American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others

These words brought laughter to the living room, and George also breathed a sigh of relief, saying with a smile, "That's good, that's good."

Lynn sat down and chatted casually with Gwen's friends. He discovered that Allie was the lead singer of Gwen's band, with a cheerful and lively personality, while Kevin was a member of the school's technology club, introverted but meticulous. They occasionally mentioned Gwen's performance at school, saying that she was very opinionated in the band and always full of creativity.

"Gwen is usually very independent," Allie said. "Whether it's academics or hobbies, she can always find her own direction. We all admire her quite a bit."

Listening to these words, Lynn couldn't help but feel a surge of comfort in his heart. He realized that the little girl who used to run after him had now grown into a young woman with her own opinions and abilities.

That evening, after Gwen's friends said goodbye and left, the house returned to silence. George sat on the sofa, rubbing his shoulders, and said with emotion, "Gwen's friends are really good, you can tell she's having a fulfilling time at school."

Lynn nodded, looking at Gwen who was clearing the table: "Yes, she's more independent than I thought. I'm proud of her."

Hearing this, Gwen looked up and smiled: "Bro, why are you praising me so much today? It's unusual!"

George jokingly teased, "Your brother hasn't gotten used to the fact that you don't need him to take care of you anymore."

The whole family burst into laughter.

In the evening, Lynn offered to take Allie and Kevin home. Gwen originally wanted to go with him, but Lynn patted her on the shoulder: "Don't worry, I'll get your friends home safely. You stay home and keep Dad company."

Allie and Kevin followed Lynn out of the house. The streetlights were dim, and the air carried the coolness of early autumn. The three walked and chatted. Allie said with a smile, "You're such a good brother. Gwen always says you're busy with work, but I didn't expect you to be willing to take the time to send us."

"Gwen is my sister, so naturally I have to take good care of her friends," Lynn said with a smile. "However, taking you home is also a way for me to find some fun."

Kevin glanced at Lynn somewhat shyly and said, "Mr. Stacy, Gwen often mentions you. She says you're very capable."

Lynn smiled and was about to answer when several loud laughs suddenly came from the alley ahead, and a few petty thugs in loose clothing blocked the way. They leaned against the wall in twos and threes, holding beer bottles in their hands, with malicious smiles on their faces.

"Yo, look who's here," one of the tall, thin thugs said lazily. "Out with kids so late? Mister, where are you going?"

Lynn stopped, narrowed his eyes slightly, and signaled Allie and Kevin to stand behind him. His voice was calm and deep: "Just passing by, don't want to cause trouble."

"Too bad," another bald thug stepped forward, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth. "We just want to have some fun. Leave something behind as a toll."

Lynn smiled indifferently, stepped forward to stand in front of Allie and Kevin, and his voice became even lower: "I'll say it again, don't cause trouble. You don't want to know the consequences of provoking me."

The tall, thin thug raised an eyebrow: "Yo, this mister is quite tough."

Before he finished speaking, he raised his hand and swung the beer bottle at Lynn. Lynn quickly sidestepped, reached out and grabbed his wrist, snatched the beer bottle with a clever twist, and at the same time swept his foot against his knee, knocking him to the ground. The other thugs cursed and surrounded him, but Lynn was obviously prepared.

He dodged the bald thug's punch with a flash, and used his arm to restrain the other's arm, throwing him heavily to the ground. Then, Lynn calmly glanced at the remaining people, his voice like ice: "Want to try? I'm game."

The thugs obviously didn't expect Lynn to be so agile. After looking at each other, they retreated while cursing. The tall, thin thug got up from the ground, pointed at Lynn fiercely, and said, "You're ruthless, we'll let you off today!"

After speaking, they quickly disappeared into the end of the alley.

Lynn breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Allie and Kevin: "Are you guys okay?"

Allie stared at Lynn in stunned amazement, her eyes full of admiration: "Mr. Stacy, your movements just now were like a hero in a movie! So cool!"

Kevin also said with a face full of amazement: "Really, I've never seen anyone solve this kind of thing so decisively."

Lynn chuckled lightly and waved his hand: "It's nothing, just a small scene. However, the two of you must remember that in this kind of situation, the most important thing is to protect yourself and stay away from danger. There won't always be someone to help you."

Allie and Kevin nodded repeatedly, the admiration in their eyes undiminished.

After safely taking the two home, Lynn walked home alone, the wind on the street bringing bursts of coolness. He recalled what had just happened, and the corners of his mouth raised slightly in a smile. Although it was just a small episode, Lynn felt a long-lost sense of satisfaction in fulfilling his responsibility to his sister's friends and putting their minds at ease.

When he got home, Gwen was sitting on the sofa waiting for him. Seeing Lynn enter, she immediately got up and asked, "Bro, did they get home safely?"

"Of course," Lynn nodded with a smile. "I also gave them a lesson on how to identify danger, by the way."

Gwen blinked and asked curiously, "What lesson?"

Lynn smiled without saying a word, patted Gwen on the head, and said softly, "You should be more concerned about what they learned, not what I taught."

In the evening, Lynn sat on the sofa, holding a file in his hand, preparing to sort out some trivial matters at work. Gwen came out of the kitchen, holding a cup of hot cocoa in her hand, sat directly next to Lynn, and handed him the cup.

"Bro," Gwen said with a smile, "Dad's birthday is coming up soon, have you thought about what gift to give him?"

Lynn was stunned for a moment, put down the file in his hand, and looked up at Gwen: "His birthday? It's coming up so soon?"

Gwen rolled her eyes and joked, "Are you too busy and forgot Dad's birthday? Luckily I reminded you."

Lynn scratched the back of his head, revealing an embarrassed smile: "I really didn't notice. What about you? Have you prepared anything yet?"

"Of course!" Gwen said triumphantly. "I made a photo album of our childhood, and added some recent family photos. I think Dad will like it very much."

Lynn nodded, revealing a hint of approval: "Good idea, Dad will definitely be touched. But I'm not as creative as you, and I really don't know what to give."

"Then you have to hurry," Gwen looked at Lynn with a "I can't help you" expression. "Dad's birthday waits for no one."

Lynn shook his head with a smile: "Alright, I'll think of something tomorrow."

The next day, Lynn took some free time and called Kate. After the call was connected, Kate's voice came from the other end: "Lynn? You're calling me at this time, is there another case?"

"This time it's not a case," Lynn said with a wry smile. "It's my dad's birthday is coming up, and I need some gift suggestions. You should have a lot of good ideas in your head, right?"

Kate chuckled lightly, seemingly finding Lynn's "family troubles" novel: "Oh, Mr. George's birthday? You know how to ask for help. Does he have any special hobbies recently?"

Lynn frowned: "Hobbies? To be honest, he's been busy with community affairs since he retired. He usually just watches the news and takes walks, nothing special."

Kate pondered for a while and said, "If that's the case, maybe you can start with his lifestyle habits, such as a comfortable massage chair? Or a custom watch engraved with the names of his family members, representing the meaning of family."

Lynn nodded, thinking that Kate's suggestion was very practical: "A custom watch sounds good. Dad always cherishes time and likes practical things."

"Then it's settled," Kate said with a smile. "But don't forget that the most important thing about this gift is not the price, but your heart for him. If you have time, write a letter or record a blessing video and send it with the gift, it will definitely move him."

Lynn said gratefully: "Thank you, Kate, you always have a way to enlighten me."

"You're welcome, I'm looking forward to hearing Mr. George's reaction after receiving the gift," Kate joked. "Also, remember to tell me what Gwen prepared, maybe it can give me more inspiration."

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After hanging up the phone, Lynn immediately started customizing the watch and began to conceive a birthday blessing video for George.

Following Kate's suggestion, Lynn found a watch shop with a hundred-year history. The owner was an old watchmaker with gray hair named Howard. Although his shop was not large, there were various exquisite pocket watches and wristwatches displayed behind the counter, each exuding the accumulation of years.

Lynn pushed open the door, and Howard was focusing on repairing an antique pocket watch with a magnifying glass. Hearing the movement, he looked up and said in a hoarse but gentle voice, "Welcome, what can I help you with?"

Lynn nodded, walked to the counter, and told Howard his idea: "I hope to customize a watch as a gift for my father. His birthday is coming up soon, and I want a custom watch engraved with the names of our family members. I don't know if you can do it here."

Howard put down the tools in his hand and carefully looked Lynn up and down, as if thinking about something. He suddenly revealed a smile: "You are Lynn Stacy, right? I've seen you on TV. You are a detective, aren't you?"

Lynn was slightly stunned, then smiled and nodded: "That's right, I am."

Howard put down the magnifying glass and slowly stood up: "I've heard a lot about your story. Since it's your father's birthday, I'm of course willing to help. However, I don't need a service fee this time."

"Why?" Lynn asked curiously. "Your craftsmanship is so good, I'm willing to pay you the fees you deserve."

Howard waved his hand and sighed: "It's not a matter of money. I just hope you can do me a favor."

Lynn's brow furrowed slightly: "What favor?"

Howard's expression became heavy, and his voice lowered: "My daughter Martha… she has been abused by her husband. She tried to leave, but every time she was threatened or even violently forced back. I'm old and can't protect her at all. I know you are an upright person. If you are willing, I hope you can help her get out of this predicament."

Lynn's eyes instantly became serious: "Is your daughter okay now?"

Howard shook his head, his eyes full of pain: "She called me yesterday, and her voice sounded very weak. I'm worried she may not be able to hold on for too long this time. But I don't know what else to do…"

Lynn nodded, his tone firm: "Mr. Howard, I will help you. Please tell me her address, I will deal with this as soon as possible."

A trace of gratitude flashed in Howard's eyes. He took out a piece of paper, wrote down Martha's address, and handed it to Lynn with both hands: "Thank you, Detective. I know I'm being presumptuous, but this is my only hope."

Lynn took the note and said soothingly: "Don't worry, I will do my best to ensure her safety. However, you must also be prepared, if she is willing to leave, you need to provide her with a safe place."

Howard nodded: "As long as she is safe, I am willing to let her live in the store."

After leaving the watch shop, Lynn immediately called Mark and briefly explained the situation. Mark immediately responded on the other end of the phone: "Understood, I will check out her husband's background. If there is a history of domestic violence, we can take action."

Lynn hung up the phone, feeling a sense of heaviness in his heart.

Lynn and Mark began to investigate Martha's situation. They first contacted Martha's neighbors, hoping to find some clues through the descriptions of the people around her. However, to the surprise of the two, almost all the neighbors gave Martha's husband a fairly good evaluation.

"Oh, John? He is a very good man, always helping us move things, and he will also send small gifts during the holidays," a middle-aged neighbor said with a smile. "They seem to have always been very loving as a couple."

"Martha? She rarely goes out, but every time I see her, she is very polite," another neighbor added. "I have never heard of any conflicts between them. They are very quiet and have never heard any quarrels."

These descriptions made Lynn and Mark frown even tighter. Obviously, Martha's husband, John, was a person who was good at hiding his true face. He behaved decently outside, but his domestic violence had never aroused suspicion from the outside world.

"This person is very smart," Mark said in a low voice. "He knows how to control the situation and prevent neighbors from discovering his true face. We need to find more direct evidence, otherwise it will be difficult to hold him accountable under the law."

Lynn nodded, his eyes becoming even colder: "There are no eyewitnesses, and the neighbors have not heard anything unusual, which is indeed tricky. But the more careful he is, the deeper his crimes are. We must find Martha and listen to her personal description."

The two decided to go to Martha's residence to check the situation first. Arriving at that ordinary apartment building, Lynn knocked on the door, but no one answered. After a while, a thin woman poked her head out of the crack of the door, it was Martha. Her face had faint bruises, and her eyes were evasive, obviously very nervous.

"Ms. Martha, I am Lynn Stacy, an FBI detective. This is my colleague Mark," Lynn showed his badge and tried to speak in a gentle tone. "We are here to help you, your father is very worried about you."

Martha's eyes immediately welled up with tears, but she quickly wiped them away with her hand, her voice full of fear: "You shouldn't have come, if he knows, he will be even more angry."