George Clark was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, but found it hard to say anything more.

As for their pointing and whispering, Henry Thompson was naturally well aware, but in this life, he simply had no interest in caring about the opinions of a bunch of high schoolers. After a month of adjustment, he finally set his goal for this life—very simple: since fate had him transmigrate into the body of a top student and become his father's pride, he would do his best to make up for the regrets of his previous life and maintain this pride for his father.

After buying MAD, Jessica Bennett and her group quickly left without saying a word. However, when purchasing MAD, Jessica Bennett looked as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, which Henry Thompson found rather amusing.

As dusk fell, the number of people in front of the video store gradually dwindled. Finally, when Henry Thompson announced that the last copy of MAD had been sold, the few people who hadn’t managed to buy it left reluctantly, full of regret.

At this moment, James Harris sneaked out of the back room, excitement in his voice as he clenched his fist and said to Henry Thompson, who was tidying up the shelves, “Bro, I finally made it to Silver rank just now, haha!”

Henry Thompson couldn’t help but feel both amused and exasperated, but then saw William Harris walking over from behind James Harris, and couldn’t help but look at the beaming James Harris with a strange expression.

Seeing Henry Thompson’s odd expression, James Harris patted his own forehead, thinking he understood, and said, “Oh, I almost forgot, bro, you don’t play this game. Aish! What a pity.”

Suddenly, William Harris grabbed James Harris’s ear from behind. “You brat, swearing again! What’s there to pity? Your brother is a top student at Gwangju Science High School. If you could be half as accomplished as your brother, I’d be satisfied!”

“Come on! I already told you I’m not cut out for studying, how could I be like bro? Besides, dad, didn’t you say last time you’d support me going pro?” James Harris protested, shaking off the hand pulling his ear.

“I’d like to support you, but are you really cut out for it? You’re still far from the level needed to go pro. Even if you wanted to be a trainee at a club, no one would take you!” William Harris gave James Harris a hard flick on the head.

“Wow, that hurts! Dad, you hit me again! Didn’t I say I’d work hard?” James Harris rubbed his head where he’d just been hit, jumping up and down in protest.

Watching this father and son roughhousing so casually, Henry Thompson felt a wave of warmth in his heart. Thinking of his own father and sister waiting at home for him to eat, he interrupted, “Uncle, I’ve finished tidying up the shelves. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head home now.”

“All right, be careful on your way. No need to come so early tomorrow. Science High is the best high school around here, and the workload must be heavy. Make sure you finish your homework first.” William Harris reminded him with concern.

“Got it, uncle. I’ll head out then.” Henry Thompson found his clothes in the locker and changed.

In Gwangju, winter nights didn’t fall too early. When Henry Thompson got home, he was carrying some pork belly he’d bought from a hot food stall on the way, along with a bottle of soju, specially for his father.

He unlocked the door and entered the house. His father was bent over the desk, carefully logging inventory for the warehouse. His sister, Emily Thompson, sat on the shabby sofa in front of the TV, bored and waiting for dinner.

“Bro, you’re finally back! I’m starving. Did you bring anything tasty today?” Hearing the door, Emily Thompson perked up, turned to see Henry Thompson walk in, and immediately jumped up and ran over.

“Nope, I only bought a bottle of soju for dad.” Henry Thompson deliberately hid his left hand behind his back, waving the soju in his right.

“Hmph, I don’t believe you!” Emily Thompson quickly darted behind Henry Thompson, snatched the takeout box with the pork belly, and grinned triumphantly.

“You! Go wash your hands and call dad for dinner.” Henry Thompson affectionately ruffled Emily Thompson’s hair.

“Ugh, I’m already in ninth grade! Bro, you’re only two years older than me, stop messing with my hair!” Emily Thompson dodged his hand in protest.

During dinner, their father casually asked about Henry Thompson’s studies at school, but kept his eyes on the records he’d moved to the table, lost in thought.

“Dad, have you been busy at work lately?” Henry Thompson couldn’t help but ask.

“Ha, look at me—let’s eat, let’s eat.” Brian Thompson looked up, paused, then suddenly realized, “Not too busy. Isn’t your sister about to start high school too? I took on a part-time job organizing front desk records, hoping to earn a bit more and budget ahead for you and your sister’s tuition.”

“Oh.” Henry Thompson responded, but felt a bit uneasy inside.

“Look, bro, it’s piglet! Wow, so awesome!” Emily Thompson, who had been glued to the TV, suddenly shouted.

Henry Thompson looked up in surprise to see that SBS was broadcasting the hottest esports event—various leaderboards from the Korean server of League of Legends. At that moment, they were showing the ADC Vayne on the hero rankings, with the pro player piglet, known as the number one Vayne in Korea, pulling off all kinds of spectacular kills in-game. The familiar kill sound effects came from the TV, and for a moment, Henry Thompson felt as if something in his blood was stirring.