Chapter 37: First Love

Marcus had a lot of money, so he got his checkup done quickly. After just over an hour, he came running back with a massive grin, holding his inspection sheet.

"Doctor, I'm fine! I'm really fine! Thank you so much!" Marcus exclaimed, handing Ethan three bank cards with both hands.

Ethan asked for the passwords, pulled out his phone, and checked the balances. After confirming it was 300 million, he nodded and casually slid the cards into his pocket.

"Doctor, I heard you like cars, so I ordered a Rolls-Royce SUV for you. I'll have someone deliver it in a few days. Could you give me the delivery address?"

"Oh, just give it to Don when it arrives. He'll pass it to me. Also, Don, help me with the license plate this time. No more flashy numbers — I was embarrassed driving the last one."

"Haha, got it! I'll get you a regular plate this time." Don laughed heartily, clearly pleased with the deal. Judging by his excitement, he must have earned a hefty commission.

After leaving, Ethan drove straight to a phone shop. He upgraded his old phone to a newer model and remembered Natalie's situation. Life probably wasn't easy for her, so he bought an extra phone to gift her.

As he drove across the river back to Mistwood, Old Man Su, who was on the ferry, stood frozen in shock, mouth agape.

"Wait… so he didn't run off after all! Aha! Yesterday must've been a test to see what the villagers thought of him!" The old man hurried home, eager to spread the news.

But there was no need for rumors — Mistwood had never seen a car in the village before. The moment Ethan's SUV rolled in, it caused a huge commotion. From the first house onward, adults and kids alike followed behind the car, forming a parade all the way to Ethan's house. Villagers circled the vehicle, poking and prodding, their voices buzzing with excitement.

"Mom, how did Ethan drive this big car across the river?" a young boy asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

His mother frowned, unsure. "Maybe… they used a wooden boat to carry it across?"

"Nonsense!" a man interrupted proudly. "When I worked in the city, I heard about cars that could go on both land and water. Maybe Uncle Ethan has one of those!" He puffed out his chest. "Uncle Ethan, is this one of those amphibious cars?"

Ethan almost choked on his own spit. "Cough… cough! No, it's just an SUV. A Land Saint SUV."

The man nodded sagely. "I knew it. These things cost a fortune, right? Maybe a few hundred thousand?"

"Hundred thousand? That might get you a tire. Less than five million for the car, and with the license plate, probably closer to seven or eight million."

"WHAT?" The crowd gasped. Suddenly, parents yanked their children away from the car, afraid their little hands might accidentally scratch the paint.

Someone nervously asked, "Ethan, what you said yesterday… is it true that your boss is willing to pay a dollar higher than the market price for our vegetables?"

Ethan smiled and nodded. "Of course. He'll come to sign a contract with you all. If you're interested, I can even provide seeds. I recommend everyone use the same seeds and plant in greenhouses — it gives better yields."

"But greenhouses are expensive," a woman worried aloud. "I heard it costs over a hundred thousand to set one up. Where would we get that kind of money?"

"No worries," Ethan reassured. "I can arrange an interest-free loan. Pay it back once you start making money."

Though the crowd grew excited, the hefty initial investment scared most villagers. Ethan didn't push them. He knew curiosity and greed would get the better of them soon enough.

Once the crowd dispersed, Ethan tidied up his house and started cooking. As he stirred a pot, a gentle voice drifted through the door.

"Cooking already?"

Ethan turned, and his heart skipped a beat. Standing at the door was Natalie, his first love. Even after five years and becoming a mother, she was as beautiful as ever. Her slim figure, long hair cascading over her shoulders, and delicate features made his chest tighten. Her eyes, clear and soft, looked at him with a hint of nostalgia.

"Uh… yeah. Have you eaten? Want to join me?" Ethan stammered, heart racing.

Natalie smiled softly. "Sure. Need help?"

"No, no, just sit and chat." Ethan struggled to keep calm.

She glanced outside. "That SUV… did Henry give it to you?"

"Heh, no. It's worth five million. Another friend of my boss gave it to me."

Natalie's expression darkened slightly. "Your boss isn't… a woman, is she?"

Ethan chuckled. "Come on, do I seem like that kind of guy? Sure, I know a few rich ladies, but I've never taken advantage of them. In fact, I once bought a birthday gift for a friend's grandpa that cost a few million."

Her eyes widened. "A few million? Ethan, what exactly do you do these days? All your friends seem to be big shots."

"Haha, nothing special. After you left, I got bored and studied acupuncture. Rich people are scared of dying, so they pay well for treatments."

Natalie's gaze softened. "You know… I never wanted to leave back then. But—"

"Miss Cromwel, this is the home of the richest man in our village, Ethan Yang!"

Ethan and Natalie turned to see Fred, the old village secretary, standing at the door. Beside him stood a radiant woman in her late twenties. She had short, sleek hair, a bright, intelligent face, and exuded a confident energy. Her presence alone lit up the room.

"Ah, Director Natalie is here too?" Fred added with a smile.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "And you are…?"

The woman stepped forward and extended her hand. "Suzie Cromwel. Nice to meet you."