225-226

Chapter 225: The Butterfly Effect

The arrival of the French could only be considered a minor interlude.

These Gauls have always had an inflated sense of self-worth.

In this way, they’re somewhat like those script-loving Neon people from Asia.

That is, when someone deviates from their script, they often become completely at a loss for what to do next.

In this regard, the Gauls also resemble the Slavs.

The Slavs need a "father figure" above them to guide their way forward and unify them.

Similarly, the Gauls require a strong ruler, a decisive leader, to give them a voice and status on the international stage.

From the Sun King to Joan of Arc, from Joan of Arc to Napoleon, from Napoleon to Charles de Gaulle, and now to what could be described as a miniaturized version: Jacques Chirac.

And once they lose such leaders, France turns into nothing more than a headless chicken.

---

*August 30, 1997*

The sweltering summer in New York was coming to an end. Autumn in New York was like a vibrant masterpiece.

On Manhattan’s streets, golden ginkgo leaves intermingled with fiery red maple leaves, creating an image as warm and intense as flames.

Sunlight streamed through sparse clouds, casting a golden glow on the fallen leaves.

The lake in Central Park shimmered, reflecting the colorful foliage, looking almost surreal in its beauty.

The autumn breeze carried a slight chill along with the fragrance of ripened fruits.

A custom, full-sized Cadillac Escalade cruised slowly along Manhattan’s afternoon streets. Milo rolled down the window slightly, letting the cool breeze invigorate his weary spirit.

Looking out at the bustling crowds on the streets—this was rush hour. People had shed the focused determination of their morning commute, appearing more relaxed now, though still immersed in their own worlds.

Whether it was a film crew shooting by the roadside, someone arguing on the street corner, or a beggar leaning against a wall, none of these sights drew a second glance. In Manhattan—the busiest part of New York—life was either about striving forward or being left behind.

This was the Empire’s most brilliant sunset glow, the zenith of the most powerful capitalist nation in human history.

Shaking his head, Milo closed the window and signaled for the motorcade to head back to Long Island.

Midway, it began to rain. New York's autumn rains, much like its blizzards, were cold and accompanied by fierce winds.

By the time Milo reached home, the rain had subsided slightly, though the wind still howled fiercely.

---

In the grand living room of the mansion, Mrs. Solly, the housekeeper, noticed her employer’s return and immediately gave quiet instructions to the maids.

Some went to prepare hot coffee, others fetched clean clothes, some readied a steaming bath, and still others went to notify the mistress of the estate.

Of course, she didn’t forget to turn to the Chinese nanny, who had been recently hired during interviews conducted by the mothers of the two young ladies.

“Liu, bring out the young misses. The master has returned.”

The nanny nodded and, along with a few other childcare assistants, brought out the two young ladies, Lily and Rose.

A short while later...

Having changed into fresh clothes and sipped some hot coffee, Milo exclaimed,

“Ha-ha! My Lily and Rose! Did you miss Daddy? Muah, muah~”

He eagerly took both girls into his arms. The little ones giggled happily, their sapphire-blue eyes twinkling as they reached out with their tiny hands, struggling to hug him back.

Their silvery laughter filled the room as Milo smothered their adorable little faces with kisses.

Both daughters had been born earlier that year, now a bit over six months old.

This was the stage where they were starting to crawl and babble—the perfect age to be little bundles of joy.

Having returned from Miami and stayed home for nearly half a month, Milo had rekindled his bond with the daughters he didn’t always have time to be around.

---

“Gah-gah... uh!”

Slap!  

“Ouch! Rose, you hit me!”

Mrs. Solly, standing nearby, stifled a laugh as she watched Milo’s expression after being slapped on the face by the tiny, flailing hand of Lily, the more spirited of the two girls.

“Lily, you little rascal! How dare you hit Daddy? Just wait—when you grow up, I’m going to give your bedwetting photos as a gift!”

Milo mock-threatened her with a playful scowl, which only made Lily giggle even more, as if she found her father’s antics hilarious.

“Rose is the sweet one, not as naughty as her little sister,” he said, turning his attention to the calmer and more gentle Rose.

Mrs. Solly shook her head with a smile, finding the scene of father and daughters playing together deeply heartwarming.

Once, this was the little boy who refused to eat unless she held him.

Now, in the blink of an eye, he had become a father himself, doting on his own daughters.

Time flew by so quickly.

---

“Where’s Sophie?”

Holding Rose while Lily protested noisily, Milo turned to ask Mrs. Solly.

“The lady is in the gym. She’s been exercising for over two hours a day—half an hour in the morning and at noon, and another hour in the evening.”

Milo nodded and glanced at the group of nannies and maids near Mrs. Solly. His eyes stopped on the Chinese nanny, feeling a twinge of familiarity.

Earlier, he hadn’t paid much attention, but now he recalled that it was she who had carried Lily out.

The estate had many nannies, primarily White and Black women. The Chinese staff usually worked in the kitchen, as he enjoyed Chinese cuisine.

So, seeing a Chinese nanny among them, he couldn’t help but take a closer look.

Noticing his gaze, Mrs. Solly explained, “This is Liu, sir. She’s one of the new childcare assistants personally interviewed and hired by Mrs. Sophie. Her main role is to care for the young misses.”

“Liu?”

Milo’s face showed a hint of amusement as he examined the nervous-looking Chinese nanny holding his daughters.

The more he looked, the more familiar she seemed. But in the end, he said nothing, nodding slightly before heading to the gym with his daughters.

---

The spacious, brightly lit gym was filled with the hum of a treadmill and the soft thud of footsteps.

Dressed in a black sports bra and matching leggings, Sophie was running, sweat pouring down her body.

Her auburn hair, tied in a high ponytail, swayed with every stride.

“Huff—huff—”

Listening to music through her earbuds, Sophie, though visibly tired, kept pushing herself. She wiped the sweat off her flushed cheeks with the towel wrapped around her wrist, showing no signs of stopping.

“Ya-ya, woo-ya…”

Milo walked into the gym holding two little chatterboxes who couldn’t seem to quiet down.

As soon as the twins saw their mom, Sophie, they started squirming and reaching toward her, both arms extended, babbling incessantly.

“Let Mommy give you a hug!”

Milo glanced at Sophie, whose workout clothes clung to her sweat-drenched, perfectly toned figure, and noticed she hadn’t even realized they’d arrived. He muttered to himself in mock exasperation.

Seeing the earbuds in her ears, Milo decided not to startle her. He wasn’t about to risk an accident while she was focused on running. Instead, he carefully carried the two squirming girls closer to the treadmill.

When Sophie noticed Milo and the twins, her sweat-dappled, rosy face showed a moment of surprise before breaking into a wide smile. She arched an eyebrow, pressed a few buttons to slow the treadmill to a walking pace, and finally stopped. Removing her earbuds, she wiped her face with a towel.

“Lily, Rose…my little darlings. Mommy will hold you in just a moment.”

Sophie’s face lit up with affection as she puckered her lips, blowing kisses to the twins, who were babbling and reaching out for her with all their might.

“Ya-ya, yi-yi, mama…”

“What?”

“Oh my gosh, my baby! You just said ‘mama’! Haha, this is amazing! Milo, did you hear that? She said ‘mama,’ right? Right?”

Sophie, ecstatic, scooped up Lily and smothered her with kisses, laughing joyfully as Lily giggled. She turned to Milo, her expression overflowing with excitement, and demanded confirmation.

“I heard it,” Milo admitted. “But darling, there’s nothing to get so worked up about. At this stage, babies babble meaninglessly. It doesn’t count as their first word.”

He continued with an air of faux indifference, trying to downplay Sophie’s excitement. “They’re just naturally practicing their vocal cords and tongue coordination. Besides, they don’t even have teeth yet. Making a sound that vaguely resembles a word isn’t a big deal…”

But Sophie wasn’t listening.

“Say ‘mama.’ Come on, sweetie, say ‘mama.’”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she focused on Lily, repeating the word over and over.

“Mama…”

“Haha!”

Sophie let out a triumphant laugh, throwing Milo a victorious smirk as if to say, See? I told you so.  

Milo’s face darkened, and he turned to the quieter twin, Rose. “Sweetheart, say ‘baba.’ Repeat after me: baba… or papa, that works too. Say papa.”

Rose stayed silent, and Sophie burst into laughter again.

“Let’s switch!” Milo said, refusing to admit defeat. He handed Rose to Sophie and took Lily in his arms. “Come on, Lily, say baba… papa. You can do it, sweetie.”

But Lily reached out for Sophie, refusing to stay with Milo. To make matters worse, Rose soon babbled “mama” as well. Whether it was intentional or not, it left Sophie glowing with pride.

She grabbed Lily from Milo with a smug grin, kissing the twin who was now busy playing with the straps of her sports bra. “That’s my girls! I knew my hard work teaching you would pay off. Mama is so proud! But hold on—Mommy needs a quick shower first. I’m all sweaty.”

“That’s cheating!” Milo grumbled.

He had read parenting books and knew that nearly 70% of babies’ first words were “baba.” Due to the nature of plosive consonants, “baba” is easier for babies to say.

Watching Sophie bask in her triumph, Milo feigned frustration. “You’re so unfair!”

Sophie tilted her chin up, her queen-like expression of superiority practically oozing with satisfaction.

“No matter how important you are outside these walls, Milo, your daughters said ‘mama’ first!”

Holding a twin in each arm, Sophie hummed smugly and sauntered out of the gym.

“Let’s leave, my darlings. Someone’s fragile ego just got shattered, and we wouldn’t want to step on the broken pieces…”

“Yi-ya, mama!”

“Good girl! That’s my baby—muah, muah!”

Milo watched her retreating figure, smiling faintly as he heard the joyful exchange.

Then he motioned to David, who appeared like a shadow at his side.

“Have Kenny look into that new nanny, Liu. I want detailed information.”

“Understood.”

---

Later, Milo lounged in the bedroom, looking thoroughly pleased. The room was in disarray, like it had been hit by a storm. As he calmly dressed, he glanced at Sophie, sprawled across the bed like she’d been thoroughly overpowered by nature’s fury.

“That’s what you get for provoking me! If you don’t teach our girls to say ‘baba,’ then I’ll just have to make you say it instead.”

Still catching her breath, Sophie weakly raised a hand and flipped him off.

“F*** you…” she muttered, her voice lacking any real bite.

Milo chuckled as he buttoned his shirt, clearly pleased with himself.

“You seem unsatisfied. No worries, we’ll continue this later. Either my girls will call me ‘baba,’ or you will. Or maybe…”

His gaze drifted to her still-recovering body, where faint stretch marks hinted at her recent pregnancy.

“…Maybe I’ll give you another reason to hear someone call me ‘baba.’”

“Go to hell!” Sophie growled, throwing a pillow in his direction as he walked out.

In his study, Milo reviewed the detailed report Kenny had delivered.

Everything seemed normal and aligned with his memory. No threats, according to his instincts or “the voice of God.”

Perhaps it was just the butterfly effect.

If so, Milo thought, it could prove interesting.

The dossier included every detail, from measurements to blood type, medical history, and even her menstrual cycle.

*[Name: Xiaoli Liu. Ethnicity: Chinese, Han. Married, with one daughter. Immigrated to the U.S. in 1989. Two prior marriages. Former private massage therapist for Sophie Marceau.]*

*Chapter 226: A Little Interlude*

In a seaside estate in Southampton, Long Island, New York:

The stunning view below captivated Xiao Li Liu, who was currently in the nursery on the third floor of the estate, taking care of the twin daughters of the estate's owner along with two other nannies.

Today marked her fourth day working in this luxurious villa.

It was also the third day of September this year.

Tonight, the estate was hosting a grand party, the likes of which Xiao Li Liu had never seen before.

The owner of the estate, the man associated with Sophie Marceau, a legend and reportedly the world’s richest person, was entertaining a host of dignitaries, celebrities, tycoons, and politicians from New York City.

The dreamlike scene at the party below left Xiao Li Liu almost spellbound.

Although she had traveled to several countries in Europe for performances and had seen her fair share of the world, she didn’t consider herself unsophisticated.

Yet, living in this estate for the past few days had completely upended her worldview, leaving her dazzled and overwhelmed.

*America is incredible!!!*

This is paradise!

In this era, Xiao Li Liu wasn’t the only one experiencing such a rapid shift in perspective.

Many people were so eager to study in America that they willingly abandoned promising careers at home—just to work as dishwashers in the U.S.

If she could, Xiao Li Liu would have joined the party downstairs right now.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t.

At least, not yet.

She was merely one of the many nannies hired by the lady of the house to care for the owner’s daughters.

For this job, she even had to send her ten-year-old daughter to a boarding elementary school in New York City.

Fortunately, the pay was generous enough to cover her daughter’s tuition.

But honestly, Xiao Li Liu desperately wanted to be part of the party below.

The fantasies of the Chinese-American nanny weren’t something Milo Blackburn could have known.

At this moment, he was speaking with New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, New York Governor George Pataki, and several congressmen.

“New York City is the most important part of New York State. The Hudson Yards area is the last valuable yet undeveloped land in New York,” Giuliani was saying confidently.

“Unlocking its potential isn’t just the responsibility of Manhattan or New York City. If utilized properly, it will greatly benefit the entire state.”

As Giuliani spoke, everyone around him smiled politely.

George Pataki occasionally glanced at Milo, fully aware that Giuliani was essentially serving as Milo’s mouthpiece.

“Well said, Rudy,” a congressman remarked with a smile. “If it creates jobs, then it’s a good project. I support the redevelopment of the Hudson Yards area.”

“It’s all for New York,” Giuliani said, raising his glass to the others.

“For New York!” Milo chimed in, raising his own glass with a smile.

Seeing this, Pataki and the others followed suit, raising their glasses as they all declared in unison, “For New York!”

This evening’s event was part of a series of gatherings Milo had planned, inviting a wide array of social elites and political figures from New York City and New York State.

Interestingly, all the politicians present tonight were Republicans.

Before 2007, New York was, to some extent, a swing state with a Republican lean.

Both the city’s mayors and the state’s governors, as well as its two senators, were often Republicans.

However, things began to shift in 2000 when Bill Clinton retired, and his wife immediately ran for the U.S. Senate seat in New York.

She won that year, becoming a senator, and from then on, Democrats began infiltrating New York on a large scale.

By the time Obama took office, New York had transformed from a Republican-leaning swing state into a solidly blue state.

It was during this period that New York, once the nation’s top economy, fell to second place, eventually being surpassed by Texas and dropping to third.

To be blunt, the progressive faction of the Democratic Party that emerged after the shift to neoliberal policies was abysmal in terms of governance, particularly in economic development and law enforcement.

In regions governed by progressive Democrats, it rarely took more than a decade for illegal immigration to surge and public safety to deteriorate.

While conservative Republicans, often criticized for racism, at least adhered to a sense of order, the progressive wing of the Democratic Party became a breeding ground for chaos.

Who are the progressives?

Bill and Hillary Clinton don’t count—they are moderate centrists.

The faction led by Obama, however, epitomizes the progressive wing.

They excelled at elections but failed miserably at economic development. Their mastery of class-based electoral strategies was unparalleled.

Who supported this faction?

A look at who benefited most from their policies reveals the answer: Wall Street financiers and the healthcare-industrial complex—essentially the driving forces behind America’s decline.

Of course, other interest groups weren’t necessarily morally superior.

But in 1997, under Republican leadership, New York City and New York State were, without a doubt, aligned with the preferences of conservatives.

Possibly due to his family’s background—most of whom had since shifted to centrist Democrats—Milo’s inclinations still leaned toward the moderate Republicans and centrist Democrats.

He held little affection for Obama and his allies.

Ironically, however, the consequences of their actions often benefited his business interests the most.

When faced with a choice between personal preferences and business interests, Milo invariably chose the latter.

Tonight’s gathering marked the first of three planned events.

The first, held tonight, was for those affiliated with the Republican Party.

Tomorrow’s event would cater to Democrats.

The final gathering would be an intimate soirée for Milo’s closest allies.

At all three events, Milo intended to emphasize one thing: his commitment to the redevelopment of Hudson Yards in Manhattan.

This was necessary to help Giuliani make some progress on the project.

Even so, pushing this forward would remain a significant challenge, even if Giuliani were re-elected.

In a parallel timeline, the development of Hudson Yards…

It was after New York experienced the subprime mortgage crisis and the financial crisis, leaving the entire GDP in trouble.

To revive the city's GDP and recover from the financial crisis, New York worked tirelessly as everyone pulled together to launch this project.

Even so, it took nearly a decade to complete the construction.

The subsequent leasing and business development faced some challenges.

At that time, America was beginning to decline, charging full speed downhill.

Even New York seemed to have little promise for development. A vast new commercial district like this naturally struggled to fill its vacancies.

But that’s a story for another time. Let’s set it aside for now.

*September 8, 1997.*

Milo was still in New York.

Inside the International Building at Rockefeller Center, in his office, Milo opened the Yahoo News channel.

Yahoo's news channel was co-managed with Paladin Media.

As a user, he appreciated the clean, minimalist interface and the simplicity of moving to the next article with a single click. It was a straightforward design he found very satisfying.

The main reason Milo valued news websites so much was for the future of his internet ecosystem. He envisioned a social platform with integrated news pushes, using a closed-loop system to keep users engaged on the platform—similar to the model Tencent would later pursue relentlessly.

He browsed the online news comments section and saw various messages. American netizens were not so different from the netizens in China who would emerge later. There were plenty of trolls, and in terms of freedom of expression, the two groups were on par.

"Prepare for tomorrow; we'll fly to Los Angeles. I won’t be back in New York until spring break in March."

Milo sipped the freshly brewed coffee and spoke to his administrative assistant, Gina, who was working nearby.

"Yes, boss," replied the young Gina Raimondo. She was quite attractive, but Milo couldn’t help imagining what she’d look like when she was older, serving as the Secretary of Commerce—a face even ghosts would fear.

Coupled with her flat figure, Milo had no interest in her.

This lack of attraction allowed Gina to focus her energy and time on the job itself, unlike his previous secretary, Monica, who spent at least half her time attending to Milo’s personal and professional needs.

Milo worked until 4 PM, when Gina entered the office, saying, “Boss, Ms. Liu is here.”

“Oh, okay.”

Milo saved his work and took the jacket Gina handed him.

“Email me tomorrow’s briefing,” he said as Gina helped him adjust his tie.

Once his tie was properly fastened, Milo walked out, joined by David and Kenny. Together, they headed to a small conference room on the 28th floor.

---

*One Hour Earlier.*

Xiao-Li Liu sat nervously in a luxurious, spacious car.

As the car drove away from the mansion-filled neighborhoods of Long Island, it brought her to Manhattan, a place she had only visited twice before.

Through the car window, the glittering, grand buildings filled her with awe for this country.

She considered herself not a vain woman, but at this moment, under the city’s dazzling lights, she couldn’t help but marvel at the allure of wealth.

When she thought about how her employer had sent bodyguards to pick her up and suggested she transition from a nanny to a personal assistant, her emotions were a mix of apprehension and intrigue.

She couldn’t stop wondering: Why did the boss specifically ask me to be his personal assistant?

What is a personal assistant anyway? Is it like the “little secretary” role in China? Does he have his eye on me? But my daughter is already ten years old!

These thoughts plagued her during the entire journey.

Eventually, she arrived at the base of the Rockefeller Center’s International Building in Manhattan.

Stepping out of the car, she gazed up at the towering skyscraper, which would surely rank among the top three tallest buildings if it were in China. Xiao-Li couldn’t suppress a gulp, overwhelmed by the surreal experience.

This dreamlike feeling persisted until she was brought before the man himself.

Today, Xiao-Li had dressed especially well, wearing an elegant floral dress with a flowing hem that swayed gently as she walked, like sunshine in the autumn.

Unlike Western women, her black hair cascaded softly over her shoulders, with a few strands brushing her cheek, adding a touch of gentle femininity.

Her makeup was subtle, enhancing her delicate features without being overpowering. She exuded an air of grace and even a quiet allure that could make any man’s heart skip a beat.

Milo’s first thought was that she truly lived up to her reputation as the future “Queen Mother of Beauty” in the Chinese community.

In terms of looks, Xiao-Li Liu was every bit as stunning as the family member later deemed the "least attractive" of the famous Yahua clan.

The rest was simple.

Milo chatted with her briefly, asking if she’d be willing to be his personal assistant. He explained some of the duties, though he left out certain details—like how her predecessor had ended up pregnant with his child.

Judging by her appearance, Xiao-Li seemed capable, even of that, but it wasn’t immediately necessary.

Of course, Xiao-Li agreed.

While the role of a personal assistant sounded to her like the “little secretaries” often associated with wealthy bosses back in China, she reminded herself that this was America, the beacon of hope and freedom.

Surely, a personal assistant here wasn’t the same thing.

Besides, her daughter was already ten years old. A young and handsome boss like Milo probably didn’t have any ulterior motives.

More importantly, she understood the vast difference between being a nanny and being a personal assistant. The salary gap alone was astronomical.

Thus, she was eager to accept.

Milo then sent her off to undergo one to three months of training.

If she passed, she would officially join Milo as his personal assistant.

If she failed… Well, Milo had no problem sending her back to the villa to work as a private maid for a few years.

Once her daughter was older, they could revisit the situation.

After all, it seemed like fate had delivered her to him. Such a golden opportunity would be a shame to waste.

With this minor episode resolved, before the cold of New York set in, Milo’s private jet whisked him away to the warmth of the Sunshine State.

(End of Chapter)