Chapter 40: The New Friend with Ulterior Motives
Translator:EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor:EndlessFantasy Translation
The young Caucasian man had a major change in his facial expression. He pushed awayZhang Lisheng hard but he did not have an outburst. All he did was threaten him while pretending to be fierce on the outside but he was actually weak on the inside, Kid, Ill definitely teach you a lesson if Im not rushing for my class now. He then ran away without even turning his head back.
Zhang Lisheng smiled while feeling surprised looking at his back. All of a sudden, just as he was on his way towards the academic building, a skinny black young man whose height was similar to him walked quickly towards him in hesitation. He took the initiative to speak to him softly, Thats cool, man.
Hmm?
You were so cool just now, you scared Jason away just like that.
Hes actually a coward. All he does is to kiss the asses of kids who are bigger than him then pick on those kids who look weak.
But what you did was really cool. The young black man said while pouting.
Thanks.
Are you new?
Yes, Im Zhang Lisheng. Ive just transferred from China.
George Lint, a tenth-grade student of Lowbige Junior High. You can call me George.
You can also call me Lisheng.
Nice meeting you, Lisheng. George, the young black man stayed still and waved his tight fist up and down before Zhang Lishengs face.
Its nice meeting you too, George. Zhang Lisheng answered Georges questions passively without giving too much thought.
Fist bump, buddy. Come bump my fist then well be friends.
Zhang Lisheng was stunned for a while then bumped Georges fist while holding his own first tight.
Cool huh? George said while waving his arm.
Zhang Lisheng just smiled then ignored him this time because he thought Georges action was just odd.
I used to live in Queens, the place is just too horrible. My dad was lucky to win a round of Powerball later on so we moved to Brooklyn.
Actually, if my genius brother was willing to predict the first prize number the other day and my dad didnt spend so much money on women, I shouldve been living in Manhattan and studying at Fordham University.
Oh right, so youre from China, are you an exchange student? George proceeded to blabber inconsiderately.
No.
Then it must be your parents who migrated to America. It must be the case, the society nowadays
Im not an exchange student, I just happened to be a Chinese who was born in America.
Since my father passed away, the only thing that I can do is to come to America so that my mother could raise me as Im still underage. Hearing Georges one-sided long-winded blabbering, Zhang Lisheng told his own story helplessly. After all, he was still young and could not get used to responding to another persons kindness with his coldness.
Bearing something in mind, he then asked conveniently, Oh right, George, since youve been living in New York, would you know where can I get a large amount of raw meat?
It doesnt have to be too fresh but it has to be cheap.
Dont you know that theres a lot of raw meat at the Dan Souza Butcher Shop that Im working at? George said thinking that he was funny, Just kidding, your request is very unique. If you asked somebody else, they would be shocked.
Let me guess what are you going to do with that stuff Oh, oh, oh! Must be some specially processed meat products, it has to be that.
All of you Chinese people love doing this in New York no matter if its young or old. But come to think of it, there are lesser high school students doing illegal processed food business compared to those who were dealing drugs.
Grind rotten meat with rats in the meat grinder and make it into meat filling. Also, the delicious specially made spiced sausages that are harmful to the human body. You would then sell them to poor black people like me at a cheap price if Im still living in Queens.
How could you talk about such illegal dealings before a black person that youve just met!
Zhang Lisheng who was just trying his luck by asking was stunned for a little while with his mouth wide opened, Arent we friends? Also, you dont look like an ordinary person.
You know your stuff, you know that? Young man, you really know your stuff. You managed to see through the extraordinary in me, I, George have something hidden under my common outer appearance. The..the
Inner beauty.
Thats right, inner beauty.
Just leave everything to me, my friend. As a black man who grew up in Queens who is working at a butcher shop, I can get you enough dead cats and dogs. So much that you can supply them to the entire Queens community.
But youll still have to pay though. You have enough startup capital for your illegal processed food factory, dont you?
I only have a credit card and it was registered in China. It could only be used in specific tourist stores in New York
Thats enough, the credibility of China Galaxy Securities is higher than Citibank in New York but youll need to pay an amount of processing fee when paying with your credit card.
Could you give me some of the sausages that you make for free in the future? Even though their toxic their taste is not that bad, I kind of miss it already.
Both of them had entered the academic building as they spoke.
In the busy hallway, George asked again, Which class are you going to?
Classical music appreciation course. Zhang Lisheng said after being stunned for a while as it was his first time looking at the timetable that Rachel arranged for him.
Classical music appreciation course? What the hell, I didnt know that Lowbige has such an elective course. Youre also an extraordinary person, do you know that, my friend?
Alright, lets exchange phone numbers, Facebook and Twitter account so that we can keep in touch.
My phone number is Zhang Lisheng gave his family number, his Facebook and his Twitter account. After saving Georges contacts of all sorts, he waved and said, Alright, goodbye George.
Goodbye friend, Ill inform you as soon as Ive gotten the news for the stuff that you need.
Thank you.
After George left, Zhang Lisheng looked for the class for classical music appreciation course at the computer that looked like a stock trading machine on the side of the academic building halls wall. He had officially begun his high school life in America.
The American high school students life was in fact very relaxed if they did not wish to get into popular schools such as the Ivy League.
Time went by normally, nothing happened over the past ten days. It seemed like Zhang Lisheng had completely gotten used to his life in America. Lili slowly learned how to stop worrying too much about Zhang Lisheng.
Seeing that the time was right, Zhang Lisheng then took the first step of the plan that he had set up on his own.
It was a Friday night. Sullo got home on time without having to work overtime which was rare. The family had dinner together.
Sullo who had concerns hidden between his brows lifted forcefully cheered himself up in front of his family. In the middle of a casual conversation, Zhang Lisheng asked all of a sudden, Mother, Uncle Sullo, Im planning to work with my friend from tomorrow onwards. Is that okay?
Lili was surprised then asked immediately, Baby, do you not have enough allowance?
No, no, darling. Let Lisheng finish. Sullo stopped Lilis worrying, he then said after putting down the cutleries, Please continue, Lisheng.
Remember my new friend George? Hes the black kid who has been visiting our house recently. Hes working part-time at the Dan Souza Butcher Shop.
Lately his boss says that hes expanding the business and wanted to recruit a batch of part-timers. I would like to give it a try, can I?
Oh baby, theres no high school student who works at a butcher shop
But theres no part-time position vacant for a petite boy like me at the burger restaurants and gas stations near my school, mother.
Lili, lets not dwell on the issues such as the butcher shop. I used to sell spider eggs at a pet store in New Jersey when I was young.
I think we should let Lisheng try it, his request totally makes sense. Also, its something good thats worth to be encouraged, dont you think so? Sullo chimed in.
Lili hesitated for a little while and since she did not have any reasons to object the idea, she asked, What is the working time like?
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day after school, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Oh god, isnt that more hectic than working adults!
Mother, this is just my preliminary plan. Ill naturally reduce my working hours if its too tiring for me.
Having a plan and the ability to plan within your means, thats a good thing. I support you. Sullo smiled as he said.
Alright then, Lisheng. You can work but you must tell us if theres any problem. Lili nodded and said after a while of thinking deeply.
Zhang Lisheng was relieved then said softly, Of course I will, mother. Thank you.
At that moment, there was a piece of emergency news that flashed on their television in the dining room. Sullo who was smiling put down his cutleries subconsciously and turned up the volume with the remote control.
According to the reports, this is the third murder case that had happened this month.
All of the victims suffered horrific abuse after their limbs were broken then died by having a piece of their ribs pierce through their organs.
The word Dr. Fracture formed using the victims hair, blood and superglue were found in the crime scene.
Judging from the nickname of the serial killer which is the longest in American history, its sufficient to prove that this criminal knew the inability of New York police like it was back of his hand
Hearing the news judgment on the police, Sullo could not help himself but shout madly, God damn it! What does this idiot know! Were already trying our best
Lili extended her hand to hold her lovers hands that were being waved around then reminded gently, Darling, the kids are here.
Im sorry kids, lets pretend that you didnt hear anything that I said just now.
Also, try not to go out at night as of the moment, especially going to those messy parties. Sullo glared at his first son Randy when he said the last sentence in all seriousness. He had showcased all of his power as a parent.
The kids nodded one after another, the dinner ended in a bad term just like that.
After dinner, Zhang Lisheng returned to his room with the excuse of doing homework. Just when he got onto his bed after switching off the lights, he suddenly heard the sound of bang bang bang knocking on the door.
Mother, is that you? Zhang Lisheng let out a sigh and got off the bed.
Its not Aunt Lili, its me Michelle. Open the door now.
Zhang Lisheng was surprised to hear that it was Michelle. He then switched on the lights and asked after opening the bedroom door, Anything?
Shorty, lets talk inside. Michelle squeezed herself into the room and sat on Zhang Lishengs bed, Do you know that your friend George is just using you?
Huh?
Hes the skinny black fella from Queens Anyway, hes a popular doormat who could be stepped on by anybody.
But now that hes been lingering around you every day. Youre Aunt Lilis kid and Aunt Lili is Lowbige Junior Highs student advisor. Also, Randy is the school football teams defender, the unruly students would show his face. All of them
Michelle, you dont have to explain in such detail. I understand causality thats as simple as this.
So?
So Im happy to be able to help George. After all, its wrong to bully someone for no reason.
Michelle was shocked then said while feeling speechless, Of course, what you said is right. But..but friends shouldnt be using each other, isnt it?
Are you showing your concern to me? Zhang Lisheng said after being stunned for a while.
Of course not. Michelle jumped from the bed and said loudly, I just I just happened to know about this. Im afraid that you might become the schools pushover when Lili and Randy have no power over those bad students one day. If that happens, Ill lose my face. Were staying in the same house after all.