Many children bring happiness, a shameless start

Lip led Karen and Carl off the platform and to the entrance of Dragon Kingdom City.

"Lip, where are we?" Carl asked, still groggy from dozing off during the ride.

"We're at the entrance to Chinatown, the largest Chinese community in the Midwest!"

"Wow!" Carl shook his head to clear the sleepiness, his energy returning in an instant.

The three of them looked up at the Dragon Kingdom-style gateway at the entrance, its vibrant colors and ornate carvings standing out vividly.

"Lip, what's written up there?" Karen asked, pointing to the four large Chinese characters on the archway.

"Oh, that's 'The world is for the public good,'" Lip replied.

"Wow!" Karen nodded, then suddenly turned to Lip with wide, curious eyes.

"What's up?" Lip asked, feeling slightly self-conscious under her gaze.

"Wow, you actually know Chinese! That's supposed to be one of the most complex and mysterious languages in the world!"

"What can I say?" Lip said proudly. "If you want to learn, I can teach you."

"Awesome! Mua~" Karen hugged Lip and kissed him excitedly.

"Lip, are you familiar with Dragon Kingdom culture?"

"More than just familiar—I practically have it memorized!"

"Wow, let's visit Dragon Kingdom after we graduate from high school!"

"Do you like it that much?"

"More than just like—it's a dream of mine!" Karen said, her enthusiasm unmistakable.

"Why?" Lip asked, genuinely curious.

"I watched a BBC documentary about the Dragon Kingdom's Forbidden City a couple of days ago," Karen explained. "It was so beautiful—ancient, mysterious, colorful, and majestic. It filled me with curiosity and longing!"

"Well, if we ever get the chance, I'll take you to see the breathtaking landscapes and rich history of Dragon Kingdom," Lip promised.

"Yay! Mua~" Karen kissed him again.

"Brother?"

"What is it, Carl?"

"I want to go too!"

"Alright, I'll take you—and the whole family!"

"Yay, long live Lip!" Carl cheered, hugging Lip's leg and bouncing with excitement.

Hand in hand, the three of them walked through the archway into the bustling streets of Chinatown.

They passed restaurants like Da San Yuan (serving Cantonese-style afternoon tea), Old Hunan, and several small supermarkets and tea shops. Across the road stood a large Dragon Kingdom supermarket, a public library, and a paid parking lot.

Farther down was Chinatown Plaza, lined with more restaurants—Mingxuan (Cantonese dim sum), Old Sichuan, Old Shanghai, Old Beijing—and barbecue joints selling braised dishes, dim sum shops, Chinese bookstores, and ginseng stores.

The streets were crowded with Dragon Kingdom natives and other Asians. Mandarin filled the air, accompanied by dialects from regions like Bashu.

The vibrant patterns, decorations, and the bright red hues typical of Dragon Kingdom culture overwhelmed Lip with a wave of nostalgia.

A whirlwind of emotions surged through him:

"Is there another Lip in this parallel world?"

"Is his life smooth sailing in the Dragon Kingdom on the other side of the ocean?"

"Does he still make his father worry all the time?"

"How are his relatives and friends?"

"How is the development of the motherland?"

"Lip, what's wrong?" Karen asked, her voice full of concern.

"Brother, are you okay?" Carl added, hugging Lip tightly.

Lip blinked, his eyes misty. Shaking off his thoughts, he smiled. "I'm fine. Just had something on my mind."

"Lip, if you're sad, you can always cry in my arms," Karen said softly, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Thanks." Lip kissed Karen's forehead gently.

The three continued down the street until they reached Hu Xiaojun's Old Sichuan, a restaurant Lip had read about online, renowned for being the most authentic Sichuan spot in Chicago.

Lip led them inside.

"Hi, sir! What can I do for you?" asked a Dragon Kingdom girl with a ponytail.

"Can you speak Chinese? I can understand and speak it," Lip replied with a smile.

"Oh, sure, handsome," she answered playfully.

Lip was momentarily startled. The girl resembled Jessica Huang from Fresh Off the Boat, but younger, more beautiful, and dressed in a cheongsam with blue and white plum-blossom patterns that accentuated her figure.

"Jessica?"

"Yes, how do you know my name?"

"It's written on your name badge," Lip said, gesturing toward her chest.

"Oh~" Jessica laughed. "I'm the manager here. Would you like a table?"

"Yes."

Jessica handed over the menu.

"Jessica, no need to explain. I can read it myself," Lip said.

"Alright."

After glancing at the menu, Lip made his choices. "We'll have Mapo tofu, twice-cooked pork, Kung Pao chicken, boiled pork slices, stir-fried vegetables, and a three-delicacy soup."

"Got it! Your Chinese is so authentic!" Jessica praised.

"Thank you. Please bring two spoons and forks as well—my girlfriend and brother might struggle with chopsticks."

"No problem! Anything else?"

Suddenly, Lip noticed a suspicious-looking Asian man lurking nearby. His instincts told him the target had appeared.

"Well, Jessica, could you tell the chef not to rush? It's not yet 11 o'clock, and we'll eat around noon. Ask him to make the dishes as authentic as possible."

"Sure thing. By the way, can you handle spicy food?"

"I can. As for the other two, I'll sort them out later. That's all for now."

Jessica smiled, nodded, and walked off, her cheongsam swaying as she went.

"Karen, Carl, stay here at the Sichuan restaurant. I've spotted the target and need to check it out."

"Brother, I want to come too!" Carl insisted.

"Are you sure? I can't promise the guy doesn't have a gun."

Carl hesitated but nodded firmly.

Years later, when Carl—known as the "King God"—reminisced, he often recalled that fateful noon when his brother took him to face a gunfight for the first time.

It was the moment he knew the gears of his destiny had begun to turn—when a bullet skimmed past his scalp.