Feelings are one thing, business is another.
This was a phrase Ethan's finance professor loved to say back when he was in school in his past life.
The original intention of that old professor was to advise his students, once they entered the finance field, not to engage in insider trading. Even though making a fortune was good, losing one's freedom wasn't worth it.
However, Ethan always felt that this phrase was universally applicable in the business world.
Business is business, mixing anything else in it would only lead to corruption, especially in America.
So, he wouldn't intervene in Atari's choices because he believed that if he showed kindness, Nolan Bushnell would fight for himself to some extent.
After all, he still remembered the day when Steve Jobs told him that, in order to reach a settlement, Nolan Bushnell directly pleaded with Ralph H. Baer in court.
For someone who admitted mistakes but refused to accept punishment, Ethan wouldn't show any sympathy.
But after leaving Nolan Bushnell's office, a smile appeared on Ethan's lips.
Thinking that he would become a millionaire in just two weeks, his mood was quite good.
When bidding farewell to Steve Jobs, he even deliberately took out the check from his pocket and shook it in front of him.
That provocative move made Jobs, who was waiting for his paycheck, raise a fist the size of a sandbag.
"Do you believe that with this punch, I can send you to meet God?"
"Heh heh heh~"
Ethan cheekily stuck out his tongue. Before Jobs could throw a punch, he ran away.
The sudden roar that erupted made him very happy.
Driving his Chevrolet away from Atari, Ethan didn't immediately go home. Instead, he detoured to San Jose, deposited the check, withdrew a thousand dollars in cash, and then went on a shopping spree in this large city in the Bay Area.
Afterwards, he drove back humming a tune in his beat-up car.
Due to the last time, when he turned a celebration into a scare, getting scolded by Linda, he decided not to play any tricks this time and brought gifts directly.
On the way, he even fantasized about how excited Thomas, Linda, and Evelyn would be when they saw the gifts in the car. But when he drove up to the front door...
He felt something was off.
Sitting upright with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the car window, Ethan took off his sunglasses.
In those clear and flawless pupils, there was endless confusion.
Because in front of him, right in front of his own doorstep, there were several cars parked.
There were ones he could recognize at a glance, like the Ford driven by Thomas, the old Buick, and the Honda that entered the American market in recent years, as well as the Dodge Ram released by Chrysler this year, and then there was one...
"Is this a Porsche tractor?"
If it wasn't for the Porsche logo on the big red tractor, Ethan would have doubted his eyes!
No, even with the logo, he felt something was not right!
If it weren't for the fact that the house in front of him was exactly the same as the one in his memory, he would have thought he had come to the wrong place!
Carefully getting out of the car, and holding the gifts, he tiptoed to the door.
Before he could open the door, a buzzing sound filled his ears—
"I'm telling you, Ethan is the one I raised! His success is because of my good education!"
"What? William, what are you saying? You don't believe it?"
"Oh! Let me tell you! Ethan is now twenty years old, and the time he spent with me is definitely the longest!"
"His mother was a teacher, and she went to school shortly after giving birth to him. His father is a soldier, only getting a little break each year. So when they were busy, Ethan stayed at our house, after all, my daughter Evelyn is only a year older than him. His parents trusted leaving him with us."
"After that... need I say more?"
"So why can Ethan create 'Snake Game'? Why was he reported by the Los Angeles Times?"
"Besides inheriting his mother's genes, the most important thing is me! Thomas Johnson! I guided him well!"
"I was willing to teach him. I was willing to spend money on his education!"
"It's like growing oranges. Although the early cultivation of seedlings is a long and painful process, as long as you cultivate them wholeheartedly, you will definitely harvest perfect fruits!"
"Hey, Michael! Why are you laughing? I'm serious!"
"Fxxk! If you don't believe it, ask Ethan when he comes back!"
The grumbling words made Ethan instantly enlightened.
Almost at the same time, a surprised smile appeared on his face.
Because he never expected that before he came back to share the good news, Thomas had already boasted in front of his friends. And judging by the situation, this guy directly exaggerated him into someone else's child.
This kind of thing really...
Well, he admitted, this unexpected gathering caught him off guard.
But...
Life, if there are no surprises, is it still called life?
Taking a deep breath, pursing his dry lips.
He took out the orange key and then pushed open the door.
Although the creaking sound of the wooden door was not conspicuous amidst the noise, at the same time, Ethan also cleared his throat and shouted loudly, "Thomas! Linda! I'm back!"
"Where are you guys? Come out quickly! I brought gifts for you!"
Ethan's call was like opening the floodgates of a reservoir.
With a bang, a chaotic sound of footsteps, as if hearing a full-scale attack, suddenly reached the entrance of the villa.
Thomas's figure also appeared in front of Ethan.
As he appeared, in just a few seconds, Ethan noticed that heads were popping up one after another in his living room.
The curious gazes, like stars in the night sky, made him smile.
Thomas, with a flushed face from who knows how much alcohol, after seeing Ethan, directly shone his eyes and approached.
"Ethan! You're back?"
"When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me in advance?"
He rubbed his hands, wanting to give Ethan a big hug.
But upon seeing the heaps of things in Ethan's hands, he stopped.
Ethan then placed the gifts he brought on the entrance shelf and picked up the top wooden box, handing it to Thomas. "I just came back today and went to San Jose to buy gifts for you guys."
"As for the reason..."
"I think you should have heard, right? The game Evelyn and I made, made it to the newspapers! Even the Los Angeles Times!"
"So... since you like smoking, I thought of getting you a pipe."
"Zig-Zag, made of briar wood, Paul's style."
"Wear a cowboy hat, hold it in your mouth, Wow~ Thomas! You'll definitely look even cooler than Brandy!"
With a swipe or two, Thomas had already opened the packaging box.
When the shiny pipe appeared, he instantly fell in love with it and began playing with it.
But when he wanted to give it a try, he seemed to remember something, turning his head to look at the people in the room.
Upon realizing that those old folks all had envy written on their faces, he suddenly raised his arms, embraced Ethan, and said, "Ethan~ Thank you for the gift~ I really like it~ But now is not the time for us to chat."
"You came back just right today. Some of my friends are also game enthusiasts. They've all played the hottest arcade game 'Snake Game' on the market now! And after learning that you made this game, they can't wait to come and meet you, wanting to know the great person behind this great game!"
"If it's not too much trouble, you..."
Before Thomas could finish, Ethan smiled and interrupted, "Oh, Thomas, why would this be troublesome?"
"I've always told you, over these years, I've always regarded you as my father!"
"If you have something, just tell me!"
Before Thomas could respond, joy flickered endlessly on his face.
And under his guidance, Ethan greeted the uncles and elders at home.
Among them were landlords with orchards, similar to Thomas.
There were also merchants who usually played with Thomas, owning several fishing boats that often went out to sea for fishing.
There were farmers engaged in dairy farming.
And the big boss supplying poultry to the McDonald's Bay Area franchise, specializing in poultry farming.
Although Ethan had never met them, with everyone saying 'hello, uncle' one after another, whoever saw him had a smiling face.
After getting acquainted, some casual conversations also took place.
Under their indirect inquiries, Ethan responded with a string of 'Hello uncles.'
When the landlord asked about the inspiration for 'Snake Game,' Ethan said that he had heard Thomas tell Aesop's Fables when he was young, which included the story of a farmer and a snake.
When the merchant asked why he was interested in games, Ethan explained that since his parents passed away early, to make him happy, Thomas often took him out to relax, and what could a child do for relaxation? Of course, play games!
The dairy farmer asked about his thoughts after becoming famous, and Ethan said he wanted to buy gifts for his family because from childhood to adulthood, the Johnson family had treated him very well, respected his ideas, and cared for his emotions, so he wanted to share his joy with his family.
After these responses, Thomas, leaning on the sofa, almost used his nose to look at people!
The triumphant look made the others a bit itchy!
This state made Ethan decide to end it.
Smiling at the uncles, he gestured that he had some matters to attend to and needed to leave for a bit. Then, he signalled to Linda and, with this somewhat helpless aunt, made their exit.
Arriving at the second-floor room, Ethan directly asked Aunt Linda about the situation downstairs.
As soon as this was brought up, Linda rolled her eyes and said, "What else could it be? You succeeded, so much that your game was reported by the Los Angeles Times! Thomas, being happy, brags to his friends every day! Today, he told people, 'Have you seen the Los Angeles Times? My child is in the newspaper!' Tomorrow, he'll say, 'Do you know 'Snake Game'? That's what my child made!'"
"He's bragging like this, and others naturally make him treat them to drinks?"
"Then... well, you just saw it."
Alright!
Linda's words made Ethan shake his head with a smile.
He truly didn't expect Thomas to be this adorable!
At the same time, he took out the gift he bought for Linda and said, "Oh Aunt Linda, don't be sad. Come and see the clothes I bought for you. I spent quite a while picking them in San Jose, and I think this light blue fabric suits you well..."