Pushing the suitcase, the three of them made their way to the underground parking lot. Sarah took out her car key and pressed it, and the lights of a small BMW MINI ahead flickered several times. The car was small and cute, with good performance, but its major drawback was its limited space.
The two suitcases couldn't fit into the trunk, so the rear seats had to be folded down to accommodate the luggage. This raised the question of where Ryan would sit after the back seat was folded down.
Eventually, he found himself sitting on one of the suitcases. Seeing this, Emma, sitting in the co-pilot seat, couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm sorry, Ryan," Sarah said apologetically. "The car is too small, so I can only ask you to manage like this."
"It's okay, I think this is quite interesting," Ryan waved his hand. He was not one to make a fuss over small inconveniences.
Sarah continued, "Where should we go for lunch?"
Ryan shook his head and said, "I'm not familiar with New York. You decide."
"Then let's have pizza!" Emma suggested. "There's this amazing New York-style pizza place I know."
"How about Lombardi's?" Sarah asked.
"Yeah!" Emma nodded eagerly, her eyes shining with anticipation. She turned to Ryan and explained, "Ryan, let me tell you, their pizza is amazing. I eat there every time I come to New York."
Sarah nodded and said, "Let me call and check. Lombardi's can get pretty crowded, especially during lunchtime."
Lombardi's is one of the most famous pizzerias in New York, known for its classic New York-style pizza. Established in 1905, it's often credited as the first pizzeria in the United States and has maintained its reputation for over a century.
Soon, Sarah put down the phone and said with a little surprise, "We're in luck. There's just one table available."
...
Lombardi's is located on Spring Street in Little Italy, not far from the high-speed rail station. Half an hour later, Sarah parked the car in front of the restaurant.
Lombardi's is a cozy, historic pizzeria with a charming, old-school atmosphere. The smell of baking pizza filled the air, and the restaurant was buzzing with activity. People were coming and going, creating a lively and bustling environment.
The waiters were friendly and efficient, guiding them to their reserved table. They passed by the wood-fired oven, which was the heart of the restaurant, where skilled pizzaiolos were busy making pizzas.
Once seated, Sarah took the menu and smiled, "Ryan, feel free to order whatever you like. Don't be shy."
"It's my first time here, so I'll leave the ordering to you guys," Ryan said, shaking his head.
"Okay!" Sarah nodded and then turned to the waiter. "We'll have a large Margherita, a white pizza with ricotta and spinach, and a pepperoni pizza. And let's get some garlic knots to start."
After placing the order, Sarah poured some water for the three of them and casually asked, "Ryan, have you decided where to go in New York this time?"
Ryan smiled and said, "No, I'm mainly here to do some shopping."
Emma secretly laughed, thinking that Ryan was pretending quite well.
"What are you planning to buy?" Sarah continued to ask.
"A watch," Ryan took a sip of his water and said calmly.
Originally, Sarah had a good impression of Ryan, but it now dropped several levels. Having lived in New York for so many years, Sarah had good judgment. She could tell at a glance that Ryan's clothes were not from famous brands. For an ordinary student who just graduated from high school, was it necessary to come to New York to buy a watch?
Sarah thought Ryan was deliberately pretending. She didn't despise the poor and love the rich, but she felt that Ryan was too pretentious, pretending to be a rich man without having money, which was insincere.
Sarah felt it was necessary for her cousin to see Ryan clearly.
Despite the crowd in the restaurant, the food service was quick. Soon, the delicious smell of freshly baked pizza and garlic knots filled the air as the dishes were brought to their table.
"Ryan, try the garlic knots. They're amazing," Emma urged.
Ryan nodded and picked up a garlic knot, taking a bite. It was indeed delicious, with a perfect combination of crispy exterior and soft, buttery interior.
"Well, it's really good," he praised.
"See, I told you!" Emma said happily. She then eagerly reached for a slice of the Margherita pizza, savoring each bite.
Ryan also tried several other dishes and found them all to be excellent. No wonder the restaurant was so popular. The culinary skills of his own family's restaurant were also good, but they specialized in pizza, which was quite different from the local cuisine here.
Emma was now busy with her slice of pizza, her eyes full of happiness. It turned out Emma was quite the foodie, though she hid it well at school!
Sensing his gaze, Emma felt a bit embarrassed. She put down her slice of pizza and gracefully wiped her mouth with a napkin. But soon, she couldn't resist the temptation of the food and picked up another slice.
...
Half an hour later, they had finished their meal. For Ryan, who was trying New York-style pizza for the first time, the dining experience was excellent.
Emma, with a contented expression, sipped her water. At this moment, Sarah suddenly asked, "Ryan, where are you heading next?"
"To buy a watch," Ryan replied.
"Where's the address? I'll take you there!" Sarah said enthusiastically.
Emma glanced at Sarah, feeling that her cousin's enthusiasm was a bit too much. Did her cousin see through her feelings for Lin Xian?
Ryan certainly wouldn't refuse a free ride. He took out his phone and glanced at the address, "No. 1159, Madison Avenue."
"That's perfect, I'm also planning to take Emma to Fifth Avenue for some shopping," Sarah said. Her real motive was to expose Ryan's true intentions and make sure her cousin saw him clearly.
After paying the bill, which amounted to a reasonable $50 for the delicious pizza, garlic knots, and drinks, they left the restaurant and headed to their next destination.
Sarah drove them through the bustling streets of New York City, the skyline dotted with towering skyscrapers and iconic landmarks. Emma chatted excitedly about their plans, while Ryan looked out the window, taking in the sights and sounds of the city.
As they approached Madison Avenue, Sarah pulled up in front of a high-end watch store. Ryan got out, thanked Sarah for the ride, and walked inside.
Emma watched him go with a mix of curiosity and concern. She hoped her cousin was wrong about Ryan and that he was sincere in his intentions.
Inside the store, Ryan browsed through the collection of luxury watches, impressed by the craftsmanship and elegance of each piece. He knew exactly what he was looking for and soon found a watch that caught his eye.
After making his purchase, Ryan stepped out of the store with a satisfied smile. He rejoined Sarah and Emma, who were waiting in the car, and they drove off to continue their day in New York City.
As they explored the city, visiting famous landmarks and indulging in more delicious food, Emma couldn't help but feel more drawn to Ryan. Despite her cousin's doubts, she believed there was something genuine about him.
And so, their adventure in New York continued, filled with laughter, discovery, and the promise of new beginnings.