Chapter 73: Encounter with a Foreigner at Times Square

  Chen Yi was prepared and retreated a step back, waiting for the yellow light's flicker to stabilize before tentatively reaching out to touch it.

  A three-dimensional image of the Earth appears in front of it.

  The Chinese characters above are delicate and subtle, changing constantly with the selection of fingers.

  Chen Yi subconsciously glanced at the subway entrance next to him that led to France, representing his last choice.

  As of now... he quickly placed his finger on the location of North America.

  Then New York in the United States.

  The hub of the post-war world, the heart of humanity - whether people like it or not, this is the city that has made the fewest mistakes over the past 50 years, the country that has made the fewest mistakes.

  Most importantly, there is Wall Street here.

  The light gate flickered again and then stabilized.

  The subway slowly came to a stop.

  Chen Yi licked his lips and stepped out with his left foot.

  A flash of bright color, the scene in front of me reappeared, has turned into a high-density crowd, giant electronic billboards, and towering skyscrapers.

  Behind him was a red telephone booth.

  In front of me is a crossroads and an English road sign that reads: Sixth Avenue.

  Seeing so many people, Chen Yi also didn't bother to find any signs, grabbed one and asked in Chinglish: "Where is this?"

  The other party impatiently tore off his clothes and muttered: "Times Square."

  Time Square?

  He peeled a pomelo and ate it, then asked another person. This one took two seconds to explain before hurrying away.

  Chen Yi thought for a long time before realizing that "Time Square" was actually Times Square, or in the correct American usage, The New York Times Square.

  Can't blame him for not thinking of it, the legendary square, doesn't even have a shadow of a square, apart from billboards competing in size, the most spacious place is actually the intersection of roads...

  Unlike his tense mind when he first arrived in Paris, Chen Yi is now very relaxed, completely strolling with a tourist mentality, as if he were in a business district in Jiangning.

  In fact, the time he spent from home to New York was not necessarily longer than that of some business districts.

  Turning out his pocket, he found 200 dollars that had been prepared in advance. There were ten green tickets, which didn't seem to be very safe at all.

  There were scrolls and potions in the backpack behind him, which was his greatest reliance.

  Apart from this, Chen Yi, who had been training for half a holiday, was quite confident in his physical strength and felt that he should have the power to fight against unarmed thugs.

  In fact, at some passionate moments, he did hope for a chance to show off.

  Following the flow of people, Chen Yi walked forward, observing left and right until he saw the name of a certain bookstore, then went in to find a red Michelin guide - New York.

  At lunchtime, when you want to eat something but don't know what to eat, it's often the moment when Michelin bursts into glory.

  In slightly larger bookstores around the world, you can find red-covered Michelin Guides, both by state and by city - of course, the latter are usually cities in developed countries that conform to European and American customs.

  New York is naturally the centerpiece of their guidebook.

  The entire Michelin Red Guide has over 440 pages for New York's hotels and restaurants alone, with the majority being in Manhattan.

  Chen Yi found a map of New York on the wall, then went down Sixth Avenue and Ninth Avenue respectively, and finally chose a famous sister store called Broadway. It operates a mix of American and French flavors, with a menu that changes every day. The best part is that it doesn't require reservations - Michelin Guide isn't some kind of martial arts secret book, gentlemen in New York are willing to drive 100 kilometers every day to find delicious restaurants, regardless of the price.

  In this case, going to a restaurant that needs to be booked two months in advance and trying one's luck is absolutely beyond the normal person's ability.

  Perhaps it's something that even an ordinary magician can't accomplish.

  Having chosen a restaurant, Chen Yi put the book on the cash register and handed two $20 bills to the other party, saying: "I just arrived in New York, can you help me call a taxi?"

  The white young cashier quickly picked up the two green bills and smiled: "Please wait a moment, the car will arrive soon."

  Chen Yi nodded and handed him a credit card, saying: "Use this to pay for the book."

  The young man's smile reached his neck.

  With a "beep" sound, the credit card that was not in the name of "Chen Yi" was swiped for $11. This was an anonymous card borrowed from his older brother Chen Heng, and seeing it work made him feel much more at ease.

  $200 can get you full in Manhattan, but eating well is a bit more difficult. Also, most restaurants don't like cash-paying customers, it leaves too deep of an impression.

  When leaving, the young man with a good attitude said: "Wish you have fun in America."

  "It will definitely happen." Chen Yi walked out of the store with a pleasant mood, thinking: When I buy Times Square one day, I must educate the employees well and make sure that American visitors can come happily and leave satisfactorily. Just like this young man now.

  A taxi cuts through the congestion like a fish poking its head out of the water for air in winter.

  The store name on Broadway was hidden under the neon lights, Chen Yi finally arrived at the door with great difficulty, and as usual took out two green notes and handed them to the doorman: "I'm hungry."

  The deputy manager of reception was taken aback, smiled, but still firmly said: "Sorry, we are fully booked."

  Chen Yi let out an "oh" and took a step back before striding in when the deputy manager's attention was diverted.

  It took him two or three seconds to come to his senses, turned around and went to catch up with him, but how could he keep up with the speed of a Holy Knight apprentice.

  Chen Yi plopped himself down on an empty seat by the window and said to the waiter who followed him, "I've found my own seat, take my order."

  "Sir, this is an appointment." The deputy manager's expression turned serious.

  Chen Yiwei smiled slightly, one hand pulling the backpack to his knee and incidentally reaching in to tear open a third-level power scroll. At the same time, he also grabbed a handful of green crystal fruit.

  The third-level power scroll increases strength by 11 points, which is equivalent to 110 kilograms of strength.

  Unlike the strength gained from self-cultivation, the power added by the scroll is regardless of which muscle group.

  Chen Yi used great force to pry open the hard shell, and with a press, it was embedded in the tablecloth.

  The deputy manager's face changed instantly, and he thought fiercely: If he beats me, should I fight back or endure this blow and throw him out again?

  Chen Yi truly did not intentionally use his strength to intimidate others; he only used the scroll to avoid being intimidated by others.

  His entire face was smiling, in a reasonable tone, word by word: "You see, I'm just one person, to taste your famous dishes, came to New York specially, only need 20 minutes."

  "I don't have the right, sir, this table has already been reserved." The deputy manager said in a low voice, fearing being beaten was secondary, worrying about disturbing other customers was primary.

  Chen Yi continued eating the fruit and continued to persuade, trying to pull the other person over with his overflowing good feelings.

  However, as the law clerks said, eating more green jelly beans doesn't actually increase good feelings by much. The deputy manager is worried about losing his position and will not give in just because of a 10% increase in good feelings.

  Made a reservation but no table available, that's really bad service.

  Like most famous shops in New York, Broadway is only open 5 days a week and operates for only 6 to 8 hours a day, with limited seating capacity, prioritizing reputation over quantity.

  Chen Yi was after all a student and had not grasped the key point, so relying solely on luck would naturally be difficult to achieve his goal.

  Just as the deputy manager was about to continue "persuading", a couple who had just entered caught the attention of both sides.

  Tailored Italian bespoke suit, delicate tie knot, golden lion-like hairstyle.

  Chen Yi felt like he had seen it somewhere before.

  This foreign handsome guy looks like Stanik's style no matter how I look at him.

  Or rather, it's a matter of how you look at it, like that day attending the banquet in Vatican style.

  "Who are they?" Chen Yi suddenly changed the subject.

  "Mark." The deputy manager habitually replied, and immediately said angrily: "Mr..."

  "Vatican?" Chen Yi continued to ask nonchalantly, tapping on the table and saying to the waiter, "Beef steak, a big slab, everything else is up to the chef."

  He knocked with a force of over 200 kilograms, and the corner of the table was forced to leave the living room, falling on the ceramic tiles on the floor, making a loud slapping sound.

  The waiter was frightened and looked at Chen Yi's eyes again, which were clearly looking at Bruce Lee. The deputy manager was okay, but he didn't insist on him leaving either.

  Obviously, if such a dangerous person is released, the loss to the restaurant will be even greater.

  Mark heard the sound and looked over at Chen Yi, sizing him up from head to toe, clearly taken aback by his Asian features.

  The deputy manager decided to leave and reported the situation to the manager. Two waiters moved a new set of chairs and tableware out of the kitchen, assembled them at the staircase entrance, and deliberately put up a "reserved" sign.

  Chen Yi sighed, it seems that in the world of American imperialism, good feelings and whatnot are still not as useful as threats.

  Whatever the reason, he finally got to eat his steak, along with delicious but unhealthy goose-fat fries and black truffle spinach, hot chocolate cake with caramel ice cream for dessert, neither of which was suitable for a gentleman or lady looking to keep their figure.

  With a satisfied smack of his lips, he began drinking clear water, observing Mark on his right side.

  This guy's speech and behavior, table manners, even every move he makes, are too much like Stanik.

  Two foreigners cut from the same mold.

  ……