Henry Clark had received dialect training before coming to Shanghai, so he could basically understand Shanghainese and even speak a little. Besides, even if he didn’t understand the Shanghai dialect, he could still sense the other person’s contempt.

Henry Clark wasn’t angry; instead, when he spoke, he deliberately thickened his Ningbo accent: “I’m here to see Uncle George Green, this is Ningbo’s Henry Clark coming to pay a visit. Please go and inform him!”

Arthur Lewis knew that the The Green Family were all from Ningbo, so this might be a real relative. He immediately said, “Wait a moment.”

Henry Clark had timed his arrival so that both George Green and Helen Green hadn’t gone out yet.

Sure enough, Henry Clark smoothly met with George Green.

George Green was in his forties, of average height, with a mustache above his lip, dressed in a British-style short-sleeved shirt. His eyes looked a bit cloudy, perhaps from lack of sleep or because he had something on his mind, making him appear somewhat haggard.

Seeing George Green, Henry Clark’s eyes reddened, and he seemed unsteady on his feet, choking up as he said, “Hello, Uncle Gu, I am Henry Clark.”

Ever since infiltrating the Military Statistics Bureau, Henry Clark had felt as if he was always wearing a mask. His true thoughts were always hidden beneath it. Coming to the The Green Family this time was like putting on another mask.

Last night, Henry Clark had been rehearsing today’s meeting in his mind. His main target was George Green; as long as he could evoke George Green’s sympathy, staying at the The Green Family would not be a problem.

Faced with the sudden appearance of Henry Clark, George Green was surprised, but his face still beamed with a smile. He took Henry Clark’s arm and looked him over, smiling as he said, “Dear nephew Xiaomin, it’s been ten years since we last met, hasn’t it?”

Henry Clark stepped back and gave a deep bow, respectfully saying, “It’s been exactly twelve years since we last met.”

George Green patted Henry Clark on the shoulder and said with emotion, “The last time I saw you, you were still a child, and now you’ve grown into a young man. Hmm, you look just like your brother Evelyn—as if you were made from the same mold.”

Looking at Henry Clark’s clothes, George Green felt a bit gloomy and somewhat ashamed. He and Evelyn Clark were sworn brothers, but after Evelyn Clark died twelve years ago, the The Green Family and The Clark Family gradually lost contact. He hadn’t expected the The Clark Family to have fallen on such hard times.

Henry Clark said sadly, “I miss my father very much too…”

His father, Evelyn Clark, and George Green were sworn brothers. Back then, both their wives were pregnant at the same time, and they agreed that if both had sons, they would become sworn brothers; if both had daughters, they would become sworn sisters; and if one had a son and the other a daughter, the children would be betrothed.

Although it was said in jest at the time, the two men took it seriously. When Evelyn Clark was still alive, he often brought Henry Clark to Shanghai to visit the The Green Family. Before the age of ten, Henry Clark had indeed visited Shanghai several times.

George Green sighed and asked, “If only brother Evelyn were still here. How is your mother’s health? What does your family live on?”

Henry Clark hesitated for a moment, then said with sorrow, “My mother’s health is still okay, but most of our family property back home has been sold off… This time, my mother sent me to find Uncle Gu in Shanghai, to settle down first, find a job… and then start a family.”

Although he didn’t mention the betrothal, George Green should have understood.

George Green was taken aback for a moment, then slowly said, “Yes, you really should start a family… Do you have a place to stay? Don’t bother renting outside, just stay at my house.”

Seeing Henry Clark’s clothes, George Green naturally knew what kind of life he was living now. Even if he had a place to stay, he could imagine what the conditions must be like.

Henry Clark said gratefully, “Thank you, Uncle Gu. I’m almost out of money.”

Sure enough, George Green sympathized with his situation—his act of distress hadn’t been in vain. As long as he could stay at the The Green Family, his “corner cannon” plan was already half successful.

George Green smiled and said, “Come, let me introduce you to your aunt and Helen.”

George Green’s wife, Susan Walker, had a dignified appearance, wore a qipao, and was well maintained. However, the look she gave Henry Clark was full of disdain and contempt. The rich dislike poor relatives the most, and since Henry Clark was after her daughter, it was only natural she wouldn’t be friendly.

George Green’s conversation with Henry Clark had been overheard by Susan Walker in the dining room. Henry Clark looked disheveled, hardly better than a beggar. Having someone like that living in her house disgusted her. Thinking of the betrothal between the Green and Clark families, she wished she could drive Henry Clark out immediately.

Helen Green was only a few days younger than Henry Clark. They had met as children, and now Helen Green had grown into a graceful young woman, with an oval face, arched brows, a prominent nose, delicate waist, rosy lips, and white teeth—like a rosebud about to bloom.

She wasn’t wearing a qipao, nor did she dress like other fashionable women. Instead, she wore a white cotton undershirt with the collar turned out, suit trousers, and a gray Zhongshan jacket on top.

This somewhat masculine style was very unconventional, but had a unique charm.

When Henry Clark first entered, Helen Green glanced at him. When Henry Clark greeted her, Helen Green only nodded slightly in response.

Helen Green had met Henry Clark as a child, but her impression of him was vague. Now, seeing Henry Clark again, she felt neither contempt nor the joy of a long-awaited reunion—only confusion.