American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

Lynn smiled. "You're right. Let's book this hotel then. When would be a good time to leave?"

“The sooner the better,” Emily said impatiently. “We can leave tomorrow, if you don’t have any other plans.”

"Tomorrow?" Lynn asked, somewhat surprised. "Isn't that too rushed?"

“Lynn, we’ve just escaped from hell in the Arctic, and now we have the chance to go to a paradise. Why wait?” Emily’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Lynn was touched by her enthusiasm. Indeed, after so much tension and danger, now was the time to completely relax.

“Okay, let’s leave tomorrow,” Lynn decided, “but we need to book our flights and hotels this afternoon.”

Over the next few hours, the couple busied themselves with planning their itinerary. They booked a flight to Honolulu for the following afternoon, followed by a connecting flight to Maui. They chose the beachfront resort and booked an ocean-view suite for a week.

“Is a week enough?” Emily asked. “Maybe we should stay a few more days.”

“Let’s stay for a week and see how it goes,” Lynn said. “If you like it, we can extend the stay.”

While planning the trip, Lynn noticed Emily's meticulousness and thoughtfulness. She not only considered accommodation and transportation but also researched the local culture, cuisine, and various activities. She even checked the local weather forecast and prepared a suitable clothing list.

“You are very meticulous in your work,” Lynn praised.

“This is a habit I developed working in the lab,” Emily said with a smile. “You have to have detailed plans and preparations for everything you do.”

By four o'clock in the afternoon, all the arrangements were finalized. The plane tickets were booked, the hotel was booked, and even the car rental was arranged. Emily closed her laptop with satisfaction.

“Perfect,” she said. “Our flight is at 2 PM tomorrow, so we can arrive in Maui tonight and then start our vacation.”

“That sounds great,” Lynn said, “but Emily, I want to confirm one thing.”

"What is it?" Emily asked curiously.

Lynn hesitated for a moment, "This vacation... I mean, we booked a suite, the accommodation arrangements are..."

Emily understood Lynn's concerns and blushed slightly. "Oh, the suite has two bedrooms, and we'll each have our own. I just want enough space to chat and eat together, but also some privacy."

“Okay, I understand,” Lynn said with a sigh of relief. “I just wanted to confirm the arrangements to avoid any misunderstandings.”

“Lynn,” Emily looked at him earnestly, “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I don’t want you to feel pressured or obligated. This vacation is just about two friends relaxing together, nothing more.”

“I understand,” Lynn nodded. “It sounds great to vacation together as friends.”

The next morning, Lynn got up early and did a final check of his luggage. He put on a casual outfit and looked much younger than usual. His usual serious FBI agent image was replaced by that of a relaxed vacationer.

At ten o'clock in the morning, Emily arrived at his apartment. She was dragging a large suitcase and had a bright smile on her face.

"Are you ready?" she asked excitedly.

“Ready,” Lynn replied. “You seem very excited.”

“Of course I’m excited,” Emily said. “I’ve never been to Hawaii before, and this is my first time traveling with such special friends.”

She paused slightly when she said "special friend," a blush creeping across her face. Lynn noticed this detail and felt a warmth spread through her heart.

They took a taxi to JFK International Airport. In the car, Emily kept flipping through a travel guide to Maui, occasionally pointing out interesting sights and activities to Lynn.

“It says here that the sunrise at Haleakala is one of the most spectacular in the world,” Emily said, reading from the guidebook. “We definitely have to see it.”

“Sounds good,” Lynn said, “but you need to get up very early to see the sunrise.”

“It’s okay, it’s worth getting up early to see such a beautiful view,” Emily insisted.

At the airport, the check-in process went smoothly. Their seats were arranged together, which pleased Emily. While waiting in the departure lounge, Lynn noticed that Emily seemed a little nervous.

"What's wrong?" he asked with concern.

“I was just thinking, this is the first time we’ve done something like this together,” Emily said. “I mean, we’ve always been in dangerous and tense situations together before. I wonder what it will be like to go on vacation together now.”

“It will be fine,” Lynn reassured her. “We’ll relax, enjoy the sun and the beach, and forget all our worries and stress.”

“I hope so,” Emily smiled, “and I want to get to know you better, to know Lynn Hall outside of work.”

These words made Lynn's heart race. He realized that this trip was not just about relaxation, but also an opportunity for them to get to know each other better.

The plane took off on time. During the flight, Emily seemed very excited. She would often look out the window to observe the scenery. When the plane flew over the continent, she marveled at the beauty of the clouds; when it flew over the Pacific Ocean, she was awestruck by the vastness of the ocean.

"Did you fly often before?" Lynn asked.

“Not much,” Emily replied. “It’s mainly for an academic conference. This is my first time flying for vacation.”

“Then you’ll definitely love Hawaii,” Lynn said. “It’s more beautiful than you can imagine.”

"Have you ever been to Hawaii?" Emily asked curiously.

“I went there once many years ago on a mission,” Lynn replied, “but I didn’t have time to appreciate the scenery that time. This time should be completely different.”

After a six-hour flight, the plane arrived in Honolulu, and they then transferred to a smaller plane to Maui. As the plane approached Maui, Emily was so excited she almost jumped out of her seat.

“My goodness, look at those beaches!” she exclaimed, pointing out the window. “The water is so blue, and the sand is so white!”

Lynn was also awestruck by the beautiful scenery outside the window. From the air, Maui looked like an emerald set in the blue Pacific Ocean, with a winding coastline full of beautiful bays and beaches.

After the plane landed, they were taken to their booked resort. Emily was almost speechless when she saw the hotel's luxurious facilities and the ocean-view suites. "It's so beautiful," she said, standing on the balcony gazing at the endless Pacific Ocean. "I can hardly believe we're actually here."

Lynn stood beside her, also moved by the beautiful scenery before them. As the sun set, the sea was dyed golden, and the distant islands looked exceptionally beautiful in the sunset.

“Welcome to Heaven,” he said to Emily.

Emily turned around, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you, Lynn. Thank you for bringing me here, allowing me to forget those terrible experiences and rediscover the beauty of life."

After nightfall, Lynn and Emily rested briefly in their respective rooms. The fatigue from the long flight and jet lag meant they needed some time to adjust. Lynn changed into a relaxed white linen shirt and dark casual trousers, a style he rarely wore, making him look much younger than his usual formal attire.

Emily changed her clothes as well, choosing a flowing light green dress that fell just to her knees, paired with simple sandals. Her hair was slightly tousled by the sea breeze, but this natural state made her look even more charming.

At eight o'clock, the two met in the living room of the suite and prepared to go downstairs for dinner.

“You look great,” Emily said, looking at Lynn’s casual attire. “I almost didn’t recognize this as the FBI agent who always wore a suit.”

“You too,” Lynn replied sincerely, “this casual style suits you very well.”

They took the elevator down to the first floor of the hotel, where several restaurants of different styles were available. The hotel lobby was decorated in a tropical style, with palm leaves and flowers everywhere, and soft lighting created a warm atmosphere.

"Which restaurant should we go to?" Emily asked, glancing at the information board in the lobby.

Lynn considered the options for a moment. "How about this ocean view restaurant? You can enjoy the sea view while dining, and it mainly serves local seafood."

“That sounds perfect,” Emily said excitedly.

The ocean-view restaurant, located on the west side of the hotel, boasts a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Although it's nighttime, countless small lights illuminate the restaurant's terrace, creating a romantic atmosphere. The gentle sound of waves, mingled with soft Hawaiian music, makes the entire environment exceptionally tranquil and beautiful.

The waitress was a local middle-aged woman with a healthy bronze tan from the sun and a gentle smile on her face.

“Good evening, welcome to Maui Ocean View Restaurant,” she said in Hawaiian-accented English. “Is this your first time in Hawaii?”

“Yes,” Emily replied, “we just arrived today.”

“Then you’ve come to the right place,” the waiter said warmly. “Our seafood is all caught this morning, absolutely fresh. I recommend you try our signature grilled lobster and Ashe tuna.”

They were seated at a table by the window with a view of the sea. Although it was already dark, the moonlight cast silvery spots on the sea, the distant lighthouse emitted rhythmic beams, and occasionally the lights of yachts could be seen moving across the water.

“The view is stunning,” Emily exclaimed, gazing out the window. “I’ve never dined in such an environment before.”

“Me too,” Lynn admitted. “I’m usually too busy with work to have many opportunities to enjoy time like this.”

The waiter brought the menu and bread. The menu had a wide selection, including various local seafood specialties, tropical fruits, and traditional Hawaiian dishes.

"What would you like to try?" Lynn asked.

Emily studied the menu carefully. "I'm really curious about that Ashley tuna, and this coconut shrimp sounds good too. What about you?"

“I’d like to try the grilled lobster,” Lynn said, “and this Hawaiian-style grilled pork.”

They ordered food, and the waiter recommended a bottle of local white wine to pair with the seafood.

“To celebrate our trip to Hawaii,” Lynn said, raising his glass.

“Let’s celebrate that we can finally really relax,” Emily said, clinking glasses with him.

The effects of alcohol, combined with the relaxed environment, made their conversation more open and in-depth.

“Lynn,” Emily said after taking a sip of her drink, “I’ve been wanting to ask you something. Why did you choose to become an FBI agent? I mean, it’s a dangerous and stressful job.”

Lynn thought for a moment, "It's a long story. I lost my parents when I was young and was adopted by a policeman named George. He was a very good man, and he taught me about justice and responsibility. When I grew up, I wanted to continue his work, protecting innocent people and maintaining social safety."

"You were adopted?" Emily asked in surprise. "I didn't know you had this experience."

“Yes,” Lynn nodded, “but I’m very lucky; George gave me a warm home. He’s retired now and lives in Brooklyn, and I visit him often.”

“That must be incredibly difficult,” Emily said sympathetically, “losing your parents and then adapting to a new family.”

“It was indeed not easy, but it also taught me to cherish things,” Lynn said. “Cherish the people around you, cherish every peaceful day.”

Then their appetizers arrived. The coconut shrimp were golden and crispy, served with sweet chili sauce; the tuna was sliced ​​thinly and served with wasabi and soy sauce, which looked very appetizing.

“It’s so delicious!” Emily exclaimed after taking a bite of the coconut shrimp. “The combination of flavors is wonderful.”

“The tuna was also excellent,” Lynn said. “Very fresh, it melted in my mouth.”

"And what about you?" Lynn asked. "Why did you choose to study biology?"

Emily thought for a moment, "I've been interested in science since I was a child, especially life sciences. I think understanding the mysteries of life is a magical thing. And I hope my research can help humanity, for example, by treating diseases or improving the quality of life."

"But after experiencing those horrific experiments, will you still continue in this field?" Lynn asked worriedly.

Emily paused for a moment. "It would be a lie to say I'm unaffected. Seeing science used to harm innocent people has certainly changed my perspective on this field. But," she said firmly, "that's precisely why I'm determined to persevere. I want to conduct scientific research the right way, to use science to help humanity, not harm it."

“Your idea is very correct,” Lynn praised. “The world needs scientists with a strong sense of ethics like you.”

The main courses arrived quickly. The grilled lobster was incredibly tender and delicious, served with garlic butter; the Hawaiian roasted pork had a unique tropical spice flavor, paired with grilled pineapple slices—a perfect balance of sweet and savory. (End of Chapter)