My American magical life

Time was inching closer to noon.

The refresh rate of homeless people on Red Street was reaching its peak.

Under Cheng Daqi's organization, three teams were distributing aid simultaneously.

The quantity of supplies was quickly diminishing.

By eleven o'clock, all the perfumes brought by Lisa's team had been handed out.

"Cheng, regarding that one thousand US dollars, you might need to come with me to find a bank and withdraw the cash."

It wasn't that a credit card couldn't be used, but cash was more cost-effective.

Cheng Daqi was a homeless man, and taking cash was the simplest, no-cost option.

There was no need to leave a tax trail.

"In this case, how will your company handle the accounts?"

Cheng Daqi asked while packing up the tables.

He had heard the American tax authorities (IRS) were formidable and was worried that part of his money might get snatched away by the IRS.

"We have an accounting firm; you don't need to worry. They will take care of such one-time labor compensation."

Clearly, Lisa wasn't fully aware of the complexities involved.

"Everyone get in the car first. You all find a restaurant and have a big meal to celebrate the successful event. Don't worry; the company's picking up the tab!"

The female supervisor arranged for several girls to get on the van, then gave Cheng Daqi a meaningful look.

Cheng Daqi followed Lisa's gaze and saw a Tesla MODEL S parked nearby.

A luxury Tesla series, with sports car performance and a geeky pedigree.

Lisa opened the car door, giving Cheng Daqi a challenging look.

"Can you fix this car?"

She didn't know what had gotten into her, but at that moment, she really hoped to stump Cheng Daqi.

This man, from the moment he had appeared, had been in control of their interaction, and it sparked her competitive nature.

"Lisa, I admit I spoke too loudly to you today, but you could consider hiring me as your driver."

Cheng Daqi was not interested in fixing Teslas.

This brand played the direct-sales game, and in the early days, maintenance could only be performed at brand-owned service centers.

He was interested in Lisa.

Unlike Zhao Hongjin.

Lisa was a minor boss, the type Cheng Daqi could get right away.

If he had a chance with this wealthy woman,

all the difficulties of surviving ten days in Saint Rodu would be easily solved.

"Less talk, get in!"

Cheng Daqi's demeanor had changed too fast; Lisa glared at him and sat in the driver's seat.

"Are we going to the bank now?"

Cheng Daqi asked, looking at a Madagascar penguin ornament in the car.

"Let's eat first; I'm about to have a low blood sugar attack," Lisa answered.

"Alright, can I plug in your car to charge it?"

Cheng Daqi never missed an opportunity to take advantage.

When you have nothing, you can take advantage of everything.

When life has hit rock bottom, anything you do is a bounce back.

"Do you have any restaurant recommendations? I really don't know what to eat," Lisa said, controlling the car with one hand and selecting music on the screen with the other.

"I'm just a homeless man. Do you need a homeless man to recommend a restaurant for you?"

Cheng Daqi didn't understand this woman's thinking.

"I have choice paralysis. You should know, as the director of a fashionable luxury brand, I buy three of the same outfit," Lisa explained after picking a song.

"Also, I feel like you've just been tripped up by hardships. You won't always be homeless, Cheng."

"Emmm, the Cavalrymen Song? Are you from Eastern Europe?"

"See, how could you go on being homeless? You give me a strange feeling,"

Lisa looked at Cheng Daqi, her eyes filled with admiration.

"A strange feeling? Do I have something abnormal about me?"

The Cavalrymen of the Steppe is one of the songs in this fitness enthusiast's playlist.

I had heard it hundreds of times in my previous life.

Cheng Daqi could identify it with just half a line of the tune.

And the fact that Lisa likes to listen to this kind of former Soviet Union song suggests she might be an Eastern European immigrant.

"You know, Chan, at first, I thought you came to extort me, haha."

Lisa pointed at Cheng Daqi, laughing as she spoke.

"A thousand US dollars, you really dared to ask for that much. At that time, I was even considering whether to contact the police and have you arrested."

"Can I tell the truth?"

Cheng Daqi stretched out his hand to feel the wind driven by the car's motion.

He intended to confess that his initial intention was just to earn two hundred.

"My mother told me that when a boy says he's going to tell the truth, don't believe a single word that follows. Is that so?"

Your mother is right.

But I really am about to tell the truth.

What about the basic trust between people?

Cheng Daqi gave up on trying to explain further.

"Alright, you choose a Chinese restaurant, I haven't eaten food from my homeland in so long."

In late-stage cancer, many patients are unable to eat normally.

The side effects of chemotherapy drugs can ravage a person's digestive system.

A lot of chemotherapy is like fighting poison with poison.

Having a normal delicious meal is a luxury for late-stage cancer patients.

Cheng Daqi's eyebrows slightly drooped as he remembered the smell of disinfectant in the hospital.

Feeling the wind slipping through his fingers, he confirmed to himself that he was still alive.

Alive, and about to enjoy delicious food, the new beginning might be tough.

"Chinese restaurant, are you from Hua Country?"

Lisa had guessed Hua Country from the start.

As a regional brand supervisor for a fashion luxury brand, she had met quite a few Asian men.

The men from Stick Country were generally arrogant and rude.

The men from Ghost Country were usually of shorter stature.

Also, Cheng Daqi introduced himself as Chan, and Jackie Chan is also from Hua Country.

"Yes, I recommend you try Chinese food more often, it's much tastier than French cuisine."

In the West, regarding gourmet food, French cuisine is recognized as number one, without a close second.

Germans claim their food, refined through the ordeals of war, incorporates the best of all worlds and should be second.

Italians think their pizza is fantastic and world-renowned, claiming second place by merit.

The United Kingdom, well, they themselves believe they're second, but no one cares what their food actually looks like.

America, nobody thinks America has any gourmet food.

"I know Chinese food, General Tso's Chicken is delicious."

Lisa's response left Cheng Daqi speechless.

General Tso reclaimed Xinjiang and repelled Tsarist Russia.

His monumental achievements are less famous than a dish of chicken.

"General Tso's Chicken is an Americanized version of Chinese cuisine, created to suit the tastes of American diners."

Cheng Daqi briefly explained the history of the Americanization of Chinese cuisine.

"Chinese food generally isn't sweet, while Americans like sweet food, so Chinese restaurants in America usually make their dishes sweeter."

"Pudgy Ding's Noodle House, it has good ratings. How about this one?"

Lisa had picked a restaurant and was asking for Cheng Daqi's opinion.

Pudgy Ding Plaza, a well-known gathering place for electronic pets in a previous life.

A breeding ground for all sorts of eccentric geniuses.

Puff Pastry Warriors, the Donut and the Honest-to-God Gold Medal Lecturer... truly a gathering of stars.

Cheng Daqi didn't know what to say.

"Yes, that noodle house is rather famous in Hua Country as well."

Since I'm here, it's fine to take a look at the center of Pudgy Ding's universe.

During the painful ordeal of his treatment, those electronic pets had brought him a great deal of joy.