Chapter 099: Good Brothers

Kendall did have a good impression of Likang, or rather, she was open to making friends with him. But the moment he came on so boldly, flirting with her from the start, she felt a little nervous—and a little annoyed, too.

As a supermodel known across America, she had seen more than her share of scenes and handsome men. She hated losing the initiative and ending up flustered, so she decided to show a bit of backbone.

“Do you always flirt with girls like this, Mr. Li?”

The words carried a hint of accusation, almost as if she were questioning whether he was a ladies’ man. Likang, however, did not step into that trap. He neither confirmed nor denied it; instead, he turned the matter back on her.

“Like I just said, you were the one who caught my eye.”

Her friends were already exchanging knowing glances, tactfully preparing to leave and stop being the third wheel.

Kendall shot them an amused look. Yet once they were gone, the two of them no longer had to worry about being watched, and the atmosphere between them grew much more comfortable.

Likang did not keep up the light banter. Instead, he spoke quite seriously about what he admired in her—not her looks, but her character. He said she seemed like someone who cared about others, not the thoughtless, offensively low-empathy person people sometimes made her out to be. It was a whole string of cold readings, but it worked very well at cooling off any sense that he had simply started things because he was struck by her beauty.

Kendall could feel that talking to him was easy. He could see the strengths in her personality, and she even began to suspect that she had misunderstood him before.

Likang also spoke at length about his views on charity, the things he was already doing in that area, and some of the plans he had in mind. For Kendall, who usually did not think much about such things, it gave her something to chew on.

After all, society gave beautiful, successful women far too much leeway, and people often became foolish because of it. It was that same old rule of social behavior.

A woman who was truly beautiful, rich, and highly intelligent, with excellent emotional intelligence to match, was something else entirely. In Kendall’s mind, the most representative example was probably the former president’s daughter.

Still, thankfully, people like that were rare. More often, you got the classic dumb blonde.

Likang had no trace of malice in saying that. Dumb blondes were adorable, after all. They did not have nearly so many complicated schemes, and whatever little calculation they did possess was usually written plainly on their faces.

He and Kendall chatted and laughed for a while, exchanged numbers, added each other as friends, and she even promised she would come out and support his performance in person.

Their pleasant conversation had to be cut short when the main part of the charity gala began. Likang politely took his leave and returned to his seat.

Marlon would not sit still. He insisted on switching seats with someone else so he could come over to Likang’s side, even bumping his elbow and wiggling his eyebrows at him.

“I’m friends with Kendall too, you know. If I’d known, you two should have met back in Los Angeles.”

“No time like the present, man.” Likang raised his glass and clinked it against Marlon’s. “So what’s the theme tonight?”

“There’ll be some art pieces up for auction, plus private collections from celebrities,” Marlon said.

They chatted while watching the charity event unfold.

In America, charity work is a very popular form of socializing among the wealthy. There are almost no rich people who do not engage in it. Part of it is for public image, and part of it is for the tax breaks.

When it comes to tax avoidance, that is one of the most interesting games in a capitalist society. The big shots on the rich lists all promise to donate their entire fortunes and set up charitable foundations, and back then they won no small amount of admiration for it.

But as the internet kept peeling back the truth layer by layer, these tricks for sidestepping inheritance tax in order to keep wealth in the family forever gradually came to light.

Capital, at its core, can never truly be made up of saints.

At the venue, after the host’s rousing opening, the charity auction began in grand style.

There were many items up for bidding: necklaces and jewelry donated by celebrities, clothing, handbags, even paintings. The prices were not outrageous either, ranging from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands, so everyone had a chance to get involved.

Likang, though, was not especially interested in celebrity jewelry. If he wanted to give jewelry to a woman, he would just go straight to Cartier or Tiffany and buy it himself.

So while the others bid back and forth, he mostly watched from the sidelines. It was only when an MLB baseball cap signed by a champion was brought out that his interest was stirred.

MLB also stands for Major League Baseball, the sport in America second only to the NFL in popularity and excitement, with the NBA trailing behind.

Likang did not watch much baseball, but he did like baseball caps. Since one was being auctioned, he joined in a few bids and successfully won it.

After that, the event had little to note. For celebrities, the red carpet and fashion were the main attraction; charity was just the polish added on top. The host kept speaking in a sorrowful, compassionate tone, thanking everyone for their generous donations, and so on and so forth.

Listening for too long, Likang felt a yawn coming on. His gaze drifted forward to Kendall, who had lowered her head to type on her phone, so he sent her a message.

“I haven’t experienced New York nightlife yet.”

Kendall smiled and replied with quick fingers.

“Then I’m sure the suit you’re wearing feels terribly uncomfortable, Mr. California.”

It was the usual teasing between East and West Coast people. On the West Coast, California was forever all laid-back—sandals, shorts, and sun. On the East Coast, New York was more about suits, ties, and polished style.

Likang admitted it. “I prefer sunshine, beaches, and those dazzling California girls.”

Naturally, he meant her. The Kardashian sisters all lived in Los Angeles, and Kendall’s social media was constantly full of yachts, beaches, and bikinis. She was clearly a quintessential California girl.

Then he changed tack.

“But sometimes a person ought to try something different, right?”

Kendall looked back at him, hesitated for a moment, then sent him a reply.

“I’m meeting some friends tonight. If you want to come…”

She sent him the address. Likang answered at once, “I’ll bring my brother Marlon.”

“Welcome, both of you.”

Likang was not entirely sure he could navigate New York social circles on his own, so he brought along a tool of a brother. At a critical moment, a good brother could still come through with backup.

Marlon clearly had that same social intelligence. He cheerfully turned down his other plans and agreed to go out and enjoy the night properly.

The charity event ended amid applause.

The glamorous guests all dispersed, each returning to their own lives. Likang and Marlon arranged a time to meet, since nightclubs usually did not get going until after eleven and it was still early.

He went back to the hotel first and changed clothes. A tuxedo was too formal, so he switched into jeans and a white T-shirt, then added a baseball cap. That was the style of a young man.

After grabbing a late-night snack, he set out by car when the time came.

The nightclub was in the Upper East Side, an area crowded with the rich. As a celebrity, Likang naturally had VIP access, and under the escort of his bodyguard in that distinctive white suit, he slipped into the club’s kaleidoscopic glow.

In the surging wall of sound, he found his friends in a private room: Kendall, a few girlfriends, several men nearby, and Marlon, who was already calling out to everyone.

They greeted one another with handshakes and hugs. The funny part was that when Marlon hugged him, he leaned in and whispered, “Bro, there’s a guy here making eyes at Kendall. I’ll take care of him for you.”

That was exactly why you never hunted girls alone. This was where having a wingman paid off.

Likang slapped him on the back with delight. “Tell me which one. I’ll make him regret going after the girl I want.”

Marlon took advantage of the loud music and smiled innocently on his face while talking trash in his mouth.

“That tall bastard in the long shirt. The show-off. I heard he plays basketball or something.”

Likang glanced over. The guy really was a giant, close to two meters tall. But what was even more amusing was that Marlon, tiny by comparison, still had the nerve to shout about taking him on. What a solid friend.

As the saying goes, women are easy to find, but brothers are hard to come by. At that moment, Likang was suddenly even more interested in Marlon.

Maybe it will not go on sale until the eighth.