Michael Thompson and Ryan Carter were classmates in junior high, and they sat together for three years, so their relationship was as close as brothers. Even after Ryan Carter got into the top high school in the city, Muyang No.1 High School, they still kept in touch, though after Ryan Carter went to college in the provincial capital, their contact gradually lessened. Li’s father was one of those who got rich early in the countryside; he started a construction team years ago and is now a well-known boss in the Yanjiang township. Ryan Carter had always thought that Michael Thompson would go into business with his father, but he never expected to run into him here.

Ever since school, Michael Thompson had admired Ryan Carter’s brains immensely. Although he didn’t quite understand why this top university graduate would come back to work as a temp at the township government, he knew this wasn’t the time to ask. Carrying his motorcycle helmet, he walked inside, planning to “interrogate” his buddy later—why on earth would he leave the big city to come back to this godforsaken place in Yanjiang township?

As he went to put his things away, John Smith walked in from outside. Seeing Ryan Carter looking so relaxed, he couldn’t help but frown and shouted angrily, “Didn’t I tell you to clean the office? What are you thinking? You think this is your school?”

Ryan Carter just smiled and said nothing. If he guessed right, this job should have been John Smith’s. If they needed him to do it, An Xiumei would have said so earlier and wouldn’t have let John Smith, who was also a temp, boss him around. He figured this guy was just picking on the newcomer on purpose.

Before he could say anything, a cold voice came from behind him: “John Smith, who the hell do you think you’re talking to?”

It turned out Michael Thompson had already changed clothes and appeared behind Ryan Carter, just in time to hear John Smith yelling at his good buddy. Instantly, he looked furious, clenched his fists, and was about to go teach John Smith a lesson.

Ryan Carter quickly grabbed Michael Thompson, knowing full well his friend’s hot temper. Back in school, he’d gotten into bloody fights several times, dragging both Ryan Carter and Monkey into trouble and getting them all warned. This was the office, and if he got into a fight with a colleague on his first day, that was the last thing Ryan Carter wanted.

But to Ryan Carter’s slight surprise, faced with Michael Thompson’s cursing, John Smith actually looked a bit humble, even fearful, and forced a fawning smile as he backed away, waving his hands, “Qiang-ge, I wouldn’t dare talk to you like that. I was talking to the new guy, Xiao Lu.”

Even though Ryan Carter was holding him back, Michael Thompson still cursed loudly, “Get the hell out of here! Who are you calling Xiao Lu? He’s my childhood buddy, you know what that means? We grew up together, bare-assed! If you insult him, you insult me. If I don’t teach you a lesson today, you’ll think you can walk all over us!”

Chapter 008: Opportunity

Today, John Smith felt like he’d run into some serious bad luck!

He’d mysteriously fallen off his bike on the way to work this morning, and as if that wasn’t enough, he thought picking on the new temp would be no big deal—he’d done it plenty of times before. But who would have thought this guy was connected to Michael Thompson, the local troublemaker? John Smith didn’t doubt a word Michael Thompson said; he could already picture himself getting beaten up.

With a miserable face, John Smith kept begging for mercy.

Ryan Carter was a bit surprised at how dominant Michael Thompson was here, but he didn’t want to get into trouble on his first day over something so trivial. Holding onto Michael Thompson’s arm, he whispered, “Come on, man, it’s my first day. Are you trying to get me in trouble? Did you forget about James Smith?”

Strangely enough, Ryan Carter’s words seemed to have a magical effect. The furious Michael Thompson immediately calmed down when he heard them, grinned at John Smith, and pointed at him, “If I catch you bullying Woodhead again, I’ll break your damn legs!”

John Smith was almost in tears. He thought, if I’d known he was your friend, I wouldn’t have messed with him for anything!

Looking up pitifully at Ryan Carter, John Smith forced a smile and said, “Lu-ge, I’m really sorry, I didn’t know you and Qiang-ge were close. This… this got out of hand…”

Waving his hand, Ryan Carter said calmly, “It’s fine, you didn’t know. He’s always been like this, ever since school. Don’t worry, since he listened to me, he won’t touch you here. It’s over, just get back to work.”

Glancing at Michael Thompson, who ignored him, John Smith picked up the bucket and mop by the door and slipped out carefully.

Ryan Carter walked over to Michael Thompson, kicked him, and joked, “Not bad, you’re the king around here now. So, how much did Uncle Li pay to get you this job?” As he spoke, he gave him another hard kick and continued, “You troublemaker, causing me problems on my first day—are you doing this on purpose? Want me to go tell your mom on you?”