At that time, a bicycle cost about three hundred yuan, but if Elder Uncle was the one asking, it would at least be at racing bike prices, probably around six or seven hundred. Back then, most students rode bikes to school; it was rare in a city like Xiahai to see students being picked up by car. Besides, Xiahai was a small city—walking from the city center to the third ring road only took about thirty minutes. Students usually took the bus, and riding a bike was more than enough. Being chauffeured around in a car was just too showy, and no one was so bored as to sleep in every day and have their kid driven to school just to show off, day after day, even during math exams.

So generally speaking, most students rode bikes, and every middle school had an impressive bike lot. If you had a mountain bike, it was as flashy as driving a BMW or Audi to school in 2009.

“Well then, let’s see if you can actually get in! It’d be good enough if your mom and dad don’t have to pay extra fees for you!” Anna Palmer rolled her eyes at Eric Bennett at just the right moment. Although she had always wanted a mountain bike herself, first, she was a girl, and riding a bike in summer while wearing a skirt was inconvenient; second, she was used to taking the bus to school, so suddenly switching to biking would be a big adjustment. So even though she felt a bit unwilling, if Eric Bennett could get into high school smoothly, she wouldn’t mind her father buying a bike for this brother she didn’t care for. After all, when it came to the big picture, Anna Palmer knew what was important. She might not like her brother much, but he was still her brother.

In his memories, Eric Bennett knew he never got the bike Elder Uncle had promised, and his younger brother Emily Palmer never got the game console he dreamed of. At this moment, both of them were filled with hope and longing, but after that summer vacation, it all vanished like smoke.

“Heh, it’s Director Palmer. So Director Palmer is eating here too!” a voice sounded from the side.

“Oh, Director Cooper, your whole family is here too?” Elder UncleDavid Palmer immediately smiled. The newcomer was James Cooper, the director of the Construction Bureau’s bidding office. The two were well-known internal rivals. The conflict started because the head of a construction company in Xiahai was related to James Cooper, and the company was developing in Xiahai. Since James Cooper managed the bidding office, he had direct interests involved. However, due to conflicts in the approval process and the planning office, Elder UncleDavid Palmer—who was stubborn and inflexible—strictly followed the rules for land approvals, especially since he already disliked James Cooper’s style at work. Eventually, he squeezed James Cooper’s relative’s construction company out of Xiahai, and the grudge between them was set.

This struggle continued for years. Later, because of stock trading, Elder Uncle used public funds. His family wasn’t short of money, just tight on cash flow, and could have paid it back in a few days. But the funding gap left a loophole, which James Cooper caught and reported to the city, causing a huge scandal. Although the investigation found little wrongdoing and only resulted in a minor official reprimand, the incident affected the higher-ups’ view of Elder Uncle.

During those years, Elder Uncle’s mood and state were always low. Even when he was with them, he rarely scolded Eric Bennett and Emily Palmer. When the inspection team came to investigate, their aunt would often cry while talking to their mother. Elder Uncle suddenly seemed much older, and his cerebral hemorrhage probably worsened during that time. Eventually, he was sidelined and transferred to the administrative center.

In contrast, James Cooper only gained more power, eventually becoming the director of the Construction Bureau, and later being promoted to the provincial level. However, he later fell from grace due to a series of major incidents. Otherwise, if he had recovered, Elder Uncle’s days would have been even harder.

Now, watching the two of them exchange pleasantries—acting polite and friendly like old colleagues and comrades, but secretly eyeing each other like tigers—Eric Bennett couldn’t help but pay more attention. In fact, with Elder Uncle’s abilities, if it hadn’t been for the embezzlement incident, he was fully capable of being promoted. He only learned later that the government’s standing committee had already discussed this, but after James Cooper’s report, Elder Uncle’s situation quickly became miserable.

Facing this Elder Uncle who had truly poured his heart into them, hoping they would surpass him, Eric Bennett secretly resolved to change the misfortune that would happen in the future.

Standing next to James Cooper was his daughter, Sarah Cooper, whose charming eyes immediately fell on Eric Bennett.

Seeing Sarah Cooper in front of him, Eric Bennett was momentarily stunned. He remembered that when he was a child playing at his older sister’s house, his mischievous and lively nature led a big group of kids from the Construction Bureau’s family compound in all sorts of rowdy games. Among those kids was Sarah Cooper. Back then, Eric Bennett was quite the star, and there were plenty of little girls who had a crush on him—Sarah Cooper was one of them, and some even openly showed their affection for Eric Bennett in front of the adults.

That immediately caused quite a stir in the Construction Bureau’s family compound, with everyone trying to find out who Eric Bennett was. Mixing so well with the kids in the compound, maybe he was the child of some big shot. Later, they found out he was David Palmer’s nephew, and his family were all local workers, with no connections worth bragging about.