Chapter 53: Helping Another Family

A few hours later, they returned home after closing the shop. The sales today were anything but encouraging. However, Evelyn wasn’t discouraged.

It was their first time opening the shop, and they seemed to be the only ones selling fruits in that street. She couldn’t jump to conclusions using today’s sales alone.

Optimistic, she believed that by the end of the week, her shelves would be half-empty.

Ethan happily handled dinner, even adding an extra fish for Nora as compensation. She accepted it with indifference, though anyone could tell that she was happy with it.

Evelyn tucked her daughter into bed early, then joined Ethan in the living room. He turned on the TV, watching the latest news being broadcast.

There were a few events he remembered, and once he did, he began connecting the dots.

A sly smile appeared on his face, and Evelyn immediately noticed.

"Why are you smiling like that?"

Ethan turned to her and lightly poked her nose. "I’m smiling because of the news. What else?"

Pursing her lips, Evelyn punched him weakly. "You’re lying. That was definitely a scheming smile. What are you planning?"

Chuckling, he pulled her into his arms and leaned into the chair.

"Mn? Do I look like someone who would scheme? Oh, Evelyn. You think so badly of me."

The woman shook her head. "It’s not that I think badly of you. It’s just that you changed so much lately. Now, I don’t even know what’s on your mind."

Ethan smiled wryly, gently brushing her hair as he watched the NASA-related new being broadcast.

"Well, I’m allowed to be mysterious, aren’t I?"

Evelyn chuckled and said nothing.

Still brushing her hair, he continued. "Still... my family is my focus right now. Everything I do... is to make it up to you two."

"Mn. You’re doing your best already." She smiled. "Thank you, Ethan. For making me happy again."

He blinked, staring at the translucent screen before him.

[Wife’s Happiness: 27%]

’Almost ten percent increase?!’

He looked down at the woman in his arms, then shook his head.

"I’d gladly do that forever."

The two remained like that for a while until Evelyn got tired and went inside to sleep. Ethan stayed behind, though, still watching the news for more information.

’My photographic memory doesn’t apply to my past life, so I can’t remember everything vividly. However, Clear Insight makes it easier for me to recollect some things once I have a hint.’

A sly smile appeared on his face again. "Let’s see... do I have to start buying newspapers and watching the news regularly?"

He shook his head. "I’m not even half of his age, yet I’m starting to live like that old man. Sigh, the ironies of life."

...

The next morning, they once again went to the shop after having breakfast. Cassandra arrived early, eager to start working for the day.

Evelyn was a little surprised by the young woman’s enthusiasm towards business. Still, it only made things easier for her.

Once again, Ethan began to teach Nora more about algebra, much to her displeasure. She still learned from him, though.

There were several things she didn’t remember, which caused her to make several embarrassing mistakes. Meanwhile, Ethan only thought it was natural for a kid like her to make such mistakes so he was patient with her and taught her well.

In fact, he felt increasingly proud of her. After all, she was far smarter than he had been at her age—both as Ethan and as Victor.

’She’s a fast learner. It’s almost like she’s remembering everything I teach her rather than learning it.’ He noted, pleased with her progress.

After an hour and a half, he finally released her and let her rest. Wanting to stretch his legs a bit, he bid farewell to Even and walked around the market, surveying the place. He noticed a few muscular men standing scattered around Evelyn’s shop and smiled.

’So Vincent is still this protective? Nice...! That means I won’t have to worry about Evelyn’s safety whenever I’m not around.’

Coincidentally, his phone vibrated in his pocket, and he took it out to check. It was a message from Vincent, telling him that the woman had been found.

Ethan smiled and pocketed the phone again. In his life as Victor, Vincent had become a powerful mafia lord, dominating the entirety of Arcane City. Even Victor had to meet him personally for some little discussions.

Sadly, they had a similar problem—no true love. Victor had lost the woman he loved, and the desire for revenge made him ignore the possibility of falling in love with someone else. Vincent’s case was a little different.

He had a girlfriend who got pregnant for him. However, they had been separated for some reason he didn’t know. Vincent only knew that she had given birth to a male child.

He never saw them... until it was too late. By the time he found her, his girlfriend was already on her deathbed, having sold her kidney to raise the child.

Vincent could only watch helplessly as she passed away, too late to do anything. The only consolation he had was his son.

Using everything he had, he raised the young boy into a mature man who could stand his ground in the world.

Vincent was far older than Victor. But now, he was a little younger than Ethan.

’Hm, how life surprises you.’

A sense of accomplishment washed through him at the thought of another family being saved. Vincent’s girlfriend wouldn’t die, and the man wouldn’t be haunted by her death.

’I already helped you, old friend. Now it’s all up to you.’

Feeling his phone vibrating again, he took it out and checked. It was a call from Cole.

An amused expression appeared on his face, and he answered the call.

"Good morning, brother-in-law."

Cole’s hurried breathing could be heard from the other side. "Ethan! Where are you guys? My dad just called and told me he can’t find any of you at home!"

Ethan’s lips curved slightly. "Ah... that? We’ve moved out actually."

Cole’s breathing paused.

"Huh?!"