American comic book: I, with my abundant martial virtue, love to do good to others.

Lynn smiled slightly, opened the car door, and gestured for her to get in: "You're my 'major case' today, how could you be late?"

The two drove together to a nearby coffee shop. They had just ordered their coffee and hadn't been seated long when a stylishly dressed, confident-looking man suddenly approached Kate, smiling almost obsequiously: "Kate! What a coincidence, I didn't expect to run into you here."

Kate looked up, her smile instantly freezing: "Bruce? What are you doing here?"

"Of course it's for you," the man said without any attempt to hide it, pulling out the chair next to Kate and sitting down. "I've been thinking about you a lot lately, and since I had some free time today, I thought I'd try my luck here, and I actually ran into you!"

Lynn raised an eyebrow. He sat opposite him without saying a word, but his gaze turned colder. He subtly sized up the overly familiar man.

Kate was clearly a little embarrassed, and she tried to keep her tone polite: "Bruce, I think you might have misunderstood. I have an appointment with a friend today, so I'm afraid I can't accompany you."

Bruce completely ignored Kate's polite refusal and turned his attention directly to Lynn, giving her what he thought was a friendly smile: "And this is... not your colleague, is she?"

Lynn looked up, her tone cool but polite: "I am Lynn Stacy, Kate's friend."

Bruce paused for a moment, then chuckled to himself, "A friend? That's alright then. I've known Kate for a long time and have been wanting to get to know her better."

Kate was slightly displeased and was about to speak when Lynn interrupted her unhurriedly: "Mr. Bruce, do you know Kate's profession?"

Bruce was clearly taken aback by the question, but he answered nonchalantly, "Of course I know, she's a journalist, very talented."

Lynn nodded, her tone still calm: "In that case, you should understand that her time is extremely precious, and every minute and every second could be used to uncover the truth. What you are taking up now is her only private time."

Bruce's smile froze for a moment, seemingly surprised by Lynn's directness, but he quickly regained his confidence: "Well, we're friends, it's a rare opportunity to relax, it's good to chat."

Kate finally lost her temper. She put down her coffee cup, her tone turning cold: "Bruce, I think I've made myself perfectly clear. Today's arrangements are none of your business. Please leave."

Bruce wanted to say something, but Lynn's gaze was already fixed on him. That look was calm and sharp, as if silently telling him that if he continued to argue, something even more unpleasant would happen.

Bruce finally gave in, stood up, and said with an awkward smile, "Alright, Kate, I won't bother you any longer. But remember, you're welcome to contact me anytime."

After Bruce left, Kate rubbed her temples, her tone tinged with helplessness: "I'm so sorry, Lynn, for making you get into this mess."

Lynn picked up her coffee, took a small sip, and said calmly, "No need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong; he just didn't know his place."

Kate looked at Lynn and suddenly smiled: "Actually, you were pretty cool just now, calm and reassuring."

Lynn put down his coffee cup, a slight smile playing on his lips: "This is one of the detective's professional skills—preventing unnecessary 'interference'."

The two exchanged a smile, and a relaxed understanding filled the air.

That evening, Kate invited Lynn to her apartment. This was Lynn's first time stepping into Kate's private space. His gaze swept over the neat and cozy living room, the bookshelves filled with various books, and the walls adorned with several news photographs she had taken—every detail exuded Kate's personal charm.

"Sit down, don't be shy." Kate smiled, took off her coat and hung it on the hanger, then walked into the kitchen. "You're in for a treat today, I'm going to cook some steak myself."

Lynn smiled slightly, sat on the sofa, and watched her busy figure: "Do you often cook for yourself?"

"Of course!" Kate raised her eyebrows, a hint of pride in her voice. "Although it's not often, my cooking skills are quite good."

Lynn nodded slightly, saying nothing more, and simply leaned back on the sofa in relaxation. The soft sounds of chopping vegetables and clinking spice bottles came from the kitchen. He closed his eyes, savoring the moment of peace.

However, less than ten minutes later, a burnt smell suddenly wafted from the kitchen. Lynn opened his eyes abruptly, got up and went to the kitchen doorway, where he saw Kate standing in front of the stove, frantically flipping the steak in the pan with a spatula, but one side of the steak had already turned black.

"Oh no!" Kate looked annoyed, and became even more embarrassed when she saw Lynn walk in. "Lynn, I... I think I overcooked it."

Lynn couldn't help but smile and walked to her side: "It seems you need some help."

"I followed the instructions exactly!" Kate sighed, handing the spatula to Lynn. "Fine, you do it, I give up."

Lynn took the spatula and glanced down at the pan. He quickly turned down the heat, removed the charred steak, and placed another piece of meat back in. Then, he took several bottles of seasoning from the spice rack, skillfully sprinkled in the right amount of salt and black pepper, and greased the bottom of the pan with a pat of butter to ensure the steak heated evenly.

Kate stood to the side, watching Lynn's skillful movements, and couldn't help but ask, "You seem very experienced. I didn't know you had this skill."

As Lynn seared the steak, he chuckled softly, "Working for the FBI, I don't have time to eat out often. Sometimes after a mission, going home and making myself a simple dinner is a way to relax."

Kate rested her chin on her hand, looking at him with a hint of admiration in her eyes: "It seems that my invitation to your home has turned into you cooking for me. I'm so sorry."

"Don't feel embarrassed." Lynn flipped the steak, made sure it was golden brown, and then plated it. She then made a simple mushroom sauce and poured it over it. "We completed this as a collaboration."

Kate took the plate, looked at the perfect presentation, and a hint of gratitude flashed in her eyes: "Cooperation? Hmm, then I'll just be responsible for causing trouble, and you'll be responsible for making a beautiful and delicious finished product."

Lynn put down the spatula, washed her hands, and turned to look at her: "If this is your 'troublemaking,' then I'm happy to cooperate."

Kate smiled, placed the steak on the table, and invited Lynn to sit down. They raised their glasses and clinked them together lightly.

"Cheers to this unexpectedly delicious dinner," Kate said with a smile.

"Cheers to friendship and cooperation," Lynn replied, a hint of warmth in her eyes.

After dinner, the two sat on the sofa. Kate held a glass of red wine, gently swirling the liquid. She looked at Lynn, a hint of anticipation in her voice, "Lynn, I'm going to New York tomorrow for a press conference. Many well-known journalists will be there to discuss industry trends and share their experiences. Would you like to come along?"

Lynn looked up, thought for a moment, and said, "A press conference? That sounds good. But I need to go back and check my work schedule first. If there aren't any important cases, I'll consider it."

Kate smiled, her tone light: "You're always so serious, you're too demanding of yourself. You should relax sometimes, change your environment, listen to other people's stories, maybe that will inspire some new ideas."

Lynn nodded, but her tone remained rational: "It is indeed a good suggestion, but you know the nature of my work. Unexpected situations always take precedence over plans."

Kate took a sip of red wine and sighed, "That's true. A detective's daily routine isn't as flexible as ours as a reporter's. Anyway, I'm leaving early tomorrow morning. If you decide to go, you can contact me directly. I'll introduce you to some big names in the industry, and maybe they can even give you some inspiration for the case."

Lynn smiled slightly and picked up his teacup: "Thank you for the invitation. In any case, I wish you learn something new at the conference, and incidentally, win some glory for the Manhattan reporters."

Kate gently touched Lynn's cup and smiled, "Don't worry, I'm not just there to observe; I'm invited to share my thoughts."

Lynn raised an eyebrow, a hint of approval in her voice: "You're truly remarkable, Kate. I hope your presentation will amaze everyone."

Kate raised her eyebrows and gave a confident smile: "Of course. Reporters from the Manhattan Chronicle never disappoint."

The two chatted for a while longer until night fell. Lynn got up to leave, and Kate stood at the door watching him go, a hint of expectation in her eyes. She didn't know if Lynn would attend the conference, but she secretly hoped that he would choose to put down the burden of his work and give himself some breathing room.

The next morning, Lynn arrived at his office early as usual. He had barely sat down when the phone rang; it was the branch's administrative manager calling.

"Detective, the FBI headquarters in New York recently organized an advanced training program on interagency cooperation and new crime investigation techniques. We've received invitations, but there are limited spots available. Would you like to participate?"

Lynn held the phone, a smile unconsciously creeping onto her lips: "When does the training start?"

"Headquarters has already arranged for your reception at 3 PM this afternoon. The meeting materials have also been sent to you," the supervisor explained.

The latest novel is first published here!

Lynn nodded, her tone decisive: "Okay, I'll participate. Thanks for letting me know."

After hanging up the phone, Lynn's mind drifted back to the press conference Kate had mentioned the night before. This opportunity gave him a legitimate reason to travel to New York and accompany Kate.

Shortly after, Lynn dialed Kate's number.

"Hello, Kate, it's me."

"Lynn?" Kate's voice held a hint of surprise. "Why did you call so early?"

"I just happen to have a chance to go to New York," Lynn explained casually. "There's a training program at headquarters that starts this afternoon. I was thinking, since we're going to the same city, how about we go together?"

Kate on the other end of the phone was clearly taken aback for a moment, then laughed: "You're just making up an excuse, aren't you? But that's good, having a colleague saves me from being bored alone."

"Then it's settled," Lynn said with a smile. "I'll pick you up downstairs in a little while, remember not to be late."

"Don't worry, Inspector," Kate said with a hint of teasing. "Just don't keep the reporters waiting."

At 11 a.m., Lynn drove his car to Kate's apartment building. Kate was already dressed and ready, carrying a small suitcase and wearing a light-colored trench coat, looking capable and elegant.

"Good timing, Inspector," Kate joked after getting into the car. "Looks like the FBI's efficiency is still reliable."

"Of course." Lynn started the engine and looked ahead. "Just like a reporter's punctuality."

The two drove to New York in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. They talked about Kate's sharing topic and Lynn's upcoming training program. Kate was clearly curious about the inner workings of the FBI, asking questions from time to time, which Lynn patiently answered.

A few hours later, the car drove into downtown New York City, and Lynn dropped Kate off outside the venue for the press conference.

"Call me after this afternoon," Lynn said, her eyes filled with concern. "If the time is right, I'll take you to try some authentic New York dinner."

Kate gave a playful smile and waved her hand: "Sure, Inspector, it depends on whether you have time."

Lynn felt a sense of relief as she watched Kate walk into the venue.

At seven o'clock in the evening, Kate's meeting ended. She walked out of the meeting room with a relaxed expression and saw Lynn already standing at the door waiting for her, holding a cup of hot coffee.

"Detective, you're very punctual." Kate smiled as she took the coffee, clearly in a good mood. "The meeting went very well, and everyone enjoyed my presentation."

"Of course." Lynn smiled slightly. "You're the Manhattan Chronicle's star reporter. Now that you've accomplished your mission, it's time to reward yourself with a big meal."

Kate raised an eyebrow: "Sounds good, but hopefully it won't disappoint me."

Lynn smiled and led her to the car, where they soon arrived at a restaurant renowned for its exquisite French cuisine. The lighting was soft, the atmosphere tranquil, creating a perfectly relaxed ambiance.

They ordered several signature dishes, paired with champagne, and the atmosphere at the table became increasingly relaxed and pleasant. Kate chatted about interesting things that happened during the meeting, while Lynn shared some observations from the training. The two occasionally exchanged smiles, as if everything was going perfectly.

However, just as the dessert was being served, a sudden commotion erupted outside. Accompanied by the sound of shattering glass and screams, people rushed into the restaurant through the windows, their faces filled with terror.

"What happened?" Kate put down her knife and fork and asked, frowning.

Lynn stood up and quickly looked around: "Stay here and don't move. I'll go out and take a look."

He pushed through the panicked crowd and reached the restaurant's outside. There, on the street, a mutant was waving his hands, and a powerful aura overturned the surrounding streetlights and cars, sending sparks flying from electrical wires as people scattered in panic.

The mutant roared, "Stop oppressing us! I want everyone to know that we mutants are human beings too, with dignity and rights!"

Lynn frowned, quickly pulled out his badge, gestured for passersby to move aside, then approached the mutant, his tone calm and firm: "I'm an FBI agent. Calm down! Nobody wants to hurt you. We can sit down and talk about it."

The mutant turned and saw Lynn, a flicker of hesitation crossing his eyes, but he was clearly driven by emotion, roaring, "Talk? We've been talking for decades, and what's the result? We're still ostracized and discriminated against!"

"I understand your anger," Lynn said slowly, his voice low. "But your current behavior will only make people more afraid of you, and it won't solve the problem. Stop, let's find a better way." (End of Chapter)