"Maybe I’ll be able to solve this problem by then?" Li Wei sighed and picked up his phone. ’What a hassle.’

Before his attributes hit 3.0, he planned to get a psychologist to intervene with Don Quixote first.

After making the appointment, Li Wei felt a pang of hunger again. He grabbed a box of extra-sweet and oily potato chips, munching on them as he worked on his microeconomics homework.

’I have to power through this section today. Tomorrow, I have to take Anya to see the Chinese New Year festivities in Chinatown.’

...

Unlike the polished streets of Manhattan, Chinatown at the intersection of Mott and Canal Streets during Chinese New Year was a bubbling, fiery-red hot pot, cranked up to its spiciest level.

Although New York City law expressly forbade fireworks, the police department usually turned a blind eye on this day. After all, the Chinese community was not exactly stingy with their donations.

A distinct smell of sulfur permeated the air, mingling with the aromas of fried dough, grilled meats, and a cloyingly sweet syrup wafting from the street-side food stalls.

"Oh my god," Anya said, clinging tightly to Li Wei’s arm. Her gray-blue eyes reflected the sea of red lanterns and the teeming crowds. "This is so much more bustling than I ever imagined."

Anya was dressed in an expensive, short, white mink jacket, paired with slim-fit black jeans and tall boots. To match the festive atmosphere, she had deliberately chosen a bright red cashmere scarf.

Her outfit made her stand out against the drab, dusty streets and the crowd of people in bulky down jackets. She was like a white swan that had wandered into a bustling market, looking for all the world like a movie star on a film set.

"This is what Chinese New Year is all about," Li Wei said, smoothly clearing a path for Anya through the dense crowd. "By the way, how’s your project coming along?"

"The first phase is done," Anya said, her face lighting up. "Now I just need to get my hands on a fifty-year industrial land-use rezoning plan. The interview panel is going to be blown away by what I’ve got."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Li Wei asked after a moment. "Do you want me to ask around and see who might have that rezoning plan?"

"No, it’s okay~" Anya said sweetly. "I have a classmate whose family has it in their archives. I was planning to ask if she could scan a copy for me after my exam tomorrow."

Ahead, two lions danced in front of a gold shop, their movements synchronized to the rhythm of gongs and drums. The beat was so rapid it felt like it was hammering against your heart, and the DUM DUM-CLANG, DUM DUM-CLANG was deafening. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Li Wei’s senses were far sharper than an ordinary person’s, making the high-decibel noise jarring to his ears, but he showed no sign of impatience.

"Where are we going?" Anya shouted, trying to be heard over the gongs and drums.

"We’re meeting a friend," Li Wei said, guiding her down a narrower, cleaner side street. "He’s the president of the Chinese Business Association here. I met him at that dinner party a while back. He sent over a lot of gifts after we met, so I really should thank him in person."

The pair stopped in front of an old-fashioned martial arts school, a wooden plaque hanging above its entrance. The two young men standing guard at the door clearly recognized Li Wei. The moment they saw him approach, they snapped to attention, their expressions becoming deeply respectful.

"Mr. Li," one of the young men said. His eyes flickered toward Anya, a flash of awe crossing his face before he quickly lowered his gaze. "Master is waiting for you upstairs."

’Master?’ Li Wei froze for a second. He hadn’t expected to hear such a traditional form of address in this day and age.