38. The Big Boss's Promise

Average. Grandpa, you've already eaten five slices. Father said you don't have a good

heart and you should be careful when you eat.

Davy didn't know that what he had said made Mr. Wiles feel awkward. John K burst into

laughter. Mr. Wiles blushed and cleared his throat.

Which bakery made this? He asked, doing his best to pretend not to care. The cake really

was delicious. He planned to buy some for himself later.

John smiled and shook his head. You think this came from an ordinary bakery? Then

where? Mr. Wiles' eyes widened. John still shook his head.

You won't be able to have any more if you stay here. Mr. Wiles scratched his head

anxiously. Tell me who made it, he demanded.

Oh? John's smile was full of meaning. Do you think it was made by a top baker? Of

course, Mr. Wiles said proudly. I have eaten at all of the five-star restaurants in Arkland

City.

Of course I know good food when I taste it. The cake is soft and moist. The taste is mild

yet not bland.

Sweet yet not cloying. After eating it, the flavor lingers in the mouth and the aftertaste is

pleasant and refreshing. It's a top shelf cake from a high class bakery or fine dining

establishment.

That I'm certain of. I doubt there are more than 10 people in the entire state who could

make such a cake. John's smile grew wider.

There are no more than 10 people in the state, but one of them might be sitting right in

front of you. Mr. Wiles was stunned. He obviously didn't understand what John meant.

Hayden scratched his head as if he was embarrassed by the compliment. Mr. Wiles, this

cake is called premium apricot carrot cake, he said somewhat bashfully. Premium apricot

carrot cake? What an idiotic name.

Mr. Wiles repeated the name a few times before remembering how much Hayden had

humiliated him. His face became stern. I am talking to Mr. K, as you can see boy.

I said nothing to you about the cake. Hayden shrugged. I don't want to talk to you either,

but you should know I'm the one who made the cake.

If I don't say anything, you'll keep praising me. Mr. Wiles' expression froze. He set down

his fork, as though not knowing whether he should still eat the cake.

He turned his head with difficulty and looked at John for confirmation. John nodded.

Who are you? Mr. Wiles asked. In the entire Bayside District, there were

countless people Mr. Wiles might have given his attention to.

Right now, even Miss Lee was looking at Hayden curiously. Hayden had become the

center of attention in the huge living room. I'm just a junior.

I'd tell you my name, but you'd just forget it. Hayden had a smile on his face, but Mr.

Wiles' expression froze. Hayden's sharp reply stung him.

He had a sinking expression on his face. Ding, irony. Taunt, plus one.

Ding, fighting against the Big Boss of Holloway County. Courage, plus 1.1. Current

progress, one out of ten. Current level, beginner level.

Seeing Mr. Wiles' pained expression, John cursed in his heart. Mr. Wiles might lose it at

any moment, given his terrible temper. Mr. Wiles began to laugh.

His laughter resounded throughout the entire hall. You really have guts. These days,

every young man I meet is more timid than the last.

They can hardly work up the courage to look you straight in the eye. In all these years, I

think you're the only one who's been able to get the better of me. Mr. Wiles no longer

concealed his appreciation of the cake.

Picking up his fork again, he took another bite. It smells so good, he said, smiling as he

closed his eyes in enjoyment. Suddenly, Mr. Wiles sat up and clapped his hands

together.

I'm a man of my word. We had a bet, and I lost it. So tell me, what would you like me to

do for you? Just give me the word and I'll do it, so long as it's not anything immoral or

illegal, or anything that involves apologies or anything like that, of course.

Don't worry, Aiden laughed. I still have a sense of propriety. It's just that I haven't

thought about the specifics of the matter that requires your help, so... You're really

cunning, Mr. Wiles smiled and scolded.

You have one year to come up with something. If you don't, the promise is off, and all

debts are square. What do you say? No problem.

Aiden was very excited. He hadn't expected this to be such a productive trip. Although

he didn't quite understand what sort of person Mr. Wiles was, his impressive manner of

speaking had given Aiden the impression that he wasn't ordinary.

A promise from a person as important as Aiden thought Mr. Wiles might be wasn't

always something that could be bought with money alone. Aiden and Mr. Wiles forgot

about their grudge and chatted happily in the living room. Davey and Mr. Wiles held

Aiden's hand as they discussed the theorems of math.

Aiden only showed them some of his ability, but what they saw still stunned them. They

sat obediently on the sofa like primary school students as they listened to Aiden's lively

explanations. It was not until almost noon that Anthony K. arrived at the villa and Aiden

was able to catch his breath.

Mr. K. was surprised to see Mr. Wiles and his grandson sat across John in the living room,

but he nevertheless welcomed them warmly. They all settled in for a delicious lunch of

sandwiches and desserts, which Miss Lee brought to them on a series of elaborately

engraved silver trays. The wonderfully prepared food seemed to improve Aiden's cooking

ability all by itself.

Later that afternoon, after Mr. Wiles and Davey left, Mr. K. and Aiden finally had a chance

to talk.

They were sitting in an elegant

study on the second floor of the villa, and the smell of sandalwood and ink lingered in

the air.

Miss Lee brought tea for the pair and quietly left the room. Come try this tea. I brought it

back from a business trip recently.

The tea was a pale green, and Aiden could already smell its flowery aroma. Before he

could drink it, he started to drool. He did not stand in the ceremony with Anthony K. He

picked up the teacup and took a sip.

How is it? Can you tell what tea it is? Anthony K. seemed to be testing Aiden. Ding. Taste

top grade tea leaves.

Tea Tao level, plus five. Current progress, five out of ten. Current level, beginner level.

This was the first time Aiden had encountered a situation that gave him five experience

points at once. He closed his eyes and savored the wonderful flavor and aroma of the

tea. With his new knowledge of tea, he said leisurely, the liquid is clear and the veins of

the leaves are intact.

The fragrance of the tea is strong and floral, and the taste is mellow and rich. This is

certainly top quality tea. If I'm not wrong, it's a top grade medicinal tea imported from

Assam, India, right? I should have known I couldn't hide anything from you, Mr. K said with a laugh.

Called Red Robe Tea, Mr. K's tea was grown on a specialty farm in Assam. One of the

greatest exporters of tea in the world. The tea was extremely expensive.

A single leaf often sold for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The leaves were

picked from the only medicinal Red Robe Tea tree in this world. It was a peerless

treasure.

Tea leaves like these were rarely seen by ordinary people. They were truly priceless.

That Mr. K served this top grade tea to Aiden showed how important the boy was to him.

Mr. K was not at all surprised that Aiden recognized the tea. If Aiden had told Anthony K

that there was anything he didn't know, now, that would surprise him. Mr. K took his own

sip of the fragrant tea.

Only then did he ask, do you know why I called you here? Aiden thought of the little girl

who never wanted to leave his arms. He nodded, though with a bitter smile. Seeing Dora

smiling for me as a father, that's the best thing in the world.

Anthony K looked out the window as he felt a flash of disappointment. Dora's mother left

early and I placed my focus on my career. He said in a low voice, I have almost no time

to take care of her.

All these years, Dora has spent most of her time alone in this giant villa. There was also

my father and Miss Lee. Speaking of which, in all these years, the only person Dora saw

who was close to her age was Davy.

Aiden thought of how well-behaved and obedient Dora always was, and he felt a strange

sourness in his heart. She was born into this kind of family. She'd never gone hungry or

wanted for anything.

But was she really happy? So Aiden, I would like it if you would come here to visit her

often in the future, Anthony K said. Aiden nodded seriously. Let's not talk about this

anymore.

Let's talk about you first. Aiden put down his teacup and told Mr. K what was happening

at midnight snack corner. When Mr. K was finished listening, he didn't even frown.

That's simple, he said plainly. I'll get someone to contact the local forum's moderator to

delete the message. I don't believe he dares to me.

No, Aiden immediately shook his head. That would be too easy, and people wouldn't

forget. Deleting the message might even make us look worse.

Anthony K could not help but nod in satisfaction when he saw the ruthlessness in Aiden's eyes. He liked Aiden more and more. The shopping mall business was like a battlefield.

Those who were soft-hearted were usually the first to fall. Then what do you want to do?

Anthony K asked. Aiden smiled mysteriously.

He told Anthony K everything about his plan. The two of them discussed the details until

dinnertime. At dinner, the conversation moved in a slightly different direction.

Aiden, the shops on East Street are almost ready. It's time for you to move. At this, Aiden

turned to look out the window and fell silent.

Every young eagle must leave its nest someday. An even wider stage was about to open

before Aiden.