Chapter 40: Returning to the Family, A Complex Domestic Situation

On the second floor, Louis was packing his belongings: stove ash, silver needles, a peach-wood deity amulet, and a handgun.

Emma knocked on the door. "They called for you?"

"Yes, Grandfather has handled things over there and wants me to return for a visit."

A few months ago, the family had called Louis to say that the Mexican drug cartels were in retreat, and that once things stabilized in a few months, they would be able to bring him home. As for his kidnapping, there would be a resolution to that as well by then. David and the others were also aware of this.

"Aren't you going to tell David?"

"No need, it saves him the trouble of running back and forth."

Louis zipped up his backpack, slung it over his shoulder, and carefully checked the pistol magazine; one could not be careless with such things.

Emma watched him for a long moment. "Will you come back?"

Louis looked at her in surprise. "Haha, what are you thinking?"

"Grandfather intended for me to stay here—otherwise he wouldn't have had Uncle David scout out the local middle school—but I will likely have to go back there quite often from now on."

Emma’s expression visibly relaxed. She didn't know why—perhaps it was that thing called friendship—but the thought of Louis leaving made her feel an inexplicable sense of reluctance. Yet, now that she was certain he would return, she felt a strange sense of disappointment. It was a contradictory emotion.

"By the way, don't stir up any trouble while I'm gone these next few days, or else watch out when I get back." Louis issued a warning. There was no help for it; whether it was good or evil, it was never permanent and required constant reminders to ensure long-term stability.

Emma froze. Okay, now she was sure: it would be better if this guy never came back!

Descending the stairs, they saw Yurenka. Upon noticing Louis’s backpack, she looked surprised, then a thought seemed to cross her mind, and the corners of her mouth curled up in what looked like glee.

Louis glanced at her, knowing exactly what this "acquired" wicked girl was thinking. "Don't get any wild ideas. I will be coming back. Emma, keep an eye on her. If she dares to mess around at school, we’ll see about a 'human torch' act when I return."

Yurenka’s face instantly fell. Emma, however, was already looking at Yurenka with a sinister glint, as if she were looking forward to her doing something.

Nearby, Carrie stood confused. She didn't understand what Louis meant, and the relationship between Yurenka and Emma seemed… rather strange. Weren't they sisters? And was Louis leaving? Where was he going? Would he come back? A whirlwind of thoughts raced through Carrie's mind.

Louis looked at the dazed girl, frowned, and tossed her a small peach-wood cross. "I remember you saying your family is religious, so here, this is for you. Bye."

With that, he turned and walked away with a flourish. Under the watchful eyes of Emma, Yurenka, and Carrie, Louis boarded a private car and headed toward Miami.

Midway, the car suddenly stopped. A yellow figure and a red figure leaped into the vehicle, and then the car sped off again.

***

Miami. The second-largest city in Florida and an economic hub destined to be one of the most livable cities in the future, it was already showing its potential.

The city’s development was due in no small part to its unique geographical location—coastal and close to Cuba, it was a preferred route for stowaways from Mexico and Latin America, as well as... drug smuggling. In the 1970s, the city’s initial rise was fueled by this, earning it the reputation as the "Capital of White Powder." Although this faded with the growth of the tourism industry, the remnants of Mexican influence remained.

As for the Kano family, it had been forged in the 1930s—the heyday of organized crime—by Karl Kano and a group of local associates. Today, it had become one of the largest crime families in the United States. Miami was their stronghold, a place where the Kano family could stand toe-to-toe with the capitalist elite.

In downtown Miami stood a magnificent estate with fountains, manicured lawns, white stone paths, and men in black suits with bulging waistlines patrolling the grounds. The black sedan pulled up slowly; the guards checked the car's emblem and the driver before letting them through.

After winding through the estate, the car pulled up to the entrance. Louis stepped out, followed by Gold and Khorne, who looked around with a mix of curiosity and vigilance. As Louis stared at the building, memories began to surface.

Although he was technically an illegitimate child, he had lived here since birth, raised by his grandfather and uncle. As for his parents? His father was a college graduate but a wastrel who spent his own money, ignored family business, and was constantly traveling, rarely coming home. His mother was a spendthrift from an old, reputable family in China. After the political winds shifted, she became infatuated with foreign business concepts and tried to start an import business involving Southeast Asia and Japan. The result? She was swindled out of her family fortune. With only enough money left for a boat ticket, she sought refuge with relatives in the American mafia. She met his father, and perhaps influenced by the corrupt atmosphere of the States or having become jaded by her losses, they soon got together.

There was no real love between them. They had Louis without even marrying, and once they grew bored of each other, one returned to his role as a core member of a gang in San Francisco, and the other dumped Louis back at the family estate to continue her carefree life. In many ways, Louis was like an orphan.

Fortunately, the Kano family was Italian, and like the Chinese, they placed great value on family. Seeing that Louis was a prodigy who delighted his grandfather, he was well-fed, well-cared for, and lacked for nothing.

As Louis was lost in these memories, the sound of rapid, rhythmic footsteps approached. An elderly man with Chinese features emerged from the house, his eyes widening in surprise as he looked at Louis, tears streaming down his face.

"Young Master!"

The old man rushed forward. Gold and Khorne instinctively bared their teeth, but Louis stopped them. He allowed the old man to embrace him tightly. A moment later, the old man quickly pulled back and bowed slightly. "Welcome back, Young Master."

"Grandpa Fusheng, I'm home."

The old man was the only servant left behind by Louis’s mother. He had been the butler, and even when the family fell on hard times, he never left their side, following them to a foreign land. He had only expressed opposition when Louis’s mother abandoned him, choosing then to stay with the boy. The Kano family had long since accepted him, though he still insisted on calling Louis "Young Master."

In short, apart from his effectively non-existent parents, Louis was well-provided for and cared for—he could consider himself lucky. And now, having awakened his memories and obtained his inheritance, his future was full of promise. He was, by all accounts, a winner in life.

*Wait,* he thought, a bizarre notion flashing through his mind: *Did I trade my parents for this smooth life?*

Louis shook off the thought, regained his composure, and stepped into the magnificent white house.