……

……

Quite a background… James Brooks thought to himself with a smile as he stepped out. All his attention was drawn to that pretty young woman. Watching a woman eat is the best way to see her upbringing and background: her white teeth gently bite the food, just barely touching her lips; no matter how delicious, she only samples a little; no matter how much she praises, she keeps it subtle; no matter how excited, she speaks softly. This is definitely a woman with a good family upbringing!

James Brooks thought oddly, if it were his silly little sister or cousin, once they got hungry, they’d grab the pot and dig in without a second thought. But on the other hand, James Brooks actually preferred women like his sister and cousin—straightforward and genuine. No matter how well-mannered or refined, women like that always felt a bit distant, like you could only admire them from afar, only dare to fantasize but never get close. Honestly, it was just too boring!

Oh, right, and there’s my Grace Brooks. When she’s hungry, she’ll fight me for food from the same bowl! …For some reason, James Brooks thought of his other half again! After being interrupted by Big Foster this morning and now seeing such a beauty, James Brooks really felt he should find some time to visit Grace Brooks. His girlfriend stayed in the provincial capital after graduation. Having seen so many couples break up after graduation, the fact that the two of them were still together, in James Brooks’s eyes, was already quite an achievement.

As he walked downstairs with a smile, his cousin was already grinning mischievously, handing him the bill. James Brooks glanced at it—an empty bill—smiled, and casually started writing on it…

The meal took about an hour, and there was barely any food left over. The two ladies couldn’t stop praising the mixed vegetable hotpot that came out last, and by extension, they also praised the place that Mr. Brooks had chosen!

Still wearing a flattering smile, he led everyone downstairs and out the door with extra enthusiasm. As soon as he turned back inside and reached the bar, Cousin Brooks stretched out her hand: “Pay up! …Cousin Brooks, one hundred eighty-six, how much did you collect?”

“Three hundred eighty!”

“Huh!? You overcharged them by double?” Emily Brooks stared wide-eyed, shocked. Usually, overcharging by thirty or fifty was already a lot, but this was the most ruthless yet.

James Brooks glanced nervously toward the kitchen, about to cover Emily’s mouth, and whispered, “Shh… Emily, don’t let my dad hear. I’ll give you fifty.”

Dad’s too honest. If he heard, he’d definitely lecture them for hours about “acting with integrity, never cheating in business.” Just thinking about it gave him a headache.

“I don’t want it. If Aunt finds out, she’ll scold me. I’m not doing it. If anyone’s doing it, it’s you.” Emily Brooks refused. Sometimes she’d be happy with an ice cream from Cousin Brooks as her share, but this much money—this country cousin really didn’t dare take it.

“Heh… If you don’t want it, it’s all mine!” James Brooks paid the money at the counter, stuffed the rest into his pocket, and snapped his fingers.

“Cousin Brooks, are you sure this is okay? What if the customers find out and come back? You really overcharged them!” Emily Brooks lowered her voice nervously, looking a bit anxious.

“Emily, are you thick-headed? Out-of-town car, out-of-town people—who knows when we’ll see such a fat sheep again? The highest level of overcharging is making people happy to be overcharged! Didn’t you see how much they enjoyed the meal? If you overcharge them now, they won’t even feel the pain!” James Brooks lectured, just like his mom used to lecture him.

“Tch… You’d even overcharge such a pretty girl? You’re heartless! …Ah, crap!” As Emily Brooks spoke, she pointed with her right hand, her hand frozen in midair.

“What does pretty have to do with me? I only lack money, not beauties! …What’s wrong?” James Brooks looked at Emily with a grin, his eyes wide.

“That girl is coming back, Cousin Brooks. I’m telling you, hurry up and return the money. Don’t let Uncle and Aunt find out and scold me too!” Emily Brooks said nervously. As a country girl, she hadn’t been through much, and her skin was nowhere near as thick as Cousin Brooks’s!

Emily was also afraid of her aunt, the teacher. She was strict with the accounts—short, you get scolded; over, you still get scolded. Emily always pushed the blame onto Cousin Brooks, and Cousin Brooks always claimed he’d made a mistake, dragging her into it. Every time, they’d mumble explanations for ages and still couldn’t make it clear.

Startled, James Brooks turned around, only to see that the Audi had somehow parked by the roadside again. The woman in white—the prettiest one—was walking quickly toward the restaurant!

“Don’t say a word! If you dare say anything, I’ll stick you in the pot!” James Brooks glared at Emily in warning. Emily snorted and turned away sulkily.

Turning back, James Brooks greeted her with a smile, but his heart was pounding with nerves. This time, as he put on a welcoming face, he really did feel a bit guilty…

Chapter 04: So Close, Yet So Far

The midsummer afternoon sun crept up to the top of the hill, peeking down. The small county town, nestled among green trees and mountains, looked like a lazy Sleeping Beauty. As soon as James Brooks stepped outside, he felt dazzled! The sunlight was blinding, and the graceful, quick-stepping young beauty—her flower-like lips, her white clothes brighter than snow—was even more dazzling! It made James Brooks beam with joy as he eagerly walked toward her and asked, “Miss Thompson, did you leave something here?”

He spoke lightly, but inside he was a bundle of nerves. Same old trick: find something to say. If you’re here to argue, I’ll refund you without a word; if you’re not here for money, I’ll play dumb for sure!

“I… Miss Thompson?” The young beauty’s eyes froze for a moment. “You… how do you know my surname is Jiang?”