“Ring ring ring.”

A burst of ringing sounded.

He glanced at the caller ID on his phone.

Emily Thompson.

“Haha, go answer the call. I’ll be waiting to see you shine at the Jiangzhou Martial Arts Tournament.”

James Sullivan said with a smile.

Grace Thompson nodded, left the office, and answered the call.

“Brother, I brought a friend to Canglong City to have fun! You’re the host here, you can’t just ignore me.”

“Where are you?”

“Just got off the train. Where are you? I’ll take a taxi over.”

“I’ll come pick you up.”

Grace Thompson said.

“No need, I can just take a taxi myself. If you come pick me up, it’ll waste a lot of time going back and forth.”

Emily Thompson quickly replied.

“All right then.”

Grace Thompson thought, since he had accepted this identity, as siblings, there was no need for such fake politeness: “Let’s meet at the east gate of Starlight Center.”

“Wow, are you planning to splurge on us, bro?”

“Don’t worry, you won’t go hungry.”

Grace Thompson said with a smile.

In his previous life, his parents had passed away when he was six, and he had no siblings. Now, as he stepped into this role...

This feeling wasn’t bad at all.

After hanging up, Grace Thompson was about to leave.

“Grace Thompson, catch.”

At this moment, a voice called out.

Right after, James Sullivan tossed a car key over.

James Sullivan smiled and said, “Canglong City is pretty big. It’s inconvenient to show your friends around without a car. The car is parked right at the exit of the underground parking lot.”

“Thanks.”

Grace Thompson replied.

“Go on, go on.”

James Sullivan waved his hand.

After Grace Thompson left, he thought of something and quickly called over Manager Brooks, handing her a set of approved documents: “For Grace Thompson’s account, go to the bank and transfer the money as soon as possible. Use the express channel and try to get it there before dark.”

Manager Brooks was a bit surprised: “A million?”

Then she hesitated: “Will Master Miller have any objections?”

“Grace Thompson is different from Old Miller.”

James Sullivan said, “I’ll talk to Old Miller.”

Manager Brooks nodded and quickly went to handle it.

……

On the other side, Grace Thompson didn’t drive, but went straight to Starlight Center.

After waiting for less than half an hour, he saw Emily Thompson—with slightly wavy, shoulder-length hair, wearing a purple hoodie with two bunny ears on the hood—walking over quickly.

Her white casual pants perfectly showed off her long, slender legs.

She radiated youthful, sunny energy.

Plus, with their family’s outstanding genes...

She looked just like a lively girl stepping out of a painting.

“Brother.”

Emily Thompson greeted him, then circled around him in surprise, looking him up and down: “Little EllaLittle Ella, what do you think? Didn’t I say my brother got even more handsome?”

Next to Emily Thompson, Ella Green, who had been her childhood friend, didn’t dare look at Grace Thompson and just replied with a soft “Mm.”

“Let’s go. Since you’re finally here in Canglong City, the things you like... I’ll take you to the rooftop of Starlight Center to check in and take some photos, then to Yunxia Ancient Street for snacks. Of course, if you want a meal, that’s fine too...”

“Snacks, snacks!”

Emily Thompson immediately chimed in, “I want to try every delicacy in Yunxia Ancient Street, even if I gain three kilos, it’s worth it.”

“Let’s go then.”

Grace Thompson said.

Emily Thompson nodded vigorously, still unable to stop glancing at Grace Thompson.

“Brother, you’ve really changed a lot. I didn’t notice it in the videos, but seeing you in person now... your energy and spirit... it’s like you’re a different person.”

Grace Thompson used the same explanation he gave Benjamin Sullivan: “After experiencing life and death, you have to figure some things out. Also, I’ve started practicing martial arts again recently, so naturally my energy and spirit have changed.”

Seeing Grace Thompson talk about this topic so naturally, Emily Thompson felt a bit relieved.

She knew he had truly come out of the shadow of public opinion.

Looking at Grace Thompson, who used to be introverted and silent but was now sunny, energetic, and confident...

Two adorable dimples appeared on her face.

In her heart, she silently said,

“This is great.”

Chapter 11: Martial Artist

“What do you mean ‘started again’? You never really practiced properly in the first place.”

In a cheerful mood, Emily Thompson deliberately teased him.

“Heh, you don’t understand. Don’t you remember? When I first started practicing martial arts, I often came home very late.”

Grace Thompson said.

“Huh?”

Emily Thompson paused, surprised: “You were really practicing martial arts back then? How come I never knew?”

“At that time, you were just a little brat. What was the point of telling you?”

Grace Thompson said calmly, “Do I look like the kind of person who would go around telling everyone I’ve practiced peerless martial arts?”

Emily Thompson immediately widened her eyes.

Her brother...

Had really started practicing martial arts back then?

Of course not.

At that time, he was obsessed with catching golden beetles in the mountains.

Grace Thompson was just laying the groundwork for his upcoming rapid progress.

Reaching Huajin after several years of training versus reaching it in just a few months—there’s a clear difference.

“Look.”