Chapter 38 - Gratitude
The next day at Edelweiss Middle School. It was 3:30 p.m.
The quiet campus came alive at the sound of the bell signaling dismissal. Soon, a tidal wave of students surged out. They headed home once they found their parents waiting at the school gate.
Most of the students separated into smaller groups to go to their extracurricular clubs. Some of them were held within the school and some without, with the club instructors being teachers or professional coaches hired by the school.
"What are you doing here, Brother?!"
Phil had just walked out of the dark green iron gate and was shocked to see his brother there. Matthew was always busy with business and the only time he had picked him up was at the beginning of the semester.
"Phil." Matthew stood to the side and waved, a smile on his face. He wore a white shirt paired with a brown striped tweed jacket and the latest style of dark red loafers. A gray and white bowler hat was perched on his head, and the same gold-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of his nose. Every inch of him screamed elegance.
The afternoon sun cast a golden glow on Matthew's face. A sliver of a silver watch chain peeked out from his shirt pocket. ompared to the other parents, Matthew was dazzling, radiating the aura of a successful businessman and social elite.
"Is that your brother, Phil? He's so handsome!"
A group of five girls from his class chattered behind him. From the curious glances they shot at Matthew, it was clear what they were discussing. Phil ignored the fangirls.
"Why is your brother picking you up?" Milo, who was standing beside him, asked. He fiddled with his backpack.
"I don't know, maybe something happened." Phil shook his head, then scurried over. "Brother, why are you picking me up today?"
"Hey, what's with your tone? Can't a brother show he cares every once in a while?" Matthew said exasperatingly, tilting his hat down to block the sun. "Come on, I'll treat you to some good food."
"I still have to go to Instructor Li Wei's class at four." Phil scratched his head, a little conflicted.
"Oh, that's no problem. I'll drive you to the Gray Seal Martial Arts Hall for your combat lesson first, then pick you and Instructor Li Wei up at six, and we can all have dinner together. I've always thought that Father's handling the other day wasn't very proper. It seems insincere to just give money. At the very least, we should have a meal together to show our gratitude. What do you think?"
"Yeah, that sounds good. I'll invite Instructor Li Wei once we get to the Gray Seal Martial Arts Hall," Phil immediately agreed to Matthew's plan.
At this time, Milo, who had been behind them, also walked over.
"Come on, Milo. My brother's giving us a ride," Phil said.
A Heitz Nauya car drove slowly on the streets of Baichuan City, the ornamental trees and black street lamps on both sides blurring past.
Sitting in the comfortable back seat, Milo admired the luxurious dark gold stripes, the spacious interior, and the fluffy, expensive carpet. He felt like he gained a new understanding of just how wealthy Phil's family's was.
Five minutes later, on Hongta Street.
"We're leaving now, Brother." Phil waved from the roadside.
"Go on." Matthew gestured toward the Gray Seal Martial Arts Hall.
"I know." Phil nodded and walked over with Milo.
At 6 p.m., the sky at dusk changed dramatically. The wind was strong and blew through the clouds, spreading a gradient of red and yellow through the sky. Patches of the setting sun would occasionally peek through.
The door of the Gray Seal Martial Arts Hall swung open, and Phil and Cassius stepped out, chatting with each other. After a few steps, they spotted a black car parked by the roadside. Unlike the bulky, turtle shell-like cars that were commonplace, this one was elongated. If one had to make a comparison, it was like a stretched Lincoln. Its corners were rounded, and it had silver decorations along the bottom edge. On the hood was a light gold crescent moon emblem.
The driver's side window rolled down a couple inches, revealing a handsome face. Matthew gently patted the car door. "Get in."
Cassius and Phil quickly slid into the back seat, a flurry of the usual pleasantries and courtesies echoing back and forth in the car.
Matthew had reserved a window seat on the fifth floor of the Purple Sky Restaurant. The view there was supposed to be nice, and the food was quite delicious, but the biggest selling point was the pleasant and comfortable atmosphere, making it perfect for friendly conversations but not for formal business discussions.
The reservation was set for 6:30 p.m. but a few appetizers were already laid out by the time the three of them arrived at the table. Matthew and Cassius were talking happily with each other in no time, while enjoying the food.
Whether they were putting on an act or it was genuine, it seemed like they got along very well. The two of them had clearly only met twice over a span of four hours, but they had already dropped the formalities and were calling each other by their first names.
Dinner began drawing to a close. Matthew seemed to have downed a few too many drinks, and was drunk enough to address Cassius as "Brother." He even made an enthusiastic promise to him: if Cassius came into any trouble, he would definitely help, as long as it was within his capacity.
The alcohol also seemed to be talking for Cassius as he wasted no time in asking for two favors. The first was to find coins. The second was to find herbs.
Matthew readily agreed, saying that he would help Cassius with these tasks starting tomorrow and promising to get them done within two weeks.
Meanwhile, when Cassius wasn't throwing back drink after drink, he was expressing his gratitude profusely. With the constant toasting, the meal lasted a full three hours. By the time they finished, it was almost 10 p.m.
At 10:10 p.m., on Flag Street, at Jessica's apartment.
"No need to send me off, my apartment is just ahead." Cassius reeked of alcohol as he lumbered out of the car. He walked toward the building, waving as he left.
"Take care." Matthew, by the car window, waved back. He didn't stop waving until Cassius's figure rounded the corner. He then rolled up the window.
He blinked, and the drunken cloudiness in his eyes instantly cleared. It didn't look like he had been drinking at all at dinner.
He rested in the driver's seat for a while. Matthew glanced at his sleeping brother in the back seat, took a sip from the teacup beside him, then stepped on the gas pedal. The long car soon disappeared into the night.
At Jessica's apartment, on the top floor, by the bedroom window.
A tall figure stood silently like a statue in the darkness, looking down at the street. As soon as the black car drove off, the figure closed the window and drew the curtains. The bedroom light clicked on, the soft yellow glow becoming the only light in the apartment building.
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