Chapter 79: Jimmy
In foreign countries, traditional Chinese customs like betrothal gifts and dowries aren't popular. There's no expectation of buying a house or car before marriage. Instead, love and connection are what matter most. When the feelings are right, even living humbly—wandering, renting, or struggling—is enough for two people to commit to each other.
That's why it was such a rare gesture when Jimmy bought Fiona a house next to Frank's. Regardless of whether he was being truthful about gifting it to her in the future, the act itself spoke volumes.
Frank bought some alcohol, and the two men sat on the floor of the new home—drinking and having a heart-to-heart—as Fiona's father and Fiona's boyfriend.
There's a saying: you can see a person's true nature after a few drinks. Jimmy could hold his liquor reasonably well—he'd spent enough time in bars chasing women—but compared to Frank, who had been drinking for 40 or 50 years and lived in a state of near-constant intoxication, Jimmy was a lightweight.
Especially since Frank had intentionally bought a high-proof cocktail infamous for its tendency to make people "lose control."
A few sips in, Jimmy loosened up. Frank coaxed the truth out of him—his background, his thoughts, his secrets.
Jimmy came from a family of doctors. He was the youngest son, and his life path had been planned since childhood. His older brother had already achieved great success and served as the perfect role model. Everyone around him—parents, relatives, friends, even teachers—expected Jimmy to follow the same path and become a doctor.
And Jimmy didn't disappoint. He was extremely smart and got accepted into Harvard. But perhaps due to the intense pressure and the suffocating environment, he didn't adjust well and transferred to the University of Michigan.
Officially, it was about adapting to a better environment. Unofficially, Jimmy just wanted to get away—from his parents and the family that tried to control his life.
Once he got to Michigan, Jimmy started breaking away from those restrictions. Free from their influence, the years of repression gave way to rebellion.
And then he made a bold move: he dropped out and returned home.
Of course, he never told his family. They still thought he was studying at the University of Michigan, sending him money each month for living expenses. But that money wasn't even close to what he needed to buy a house. That cash came from something else entirely—car theft.
Yes, Jimmy turned to stealing cars.
Perhaps because he'd been raised in such a rigid, law-abiding environment, the thrill and danger of illegal activities fascinated him.
He became remarkably skilled at it. To this day, he hadn't been caught—not once. In fact, he'd made good money doing it. Enough to buy a house in full with cash.
He hadn't told Fiona about the house, likely intending to reveal it as a surprise once their relationship reached the next level.
Unfortunately, Frank's interference kept their relationship stuck in limbo.
Jimmy didn't dare reveal his real identity to Fiona, afraid she'd react the same way she had during the last fallout—when he secretly helped Frank sneak across the border into Canada. That incident had nearly ended them.
As things between him and Fiona improved, he did think about telling her the truth. But the timing never felt right.
Then came a series of events—especially the Canada incident—and Fiona grew to resent his lies and secrecy.
Now that they'd just started to patch things up, Jimmy was even more hesitant to come clean. The longer he waited, the more afraid he became.
So when Frank suddenly showed up in his home, Jimmy was stunned—like his soul had fled his body.
That night of drinking gave Frank real insight into who Jimmy was.
Jimmy was a man raised in a repressive household, now caught in the middle of a rebellious phase. He was indecisive, hesitant, and lacked foresight. While he was clever, he lived only in the moment and had no plans for the future.
In short, Jimmy was physically an adult—but mentally still a child.
If he really wanted to rebel, he could've waited until graduation. With a degree and a medical license, he could do whatever he wanted—even go to jail—and still have a fallback. Even if prestigious hospitals rejected him, smaller clinics or even his own private practice would be possible. After all, his father and brother were both established doctors.
But Jimmy didn't do that. He transferred out of Harvard, tasted freedom, and immediately spiraled into self-indulgence.
He was like one of those high school overachievers who, after finally getting into college, let loose entirely—skipping classes, failing exams, and wasting away in a dorm room gaming all day.
He even dropped out secretly and began living under a fake name in Chicago—right under his family's noses—stealing cars by day and partying in bars by night.
Why Chicago? Why not escape to another city?
Logically, he should've stayed as far from home as possible to avoid being recognized. After all, Chicago is where his family lives. Even in a big city, there's always a chance someone might spot him—his father, his brother, or an acquaintance—and report back.
But Jimmy deliberately chose Chicago for the thrill. That constant risk of being caught gave him a twisted sense of excitement.
It's hard to put into words, but the feeling was akin to something absurd and scandalous—like the cliché of the neighbor sleeping with a married woman at dinner while her husband, oblivious, offers him more food. That was the thrill Jimmy chased. The kind of pleasure others couldn't even begin to imagine.
Sure, it was exhilarating—but he never thought about the consequences. What if his family found out? What if the police caught him stealing a car?
Jimmy likely never considered any of it—or if he did, he chose to ignore it. He'd just deal with it if and when the time came.