Those out-of-town people who need him to personally deliver the invitations are just these ones. Invitations for everyone else can be sent by courier; you just need to check the time and call to chat for a bit. As for the local people in New York, it's much simpler; they're basically colleagues and friends, so the invitations can be delivered on the way.

Jimmy went around several places consecutively and felt quite exhausted. Because he carries a weapon with him, every time he goes to the airport he needs to register and complete procedures, which are far more complicated than normal boarding procedures and require at least an hour of waiting time. These rules are overly cumbersome, and they've only been this troublesome since 9/11—before that, it was much simpler.

Returning to New York, Jimmy dropped off his luggage at home. Nia wasn't in the apartment; he figured she was either back home or out shopping or doing spa activities. Jimmy didn't call her; he just went out to the bar.

Previously, he mentioned to Woody to invite him to be the best man. At that time, Woody said he'd think about it but didn't agree. Now the wedding is approaching, and if he doesn't settle things soon, it'll be troublesome—Woody needs to give an answer.

Fortunately, Woody was very supportive and didn't refuse Jimmy again; there was finally a first confirmed answer.

As for the second best man, Jimmy had a few ideas. Mahong's consultant Neil Cavrey—young, handsome, unmarried—although he has some slight flaws in character, would certainly be qualified as a best man.

Neil is a former criminal, now an FBI consultant, still hasn't completed his sentence, and is wearing an electronic anklet. But actually, apart from being restricted from leaving the Manhattan area, he has most of his freedom back, so he's kind of half in the circle.

The main point is from the looks, Neil really fits the part because one of Nia's bridesmaids is her old classmate—a young, beautiful, and tall female model. To match that kind of bridesmaid, Woody definitely wouldn't do; Woody corresponds to another bridesmaid—Nia's colleague from the precinct.

This is also Jimmy's own compulsive behavior; actually, the numbers of groomsmen and bridesmaids don't need to be balanced—one is enough. But with uneven numbers on the left and right, it looks a bit odd.

Now the only problem is how to broach the invitation to Neil...

Jimmy sat at the bar sipping his drink slowly, pondering his affairs. He checked the time and called Mahong. Since he's currently single, a spontaneous meet-up shouldn't be a problem... right?

Mahong picked up the phone but said Jimmy would have to wait a bit longer.

An hour later, Mahong arrived at Jimmy's bar. Jimmy turned to see him but noticed he hadn't come alone; there was also a middle-aged attractive woman with him. She looked very elegant, and judging by their outfits, had they just attended some event?

Jimmy: "Hi, Mahong. And this lady is?"

The woman didn't wait for Mahong to introduce her, extending her right hand for a light handshake with Jimmy, "Karen Olson."

Jimmy smiled, saying, "Jimmy Yang, welcome to my bar, please sit; what would you like to drink?"

Mahong: "Beer. Karen?"

Karen: "Old Fashioned." (An Old Fashioned cocktail, Bourbon, Lemon, sugar, bitters, ice—very simple, but the taste is somewhat rough, less refined than the later cocktail mixes)

Woody, who had been chatting with Jimmy earlier, heard Karen's choice and softly exclaimed, "Oh!" "Good choice. Please wait a moment."

After speaking, Woody turned and grabbed a shaker to start making the cocktail. As for Mahong's beer, he asked another bartender at the side to pour one.

Mahong: "Jimmy, anything new with you?"

Jimmy: "Not really; any new updates these days?"

Mahong: "Come on, it's after work hours now."

Jimmy: "Alright, actually, I wanted to ask you, what do you think of Mark?"

Mahong: "He's great. With a few more years of experience, he should be able to operate independently."

Jimmy: "Okay, that's good. There's a matter I'd like to get your opinion on."

Mahong chuckled, picked up his beer, remarking, "I knew it, you definitely have something. Go ahead."

Jimmy: "You know I'm getting married soon, but there's a small problem; I'm short one best man. Do you think getting Neil to be a best man is feasible?"

Mahong was good at thinking and had extensive experience in cases, but hearing this question, which deviated from their usual business, he was a bit lost, "Best man?"

Jimmy nodded: "Among the people I know, there are few who are age-appropriate and also handsome; he's pretty much the most suitable."

Mahong: "He is indeed handsome, but aren't you worried he'll cause some trouble? Knowing him, he often attracts those pretty ladies; making him the best man might stir things up in the bridesmaids' circle."

Jimmy: "That's not an issue; Neil still needs to be under our supervision for a while, he won't dare misbehave."

Mahong: "I don't see any problem; why not just talk to Neil and see his opinion?"

Jimmy: "Okay, let me talk to him separately then." Jimmy raised his eyebrows towards Karen's position, "You guys are... on a date?"

Mahong turned to glance, "No, just work-related."

Jimmy: "Got it, got it. Let me leave you to it." He snapped his fingers, "Woody, it's on me. I'll be heading out now."

Woody nodded. Karen had already received her Old Fashioned cocktail, raised her glass to clink against Jimmy's and Mahong's glasses. Jimmy drained his glass, got up to say goodbye, and left the bar.

It's still quite early. Jimmy looked around, just in time to see a taxi pulling up at the bar entrance. He hailed it and got in, heading directly to Neil's residence—an enviable mansion.

Neil was still under restrictions and surveillance, so he naturally stayed home and didn't go out. Before Jimmy entered, there were two others in his room; they had now gone into the adjacent cloakroom.

From the build, one seemed to be someone Jimmy had seen before—a bald, short guy named Mosquito, but memorable. The other appeared to be a woman with a nice figure.

Jimmy stood at the door watching as Neil tidied things on the table, repeatedly saying, "Wait a bit, coming soon," which made Jimmy want to laugh. It seemed what they were discussing wasn't convenient for outsiders to see.

Neil came over and opened the door. Jimmy walked in, "Neil, am I interrupting?"

Neil: "Of course not, have a seat, what would you like to drink?"

Jimmy: "Beer, please."

Neil went to the fridge, opened it, took out two cans of beer, then sat opposite Jimmy, "Yang, what can I do for you?"

Jimmy opened his beer, clinked cans with Neil, "Neil, you know I'm getting married."

Neil: "Of course, congratulations."

Jimmy: "But there's a small issue I might need your help with—I'm short one best man."

Neil was a bit surprised, beer still near his mouth but forgotten to drink, "Why me? Why choose me?"

Jimmy shrugged, putting the beer back on the table. He looked at Neil, "Because you're handsome... Don't laugh, I mean it. Nia picked a bridesmaid who is a model, her old classmate. Among the people I know, there aren't many as handsome as you, and importantly, you're single."

Neil was kind of speechless; he hadn't expected Jimmy to approach him for this reason, "Am I suitable? Isn't your fiancée also a cop?"

Jimmy: "Yeah, NYPD detective."

Neil: "I don't think I fit; you guys are agents, I'm a criminal."

Jimmy: "No, don't overthink it; it's just for a wedding ceremony, not some criminal affair. Don't worry, although there might be many federal and government people at the venue, they have nothing to do with you."

Neil glanced at the cloakroom, then back at Jimmy, after thinking for a while he said, "OK, I accept."

Jimmy smiled, extended his right hand, and clasped Neil's, "Thanks, Neil. The wedding is in May."

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