Chapter 8: Old Dai of China (Part 1)
Rhyme had Daimler's three workers ride in his Hummer, leading the US military back into Baghdad.
Dai Mei'er sat down beside Laim, her big black eyes staring at Laim's military uniform from left to right, making Laim feel embarrassed. She said: "My clothes aren't bulletproof vests, don't let your eyes poke 'holes' in them."
"It's so cool, handsome and awesome!" Daimi'er made an exaggerated expression and said, "Hey, how did this American guy learn to speak Chinese? And with such standard pronunciation and a strong Beijing accent. Where did you learn it? Who taught you?"
"I can speak many languages, Russian, French, Arabic, but I don't think it's necessary to report to you who I learned from?" Laim thought this 'girl' was quite similar to his pre-crossing 'daughter' Zhao Xiangxiang, trendy, clever, liked to use exaggerated expressions, and couldn't help but affectionately pat her shoulder, "Little lass."
"An American also knows 'report' and 'young lady', covered." Daimi chuckled, "But, young lady is used incorrectly, this is what elders say to younger ones, you are not young but looking at your age, subtracting a dozen years or so, it's just 17 or 18. I'm 22, you're not necessarily older than me."
"Are you counting your age like that? Minus twenty years, you're still in kindergarten with a runny nose." Laym also couldn't help but laugh. "When did you come to Iraq?"
"It's been a while. In 1998, my dad came to Iraq and opened the Chinese Old Dai chain restaurant, it's very famous, have you heard of it?"
"I've never heard of it."
"Dizzy. Too miserable." Dai Mei'er said with a start, "Old China's Dai, in Baghdad alone there were three houses, all of Iraq had five houses, more famous than your American McDonald's and KFC. Unfortunately, you beat Saddam, and also beat them down, bombed to the point where they were similar to the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia, leaving only two shops that escaped your missiles, and the things inside were looted by thieves. A whole family went from being wealthy tycoons to becoming poor wretches. And I became a street beggar, waiting for some kind-hearted person to take me in. Hey, Colonel sir, I think you're a kind-hearted person, please, have mercy on me and take me in."
Dai Mei'er's eyes sparkled with a sly gaze, pulling on Laimu's arm, half in a playful scold and half in flirtation.
Laimu's heart skipped a beat, thinking that after two lifetimes of ups and downs, he couldn't let this little girl fool him. He smiled and said: "You were picked up by me on the side of the road, you're already my property. One day I'll hang a sign on your chest and hold a big sale, bleeding out loud, let's see how much money you can sell for?"
"Get out." Dai Mei'er was taken aback, laughing as she raised two pink fists towards Laimu. He caught them with one hand, and her momentum carried her forward, causing her plump body to tumble onto his leg. It was soft and gentle. Laimu's lower body immediately swelled up. He felt a strange sensation, a long-forgotten feeling, but also a sense of shame. He had lived two lifetimes, yet he had capsized again for this little girl. He gently tried to pull her up. Dai Mei'er's face was also flushed red, and as she used her hands to push herself up from his leg, she accidentally placed her left hand on the most critical spot, stimulating him further and making her face even redder.
The two sat up straight, neither of them having anything more to say.
Three kilometers from the Baghdad city center is a US military base, where Ryme leaves the assault team and prisoners, letting Duncan return to the barracks with the Wolf Pack. Entering the city center, Ryme instructs Major Mac to lead the assault team in escorting the twelve prisoners to the Intelligence Development Center. He wants to send Daimler's three people back to Zhao Hengyang's Overseas Oil Company, and as they drive into a neighborhood, two Iraqi workers say their homes are nearby and get out of the car. Ryme turns to look at Daimler, who also doesn't want to go back to the company, saying her home is in the northern part of the city, so just take her there. Ryme glances at his watch, seeing it's almost noon, and says: "Beautiful woman, you must be hungry too, let's go eat something, okay?"
Dai Mei'er said: "You saved me, I should be the one to treat you to a meal. However, during wartime, eating a meal costs an arm and a leg, I really can't afford it."
"Can I count on street beggars?"
"Hehe, then... I'll just pretend to be a street beggar for once."
During the war, it was really hard to find something to eat. Lem had to drive around for a while before finding a halal restaurant, and they sat down by the window, ordering a few dishes. Lem ordered a bottle of beer, but Demei didn't drink, so she ordered a bowl of noodles instead. She was really hungry, and as soon as the waiter brought the noodles over, she started slurping them up noisily. Lem slowly sipped his beer, quietly watching her eat, and Demei felt his gaze, feeling embarrassed: "I must look really ugly while eating?"
"Looks great, just like my daughter." Lyme blurted out.
"Your daughter?" Daisy was shocked, "You're married and have a daughter? How old is she?"
"Huh, no." Lime said dreamily, "My 'daughter' is still in some woman's belly, I reckon. When my 'daughter' grows up to be as old as you, she should be just like you."
"Alright, save my life and then act like my dad? My dad has worked so hard to give me money to spend, to support me through college, and to care about my future. You can't be my dad, you're just a handsome foreigner... I mean, let's just say you're my older brother."
Old brother? What old brother, there's only dad and husband. Laim understood the meaning of Demi's half-sentence. This made him come to his senses, he was no longer the old man Zhao Changsha in his twilight years, but a young handsome guy Laim in the eyes of the little girl: "Alright, let's just say I'm your older brother then. If you have any difficulties in the future, come find me, this older brother will definitely help you."
