The emotions Ethan felt were equally intense as those of Ace! "Huh.Is that all?"
Ethan flipped through the notebook and began complaining loudly while thumping his chest.
"It's getting to the fun part.Why did it stop here? Who is the author? We should have that person whipped in public!"
Ace subconsciously moved a little further away for fear that Ethan might accidentally hit him.Ethan read the novel multiple times before he realized something.
"Ace, are the male and female leads actually you and your wife?" Ace rolled his eyes at Ethan.
"Who else could they be?"
"Did she write this? Are the things she wrote all true?"
"Half of it?!" Ace replied.
"Although not all details were accurate, her description of how they treated each other in the novel was nearly identical to how their marriage went in real life.Ethan seemed shocked.He held the notebook as if he was holding a precious treasure."
"I never knew your wife was this good at writing! I was close to tears when I read it."
Ace raised his brows as if he was the one receiving the compliment.
"I told you.She's an academic genius.She's good in both art and science."
"Amazing! I'm impressed!" Ethan sighed.
"Ace, you shouldn't have gotten divorced.Letting your wife go is like dangling a juicy piece of steak in front of hungry wolves.Many men out there are lining up for her!" Ace sneered.
"Not everyone can tame her.Do you think she's an easy target?"
"From the sound of it, you're willing to let her go if another man does manage to tame her?" Ace shrugged nonchalantly.
"Why not?"
"What if I'm that man?" Ethan asked half-jokingly with a smile.
"Are you being serious?"
Ace's eyes narrowed as he looked at Ethan.
"I don't remember you ever saying she's your type."
"Why wouldn't she be? I've always liked the cool and studious type of girl.
Ever since you divorced, I realized that she's my ideal type.
In fact...She saved my life once.
I can only repay her kindness by devoting myself to her!"
Ace pursed his lips.His already cold expression turned even gloomier.
"Ace, just tell me if you're okay with it.If you are, I'll go all out.If you still have feelings for her or are preparing to get back together, I'll stop right here.I'll tell myself to forget about my feelings for her!"
Ethan had a serious look on his face.It didn't look like he was joking at all.He knew that he wasn't supposed to sleep with his friend's ex-wife, but if Ace had already moved on, there was no harm in doing so, was there? Ace wore a long face.
Clearly, he looked like he was about to kill Ethan, but he still pretended to be indifferent.
"If you want to go after her, go ahead.You have my blessings."
"You said it.I'm going to record it!"
Ethan quickly retrieved his phone and urged Ace to repeat what he said.
Ace smacked his phone away.
"Are you done messing around? Do you think this is funny?"
Ethan stopped laughing.He had never looked more serious.
"I told you.I'm serious."
The two had been friends for many years, and they'd never had a big argument like this.
Ethan had always looked up to Ace as his role model.
However, this time, neither was willing to back off.There was palpable tension in the air...
Amidst the tension, they arrived at Water Dock.
Ethan smiled ambiguously at Ace.
"Ace, why don't we have a friendly competition? If you find her first, I'll accept the fact that she's yours and will forever consider her out of my reach.However, if I find her first...I'll make my move!"
"Whatever," Ace replied nonchalantly.
"You're the most generous man in the City!"
Ethan exclaimed before opening the door and hastily getting out of the car.He immediately started searching for Joanna.
Ace, on the other hand, slowly got out of the car and smoothed out the wrinkles on his high-end suit.
Like an emperor on tour, he scanned the surroundings arrogantly.
Water Dock's antique market was the largest antique market in the City.
Since it was located at a strategic intersection between several countries, many valuable treasures were smuggled and sold there.
As a result, many local traders became wealthy.
Likewise, with an increased wealth came an increased crime rate.
The area also lay host to various underground gangs.
Ace walked through the bustling crowd like a tourist.He browsed around before finally stopping in front of a small stall.
The stall owner was a dark, old man with a white beard.
A coarse linen cloth was spread on the ground, where various treasures were laid.
These included copper coins, jade wares, ancient paintings, and pottery figurines.
Every treasure looked like it existed long ago.
Evidently, these antiques were recently excavated from graves.
However, there were countless other stalls that looked alike —even the treasures they sold looked similar, catching the attention of only a few who'd stop to look at the goods.
"Looking for treasures, young man?" The old man asked while he stroked his beard.
"The things I sell are different from those that are mass- produced stuff you see around here.I personally excavated all these treasures.You can buy anything with your eyes closed, and it'd still be a good deal!" He added.
"I'm not here to buy anything," Ace said.
"You're here to look for someone." The old man raised his brows and looked at Ace.
"You look like someone important.If you're willing to search for someone at a messy place like this, that person must mean a lot to you." Ace neither admitted nor denied it.
"You seem like an expert who's been here for a long time.I'm sure you know everything there is to know."
The old man stopped stroking his beard briefly.
"I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I certainly know a thing or two about excavating graves and fortune- telling.If you're looking for someone, I could offer you my divination service."
"Thank you for your willingness to help."
Intrigued, Ace proceeded to sit on a bamboo chair in front of the stall.
The old man retrieved a bamboo tube with dozens of bamboo sticks inside.
"Each stick represents a different outcome.All you need to do is ask the question earnestly and shake the tube.The stick that comes out will give you the answer you're searching for." The old man extended the bamboo tube to Ace.
"You may begin!"
Ace focused his gaze on the bamboo tube.
Just as he was about to shake it, Ethan suddenly showed up and pounced at him.
"Ace, do you think you're on a vacation? How are you still in the mood for antiques? Are you not worried that I might find her first and steal her from you?" Ace sneered.
"What's there to be afraid of? You'd only be wasting your time."
"Hehe.I don't like the sound of that.Why would I be wasting my time? Do you doubt my ability to pursue women?"
Ethan was behaving like a child.He was determined to beat Ace.
"Don't forget: I was the one who taught you how to pursue women.It's only been a few days.Do you think you're better than me already?"
"Do you think she's an ordinary woman? Will your silly tricks even work" Ethan asked almost effortlessly.
"Well..."