America: A Prodigy of Stereotypes

"Cupping and acupuncture."

Seeing that Andrei couldn't understand at all, Li Qun spent a long time explaining.

Andrei nodded with mixed feelings.

Li Qun's explanation was imagined in his mind as stripping off his clothes and letting flames burn his skin, then inserting metal probes thinner than hair into his body for electrotherapy.

When you hear the name Andrei, your first thought is that he comes from Russia or an East Slavic country.

His appearance also fits this impression.

Brown pupils, a high nose bridge, slightly curly hair, fair skin with a pinkish tinge, a broad frame, a robust physique, and an aura of courage emanating from his very bones.

If it were anyone else, hearing that they would be burned and pricked with needles, they would most likely give up the idea of ​​trying Chinese massage; but if you let a Russian man do it, he would definitely want to see what this is all about.

"Andrei, how old are you this year?"

"twenty two."

"How old are you? Oh, I don't even know your name," Andrei asked Liqun.

"My name is Lyon, and I'm sixteen."

"sixteen?"

Andrei nodded.

Stereotype +1...

The age of every Asian person is always a mystery. Sometimes you feel like the other person is a child, but they are actually old enough to be a parent; some look like adults, but are actually young in age yet have the maturity of an adult.

"Could you write down the address of the massage parlor for me? I forgot it again," Andrei said to Liqun.

“I need a pen,” Li Qun said.

Andrei and Li Qun received a pen from the staff at the Fisker Building.

The champion's autograph session is an essential part of the fighting championship finals, so there is no shortage of pens for signing autographs on site.

It's common for the champion and runner-up to have fans asking for autographs, but it's quite rare for the runner-up to ask someone to sign his autograph.

Li Qun used a pen to write the address of the Chinese massage parlor in Chinatown on Andre's arm, bringing in a customer for the neighborhood.

Peter, Gwen, and Li Qun left the Fisk Building. The three of them had eaten their fill at the buffet on the top floor, so they didn't need to worry about dinner.

The final match started at 3:30 p.m. and ended in just ten minutes, so they had some time to wander around Manhattan.

The three decided to take a look at the Statue of Liberty.

A century ago, the Statue of Liberty was deeply imprinted in the minds of people all over the world as a cultural symbol of America.

The sight of the Statue of Liberty immediately evokes images of America.

The Statue of Liberty is 46 meters tall, and its base and foundation are also 46 meters high.

Having grown accustomed to seeing the Statue of Liberty on television and in photographs, Li Qun only realized upon arriving in person and gazing across the sea at the Statue of Liberty standing on Liberty Island that it wasn't as imposing as he had imagined.

Something's not right.

In his memory, the Statue of Liberty held aloft a torch.

But what he saw at that moment was the Statue of Liberty holding aloft a scale.

"Is the Statue of Liberty holding up scales?" Li Qun turned to Peter beside him and asked.

“Of course, otherwise what would she be holding up?” Peter asked curiously.

"I thought it would be a torch."

“The Libra scales originate from Themis, the goddess of justice. They are a symbol of justice and embody the concepts of fairness and equality, expressing the lofty aspirations of the people of America at the time of its founding for equality, freedom, fairness, and justice,” Gwen explained to Liqun.

Looking at the Statue of Liberty holding up the scales, it's as if she's proving to Li Qun that he's entered a new world that seems similar to, yet is not, the old world he once lived in.

Although they are similar, there are many differences in the details.

People, groups, historical events, locations... may all have different background factors than the old world.

Li Qun doesn't really like descriptions like parallel worlds or parallel universes.

Instead, they use the terms "old world" and "new world" to distinguish between the world they have lived in and the world they are living in.

“Next time we’ll bring a camera,” Peter said, looking at the Statue of Liberty holding up the scales.

"Perhaps we could invite more people to come together," Li Qun said.

"why?"

“That way, someone can take photos for the three of us,” Li Qun said with a smile.

Although they live in New York, Peter and Gwen act like tourists from all over the world, experiencing the city just like any other visitors. Manhattan's street food is available in other parts of the city, and it's often more affordable and tastier.

When it came to choosing how to get home, Li Qun supported Gwen's decision; they decided to take a taxi home because he didn't want to experience New York's public transportation system again.

Three people, each holding an empty beverage bottle, were fighting with strangers for a yellow checkered taxi on the streets of Manhattan.

Two failures, three successes.

Gwen and Peter were both too polite. Their first two failures were due to them opening their mouths to talk to their competitors. On the third occasion, Li Qun opened the car door and got into the taxi, telling the driver directly where they wanted to go.

The three children sat huddled together in the back seat of the taxi, and the taxi driver, with a serious expression, occasionally glanced at them through the rearview mirror.

It's not hard to guess that the middle-aged driver was doubting whether the three New York teenagers could afford the fare.

Seeing that the three children were all wearing glasses and seemed like good students, the taxi driver decided to trust them this once.

"arrive."

"Can I pay by card?" Gwen asked the driver.

"I want cash."

“I only accept credit cards,” Gwen said firmly.

"Ok."

The taxi driver reluctantly let Gwen swipe her credit card.

"Wait, sir."

Li Qun took out three Lincoln bills from his inner pocket and handed them to the driver.

"This is a tip."

The taxi driver forced a smile, accepted the tip, and sped away.

Chapter 38 "Aurora" Sports Suit

"Dad, I'm home."

"How was it? Did you have fun?"

Li Qun took the videotapes of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" out of his bag and gently placed them on the counter. The old man checked the videotapes and found that they were in perfect condition, just as they had been before he took them away.

"After the game, Gwen, Peter, and I went to see the Statue of Liberty, but unfortunately we couldn't take any pictures."

"Who won the championship?" Dad put the videotape away.

"Of course it's the karate kid."

"Is his opponent formidable?"

“He was a Russian strongman who lost because of his poor scoring,” Li Qun replied.

"I also introduced that strongman to Chinatown for massages."

"Hehe, he'll be terrified," the old man laughed.

"Come here, this is the outfit I prepared for you to wear during tomorrow's sparring session."

The old man took a brown paper bag from under the counter, and Liqun took it and took out a set of sportswear from the bag.

The loose-fitting red tracksuit reminded Li Qun of the Aurora High School uniform he wore when he was in school in the old world.

The sportswear features three white stripes on the shoulders, extending all the way to the cuffs; the sports pants also have three white stripes along the outer seam of the legs; and the sportswear has two bold characters embroidered on the chest: "Aurora".

"Try putting it on."

Li Qun carried a brown paper bag upstairs and changed into his "Aurora" sportswear. In his father's eyes, Li Qun's spirit and energy had improved considerably after the change.

"Dad, this looks so ceremonial." Li Qun looked down at his new look.

"Do you believe that when you spar with Miyagi tomorrow, he'll also be dressed very conspicuously?" the old man said to Liqun.

"Dad, Miyagi knows how to use qi."

"What, you can't do it?" Dad asked with a chuckle.

“But Father, you never taught me how to use Qi,” Li Qun said.

"How could I not have taught you?"

"Did you teach me, Dad?"

"Weren't you taught them?"

"Don't you breathe?" Dad shook his head with a smile.

"Don't focus too much on abstract concepts; you should focus on concrete things."

"Qi is very abstract. Although it exists, it is so abstract that it is difficult for people to notice its existence."

Do you understand what I'm saying?

To explain things clearly to Liqun, the old man was speaking to Liqun in Chinese.

“Dad, of course I know that qi is a very abstract concept. Like the Russian Andrei I met today, he has a lot of qi and blood, but Miyagi blocked Andrei’s qi with his own. I have no concept of the techniques for using qi, and Miyagi will obviously use the same move on me in tomorrow’s sparring match,” Li Qun said.

"Liqun, do you know about acupressure?"

"Acupressure?"

"Like this."

The old man got up and walked to Liqun, tapping Liqun's body twice with his finger, causing Liqun to cry out in pain.

"How are you feeling?" Dad asked.