The real life of an American police officer: Winning over others with virtue

Chapter 225 Return
Standing behind, Eric listened to the conversation between the two men, his face remaining expressionless, but inwardly he was starting to have doubts.

These two seem to have some lingering feelings for each other.

Suddenly, a noise reached his ears. Eric instinctively looked over and saw Bill's daughter, upon discovering the situation, her face immediately lit up with a surprised and innocent smile, shouting:

"Dad!" She rushed over like a little bird through the crowd.

Seeing this, Eric could tell that Bill and his daughter's relationship seemed to be doing quite well, not the way he had imagined.

“Oh, darling.” Bill immediately smiled warmly from the bottom of his heart, his eyes filled with love.

He opened his arms and caught his daughter as she lunged at him.

Happy birthday, my baby.

This showed Eric another side of Bill, a stark contrast between his tough exterior and tender heart, truly befitting a doting father.

Kimmy snuggled against her father, and when she looked up, her gaze inadvertently swept over Eric, or rather, a very handsome man, standing to the side.

She blinked her bright eyes, a youthful amazement and curiosity flashing across them without any attempt to conceal them.

Eric caught her gaze and simply nodded slightly.

Jinmi wanted to respond, but her father had already let go, so her attention was quickly drawn to the gift box in her father's hand.

Seeing this, Lenore said, "I'm talking to your father about how we should place the gifts."

However, Jinmi simply looked at the gift box, tilted her delicate chin, and asked with undisguised excitement, "What is this?"

Bill handed her the gift box with a hint of barely perceptible nervousness and anticipation.

"A birthday present for you."

Leno added, “It’s not a good habit to open this gift without opening the others; it’s impolite.”

Bill only said one thing: "Come on, open it."

Jinmi immediately ignored her mother's words and eagerly reached for the box with her fingertips.

Lenore secretly glared at Bill.

"Wow, so cool!" After opening it, Jinmi didn't show any disgust on her face; instead, she kept smiling.

Eric concluded that she was clearly a well-behaved girl, and his decision to buy the watch seemed unnecessary, but it didn't really matter.

"A sound card? A microphone kit?" Lenore's voice rang out.

Bill calmly replied, "I remember she wanted to be a singer."

"That was when we were twelve, Bill," Leno said. "We've all changed."

A look of helplessness flashed in Jinmi's eyes. Sensing something, she glanced over and her gaze met the handsome man's briefly before looking away.
"Thank you, Daddy!"

Bill smiled and said like a loving father, "I'm glad you like it." Then he hugged Kimmy.

“I still want to be a singer, don’t tell Mommy.” Kimmy glanced at Eric out of the corner of her eye and whispered in Bill’s ear.

“Okay,” Bill replied softly, and after the hug, he finally thought of Eric.

"Oh, by the way, let me introduce you."

Upon hearing this, Kimmy's bright eyes finally focused entirely on Eric:

"I've been curious about who this handsome guy is for a long time!"

Lenore followed his gaze, his eyes filled with inquiry.

“Eric, my friend, I just stopped by to drop by.” Bill stepped aside and introduced Eric to Kimmy.

"Hi, Kimmy, happy birthday." Eric stepped forward.

"Hi, Eric! Thank you for coming!" Kimmy's smile brightened, filled with the enthusiasm and curiosity unique to a young girl.

"Are all of Daddy's friends this handsome?" she couldn't help but whisper, her eyes shining as she boldly sized up Eric.

Lenore cleared his throat, seemingly wanting to remind his daughter to be more reserved, but said nothing.

Eric glanced at the expressionless Bill below and coughed lightly. "Since we're here, we can't come empty-handed." Eric said, and under Lenore's stunned gaze, he took an extremely exquisite dark blue square box with a gold-stamped logo from his handbag and handed it to Kimmy.

The Cartier logo is prominently displayed.

"This is a birthday present I prepared for you. I hope you like it."

Lenore's brow furrowed noticeably this time, her eyes filled with surprise and a hint of wariness. She glanced quickly at Bill.

Bill remained unmoved.

"What's this?" Jinmi asked with a look of surprise. She took the small box, opened it, and her eyes widened instantly when she saw the women's wristwatch inside.

"Wow! This is so beautiful! Thank you for the gift, Eric, I love it." Kimmy suddenly stepped forward and gave Eric a quick hug, filled with the scent of a young girl.

Kimmy's actions were too sudden, and Lenore's expression began to change.

Eric saw Bill manage a weak smile and stand rooted to the spot, not daring to move.
"Well, you're welcome."

Jin Mi let go of his hand, her cheeks slightly flushed. This handsome guy smelled really good.

Bill then pulled out a camera he had prepared beforehand from his pocket: "Come on, let's take a picture to remember this moment."

Now, apart from Leno not wanting to be photographed, even Eric was photographed with the group.

With a click, time stood still.

-

Boston South Station.

Beneath the massive arched glass roof, the air was thick with the mingled scents of diesel fuel, aged coffee, and anxiety.

"Are you sure you want to choose such a troublesome way?" Bill looked at Eric, who was standing next to him, unconsciously fiddling with the shoulder strap of his backpack with his other hand.

Apart from airplanes, there are no direct passenger trains, bullet trains, or high-speed trains from Boston to Los Angeles.

Therefore, Eric needs to go to Chicago Union Station and transfer to the Southwest Chief to get to Los Angeles.

It will take at least three days to get there.

"There's nothing I can do, I'm still a bit traumatized from last time," Eric said.

"I don't dare to fly right now, at least not."

Bill chuckled silently: "True."

"To be honest, that hug came quite suddenly," Eric explained, as if remembering something.

“I know,” Bill said helplessly.

"Eric, I'm not an old-fashioned person."

Eric just smiled and saw the status on the sign finally turn green in English, followed by a boarding announcement.

"I should go, Bill."

Bill said, "Alright! Goodbye, Eric."

“Goodbye, Bill.” Eric nodded and walked toward Platform 13 under Bill’s gaze.

The massive lakeside express train, like a weary blue steel dragon, lies quietly on the tracks.

There weren't many passengers; most were weary travelers carrying large bags, or a few elderly people with silver hair carrying thick books—the kind of people who had time to spend on the train.

Eric stopped at the carriage door and glanced in Bill's direction.

He was still standing there watching.

Eric raised his hand and waved. With Bill nodding in acknowledgment, he stepped onto the carriage steps and entered the carriage.

The train conductor stood by the carriage door, whistle in hand, and urged in a flat voice, "Passengers bound for Chicago, please board as soon as possible! Last call!"

"."

(End of this chapter)