America: I'm really not crazy

Chapter 49 Li Wei is ready

Besides ham and fried meatballs, Antonio also made Cuban sandwiches and fried cassava fries. Since he had to "take care of business" after the meal, he didn't prepare any alcohol, but instead had Arafat brew a large pot of Cuban coffee.

There weren't any fancy dishes; they were all "home-style" meals.

In Antonio's words, it's a cuisine that gives you "the energy to work after you eat it."

The five of them didn't specifically look for a place; they simply sat around the kitchen worktable and waited for Antonio, the chef and host, to announce "Dinner is served." Then everyone started eating on their own.

Li Wei acted with lightning speed, selfishly picking up a plate of fried ham meatballs and placing it next to himself for easy eating.

However, when Tessa, who had taken the initiative to sit next to him, reached into the plate to get something, Levi did not stop him, but couldn't help but make a comment.

"Are you a primary school student who always thinks the food in other people's bowls tastes better?"

"Because to me, what's on your plate definitely tastes better than what's on my own."

Tessa's words left Levi speechless.

But Tessa pressed his advantage.

"Hmm... if I say next time that what you tastes better, will it make your heart beat faster?"

"I don't know if Levi's heart is beating fast or not, but you mustn't say that when Gris comes back. He has a heart condition and can't resist beautiful women."

Santiago, who had just eaten half a sandwich, chimed in.

"If that guy Gris were here, I think he'd rather take emergency medication than not enjoy the beauty's 'flirting'."

Arafat, holding a fried cassava fry, also "added a stab" to the mix.

Fortunately, Antonio is reliable.

"Alright, hurry up and eat. I don't mind if Gris takes a couple more punches to teach him a lesson, but his old bones, which are 'overindulgent,' probably can't withstand more than a few punches and kicks."

Well, Antonio didn't let Gris off the hook either.

However, besides teasing Gris, this meal also led to the development of an action plan.

Li Wei's practical skills were the most outstanding, making him the planner.

Antonio, who knew the situation best, provided intelligence support.

Arafat was mainly responsible for getting the equipment, and at Levi's request, he promised to get him a fun "big guy" to enjoy.

Santiago was excluded from the "Action Group" this time because of Levi's involvement—he was disabled on the battlefield and was a cripple.

Previously, Antonio didn't want to involve others, so he only called Arafat and Santiago, and didn't even call the young players from the "76ers".

Because he hopes that, whatever the outcome, the hatred will stop with his generation.

However, Santiago wasn't idle either; he and Tessa would be responsible for providing peripheral support.

However, Li Wei felt that this division of labor was not reasonable.

"Shouldn't Tessa be home? Why are we making her participate in this operation?"

He casually tossed the dishes into the sink after the meal, and while untying his apron, he muttered a casual remark.

"Isn't Tessa pursuing you? I think she probably wants to be involved."

Li Wei wasn't angry; instead, he crossed his arms and asked a question in return.

"So, we're going to an amusement park, not to take down a gang leader?"

"Not kill him, but at least not until you find out Gris's whereabouts."

Santiago couldn't help but emphasize it.

Before Li Wei could say anything more, Tessa spoke first.

"What? Are you afraid I'll get hurt?"

Tessa turned her head and looked at Levi with a smile.

"Of course, you don't have any combat skills."

Li Wei felt that as Tessa's friend, it would be very impolite not to remind him at this time.

"Although I can roughly guess what you're thinking... thank you anyway."

As she spoke, Tessa suddenly gave Levi a light, fleeting kiss on the cheek.

Li Wei, however, seemed to have been punched, and suddenly jumped up, retreating backward.

They even adopted a defensive stance, appearing extremely tense.

When he realized that Tessa wasn't pushing his luck and was simply sitting there, smiling at him, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

However, he soon noticed that Antonio, Arafat, and Santiago were all staring intently at him.

It felt like watching a play that was "worth the price of admission".

"This is youth... I'm so envious of this old man."

Surprisingly, Arafat, who seemed to have the most volatile temper among the "four," turned out to be the most sentimental.

"Why don't you become a poet, you old geezer!"

Li Wei sat back down, looking annoyed.

However, he was quite far away, hooking the chair in front of him with his foot and sitting down at least three meters away from Tessa.

Judging from her appearance, she looked just like a young girl who had been harassed by a hooligan, angry but not daring to speak out.

Unlike the girl, Li Wei was able to continue speaking.

"That's enough joking. I strongly oppose involving Tessa."

Antonio sighed.

"Li Wei, I hope you understand that I fundamentally disagree with your involvement. But just as I couldn't stop you, I can't stop Tessa either."

"You're doing this for fun, Tessa is doing it for you."

"So, all I can do is suggest placing Tessa in a relatively safe location and having Santiago protect her."

Do you understand?

Li Wei understood, so he stopped arguing with Antonio and turned to look at Tessa.

"Tessa, is it worth it?"

Tessa smiled.

"There's no question of whether it's worth it or not. I'm just doing what I want to do... just like you."

"Like me?"

Li Wei suddenly laughed.

"Are you prepared to lose your life at any moment and embrace death itself?"

Li Wei was smiling, but there was no trace of a smile in his eyes.

Tessa unconsciously abandoned her relaxed demeanor and did not answer immediately. Instead, she lowered her eyes slightly and pondered for a moment.

"I don't know if I'm ready, but I'm willing to keep trying until that moment comes."

Li Wei remained noncommittal, merely raising an eyebrow.

"If you ever regret it, remember to tell me."

After saying that, he stopped avoiding Tessa as before, and instead got up, dragged his chair, and sat down next to Tessa again.

Tessa didn't tease Li Wei like before; she just smiled at him and said nothing more.

"So, everything's alright now?"

Antonio looked at Levi and Tessa with some uncertainty and asked this question.

Tessa didn't say anything, she just silently took out her phone.

"I think we should inform Danielle in advance; it's the least we can do to respect her."

"I'm fine."

Li Wei spoke first, and Antonio thought for a moment before nodding to Arafat and Santiago, who also nodded in response.

Seeing that no one objected, Tessa took her phone and left to contact Danielle.

Li Wei then looked towards Arafat.

"I'm more interested in what kind of interesting 'big guys' you can get me."

"I promise it will be even more of a surprise than a 'Christmas present'."

Arafat said this with considerable confidence.

Li Wei didn't press the matter further; he was now eagerly anticipating the moment the "surprise" would be revealed.

"In that case, we'll depart in twenty minutes."

As the commander of this operation, Li Wei issued the final "countdown".