That day, after school, he went to the Longhu Bar. Gentle, melodious music and enchanting singing filled the bar. He looked up and saw that it was Sister Helen singing.

He sat down at the bar and called out to the bartender, “Brother Thomas.”

The bartender’s name was Thomas Bolton, five years older than him. James Carter had always called him Brother Thomas.

As a bartender, Thomas Bolton dealt with all kinds of people every day and was well-informed. It was Thomas Bolton who had told James Carter about Edward King having an affair with Michael Bolton’s wife and then being hunted by Michael Bolton.

“Hey, James.” Thomas Bolton greeted him and, with practiced ease, poured him a glass of orange juice.

James Carter took a sip, let out a comfortable sigh, and said with a bright smile, “Brother Thomas’s orange juice is always the best.”

Hearing his praise, Thomas Bolton grinned from ear to ear. Normally, young men like James Carter were in their rebellious phase—moody and defiant—but James Carter was different: he was becoming more and more likable, had a better temper, and was much more talkative than before.

“James, come here, let Brother Thomas see if you’ve got honey on your lips—how are you so sweet?” Thomas Bolton said with a hearty laugh.

James Carter pouted, then casually asked, “By the way, Brother Thomas, didn’t you say last time that Michael Bolton was hunting down Edward King? Has he found him yet?”

“No, Edward King has been in this game for a long time. If he really wants to hide, he’s not that easy to catch.”

“That’s true.” James Carter nodded and said, “But I heard Michael Bolton has a lot of influence.”

“No matter how powerful he is, it’s only in the G District. If Edward King hides in another district, or isn’t even in D City anymore, Michael Bolton still won’t be able to find him.”

“Yeah.” James Carter asked, “Where does Michael Bolton usually hang out?”

“Of course at his own dance hall. James, why are you asking about this?”

“Oh, just curious. By the way, his dance hall is an old one, right?”

“Yeah, the Jinxing Dance Hall. It’s really old—probably older than you. It was one of the first dance halls in D City. Don’t be fooled by how rundown it is now; it used to be incredibly popular.” Thomas Bolton said, chatting away.

James Carter said cheerfully, “Michael Bolton really scored a deal taking over Jinxing Dance Hall.”

“A huge deal. I heard he didn’t spend much on it—people practically gave it to him for next to nothing.” Thomas Bolton shook his head repeatedly, as if lamenting why such good luck hadn’t come his way.

James Carter chatted idly for a bit longer, then picked up his backpack and said, “Brother Thomas, I’m heading home.”

“Brother William is upstairs, aren’t you going to see him?”

“I see Sister Helen is here too, so I won’t stick around and be a third wheel.”

“Haha, smart.” Thomas Bolton praised with a laugh.

“What third wheel?” With a waft of fragrance, Helen Wright in a red short skirt stood beside James Carter, wrapped her arm around his neck, and asked with a smile, “Little brother, are you talking bad about your big sis?”

Feeling his head pressed tightly against Sister Helen’s chest, the warm and soft sensation made James Carter’s face flush red. He stammered, “N-no…”

As he spoke, he awkwardly stood up, trying to break free from Helen Wright’s embrace.

But Helen Wright clearly didn’t want to let him go. Her fair, tender arm hugged his neck even tighter, and with her other hand she kept pinching his cheek, grinning mischievously as if she’d discovered something new: “Oh, little brother knows how to be shy now.”

“Sister Helen, I’m not a kid anymore, I’m already eighteen by Chinese reckoning.” He grumbled in protest, struggling to break free from her hug while grabbing his backpack and dashing out of the bar.

Watching his retreating figure, Helen Wright pouted and muttered, “He’s really getting less and less cute.”

Thomas Bolton smiled wryly at the side and said, “I actually think James is getting more and more mature.”

Helen Wright was now William Carter’s girlfriend—in other words, James’s future sister-in-law. No matter how close siblings-in-law are, hugging and cuddling isn’t really appropriate. Besides, James wasn’t wrong; he really wasn’t a kid anymore.

After running out of the bar, James Carter let out a long sigh. There wasn’t the slightest trace of displeasure on his face; instead, he looked genuinely happy. Now, he no longer had the infatuation for Helen Wright he once did. Instead, he felt a different kind of affection—being in her arms felt like being nestled in his mother’s embrace. Thinking of this, James Carter blushed at himself. Maybe he just lacked motherly love!

After leaving the bar, he didn’t go home but instead took a bus to the Jinxing Dance Hall in G District.

Jinxing Dance Hall was an old establishment with over twenty years of history. The ticket price had never gone up: it was five yuan twenty years ago, and it was still five yuan now. These days, the people who came to dance at Jinxing were mostly middle-aged men and women, or migrant workers from out of town. The clientele was nothing like it had been in its heyday.

After arriving at Jinxing Dance Hall, James Carter paid five yuan for a ticket and went inside.

It wasn’t even six in the evening yet, so the dance hall was very quiet. Many chairs were still stacked on the tables. The lighting inside was dim—not so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face, but visibility was limited.

After entering, he walked around, looking everywhere for Michael Bolton.