Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

"Captain Li, I didn't want to say this, but when people hear 'cohabiting couple', they think of affairs. However, the boss really isn't that sort of mess," Sun Xing looked at the body on the ground, his eyes reddening,

"Our boss is 43 years old this year, and it has been 11 years since he came here. Over the years, he has been working here alone, never once returning home. His child was only 7 years old when he left, and now they are 18.

These eleven years have not been easy for him."

Luke asked, "Why doesn't he return to his country? Does he have a criminal record back home?"

Sun Xing hesitated for a moment, then said helplessly, "It's not that he doesn't want to return. Previously, it was because he had no legal status and would be deported immediately if discovered by the immigration authorities.

It was only three years ago that he finally got his green card through a lawyer, and he spent a lot of money on legal fees.

From then on, he changed his mind and didn't want to return. He wanted to bring his wife and child over, but that wasn't easy either. It needed money.

Later, he took over this restaurant, hoping to earn more money to reunite with his wife and child.

But it's easier said than done. The restaurant business has been tough these past two years; he wouldn't even hire a chef and would tirelessly work in the kitchen himself...

I've seen it all, I know how hard it has been for him.

As for being part of a cohabiting couple, that was a necessity too. Being alone abroad for over a decade, with no relatives or friends, all alone and helpless, it's natural that over time, both the body and soul need companionship.

How many sets of eleven years does one have in life?"

At this point, Sun Xing showed a pleading look, "Captain Li, could you please do me a favor and not report my situation to the immigration authorities..."

"You also don't have legal status?"

"Yes." Sun Xing lowered his head, "I've been here almost six years now. It's getting harder and harder to obtain a green card, and I'm also trying to figure it out through a lawyer..."

"In these six years, you haven't returned back home either?"

"No, without legal status, I can't. If caught, I'd be directly deported."

"Do you also plan to keep struggling like the deceased?"

"I...

I went into debt doing business back home, and my wife nearly divorced me. I had no choices but to come here; at that time, my child was only two years old, and now they are already in elementary school.

I was originally thinking of working for four or five years to pay off the debts, save some money, and then go home.

Last year, I was thinking about returning, but my family didn't want me to come back. They think it's easier to make money abroad, and that I should earn as much as possible for as long as possible..."

Sun Xing's face was filled with helplessness, "Now, I don't even want the legal status anymore. I'm just taking it one day at a time, and if I get caught, they'll deport me back and I'll even save on the airfare costs."

Luke "..."

Reporting to the immigration authorities is not in his own interest either, and Luke, feeling disinclined to do so, asked, "What is Chen Hui's husband's name?"

"I'm not sure about that; not long after her husband came over, Chen Hui resigned."

"Does Chen Hui's husband have legal status?"

Sun Xing replied, "The policies change year by year. At our time, we all got tourist visas, then just overstayed and worked illegally.

The policy seems to be different in recent years; her husband apparently has a labor visa, but it's time-limited.

Anyway, it's better than what we had.

If his labor visa expires, he could also choose to overstay and work illegally."

Luke was somewhat familiar with such situations, as working in restaurants is tough, and many Americans are unwilling to do it. The government also turns a blind eye, as long as no one reports anything, the immigration authorities won't bother looking too closely.

Luke asked, "Do you have a cohabiting partner?"

"Raising children back home is not easy for my wife either. I originally didn't think about finding someone, but last year I wanted to go home, and neither my wife nor family were willing...

I couldn't see an end to it, and in a moment of frustration, I found a cohabiting partner.

Only then did I start feeling alive.

Actually, not just us abroad, some who stayed back home with their families find partners too. Just turn a blind eye, right?

We are all surviving like this, why fuss about it so much?"

Luke advised, "The development back home is also good now, and incomes are higher. It's better to return sooner and develop there."

"You're right, that's what I think too.

But my family doesn't agree; they say although the income in the big cities is high back home, that's for skilled or highly educated people.

For someone like me, who never went to college, I'd be at the bottom anywhere, so it's better for me to earn more here."

Luke said nothing further, asking, "Do you know where Chen Hui lives?"

"I do."

...

Zhī Báiwèi Restaurant.

This restaurant, located two blocks from Chinatown, primarily serves Zhejiang cuisine with signature dishes including Dongpo pork and Fairy Duck.

It was now past eleven o'clock.

The restaurant was starting to fill up.

A black car stopped in front of the restaurant. Luke and Jackson got out, glanced at a photo of the restaurant, and walked in.

"Welcome," a female waitress ushered them into the restaurant.

The woman, appearing to be almost forty, with a well-proportioned figure, placed a menu in front of Luke, "What would you like to eat?"

Luke glanced at the woman, who was indeed Chen Hui whom he was looking for. Seeing no change in her expression, Luke wasn't in a hurry. It was already noon, so he decided to have lunch first before speaking.

Luke looked at the menu and ordered Dongpo pork, Fire-tender Fairy Duck, braised bamboo shoots, squid rolls, and the staple, buttered flatbread.

As there were few customers, the food was served quickly.

Jackson looked at the dishes served, "Captain, are these all dishes from Hua?" I've never tried them before."