Dinner ended up featuring no French bread, but hearty Texas-style smoked brisket and grilled ribs, paired with ice-cold beer. The atmosphere on the terrace relaxed, and the Pacific Ocean breeze swept away the first hints of summer heat.
"Seriously, Jay," Oliver Queen asked tentatively, prodding a charred, fragrant piece of meat on his plate with his fork. "Since you're already out here, have you considered... staying in California a little longer? I happen to have some things that need experienced hands, people who know how to handle complicated situations."
He paused, glancing toward Thea, who was chatting and laughing quietly with Dinah nearby, and lowered his voice further. "You know, what goes on under Star City's sunshine isn't much cleaner than Gotham. Gangs, smuggling, and those fronts operating under the banner of environmental protection or charity... I need someone who can see the situation clearly and keep it under control. Especially somewhere like this."
He gestured at the expensive stretch of coastline beneath them. "Getting a foothold in the media and public opinion is a lot harder here than in Gotham. This is their model state. Every eye is watching, and everything you say or do has to pass through a political filter first."
Li Jie did not answer immediately. Instead, he leisurely cut off a juicy piece of beef, put it in his mouth, and chewed carefully.
His gaze drifted toward the last trace of twilight melting into the distant horizon. The steady sound of waves was nothing like Gotham's background noise, punctuated by sirens and explosions.
"I have a question, Oliver." Li Jie looked at the head of Queen Industries beside him. "At this hour... don't you need to go to work?"
"Huh? Well, that's..."
Oliver stumbled over his words. He wasn't sure whether Li Jie knew about