Emily Summers snatched the newspaper from Noah Summers's hands and began reading it with great interest.

Ethan Stone's expression was somewhat stunned.

Noah Summers looked at his daughter bending over the newspaper, sighed, turned to Ethan Stone, and said, "Old Shi, I think this kid is really something... The writing in this report is so mature, the literary foundation is deep... I heard it clearly, Secretary Du mentioned his name three times today."

...

The next morning, as soon as Andrew Brooks arrived at the newspaper office, he received a call from Emily Summers, saying that Noah Summers and his wife wanted to invite him to their home for lunch. Delighted, he went to ask Michael Bolton for leave, then called his mother to remind her again, and finally hurried to the Xia family on his bike.

On his second visit, Andrew Brooks was not surprised to find that Noah Summers's attitude toward him had improved a lot. Although he still habitually put on the airs of a deputy mayor, at least he greeted him with a smile and, for the first time, even got up to pour him a glass of water.

As for Ethan Stone, although her expression was still somewhat indifferent, it was a bit better than the first time. Unlike before, her words no longer carried a tone of disdain.

Andrew Brooks enjoyed a relaxed yet respectful lunch at the Xia family, and afterward sat in the living room chatting with Noah Summers about the elevated bridge report. Ethan Stone finished clearing the table, turned on the color TV, and sat down to watch.

Coincidentally, Binhai TV was broadcasting the news interview program from yesterday, in which Andrew Brooks had appeared as a guest. Watching Andrew Brooks's calm and composed, almost star-like performance on TV, the pride and joy in Emily Summers's eyes were unmistakable. However, when Ethan Stone turned on the TV, the program was already more than halfway through, and soon after, it switched to live news.

"Dear viewers, last night, a male body was suddenly discovered at three bays in our city... According to police investigation..."

The TV screen changed, and a gentle, pleasant female voice was reporting. Andrew Brooks was first taken aback, then his expression changed slightly. A faint sense of unease rose in his heart, and he instinctively walked over to the phone in the Xia family's living room to call home.

No one answered. Andrew Brooks's heart skipped a beat. After waiting a while, he dialed again, but still no answer.

He couldn't help but feel a chill inside. Although he hadn't noticed any unusual changes in his mother lately—her mood had been normal—still, after thinking it over, there was only one possibility: his mother had encountered some "unexpected development" while trying to pull strings for him. What he needed to do was prevent this "development" from happening, so in addition to repeatedly reminding her by phone these past two days, he had also spent a lot of time at home trying to persuade Ashley Brooks to give up the idea of getting him into a government job.

He called several more times, but still no answer. Without thinking, Andrew Brooks dashed toward the Xia family's front door.

Emily Summers grabbed him, her voice trembling, "Xiao Tao, you..."

"Xiaoxue, wait for me, I'm going to find my mom." Andrew Brooks hurriedly left these words behind and rushed out the Xia family's front door.

...

...

"Running out without even saying goodbye, truly no manners." Ethan Stone closed the security door tightly in displeasure.

Noah Summers smiled slightly. "Old Shi, I think this kid is actually pretty good. Aside from his humble background, in every other way he's a good match for Xiaoxue."

"Good match, my foot." Ethan Stone glared fiercely at Noah Summers.

"Mom... Xiao Tao must have suddenly remembered something urgent, otherwise he wouldn't have left without even telling me..." Emily Summers cried out with a sob in her voice, "Mom, I'm begging you... Are you trying to drive me to my death? I can't live without Xiao Tao. Without him, I'll die."

Emily Summers ran into her bedroom in tears, leaving Noah Summers and his wife staring at each other in the living room.

"This is all your fault. I said we shouldn't meet, but you insisted on seeing him again. So, what now?" Ethan Stone gave Noah Summers a shove.

Noah Summers frowned. "Old Shi, you're being unreasonable. Even if our families aren't a perfect match, it's not impossible. As long as the kid is willing to work hard, with me around, do you really think Xiaoxue would suffer if she married him?"

Chapter 012 Diary

Andrew Brooks anxiously dashed out of the main gate of the Party Committee's first residential compound, forgetting even to ride his bike, with the security guard's obsequious shouts echoing behind him.

In a panic, he flagged down a battered yellow minivan by the roadside, jumped in, and rasped, "Driver, 112 East Renmin Road, No. 2 Middle School dormitory."

"Alright." The driver stomped on the gas, and the van sputtered before speeding off.

When he reached the gate of his own apartment complex, Andrew Brooks pulled a crumpled five-yuan bill from his pocket, tossed it onto the seat, jumped out, and sprinted toward Building 3 as if running a hundred-meter dash.

In the blazing midsummer heat, the sun hung high, and the entire No. 2 Middle School dormitory area was deserted, except for two young children squatting under the shade of a weeping willow by the bike shed, playing marbles. Andrew Brooks dashed past, his tall figure stretching and twisting in the dazzling sunlight.

Reaching the third floor, standing before the old steel-bar security door of his home, Andrew Brooks's heart pounded, and a fine layer of sweat broke out on his forehead.