Chapter 38: The New Village Branch Secretary

"This beauty is…"

"Hello, my name is Suzie Cromwel. I'm here to be the Branch Secretary of Mistwood Village." Suzie took the initiative, extending her fair hand toward Ethan.

"Welcome, welcome!" Ethan shook her hand briefly before letting go.

That small action earned him Suzie's approval. She knew her looks turned heads, and most men either held on too long or tried to make subtle moves. But this guy? Calm, polite, and completely composed. Interesting.

"Hello, I'm Natalie Su, the village director. Welcome, Branch Secretary Suzie. From now on, we'll be partners. I've only been in this role for about a month, so if there are any shortcomings, please point them out." Natalie extended her hand as well.

"Director Su, you're too polite. Let's learn from each other and grow together. Our priority is to help Mistwood prosper." Suzie's warm smile felt genuine, though there was a spark of competitiveness beneath her friendly tone.

"Uncle Fred, Branch Secretary Suzie, why don't we have a meal together?" Ethan suggested.

"Sure! I came here for a taste of that rich village life. You're the richest man around, right?" Suzie teased.

"Alright. You two chat in the living room. I'll have everything ready in a bit."

The trio headed to the living room while Ethan returned to the kitchen. He picked up the pace, using his mysterious ring to control the kitchen tools with his mind. The knife glided through the chicken as if cutting through butter. Boiling water floated from the pot to scald the chicken, while the feathers plucked themselves free. All the while, Ethan stir-fried vegetables like a seasoned chef.

In less than an hour, the table was laden with dishes: beef stewed with potatoes, white-cut chicken, braised eggplant, mushrooms with greens, and a steaming bowl of tomato egg soup. The rich aroma filled the house.

"Wow! This smells divine!" Suzie exclaimed, eyes wide with amazement. "Ethan, you're not secretly a five-star chef, are you?"

Even Natalie and Fred, the old village secretary, were taken aback. Fred gulped. "Kid, you've been holding out on us. Yesterday's food wasn't half this good! Did you put in extra effort because Branch Secretary Suzie is a beauty?"

Ethan chuckled. "I was framed! Yesterday's food was from a restaurant. Come on, what do you two beauties want to drink?"

"No need, let's just eat." Natalie and Suzie spoke in unison, then exchanged surprised glances.

Ethan quietly set out a bottle of white wine and shook it at Fred. "Uncle Fred, you've got work this afternoon. I'll drink alone."

"Work? Ha!" Fred waved him off. "Branch Secretary Suzie just said she'll start right away. I'm officially off-duty. Pour me a glass."

Fred's mood was light. Suzie had originally come to observe, but after seeing Ethan, she immediately decided to stay. Fred wasn't dumb — the girl was obviously interested in Ethan. As for Natalie? Well, they could fight over him. Maybe they'd both stick around. Mistwood could use a little drama.

As they dug in, Suzie tossed all pretense aside, eating like a storm. "Oh my god, this is divine! I've never tasted anything this good!" She grabbed another chicken wing, already reaching for a mushroom dish before finishing the bite.

Natalie ate more reservedly, but her quiet exclamations of "delicious" betrayed her composure. Ethan watched Suzie scarf down the food with growing concern. "hey...hey, slow down, you'll choke. Here, have some hot water."

He poured her a bowl, then casually filled one for Natalie as well. Natalie's frosty expression softened into a delicate smile. Fred, noticing this, nearly burst out laughing. Oh boy, the future held some interesting developments.

As they ate, Fred's eyes landed on Ethan's wrist. "Hey, Ethan, that watch is pretty nice. You buy it recently? Must've cost a few thousand, right?"

Ethan shrugged, but Suzie leaned in with a grin. "Old Secretary, that's not some cheap watch. It's a Patek Philippe — platinum with diamonds. Costs around three million."

Fred nearly spat out his drink. "Three million?! For a watch?"

Even Natalie looked stunned. "Is that true?"

Ethan chuckled. "She's right. It was about 2.9 million."

Fred shook his head in disbelief. "Kid, you're out of your mind. Why waste money like that? What about your car? That's gotta be, what… a hundred thousand?"

Ethan smirked. "Guess again."

Fred scratched his head. "Two hundred?"

Suzie burst out laughing. "Old Secretary, I checked online. That's a new Land Rover SUV — not even available in Asia yet. It sells for about five million."

Fred stared at Ethan like he'd grown a second head. "Five million?! For that tiny thing? How much is a big truck then?"

This time, even Natalie couldn't help but giggle. Fred downed his wine, muttering, "Crazy kids these days…"

As the meal went on, the house buzzed with warmth and laughter. Suzie had made her decision — and Mistwood was about to get a whole lot livelier.