Chapter 88: Bella and Charlie

Charlie took the bag filled with beer and fruit and headed towards the apartment.

"That looks like a nice car. Is it for you?"

Bi Xiao got off his motorcycle and looked at the red Chevrolet pickup. It was a bit old and even had some spots where the paint was peeling.

Bella, who was asked by Bi Xiao, smiled and said, "Yes, Charlie bought it from his friend Billy. You know, I need a vehicle for school. It might be a bit old, but the engine was replaced by Jacob."

"That's a nice one."

Bi Xiao complimented it, then looked at the quiet and shy Bella. "Can you help me put these things back in the RV? I need to put the motorcycle back on the rack."

"Oh, of course, I'd be happy to."

Bella immediately agreed, took the bag labeled from Bi Xiao's hand, and walked towards the RV. Bi Xiao took out the key and pressed a button, and the RV's door lock automatically opened. As Bella was wondering how to get in, the ladder at the door automatically extended.

Bella carefully stepped on the ladder, opened the RV door, and went inside.

Bi Xiao then put the motorcycle back on the rack at the rear of the RV.

When he returned to the RV, he saw that Bella had already put the groceries back in the fridge and was curiously looking around. When she saw Bi Xiao come in, she immediately said somewhat embarrassedly, "I'm sorry, I..."

"It's okay, I don't have anything here that a girl can't see."

Bi Xiao didn't mind and even started introducing the curious girl to the RV's features.

Many of the functions seemed very advanced to the girl, making her envious and full of praise. After that, she got out of the RV and returned to Charlie's apartment.

By now, it was almost dark, and Charlie was preparing dinner.

Bi Xiao originally wanted to help but was directly shooed away by Charlie. Tonight was Charlie's show.

Bi Xiao had no choice but to continue chatting with Bella.

Bella seemed quiet by nature, but in reality, she had a curiosity about the outside world, which is common among those who grow up in an ivory tower.

Especially someone like Bi Xiao, with a different skin color, yet young and handsome, already traveling the country in an RV.

This was a great attraction for Bella.

Moreover, Bi Xiao's way of speaking and demeanor struck a chord with the girl, making her curious about the boy in front of her.

While they were chatting, Charlie finished cooking.

As the police chief who had lived alone for many years, Charlie's cooking was not comparable to a chef's, but it was decent. For the occasion, he had cooked some of his best dishes.

For example, the Minnesota state fish, the walleye. A delicacy among freshwater fish with few bones and tender meat without any muddy taste. As Minnesota's state fish, walleye is a favorite among anglers and a common sight on local tables.

Iron skillet medley, with the aroma of beef at the bottom mixed with green beans, corn, and cheese, all absorbed by the potato chunks on top.

Venison steaks, a longstanding tradition in Minnesota culture. The venison is tender, flavorful, lean, and has little connective tissue, suitable for various dishes.

Lefse, a traditional soft Norwegian flatbread made of potatoes, flour, butter, and milk or cream.

Created by Scandinavian ancestors, this delicious carbohydrate can be enjoyed with various foods. Locals like to spread butter on it, sprinkle some sugar, and roll it up as a dessert.

And the popular Juicy Lucy hamburger, wild black rice, local specialty canned luncheon meat, and of course, a variety of distinctive skewers.

These dishes pleasantly surprised Bi Xiao, suiting his taste. With a blend of Eastern and Western cuisine preferences, the flavors bursting on his taste buds made him feel delighted.

Bi Xiao enjoyed the meal very much, and he kept praising Charlie while drinking beer, making the mature police chief quite proud. He obviously felt he had conquered the visitor from New York with his culinary skills, something he might boast about to his friends later.

After dinner, Bi Xiao tactfully left and returned to the RV. After all, he wasn't particularly close with Charlie and his daughter; he was just a traveler who had coincidentally helped Charlie and got invited in return.

Maintaining boundaries is important everywhere.

Besides, he sensed that Charlie was somewhat wary of him, probably worried he might inadvertently win over his daughter.

The RV parked in front of Charlie's apartment, and Bi Xiao planned to rest there for the night with Charlie's consent.

Back in the RV, he sat on the sofa by the window, looking at the laptop on the table, ready to search for nearby attractions in Forks.

Meanwhile, in Charlie's apartment, Bella returned to the room her father had prepared for her. The room, though not large, was cozy, with wooden structures well decorated, photo racks hanging on the walls, a work lamp over the head of the bed, and many photos stuck on the wall above the dressing table.

There were also some fluffy Dalmatian and cat toys on the bed.

Bella placed a small cactus her father had given her on the table, threw herself onto the soft bed, and couldn't help but smile as she recalled everything that had happened today.

After so many years, she returned to the place she had visited as a child. It was all unfamiliar, making her feel uneasy, with no familiar friends or surroundings.

However, she didn't expect that her car would stall on the road due to applause, combined with her dislike for rainy days, making her mood not so good. But unexpectedly, she met a very handsome Asian boy, a boy brave enough to travel around in an RV.

He warmly helped Charlie, brought them back to the town of Forks, and was a knowledgeable person who could discuss many things with Charlie, the police chief. The experiences he described made Bella yearn for more. She also hoped to travel around like him and see the world.

The appearance of that boy greatly improved her mood, and the Chevrolet pickup truck her father bought for her was also a pleasant surprise.