24th

The happy atmosphere and the sweet smell permeate the air of the restaurant. Everyone who comes here is fully enjoying the joy, warmth and festive feeling brought by Christmas.

The short happy time can always make people forget their sorrows and pains.Sitting at the dining table, Katerina enjoyed a roast turkey dinner while turning the topic to comic book superheroes.

Immediately, I naturally thought of the robbery incident that happened in front of the motel in the evening.Picking up the champagne, he smiled as he poured the glass, "I know what you said to those two gangsters."

"Really? You know, they're gang members?" Gloria looked at her with admiration.

"How do you think these two guys compare with people like Yakov and Valery?"

"Well, if the means are fierce, they are not opponents of people like Yakov at all."

Gloria took a sip from her glass and said, "So, can you tell me what I said to them?"

Katerina thought for a few seconds, "I don't know. I only understand your French and some Spanish words."

"Well, good. Go ahead."

"Uh, then you said you were the daughter of the Loa God, what happened?"

"Quiet!" Gloria listened to the back of the screen, and then said quietly, "You know, this incident has been recorded and posted on the Internet. I think it's better for us to keep a low profile."

"ok, I get it."

"Actually, I just said that to scare those two bastards. Well, the Loa is a voodoo god that is prevalent among the rural residents of Haiti."

"Wow, you know so much, how do you know these things?"

"I was obsessed with Louisiana's 'Voodoo Queen' some time before high school. Well, Queen means Lavue, who is a native Louisiana Creole."

"Louisiana, Creole? ​​God, you know her?"

"No. It's just that some Hollywood movies have depicted voodoo and their exorcisms and sacrifices."

Katerina said with great interest, "Then, what did you say after you asked me to close my eyes? I think it sounds like a spell or scripture."

Gloria smiled slightly, "Actually, these are some spells used by Voodoo to curse enemies. Of course, I think of them from Hollywood movies and the deeds of the Queen of Voodoo."

"God! It's really a spell! Does it work?"

"I don't know. If it's a voodoo priest, it must be preceded by the name of the mantra to have any effect."

"Gloria, you are so smart, you actually scared the gangsters away with a spell." Katerina smiled happily.

"They speak Haitian, so I know they must be from Haiti or a nearby country. And voodoo is an important belief in black culture and the root of Haitian culture." Gloria replied.

"So, what were they yelling about afterward?"

"Nothing. It's their fear of voodoo spells, I suppose."

Gloria did not mention that her palm was pierced, the wound healed quickly, and the two robbers mistook her for a "revenant" and other details of the robbery scene.

The Christmas dinner for the two is coming to an end.As for the dispute between the three family members in the restaurant kitchen, it also reached the point of tit for tat.

"Honey, today is Christmas. Wouldn't you like to be with us on such an important day?" said the mother.

"Mommy, today is indeed Christmas. However, since I learned to think independently and live independently, you seem to prefer to celebrate the Chinese New Year." Regina said softly.

"We are the sons and daughters of China, but is the Spring Festival still considered Chinese?" the father said beside him.

"Don't talk, let the daughter talk." The mother glared at the father behind her.

"Of course. So, to our family and other Chinese families, Christmas seems to be just their American holiday. So, do you have any excuse to stop me from going out?"

"Honey, we respect your thoughts and opinions. It's just, don't you think going to Paramore tonight would be very dangerous?"

"Hmmm, I know Paramore is a high crime area. But, I'm a 'Guardian Angel'! It's my job, and it's an important social job I have outside of campus!"

Mother shook her head, "Well, since we live in a country that values ​​individualism and personal freedom, I have no objection to your choice and freedom. However, I hope you will do more for us before you do anything. Think about it."

Regina put her arms around her mother's shoulders, "Mommy, I'll be fine. 'Live and work in peace and enjoy the peaceful years', 'It's better to be a peaceful dog than to leave people in disorder', these are old traditional Chinese values."

She also said, "The American society we live in hasn't changed and hasn't changed. Is it still called the United States? If society doesn't feel safe, will our family still feel safe?"

"Please, I'm not going to fight, I'm just going to work! I'll come back alive!" After speaking, he turned and left with a confident smile.

The author has something to say: