My absurd experiences in North America over the years

At nine o'clock in the evening, when Lucy came out of her room, Li Fu's eyes widened in surprise.

She changed into a completely different outfit: a black short skirt that barely reached mid-thigh, revealing her long, delicate, and fair legs.

She wore a thin black mesh cover-up, and her makeup had been redone, with long eyeliner and slightly upturned corners, and her lips were bright and luscious.

Her long, golden-brown hair was swept to one side, revealing a delicate silver earring on her right ear.

This outfit is a bit too sexy.

She walked from the other end of the corridor, her high heels clicking crisply on the floor.

Li Fu leaned back on the sofa, glanced at it, and quickly moved away.

"What's wrong?" Lucy tilted her head to look at him.

"It's nothing, it's just that the style is a bit different from the daytime style," Li Fu stood up and picked up his car keys.

"So, do you think it looks good or not?" Lucy pressed.

Li Fu did not answer, but instead opened the door and walked out.

This outfit is sure to arouse desire in places like nightclubs and bars. It looks good, of course, but it will inevitably attract unwanted attention.

He's probably going to be busy today.

The bar Lucy was going to was located in an alley near Hollywood Boulevard, quite different from the nightclubs with huge neon signs on Sunset Boulevard.

They are not targeting ordinary wage earners.

There was no queue at the entrance, only a few girls wearing tight skirts and high heels, and luxury cars like Lamborghinis.

The two entered the bar, and music and some kind of sound surged out.

However, the music here isn't the booming electronic dance music, but rather a heavier rock music with a blues flavor.

The bass's low-frequency vibrations travel through the floor to the soles of your feet, the drumbeats clear and powerful, like another rhythm of the heart.

The interior space is much larger than it appears from the outside.

The lighting was dim, with amber and deep red as the main colors, and vintage Hollywood photos and several old record covers hung on the walls.

The bar counter is very long, made of dark walnut wood, and almost takes up the entire wall. Behind the bar counter, the liquor cabinet is filled with all kinds of spirits, which gleam with an amber luster under the warm light.

The dance floor wasn't very big compared to those top-tier nightclubs, but it was already packed with people.

Most of them were young people in their twenties, dressed much more casually than people in nightclubs, wearing things like jeans, leather jackets, and band T-shirts.

But there were also some people who looked to be in their thirties or even early forties, sitting at the bar or in booths, holding whiskeys and talking in hushed tones.

Alcohol is far more common on the West Coast than in China.

Most adults here, regardless of gender, drink alcohol, and many working-class people even use it as a "remedy" to relieve work and life stress.

The number of alcoholics is countless.

Some people come to bars not to dance wildly or pick up girls, but simply to drink and chat.

But the West Coast, or rather North America as a whole, is not like China; there are no food stalls or night markets here to provide places to drink and chat.

If you want to drink at night, besides home, the only other option is probably a bar.

That's probably the mindset of those middle-aged people who come here.

The atmosphere of the bar was not as flamboyant and showy as the previous nightclubs, but more restrained and relaxed. People swayed to the music instead of twisting wildly.

The moment Lucy walked in, she seemed to transform completely.

Her shoulders relaxed, her steps became lighter, and the rhythm of her high heels on the floor perfectly matched the beat of the music.

She doesn't come to places like this often, but she can get into the zone quickly.

Li Fu followed behind her, his gaze sweeping across the entire space without making a sound.

It's still a professional habit.

There are two exits, a bar, six booths, and the dance floor can accommodate about fifty or sixty people.

There were no people in the crowd who appeared to be carrying weapons, nor did they seem to be any vicious drunkards.

It is safe for now.

Lucy found two seats at the end of the bar, sat down, and snapped her fingers at the bartender.

"Two Old Fashioned glasses."

Then she turned to Li Fu and asked, "Have you ever drunk strong whiskey?"

Li Fu shook his head; he didn't really like foreign liquor.

"You really should try it," Lucy strongly recommended.

The bartender quickly brought over two amber-colored cocktails, with a piece of orange peel on the rim of each glass.

Lucy picked up her glass and gently swirled it, the ice cubes making a crisp clinking sound inside.

"Hey, this cup is yours," she said, pushing another cup towards Li Fu.

"I have to drive later, so I can't drink," Li Fu shook his head again, as he had to be responsible for the safety of his employer and himself.

"Let's call a taxi later!" Lucy frowned.

"No, alcohol will numb my nerves and affect my reaction speed," Li Fu still refused.

"So many excuses," Lucy rolled her eyes at him, her voice muffled.

Li Fu didn't explain, he just sat down beside her.

Lucy ordered him another non-alcoholic drink.

Li Fu tasted it and found it somewhat like lemonade, only sweeter than the kind available in China.

The atmosphere at this bar is really nice; it's lively but not noisy.

The two sat there and chatted for a while.

Lucy did most of the talking, and she talked about things before college.

Li Fu used to genuinely believe that the open and even unrestrained atmosphere in the United States, especially in the big cities on the East and West coasts, was a true reflection of American TV dramas (both explicit and violent).

The social morality in China has declined due to the influence of that kind of "sexual openness".

He doesn't believe there are any conservatives left.

However, according to Lucy, there were indeed such families; traditional white families were quite large in the early 20th century.

They are very strict in educating and controlling their children.

They are not allowed to drink alcohol or get tattoos.

Early romantic relationships are not allowed in principle.

Of course, this is just about family education.

In places they can't see, such as schools or other public places, they have no way of knowing what those white kids are doing.

Social trends have a much greater influence than family influences.

Later, Musk's eldest son became his eldest daughter, which was because he was affected at school.

Of course, it wasn't that crazy in the early 21st century.

Lucy is in a similar state now; she wants to have some fun and experience something crazy and exciting.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have this much freedom when I get home.

Li Funeng could understand her psychology.

Parents' and family's education is like the force that compresses a spring; when that force disappears, the spring will immediately rebound.

And it will bounce even higher.

He was a good listener, and from time to time he would affirm what Lucy said and understand her feelings.

This made Lucy feel like she had found a kindred spirit.

"Let's go dancing," she suddenly said, pulling Li Fu to his feet.

"I...can't dance."

In his previous life, the only high-end entertainment venue Li Fu had ever visited was a business karaoke bar, and that was only because of a company team building event.

At that time, he felt that he would rather stay at home and play video games than spend that time on such things.

“Everyone can dance,” Lucy said, grabbing his wrist. “You just haven’t found the rhythm of the music.”

Her hands were warm, and her fingers were slender.

Li Funeng could feel the temperature above.

He was practically dragged through the crowd to the center of the dance floor.

Just then, the music changed to The Black Keys' "Your Touch".

This blues rock song has a simple and rough rhythm, with guitar riffs rubbing against your eardrums like sandpaper.

Lucy let go of his hand and began to sway to the music.

The way she dances is completely different from how she dances at parties.

At the party, her dance moves were flamboyant.

But here, her dance steps are more casual and free-spirited, her eyes half-closed, her lips slightly parted, and her body moving naturally to the rhythm of the bass.

That was closer to releasing emotions.

Now is the time to truly enjoy the atmosphere.

She raised her arms above her head, her fingers drawing arcs in the air, her waist swaying with a small but extremely smooth motion, like a fish swimming in a warm current.

The black mini-skirt shimmered under the light, and the skin on her thighs was tinged with a honey color by the amber light.

The mesh cover-up swayed gently with her movements, revealing glimpses of her delicate shoulders.

Li Fu stood there watching her.

In some ways, he was boring, both in his past life and in the person he was in after transmigrating.

Before coming to this era, I didn't know how to have fun.

It would have been even more impossible while I was in the military.

The way people spend their time there is more drinking than dancing.

And there's practically no time for leisure.

But Lucy didn't seem to mind his dullness.

She jumped for a while, then noticed that Li Fu was still standing in the same spot, and shook her head with a smile.

Then she stepped forward, placed her hands on Li Fu's shoulders, and began to sway with him to the rhythm.

This intimacy was a first for Lucy while she was conscious.

The two were so close it looked like they were kissing.

This is more in line with the identity of a "couple".

"Relax a little," Lucy whispered in his ear, her voice almost drowned out by the music, "Just follow my rhythm."

Their skin touched, their breaths mingled, creating a wonderful atmosphere that made one's heart race.

It seemed as if a certain string in Li Fu's heart had been touched.

Lucy's arm slid from his shoulder to his arm, guiding his movements.

Li Fu's body was very stiff.

However, it wasn't due to nervousness, but rather some kind of instinct.

It's very uncomfortable for a lonely person to be suddenly led by another person.

He tried to relax and follow Lucy's rhythm.

Finally, after a few minutes, he started to get a feel for it.

"See, it's not that you can't dance," Lucy whispered in his ear, her voice tinged with amusement. "You just haven't met me yet."

Li Fu could only respond with a smile.

Dancing is indeed a great way to relieve stress to some extent.

Skin-to-skin contact can often enhance certain emotions or feelings.

Many people don't understand why many hairdressers have no shortage of female companions, even though their income and social status are not particularly high.

This brings us to the subtlety of physical contact.

It can easily help a person relax or bring people closer together.

Of course, you also need to be good with your words.

Lucy was getting more and more into her dancing, and soon beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

From Li Fu's perspective, her face was slightly flushed, her breathing was a little rapid, and her chest rose and fell with each breath.

His line of sight could see a large expanse of snow-white inside.

The allure is self-evident.

His heart was beating much faster than usual.

Afterwards, the two sat back down at the booth.

They rested and chatted casually.

The content mostly revolves around Lucy's innermost thoughts; her privileged life and excellent education all stem from her parents and family.

Therefore, her future is, to some extent, not up to her.

After graduation, she needs to return to her parents' side and follow their arrangements.

This sounds like utter nonsense.

Many people believe that since the United States is the most developed country in the world, their ideology must be very modern.

However, in many places the opposite is true.

The political landscape in North America is actually somewhat similar to the powerful clans of the Sui and Tang dynasties.

Power is usually in the hands of political families.

For example, the Bush family, the Kennedy family, the Roosevelt family, and the Clinton family, etc.

These families didn't rise to prominence because of producing presidents; rather, their family foundations enabled these individuals to smoothly enter politics and eventually ascend to the presidency.

Besides these top families, there are also large and small families in each state that almost control the local political and economic lifeline. For example, the gentry class in the Ming and Qing dynasties could even inherit their positions indefinitely.

Lucy never revealed her specific background.

But Li Fu knew it must be a prominent family in the area.

He understands history and knows how the family operates.

Therefore, I can understand Lucy's helplessness.

This conversation, which felt so relatable, gave the young woman the feeling of having met a kindred spirit.

He soon became somewhat drunk.

During their conversation, several people were attracted by Lucy's beauty and sexy outfit and came over to chat her up, wanting to dance with her or ask for her contact information.

Lucy smiled and declined.

Some people agree that her beauty is a source of joy.

However, these people did not admire her.

He probably wants to have something happen with her.

She had considered that if she met someone she liked, she might just let something happen!

However, people who are pleasing to the eye may not necessarily be easy to talk to.

She didn't want to try it either.

If she wanted to try, wasn't there someone right next to her?

"I think their enthusiasm is also related to your clothes," Li Fu said, taking a couple of sips of his drink in silence.

Lucy's long, fair, and delicate legs, under the influence of alcohol, can easily arouse certain impulses.

This is not something that can be controlled by thought.

To some extent, it is a physiological instinct.

"What I wear isn't for them to see," Lucy muttered.

It's obvious that she's aware of how lethal her figure can be.

Li Fu was speechless.

It's not because he thinks it's something a fairy would say.

Rather, he vaguely understood the subtext.

He didn't respond, because neither the atmosphere nor her sexy outfit was favorable for him.

The two of them are of vastly different social standing.

An undocumented immigrant.

Another came from a "powerful family".

There is absolutely no possibility between the two of them.

Li Fu had no interest in getting involved in politics.

That kind of life is too tiring, not carefree at all.

Lucy seemed a little annoyed by his evasiveness.

She downed the rest of her drink in one gulp and said to the bartender in a muffled voice, "Another one, please."

At 11 o'clock, the bar was even more crowded.

The air became somewhat stuffy, and the music volume seemed to be turned up a bit.

Lucy slowly sipped her second Old Fashioned drink.

At the other end of the bar, sat a young man.

He was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, tall and slender, wearing a blue shirt with the cuffs rolled up to the middle of his forearms, revealing well-defined but not overly exaggerated forearm muscles.

His hair was dark brown, slightly curly, and just reached his ears, with bangs hanging loosely over his forehead.

His features weren't particularly refined, but together they created a unique appeal.

His eyes are the most striking feature.

They had deep brown eyes, and the melancholy in their gaze was quite unique.

He seemed to notice Lucy.

Their eyes met briefly, and the young man picked up his wine glass, slid off the bar stool, and walked toward Lucy.

It was that familiar pickup line again.

Li Fu was used to it.

But this time, Lucy acted out of spite...

She did not refuse.