“Ha ha!” The boy jumped three feet high with joy, waving his arms and legs, looking extremely proud. Shaking his head and swaying, he said, “So dumb, really too dumb. Looks like I’m the real Liuhe Fort—no, the smartest person in Taicang Prefecture!”

William Turner blinked and deliberately said angrily, “Hey, four minus one equals three. Even little kids know that. Why do you say it’s wrong? If you can’t explain, I won’t accept it!”

“Knew you wouldn’t accept it!”

The boy picked up the broadsword, made a show of drawing a line on the table, then said, “See? With this cut, one corner is chopped off, but two more corners appear. So the correct answer is five. Got it?”

“Nope!” William Turner shook his head like a rattle drum.

“It’s clearly three. I didn’t see the other two at all.”

“How can you be so dumb!” The boy scratched his head in frustration, not knowing how to explain.

Suddenly, William Turner laughed and said, “How about this, you make a cut, and if it’s really as you say, I’ll believe you.”

“Make a cut? Fine. But if I’m right, you have to admit I’m the smartest!” The boy was really persistent. As he spoke, he drew the broadsword and raised it high!

Crack!

With one chop, the table broke in response, and the bowls and chopsticks on top clattered to the ground.

“Look, isn’t it five?”

“Ah, it really is!” William Turner pretended to be surprised, but couldn’t help laughing, “Benefactor, please restrain your grief…”

Before he could finish, a thunderous shout startled the boy. The innkeeper’s wife pounced like a fierce tiger.

“Samuel Grant, you little brat, how dare you chop up my table! See if I don’t beat you to death!”

Chapter 11: Looked Down Upon

“Godmother, spare me! Don’t hit me! If you keep hitting, you won’t see your god-grandson anymore!”

Samuel Grant was crying his eyes out, snot and tears streaming down his face as he hugged his head, looking utterly miserable.

The innkeeper’s wife paused her powerful kick, landing only a third of her strength on Samuel Grant’s backside. A string of curses followed. “You little brat, let me tell you, your mother and I were sworn sisters for years. Before she died, she told me to look after you and make sure you grew up right! Look at you, turned into a good-for-nothing, causing trouble outside, and now you dare chop up my table? Do you have a death wish?”

“Godmother, I didn’t mean to…”

“Mean what?” The innkeeper’s wife spat at him fiercely.

“Go look in the mirror! With your little tricks, you can’t even fool me, and you dare embarrass yourself in front of the young master? You really don’t know what’s good for you!”

Hearing this, Samuel Grant suddenly sat up and exclaimed, “You, Tang kid, you knew and still let me chop the table?”

William Turner scratched his head and said with a sheepish smile, “Just found out, just found out!”

He said that, but his expression betrayed him. Samuel Grant was so angry he wailed and sobbed, tears streaming down his face!

Looking at the pitiful Samuel Grant, covered in footprints, William Turner suddenly blushed, realizing he might have gone too far.

“Aunt Zhu, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have joked with Brother Grant. How about this, I’ll pay for the table.” As William Turner spoke, he took out some silver. He was no longer as poor as before and had plenty of loose change.

But the innkeeper’s wife waved her hands repeatedly, smiling, “Young master, what are you saying? You found us new work, and this noodle shop doesn’t make money anyway. This is a good chance to close it. This rascal just needs a lesson!”

Samuel Grant got up from the ground, dusting himself off. When he heard the noodle shop was closing, he forgot his pain and cried out, “Godmother, you can’t close it! Where will I eat in the future? Is it because I owe too much? I’ll go get the money right now.”

“Get back here!”

The innkeeper’s wife grabbed Samuel Grant and said angrily, “San’er, I haven’t taken good care of you these years. Now that there’s work, you should go learn to drive a cart with your godfather. Stop hanging around the docks, fighting and brawling. If something happens, it’ll be too late for regrets.”

Though she spoke harshly, the innkeeper’s wife was kind at heart. Every word was for Samuel Grant’s sake, making the silly boy’s eyes turn red.

“Godmother, you’re the best to me. But right now, I can’t agree. Lord Lei is in trouble. If I run away, I’m not a real man.”

Quite loyal, William Turner looked at him with newfound respect.

“Sigh.” The innkeeper’s wife sighed and shook her head, “A grown son can’t be controlled by his mother. Just be careful, and remember, there’s always a bowl of food for you here.”

She turned to get busy. It was almost mealtime, and more and more customers were arriving. Even though she planned to close, she still did her job diligently, making noodles with care and adding more bones to the broth for a better deal.

Thinking of his father still sleeping at home, William Turner ordered another bowl of noodles and carried it home. He hadn’t gone far when suddenly, Samuel Grant jumped in front of him, baring his teeth and claws, startling William Turner. Was this guy looking for revenge?

While he was still in a daze, Samuel Grant suddenly knelt on one knee, cupped his fists, and said, “Young master, Samuel Grant has a favor to ask. Can you help me?”

“What is it?” he asked instinctively.