Chapter 38

Jessica approached the dining table, looked directly at Lip with a smile, and asked, "Handsome guy, how's the food? Are you satisfied?"

"The taste is quite authentic, but the doubanjiang and Sichuan pepper seem a bit off—probably not from Pixian County," Lip replied casually.

Jessica's eyes flickered with surprise. She hadn't expected Lip's sharp palate to uncover the restaurant's only flaw so effortlessly.

"Handsome guy, you really are an expert! We've run out of Pixian doubanjiang in stock, so… please forgive us!"

"It's fine. Despite that, the meal was still enjoyable, and my girlfriend and brother liked it too," Lip said with a smile.

Karen and Carl nodded in agreement.

"Oh, that's good to hear," Jessica replied, nodding politely to Karen and Carl before turning back to Lip. "Handsome guy, your meal today is on the house."

Jessica's smile brightened even more.

"Free? There's no need for that. After all, 'no reward for no merit,'" Lip politely declined with a grin.

"Handsome guy, this is just a token of gratitude from the restaurant for your help. I hope you'll accept it."

"Well, in that case, thank you very much."

"You're welcome! If anything, I should be the one thanking you. May I ask, what's your surname?"

"Philip Gallagher, but you can call me Lip," he answered.

"Hello, Mr. Lip. It's a pleasure to meet you. Are you free right now?"

"I am."

"The second floor is ready with some tea I prepared. I wonder if Mr. Lip would like to have a chat with me alone. I believe I have some information that might interest you."

"Karen, Carl, wait here for me. I won't be long," Lip said, smiling softly at the two.

Karen and Carl nodded obediently.

"Please, this way."

Lip gestured politely with his right hand.

Jessica mirrored the gesture before leading the way, keeping a short distance of less than a meter ahead of Lip.

The sound of her high heels echoed crisply on the wooden stairs.

Lip's gaze drifted to Jessica's swaying figure as she walked ahead, and he felt a subtle heat rise within him.

"Mr. Lip, please sit down," Jessica said, motioning toward a Tang-style armchair.

"Thank you," Lip replied as he took his seat.

Jessica gracefully positioned herself across from him. She began to wash the tea utensils and prepare the tea, her movements precise and fluid.

The process of brewing Kung Fu tea unfolded elegantly under her skilled fingertips. It was a captivating display, both refined and mesmerizing.

"Miss Jessica, your tea-making skills must have over a decade of practice behind them," Lip remarked.

Jessica's eyes sparkled as she replied with a slight smile, "Mr. Lip, you're incredible! I've been studying the art of Kung Fu tea since I was seven. It's been over twelve years now."

Ah, indirectly revealing her age—just three years older than me, Lip mused. As the saying goes, 'a female senior holds a gold brick.' This gold brick seems quite tempting.

"No wonder your tea-making is both a feast for the eyes and a delight to the senses!" Lip praised sincerely.

Jessica's smile deepened. "Mr. Lip, do you also study tea?"

"I wouldn't call it studying. I've just sampled various types—green tea, white lotus, coffee, and so on."

"I didn't expect Mr. Lip to have such a broad range of knowledge!"

"Not at all—just a surface-level understanding," Lip replied modestly.

"Mr. Lip is being humble. I do have a question I've been pondering, though I'm unsure if I should ask."

"Feel free."

Jessica hesitated briefly before saying, "If I judged only by your conversation, I'd think you were a native of the Dragon Kingdom. How do you know so much about it?"

"Because of love," Lip replied with a twinkle in his eye. "It's my dream homeland."

"Wow!" Jessica exclaimed, covering her mouth in amazement.

"Then… what do you think of the current Dragon Kingdom?"

"It's in a bottleneck period, facing a Wolong situation."

"What do you mean?" Jessica asked curiously.

"Five thousand years ago, the Dragon Kingdom and the ancient Egyptians faced the floods together. Four thousand years ago, it played with bronze alongside the Babylonians. Three thousand years ago, it shared philosophical thoughts with the Greeks. Two thousand years ago, it rivaled Rome in global influence. A thousand years ago, it prospered like the Arabs. But now, the people of the Dragon Kingdom compete with the Milicians.

"Over thousands of years, its opponents have changed, yet none have remained a match for long. The Dragon Kingdom is the only civilization that has stood tall in the forest of nations. Once it shakes off the turmoil of the past century, it will reclaim its position—dominating the East and perhaps leading the world into a new era."

Jessica's eyes widened as she listened, her heart racing. As the eldest daughter of Hongmen, the largest gang in Chicago's Chinatown, she had seen countless impressive people, but none had ever left her feeling this way.

Lip radiated a charisma and momentum that seemed to transcend time and culture.

No matter the cost, I must have this man, Jessica thought, her heart burning with determination.

Her gaze grew intense—hungry, almost predatory.

Unable to hold back, Jessica abruptly stood up and approached Lip.

She leaned in close, her left hand gripping the armrest of Lip's chair, her right hand gently resting on his chest.

"Lip, would you mind having another girlfriend?"

"Uh… what?" Lip stammered, caught off guard.

"I want you to be my man," Jessica declared, her voice direct and commanding. "Otherwise…"

Lip's mind raced. This Jessica is way too bold!

Jessica pressed her knees against Lip's thighs, closing the remaining distance between them.

She leaned even closer, her warm breath brushing against Lip's skin. Lip could feel his throat tighten, and he instinctively swallowed as her delicate fragrance filled the air.