Chapter 542 - 538: Meeting Again

Ethan Sterling was sitting outside and glanced inside out of habit, then froze.

’It’s Golden Blade and his crew!’

"Hey now, it’s a small business. All our seafood is weighed properly. I can round it down for you, but I can’t give you a discount."

The proprietress spoke with a Veridia accent, which made Ethan Sterling feel a pang of familiarity.

So, he called out, also in a Veridia accent, "Ma’am, put their table on my tab."

His words made them all look up.

Golden Blade and the others were stunned to see Ethan Sterling.

"Huh?" Golden Blade’s eyes lit up. "Ethan Sterling?"

Ethan Sterling smiled. "Long time no see."

The guys quickly crowded around Ethan Sterling’s table, casually pulling up stools to sit down. Golden Blade was excited. "What are you doing here? Didn’t you get into university?"

This area was near Second High, a place Golden Blade and his friends passed every day on their way home.

But Ethan Sterling shouldn’t have any reason to come back here after graduating high school.

"Just strolling around. I got hungry and picked a random spot, didn’t expect to run into you all." As he spoke, Ethan Sterling looked the three of them over and couldn’t help but tease, "Not bad, you guys. The last time I saw you, you were hesitant to even buy three grilled sausages at the school gate, and now you’re eating seafood. Quite the upgrade."

Caelum blurted out, "Are you kidding? It’s Golden Blade’s birthday today. Monkey and I saved up for two months just for this, and it was still a stretch. The owner wouldn’t even give us a discount."

"It’s your birthday?" Ethan Sterling asked, looking at Golden Blade.

Golden Blade smiled, a little embarrassed. "It’s not a big deal. I’d forgotten all about it, but these two insisted on celebrating and had to pick somewhere this expensive."

Eating seafood in a big, landlocked city like Lorcain was never cheap.

"Well, that’s just too much of a coincidence. Say no more. It’s fate. My treat." Ethan Sterling grandly tossed the menu in front of them. "Order whatever you want. No one’s leaving until they’ve eaten their fill."

"For real?" Monkey snatched up the menu excitedly. "You’re the man, Ethan Sterling."

They really hadn’t eaten their fill. Seafood isn’t very filling, and it’s expensive. Even after saving for two months, they had still balked at the prices.

"No, don’t, Ethan Sterling. You already treated us to that expensive hot pot last time. We can’t keep letting you pay." Golden Blade snatched the menu from Monkey and handed it back to Ethan Sterling. "You go ahead and eat. We can have a beer with you, though."

With the menu gone from his hands, Monkey nodded with a sheepish grin. "Blade’s right. We’ll just have a beer with you."

Ethan Sterling clicked his tongue impatiently. "TSK. Today’s different. I ran into you on your birthday, so I have to treat. We’re drinking, too. Stop being so formal with me and order!"

Like a domineering CEO, Ethan Sterling slapped the menu. "Everyone orders two dishes. Golden Blade, you’re up."

Seeing his forceful attitude, Golden Blade realized he had no choice but to comply. He picked up the menu. "Alright, then... a smashed cucumber salad and the spicy stir-fried clams."

"I’ll have eight grilled oysters, then, and an order of spicy stir-fried razor clams."

"Spicy river snails. They’re good with beer."

They had all ordered the cheapest dishes on the menu. The seafood stall might not look like much, but it had an impressive selection.

"What kind of stuff are you guys ordering?" Ethan Sterling shook his head in exasperation and called the owner over.

"Oh, so you’re from Veridia, handsome?" The proprietress’s voice warmed instantly upon hearing his accent.

Ethan Sterling smiled and made conversation. "Born and raised. Ma’am, don’t tell me your seafood is from Veridia too?"

"Are you kidding me?" The owner laughed at her own expense. "Selling Veridia seafood in Lorcain? The air freight costs would be insane! But don’t you worry, all my seafood is top-notch. Guaranteed fresh."

Ethan Sterling nodded with a smile and pointed directly at the menu. "One steamed Emperor Crab. Two of the American lobsters, baked. One Black Gold Abalone, stir-fried with black truffle. Also, an order of the Russian Cream Crab—make it spicy! And the Clam King, stir-fried with scallion, ginger, and chili."

"That’s enough, Ethan! It’s too much." Golden Blade snapped out of his shock and quickly grabbed Ethan Sterling’s arm. "We already ate a little. We’ll never be able to finish all that."

Ethan Sterling saw their reaction and nodded. "Alright. How about a case of beer, then? The usual Snow Beer?"

The three nodded in unison. "Snow Beer is great. Make it ice-cold."

The owner’s smile was radiant as she wrote down the order. "Such a generous young man! Come and pick out your crabs."

After they had selected the seafood, the group sat down again and started to chat.

Ethan Sterling asked, "You guys still working for Kai?"

Golden Blade nodded. "Kai completely handed over the pool hall to us. He’s got other business to take care of now. The income from the hall is decent, but there are too many of us to support. After we split the profits among all the guys every month, there’s not much left for each person."

"Have you ever thought about doing something else?"

The guys exchanged glances. Caelum gave a self-deprecating laugh. "What else are we gonna do?"

Ethan Sterling looked at them. ’There were things he wanted to say, but he held his tongue. He was one of the lucky ones, a beneficiary of good fortune. It was best not to preach to people who were constantly struggling, or it would just sound like he was looking down on them.’

But Golden Blade spoke up on his own. "It’s not that there’s nothing else to do. We could deliver food or packages, for example. We’d definitely earn more than we do now, it’s just tough work. But we’re all in our early twenties, and we’ve been lazy loafers our whole lives. First, we’re not great at handling hardship. Second, we’re too proud."

He was being completely honest with Ethan Sterling. The truth was, people like them cared a lot about their pride.

It’s what people call being too proud for your own good.

Although Ethan Sterling couldn’t relate, he respected their position. He raised his glass, changing the subject. "Come on, Golden Blade. Happy birthday."

"Thanks. And thanks for the meal we’re mooching off you again." Golden Blade raised his glass, and they all clinked them together before he downed half of his in one go.

Then, Golden Blade asked Ethan Sterling, "I saw your posts. You got into Lorcain U. That’s incredible."

Ethan Sterling just smiled.

"How’s university life? Met any girls you like?" Golden Blade asked casually.

Monkey and Caelum immediately chimed in. "A guy like Ethan? Girls must be chasing *him*."

"Yeah, I bet tons of girls are into you, right?"

Ethan Sterling didn’t deny it, just nodding. It was true that girls liked him, but his mind was completely occupied by Seraphina. Thinking back on it now, he couldn’t even remember the faces of the girls who had shown interest in him.

"So, are you seeing anyone?" Golden Blade asked.

Ethan Sterling looked at him, then picked up his glass and drained it in one go. He set it down and shook his head. "No. She’s with someone else."

Golden Blade’s expression froze. ’Did I say the wrong thing?’ he wondered.

But at that moment, fueled by the alcohol, Ethan Sterling suddenly felt the urge to talk. He smiled at Golden Blade. "Let me tell you, the whole thing is completely absurd..."