America: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 126 Darkening of the Forehead

We returned to Camp 19.

After Zhang Ailun got into the car and properly settled his belongings, he drove the pickup truck that was idle at the campsite.

I put on my DG sunglasses, pulled out the box of chewing gum that Sieg had bought—I don't know what brand it was—chewed a piece, and put on some energetic West Coast music. I turned the steering wheel, floored the gas pedal, and sped out of the campsite.

It felt like flying. My skillful driving techniques finally had a chance to shine.

Feeling the push-back sensation and the whistling wind, Zhang Ailun also used his phone's navigation system to drive and check in at familiar yet unfamiliar famous attractions.

Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Snoopy Park, Six Flags, Santa Monica Beach, the Lakers' arena from the 90s, Dragon Boulevard, Perro Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard.

"Is that Tom Hanks?"

As Zhang Ailun passed the intersection of Xingguang Avenue and the traffic lights, he turned his head and saw a luxury convertible sports car. In the driver's seat was a familiar person: it was you, Agan.

He quickly pulled out his phone and took a close-up photo of the other person. Several passersby were also taking pictures.

After the red light turned green, the other driver floored the gas pedal and disappeared from sight.

I never expected to run into a celebrity here.

Zhang Ailun didn't pay much attention and drove around the Hollywood Walk of Fame a few more times. He saw several Hollywood actors and actresses he could name, but there were also many he didn't recognize.

I drove to Chinatown for a bit, got out of the car to take a picture with the Bruce Lee statue, posted it on my WeChat Moments, and then got back in the car and drove off.

They spent two or three hours visiting almost all the famous attractions, but it was absolutely impossible for Zhang Ailun to pay for tickets to enter Disneyland and the amusement parks at the famous attractions.

The Grand Master just loves getting things for free.

Around four o'clock in the afternoon, Sieg sent him a message.

Sig: It's strange, there have been a lot of strange outsiders on the street near Sanji's bar today. They keep trying to talk to our people, seemingly trying to find out some information.

Zhang Ailun: Your intuition is correct. Don't worry, it's probably some special secret department secretly investigating some kind of murderer or wanted criminal. These kinds of people are the most common hidden in our homeless community; many are easily identified through investigation.

Sig was speechless for a moment.

A murderer? Who are you pointing at?

Zhang Ailun: It has nothing to do with you. That homeless man died, and the local police station wouldn't even bother to detain you; they'd just think you were freeloading. Do you think the crimes you committed are enough to alarm higher authorities?

Sieg: Of course not. I have a feeling these people are from the Department of Homeland Security. I had some dealings with them when I was in the military. Their questioning techniques are very sophisticated; most people wouldn't notice anything amiss. They just reveal a lot of information as they talk.

Zhang Ailun: Just answer their questions honestly. We earn money by collecting cans with our own hands, and we're not committing any crime.

Sig: Okay! That's what I thought too. But some of them seem to have noticed the name Mr. Kim and know that you have some connection with Sanji's Bar. They seem to be intentionally trying to find out about you. Quite a few members of our team have been led to talk about you.

Stop kidding! I was just picking up cans there!!

I'm a good citizen of Los Angeles, you can't just falsely accuse me of being an accomplice of an internationally wanted criminal.

Then I'll have no choice but to sell that Mexican.

Zhang Ailun logged out of the chat software and immediately drove to the street where Sanji's bar was located.

When I arrived, I saw members of the Beggars' Sect chatting by the roadside, each with a donut in hand, their cups containing loose bills and coins. There was also a stranger huddled together nearby.

Zhang Ailun immediately went over to greet them and inquire about the situation.

"Boss, what brings you here?" Several disabled but determined Dirty Clothes Sect disciples greeted their leader warmly upon his arrival.

"Mr. Kim, would you like a donut?"

"I won't eat." Zhang Ailun asked with concern, "How was work today? Did it go smoothly? Did any other people on the street cause trouble?"

"Boss, who would dare to mess with us now? Our territory is so big, it's good enough if we don't bully others," the Beggar Clan disciple replied immediately.

"Then you can continue working."

Zhang Ailun then noticed the investigator and asked in surprise, "Are you one of ours? I don't remember ever seeing you before?"

The other party immediately stood up nervously and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Jin, I'll leave now. I'm actually here to conduct a social experiment."

"What experiment?"

"It's about experiencing a day in the life of a homeless person," the investigator replied, then took out his phone to show his identification. "I work at a social media studio. At my boss's request, I'm going to delve into and experience the lives of homeless people. Are you in charge of the streets? The leader of this group of homeless people?"

If I didn't know your identity, I would have been fooled by you.

"I'm not." Zhang Ailun, of course, couldn't go along with him and admit to being part of a gang. He said, "We're just workers who gathered together to collect cans and earn money for survival. We're good citizens of Los Angeles."

"Boss, he just interviewed me and gave me $10! ​​He must be a good person," the Dirty Clothes Sect disciple defended the other party.

You think you can be bought off for $10?

Zhang Ailun was a little dissatisfied; these people who did the investigation really liked to prescribe the right medicine for the illness.

But at least they paid me!

The leader was more than happy to give him more. Anyway, I'm not sick, answering a few questions is no big deal, and I can even make money off you.

Zhang Ailun immediately and warmly welcomed him to the street.

"Mr. Jin, if I were to become homeless one day, how would I survive in the harsh conditions of the streets?" The investigator asked humbly, completely unaware that the leader was setting a trap for him.

Zhang Ailun looked him up and down and laughed, "Buddy, you don't need to go looking for trouble, and you don't need to squeeze into this circle. The money you make in a day sitting in the studio is enough for us to collect tens of thousands of cans. It's hard work, and the competition is fierce."

The investigator smiled and said, "Do you feel stressed living here? Will you face any trouble? After all, I've heard that many drug addicts, criminal gangs, and even 'wanted criminals' disguise themselves as homeless people to hide themselves."

"Never seen it." Zhang Ailun shook his head. "There was a mentally ill black man at the shelter before. That was the most dangerous thing I've ever encountered. A staff member named Leon was seriously injured. He even broke his arm. I witnessed it with my own eyes! Fortunately, he received treatment from a charity and compensation from an insurance company."

"So what do you think...?"

"I support the current president."

"..." No, are you that fair-skinned?

The investigators were completely baffled by him.

I didn't ask you that! You're supporting nothing, you're just lying through your teeth. I don't even want to support him.

"Thank you for your answer, Hamburger, it's very helpful to us." Seeing that he couldn't get any more information, the investigator took out $100: "Hopefully, your friends can show me what a fulfilling day is like for a homeless person."

"Of course, we'd love to take care of our new friends, but we only have two or three hours left before we finish work. The streets get dangerous after dark, and you don't want to linger around there. We're homeless, not gang members."

After receiving the money, Zhang Ailun was in a good mood and said tactfully, "For example, at the Sanji bar where I work, the new Mexican owner is planning to do some special work there."

"What kind of special job?" The investigator noticed the sensitive words.

"I can't say more. You understand."

The investigator then produced another $100.

Zhang Ailun pretended to be hesitant, saying, "It's about gambling in bars and drug trafficking."

"..."

The investigator was speechless, feeling that he had wasted his money. He thought it was some kind of mysterious intelligence, but nowadays, which underground establishment doesn't have prostitution, gambling, and drugs?

This is not his responsibility; the FBI and CIA, along with the Southern Division, are not just sitting idly by.

However, he also felt it was necessary to investigate the background of the bar with his colleagues.

After all, the boss is Mexican.

Seeing that he was about to leave, Zhang Ailun did not try to stop him. He simply asked the Beggars' Sect disciples to take good care of him and sent a message to Mary.

Zhang Ailun: The new bar owner seems to be a wanted criminal with a criminal record. Apparently, he has also alerted investigators from the secret service. They are questioning people on my turf. You'd better be prepared.

Mary: Really?!

Zhang Ailun: For the sake of our relationship, do you think I would lie to you? You'd better find an excuse to leave as soon as possible and not work the night shift at the bar.

Mary: I'm so unlucky! Honey, thank you so much for telling me this in advance. I don't know how to thank you enough.

Zhang Ailun: It's okay, let me be on top next time.

Mary: Ugh.

Time quickly passed and evening arrived.

I had a long-awaited, uneventful day.

After driving back to the bridge cave camp in the evening, Zhang Ailun planned to rest and recuperate, while Dominic carried the groceries he had bought, preparing to cook a sumptuous meal.

Under the personal guidance of the Grand Master, Dominic successfully prepared an authentic Chinese meal, which tasted much better than the restaurants in Chinatown.

After dinner, they opened the RV's awning, and the group moved out chairs to look at the stars, chat, and play cards.

In the end, the leader, with skills reminiscent of the God of Gamblers Ko Chun, successfully won the grand slam of the game.

"It's not fun, it's boring, I'm not playing anymore."

Sig lost three games in one go, even his underwear was gone, he's completely given up. He's already had three truth-or-dare challenges, six dares, and various performance art pieces and three hundred push-ups as punishment.

Dominic, his teammate, was exhausted and collapsed on the ground; the way he looked at Dominic was strange.

Zhang Ailun also realized that those were the eyes of someone who wanted to kill their friend! In order to prevent the ship of friendship from capsizing at any moment, he chose to let his opponent win in the last few games and successfully lost to them.

Under Jennifer's coaxing, Zhang Ailun, who lost the card game, was forced to accept a three-minute French kissing adventure as punishment.

Jason's eyes reddened. "I want this kind of punishment too."

Fitz twisted his hand around his ear. "Isn't my love for you strong enough?"

"Enough, enough, enough..."

Times have changed. Here you can even see Black people beating up white slave owners.

It's completely upside down!

Fitz dragged Jason back to the tent; it looked like Jason was in for a rough night.

It was getting late, and everyone had their own work to do tomorrow, so we said goodbye and parted ways.

Zhang Ailun was lying in the RV receiving a massage from Jennifer.

"Ellen, you must be exhausted. How about I give you a full-body spa?" Jennifer said with a mischievous grin, taking out the essential oils she had bought that morning.

"If it's a show that requires me to take my clothes off, then I don't need to." Zhang Ailun's gaze was a little strange. Why did it feel like you had planned this all along?

"Do you think I'm just a sexually frustrated, promiscuous girl?" Jennifer was very dissatisfied. Why won't you admit that you're very attractive?

"Then why don't you pull your hand away?" Zhang Ailun glanced down at the other person's restless hand.

Jennifer chuckled, "This is the punishment you deserve! So, my punishment today is that you sleep in the same bed as me, and I promise I won't do anything!"

Female hooligan.

You're just trying to tarnish my innocence.

Zhang Ailun had no choice; he had lost the last few rounds of poker.

Accept the consequences of your bet.

Dominic put on headphones and an eye mask, turned up the volume, and went to sleep.

The RV was haunted at night. The tires started squeaking, and the vehicle shook inexplicably.

……

The next day.

Zhang Ailun got up listlessly, yawned, glanced at Jennifer who was clinging to him like an octopus, and finally let her have her way.

I took out my phone and glanced at the daily news.

Ok?

【每日情报：厦日大道凌晨3:27分发生了三死两伤的车祸与枪战，车牌号为LS-56A-6D的桔黄色雪佛兰科鲁兹被撞毁，小基兹与三名同行Bro被射杀，车辆目前已被拖入洛城南区郊外塔克机车报废回收处理中心。编号D5667的变形剎车片里藏匿着5000美金。】

Wow, what an exciting sequel!

Those old men had dark circles under their eyes, and their kids were incredibly fierce. I could tell they wouldn't live much longer!

Laugh, why aren't you laughing anymore?

You'll live a long life, but not a long one.

[Daily Intelligence: Homeland Security investigators, after going door-to-door and gathering intelligence from helpful citizens, uncovered the disguise of the Sanji bar owner. They immediately notified the Southern Precinct to open an investigation, and at 22:06 PM, FBI agents and a special operations team were dispatched to arrest those involved.]

[Details: A Mexican bar owner, accused of illegal drug trafficking and carrying charges of murder and child trafficking, attempted to flee in a silver Bentley but died after being shot 46 times. His Sanji Bar and other arcade properties have been seized and closed by police and the court. Playboy bunny Mary's colleague was arrested and imprisoned on suspicion of illegal sex work, and must post $2500 bail or be detained for 20 days.]

[Daily News: At Tucker Motorcycle Scrap Recycling Center, there's a wrecked Toyota Highlander with a damaged Rolex watch featuring a full-face gold and diamond design hidden under the sofa cushions.]

Holy crap? This can drop gold coins?

[Daily Intelligence: The Modern Brothers, residing under Bridge No. 9, got into a street fight with a short-tailed dog. The conflict stemmed from selling substandard ice on the street, and the Modern Brothers' leader, Faith, had his other leg broken. The dog now wants to partner with you on a gold project.]

Good grief, you actually dare to sell this stuff! Do you really think you're some big shot?

The Gold Project? What's that?

Zhang Ailun wondered if the other party could bring him new money-making projects.

(End of this chapter)