America: I'm really not crazy

Chapter 19 Li Wei's Second-in-Command

Although Claude and his "backup plan" were dealt with, Levi did not let his guard down. Instead, he continued to protect Zhang Qiu in secret for a day and a half and a night.

Zhang Qiu and her fellow delegation members have now returned to Miami International Airport.

Levi and Wesker also returned to the Clarion Hotel.

Wesker enjoyed a cigar and the massage sofa he had been longing for in the presidential suite.

Li Wei sat on the edge of the hotel rooftop, dangling his legs over the edge.

He didn't use binoculars, so he could only vaguely see Zhang Qiu getting off the car in a wheelchair with the help of his companions.

In the end, he still didn't go to meet Zhang Qiu.

But the reason is no longer the guilt that cannot be repaid.

He had already died once for Zhang Qiu, and yesterday he also learned the theme of this exchange meeting—a seminar on residual limb function reconstruction and new prosthetic fitting technology.

Li Wei didn't understand the specific technology, but Thomas explained the easier parts to him.

The core topic of this exchange was to address the issue of "short stumps that cannot be fitted with prostheses," as seen in cases like Zhang Qiu's. Moreover, this exchange achieved a breakthrough, and it won't be long before the new type of prosthesis can be put on the market.

Furthermore, for "outstanding international friends" like Zhang Qiu, the Galad Medical Assistance Fund will fund the installation of new prosthetic limbs free of charge.

Thomas is a guy who practically has the words "using public office for private gain" written all over his face.

Li Wei's "debt" has been paid off.

Although Thomas paid off part of the debt for him, Li Wei himself didn't care, and he believed that Zhang Qiu and Thomas wouldn't care either.

And in fact, it is indeed the case.

"What? Aren't you going to see her off?"

Thomas arrived on the rooftop at some point. He put down his umbrella and, somewhat cautiously, followed Levi's example, sitting on the edge of the rooftop.

Li Wei turned his head, looked at him gripping the edge of the rooftop tightly, his whole body tense, and smiled.

"I was also wondering if you weren't going to see her off?"

Thomas watched with deep affection as the small figure in the wheelchair was wheeled into the airport before answering Levi's question.

"We've always been from two different worlds. I... am not good enough for her."

Li Wei was stunned for a moment, not because he didn't expect Thomas to think of him that way, but because... he and Thomas thought exactly the same thing.

He was once a good gun and a good soldier, but he was not a good person, nor would he be a good husband.

And now he... is the kind of person who doesn't want to think about the next second after the current one has passed.

He felt that in the eyes of most people, he would be labeled as a "madman" or a "lunatic," but he didn't care because he just wanted to live like this.

Therefore, he chose to pay off his debts rather than enter Zhang Qiu's world and act recklessly.

So, what about Thomas?

"What are your reasons? Would you mind discussing them?"

Li Wei asked politely, rather than resorting to tricks or interrogation.

Because he felt that Thomas deserved his respect.

Thomas nervously leaned back against the edge of the rooftop, making sure he wouldn't fall, before dusting his hands off and thinking for a moment.

"Wealth, family background, power... all these things combined, under the surname 'Gallard,' make up 'me.'"

"Or, more precisely, 'we,' each and every one of us who uses this surname."

"My uncle, my brother, my cousin... and many, many people."

"We are born with resources that most people cannot obtain in their entire lives, so we must fulfill the responsibilities that come with those resources."

"I will get married, but my husband will not be Zhang Qiu, but the daughter of the current head of the Rockfield family, an oil tycoon family. This was decided when I was eight years old."

"Just like in fairy tales, why didn't the prince marry the Little Mermaid? Because he was a prince."

Li Wei looked at Thomas's dejected expression, and then at the umbrella he had put down.

Finally, he let out a sneer.

"Elite politics, elite families, elite thinking... Ha, no wonder many people in the military call you 'monsters of inbreeding'."

Despite being called a "monster of inbreeding," Thomas didn't get angry; he just sighed and even nodded in agreement.

"You're right, but this is America."

"That's how it is in this country, and that's the 'rule of the game' here."

"I lack the courage to resist, and I also lack the ability to change things."

"All I can do is prevent my tragedy from spreading to others."

"So, I can only watch her silently from afar, just like now."

"You can't get close, and you can't speak."

"Otherwise, that would cause her trouble."

As soon as Thomas finished speaking, an airplane took off, with a very conspicuous pattern on it.

A coat of arms with a scepter entwined with roses.

That's the coat of arms of the Gallard family.

This indicates that the plane was the Galad family's private jet.

Zhang Qiu and the delegation arrived on this very plane.

"Now, Zhang Qiu is gone."

After Thomas finished speaking, he stood up from the edge of the rooftop and gripped his umbrella again.

Then, he took a document out of his pocket and handed it to Li Wei.

"Regarding the FBI's investigation into you, I asked my cousin, in her capacity as 'Attorney General,' to stop it, and also had my uncle issue you a 'pardon order.'"

"Although your boasting to the media about robbing a bank did cause some negative impact, it's all over now."

Li Wei watched as the plane gradually shrank into a tiny dot and finally disappeared. Only then did he turn to look at Thomas.

He didn't look at the documents in Thomas's hand, but stared at Thomas's face.

It was a handsome face, about the same age as him, but he had a small mustache to appear mature. Although it was well-groomed, it made Thomas seem somewhat lifeless in Levi's eyes.

Li Wei stood up from the edge of the rooftop and stretched out his hand.

However, instead of taking the document, he snatched Thomas's umbrella, held it in front of himself, and slammed it into his knee, bending it and throwing it far away.

Then, to Thomas's astonishment, Levi grabbed his shoulder.

"Hey buddy, my 'Levy Gang' is currently short of an 'advisor.' Interested? I can appoint you as the third-in-command."

Thomas froze; he seemed to have never been treated so intimately before.

Then, he glanced at the umbrella, which was almost "shattered to pieces" lying in the corner, and then at Li Wei.

Finally, he sighed.

"Whalebone handle, solid gold fittings... that umbrella is worth $60,000."

Li Wei looked up at the sky and whistled.

But soon after, he punched Thomas in the chest.

"Don't worry about these little things, just tell me, do you want to join?"

Thomas sighed again.

"Being the deputy director of the IRS is already tough enough. Next year I'll be promoted to director, and within five years I'll be promoted to deputy finance minister. Now I'm going to be your advisor... I hope I don't go bald before I'm thirty-five."

Thomas wasn't showing off; he genuinely looked worried and felt that his future path would be quite difficult.

But Levi didn't care; all he cared about was Thomas agreeing to be his "advisor."

"Great! Very energetic! McDonald's tonight! My treat! To celebrate Levi's team having an advisor and a third-in-command!"

Without saying another word, Li Wei pulled Thomas downstairs.

On the way, he didn't forget to call Wesker.

"There's a group activity tonight to celebrate the gang having a third leader and an advisor. I'm planning to hold a welcome ceremony at McDonald's."

Wesker immediately became dissatisfied.

"Hey! Why wasn't there even a McDonald's when I was second-in-command?!"

"Because you delivered yourself to my door! But I 'snatched' the third-in-command position!"

"Damn it! Let me get dressed! I just filled the tub with water, ready to enjoy the massage effect of the water jets!"

Thomas was stunned by what he saw.

Because he had never seen such a scene before, nor had he ever been to McDonald's.

But what he couldn't understand was that he didn't dislike the feeling; he even felt a little amused.

It's not that polite, almost standard smile you give when interacting with people, but rather like Levi and Wesker, cursing "Fuck!" and then laughing wildly!

So he did just that.

"Hahaha! This is fucking hilarious!"

Just then, Wesker went out drying his hair and bumped into them.

"Damn it! Li Wei! What did you do to my big sugar daddy?! If he's gone mad! Will the promised four million in additional payment still stand? That four million is my retirement money!"

Levi glanced at Thomas, who was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes, and shrugged at Wesker.

"Don't worry, Thomas isn't crazy, he's just... found himself again."