The Blind Date

Jack now needs to decide if he should turn around and ask what Nitte is doing here. Obviously, it is super inappropriate to cut in when Jie Ai just told them this is his blind date.

Bob is walking away now, unaware that Jack is hesitating. Jack makes the decision that he will talk to Nitte right now.

"Bob, I'll talk to you later," Jack says in a hurry.

"OK?" Bob seems to be confused.

Jack runs over to Jie Ai and Nitte. He doesn't care that he is being rude to interrupt their blind date. He thinks he needs to protect Jie Ai from Nitte.

"Hey, I'm so sorry to suddenly, um, approach you guys, but, can I talk to Nitte just for one second?" Jack asks.

Jie Ai is surprised, "Oh, you know her?"

"Yes. From work. I have one question about work." Jack tries to convince Jie Ai.

"You work for the police, too?" Jie Ai asks Nitte.

"No. I don't know what he is talking about." Nitte's eyes are focused on Jack very intensely.

"Please, Nitte. Just one word. Then I will let you guys be."

Nitte laughs, "Jie Ai, is this your friend? He is very weird. Let's go somewhere else now."

"A word, Nitte." Jack finally decides to physically pull Nitte away.

"Ouch! Just what do you think you are doing?"

They walk over to another side of the street, but it's not like they are now super far away from Jie Ai. So, Jack represses his voice, "What the hell, Nitte? What are you trying to do to Jie Ai?"

"What do you mean? Can I not go out on a date with a nice young man?"

"I am pretty sure you are not just trying to date him."

Nitte laughs, rolling her eyes, "Are you serious? Is this your jealousy talking or what?"

"You know damn well what I'm talking about. You probably are trying to do something to him. Mind control him or something."

Nitte makes a gesture to try to get Jack to calm down, "OK, Jack, I know I said I wanted you to help me with a few things, solve a few mysteries, but this one I think I am fine without your help. I already found Jie Ai."

"What do you need Jie Ai for? What do you mean you already found him?"

Nitte sighs, "I'm not going to tell you because you will ruin my plan."

"Does this have something to do with a tip or a police report that he recently helps translate?"

"No. Not that. Leave me alone. Don't be so jealous. I'm not your girlfriend."

Nitte then pushes Jack and walks back to Jie Ai. She locks her arm with his, and they walk away.

Jack knows he is not being jealous. But what is it? Jack just knows Nitte is never just trying to make friends. She always has a plan. What could she be wanting from Jie Ai?

Jack decides to follow them. He is experienced in following people.

He sees that they head into a Chinese restaurant.

Jack shakes his head, and mocks, "Surprise surprise. How cliche, Jie. Eating Chinese food? Be more creative."

But of course, why does he care? Jie Ai can do whatever he wants.

After they sit down, Jack then walks in. He takes big, confident, natural strides, not like he is hiding. If he doesn't wan to draw attention, the key is to look confident. And of course, not let them see his face. That's usually all it takes because his targets are engaging in their own conversation. They have not even looked up.

The restaurant isn't very busy. Nitte and Jie Ai are seated right by the window. Jack then chooses the booth next to them, but with his back to their booth and looking away so none of them can see his face.

They order a dinner for two set meal thing. It sounds like a lot of food to Jack. The server bring the appetizers right away, and Nitte eats the appetizer quite quickly.

Wow, she is still able to eat a normal amount of food. Even though Jack just cooked her instant noodles and she ate it all. How the heck does she stay so slim when she is constantly eating?

Jack is able to hear them talking. Nitte is mostly asking Jie about his background.

"So, did your parents and grandparents move here long time ago?"

"Yeah. I think my great, great, great grand parents used to live on the Southwest area or something. Or on the West Coast."

"Fascinating! You know, I have some Asian mixed in my genes. I don't know how much. One eighth of Asian or one fourth. "

Jie is now interested, "Oh? That's very cool. Do you know what type of Asian heritage you have?"

"I don't know, but I am sure it is of East Asian origin. That's why I'm so interested in hearing your stories. You know your family history so well. That shows you are a man who appreciates his origin and culture. I wish I could know more about mine."

Jie Ai now looks shy, scratching his head, "Well, if you are interested, maybe one day I can show you some of my old family photos. Black and white photos, like those you will see in museum."

"Yes, that would be wonderful!" Nitte now holds up a small tea cup to clink with Jie's "To heritage and old family photos!"

"Clink!"

Nitte apparently sounds a lot more formal and polite with Jie. She doesn't sound like she is just hanging out. She doesn't sound like how she talks with Jack.

Jack can't believe Nitte is capable of talking properly. And he is now curious, does Nitte really just want to know about Jie Ai's family history?

"So, other than old black and white photos, do you know if there are any old artifacts that are left to be passed down? Like a grandfather's pocket watch kind of items?" Nitte asks.

"Oh. I believe so. Yes."

And some more food come. After the server leaves the table, Jie Ai says,

"Well, to be honest, I like you a lot already. I think I can take you to my parents' house one day and we can find some old artifacts. I would love to share my history with you."

"Aw, that sounds delightful. I am so glad. You are a nice man, Jie." Nitte replies.

Ugh. Jack wants to puke. Nitte sounds so fake with her much more feminine and calm and polite voice. That's definitely not the Nitte he knows.

He wonders why she tries so hard to just find out about Jie Ai's background.

"I am quite curious though. What is the most unusual item you remember seeing? Any lucky charm? Some kind of fur? Like a fox tail or something?" Nitte asks.

"Ah! Wow! Funny you should say that! There is a lucky charm that's an animal tail!" Jie Ai is very surprised, "How do you guess it?"

"Oh, because I actually like to study antiques that immigrants bring to America back in the 19th century. It's a way for me to learn about their lives and struggle," Nitte places her hand on Jie Ai's hand.

Jack obviously does not know any meaning or significance in this. But by now, he knows Nitte enough to sense that, Nitte really wants that fox tail lucky charm.

Plus, Nitte has revealed to him that she has Fox Fairy power. Jack is going to bet that Nitte is going after that fox tail.

Why? And why wouldn't Nitte just tell him that earlier when he asked her? Why would she think he would ruin her plan? Just a fox tail, right?