Chapter 108: An Uneasy Dinner

Starting today, the backend was acting up all afternoon, so this chapter is a bit late—sorry about that!

The two women were walking along, continuously analyzing the psychology behind Qiu Fengyu’s actions from the previous day. It was almost like an academic psychological analysis.

Only bored women would do something like that.

“From the perspective of human sexual cues, is it better for a very sexy woman to remain in bed or to be lounging haphazardly on the sofa?” Reese laughed. “So... I think he’s a smart guy, very aware of these psychological hints. Think about it—woman + bed + intoxication. What does that imply?”

“Freud?”

“No, it’s Reese Lassett.”

“Alright, is this from your experience dealing with men?”

“Sort of. To prevent those men from taking advantage of me, I always analyze their thoughts, study which poses might trigger their nerves and desires, and which might extinguish the fire in their hearts. That’s my way of self-protection!”

“So last night was a test for him?”

“Not really. I never intended to drink that much; it just turned into a test later,” Reese Lassett smiled. “But... I still think he’s pretty cool.”

Well, that was true—he was indeed quite cool.

After the two women left, Qiu Fengyu didn’t care much anymore. Although he had tossed and turned a bit last night, it wasn’t really a test. Still, that girl called Reese was outrageously beautiful.

Today was Thanksgiving. The first thing Qiu Fengyu did was head to Britt’s house to retrieve the items he had asked him to buy, and also to get some guidance from Britt on how to proceed.

At Britt’s house, while tidying up, Elizabeth was beside him, listing off everything Qiu Fengyu needed to prepare, quietly complaining as she went.

“If you’d join us for Thanksgiving, I’d be a lot more relaxed. Nicole and Danny asked too. They want to eat the dishes you cook. You’ve made them start critiquing my cooking…”

Qiu Fengyu chuckled. “I want to experience it. My first Christmas in America—well, Thanksgiving first—what is it really like?”

“It’s Thanksgiving!” Nicole, standing nearby, corrected with a serious expression on her round little face. She was holding a Barbie doll. “Will you join us?”

“I promise, Nicole, we’ll celebrate together someday. But not now, okay?” Qiu Fengyu gently pressed his cheek against hers, warm and tender.

“Alright, can we pinky swear?”

“Of course!” Qiu Fengyu smiled and hooked his little finger with hers. The little girl finally smiled. Then he called Danny over to play, but Danny, disdainful of Nicole, insisted on joining Qiu Fengyu’s side to just watch.

After packing everything into the car, Qiu Fengyu bid them farewell. Tim decided to spend Thanksgiving with him. Britt and his wife had no objections; in fact, they thought Tim’s presence would make Qiu Fengyu feel less lonely during the holiday.

Back home, Qiu Fengyu started preparing the turkey—the same one from before. He had intended to ask Tim how to cook it, but Tim didn’t know either, so they looked it up online and followed the steps carefully.

It was quite simple. Once the turkey was in the oven, Qiu Fengyu began preparing the other dishes, with Tim helping alongside. The entire day was spent bustling about, all for a sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner.

At noon, they had some dumplings casually, then went to check out the construction site nearby. The exterior walls were already being built and progressing quickly, although no workers would come today—it was Thanksgiving, after all.

In the afternoon, Alisa video-called Qiu Fengyu on the computer. She decided not to return home for Thanksgiving but to stay in Los Angeles. She had found an internship and was determined to work hard at the new company. Many newcomers chose to stay late and work overtime.

“I thought you’d be at Britt’s for Thanksgiving. Didn’t expect you to try on your own... It’s a pity I can’t go home. My favorite part is Black Friday tomorrow,” Alisa sounded regretful. “I used to have shopping plans, but now all I have are work plans.”

Qiu Fengyu didn’t say much; she kept talking, and he just listened. Alisa was quite talkative, mainly sharing her work experiences.

Finally, Alisa blew him a kiss through the screen. “Thank you for listening to me ramble so much. I hate myself for it sometimes. Actually... you’re a really good man. By the way... when will you come to Los Angeles?”

“You always ask that during calls,” Qiu Fengyu smiled. “Los Angeles is just too big for me. If I go there, I might get lost in the crowd. Take good care of yourself... Goodbye!” With that, he ended the call abruptly.

Los Angeles too big? Qiu Fengyu felt saying that was just a lack of intelligence. But he didn’t want to give Alisa any false hopes. He wasn’t the type to give up the life he wanted just for a woman. Everyone has their own convictions—Alisa has hers, and Qiu Fengyu has his, even more so.

“Does she like you?” Tim asked from behind.

“I really don’t understand who you like,” Tim continued. “Yesterday it was April, but I’m not optimistic about that girl. She’s like a lunatic—does whatever she wants and expresses herself however she wants. That’s unbearable.”

“I never thought I’d marry a blonde American girl.”

“Then... I guess you like Ryoko Mikura? That girl is hot, both in figure and temperament. So I suggest you think it over—don’t rush to decide.”

“Get lost. What do you know?” Qiu Fengyu snapped.

“Haha, if you really fall for a Japanese girl, watch out when you walk the streets—you might bump into Sheriff Coffin and get shot right between the legs,” Tim joked. “Boss, you’ve actually attracted too many women.”

“Attracted too many women?” Qiu Fengyu laughed heartily, but soon the laughter faded.

There were only a few women he was involved with, including little Nicole and the Japanese little girl Minami Mikura. They could be counted on two hands. So why did Tim say he’d attracted too many women?

“Listen, Tim... don’t laugh. I’m serious. You can only have one night with any woman, then cut ties quickly so you remain unburdened for your future revenge!”

“I know, that’s why I humiliated the girl who liked me,” Tim chuckled. “I’m more decisive and cruel than you in this regard. At least, that’s what I think.”

“Cruel?” Qiu Fengyu shrugged. Tim was indeed crueller when it came to relationships.

After a brief rest in the afternoon, they continued preparing the ingredients for dinner.

Qiu Fengyu set up a frame on the lawn out back, hanging up string lights and some bright spotlights to illuminate the area.

A long table was covered and laid out with an assortment of dishes Qiu Fengyu had prepared. The turkey sat right in the center. The spread looked incredibly tempting.

“We could light some candles,” Tim suggested.

“Good idea,” Qiu Fengyu agreed, lighting candles beside the table, making the whole setup feel warm and inviting.

“We could invite a lot of people and have a party. There’s no way the two of us could finish all this food,” Tim said, glancing at the long table. Suddenly, his expression turned a little somber. “Usually, at this time, there’d be a big family gathering at my house. It was always lively. I liked that feeling.”

Qiu Fengyu walked over, squeezed Tim’s shoulder, and patted him gently to comfort him.

“No matter what, you survived, and you’re living well. So... your parents in heaven would be comforted by that,” Qiu Fengyu reassured him, then prepared to pop open the champagne.

“Hey boss, I think someone’s knocking at the door.”

Tim looked toward the door, then at Qiu Fengyu. Who would be knocking now?

“Go check it out!” Qiu Fengyu set down the champagne and nodded toward Tim.

Tim opened the door, eyes wide with surprise, then glanced back at Qiu Fengyu. Qiu Fengyu looked over and was stunned as well. Two girls were standing at the door.

“Not letting us in?” one of them said.

“You have to promise not to get drunk again,” Qiu Fengyu called out loudly from inside, able to see the scene at the door.

“I promise!” Reese raised her hand to Qiu Fengyu defiantly, then completely ignored Tim as she grabbed April’s hand and walked in. It seemed they’d changed clothes somewhere, both dressed in fresh-looking jeans and T-shirts, giving off a breezy, refreshing vibe.

“Don’t ask questions. The important thing is we’re back!” April put a finger to her lips. “So can we enjoy this feast?”

“Of course... no problem.” That wasn’t Qiu Fengyu speaking but Tim, who was flirting with Reese. “I’ve seen your movies. Really cool. After dinner, you have to sign an autograph for me.”

“Of course... no problem!” Reese smiled and glanced at the table, then both girls suddenly screamed like children in delight. They couldn’t resist tasting the delicious food with their fingers, each bite met with an excited exclamation.

Just then, Tim looked again toward Qiu Fengyu, and even the two girls stopped their finger-licking, looking at Qiu Fengyu and then at the door. Someone was knocking again.

“Who else did you invite?” April glared.

“Go check, Tim!” Qiu Fengyu was equally puzzled.

Tim opened the door to find a group standing there. At the front were Britt and his family, each holding a dish and smiling at Qiu Fengyu.

Behind them stood Davis and his mother, a Japanese family, Sheriff Coffin, watchmaker Ray Breslin, and Father Ace Graham... (To be continued.)