novelnext Chapter 190: Brother and Sister Getting Along
Chapter 190: Brother and Sister Getting Along
Warren Valentine spent three minutes inspecting his sister’s entire apartment. "Since you live alone, you should install some security cameras. You can also replace the glass—get bulletproof windows. You’ll need a set of fire extinguishers and all that, too. I’ll find you a live-in maid to help you clean and cook."
"Is there something I don’t know about?"
’This newfound brother of hers inspects the whole place right after walking in, talking about installing cameras and replacing the windows with bulletproof glass. Something is definitely up.’
"Do you remember those scammers who got arrested because of you? I contacted the local police yesterday. That human trafficker you tricked, before he was caught, placed an order online to have you killed."
"And the contract was accepted almost immediately." ’Although a 500,000 contract isn’t huge, and the hitman probably isn’t anyone special, the enemy is in the shadows while my sister is out in the open. I can’t let anything happen to her.’
’She absolutely needs bodyguards.’
When Riley Perry found out her life was only worth 500,000, she was so furious that... she got a little bit furious!
"We can install the cameras, and we can change the glass, but I don’t know anything about that stuff. As for a live-in maid, let’s skip that. It would be inconvenient to have a stranger in the house."
’Logically, these are things an assistant should handle, but Rocco is a guy who can’t even cook instant noodles, so I can’t expect him to do any housework.’
’Thankfully, when I’m home alone, I can just use a Cleaning Technique and the whole place becomes spotless.’
’And once Mom and Dad come to Dragonspire next June, I won’t have to worry about chores anyway. So a live-in maid is completely unnecessary.’
Warren Valentine didn’t push his sister. If she didn’t want a maid, fine. But bodyguards were non-negotiable. He had already lost his sister once; he didn’t want to go through the same thing a second time.
"I’ll have someone come install the cameras in a bit. We can wait to replace the glass until after you get back from filming your show."
Riley Perry nodded. "Okay."
Seeing his sister agree, Warren Valentine started making calls to arrange for the camera installation.
He had taken seven days off, and for the next five, he planned to stay by his sister’s side every day.
Riley Perry went back to the balcony and slowly studied her script.
Just then, her phone chimed with a notification. She picked it up and—oh—it was a message from a certain award-winning actor. Only then did she remember she had forgotten to give him the tea she’d promised.
She quickly sent him a reply: I’m free right now. I’ll send you my address.
She had already looked at the gift box Samuel Hughes gave her after she got back yesterday.
Inside was a pair of vivid green, "ice-variety" jadeite bangles. They had a smooth, high-density luster and excellent translucency, giving them a clear, icy appearance. There were no cracks, impurities, or blemishes whatsoever. The price had to be in the seven figures.
’For these bangles alone, I have to give him that half-pound of tea.’
About forty minutes later, Samuel Hughes called again. Riley Perry, for once, rummaged through her dimensional space and pulled out a tea canister. She put the tea leaves inside, then slipped on her shoes and headed for the door.
Warren Valentine asked, "You’re going out? Want me to come with you?"
Riley Perry replied, "No need. I’m just going downstairs to give something to someone. I won’t leave the residential complex."
After getting out of the elevator, Riley Perry walked straight to the entrance of the complex. A black Volkswagen was parked just outside. The windows were tinted with privacy film, making them look pitch-black and impenetrable.
But Riley Perry just knew that Samuel Hughes was in that car.
As she got closer, the car did indeed make an unlocking sound, and the front passenger window rolled down, leaving a gap of no more than an inch.
Riley Perry bent down to look inside.
The person in the car was also looking out. A deep male voice drifted out through the crack in the window. "Get in."
Riley Perry had no choice but to pull open the door and quickly get inside.
"Bringing you this tea feels like a covert operation. Here, your tea."
’Riley Perry could sense that Samuel Hughes must be in a good mood today; the very air around him felt cheerful.’ He said, "Sorry to trouble you. I just finished up with work and sent you a message on a whim. I didn’t expect you to be home. Are you free tonight? Let me treat you to dinner as thanks for parting with your treasured tea."
Riley Perry waved her hand. "No, thanks. I’ll head back now that I’ve given you this. I have an audition tomorrow, so I still need to go over my script."
Samuel Hughes felt a pang of disappointment. ’He had timed his arrival perfectly, hoping for more.’ But then he remembered how they barely spoke to each other on set, so he figured he should be content with this much progress.
"Alright, I’ll treat you some other time, then. See you."
Riley Perry agreed, gave a wave, and got out of the car.
Not ten minutes after she got home, the people Warren Valentine had contacted arrived. In no time, they had installed over twenty miniature cameras throughout the apartment. After the installers left, someone else delivered a huge pile of groceries, filling Riley Perry’s large four-door refrigerator to the brim. Then, Warren tied on an apron and prepared to enter the kitchen.
"Do you have any dietary restrictions?"
Riley Perry looked up from her script. "No, I eat everything. You can cook, Brother?"
Warren Valentine looked quite pleased with himself at the question. "I took some classes before. It’s edible, at least. You can try it in a bit."
’Finally, a chance to feed my little sister.’ The thought alone gave him a special sense of accomplishment.
’Thank you, Mom, for signing me up for that cooking class after high school graduation.’
Soon, the aroma of food wafted out from the kitchen. Riley Perry washed her hands and helped get the bowls and chopsticks.
Just then, Warren Valentine’s steamed mandarin fish was ready. He drained the excess water, placed shredded scallions, ginger, and red and green peppers on top of the fish, and drizzled it with some steamed fish soy sauce. Then, he poured hot oil from a pan over the fish. With a sharp SIZZLE, the fragrance filled the entire kitchen.
Riley Perry reached out to carry the fish, but Warren Valentine quickly stopped her. "Don’t touch that. A girl’s hands are delicate. What if you burn yourself?"
Riley Perry said, "It’s not that serious. I usually cook for myself, so I do this kind of stuff all the time."
"I don’t care about before. When I’m here, you don’t have to do anything. Just relax."
’Was this newly found brother of hers being a little *too* nice to her?’ Riley Perry wondered.
’Taking a closer look, her brother was actually quite handsome. He resembled their father, with a rugged sort of charm. His eyes were full of determination, and his posture was perfectly straight. Even in a place like the kitchen, he couldn’t hide the distinctive bearing of a soldier.’
"You’re such a great guy, Brother. I wonder which woman will be lucky enough to snatch you up someday."
Warren Valentine’s lips curved into a smile. "You’re the only one who would say that. Mom’s always saying I’m too stiff and will never find a girlfriend." ’My sister’s words are so much sweeter. Except for Whitney Valentine, of course.’
Riley Perry was speechless. ’...Some mother she is!’
Warren Valentine carried the fish to the dining table. Soon, three more dishes and a soup were ready: duck blood and vermicelli soup, stir-fried beef tripe with wild chili peppers, a tender pork stir-fry, and a dish of stir-fried choy sum.
"Brother, your cooking looks so appetizing! I had no idea you were this skilled."
Warren Valentine served his sister a bowl of rice. "Then eat up." After speaking, he picked up a piece of the steamed fish with his chopsticks and placed it in Riley Perry’s bowl.