Chapter 41: A City of People

Natalie looked at Ethan, doubt flickering in her eyes. "Ethan, think this through. This isn't a small amount of money. Our village doesn't have any special projects. What if it turns into a loss?"

Ethan chuckled, waving off her concerns. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. Secretary Suzie, what do you think?"

Suzie tapped her chin, considering his words carefully. After a moment, she met Ethan's gaze. "Thirty percent is too little. Make it fifty."

"Ahem..." The room fell silent. Everyone stared at her in shock.

Ethan blinked, then let out a low whistle. He admired Suzie's boldness. Scratching his head, he smiled wryly. "Alright, since Secretary Suzie is so straightforward, I won't argue. How about 35%? That's my limit."

"No way. 35% is still too little," Suzie countered, her eyes sharp. "Forty percent — not a percentage less."

The others exchanged glances, thinking Ethan would surely refuse. After all, this was a risky investment. But to their surprise, he simply grinned. "Forty percent, huh? I can agree, but I have one condition."

Suzie raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"I want a hotel room and a villa — for personal use only. No renting them out. If a friend visits or I need a quiet place to think, I'll have a spot. Reasonable, right?"

Suzie laughed, clapping her hands. "Deal! The village is building new homes anyway. A couple more won't hurt." She turned to Natalie. "What about you, Director Su?"

Natalie scowled at Ethan, her arms crossed. "Forty percent… you really agreed to that?" Seeing his confident smirk, she could only sigh. "Fine. I'll go along with it."

With the terms settled, they quickly drafted the contract. As they signed, Suzie's eyes sparkled with excitement. She could already see the bright future ahead — a revitalized Mistwood Village and a shining political achievement under her belt.

When the meeting ended, Ethan leaned back and stretched, feeling pleased with the deal. Suzie, on the other hand, could barely contain her joy. She had just found a golden goose willing to fund her grand plans. If the project failed, Ethan took the fall. If it succeeded, her career would skyrocket. Either way, she had nothing to lose.

"Alright, Ethan," Suzie said, her voice almost trembling with excitement, "you'll need to raise quite a bit of funding for this. By my estimate, at least two hundred million."

Natalie gasped. "That much?"

Ethan chuckled. "No need to worry about that. A friend already gave me three hundred million and told me to use it as I see fit. I'll call another friend to bring in the designers and builders. In a month, the village will be transformed."

The room fell silent once more. Even Suzie, usually quick with a retort, was speechless. After a long pause, she gave Ethan a thumbs-up. "Alright, I admit it — I'm impressed."

The news of Ethan's investment spread through Mistwood Village like wildfire. The once quiet village erupted into activity as villagers flocked to his house, eager to curry favor. People who had once looked down on him now wore wide smiles, addressing him as "Brother Ethan" or "Big Brother."

Some brought chickens; others carried ducks or homegrown vegetables. Each visitor tried to offer gifts, hoping to secure a place in the new prosperity Ethan promised to bring.

Even his Third Sister-in-law, who had mocked him the day before, shoved a plump reed fowl into his hands. "Oh, Brother Ethan, don't mind what I said yesterday! I'm a woman with a long tongue and a short temper. Don't take my nonsense to heart. Just think of it as me farting, alright?"

Ethan couldn't help but laugh. "Third Sister-in-law, fellow villagers," he said, raising his voice to be heard over the crowd, "I came back to help the village — not hold grudges. Please, take your gifts back. If anyone insists on giving me things, I'll take it as a sign they don't trust me and won't include them in the project."

His words silenced the crowd. After exchanging uneasy glances, they slowly left, each carrying their gifts back home. But their respect for Ethan only grew.

That evening, as Ethan prepared to cook dinner, Natalie arrived at his door. "Ethan, my mom made dinner and wants you to join us."

Ethan smiled. "Sure. Let me grab a couple of things for Uncle Donald and Aunt Martha." He disappeared inside and returned with two bottles of wine, a carton of cigarettes, a hundred thousand in cash, and a big bag of candy.

Natalie's eyes widened. "Why are you bringing so much? It's just dinner."

He shrugged. "It's nothing special. Just a little something for them."

As they left the house, Ethan glanced at Blackie lying by the door. The loyal dog raised its head, ears twitching.

"You're not even locking the door?" Natalie asked, exasperated.

Ethan chuckled. "Blackie's here. And honestly, we all know each other. Who would steal from me?"

Natalie smacked his arm. "Are you really that naive, or just playing dumb? You came back with millions! Of course people will get jealous. Lock your door."

Ethan sighed but turned back to secure the house. Blackie gave a low bark, as if acknowledging his duty, then lay back down.

As they walked toward Natalie's house, the night air was cool, and the village was unusually lively. For the first time in a long while, Mistwood felt alive with hope. Ethan glanced at Natalie, who walked quietly beside him.

"You know," he said softly, "this village has potential. We just need to believe in it."

Natalie looked up at him, her eyes softening. "Maybe you're right."

The two walked on, side by side, as the moon rose over Mistwood Village.