Chapter 196: You Are Not Welcome Here

"No problem! It's getting late today. I'll take you both to dinner first, then drop you off at the hotel.

Tomorrow morning, we'll go together to the SEC to get your RIA license, have lunch at my place, then visit the company in the afternoon, and finally, attend the opening banquet in the evening!"

While driving, Julian explained the itinerary to Carter.

"By the way, have you prepared your formal wear? Tomorrow's banquet is more formal than the one at George's last time, as it includes an opening ceremony."

"Which type of formal wear? Tuxedo? I don't have one of those, but I brought a suit!"

Carter patted the book bag beside him, which was noticeably fuller than usual, indicating that he understood the difference in the nature of the event.

George Soros's previous banquet was more of a private gathering under the guise of celebrating a fund name change. This time, however, the Tiger Asset Management Company's opening celebration was more about announcing its arrival to the world.

"Just a suit will do. We're not having an old-fashioned aristocratic gathering. But make sure the suit is formal; don't show up in something flashy. I don't want to be embarrassed!"

After joking with Carter, Julian asked about dinner:

"What do you want for dinner? French, Italian, or American cuisine?"

In this era, French cuisine was highly favored for more formal occasions, even at White House state dinners. It wasn't until a Filipino-American chef who specialized in American cuisine became the White House executive chef in 2005 that the trend began to shift.

Given this, high-end restaurants at the time were mostly French. So when Julian mentioned French cuisine, Lycoris's eyes lit up. She thought to herself that experiencing such luxury, with a flight and French dinner, was what high society was all about.

But then Carter said something that shattered her excitement.

"Forget it, French food takes too long. I'm sick of Italian food at home. Let's go to Chinatown for Chinese food! I highly recommend you try Sichuan or Hunan cuisine."

Having gotten used to the life of an American, Carter suddenly craved the spicy challenge of Chinese food, intending to give Julian a hard time.

"That place again?"

Julian's face became a mix of fear and pain at the mention of Chinese food, particularly remembering the last time he and Carter ate there. He had come to associate Chinese cuisine with extreme spiciness, even more terrifying than Mexican food. But since Carter was the guest, Julian couldn't refuse and reluctantly headed towards Chinatown.

"Yeah, that place!"

Carter, remembering their previous visit, felt a twinge of regret that he couldn't prank Julian this time. But the thought of authentic home-style flavors made him happy nonetheless.

However, this happiness quickly disappeared.

Chinatown in New York hadn't changed much in a year. Around 8 PM, it was past the typical dinner rush. The restaurant owner, seeing a car pull up, initially smiled but quickly turned angry when he saw Carter step out.

"Get out! You are not welcome here! Don't come back!"

Seeing the owner's face change so quickly from joy to anger, with his hand reaching for a chair, Carter was stunned.

What happened?

He hadn't been to New York recently, so how did he offend the owner? Weren't they friendly last time he left?

Standing at the entrance, Carter was at a loss.

Visiting Chinatown, even as a white man, always gave him a sense of kinship. Now, more integrated into American life, Carter felt less excited but still expected to meet an old friend. But the reception was more like facing an enemy.

"Mr. Chen, please calm down!"

Seeing the tension, Julian and Lycoris were initially stunned but Julian quickly intervened.

"Is there a misunderstanding here?"

"Misunderstanding? No misunderstanding!"

"I understand now, you white folks are all the same!"

"Mr. Chen, don't say that! They haven't done anything to you!"

Mrs. Chen's plea in Chinese didn't register with Julian, but Mr. Chen's "Gwailo" (a derogatory term for white people) was unmistakable, making Julian's face turn sour. Just as he was about to warn the rude owner, Carter spoke up:

"Mr. Chen, I really don't know what happened. If I've wronged you in any way, please tell me. I'll take responsibility! There's no need for such harsh words!"