Chapter Six: Brother Jackie Makes His Entrance

Jackie stood obediently by the roadside while Anna, holding a small notebook, wore a stern expression.

“Name?” she demanded.

“Jimmy Tong,” he replied.

She entered the name into the internal system, and a string of records immediately popped up.

Anna let out a surprised exclamation. “You’re quite the celebrity! Nine speeding suspensions and even made the newspapers!”

Jackie gave a wry smile. “Come on, I just got my license back. Please, cut me some slack!”

“And you still dare speed? License, please!”

Gao Ning, standing by, scrutinized Jackie closely.

He looked exactly the same.

Could this really be the world of “The Tuxedo”?

This was a world not particularly friendly to ordinary people.

As magical as the tuxedo was, at best, it was just spy gear.

But the villain’s mosquito virus was another matter entirely.

In the film’s plot, the virus almost made its way into America’s water system.

If that had happened, an average person could die just by drinking a glass of water.

He had watched this movie ages ago and barely remembered the details.

Yet the image of a man being reduced to dust remained vivid in his mind—more terrifying than any sand fruit power.

Suddenly Gao Ning noticed Jackie casting desperate looks his way, a hint of pleading in his eyes.

Apparently, he hoped for some leniency on account of their shared heritage.

Gao Ning glanced at the passenger.

The woman hadn’t left; she stood to the side, watching the commotion, with no intention of intervening.

A speeding driver had nothing to do with the passenger.

The police couldn’t question people at random, especially since the woman’s identity wasn’t simple.

“Officer, help me out!” Jackie finally pleaded, forced to ask personally when Anna wouldn’t budge and Gao Ning feigned ignorance.

Just as Gao Ning was about to speak, the female passenger handed over her phone.

“You must be from the Ninth Precinct. Take this.”

Gao Ning and Anna exchanged a glance. Gao Ning took the phone and held it to his ear.

“New York Police. Who is this?”

From the other end came the deep baritone of a middle-aged man: “This is Karen Carnes, Chief Superintendent of NYPD. Officer, the person before you has a complex background involving national security. You are not authorized to pursue this matter. Release him immediately.

If you have any questions, call me directly!”

Gao Ning hadn’t intended to make things difficult for Jackie anyway—he was the only lead to complete the assignment.

“Yes, sir!” Gao Ning replied, then hung up.

He nodded to the female passenger, then turned to Jackie. “You’re free to go. We’ll record this speeding incident, but no penalty for now. However, if it happens again…”

“Double the punishment!” Jackie quickly interjected.

Gao Ning nodded and signaled to Anna.

Reluctantly, Anna tossed the license back, and the two officers returned to their patrol car and drove off.

The female passenger strolled over to Jackie. “Well? Did I boast too much?”

Jackie rolled his eyes. “It’s all your fault! Don’t think this lets you off—double fare, not a cent less!”

“No change needed,” she said, flicking him a Franklin.

Jackie’s eyes widened. “What’s your name again?”

“Christine,” she replied. “You drive well, no exaggeration—I’m impressed. Interested in a job? Two thousand a week plus bonuses.”

“When do I start?” Jackie replied instantly.

Christine handed him a business card. “Tomorrow at seven a.m., same place.”

---

In the patrol car, Anna looked puzzled. “Why let him go? What did the call say?”

Gao Ning replied carelessly, “Chief said she’s a special agent.”

“What?” Anna’s eyes widened.

Gao Ning nodded. “This is New York!”

Anna paused, then exhaled. “Fine, you’re right—this is New York. Who knows who you’ll run into.”

After dealing with two incidents in a row, both were tired. They grabbed a quick meal at a local restaurant, rested a bit, then resumed their patrol.

The afternoon went smoothly, and their shift ended without incident.

After clocking out at the station, they each went home.

Though already on duty, they were still in probation and wouldn’t work overtime unless necessary.

This nine-to-five routine would last only a month or two; after that, overtime would become the norm, just like for every other officer.

Riding his bicycle home, Gao Ning found Sun Lijuan had already prepared dinner.

In this world, Gao Ning was also an only child. Sun Lijuan, though devoted to her blog and often hosting salons, was still a competent homemaker.

Her son’s first day at work called for something special.

The moment he opened the door, Sun Lijuan greeted him with a smile.

“Home already? How was it?”

“Not bad,” Gao Ning replied noncommittally. “Just patrolling, resolved a domestic dispute.”

Sun Lijuan pursed her lips and took his jacket.

“That’s how American police are—meddle in everything. Not just domestic spats, even if the dogs fight, you have to show up. Your father went through the same thing. It took him ages to escape the mire, and now he’s dragged his son in. What was he thinking?”

Gao Ning chuckled. “Is Dad ever home on time?”

“He’s never had a proper shift. Don’t mind him! Son, I made authentic chicken and mushroom stew today. The red mushrooms were specially brought by your grandmother last time—haven’t had the heart to use them until now.”

Gao Ning was surprised. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t make it without proper free-range chicken?”

“Managed to get one,” Sun Lijuan said proudly. “There’s nothing your mother can’t find. I just recruited some students in Chinatown, and there it was!”

Gao Ning gave her a thumbs-up and went to wash his hands.

Sun Lijuan smiled with satisfaction and returned to the kitchen.

By the time Qi Shan emerged, the table was already laden with dishes.

His father, Gao Fei, rarely ate on time and usually made do with leftovers.

For mother and son, four dishes and a soup was already a feast.

The chicken and mushroom stew was the highlight, its aroma mouthwatering.

Four side dishes and a bowl of steaming rice made Gao Ning utterly content.

After finishing, he sighed in satisfaction, his eyes half closed.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten his mother’s cooking.

Strangely, though the flavor of the two mothers’ dishes differed, the satisfaction was always the same.

Full and happy, he turned on the television and chatted with Sun Lijuan in the living room. As night deepened, he excused himself and went to his room.

With the click of the closing door, the countdown on the Red Alert panel hit zero.

The big airship’s icon suddenly lit up.

Without hesitation, Gao Ning located his home on the mini-map and clicked.

“Show yourself, my little darling~”