America: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 4: Little Ashe Before Marriage, Illaoi After Marriage

"There are no other clothes left, only this hoodie and shoes."

Reina said with some regret.

"It's okay, as long as it's clothes."

Zhang Ailun took the black hooded sweatshirt and size 43 sneakers, put them on, stomped his feet, and finally felt a bit warmer.

"Thank you, Reina." Dominic gave her a grateful hug.

Reina then extended an invitation, "Dominic, how about staying here tonight?"

"Oh, although I really want to do that, I also have to take care of my friend Alan. He just arrived here, has nowhere to stay, and doesn't know the rules of the street. He could easily get himself into trouble."

Dominic politely declined.

"Well, your friend does need help," Reina replied understandingly.

Then she suddenly said, "I just remembered I forgot to give something to your friend. Could you help me go inside and look for it? Dominic? It's a red plastic teacup."

"Of course." Dominic entered the shelter without hesitation, his movements as familiar as if he knew his way around.

Only Reina and Zhang Ailun remained in the alley.

Reina glanced at him for a few moments, then smiled slightly at Zhang Allen: "Hello, Allen, I'm Reina. Dominic should have already introduced me to you."

She was wearing a cool sleeveless tank top, denim shorts, and sandals.

With blonde hair and blue eyes, and a delicate face, she is over thirty years old and has experienced a failed marriage. She exudes the mature and intellectual charm of a sophisticated woman, along with a faint weariness towards life.

She leaned against the door with her arms crossed, her ample bosom almost spilling out.

"Hello, Reina, it's nice to meet you."

Zhang Ailun was still somewhat reserved. "Are you Russian?"

"Yeah, I am Russian. Dominic told me you're from an island nation, right?" Rena smiled, maintaining basic politeness.

"..."

When the hell did I ever say I was a Japanese... Oh, I said it when I was receiving welfare meals.

Dominic, you little brat!!

You won't listen to the good stuff, you only listen to the bad stuff, right?

The Russians were notorious for their dislike of ordinary people. They were always scheming to trick people into going to Siberia to grow potatoes. When they encountered Japanese prisoners of war on the battlefield, they would directly use castration without anesthesia to punish them!

With a bucket in his left hand and a knife in his right, he went up and cut the wound to bleed it out, just like castrating an animal.

The Russians' methods were really too crude.

Zhang Ailun felt that even the pig castration methods in his village weren't as simple and brutal.

All I can say is, well done.

Zhang Ailun immediately replied, "I'm from China."

"Oh, Khitan!" Reina nodded, instantly perking up.

She had learned about this while surfing the internet and knew that telling a Chinese person that they are from an island nation was considered discrimination.

However, people from both countries who live abroad often claim to be from the other country, and they engage in mutual sabotage offline.

She said, "I especially love watching Dae Jang Geum and Empresses in the Palace, as well as Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which are popular in Seoul."

"I really like it too..." Zhang Ailun answered subconsciously, but before he could finish, he felt that something was wrong.

Seeing Reina's face beaming with joy, resembling a slacker dozing off in modern history class, I didn't really want to dampen her enthusiasm.

Zhang Ailun could only bite the bullet and say, "You're right. When Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang three times to invite him to join his cause, he went to Seoul! Seoul has been an inseparable part of the Khitan people since ancient times. I also really like the EXO boy group, especially one of them named Lee Sang-hyeok, he's incredibly good at sniping in Banana Road."

Reina seemed to know little about this, which touched on a blind spot in her knowledge.

He asked, "Allen, you've only just arrived today. What are your plans for the future?"

"I'm homeless and have no legal status, so it will be very difficult for me to find a job. I can only take it one step at a time for now," Zhang Ailun said frankly.

Reina nodded, not looking down on him because of it. After all, there were far too many people in California in his situation, and they were already used to it.

All I could say was, "Then I wish you good luck. I hope this City of Angels can bring you a different kind of change!"

"Thank you for your blessing, Reina, I hope so." Zhang Ailun also expressed his gratitude for her blessing.

Then the two fell silent.

"Allen, how long have you known Dominic?" Reina asked, initiating the conversation again.

"Although we get along very well, I have to say that we only met today, less than three hours in total, and it all started over a jar worth 5 cents."

Zhang Ailun smiled and said, "He's a very good friend. He likes to help others. I was lucky to run into him on the streets of Los Angeles."

"Yeah, Dominic is famous on the streets around here. Lots of people know him, and he's helped a lot of people, but a lot of them are bad boys."

"Promise me you won't have too much contact with those people, and don't drag Dominic into doing bad things, okay?" Reina, like a patriarch, began to scrutinize Zhang Ailun.

"I was taught from a young age to be an upright and kind person, and due to historical reasons, I don't think I would actively seek out those people and those bad things," Zhang Ailun answered without hesitation.

"Great, Allen. If you need anything in the future, you can come to me directly. At least it's convenient to take a shower here. You don't have to fight with those homeless people for buses and public baths. It's easy to catch AIDS and other infectious diseases outside. If you want to have sex with some girls, remember to take precautions."

"If you run into any trouble, bring Dominic with you and stay the night at my place."

Rena was satisfied with his answer; at least this Chinese boy wouldn't be like the previous ones, who liked to cause trouble and bring endless problems to Dominic and herself.

"There will be opportunities, Reina. Thank you for your generosity. Your heart is so pure and beautiful," Zhang Ailun said with a smile.

"Really? Just inner beauty? Am I not beautiful?" Reina was amused by his words.

Zhang Ailun was speechless for a moment.

Before marriage, she was Ashe; after marriage, she was Illaoi. Those who know, know.

Even so, it was still inappropriate to say it to their faces. Without hesitation, Zhang Ailun replied, "Of course, you are also very beautiful. Mrs. Donglas is quite in line with the male aesthetic standards of our country."

Reina beamed with joy, having heard what she wanted to hear. Their relationship gradually grew closer, and she learned more from Zhang Ailun, confirming once again that he was a genuine Chinese.

Dominic came out of the house carrying a matcha green plastic cup and a pair of jeans.

He glanced at the two chatting amiably and said, "Rena, I've looked everywhere for the red teacup you mentioned, but I can't find it. I'll have to take the green one. And besides, aren't there clothes here? You probably didn't look carefully before, did you?"

"Oh, maybe I remembered it wrong," Reina said casually.

"It's getting late, we should head back now. Goodbye, Reina."

Dominic and Zhang Ailun waved goodbye to each other.

"See you another day, handsome guys." Reina waved goodbye happily.

(End of this chapter)