He, William Parker, joined the army at seventeen and didn’t retire until he was thirty-two. Although he became a driver after leaving the service, he never let his skills slip. How could he not be a match for this young man? This guy was, at most, just a little over twenty. To say he couldn’t handle someone barely in his twenties—he simply couldn’t believe it.

The reason he wanted to spar with this young man was because he felt the other’s punches weren’t just for show, and neither were his own. Fighting him should be beneficial for himself.

“How do you know I’m not your match? Honestly, since I left the army, I haven’t met anyone who could beat me. Since you’re so confident, let’s give it a try.” William Parker’s expression was a bit hard to maintain.

Ethan Brooks shook his head and said helplessly, “Alright, since you want to try, go ahead.”

“Right here? Not somewhere bigger?” William Parker looked around.

Ethan Brooks smiled slightly and said, “It’ll only take a few moves anyway, so there’s no need.”

“You…” William Parker was almost choked by Ethan Brooks’s words, anger rising in his heart. He said with some heat, “In that case, watch my fist.”

A textbook “Black Tiger Steals the Heart”—William Parker’s plan was that although this move looked simple, as soon as the young man made a move, he’d immediately switch it up and show him his true skill.

But just as William Parker threw his punch and before he could change moves, Ethan Brooks suddenly stepped forward, grabbed William Parker’s fist in an instant, and with a flick of his hand, lifted William Parker’s nearly two-hundred-pound body off the ground. His mind went blank with a buzz.

This was really beyond his expectations. When he came to his senses, he realized Ethan Brooks had tossed him onto a stone stool nearby, as if he’d been sitting there all along, while the young man he’d fought was already nowhere to be seen.

“Amazing…” After a long while, William Parker finally muttered to himself. Even his instructor in the army couldn’t have beaten him so effortlessly.

……

When Ethan Brooks walked into his small courtyard, Yvonne Green was actually examining the flowers and plants he’d planted. Although Ethan Brooks had planted many flowers and plants, it was mainly to hide that one “Silver Heart Grass.”

Seeing Ethan Brooks come in, Yvonne Green looked a bit embarrassed. She quickly stood up and, searching for something to say, said, “I didn’t expect you to like gardening. Men who grow flowers and plants are usually very attentive. Looks like you’re a careful person too. Oh, I bought some groceries today. Let’s have a meal together later, as neighbors getting to know each other.”

Ethan Brooks usually ate out, and didn’t expect someone to invite him today. Of course, he wouldn’t refuse such a thing. He smiled and said, “Sure, thank you. I see you leave early and come back late every day. How come you didn’t go to work today?”

“These days, a colleague of mine is on leave, and I happened to have some days off, so I’m covering her night shifts.” Yvonne Green hadn’t expected this homebody to be so observant.

Yvonne Green’s cooking was pretty good, at least much better than the random food Ethan Brooks usually ate outside.

“The food was great today, thank you.” Ethan Brooks thought to himself, if only he could get a free meal every day, he wouldn’t have to go out just to eat.

“We’re neighbors, what’s there to thank? You can invite me to eat next time too.”

Yvonne Green said playfully, feeling that Ethan Brooks didn’t seem like a bad person.

Ethan Brooks smiled awkwardly and said, “I never cook for myself…”

“Then just go to a restaurant.” Yvonne Green thought this Ethan Brooks was kind of cute. Usually, when inviting a girl you’re not familiar with to eat, who cooks themselves? Isn’t it always at a restaurant?

Ethan Brooks said helplessly, “Alright, I’ll treat you next time if there’s a chance.” But he thought to himself, I knew there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Sure enough, as soon as I finish this one, I owe another.

“Ethan Brooks, let’s exchange phone numbers. Mine is 13XXXXXXXX, what’s yours?” Yvonne Green took out a delicate pink phone and asked.

“I don’t have a phone. If you need anything, just knock on my door. For most things, I can help you out. I’m heading back.” With that, Ethan Brooks stood up and went back to his room.

Yvonne Green was stunned for a while, thinking that even a migrant worker has a phone these days, but Ethan Brooks didn’t even have one. This guy must be doing pretty badly. He probably hasn’t even paid the rent. She really didn’t know why the landlord let him move in.

But this guy was pretty proud, even saying he could help her with most things. Yvonne Green shook her head. This Ethan Brooks didn’t seem like a bad person, just a bit proud. Maybe she should help him find a janitor job or something at the hospital. That’d be better than being an unemployed drifter.

Yvonne Green was still thinking, after all, she was considered a beauty, so why didn’t Ethan Brooks even want to sit with her a bit longer? It was kind of discouraging, as if he really just came for the meal. But Yvonne Green quickly figured it out—he was probably just insecure. After all, as an unemployed drifter who couldn’t even afford a phone, of course he’d feel embarrassed to sit and chat with her. Thinking of this, Yvonne Green finally felt a bit more balanced.