Chapter 8: Lending a Hand

Li Lekang entered the bar’s main hall. The crowd was growing, and the smoky-voiced, tattooed lead singer had begun her solo, hugging her guitar. He greeted familiar faces along the way and made his way through the throng to the side bar.

“A beer, buddy!”

“Real men drink Carter’s special Blazing Whiskey.”

The bartender, Carter, slicked-back hair gleaming, cologne thick, and waistcoat sharp, was someone Li Lekang could talk to. Carter possessed the usual bartender traits: he could chat with anyone, had a mouthful of cheeky banter, and always knew which women were lonely, which could be asked out, which were high-class gold-diggers—he’d always spin some theory.

“You buying?”

“Oh, you’d better stick to beer then!” Carter was, of course, stingy.

Li Lekang perched himself on a bar stool and teased, “You’re so cheap, no wonder you don’t have a girlfriend.”

“Why do you Easterners always think like that?” Carter poured him a beer and grabbed a glass to polish.

Li Lekang replied, “Girls like generous men.”

“This is a fair society—gender equality can’t just be lip service…” Carter launched into a tirade, impossible to interrupt unless a new customer arrived.

Li Lekang listened with amusement, occasionally echoing Carter’s cynical remarks, watching the bar’s performances. When his second glass was empty, he got up and left.

Night had deepened, the street was quiet. He couldn’t shake the feeling that someone might jump out of a back alley to make trouble, and he was ready to practice his moves if need be. But he made it back to his apartment without incident, a little disappointed.

It seemed the high rent in this middle-class enclave was justified after all.

He collapsed into bed and slept soundly till morning.

The next day, full of youthful energy, he changed into workout clothes and headed out to jog around the neighborhood.

The area was lush with trees and the air was fresh. He often saw people running or exercising; fitness had become a trend among the middle class and above.

It’s often said you can judge someone’s wealth in America by their physique. Most overweight people are poor—years of high-calorie fast food and the grind for a living add up. Wealthier folks focus on health, eat balanced diets, and have plenty of time for workouts. Just look at the countless gyms in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

Li Lekang jogged for half an hour, stretching his muscles. As he returned to his apartment building, he bumped into his spicy neighbor again. She seemed to have just finished her workout too, wearing tight pink leggings, her peach-shaped curves as striking as ever.

Her figure wasn’t the exaggerated kind you’d see in a Kardashian—more like the toned, athletic build of a track star: firm, tight, radiating health and athletic beauty.

Seeing she was about to go upstairs, Li Lekang stepped aside, signaling ladies first.

She nodded and ascended ahead. On the second floor, she suddenly turned back, alert as if catching him red-handed. “Were you staring at my ass?”

Li Lekang thought, what man could possibly look away? He admitted, “Basic respect for beauty is to appreciate it. If I didn’t look, that would be dreadful for you.”

“You’re shamelessly honest!” Sandra pointed at him from a distance, then laughed. “But I can generally accept your appreciation of beauty.”

Li Lekang laughed too. They climbed the stairs, then went their separate ways to prepare breakfast and get ready for work.

But the door hadn’t been closed long before a knock came.

Li Lekang put down his things and opened the door.

Outside stood his peachy neighbor, looking embarrassed. “I know this sounds silly, but I forgot my keys—and my phone.”

Li Lekang understood and stepped aside. “Come in.”

“I really don’t know what I was thinking when I left!” She came in, berating herself. “Can I borrow your phone? But I need to find the locksmith’s number first—oh, dear!”

“No need to trouble yourself that much,” Li Lekang said.

She looked at him, her eyes suddenly sparkling with hope. “Could you get my keys for me, magician? Please!”

“If you mean passing through walls, that’s out of the question!” Li Lekang joked. “But I noticed our balconies are connected. Just climb across.”

“Really? Thank you so much!” She was overjoyed.

“I meant you climb.”

After all, they were just neighbors, not close friends, and climbing balconies carried a certain risk. If she slipped and fell, she’d be hospitalized for weeks. He wasn’t afraid, but as a straightforward man, he wasn’t about to offer anything fancy.

Sandra paused. She wasn’t the type to think men had to revolve around her; she knew he was right—it wasn’t her place to ask a favor. She silently went to the balcony, peered over, then quickly pulled back.

“No way! I can’t do it! My legs would go weak!”

Li Lekang was right behind her; as she retreated, she bumped into his chest—rear first. Damn, that was some springy muscle! He quickly stepped aside and craned his neck to look down, then turned back. “Are you afraid of heights?”

She nodded vigorously.

Her mind was already thinking how wonderful it would be to have a boyfriend at moments like these. When you don’t want them, they wag their tails like dogs; when you do, you can shout yourself hoarse and no one shows up. Heaven’s little joke made her feel it keenly.

“It looks like this is the only way,” Li Lekang said, looking at her. “I’ll climb across, but you’ll make up for the breakfast time I lose. Deal?”

She didn’t hesitate. “No problem—I can make two portions!”

Li Lekang smiled and nodded. Sandra watched as he lifted his long leg onto the balcony edge, gripped the rail, and swung himself across with the agility of a swallow. Before she could react, his feet landed on the other balcony.

This guy… He must look pretty cool climbing through windows to steal hearts! Sandra’s mind conjured up a bizarre scene, and she laughed to herself—blame last night’s wild soap operas!

Knock, knock, knock.

The door sounded. Sandra pushed aside her strange thoughts and hurried to open it. Outside, Li Lekang looked relaxed, and her apartment door was already open.

She hugged him excitedly. “Wow! Thank you so much! You’re a real Spider-Man!”

Li Lekang gladly embraced this stunner. That waist—what a perfect handful!

Sandra gave him a bear hug, then let go with a grin. Li Lekang handed her the keys. “Don’t forget your keys next time!”

“I should also remember I have a good neighbor!” She took the keys, playing smart. “Give me twenty minutes—breakfast will be ready, dear neighbor Mr. Li.”

Li Lekang smiled and stepped aside.

Peachy went to make breakfast, saving Li Lekang the trouble. He showered and changed clothes, timing it just right.

Sandra’s breakfast was simple: two fried eggs, sourdough and bacon, plus a glass of skim milk—the classic fitness meal.

Li Lekang wasn’t picky about food. Eating someone else’s cooking, he naturally praised, “You surprised me. You’re an outstanding woman.”

He sat down without ceremony and picked up his knife and fork.

Hearing a straight-laced guy praise her, Sandra’s mood improved. “I have plenty of other strengths—you just haven’t noticed yet!”

“Because men focus on your most prominent assets?” Li Lekang guessed.

“Yes!”

Li Lekang smiled. “But I noticed your cooking skills, didn’t I?”

She paused, then smiled at him. “Honestly, I was a bit annoyed you weren’t more gentlemanly, but now I think you’re pretty decent—a friend-worthy kind of guy.”