Chapter 136: Going to Play Ball (Third Update)

The Flying Show concluded in a blaze of glory, backed by overwhelming praise and glowing reviews. If there was one minor complaint from the audience—aside from the mindless trolls who follow the herd—it was simply that there weren't enough shows!

They wished Li Lekang were like a tireless workhorse, performing daily with brand-new illusions, taking only a single day off in a 365-day year. This hardly qualified as a flaw in the show, yet it remained the only critique the audience could muster.

Magic as an art form is not like film. In movies, one might criticize the cinematography or find a performance lacking, but the very essence of magic is the miraculous—scenes that defy explanation to the naked eye. Li Lekang wove these inexplicable elements throughout his entire performance, leaving not just the audience enthralled, but his fellow magicians equally spellbound.

Industry wisdom has always held that grand illusions rely on low-end trickery and lack the conviction of sleight-of-hand close-up magic, yet Li Lekang proved to be the exception. And what a dazzling, radiant exception he was. His show’s reputation exploded, tickets became impossible to find, and fans across the country were currently in a frenzy.

But that, of course, was the audience's problem to deal with.

The day after the finale, Li Lekang lounged lazily on a poolside chair, wearing sunglasses and soaking up the sun. In the pool, a mother and daughter were splashing about. With the show’s massive success, Judy had set aside her work, intending to spend a few days enjoying some leisure time with her daughter.

Li Lekang’s gaze drifted toward the pool. The two figures—one youthful and vibrant, the other mature and graceful—looked delightful in their high-cut swimsuits and bikinis. Just as he was looking for an excuse to join the game, his phone rang again.

Fame brings a busy schedule. Since the Flying Show, Li had made many new friends in the entertainment industry. Last night, Leo invited him to a nightclub; today, Uncle P asked him to a yacht party, promising plenty of bikini-clad beauties, along with a flood of congratulatory messages from other friends.

Rihanna called to ask about the "Flying Suit," as she planned to wear it on the red carpet. The diva, who harbors a deep love for Eastern culture, was determined to showcase the cutting edge of fashion. Rihanna’s fashion sense was impeccable; after the show, she knew exactly what she needed to wear to steal the spotlight, having grown tired of the aesthetic offered by the usual French and Italian designers.

Li Lekang patiently chatted with the "Shandong Diva" about these matters, offering several suggestions and even recommending some domestic designers.

"These tips are so useful to me, thank you, Lekang! I'll treat you to dinner next time. Mwah, bye!" Rihanna blew a kiss through the phone as she said goodbye.

"See you next time!"

Li hung up with a smile. Just as he was about to put the phone down, more notifications pinged in. A glance at the senders revealed one from Stell.

Stell wouldn't reach out without a reason. As the most formidable operative in his organization, Li felt a sense of concern and immediately called him back.

"Hello, Frank! How have things been? Is New York treating you well?"

"It’s a long story. Are you currently in Miami?"

"Yes, I have a few days off. I might head to the Bahamas for some surfing. Want to join?"

"I have some business in Florida. I’d like to visit you and seek some advice."

"Okay, I’ll be here for a few days. You can come over whenever."

"I'll take a flight tonight, then. I have a golf game scheduled with Trump tomorrow afternoon."

"The Don? I didn't know you had that kind of leisure time! Come on over, I'll save you a seat for dinner!"

"Thank you, sir!"

After hanging up, Li could clearly sense that Stell wasn't as confident as he had been previously. He had heard from Olivia that since the Mendez incident, Stell's takeover of the "Saints" had not been smooth.

In the elite circles of New York, he was being ostracized. The city's moguls viewed Stell as too ambitious and ruthless—a man who would strike hard even against his own partners—and they lacked the trust to build any collaborative ties with him.

In truth, Li had sensed this during the last incident. Stell was simply too confident, perhaps even arrogant. He had relied too heavily on his own judgment, convinced that Mendez wouldn't betray him, while underestimating the heart of an old believer. If not for Li Lekang stepping in to turn the tide, Stell would have been the loser in that power struggle, forced to leave in disgrace.

Knowing that things would look grim without his "cheat code," Stell had launched a tumultuous purge within the New York parish to establish authority, never expecting that the waters there ran deeper than he imagined. While Stell had hitched his wagon to the right star—he was, after all, the man of destiny—the wealthy power brokers of New York didn't necessarily care.

Finding himself at a dead end, Stell had no choice but to seek out his master. He arrived by private jet that very evening.

Stell didn't hide his predicament. He candidly admitted to underestimating the situation and confessed that his progress in New York was not going well.

"The outside world remains skeptical of me, blaming me for Mendez's death. His adopted son and his interest groups are working against me in the shadows. I haven't made any significant breakthroughs yet."

Though he was the First Disciple of the Messiah, the respect of the Saints was largely reserved for the "boy wonder" and their God, not for a man maneuvering power in the mortal realm.

"So you're looking for a different angle to break the deadlock?" Li thought for a moment, then realized his motive for coming to Florida. "You want to find someone who shares your plight and build an alliance!"

Clearly, "The Don" was that person. His situation in New York was strikingly similar to Stell's; they were both being rejected by the upper crust. The waters of New York were too deep, and even their families were being shut out by that circle. Hadn't the eldest daughter ultimately been forced to pull her family out of New York and join her father in Florida? If they could have made it work there, who would willingly leave the place where they were born and raised? It was a humiliation.

Stell nodded and revealed more inside information: "On a deeper level—in terms of influence—we can offer each other useful things. I recently received inside word that Trump’s health is failing. Our organization has invested heavily in medical technology, and I want to use this as an opportunity to build trust and help him get back on his feet."

Li Lekang felt a mischievous spark. "Then you might as well bring the Messiah along. Let his aura conquer this old redneck and make him feel the power of the divine!"

"I was actually planning to do just that," Stell replied, completely serious.

Li paused, looked at the man, and suddenly understood—this was clearly an attempt to recruit the guy! But in a place like the United States, where anything and everything is possible, nothing was off the table. He laughed out loud. "No wonder they say you're a dangerous, radical guy! Fine, you've piqued my interest!"

Stell smiled. "We have a round of golf in the afternoon, followed by a dinner. Aside from him, his wife and his eldest daughter will be attending. The latter has taken quite an interest in you as well."

Given how far things had gone, how could Li refuse? "It looks like I’ll have to spend tomorrow learning how to play golf. Ollie, wake me up at nine tomorrow and hire a coach!"

Olivia acknowledged the order. "Understood!"

Mastering golf in a single morning was an impossible challenge for a normal person, but as an exception, Li Lekang never played by the rules of reality!