Chapter Sixty-Three: The Invitation

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Qiu Fengyu picked up the bucket of fish and, together with the little girl, returned to the small town, heading straight to where the Japanese family lived. He had already explained everything over the phone, so the entire family was waiting at the door to greet them.

Qiu Fengyu lifted the little girl from the back seat. She clung to his neck like an octopus, murmuring softly to him in her gentle Japanese, but Qiu Fengyu didn't understand a word and could only look at her in confusion.

Realizing he wasn’t getting her meaning, the little girl became anxious. After the beautiful woman took her from Qiu Fengyu’s arms, her large eyes brimmed with tears ready to fall.

“I’m sorry for the trouble,” the beautiful woman said, bowing deeply in apology to Qiu Fengyu.

Not only did the young woman come over to apologize, but her parents also did, bowing low and murmuring their apologies before leading the little girl inside.

Only the young man did not approach. He glanced at Qiu Fengyu, then turned and went indoors.

As Qiu Fengyu was about to leave, the middle-aged man came out and said, “Mr. Qiu, I’m sorry for all the trouble. Minami really enjoys spending time with you. We couldn’t find her today, so we reported it to the police.”

“It’s nothing. Goodbye!” Qiu Fengyu waved nonchalantly and strode off.

Upon returning home, he immediately noticed a police car parked by his yard—Officer Coffin had arrived. Seeing Qiu Fengyu’s car, Coffin got out and waited by her own car for him.

“I’ve sent the girl home,” Qiu Fengyu said with a smile.

“As long as it’s sorted out, I’ll be off,” Coffin replied, showing no intention of scolding him. She might have done so in the past, but after that fight alongside Qiu Fengyu and the others, she no longer had the heart for it.

Still, it was strange for her to come over just to say a few words—she could have just called. But Qiu Fengyu didn’t dwell on it; that wasn’t his way.

The next day, Qiu Fengyu went to see Alisa off.

As before, her father Charles was the one taking her to school. Kevin was absent—likely already off to his own classes—so only Elizabeth came to see the two off.

Before they set out, Alisa looked around, finally spotting Qiu Fengyu. She hurried over, her tone slightly aggrieved.

“You’re late.”

“Time is always on a lady’s side,” Qiu Fengyu replied, checking his watch—it wasn’t even the appointed hour yet.

Realizing her mistake, Alisa smiled sheepishly, and they chatted for a while, mostly Alisa asking when Qiu Fengyu would move to Los Angeles.

Qiu Fengyu mostly listened, occasionally responding. This girl was clearly a bit one-sided in her feelings. Watching the car drive off, Qiu Fengyu felt no particular pang of farewell.

There were still ten days until the bull-riding competition in Paso, but Qiu Fengyu couldn’t care less. Once you’ve tried something, there’s no need to go all out for a second attempt.

The twenty-thousand-dollar prize wasn’t much to Qiu Fengyu. A hundred thousand dollars had already been transferred to his account, the winnings from the town contest had arrived, and combined with his daily noodle sales, he was more than comfortable financially.

Given his temperament, once his needs are met, he doesn’t bother pushing himself. There was a certain content, unambitious air about him. But then, wasn’t that the way of everyone in this little town? It simply meant he’d found the right place, one that suited his tastes.

Thus, he barely trained at all.

He’d also made plans to go fishing with Britt. When Qiu Fengyu arrived, Britt shook his head regretfully. “You really should be training. Look at you—with so little training, you already won the town championship. If you trained for ten more days, I’d bet a thousand dollars on you.”

“Forget it—get in, let’s go fishing!” Qiu Fengyu couldn’t be bothered. Good luck doesn’t last forever.

Britt was a skilled fisherman, and Qiu Fengyu was no slouch either; both caught several fish. On the drive home, Britt kept persuading Qiu Fengyu to train, insisting his own barn was open for Qiu Fengyu to use as he pleased.

“We’re here, Josh!” Qiu Fengyu braked sharply, nearly sending Britt’s head into the windshield.

“Think about what I said!” Britt got out, circling to Qiu Fengyu’s window, unwilling to give up.

“All right, I’ll think about it.”

His tone was noncommittal, making Britt uneasy. He wanted to press the point, but Qiu Fengyu was already turning the car around, clearly with no intention of training.

Back at home, just as he was about to carry the fish inside, he spotted the little girl at the fence again.

“Hey!” Qiu Fengyu waved.

The little girl beamed, and at that moment, the beautiful woman appeared beside her, walking to the fence, smiling and bowing to Qiu Fengyu.

He had grown used to her politeness. Although her bows always felt a bit like a farewell to the dead, he managed to remain composed.

“Sorry to bother you, Mr. Qiu.”

“Well, you are bothering me a bit. So, what is it?” Qiu Fengyu never played by the rules, his bluntness making the woman blush and falter for a moment before regaining her composure.

“To express our gratitude, we’d like to invite you to our home for dinner tomorrow night, so we can properly thank you.”

“All right, I’ll come tomorrow,” Qiu Fengyu agreed at once.

The woman smiled, bent down to whisper something to the little girl, who then waved cheerfully at Qiu Fengyu. Hand in hand, the two walked away.

Dinner that evening was fish hotpot. Qiu Fengyu called Britt’s whole family over, including Tim, who had just returned from school. They all trooped over, not the least bit formal.

Nicole sat primly at the table, eyes fixed on the yin-yang hotpot Qiu Fengyu brought out. With the round table and all the side dishes, everyone stared hungrily at the steaming pot.

As soon as Qiu Fengyu gave the signal to eat, chopsticks darted everywhere, plunging into the broth.

It was a satisfying feast. Everyone was sweating, but the food was too good to stop, no matter how much they perspired. Britt’s family had mastered the use of chopsticks, hardly any worse than Qiu Fengyu himself—except for Tim, who simply used a large spoon.

After dinner, Britt tried to talk to Qiu Fengyu.

“Josh!” Qiu Fengyu could only reply helplessly, “Don’t push me.”

Britt shrugged and left, disappointed. Tim wanted to stay, claiming he didn’t want to go out, but Qiu Fengyu simply grabbed him by the collar and tossed him out.

“Boss, I think Mr. Britt has a point!” Tim tried to persuade him.

“Get lost!” Qiu Fengyu shouted from inside.

“Boss—”

Before he could finish, Qiu Fengyu came out with a gun, aiming it at Tim. “Let’s play a game: I’ll put an apple on your head and bet ten dollars I can shoot it off. Then we’ll discuss your suggestion.”

Tim turned and fled, vanishing in an instant.

Qiu Fengyu laughed; dealing with this kid was child’s play.

After dinner, he headed to the bar. As usual, Brekin set out Qiu Fengyu’s favorite vodka and nodded toward him. “That Japanese guy is hitting on the Russian girl.”

Qiu Fengyu glanced over—sure enough, the young Japanese man was leaning close to a Russian girl, whispering something that made them both laugh.

Suited and proper by day, but at night, his true colors showed.

Qiu Fengyu had nothing against the Japanese man, so he just shrugged and said, “Another one for you. How much commission do you get?”

“I imagine he’ll take the Russian girl to the local inn for a room…” Brekin dodged the question, grinning. “I like him—he brings the town some income…”

“Screw you!” Qiu Fengyu laughed and dismissed the young Japanese man from his mind. He looked around but didn’t see the beautiful woman anywhere.

“Looking for that Japanese lady? Don’t bother—she never comes here. Only visited once, the first day they arrived.”

So Qiu Fengyu said no more.

The next day at lunch, while eating noodles, the young Japanese man didn’t show up—perhaps embarrassed after knowing Qiu Fengyu had seen him the night before. But his parents and the two women, young and old, came as usual, quietly waiting for their noodles.