The Li family is from the north, and making dumplings is a must.

Li Zhaonian is the head chef and had prepared the ingredients well in advance, with vegetables, seafood, and meats all ready.

A little after seven in the evening, the dumplings were wrapped, and the dishes were prepared.

Braised silver pomfret, sauced donkey meat, spicy blood curd pot, deep-fried pig knuckle, steamed tofu with stuffing, stir-fried bok choy, sweet and sour shrimp.

No doubt a professional chef, this New Year dinner was a feast for the eyes and the stomach.

The little chubby one couldn't take his eyes off it, eager to start the meal immediately.

Luke instinctively pinched his head, indicating he should have some composure.

"Serve the dishes!" Li Zhaonian called out.

The dishes were gradually brought to the table.

The old man took out two bottles of Moutai, smiling, "I bought these a few years ago. Today, we're happy, let's drink them."

The old lady turned on the TV and found the Spring Festival Gala on channel one, "Hey, why hasn't Will come yet?

Zhaonian, give him a call. It's getting dark, ask if he needs a ride."

Li Zhaonian was also worried; he didn't even know where the rascal was, where could he go to pick him up?

How bold he is to expect me to pick him up.

It's New Year's Eve, he should know to come home himself.

The more Li Zhaonian thought about it, the angrier he got, not knowing how to explain it to his parents.

He didn't want to lie to them but was afraid they'd worry if they knew.

This mischievous kid really doesn't let people have peace of mind.

The old man also noticed something was wrong, "Zhaonian, what's going on?"

Li Zhaonian could only partially tell the truth, "I argued a bit with that kid, and he's hiding at a friend's house, unwilling to come back."

"I'll call him; Will listens to me the most," the old lady took out her phone.

"Mom and Dad, leave him be. The kid is probably still angry and won't answer the phone," Li Zhaonian also brushed it off.

The old lady still made a call but couldn't get through.

The old man looked stern, "Zhaonian, you're over forty, how can you still be so immature?

It's New Year's, why argue with the child?"

Yao Xin said, "Dad, it's not entirely Zhaonian's fault. Will is also quite stubborn.

Tomorrow, Zhaonian and I will go to his friend's house to bring him back."

"Alright, let's eat first." The old man was still somewhat displeased.

The wine was good, and the dishes were great, but everyone had their own concerns, making the New Year's dinner not entirely enjoyable.

Only the little chubby one didn't care and ate to his heart's content.

After the meal, dishes were cleared, and Li Zhaonian and Yao Xin drove off.

Li Zhaofeng originally wanted to stay with his sons so both grandsons could accompany their grandparents.

But he also feared his parents would inquire about Will, so he took his son home too.

Luke didn't like the sauce-flavored liquor, drank little, and drove them back.

Fortunately, drunk driving checks are more lenient in New York, or the whole family would have been in trouble.

The little chubby one lay on the backseat, slapped his forehead, "I forgot to set off the fireworks."

Li Zhaofeng said, "Tomorrow, today no one is in the mood."

The little chubby one asked, "Dad, where did Will go?"

"Your uncle doesn't know either; if he did, he'd have dragged him back long ago.

Another worrying one."

"Is there something else going on between Will and Uncle?" Luke thought the argument last night wasn't enough to create such a rift between father and son, that it was perhaps just the catalyst.

Li Zhaofeng sighed, "Your uncle wants Will to learn culinary skills so he can take over the restaurant in the future.

Will is not very keen, wanting to make his own way."

"Then let him pave his way; he's still young.

He's just graduated university, stuck in the restaurant, of course, he wouldn't be happy.

The more you push, the more he resents it in his heart."

"Will didn't even go to a good university. Your uncle is worried that after a few years of messing around, he ends up with nothing. It's better to learn cooking early.

The restaurant is, after all, a family business, and your uncle can teach him hand-in-hand, better than being outside."

Actually, Luke also agreed with his uncle Li Zhaonian's view; young people are ambitious, thinking they can achieve great things, though in reality, very few succeed, and if they do, it's often with their father's help.

If Will took over the family restaurant, with the foundation laid by his father, using his youth and energy, his ideas to develop and expand it, that would be the best route.

Luke understood, as a second-generation individual, that success is often achieved on the shoulders of giants, and those giants are usually your father, deeply rooted in the field they've worked in, absolutely a stable shortcut.

But Luke also knew teaching young people this truth wasn't easy, some paths they must walk on their own; only after running into obstacles will they turn back, willingly continuing down the path.

"Let Will pave his own way; it's best if he succeeds on his own.

Even if he fails, his heart will be content and naturally willing to take over the restaurant."

"Looks like... that would be the only way." Li Zhaofeng nodded, knowing his brother couldn't control him anymore, and rather than clashing, it's better to discuss it.

Just like now, a fallout, could even lose track of the person, even more worrying.

Li Zhaofeng glanced at his elder son, fortunately not astray.

He was very satisfied and proud of Luke's current state.

A couple of years ago, Luke was a hot-tempered, moody 'bad boy', but this year he has become much more sensible, not only successful in his career but also mature in dealing with people, like a real man.

He's relieved to have him take care of Jack in Los Angeles.

Luke habitually glanced at the rearview mirror, vaguely feeling a car behind seemed familiar as if he had seen it a couple of intersections ago.

Could it be that I am being followed? That shouldn't be, right?

Even if someone wanted to harm me, could they follow me to New York?

Luke became slightly more alert; no one dared to provoke him in Los Angeles, but New York is different. If someone wants to target him, this could indeed be a good time.

Luke recalled those he recently offended; could it be those two Mexican gangs?

The cases of those two gangs were eventually handed over to the FBI, who wrapped them up. Even if they wanted revenge, it shouldn't be directed at him.

Could it be the professor?

After all, he was chased by him in Los Angeles, but he ran to New York for revenge?

If that's the case, it's actually a good opportunity to catch him.

But before that, he must ensure his father's and brother's safety.

...

A black Citroen sedan tailed Li Zhaofeng's Volvo into the neighborhood, keeping a distance and turning off its lights, making it hard to notice.

Luke and his family got out of the car, chatting and laughing, returning home.

A white man sat in the passenger seat of the black Citroen, taking photos with a camera.

The driver parked the car not far away, "Seems these Chinese folks are celebrating 'Spring Festival', heard it's somewhat like Christmas."

The man in the passenger seat put away the camera, "How long are we keeping watch tonight? Is anyone coming to switch?"

"Who knows?"

"Then you sleep first, I'll keep watch." The white man in the passenger seat kept glancing at Li Zhaofeng's house.

"I'm hungry, need to eat first." The driver opened the glove compartment, taking out a bag of bread, "Want some?"

"Buzz..."

The man in the passenger seat took out his phone, glancing at the screen, "Boss, any instructions?"

"Where are you?"

"The target went home, we're monitoring outside."

A low voice came from the phone, "Leave immediately."

"No one's here to switch yet."

"Don't bother, leave immediately."

"What happened?"

"Don't ask, if there's an emergency, don't attack, prioritize retreat.

Protect yourselves."

"Fuck!"

The passenger muttered a curse as he hung up, "What the hell?"

"What's going on?"

"Leave here immediately."

The driver started the car, asking, "What happened? Did we get exposed?"

"Who knows?"

The car started slowly, driving away into the distance.

A pair of eyes appeared from the shadow of the house side, Luke emerged, with a puzzled look on his face.

He took out his phone, enlarging the photo on the screen, showing the black Citroen's license plate.

Luke sent the plate to Matthew, with a message, "Buddy, help me check this, I'll treat you to dinner."

Matthew replied, "This is a New York plate, are you in New York?"

"Yes, any difficulty?"

"A bit.

This is LAPD's system, not NYPD."

"That's why I'm asking you."

"OK, I'll try."

"Tell me first thing in the morning."

"You are the boss!"