A Matrilocal Husband's Counterattack

Chapter 45: Enemies on the Same Path

What is the Fish Intestine Sword? Not many people might know.
It is one of the Ten Great Swords of Ancient Times. The sword was hidden in a fish's belly by the legendary assassin, to kill the king—the hero of this tale is the Fish Intestine Sword.
According to legend, it was forged by the great swordsmith Ou Yezi. On the day the sword was completed, the sky turned dark, the mountains shook, and the stars flickered.
Perhaps this is a bit exaggerated, but it shows how important the Fish Intestine Sword was in history.
Ethan applied a little force, and the sword stood straight up, slicing through a kitchen knife with a single chop.
Clang! The knife shattered.
It was as sharp as cutting through butter!
Ethan reviewed books and confirmed again that the sword he had acquired was indeed the Fish Intestine Sword.
This was a top-tier sword, worth billions easily if sold.
Of course, Ethan also knew that if he tried to sell it, he wouldn't get the chance for an auction.
Soon enough, it would be traded for a few hundred bucks and a certificate.
So Ethan didn't make the discovery public. After admiring the sword for a while, he crafted a scabbard and turned it into a bracelet.
Soon, Ethan's left wrist sported a new bracelet.

The next morning, at 4 a.m., Ethan woke up in high spirits and began his training.
Not only did he run through the Taiji Scripture, but he also searched his mind for a sword technique to practice.
He didn't choose to practice the Taiji Sword or Yue Maiden Sword; given his current strength, he focused on speed and efficiency.
Ten steps, one kill.
Ethan practiced this fastest-killing sword technique seriously until dawn.
Two hours later, while sitting cross-legged on the ground, Ethan suddenly vanished.
The next moment, ten steps away, a flash of swordlight swirled through the trees.
Then, the Fish Intestine Sword froze in the morning breeze.
The sword's tip pierced through a falling dry leaf.
After achieving some success, Ethan quickly sheathed the sword, wiped the sweat off, and went to take a shower.
Then he quickly prepared breakfast for the family of four.
Just as he finished setting the table, Timothy and Linda, along with Sophia, came downstairs.
The issue with Margaret was still unresolved, so both Timothy and Linda looked troubled.
As Ethan finally sat at the table, Linda stretched her legs and slammed her hand on the table.
"Ethan, where's the Rolex?"
Ethan was momentarily stunned but still took out the watch and handed it over.
"Here."
"Hmm, good, it's not broken yet."
Linda snatched the Rolex and handed it to Timothy.
Sophia froze: "Mom, what are you doing?"
"Your father and I have decided..."
Linda didn't even look up: "From today, this watch is going to your father."
Sophia was dumbfounded: "Mom, no, this watch is Ethan's, you don't get to decide that..."
Before Sophia could finish, Linda interrupted without hesitation:
"Ethan's? Do you think we don't know the situation?"
Ethan was puzzled: "What situation?"
"Although the watch is technically yours, your father and I both know that it was bought with Sophia's secret savings,"
Linda glared at her daughter: "So we have the right to decide."
"I don't have secret savings!"
Sophia laughed awkwardly: "Besides, why would I buy a Rolex for Ethan?"
"I've discussed it with your dad. The watch costs hundreds of thousands. Ethan can't afford it, and no one would give it to him."
Linda immediately saw through her: "The only explanation is that you saved up for this watch and bought it."
"Even though I manage your salary card, I still give you a monthly allowance of 100,000."
"You've been saving for half a year, enough to buy this watch."
"You bought the Rolex for Ethan so he could look better and not embarrass you in public, even help you gain some face."
Timothy nodded in agreement: "Such lack of understanding!"
Sophia's head spun: "Mom, your imagination is running wild. This watch is from Huang..."
"Don't make excuses. Besides, this is for your father to enjoy. Isn't that what we should do?"
Linda swept her eyes over Ethan: "And a Rolex worth hundreds of thousands, if it gets scratched, how will Ethan afford the repairs?"
Timothy coughed: "Actually, we don't care about the watch, mainly we're just holding onto it for you two."
He grabbed Ethan's hand and changed the fingerprints.
Sophia protested: "Dad, this is too much. I've said it before, this watch..."
"Enough, enough. Don't talk anymore."
Linda waved her hand impatiently:
"I know you want to give him a makeover, but a man's worth isn't based on a Rolex."
She sneered: "You see? Yesterday he helped, and what happened? Margaret and her daughter didn't appreciate it, and instead, they mocked him."
"Plus, he's never owned such an expensive watch. What if one day he's tempted to sell it?"
"Here, your father's Titoni watch will be fine for him."
Linda tossed an old 1980s Titoni watch onto the table, then ate some porridge before grabbing her handbag and heading to work with Timothy.
Sophia stood up, intending to stop her, but Ethan smiled and stopped her:
"Forget it. A watch is nothing. Let's just consider it as a little token of goodwill from me."
"And this Titoni watch isn't bad."
Ethan put on the old, faded Titoni watch: "Look, it's still keeping accurate time."
He knew Linda was venting her frustrations from yesterday, unable to confront Margaret and her daughter, so she took it out on him.
Sophia nearly cursed Ethan again but kicked his shin as she left:
"I left Chanel stockings in the bathroom. Hand wash them. They'll be ruined in the washing machine..."
"Also, remember to find a job."
Ethan shouted after her: "Do you want me to wash your panties too?"
"Go to hell—"
Sophia grabbed a shoe and threw it at him.
Ethan quickly dodged, laughing.

As Sophia left, she reminded him: "By the way, at six p.m., go to Aegean Bistro."
Ethan curiously asked: "A candlelit dinner for me?"
"Be there on time, or we're done playing."
Sophia huffed and threw that parting line before leaving.
Ethan's gaze softened as he finally felt the warmth of a woman's presence. He quickly finished the housework.
Just as he was about to go out to buy groceries, his phone rang.
He put in his earphones and soon heard Emily's lazy voice:
"You pervert..."
Ethan's tone turned serious: "Is it itching again?"
Emily instinctively fell silent, then whined:
"Do you have time now?"
Ethan replied nonchalantly: "No time. I'm going to the market to buy groceries."
"Your uncle!"
Emily was almost speechless: "You have over a hundred million on hand, and you're telling me you're going to the market to buy groceries?"
Ethan replied coolly: "If you have something to say, say it. If not, I'll hang up."
"What the hell, big beauty calls you, and you're not even flattered, just impatient? And I helped you yesterday."
Emily nearly exploded with anger but calmed down as she gently said:
"Master, do you have time? I want you to take a look at my foot."
"I don't know why, but today it's been acting up. It's lost strength four times, and I nearly fell down the stairs."
"I also noticed it's a bit swollen, and I'm worried it's getting worse."
"I don't want to lose it so young. Can you help me treat it?"
She put on a melancholic, tearful look.
Ethan shivered. Emily's gentleness always felt like there was a hidden blade, so he frowned and asked:
"Don't come to me. I'll go to Brooks Garden instead."
"I'll check on your grandpa's condition while I'm there."
Yesterday's incident with Fiona made Ethan feel a bit embarrassed, so he decided not to argue with Emily.
"I'm not at Brooks Garden. I'm at Aurora Tower. I've come to work today."
Emily continued: "We found a jade mine abroad. The work is piling up higher than my head."
"Alright, send me the address. I'll come to Aurora Tower to find you."
After receiving the address, Ethan flagged a taxi.
Fifteen minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of a tall building in the city center.
Over thirty stories tall, the outer walls were made of jade, gleaming under the sun.
The interior was also luxurious, with displays of expensive jewelry all around.
The receptionists were stunningly beautiful.

As Ethan approached the front desk to ask for Han Yue, he saw two familiar figures sitting in the lobby.
Margaret and Fiona. Enemies on the Same Path.