been deceived and it's probably horse meat.

Some people are truly lacking in morals, thinking they're clever.

But no one is stupid, after eating something bad once, who would go back a second time?

"Do you remember this flavor?" Li Zhaofeng was somewhat surprised; it had been seven or eight years since he last made donkey meat.

Luke replied perfunctorily, "It's still that same taste."

Li Zhaofeng seemed very pleased, "Try the other dishes."

Besides the donkey meat, the other dishes were quite recognizable: hand-grabbed lamb, steamed grouper, poached prawns, stir-fried vegetables, and tomato scrambled eggs; the staple was rice.

Several dishes were pre-prepared, some just needed heating, some were steamed or stir-fried, making it relatively easy to cook.

This spread of food was quite to Luke's liking.

"Couldn't make soup in time, what do you want to drink? There's beer, spirits, and soft drinks."

The chubby kid went to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of cola for himself, and handed Luke and Li Zhaofeng each a beer.

Luke opened a beer and handed one to Li Zhaofeng.

Li Zhaofeng asked, "Want to try some spirits?"

"Sure."

After all, the three hadn't seen each other in a long time; not just Luke, even Li Zhaofeng felt a bit distant.

The best way for men to bond is to share some drinks.

Li Zhaofeng took out a bottle of Wuliangye, "How about drinking this?"

"Alright."

"I've seen this kind of liquor, my brother has several boxes stored," the chubby kid glanced at Luke and tentatively asked, "Can I have a bit of beer?"

"Then skip the cola," Luke didn't oppose, thinking the kid was now of an age where a bottle of beer wouldn't affect him too much, better than drinking cola.

The chubby kid was a bit torn, hesitated for a while, then put the cola back in the fridge and got a beer, "Cheers."

The chubby kid opened the bottle cap, took a sip, and frowned, "Bitter."

"When it doesn't taste bitter any longer, you'll be grown up," Li Zhaofeng watched the brotherly interaction with happiness yet some regret, feeling he missed out on their growth and Luke was more like the father figure.

"Eat before the food gets cold."

The chubby kid was starving, ate quickly, alone consuming half the donkey meat, and was full in less than twenty minutes.

After a day of flying, the chubby kid was tired, and Luke let him sleep first.

Li Zhaofeng brought some peanuts, and the father-son duo slowly drank and chatted.

Li Zhaofeng asked with concern, "How's your grandpa's health?"

"Pretty good, feels stronger than my uncle."

Li Zhaofeng laughed, "How's Val now? Still involved in music?"

"Uncle is much better now, working at a supermarket, relegating music to a hobby."

"That's good, your mom used to worry about him a lot."

"Dad, how's your recovery going?"

"Already fine."

"How did you get hit by a car?"

"Partly my fault for not being careful walking, thankfully the injuries weren't serious, a lesson learned," Li Zhaofeng raised his glass, "Come on, let's not talk about this, let's have a drink."

Luke raised his glass and clinked with his father.

Li Zhaofeng put down his glass, looked at his eldest son, "Luke, you seem a bit different from what I remember."

Luke said, "People have to mature."

"You're right, with you around Linda and Jack, I feel much more at ease."

"How are grandma and grandpa's health?"

"All good, just grandma's got some hearing loss this year, need to speak louder.

We'll go see them the day after tomorrow."

The father and son casually chatted, slowly getting used to each other again.

Li Zhaofeng asked with concern, "How's work lately?"

"I'm still in the Robbery and Murder Department, recently promoted to team leader, compared to before, the responsibilities are heavier, more affairs to manage, so it's less laid-back."

"You're a team leader now!" Li Zhaofeng's tone held a hint of amazement, "Good, you're stronger than me. I'm proud of you, let's have another drink."

Li Zhaofeng downed his drink in one gulp, looking at Luke with a gaze full of pride.

"Wait a moment."

Li Zhaofeng stood up, went to the bedroom on the first floor, and when he came out held a card which he placed in front of Luke, "This bank card is under your name, containing thirty thousand US Dollars.

You're mature now, will need money to buy a house or car."

Luke picked up the card, somewhat puzzled, "When did you open a card in my name? How come I didn't know?"

"Shortly after you were born, I set up a custodial account, depositing money every year, meant for when you'd grow up to buy a house or car. Now you're mature and responsible enough to manage these funds. Take it, Jack has one too, just isn't suitable to tell him yet."

Hearing what Li Zhaofeng said, Luke didn't refuse further, though he didn't lack the thirty thousand, he couldn't decline.

The money held special significance.

In America, the tax authorities are highly vigilant, not allowing you to just give money to whoever you wish.

Parents giving money to children also requires taxes.

In China, housing prices vastly exceed young people's incomes, mostly with parental financial help, it's not a problem, parents can directly transfer tens of thousands, even register a house in the child's name, no one cares which account you use to buy property.

Parents can directly transfer assets to their children.

But in America, it's different; Li Zhaofeng wanted to directly give Luke money for a house, could he?

No, not without paying gift tax first.

Gift tax rates are high, essentially handing the government a chunk of money.

Of course, regulations have solutions, how do parents transfer assets to children?

There's an annual gift exemption, in 2020 it's 16,000 US Dollars, so for a couple, it's 32,000 US Dollars.

A couple can annually give a child 32,000 US Dollars, if they have two kids, that's 64,000 US Dollars a year, exempt from gift tax for these amounts, and later also avoids estate tax.

The money in the bank card was prepared by Li Zhaofeng using the gift exemption annually for Luke.

This represented over twenty years of heartfelt effort, Luke couldn't refuse.