Cantonese Dim Sum in Miami

"Are we going to find Tony now?"

"Of course. Once this is settled, I still have to join Uncle and Auntie for Christmas dinner."

Leo strode toward the car.

Maya's legs were trembling slightly. "Um, can we not fly there? What exactly is the principle behind this car's flight?"

"Obviously, I control it. This isn't Coulson's Lola. Besides, a flying car concept was already showcased in 1943. Flying isn't anything special."

Leo looked at Maya dismissively.

"Aircraft carriers can fly now. What can't fly?"

"Come on, hurry up. I'm leaving, so don't even think about running away!"

Maya helplessly got into the car.

"Fine, but what is Lola?"

"Coulson's beloved car."

Leo smiled lightly, and the car swiftly rose into the air, shooting toward Miami according to the navigation route.

Maya still clutched the seat belt tightly, unwilling to speak.

They began chasing after Tony in the direction he had gone.

Leo looked down at the pitch-black roads below, where only a few scattered cars were still traveling.

But he did not find Tony's vehicle.

Leo moved a finger slightly, and the car flew faster and faster.

In the end, it even broke the sound barrier, filling the silent night sky with a fierce howl.

Quite a few cars stopped along the way, their occupants looking up and assuming that a small plane had flown low overhead.

All they could see was a streak cutting through the sky.

Yet even after reaching Florida, Miami, they had not found any trace of Tony, despite Leo checking every vehicle along the way.

Looking at the sky beginning to brighten, Leo said, "It's morning. Come on, let's get something to eat."

The car landed on the road, and Leo smoothly switched seats with Maya. After all, with his current age and identity, he could not drive.

Maya finally took hold of the steering wheel and let out a sigh of relief. "All right, let's eat. I'm hungry too."

Having barely eaten anything the night before, Maya licked her dry lips as she spoke.

Soon, they stopped outside a Chinese restaurant.

"Chinese food on Christmas?"

"What else? Isn't that the tradition?"

Maya pulled out the keys. "On Christmas, restaurants serving food from China are the only places still open. Eating food from China every Christmas has become a tradition for many people."

"You don't eat at home?"

Leo gave Maya a strange look and strode toward a Cantonese dim sum restaurant nearby.

Maya froze slightly at Leo's words, then hurried after him.

It was not yet five in the morning, but the dim sum restaurant was already open.

A waiter who was cleaning turned around and habitually called out, "Welcome to China Tea House."

Only then did he realize that it was still dark outside and that an Asian child had walked in.

"You're here awfully early. Our dishes aren't ready yet. Could you wait a little while?"

"Of course. No rush."

Leo sat down and looked around. The hall was extremely spacious, filled with tables and chairs. It looked like it could seat around two hundred people when full—a very large restaurant.

"Big restaurant. Business must be pretty good."

Maya walked over and sat across from Leo. "The base is still several kilometers away. When are we going over?"

"No rush. We'll eat first. Tony hasn't arrived yet."

Leo looked toward the road in the distance, the only route into Miami.

"First time here, customers? Chinese?"

The young waiter with yellow skin set down his mop and looked over.

"Yes, first time."

"That's what I thought. I know everyone around here, and no one comes this early, especially not today. Hi, I'm Yu Lei, from Guangdong. Did you just move here?"

The somewhat chubby Yu Lei sat down near Leo with a bright smile.

"No, I'm just passing through and stopped by for breakfast. My name is Liu Chong, but you can call me Leo."

"Haha, traveling all night on Christmas Eve must have been rough. But you came to the right place. We definitely have the most authentic Cantonese dim sum in Miami. My master used to be the head chef at a restaurant in Guangzhou before coming to the United States two years ago."

Yu Lei was naturally familiar, as though he had not seen another person from China in a long time and could not wait to chat in Mandarin.

"Really? That's great. You've got me looking forward to it."

"Here's the menu. I recommend a few signature dishes. These chicken feet—Americans don't order them much, but they're really, really delicious. And these beef rice noodle rolls, smooth, tender, and fragrant."

"These custard buns are also one of my master's specialties. The beef wontons and fish congee are both delicious too."

"Leo, do you know why I chose to work here? Because I get to eat this stuff for free. I used to weigh just over ninety pounds, but now I'm almost one hundred sixty."

Yu Lei eagerly introduced the dishes to Leo, even pinching his little belly to show just how delicious the food was.

"Fine, I'll take your advice. Bring two portions of everything."

"Uh, Leo, one portion is enough. Our portions aren't small, and the prices aren't exactly cheap. But I'll talk to Master Niu. Since you're from China, he'll definitely give you a discount."

Yu Lei was stunned at first, then quickly said.

"Money isn't an issue. I eat enough to enter an eating contest. Besides, we can always pack it up, right? Another friend might be coming later."

"Alright, that's all I needed to hear. It's so much easier talking with people from China. Those foreigners take forever to order... Uh... she doesn't understand Mandarin, right?"

Yu Lei looked awkwardly at Maya beside them.

"She doesn't."

Leo smiled at Maya's utterly confused expression.

"Alright, I'll go check in the back. The first batch should be almost ready."

"You know, every Christmas is actually our busiest time of year. Isn't that strange? It's popular here to eat food from China on Christmas, while in China, people go eat Western food for Christmas."

Yu Lei spoke as he headed toward the kitchen.

"What were you talking about? Ordering food? I want General Tso's chicken."

"I'll get you something better in a bit. By the way, did you bring money?"

"I did. Why?"

"Nothing. I didn't bring any money, so remember to pay the bill later."

Leo said it generously, his eyes remaining fixed on the vehicles crossing the bridge.

Before long, Yu Lei pushed over several steaming hot dishes. "Here we are! Freshly made custard buns and beef rice noodle rolls."

"Leo, Master Niu said that since you're the first customer today and a fellow countryman, he'll give you fifty percent off. Not bad, right?"

"Alright, the chicken feet and fish congee will be ready soon. I'll go get them."

Yu Lei hurried back once more.

The translucent rice noodle rolls looked wonderfully springy, and the aroma of rice, egg, and beef drifted over. The sauce poured on top carried a fresh, sweet flavor as well.

Leo casually picked up a fluffy, piping-hot custard bun and bit into it. Scalding golden custard filling flooded his mouth, rich with salted egg yolk and butter.

This flavor was absolutely incredible.

Maya swallowed and reached out to take one as well.