America: John Wick 1924

Chapter 76 Tonight, "Like a Dragon" Joins the Hunt!
Sam nodded slightly:

"Understood. However, Your Excellency, from another perspective, this is also another manifestation of our family's strength."

"After bringing down the Pastor family, the entire bootlegging business in San Francisco came under our family's control."

“We have people everywhere, from the government to the courts, from radio stations to newspapers.”

"Your will can influence the policies of the San Francisco city government."

"You can influence the court's decision with just a flick of your finger."

“Everyone says that our family is the ‘shadow government’ of San Francisco, and you are the ‘shadow mayor’ of San Francisco.”

"Our family is gradually becoming prosperous, so it's understandable that the people below us might feel complacent."

Don Rossi neither confirmed nor denied Sam's praise, but merely twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a meaningful smile—the kind of composed smile that comes from someone who has the power of life and death over the world they live in.

……

……

26 Maple Street, San Francisco, Li Yu's bedroom —

After successfully completing the deal, Changlu Ningning immediately got to work.

She opened her makeup bag, revealing a whole bunch of gadgets that Li Yu couldn't even name.

"Close your eyes. Don't open your eyes until I say 'You can open your eyes.'"

"How long will it take?"

"About an hour. Making an Asian face look European isn't that easy."

Because her eyes were closed the whole time, Li Yu couldn't see Chang Lu Ningning's makeup process; he could only feel the tools like "paintbrushes" and "powder erasers" constantly brushing across her skin.

Chōtsu Nene wasn't making it up; she said it took an hour, and it really did take only an hour.

After about an hour, Chang Luning put down her "paintbrush":
"It's done! You can open your eyes now!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yu eagerly opened his eyes.

"How was it? Are you satisfied with my makeup skills?"

As Chang Luning spoke, she took out a small mirror that she always carried with her and lent it to Li Yu.

Upon seeing himself in the mirror, Li Yu was instantly stunned—he almost didn't recognize himself.

With deep-set features and pale skin, although he still can't compare to a true European, his Asian features are greatly diminished, and at first glance, you wouldn't recognize him as Chinese.

Although Li Yu didn't understand makeup, he could vaguely see the secret to Chang Lu Ningning's "transformation"—it was nothing more than the clever use of lines and shadows to make his features appear more profound.

Perhaps it was due to the use of some special material, but both the lines drawn on his face and the paint applied to his face looked exceptionally natural, making it impossible to tell that he was wearing makeup.

By modern standards, this has reached the level of special effects makeup.

"...You definitely deserve this $20 bill."

After saying that, Li Yu obediently took out his wallet from his pocket and deftly pulled out $20.

"Thank you for your patronage."

Chōlū Ningning happily accepted the banknotes and stuffed them into the inside pocket of her suit.

"Ms. Hitachi, may I ask what time it is?"

Chōtachi Nene glanced down at her watch:
"9:03 PM".

—It's still early…

After pondering for a moment, Li Yu asked again:
"Ms. Hitachi, did you come by car?"

"Yes."

"Could you give me a ride?"

Chōtsu Nene smiled and extended her right index and middle fingers, making a "V" sign.

“Give me $2 and I’ll take you to Martin’s dance hall. Let me make it clear beforehand, I’m not ripping you off. It would cost you about $2 to take a taxi from here to Martin’s dance hall.”

Li Yu smiled helplessly:
"You really don't miss any opportunity to earn extra money..."

…… ……

San Francisco, Seaside Boulevard—

The Ford sedan carrying Li Yu and Chang Luning was parked steadily on the side of the street.

"Alright, Mr. Li, I'll leave you here."

"Grateful."

"You are Welcome."

After saying that, Chang Luning took the $2 fare from Li Yu without any hesitation.

Li Yu straightened his clothes—a plain and unremarkable outfit: a cheap beige shirt on top and cheap black trousers on the bottom.

Li Yu specifically chose this relatively loose shirt, which could just cover the two M1911 pistols and four fully loaded magazines clipped to his lower back.

From the outside, you couldn't tell that he had a gun on his waist at all.

In addition to the pistol, he also hid a dagger in each of his boots.

Because it's an infiltration operation that prioritizes discretion, we definitely can't bring those heavy weapons like the Vajra and lever-action rifle.

"Ms. Hitachi, thank you so much for tonight. I'll take my leave now, and see you another time."

He had just stepped out of the car when Chang Luningning, who had rolled down the window, called out to him:
"Mr. Li, please wait."

Li Yu stopped and turned around, just in time to meet Chang Lu Ningning's gaze, who was wearing a strange smile.

Have a pleasant hunt. Good night.

Li Yu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter:

"Thank you for your kind words. I wish you a peaceful night. Good night."

After saying goodbye, Hitagi Nene closed the car window, started the engine, and drove away.

After watching Chang Luning leave, Li Yu turned his head and stared intently at the bustling dance hall not far away.

……

……

Seafront Boulevard is a prosperous area of ​​San Francisco.

On this wide avenue that seems to stretch as far as the eye can see, all kinds of cars come and go, and colorful neon lights illuminate the night sky.

Passersby who walked past Li Yu all exuded an aura of "I'm super rich" and "I'm going to spend money like crazy".

The men were impeccably dressed, wearing top hats and leather shoes.

The women had curled hair, wore high heels, and painted their nails a bright, vivid red.

For a moment, Li Yu was so captivated by the bustling and vibrant street scene that he mistakenly thought he had traveled back to the modern era.

Before coming to San Francisco, he had lived in a remote town.

After arriving in San Francisco, he basically stayed in the vicinity of Maple Street and had no opportunity to visit the prosperous areas of San Francisco.

Only now, at this very moment, has he truly glimpsed a corner of the "Roaring Age."

This street truly reflects one of the most extravagant periods in American history, brimming with an atmosphere of money and hedonism.

Li Yu glanced around Haiya Avenue, made a few simple remarks, and then headed straight for tonight's target—the ballroom managed by the Rossi family!
Four burly men in suits stood like small mountains outside the dance hall entrance, constantly on guard to prevent people of color from approaching the dance hall.

After Li Yu approached, they only glanced at him before letting him in.

It has to be said that the makeup that Hitachi Nene did for him was truly perfect.

Before setting off for this place, Li Yu, as usual, told Jane, "I might be back a little late tonight."

When Jane saw Li Yu with his new face, she screamed in fright.

She circled around Li Yu several times, still unable to believe that the "white man" in front of her was the Chinese pastor she knew.

If even Jane is like this, then it goes without saying that it's true for others.

(End of this chapter)