Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Eight o'clock in the evening.

Red Community Square.

Luke ordered a portion of grilled lamb chops, some skewers, as well as edamame with peanuts, and a bucket of ice-cold draft beer.

The skewers hadn't arrived yet, and Luke was drinking his beer, eating peanuts and edamame.

Before long, a taxi stopped nearby, and Little Black got out of the car, "Hey, buddy, I'm here."

Luke asked back, "You planning to ride cabs forever?"

Little Black sat down in the opposite chair, "Wait till I get my salary this month, and I'll nearly have enough to buy a car, hehe."

Luke passed a draft beer to him, "Good luck."

Little Black took a sip of his draft beer and chuckled, "I've always been lucky, you know."

"You're right about that."

"Is it just the two of us tonight?"

"I was thinking about calling David, but then I thought... better not."

Little Black extended his right hand for a fist bump with Luke, "You did the right thing, David is just a madman. It's only us two that make the best team now."

Luke didn't reply; he hadn't invited David today because it just felt inappropriate.

Little Black rubbed his hands together, "I can hardly wait to try the Chinatown skewers you've mentioned."

"Try these two appetizers first, peanuts and edamame, they go well with the draft beer."

"Come on, you think I've never eaten peanuts?" Little Black said nonchalantly, grabbing a peanut and taking a bite, "The flavor... it's quite unique."

Having finished, Little Black picked up another and popped it into his mouth.

Luke thought to himself, you've eaten a lot of things, but with a different preparation, it's a whole new flavor.

Soon, the restaurant waiter brought over a small grill and arranged the lamb chops and skewers on it to maintain the optimal temperature and taste.

Little Black inhaled deeply, "This smells nothing like any grilled lamb I've smelled before, it's the scent of cumin, I recognize this spice."

Luke cut off two pieces of lamb chop, handed one to Little Black, and then eagerly began to eat his own.

Crispy on the outside, tender inside, leaving a savory taste in the mouth, it was almost perfect but for a bite of onion to cut through the richness.

Little Black gave a thumbs up, "Good, I like this texture and taste."

Luke thought, eat up, let's talk after you're full, so you won't lose your appetite later.

Luke also began to feast; in his past life, he had always loved eating lamb, especially grilled lamb chops.

But to be honest, he hadn't eaten it often, mainly because it was quite expensive—not that he couldn't afford it, but rather, he couldn't bring himself to spend that much.

Occasionally, he'd grill some lamb himself, but it wasn't convenient without a proper place to do it.

Of course, his fondness for grilled lamb chops, which he couldn't forget, might also have to do with how seldom he ate it.

In this life, now that he'd become wealthy, he could eat as much as he wanted; going out for barbecue once a week, enjoying hot pot in a restaurant, all without any financial pressure.

He'd achieved the freedom to eat beef and lamb as he pleased.

Seeing Little Black nearly finished eating, Luke started on the main topic, "How are things with you and Journalist Jones now?"

Little Black grinned widely, "Very good, I really like the relationship we have now."

"What kind of relationship?"

"I'm not sure how to put it.

Should I say lovers?

She's not very clingy, we both have our own space."

"Do you love her?"

"Why use the word love?

I like her, but it's not love." Little Black clinked his glass with Luke's, "I know what you're worried about, and I know you mean well for me.

But don't worry, I'm no 007, not Ethan Hunt; I'm not going to be seduced by a woman or let it interfere with work.

I've seen enough women to know where the line is.

Buddy, have a little faith in me, OK?"

"What if I asked you to break up with the journalist right now, how would you react?"

"Come on, you're not about to pull some 'either-or' thing on me, are you? Although you're more important to me, there's no need.

We're just having fun, she might even dump me someday, really no need."

"So, you and the journalist are using each other?"

"Although that's... more or less the idea, I don't like putting it that way. I think 'mutually helping each other' fits better. In work, in life... you know."

Luke nodded, "I get it."

"Buddy, what's up, what exactly do you want to talk about tonight? You're not really going to make me break up with Pari, are you?"

"No, who you're with is your choice."

"I wanted to meet with you today just to tell you something.

It's none of my business, but as your partner, I feel I should let you know."

"Buddy, there's no need to hesitate, just spit it out. Like you said, we're partners, and next to my mom, there's no one I trust more than you."

"What I'm about to say might be a bit shocking.

Are you sure you can handle it?"

"Of course, I'm ready." Seeing the serious tone in Luke's voice, Little Black also became more earnest.

"I saw Julian today."

"Did she come to you on her own?"

"No."

"You saw her with another man?"

"No."

"Buddy, just get to the point, no beating around the bush. I'm strong enough to handle it, even if Julian has a new boyfriend.

It's normal, just like I have Pari.

We're all free."

"Uh..." Luke took out his phone, "Better take a look for yourself, make your own judgment."

"You're no fun." Little Black snorted, took the phone to check, "That really is Julian. Is she working as a waitress in a restaurant?"

Little Black zoomed in on the picture, "She's still so beautiful, and I really liked her. If she wasn't in such a hurry to get married... we could have been very happy..."