Chapter 323 - 245: The Advancing Young Man

Chapter 323: Chapter 245: The Advancing Young Man

Peter lay on his bed, blankly scrolling through his phone.

On his phone was the Shadow of Evil forum’s review section for *Beyond Reach*. In just one day, the score had already climbed to 5.8 and was about to pass 6.

He heard the test screenings had ended and many more showtimes had been added.

Clearly, the Shadow of Evil was gradually improving, reaching the acclaim it deserved.

’But what about me?’

’What heights will I reach?’

Peter felt a little lost.

He had just looked up some information about Deepwater City on the forums, and it all seemed rather unreliable.

According to the Zog Group, they planned to develop it into the North’s most important port and industrial city.

But someone had posted current photos of Deepwater City, and you couldn’t even call it a city. At best, it was a village.

Peter couldn’t imagine how that place could possibly become a major city.

’But if they really do build it, there will definitely be more opportunities there than in Twin Tower City. As one of the city’s earliest builders, maybe I could even become someone famous.’

’Peter: Builder of Deepwater City, Mechanical Master, Inventor from the North, Generous Tycoon.’

’Just thinking about it sounds amazing.’

’Maybe then, I could stand proudly beside Grace.’

He wasn’t shameless like Parker.

After Parker had split from them outside the theater during the day, he had messaged Peter, asking about Grace’s background. He’d said she didn’t seem like a girl from an Ordinary family.

Upon learning she was the City Lord’s daughter, Parker seemed to have a breakdown and started bombarding him with messages.

"Why? How? How could a screw-turner like you land the City Lord’s daughter?"

"What do I lack that you have?"

"No, it’s not me who’s wrong, it’s the world!"

To console Parker, Peter explained his current situation.

He felt he wasn’t good enough for Grace, and their relationship probably wouldn’t have a happy ending.

Then Parker completely changed his tune.

"Who cares if it has a happy ending?"

"She’s the City Lord’s daughter!"

"Get what you can out of it."

"Marry into her family! Even if you have to be her pet!"

"You’re blowing a golden opportunity!"

"If you gave this chance to me, I wouldn’t even think about going to Deepwater City. How much is dignity worth, anyway?"

"Never mind sixteen, I’d even take someone who’s sixty..."

That was more or less how it went.

Peter began to wonder if his childhood friend was hiding a super pervert under his Ordinary exterior.

"Dinner’s ready."

His mother’s voice came from outside his room.

"Coming."

Only his parents and he were in the living room. Their home didn’t have a dedicated dining area, so they ate in the living room.

His older brother was a miner and only came home once in a long while.

His younger sister attended a boarding school. Her grades were quite good, and she was the family’s hope for the future.

Peter had helped his sister with many of her school craft projects. One time, a model Magic Firearm he made for her even won an outstanding project award at her school.

He loved studying weapons like Firearms, feeling that they closed the gap between Ordinary people and Extraordinary Professionals. So, he spent his free time researching them.

When some people were troubled, they would eat a lot to relieve stress. Others couldn’t eat at all.

Peter was the latter.

At the dinner table, his mother was the first to notice that something was off with Peter.

"What’s wrong? Something on your mind?"

"Huh? What? No, I’m fine." Peter hadn’t told his parents yet that he wanted to go try his luck in Deepwater City.

"What do you mean, you’re fine? I’ve seen you put an empty spoon in your mouth several times already."

"Haha, really? I probably just didn’t sleep well last night. I guess I’m a little tired."

His father glanced at his obviously troubled son and immediately saw the problem.

"Heartbroken?" his father asked nonchalantly.

"Heartbroken? Dad, what are you talking about?"

"That girl, Grace. Did you think your mother and I wouldn’t notice?"

The little sparks of a teenage crush couldn’t be hidden from parents’ eyes.

It was too obvious.

Besides, parents have been through their teenage years too.

"I..." Peter stammered for a moment before finally admitting it. "It’s Grace. It’s not exactly heartbreak... we haven’t even started dating."

"Then it’s an inferiority complex. You realized you’re not good enough for her."

Anyone with eyes could see the difference in status between Peter and Grace.

The idea of marrying someone of a similar social standing might sound cynical, but it’s a conclusion drawn from experience. For couples from different backgrounds, it’s difficult to sustain the relationship once the initial infatuation fades.

After all, the hormonal rush only lasts for a while. The rest is all about compromise and adjustment.

"It’s a small thing. You’ll feel bad for a couple of days, and then you’ll get over it and move on. That’s how I broke up with my first love back in the day."

Before his father could finish, his mother suddenly interjected, "What do you mean, how you broke up with your first love? Wasn’t I your first love?"

His father looked slightly panicked. "No, I was just saying. The important thing right now is our son’s problem."

"I bet you’re still thinking about her. Otherwise, how could you just say it so casually?" his mother pressed, not letting it go.

At the critical moment, it was Peter who saved his father.

He mustered his courage and said, "I want to go work in Deepwater City."

As soon as the words were out, the dinner table fell silent.

"Is the boy so devastated that he’s started talking nonsense?"

"No, I’ve thought about it seriously. Parker and I made a pact. In Twin Tower City, I’ll just end up as an Ordinary Mechanician. But in a newly developing city like Deepwater City, I’ll have more possibilities. I want to take a gamble," Peter said earnestly.

"Where’s Deepwater City?" His mother had never heard of a major city on the Continent with that name.

"In the North, near the Northern Domain."

"Isn’t that just ridiculous? We worked so hard to move here from the North and put down roots in a big city." His mother couldn’t accept Peter’s decision.