America: I'm really not crazy

Chapter 20 Li Wei's Welcome Party

Li Wei followed the "proximity principle" and chose the McDonald's diagonally opposite the airport gate.

Since it was already past 7 p.m., we had just missed the peak hours, so the store wasn't crowded, nor was it deserted.

Those tables were filled with people carrying suitcases, so they were either just off the plane or waiting for a red-eye flight. There was another table with people wearing airport uniforms, who were probably staff members who had just changed shifts.

Li Wei didn't care. When the three of them arrived at the counter, he waved to Thomas with great arrogance.

"Order whatever you like! Don't worry about saving me money!"

Wesker immediately became dissatisfied.

"And what about me?"

Li Wei directly ordered a "poor man's set meal" from the waiter.

"Double beef burger, spicy McChicken, yes, the buy-one-get-one-free combo. Okay, $6.5 after tax."

"Hey! What the hell are you doing?! You're insulting my stomach!"

Wesker immediately launched into a tirade of profanities.

But Li Wei went even further than he had imagined.

"Remember to pay after Thomas and I finish ordering."

"Do I look like an idiot?"

Wesker felt that Levi was not only insulting his stomach, but also his intelligence.

"I'll give it to you after I finish eating."

After responding, Li Wei ordered himself a children's meal.

As soon as he entered, he spotted the megaphone toy that came with the package.

This thing can not only be used as a megaphone, but you can also blow out the sound of an air raid siren directly with your mouth. Li Wei had seen children playing with this thing a long time ago, and he was very tempted to buy it back then.

However, at that time, he was too embarrassed to order a "Happy Meal" at the "advanced age" of twenty-four.

But he doesn't care anymore—"older children" are still children!

Thomas silently walked to the counter and habitually took out his leather checkbook.

"What should be written at the top?"

Thomas, as the only reliable member of the "Levy Gang," wants to stop this potential conflict.

"Sorry, sir, we only accept cash and credit cards."

Thomas was bewildered by the waiter's smiling expression.

Generally speaking, he doesn't have much of a need for consumption—everything, from small items like socks to large items like houses, is arranged for him by a dedicated person. He usually only needs to ring a bell or make a phone call.

For anything that requires his personal payment, he always signs a check, so he never carries cash or bank cards with him.

After Thomas realized what was happening, he began to patiently explain to the waiter.

"These are checks from the Galad family's private bank. This bank serves only Galad family members and allies. It never operates to the public, and its reserve ratio is 100%. Every check is backed by an equivalent value of gold or government bonds. It doesn't lend, it doesn't invest, it only does one thing—safeguard wealth."

"So, you're going to refuse a check from such a bank?"

"Sorry, sir, we only accept cash and credit cards."

The waiter seemed to be a broken record, repeating his refusal without even changing his expression.

"But……"

Thomas tried to explain, but Wesker, finding him embarrassing, slammed a fifty-dollar bill on the counter.

"Order! Then pay the bill! You hateful rich person, I don't need to teach you how to order food, do I?"

Thomas, looking embarrassed, put away his checkbook and then humbly asked for advice.

"Excuse me, is it like at home, where I just tell this waiter what I want? If I want Peking duck, that's fine too, right?"

Wesker glanced silently at Thomas, who had a serious expression on his face, without replying.

Instead, he turned to Li Wei and asked him a question.

"Would you mind if the advisor and the third-in-command got taken out by the second-in-command at the welcoming ceremony? I'm fucking jealous!"

"I am very bothered by your extremely impolite suggestion."

Levi rejected Wesker's suggestion without hesitation, and then asked a follow-up question.

"How come I never noticed before that you were so resentful of the rich?"

"Is this bastard just 'rich'? Look at his behavior! Listen to the bullshit he spouts! If this were the Middle Ages, this damn rich guy could practically demand the 'right of the first night' in Florida!"

Thomas didn't know how to order at McDonald's, but he knew about history and the concept of "first night."

So he immediately and politely retorted.

"Mr. Viren, the 'right of the first night' is a violation of human rights and is extremely immoral. Even in the United States, this law would never be written into any federal law. And I myself am extremely opposed to this privilege—it is truly abnormal."

Wesker was not moved at all; on the contrary, he was even more annoyed.

Because, as a former upper-middle-class individual, he had some limited understanding of the true "upper class."

But now, through Thomas, he truly understands the gap—it's like two completely different worlds.

But Levi has made it clear that he will not allow him to kill Thomas, that "pure gold bastard".

He had no choice but to settle for second best.

"Can I beat him up?"

"Why? Did I do something wrong?"

Thomas was both nervous and confused.

"No, because that would be very impolite."

Only then did Levi have a chance to speak up against Wesker, and then, like a kindergarten teacher, he grabbed Wesker and Thomas's hands and put them together.

"Regardless of what happened in the past, you now share a common dual identity—members of the 'Lee Wei Gang,' and friends of Lee Wei."

"And I, I don't want to see my friends drawing guns and shooting at each other, is that a problem?"

"I have no problem."

Thomas always seems to be so reasonable.

But Wesker looked completely shocked.

"We're friends? When did that start?"

"From the moment you told me you wouldn't sell me out for less than twenty million."

Wesker was stunned, then couldn't help but ask a question.

"Has your condition worsened again? Is it even starting to affect your thinking and logic, making you less intelligent?"

"Hey Wesker! Did you have to kick my butt just when I was about to get the toy I'd been wanting and I was in a really good mood?"

Wesker didn't retaliate; instead, he sighed.

"Okay, I once thought I could keep up with your train of thought. But it turns out, how could a normal person possibly understand the thinking of a lunatic?"

Li Wei smiled dismissively.

"Stop praising yourself. Is that normal? You, me, Thomas—who among us has anything to do with that word?"

Thomas's first thought was that Levi was scolding him, but having already embarrassed himself, he didn't rush to defend himself. Instead, he listened silently and tried to learn.

Of course, when he saw the waiter's still smiling expression, he felt that... maybe... probably... possibly... there really was a little bit abnormal about him?

But regardless, it's time for him to order.

"So, what can I order?"

"You bastard, you only deserve to eat the 'poor man's meal'!"

Wesker did not let go of his jealousy of Thomas.

"See the menu behind the waiter? Order whichever one you're interested in."

Li Wei didn't say much, but remained as casual as ever.

Thomas didn't mind because he was studying.

Ultimately, he decided to study as much as possible.

"Then, please give me one of everything on the menu."

Fuck you!

This time, the person being criticized is Li Wei.

Then, Levi shook off Wesker and Thomas and turned to walk towards the door.

"Hey! Levi! If you're going back to get a gun, remember to take mine with you. I want to take down that bastard Thomas too!"

Hearing Wesker's rant, Li Wei cursed without turning his head.

"I'm going to find a way to get the money to pay the bill! If Thomas's dead when I get back, I'll show you, old man, what a rude thing to do!"

"Also, you two stay here and don't run around! Keep an eye on my toys! If anything happens to them, I'll hang you both!"

"Bang!"

Levi slammed the door and left, leaving Wesker and Thomas looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Sir! Please remember! We only accept cash and credit cards!"

The waiter didn't forget to remind Li Wei at the crucial moment, and Li Wei's response was very simple—one middle finger.