Chapter 51: Fine Jade Bracelets

"Missy, is your mom and the others back?" Ethan asked casually as he saw the little girl riding on Blackie, with Whiskers perched on her shoulder.

"They're back! They'll be here soon. But Daddy, Mommy is so naughty!" Missy pouted, clearly upset.

"Oh? What happened?" Ethan asked curiously.

"Mom saw my little toy. Aunt Suzie said it's very expensive. Mommy didn't want me to wear it and even wanted to return it to you. I'm so angry! Daddy, I really like this little toy. Don't let Mommy take it away, okay?"

Ethan chuckled. "Oh, it's like that. Don't worry, Daddy will talk to her later."

He then pulled Whiskers down from his lap. "Hey, your master Suzie, is on the way, okay? Why are you always sticking to me? Look at how obedient Blackie is. He never jumps at me!"

"Meow~" Whiskers ignored him and leaped from Ethan's back to his shoulder in one swift motion.

Ethan sighed in defeat. There was no stopping this little cat.

"Oh, boss. Your life is way too comfortable. Not only do you have a kitten clinging to you, but you also have a little angel calling you 'Daddy.' No wonder you always wanted to return to Mistwood when you were in Purple City. Turns out you knew your old classmate came back with her daughter!" Henry teased from afar.

Natalie, who was walking beside him, blushed. Ethan chuckled, picked up Whiskers, and handed it to Suzie. "My dear little Whiskers, your real owner is back. Can you stop clinging to me?"

Whiskers licked the back of Suzie's hand twice before leaping down and dashing off to play with Missy and Blackie.

Meanwhile, the old village secretary, Fred, inhaled deeply. "Wow, it smells amazing. You really have a talent for cooking. Any girl who marries you won't have to worry about ever going hungry."

Ethan grinned. "Hehe, sit down, everyone! Let's eat!"

As they took their seats, Natalie frowned. "Ethan, what you gave Missy is too valuable." Though she hadn't insisted on returning it, she still felt uneasy.

"Hehe, what's so precious about it? You all made her recognize me as her godfather. Since I have a little money, of course, I want my goddaughter to have the best."

"There's a saying—'Poor people raise their sons strictly, rich people spoil their daughters.' We may be from the countryside, but since she's my goddaughter, I want her to live like a princess."

His words were filled with conviction, making Natalie's eyes turn slightly red. Fate had played such a cruel trick on them…

Seeing her emotional expression, Ethan sighed. Fine, he'd give both of them something. No more jealousy.

He reached into his pocket, and when he pulled his hand out, two exquisite jade bracelets—one red, one purple—shimmered in the light. "Haha, two beauties, these are my little gifts for you. Please accept them!"

"Wow! Top-grade emerald and blood jade bracelets!" Suzie exclaimed. "These are worth over ten million each! Ethan, are you really giving them to us?"

Gasps filled the air.

"Ten million?! Just for a bracelet?!" The villagers were stunned, their eyes fixed on the sparkling jade.

Ethan chuckled. "It's just a small gift. If others can wear them, why can't you two? Take them. I still have more than twenty of these lying around."

Cough cough…

Everyone choked on their drinks. This was beyond insane.

Suzie, who was usually straightforward, hesitated. "Well, if that's the case, I won't be polite. Director Su, do you want the red or the purple?"

"I… I don't want it!" Natalie instinctively shook her head, though her eyes lingered on the purple jade.

Ethan smiled knowingly and handed them each one. "Come on, just take them. They're just small gifts."

No woman could resist the beauty of fine jade. Holding the bracelets, the two women couldn't hide their delight. Especially Natalie—though she had refused at first, she now couldn't take her eyes off the purple jade. It reflected her delicate face beautifully.

"Thank you," they said in unison, their gazes softening with an emotion deeper than gratitude.

Ethan grinned. "Come on, let's eat before the food gets cold. Everyone, raise your glasses to our CEO Henry! Maybe he'll be generous and donate a hundred thousand or so to our village!"

Laughter erupted around the table. The villagers immediately lifted their cups. Henry, already tipsy, burst into laughter and raised his drink. Before long, he was completely drunk.

In his intoxicated state, he fumbled with his briefcase, pulled out a bank card, and slapped it on the table in front of Natalie. "Old classmate, you're the village director now… I gotta support you, right? Here's one million. The password is Boss Ethan's birthday. Uh, I bet you know his birthday, huh? Just a little something for the villagers!"

Natalie hesitated, looking at Ethan for guidance.

Ethan shrugged. "Just take it. It's only right for an old classmate to support your work."

In truth, he was internally rolling his eyes—Henry was using his money to make himself look generous!

As everyone continued their meal, Ethan's phone suddenly rang. It was Ryan Tang.

"Hello, Ryan. What's up?"

"Ethan, I've fully recovered. Do you have time tomorrow? We need a guide—the military is pushing us to finalize a location for the radar base."

"Tomorrow? Sure." Ethan agreed without much thought.

Henry, still drunk, slurred, "Boss, who was that? What's going on?"

"Ryan's in the military. They're looking for a location to build a radar base in the Immortals Mountain. Since they haven't found a good spot yet, I'll be their guide tomorrow."

"No way!"

Natalie's parents, Donald and Martha, immediately objected.

"Ethan, do you know that before you came back, some soldiers also came looking for a base? They hired a few villagers as guides. But before they climbed too high, one of the officers fell off a cliff and died. It's too dangerous—you can't go!"

Ethan frowned slightly. A fatal accident? That sounded suspicious...