The sun rose on a new day.

In an alley of Old Town, some restaurants were busy serving breakfast. In the takeout window, a 16 or 17-year-old teenager was waiting in the line. His light gold hair was glistening under the sunshine. He got a few d.o.g.g.y bags and walked hastily away. At the intersection, he turned and then entered a house.

"Breakfast!" He shouted after he pushed the door open.

Inside the house, curtains were pulled closed, and there was heavy smoke in the air. Some beer bottles lay on the floor. A bald man was sleeping on the couch, and a few others sat on the floor with their backs leaning on the wall.

They were the suspects that escaped the gangster crackdown action a few months ago. As the police had checking points almost at almost all exits of the city, they could not flee out of the city.

They thought they could hide for some days and waited until the control was loose. However, their pictures soon appeared on the wanted list, and bounties were offered to anyone who could provide information about their whereabouts. They could not walk down the street for fear of being recognized.

The blond put breakfast on the coffee table and pulled up a chair. He took one of the boxes and started to eat.

After a while, the other men woke up languidly and cussed while they walked to the bathroom. The bald-headed man got up sulkily and kicked the blond on the leg on his way to the bathroom.

At this time, there was a knock at the door. The men inside all became alert.

A guy who looked like he was in charge walked out of the bathroom and said to the blond, "Go check who it is."

Blond went to the hallway, opened the door, and looked through the screen door.

The man knew that he was being peeped at through the seam of the curtain. He said to blond in a low voice, "Don't worry. I am not a cop. I have a business to talk with your boss."

After he was admitted to the room, he ignored the alert and skeptical looks from the other men. He took out a bulging envelope from his bag and put it on the table. The sharp inhalation of breath from the other men was almost audible.

"I need you to help me deal with a guy."

He said the name in a low voice.

The head of the gangsters, who now sat on the couch, frowned, "It is looking for death to touch this guy now."

The man shook his head, "He is not so capable now. Besides, he is in the light, and you are in the dark. After it is done, I will pay the other half." He looked around the room and said, "You have stayed here for quite a long time, haven't you? Don't you want to get out of here soon? I can help you get out of town."

When they were silent, the eyes behind his glasses showed confidence that he could win them over. He took out a photo unhurriedly and pushed it across the table.

At dusk, Roger shut himself in his study as soon as he got home from work. He made a call, and after got through, he said gravely, "People from the state government came today."

The person who came was the secretary of the state governor. He heard about the introduction of the World Trade Center project and Chasin's involvement. He gave affirmative comments on Chasin's contribution to the society, and then he changed the subject suddenly, "So it is said that there are some problems with Chasin?"

The question had to be answered by the chief of L.A.PD. Harry Jackson looked to Roger. Roger had to make a brief introduction and stated some of the problems were still under investigation and required further evidence.

The secretary said after a pause, "The problems at Chasin have to be investigated thoroughly. However, for the time being, can you keep this low profile and consider the overall interests of the city first?"

The so-called overall interest was that Governor Madison was seeking a second term. The exposure of the extent of government corruption in Los Angeles would have a large impact on his campaign. And who knew if the officials in the state government were not involved in this scandal. They all felt chills in their spines when they reflected on it.

After the meeting, Roger went to see Mayor Harderson. He said with indignation, "It is now a critical moment for this investigation. This has to be done when the time is right. If we cut them some slack, the culprits will run away, and it will be another dead end."

Harry Harderson thought for a while and then said, "The case has got too many people involved. It has to be dealt with extreme prudence."

Roger's heart sank at these words. He was expecting the mayor to support him in carrying out the investigation, but now it seemed he turned to the other side.

The person Roger called said on the phone, "So what are you going to do now?"

"I will go to Washington. If something happens to me, this case…"

"I will continue the investigation."

The person he called replied decisively.

Roger felt a little relieved.

At the same time, in the mayor's office, Harry Harderson was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back. He thought of today's meeting and the suspicion flashing across Roger's face.

He felt uneasy based on his experience and instincts. After struggling for a long time in his heart, he took up his phone and dialed a number.

When Tristan got the call, he was discussing what color the child's room should be painted with Kate. There was a crib in the corner of the room. Various toys and baby clothes were placed inside the crib.

Kate bought some toys and clothes every time she went out shopping, and before she knew it, there were quite a lot of them.

After Tristan hung up the phone, he looked at Kate, who was biting her fingernail, and said, "We don't have to think about it now."

Kate was startled and said, "We have to go now?"

"Yes."

Her bewildered expression and slightly pale face made Tristan feel sorry. He stretched his hand out to hold her in his arms and wanted to say something to comfort her or apologize, but he said nothing in the end.

Kate opened her mouth instead, "Where are we going?"

"Where do you want to go? I told you that we could go see around the world when I had time."

"I want to go to Africa to see the savannah. Or to South America to see the jungle. Or…"

Kate listed a series of places, but he could feel that she was nervous and conflicted. His heart was also seized by anxiety.

"OK, let's leave our footsteps on these places."

"Wow. It will be a world adventure."

Tristan kissed her on the forehead, "Yes, world adventure."

When Kate woke up in the middle of the night, she found she was alone in the bed. She got up and went downstairs. She saw the study lights on and pushed the door open.

Tristan was standing by the desk, where a big picture was spread out.

She walked over and took a glance. It was the World Trade Center that was still under construction, the project that he put most of his heart into. Now he could not see it being completed.

Was this included in the dreams he had?

"I came to this city for the first time at thirteen, to see my father in prison."

"The second time I came was a few months later, to collect the ashes and belongings of my father."

"And the third time was ten years later. I came with hatred and thought every inch of the land was sinful, every building was dirty and disgusting."

Tristan inhaled a long breath and said, "I have lived here for over a decade and saw its development and change. I built something in this city too. I got used to its climate, life speed, and started to like the sea, beach, and the ordinary honest people here."

Kate could feel the bitterness in her heart too. She was bonded with the city too.

"It was strange that I changed my thoughts gradually. I went back to my hometown that I had lived for thirteen years. I looked at the streets of it that were quite different from what they were in my memory, and I felt nothing…I knew I would leave here someday. I wanted to leave something here in this city, and it can accompany my families who are buried here."

His everything, his families were buried here in this land.

Kate walked close and hugged Tristan's waist from his back. She felt his body shiver a little.

"Am I too greedy?" He asked.

"No, it is normal."

She had never realized that he was just an ordinary man deep down. He had the same sentiments common people had. She felt that was good, really good.

Before Kate left, she had to say goodbye to someone.

This time, she remembered to buy a bouquet of white lilies.

The face in his photo was youthful and lively. It was the sunshine she most d.e.s.i.r.ed. Her memory went back to the first moment they had met. From the first time to every time she met him, he always showed up in the time she needed him most and gave her the most selfless help.

And now, she was full of guilt.

She had chosen to be selfish in the end.