After Jenny had put away the receipt and walked out of the shop with the old man at a slow pace, Ian Lawson couldn't wait to ask Uncle Carter, “Half price?! Uncle Carter, he paid 6,000 US dollars, but that lighter isn't worth 12,000 dollars. He said it might have been left by his ancestors, but that's nonsense. There's no mark on the lighter at all, it's just an industrial product. Other than being a bit old, there's nothing special about it. Selling it for 5,000 RMB is already too much, and you actually sold it for 12,000 dollars? Be careful, someone might accuse you of fraud and profiteering!”

Uncle Carter grinned foolishly, “But I even threw in two Tibetan knives.”

“Even so, it's not worth it, Uncle Carter, you went too far.”

“That's right, it's not worth it, but he also wanted to buy information from you, and you might lose your job because you snuck out for this—information is priceless, and if you lose your job, you need compensation. 12,000 dollars isn't expensive at all.” Uncle Carter was still grinning.

“Here, give my nephew 10,000 yuan as a red envelope.” Uncle Carter cheerfully instructed the cashier, then smiled and said, “Annie, I paid for your trip to Tibet, and I'll give you another 10,000 yuan. Isn't that enough?”

“It's enough, it's enough.” Ian Lawson nodded in agreement.

“Go, eat first. After you finish, I'll have a car take you back. I'll ask the sales clerk to pack up those things right away, you take them with you, and go straight to the hotel tonight. Bring the money back when you have time.”

Ian Lawson said reluctantly, “Uncle Carter, you made so much money, and the rest of the goods are all pure profit. Can I pick a few Tibetan knives to take home and play with?”

“Aiya,” Uncle Carter clapped his hands and exclaimed, “Look at you! If you want a knife to play with, how could I refuse? I thought you’d already kept one for yourself, so I didn’t ask. Go ahead and pick.”

Ian Lawson glanced back and forth at the knives, while Uncle Carter kept his eyes fixed on Ian Lawson's face, watching where his gaze lingered.

“The third knife.” Ian Lawson swallowed his hamburger and pointed, asking Lily to take it down.

“That won't do, nephew, pick another one?”

“Fine, the ninth one.”

“Big nephew, pick again?”

“Uncle Carter, I'm getting mad, this is the last time—the third from the end.”

Uncle Carter cheerfully ran over to the shelf, first took down the knife Ian Lawson wanted, then picked out the other two knives Ian Lawson had pointed at before, and instructed Lily, “These two knives, price them separately. The first one at 7,000 yuan, the second at 5,000 yuan. Find a box and pack them up nicely.”

Ian Lawson was furious, picked up his cola and drank it all in one go, childishly saying, “Uncle Carter, I'll pick two more.”

Uncle Carter waved his hand generously, “Sure, you can take all the rest if you want.”

Carrying three Tibetan knives in one hand and a big package in the other, Ian Lawson returned to the company full of resentment. His appearance startled Abel Lewis, who greeted him nervously and then disappeared for the rest of the afternoon.

Ian Lawson endured until the end-of-day bell rang. Following the crowd onto the street, he originally planned to go straight to the hotel to deliver the goods and finally solve the mystery in his heart. However, the three Tibetan knives in his hand reminded him, so Ian Lawson had to take a car home first.

On the way, Ian Lawson received a call, “Little Annie, I'm with a client today, so I won't be home for dinner”—Carolyn Turner was becoming more and more like a housewife, even taking the initiative to let him know in advance if she wouldn't be home.

There were a few noises on the phone, and then a surprised voice appeared beside Carolyn Turner. A man's voice chimed in, sourly, “Manager Turner, you found the person who manages you so quickly? Hahaha... You even have to ask for leave to go out for dinner, huh? I didn't expect Manager Turner to be so obedient...”

Carolyn Turner's retort came through the phone, but Ian Lawson didn't care to listen. He replied blandly, “Got it,” and hung up.

In just a few days, Carolyn Turner had developed a kind of fear toward Ian Lawson, though she herself hadn't realized it yet. Ian Lawson couldn't stand having his hard work disrespected, especially when he had painstakingly cooked a table full of dishes and no one praised him. At those times, after Carolyn Turner came home, he would clearly express his dissatisfaction, then, without giving Carolyn Turner a chance to explain, go back to his room alone to do his research. After a few times, Carolyn Turner learned to show respect, and every time she wouldn't be home, she would let him know in advance, so Ian Lawson wouldn't work hard for nothing.

Respecting her little tenant—was that right? This question often flashed through Carolyn Turner's mind, but then she would comfort herself: We're all under the same roof, why have a cold war? Besides, his cooking is so delicious, this respect is just the necessary courtesy to a chef.

Eating alone, Ian Lawson had no appetite. When he got home, he opened the fridge, looking for something to fill his stomach.

Originally, the fridge was mostly instant noodles, but ever since Ian Lawson moved in, Carolyn Turner had developed a habit of grocery shopping, often spending her lunch break at the supermarket, buying fresh vegetables and fruit to fill the fridge—all without letting Ian Lawson pay a cent. In Carolyn Turner's words: “Feeding a puppy is feeding, feeding a little man is also feeding. If you want someone to eat with you at a restaurant, you have to pay, but this little man often cooks delicious food for me, eats with me, and chats with me. When you think about it, rent, utilities, and food cost next to nothing—I'm actually making a profit.”