Being carried onto an ambulance at the start? But this is America!

"Ha ha……"

Flora was amused, her laughter ringing out, her body trembling with delight. Her azure eyes swept over Li Ping with a hint of amusement.

"Little brother, you're not being honest. I just asked Marina, and she said your English communication skills are excellent!"

Her gaze lingered on Li Ping for a moment.

Because he was hot from working, Li Ping unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt and rolled up his sleeves to his elbows. Under the sweat-dampened fabric, his lean and muscular muscles were faintly visible.

She admired this youthful, slender yet powerful physique more than those overly bulky, useless bodybuilders.

A certain interest, typical of an adult woman, flashed across her eyes.

"However, I'm glad you said that."

She suppressed her smile and softened her tone, "Take a break. I ordered five steak sets. Marina specifically told me to prepare enough food for you."

Clearly, she had already learned roughly from Marina about the brothers' situation: they had no relatives or friends and nothing to their name.

This also means that there is almost no risk that this minor family scandal will be leaked to the outside world.

If they were children from prominent, devout Christian families within the church, that would be truly shameful.

"Thank you so much, Ms. Flora."

Li Ping bowed slightly, a sincere smile on his face. "You not only gave us job opportunities, but you were also so generous. You are like a kind angel."

For such high-end connections that are likely to only intersect once in a lifetime, Li Ping's strategy is simple.

They leave an impression of being diligent, sensible, and sweet-talking, receive their due reward, and then make a perfect exit.

Before one has any self-worth, any superfluous fantasies or offenses are foolish.

Li Ping pulled Li Fan to sit down on a bench outside the porch, taking advantage of the time while waiting for their meal to stretch their aching limbs.

Flora seemed still upset about Danny's situation, so she didn't go upstairs immediately. Instead, she stayed in the living room and chatted casually with Li Ping through the open glass door.

After hearing about the two brothers' plight, Flora's blue eyes were filled with sympathy that almost overflowed.

"Oh, my poor boys..." she sighed softly.

Compared to everything she was born with, and looking at the two boys struggling to survive in front of her, her frustration caused by her relationship troubles seemed to be diluted considerably in an instant.

Human happiness is indeed sometimes based on comparison.

During the conversation, Li Ping unexpectedly learned that Flora runs a sizable property management company and is also one of the directors of the Owners Association (HOA) of Bibo Manor.

This means that she wields considerable influence even within this affluent community.

In the United States, homeowners associations (HOAs) wield considerable power.

The property management companies are all appointed by them, and if a homeowner causes problems, disobeys management, or affects the community's overall standing, they can even directly auction off the homeowner's house!

Li Ping's mind immediately started working.

If I could gain this woman's favor or approval, would it mean...?

In the future, she can legally prioritize the disposal of recyclables before garbage collection in the mid-to-high-end communities managed by her company.

This is much more profitable than fighting hundreds of people for a trash can in a poor street!

His face immediately lit up with just the right amount of admiration, and he transformed into a complimenter.

"That's so admirable, Ms. Flora Lancaster!"

At your age, to have achieved such success is truly a role model for us young people.

Do you have any advice for young people like us who are just starting out and have nothing?

Flora was only twenty-seven years old. He spoke sincerely, and his eyes were full of curiosity.

"Hahaha……"

Flora laughed, clearly pleased, but she shook her head, her tone frank to the point of cruelty.

I appreciate your compliments, but guidance? I'm afraid I can't offer that.

My ability to have all of this—starting a company, joining a board of directors—has little to do with my personal abilities.

There's only one main reason: my father, old Lancaster, was a very successful real estate developer, and I simply built upon his foundation and did some reasonably good operations.

Li Ping: "..."

Well, all that praise went to waste.

Sure enough, the damn logic of relying on one's father's connections applies everywhere.

A barely perceptible stiffness appeared on the perfect expression of admiration on his face.

Fortunately, the doorbell rang just in time, and the takeout arrived.

The food delivery service from upscale restaurants is packaged so exquisitely that it resembles a gift.

Upon opening, you'll find a generously portioned, thick, and juicy premium steak, accompanied by fresh salad and roasted vegetables, with an irresistible aroma.

Li Fan managed to eat the whole serving, and then barely managed to squeeze out another half piece before he was completely stuffed.

Li Ping, on the other hand, had exhausted himself working in the morning and hadn't eaten much. Now, driven by his [Wanderer] talent, his appetite was like a bottomless pit.

He devoured his portion in a flash, then took the small half-eaten piece from Li Fan and quickly finished it under Flora's slightly surprised gaze.

"Ping, watching you eat is such a treat, it makes me want to eat more too."

Flora watched him with interest, elegantly cutting off a few small pieces and chewing them slowly, before gently pushing the rest of the steak in front of him.

"If you don't mind, could you help me solve this? Wasting things isn't a good habit."

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination.

As Li Ping swallowed his food, the lines of his bare arms and neck seemed to become fuller and clearer at a visible speed, and his skin, washed by sweat, gleamed with a healthy glow.

This kind of eating and bodily transformation, full of primal vitality, has a unique spectacle.

"Thank you for your generosity, beautiful lady."

Li Ping accepted the food without hesitation. Since he had almost finished eating, he slowed down this time and savored it carefully.

He could clearly feel that the high-quality protein and fat were efficiently absorbed and converted by his body, turning into powerful heat currents that washed over his muscle fibers, bringing a sense of fullness and strength far superior to that of donuts and cold hamburgers.

If eating junk food can make you stronger, then eating better food will naturally have an even better effect.

The feeling of becoming stronger simply by eating is fascinating.

"This is the most perfect meal I've had since I came to America."

"I'm glad you like it. Before you leave, I can order two more portions for you to take with you," Flora said with a smile, her tone casual.

For her, ordering a few hundred dollars more in takeout was just a piece of cake, but why should she get extra pay?

That's impossible.

This was the business philosophy instilled in her by her father—to give lower-level workers more food or other things than expected as a sign of generosity, but never to make cash rewards too easy.

To prevent the growth of unrealistic expectations or inertia.

Li Ping's smile remained unchanged, but he knew perfectly well what was going on: "No need, ma'am, this meal has already given us plenty of energy. Thank you again."

He could tell from Nick's fate that this woman appreciated moderation and despised greed.

The best outcome is to receive the agreed-upon compensation without any delay.

After dinner, Li Ping moved the pile of valuable junk from the basement—a cracked iPad, an old Sony camera, a coffee machine, a vacuum cleaner, etc.—in front of Flora and asked if she was sure she wanted to throw it away.

"Everything inside is broken and needs to be thrown away. If you need it, take it. I don't want to bother with these trivial matters."

Flora waved her hand and gave it to the two poor children.

"God bless you! You are such a generous angel!" Li Ping's face immediately showed just the right amount of surprise.

He planned to take it back to old Tom to take a look. That old man had magical hands and might be able to fix a few, which would then fetch a few hundred dollars.

It might be a windfall.

"Call me when you're done cleaning this afternoon; there are still some old things to deal with on the second floor."

After Flora finished speaking, she gracefully turned and went upstairs.

She liked ambitious and driven young men, and Nick initially felt the same way.

Unfortunately, after being drawn into a world that didn't belong to him, Nick quickly became addicted to drugs and gambling, and in the past six months, he has completely ruined himself.

It's time to find a new companion, someone who can fill the void and bring some novelty.

She never chooses a partner casually; she prefers to cultivate one herself.

After resting until almost 2 a.m., the two brothers continued working.

The large items have been cleared out; what remains are miscellaneous items and cleaning.

Li Ping found several sturdy cardboard boxes and carefully packed the spoils of war.

Then came the repeated trips to move garbage bags and the final cleaning.

It wasn't until after 4 p.m. that the entire basement was completely refreshed and returned to its spacious state.