Chapter 389



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He asked calmly, “What secret?”.

“You went to the martial arts tournament because you heard something?”

A resigned Nora nodded. “That’s right.”

“I knew. You even changed and put on a mask so I wouldn’t recognize you.” Quentin looked around after speaking. Then he said, “Since you were in the tournament, then you must have heard of me, right? ”

Nora: “?”

Quentin said, “Haven’t I told you already? I’m the best wrestler in the family and I’m ranked 3rd in New York, I’ll definitely shine in the tournament! Do you know who I am?”

“… No, I don’t.”

Silly Quentin immediately looked around. Then, he said, “I’ll tell you and only you, since you’re my cousin, Nora. You’re the only one I’m telling, you understand? Even Joel doesn’t know the alias I’m using in the tournament.”

She straightened her back, lifted her chin and declared, “I’m Smithin!”.

“…”

Seeing no reaction from Nora, however, Quentin looked at her and frowned. “Haven’t you heard of that name? So, you know the famous Team Third of the World?”

Whether it was Smithin or Team Third of the World, both had become very famous in the arena recently. Anyone who had been there would have heard of it.

But…

Nora decided to tease him and deliberately said, “I’m new there, so I’ve only heard them talk about Victor.”

Quentin: “…”

No one in the family knew he was participating in the martial arts tournament, so he couldn’t brag. Now that he had finally found a cousin who was interested in the tournament, how could he remain oblivious to its greatness?

Quentin was very puzzled, very much so. “Victor is nothing. He’s nothing but a piece of trash who lost to me two years ago. Even if you’ve never heard of Smithin, surely you’ve heard of Team Third in the World, right?”

He hadn’t competed under his own name, so it was only natural that she hadn’t heard of him. But how come she hadn’t heard of the famous Team Third in the World either?

Nora headed toward the house. “And so?”

“What do you mean ‘and then’?” Quentin grew anxious. He gritted his teeth, steeled himself, and said, “Forget it, I’ll tell you another big secret!”

Nora glared back at him.

Quentin said, “But you have to swear you won’t tell anyone! I promised you I wouldn’t casually reveal your identity to outsiders. I’m only telling you because you’re my cousin.”

Nora had a vague idea of what she was going to say next when she heard that. Sure enough, the next moment, he asked her, “Do you know who the woman in the red dress from Team Third of the World is?”.

Nora: “…”

“It’s the Big Sister! The Big Sister of Quinn Martial Arts School!!!”

Quentin said triumphantly, “Do you see now? Even Big Sister has allied herself with me. She approached me because she thought I was talented and fought pretty well….. Surely you’ve at least heard of Big Sister, right?”

“… Yes, I have.”

Quentin finally felt satisfied. He said, “So, don’t you feel very honored that Big Sister saw something in your big brother? But don’t get ahead of yourself. You must not say anything about this to outsiders. Big Sister’s identity is confidential.”

“…”

“Is that look in your eyes one of envy? Actually, you don’t have to be envious that Big Sister saw something in me. Uncle Ian chose me out of everyone in the family to practice martial arts when I was a kid, so I’ve been practicing ever since. I heard that you used to be obese, and even had poor health in the past, so you must not have practiced martial arts much before, right? By the way, what class are you in now?”.

Nora: “…”

She knew how eager Quentin was to show off and enjoy the limelight, so she knew better than to say anything. And, sure enough, Quentin said, “My team is already in Class D. Once we win another five meets tomorrow, we’ll move up to Class E. Once we win another five meets tomorrow, we’ll advance to Class E. We can advance to Class F the day after tomorrow!”

“… Wow, how amazing.”

“Isn’t it? I think so too.” Quentin folded his arms and said triumphantly, “But don’t you dare think it’s because Big Sister does all the work. I can still fight for myself no problem, even without Big Sis. Why are you walking so fast? Forget it, I won’t say anything else, lest you get jealous. But don’t worry, if someone bullies you in the arena, you can use Smithin’s name to scare him!”

“…”

Nora suddenly felt it best not to let the young man with eighth grade syndrome know her true identity after all. If she did, she reckoned she would no longer have peace.

The corners of her lips tightened and she went upstairs.

When she entered the bedroom, she noticed that Pete had already returned from the garden and was dutifully working on his Math Olympiad problems.

Nora glanced at her workbook. The Math Olympiad problems he was doing were almost high school level. The five-year-old’s IQ was simply frightening.

“Mom.”

Pete greeted her obediently.

Nora made a sound of recognition and stepped forward. She stroked his hair and then leaned over, then gave him a kiss on the forehead. She said, “Let’s go downstairs for dinner when you’re done with that.”

Pete nodded and continued to sink his head into the workbook.

Nora picked up the phone and saw a voicemail from Tanya: ‘Did you kiss your son?’

Nora replied, ‘… Yes, I have.’

Tanya: ‘Yes, Pete’s sense of security still leaves a little to be desired. It doesn’t compare at all with Cherry’s. After all, the role a mother plays is simply too crucial when you’re growing up. You have to have more physical contact with Pete, you know?’

Nora: ‘Yes, yes. I know.’

Tanya sighed emotionally again and said, ‘Don’t think I’m being too nosy. After all…I’d like to give mine a kiss too.’

When Nora heard the message, she knew immediately that Tanya had gone back to thinking about her missing son.

She didn’t know how she should comfort her. After all, she too had experienced the pain of losing her own child.

Nora was silent for a while before replying: ‘I’m sure you’ll find him someday.

Tanya: ‘Yes.’

Because she had fallen silent, Nora did not send her any more messages. She turned to look at her son. Suddenly, she sensed something was wrong. “Where’s Mia?” she asked.

Out of habit, Pete and Mia should be playing with each other at this hour.

Without even raising his head, Pete replied, “She’s having dance lessons at the godmother’s house!”

“…”

In the suburban village.

Mia’s forehead was covered in sweat as she did leg stretches.

The slender little five year old looked like she was only four years old. Tanya came over and gave her some pointers.

Mia looked at Tanya.

Her teacher was very strict, but, for some reason, she wasn’t at all afraid of her. When Tanya lowered her head towards her, Mia even kissed her suddenly on the cheek.

Tanya was stunned. She looked at Mia in disbelief, to which Mia said, “Didn’t you want a kiss, Miss Turner? I’ll give you a kiss.”

A warm feeling suddenly welled up in Tanya, and she felt a mixture of emotions wash over her.

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