The Supreme Soldier in the City
Chapter 27 - 27 27 Sorted Out Just Like That

27: Chapter 27 Sorted Out Just Like That 27: Chapter 27 Sorted Out Just Like That James Brown stepped out of the art bar and stood at the doorway, lighting up a cigarette.

If Emily Lopez came out with him, then his mission would be accomplished.

If she didn’t, he couldn’t be bothered to care anymore—after all, his role as a brother-in-law was a sham.

Doing just enough was fine.

Before he’d taken even two puffs, Emily Lopez came running out.

Spotting James right by the door, she pouted and came up to him, huffing, “Brother-in-law, what was that about?

They’re my friends after all.

Why would you suddenly flare up at them?”

James turned to face Emily, his expression grave as he said, “Emily, I don’t want to preach, but in my eyes, they hardly qualify as friends.

If you share the same mentality as them, then you can kiss any chance of success goodbye.”

Emily snorted, “But they’re talented.”

“Talented?

That’s what you call talent?” James laughed, then shook his head, “Sure, they have a bit of talent in certain areas, but you should know that success requires not just opportunity and talent, but mainly hard work.

If you prioritize opportunity and talent over hard work, how can you possibly succeed?”

“Like you’re one to talk about success.

You’re lecturing me?” Emily was quite annoyed by James’s critique of her friends.

“You’re right, I’m not successful, but at least I have a clear understanding of myself.

I know what I want to do and what I’m good at.

That’s all I’ll say.

Whether you listen or not is your choice.

After all, everyone has their preferred lifestyle.

If you like yours, I won’t stop you.

When your sister asks, I’ll put in a good word for you.”

With that, James flicked away his cigarette butt and strode forward.

Emily’s footsteps quickly followed, and soon, two small hands clung to his arm.

Neither of them spoke, just silently walking together.

A chill wind blew by, causing Emily, who was wearing a cashmere coat that wasn’t very warm, to shiver as the cold wind struck.

James looked back at her and suggested, “Let’s take a cab home.”

But Emily shook her head, “I feel like walking a bit more.”

“Alright then, if you don’t mind, I can put my arm around you to keep you warmer.”

Emily turned to look at James and flashed a toothy smile, “Then thank you, brother-in-law.” She let go of his arm and embraced his waist.

James wrapped his arm around Emily.

Despite their thick clothing which masked any particular sensation, walking arm in arm with a beautiful woman still brought him a certain pride and satisfaction.

The streets were deserted over the New Year’s festive period, with most shops closed and few pedestrians around.

However, the street lights shone brightly, and red lanterns hung at the shopfronts, exuding a strong festive atmosphere.

“Emily, if you’re truly passionate about pursuing a career in dance, I could introduce you to a renowned dance teacher after the holidays.”

“A renowned dance teacher?

You know one?” Emily looked up at James with surprise.

“Mhm, I know one—Qiao Ya.

Ever heard of her?”

“Qiao Ya?

Oh my god, don’t kid around.

She’s one of the most famous dancers in the country!” Emily released James and stared wide-eyed at him.

“I wouldn’t lie to you.

But let’s keep this between us and not tell your sister.

She’s the suspicious type and might think I have something going on with Qiao Ya.”

“Brother-in-law, as if!

Qiao Ya is a nationally renowned dancer; how could she have anything to do with you?

But brother-in-law, what’s your relationship with her?

How can you introduce me?”

“We’re just friends.

We met over something in the past, and I still have some clout.”

“Alright, then I’ll trust you.

It’s not that I’ll necessarily go and learn to dance from her—I know my age is past that point for development in the dance field.

But she’s my idol, and if I get the chance to meet her, that’d be enough for me.”

“That makes it easier.

Once the New Year’s celebrations are over, I’ll arrange a meeting for you.

How’s that sound?”

“Brother-in-law, you’re so cool!” Emily excitedly pounced on him, planting a kiss on James’s face.

James broke into a cold sweat, “Emily, you don’t just kiss people in your excitement, do you?”

Emily playfully hit James, scolding, “What nonsense are you talking?

Could I just kiss anyone?

You’re my brother-in-law; we’re family.”

James sighed in relief.

If Emily turned out to be quite casual, it would have been disappointing.

It seemed she was a dignified girl, just negatively influenced by her friends.

“So, since I’m here on a mission, does this mean I can report back now?” James asked with a sly grin.

“Sure, I’ll just stop hanging out with them.

I know they’re not great, but I enjoy their performances, which is why I’ve always been with them.”

“Okay then, let’s head home.” James happily hailed a taxi, and they both cheerfully returned to the neighborhood.

“Just remember, don’t tell your sister or your aunt and uncle about this,” James warned Emily once they were inside the elevator.

Emily nodded eagerly, boasting, “This will be our little secret.”

“Right!

Our little secret.”

They shared a knowing smile as they exited the elevator and then went on to unlock the door.

“Huh, you two are back so soon?” Jonathan Lopez looked surprised as he saw them at the door.

Emily Lopez chuckled lightly and said, “There’s no particular reason, so I just came back with my brother-in-law.”

Emily’s mother looked at her quizzically and said, “You usually come home in the middle of the night, and now it’s not even nine o’clock.

This is quite abnormal.”

James Brown immediately chimed in, “Emily was bored watching me do nothing there, so she decided to come back with me earlier.”

Emily jumped over and wrapped her arms around her mother’s, saying, “Come on, stop looking at me like that.

I won’t go out with them anymore.

Are you relieved now?”

“Really?” Jonathan Lopez and his wife asked in unison, puzzled.

Despite having scolded Emily countless times, she always did her own thing.

Realizing that their daughter was grown up, they had less to say and eventually let things take their course.

They never expected that today, she would change her behavior.

“Of course, it’s true.

My brother-in-law gave me a real telling-off, and now I’m afraid to go,” Emily said, with a face full of grievance as she pouted toward James.

Jonathan Lopez and his wife looked at Emily, then at James, feeling as though something about the situation wasn’t quite real.

At that moment, Gina Lopez came out of her room and said to James, “Please come in here for a moment.”

James winked at Emily and then followed Gina into the room, promptly sitting down on the bed.

Gina crossed her arms and stared at him intensely, “What’s going on here?”

James just shrugged, “Nothing much.

I just didn’t like those guys’ attitude, so I gave them a piece of my mind.

Maybe Emily had a wakeup call from my scolding and decided to come back with me, even saying she wouldn’t go out with them anymore.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.”

“Then tell me in detail what happened.”

James recounted the events that had taken place at the bar that evening, including the bartending, which Emily would surely mention, so he didn’t hide it.

However, details like Emily kissing him and his promise to introduce her to Qiao Ya were naturally omitted.

Gina walked a few steps around the room, then stopped, puzzled, “That’s really strange.

How could she be ‘woken up’ by your scolding?

Mom and Dad have scolded her plenty, and she never listens.”

“You didn’t hit the sore spot, and besides, she’s already rebellious against your criticism, so it was ineffective.

I called out those pretentious young-angry-men until they were left dumbstruck, and my bartending skills impressed them enough that Emily took my words to heart.”

“Maybe that’s the case, but it’s still good news.

If she stops hanging out with that bad crowd, I’ll be at ease.”

James replied with a grin, “So, this means that I’ve successfully completed the task, right?”

Gina nodded, “You did do a very good job on this.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Gina.”

Gina opened the wardrobe, took out a wallet, and pulled out a stack of bills, “Here, take this as a reward.”

James immediately protested, “Didn’t I say that I was throwing this in for free?”

Gina placed the money next to James, “I asked you to keep an eye on Emily, but you ended up cutting her off from those fair-weather friends; you definitely deserve a reward.

Don’t be shy.”

James chuckled, “Well, if you insist, I won’t act shy.

Just wondering, do you have any other tough problems at home?

I could help solve them.

It seems like an even quicker way to make money.”

Gina glared at James impatiently, “You’re hoping for more problems at home?”

James stuffed the money into his pocket, all smiles, “I’m just joking.

Don’t take it to heart, Gina.”

Seeing James’s eager-for-money expression, Gina felt a bit displeased and said, “Enough, stop calling me ‘boss’ all the time.

My parents might hear you.”

“Alright then, I’m going to go wash up and get ready for bed.”

Outside, Emily was still telling her parents about James’s heroic acts of the evening – his arm wrestling and making an opponent sweat, and the way he mixed a Nine-Colored Rainbow cocktail that even impressed a professional bartender.”

“Brother-in-law, come here quickly!

Mom and Dad don’t believe what I’ve said; you need to back me up and tell them how awesome you are,” Emily called out loudly as James came out.

James hurried over, laughing modestly, “What’s there to be awesome about?

I was just messing around.”

But Emily persisted, “Messing around?

Mix a drink for my parents right now, and give them something to marvel at.”

Jonathan seemed genuinely interested and said, “James, if you really have that skill, you should indeed make one for me to try.

I have plenty of good liquor, but I’ve never really had a cocktail.”

Given Jonathan’s prompting, James could no longer demur.

He chose a few bottles from Jonathan’s collection of good liquor.

Although Jonathan had plenty of baijiu, there were few Western spirits like vodka and whiskey, and none at all of the really strong stuff.

Though the ingredients weren’t complete, James still managed to mix a decent cocktail.

Jonathan tasted it and couldn’t stop praising it.

Gina had already come out to watch and was equally surprised.

As a seasoned business executive, she had attended many functions with cocktails and was very familiar with them.

The cocktail James mixed was definitely better than the usual concoctions from bartenders.

Observing James from the background, Gina suddenly realized that James Brown did have some real talents.

His abilities belied his rough exterior.

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