However, after living at home for a few days, Ethan began to find Thomas less adorable.
Because Thomas could bring a group of people home every day.
Neighbours from the vicinity, friends from the small town, and playmates around, no matter who they were, Thomas would boast about his past to them and grandly introduce Ethan, who had been featured in the "Los Angeles Times."
Dealing with this for a day or two was tolerable, even managing for three or four days was doable, but if it continued for a full week...
"Oh! You could actually endure this for five days?"
"Ethan! I truly admire you!"
"I couldn't even last for three days! I'd just pack up and leave!"
Over the phone, Evelyn's astonished voice could be heard.
Yes, Ethan didn't see Evelyn this time when he returned home.
The reason was simple. After being dragged around by his old man to meet a bunch of so-called friends, Evelyn felt mentally exhausted.
As it was graduation season, many classmates were organizing trips. Taking advantage of this, Evelyn went out with her classmates, only calling every few days to check-in.
Two days ago, Linda answered the call, and Evelyn mentioned being in Seattle and planning to watch a performance by the Red Heart Band with her classmates that night. Today's call was received by Ethan, and as soon as he spoke, he couldn't hold back his complaints.
"So, I'm planning to run away now~"
Ethan covered the phone, leaned against the wall, peered around cautiously, and said, "I can't take it anymore. Thomas is just too enthusiastic, introducing me to his friends every time."
"Do you know? Many times, I feel like I'm a monkey in the circus!"
"Every time Thomas waves a banana, I have to wave and greet his friends like 'hehehe'!"
"No, he's worse than a circus animal trainer! Because he doesn't have a banana in his hand!"
"Goose, goose, goose~" A super vivid analogy made Evelyn burst into laughter on the other end of the phone.
"Oh~Oh~Oh~" Almost suffocating noises expressed the release of joy.
After a while, Evelyn regained control of her emotions. "Ethan, run away quickly! I support you! Thomas's temperament, I know it well. When something exciting happens, he can talk about it for a whole month! And it's a different style, different perspective, and different angle each time! Sometimes, you really have to admire him, admire why he has so much to say!"
"Yes, yes, I know that too." Ethan nodded empathetically. "In fact, I've already packed up. If it weren't for waiting for your call, I would have left long ago."
"Oh? Waiting for my call?" Evelyn was puzzled. "Is something wrong?"
"Of course!" Ethan said. "Our 'Snake Game' seems to be a success, right? The total production has exceeded four thousand units, and even the 'Los Angeles Times' reported on it. So, I was thinking, should we prepare some gifts to give to your teachers? Of course, we also need to sincerely thank Barbara."
America is a society where personal connections matter a lot, and you can use them in any situation.
For example, recommendation letters for college are actually more useful than grades.
Just because, for various reasons, the beneficiaries cannot let the media publicize such things.
So, in Ethan's view, celebrating the success of "Snake Game" with the people around him and thanking some people is necessary. Whether those people actually helped or not, whether there is a need to thank them, as long as you feel they can get along, they will share the honor of your success.
Although this may sound pragmatic, everyone is an adult, and being practical is better.
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
After a while, Evelyn laughed, "Ethan."
"Yeah?"
"You're very considerate."
"Thank you."
"So, let's discuss the details of this when I come back in July. At the beginning of this month, before I left, I had already informed the teachers and Barbara. They knew I came out to take refuge because of family troubles, so they expressed understanding. At the same time, they were happy for my success." Evelyn said, "So, a party is definitely needed, but let's talk about the specifics when I come back. Also, the profit sharing hasn't been finalized yet. We can't ask Thomas for money to buy gifts, right? Although he will definitely give."
"Okay, let's talk about it later. Have a pleasant trip."
"Oh, thank you. I hope you can escape from my dad soon too."
After reaching an understanding with Evelyn, Ethan bid farewell to his family.
When the news of his leaving home reached Thomas's ears again, this middle-aged man was very reluctant.
But Ethan was faster than anyone in running away.
He swiftly escaped from the annoying situation by getting into the car and stepping on the gas.
In the blink of an eye, the Chevrolet headed towards San Francisco, racing away.
In fact, after Ethan returned home, Linda told him that during his absence, a guy who claimed to be the owner of the San Francisco Electronic Supply Company often called, asking if he was at home.
Every time he got a 'No' from Thomas or Linda, he would be very disappointed.
And repeatedly mentioned that when Ethan returned, he must tell him, expressing how happy he was for him and preparing a gift for him.
Upon learning this, Ethan did consider calling back. However, due to Thomas's extensive social circle, Ethan, who was already exhausted dealing with uncles and aunts every day, didn't have the energy to think about it. He just let the matter slip from his mind.
So, when Ethan decided to leave home for a while, his first destination was Mr. Foster's store.
There was no choice; he had been there before.
The environment of the store downstairs and accommodation upstairs was quite good.
And when Ethan once again arrived in the city he didn't like, appearing in front of the Electronic Supply Company, Mr. Foster, who was idly sitting at the cash register, suddenly jumped up.
Incredibly rubbing his eyes, he ran out screaming loudly, "Oh, brother! Is this God disguised as you? Why did you come to me?"
"Huh?" Ethan was bewildered by Mr. Foster's words. "Didn't you look for me? And you said there's a gift?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah! I did look for you!"
Mr. Foster tapped his head like a woodpecker, excitedly saying, "When I saw the 'Sanke Game' arcade machine on the streets of San Francisco, I knew you seemed to have succeeded. I wanted to find you and celebrate with you. But every time I called, your aunts and uncles told me you weren't at home... At that time, I even thought you had forgotten about me! Unexpectedly... Oh my God! You actually came!"
Mr. Foster rattled off over a hundred words in one breath.
The gasping appearance made Ethan feel tired just looking at it.
Waving his hand, he got off the car.
Then, like returning home, he walked into the other person's store, poured a glass of water, and handed it to Mr. Foster.
As expected, Mr. Foster instinctively raised his hand.
However, before he could catch it, Ethan took the cup back and drank it in one gulp.
'???'
This performance left Mr. Foster stunned on the spot.
And Ethan shrugged, saying, "You call me 'brother' in front of me, yet you don't trust me at all."
"Do you think I don't want to deal with you now that I'm famous?"
"Oh! I'm really hurt! I never expected you to think so poorly of me."
Ethan looked genuinely sad.
Meanwhile, Mr. Foster rubbed his hands together and said, "No~No~No~ Brother, you know, I didn't mean it that way."
Ethan couldn't be bothered and just left the cup on the table, heading towards the exit.
"Hey! My bad! Let me apologize to you!" Mr. Foster shouted.
"Really?" Ethan stopped in his tracks.
"Absolutely!" Mr. Foster assured.
"Okay, to show your sincerity, I've decided to test you." Ethan said, "I want to stay in San Francisco for a while, but I haven't rented a place, so I'll crash at your place."
"Sure!" Mr. Foster replied without hesitation. "Consider my place your own! Stay as long as you want!"
'?' Ethan found this strange.
He didn't expect this guy to be so accommodating. He was trying to play him, but it felt like he was the one falling into a trap?
As Ethan blinked, looking at the other person with some confusion, Mr. Foster slapped his forehead and said, "By the way, I've prepared a gift for you!"
While speaking, Mr. Foster invited Ethan back into the store, asked him to sit at the storefront for a while, and then disappeared into his back warehouse. After some rummaging, he came back holding a box.
It was a black lacquered wooden box with Parker's logo on it.
Ethan took it and opened it, revealing the Century series pure black pen inside, making him smile.
"Wow~ Thanks, I really like it."
Mr. Foster's gift made Ethan feel appreciated.
It's worth noting that this collector's edition Parker pen is priced at $79.99, something an average person would have to save for a week without spending to afford.
And Mr. Foster just gave it away?
That was incredibly generous!
But before Ethan could properly express his thanks, Mr. Foster pulled out a package the size of a briefcase from behind.
Upon opening it, he took out a slightly smaller linen-colored board with a lifelike snake carved around its edges, chasing its tail.
In the middle of the board, there was an inset white paper.
It seemed like something you could write on.
Seeing this board, Ethan felt something was off.
And when Mr. Foster, with a smile on his face, pushed the board towards him and gestured for him to use the pen...
Ethan's mind was flooded with countless black lines!
"You're giving me a pen so that I can sign something for you?"
Ethan was astonished.
"Yeah~" Mr. Foster answered naturally, "It's a witness of our friendship!"
'...'
'!!!'
'Damn! Are you really trying to pull this off?'
Ethan felt that what he did to Mr. Foster was embarrassing enough, but he didn't expect someone to be even more shameless than him.
"Seriously! Is this your way of celebrating?" Ethan was almost laughing.
"Of course! In my eyes, you're an artist! Can't I ask an artist for an autograph?" Mr. Foster perfectly demonstrated what shamelessness meant.
"If you think I'm an artist, why don't you collect my works?" Ethan exclaimed, "Shouldn't you unveil an arcade machine of 'Snake Game' in your store and have me sign it there?"
Mr. Foster just shrugged and said, "Oh, brother, because it's too expensive, $1,200."
'...'
Hearing these honest words, Ethan almost choked.
His eyes darkened, but in the end, he surrendered.
"Alright, alright, I admire you. Ethan Jones admires you!"
"I'll sign for you, is that okay?"
Ethan took out the pen and scribbled something on the board.
Frank, on the other hand, treasured it, placed it on a shelf with a stand, and proudly said, "Now, I can finally tell others that my store has been visited by a celebrity!"
"Because the 'Snake Game' was made with materials I provided!"
Ethan shook his head repeatedly at the childish words, humming a couple of times, "If you think I have a celebrity effect, your judgment is way off. I'm just a game developer, completely unrelated to your material-selling business. No one would care about this."
"Is that so? I don't think so. I believe many people are paying attention to you now because you have the ability."
Mr. Foster's approval made a slight smile appear on Ethan's lips.
Honestly, although he pretended to be tough, he quite liked this kind of adoration.
No choice!
In one's lifetime, what one pursues is nothing but fame and fortune!
However, just as Ethan remained silent, enjoying the pleasure that fame and fortune brought him, as Mr. Foster described, a discussion about him was unfolding nearly two thousand miles away in Skokie, Illinois.
In Magnavox's office, an old man in his sixties raised his head, eyes clouded with endless confusion and anger. His wrinkled lips lightly touched as his icy voice filled the room—
"I want to know, is this the result of the investigation you handed me?"