Grace King's pretty face was full of bright smiles, the kind that came from genuine joy. "Yes, my brother is fine now! You! You came in without even greeting me, never once calling me 'sister'!"

Ethan Taylor had learned her age from Daniel Brooks and the others—just twenty-three, the same as himself, only she had been through more ups and downs, giving her the charm of a mature woman.

Ethan Taylor was infected by her cheerful smile, and his mood brightened as well. He smiled and said, "When has a sister ever sobbed in her brother's arms? If you ask me, you're too young to be my little sister."

"Go on... such disrespect! Is this what your teachers at school taught you?" Grace King reached out her slender hand and pinched Ethan Taylor's arm. Even through the sweater, her snow-white hand with its bright red nails made Ethan Taylor grimace in pain.

"You're right, I really did meet a benefactor. I heard some big shot gave orders to thoroughly investigate my brother's case. In less than a day, everything was cleared up. Sigh, I just don't know who this benefactor is—I don't even have a chance to thank him." As Grace King spoke, she let out a soft sigh.

Ethan Taylor sighed along with her, but found it funny inside. Another so-called big shot intervening—these government matters always get exaggerated in the mouths of ordinary people.

"Grace King, your restaurant's business isn't doing so well, huh? Last time I came, it was packed." Ethan Taylor wasn't used to pretending, so he changed the subject.

Speaking of the restaurant's business, Grace King sighed. "Yeah, it's always up and down..." Suddenly, she widened her almond-shaped eyes. "Hey, since when did you start calling me by my name directly!"

Ethan Taylor ignored her "threat" and thought for a moment. "If you ask me, you just don't know how to do business. You should make use of your location. Your little restaurant is just one street away from No. 1 High School—why not try to attract their business?"

Grace King shot Ethan Taylor a look and said, "What do you know? How much money do those kids from No. 1 High have? Take you, for example—the first time you came, it was your relative treating, right? And every time since, haven't you just ordered a plate of dumplings? If you really calculate it, with the cost of ingredients, utilities, and rent per table, I actually lose a few cents on every plate!"

Ethan Taylor looked helpless. "So by helping you out with a bowl of dumplings, I'm actually making you lose money! Fine, fine, I won't come anymore unless I order big fish and meat!"

Grace King giggled and called out to the counter, "Add a plate of cashew shrimp for my brother! Put it on my tab!" In a small restaurant like this, that was the most expensive dish—over twenty yuan, which was no small amount at the time.

Grace King then took out a hundred-yuan bill and put it on the table, pursing her lips. "This is for your last meal—take it back. I forgot about it those days because I was upset. I told you I was treating, so why are you paying? Isn't it hard enough for your family to put you through school? What kind of student spends money so freely!"

Ethan Taylor smiled wryly and shook his head. She really did see him as a student. At this point, it wasn't appropriate to reveal his real age—it would seem like he had been toying with her from the start.

"Grace King, you're treating me to fancy food and even giving me money. If you think about it, that's bribery, you know..." Ethan Taylor pushed the money back across the table, but before he could finish, he felt a sharp pain in his ear—Grace King's soft little hand had twisted it. She laughed and scolded, "You've got quite the mouth on you, little guy! Don't you know how tough your sister can be!"

Ethan Taylor was exasperated. He had long since gotten used to his new position these days—a town chief, a rising star in politics. In town, everyone treated him with utmost respect, and even at the county committee, all the department heads were polite to him. Yet here he was, being treated like a child by this little woman. It was extremely frustrating, but deep down, he felt a vague, inexplicable happiness.

"Alright, alright! I'll take it!" Ethan Taylor helplessly picked up the money from the table, and only then did Grace King let go of his ear.

"Grace King, since I've taken your money, let me give you an idea. You could make student lunch boxes—two yuan each, with a variety of dishes but controlled costs. Less meat and eggs. The food at No. 1 High is really bland, so as long as you offer more variety, you'll definitely attract those students. Don't underestimate the small profit from each box—if you sell a lot, just calculate how much you'll make."

Grace King rolled her eyes at him. "You and your ideas! What does a kid like you know about business!" Just then, another table of customers called her over. Grace King smiled at Ethan Taylor, affectionately patted his head, got up, and click-clacked away in her high heels, leaving Ethan Taylor behind to roll his eyes in frustration.

Chapter 8: Lift My Veil

After returning from the county committee, Ethan Taylor began to focus on the economic work of Chenjiatuo Town. At that time, Eastern Europe was undergoing dramatic changes, with former socialist countries turning to the Western camp. The Party's ideology was in great turmoil, with fierce conflict between conservatives and reformers. Even in the small Yan County, there were two opposing viewpoints: the conservative faction led by County Party Secretary Ryan Scott and the reformist faction headed by County Chief James Carter. Of course, to ordinary people, this kind of political struggle was completely invisible.