Chapter 21: Return Journey

Henry pushed the middle bundle of money forward again.

In response to Tang Mu's inquiry, Henry said without ceremony: "See what other documents you think I still need. Handle everything you can for me. I think a driver's license should be required."

It was the same question; Henry was unfamiliar with this world. Even before crossing over, he himself was unfamiliar with that nation on the other side of the ocean. So when facing uncertainty, he still had to ask the local expert.

This time, Tang Mu accepted the bundle of money on the table with a clear conscience. This was ten thousand dollars; who wouldn't want it?

Putting the bills to his nose to sniff, then brushing them with his hand a few times, Tang Mu smiled satisfactorily: "Fine. The documents will come with the vehicle transfer papers; pick them up when you come to town next time. If you're in a hurry, give me at least three days."

"No rush; I'll be back in a week. As for that money, is it enough?"

"Enough, big boss." Tang Mu thought for a moment, then spoke seriously: "But now I have a question, big boss. Henry what?"

"What?" Henry didn't understand.

"Your surname. Your documents can't just say 'Henry' as a name; without even checking, it gives people the feeling something is wrong."

That was true...

So the surname issue was back in front of him. What surname should he use? Kent? Wayne? Al? Copton? The En-Nyu-No-Owen given by the Russians? Or keep it simple and just use Owen?

After thinking seriously, Henry gave his answer. "Henry Brown."

That was Old John's surname. The first person to show him kindness after he crossed over to this world.

Borrowing his surname; since he didn't intend to be his adopted son, he probably wouldn't mind. This wasn't some incredibly noble surname with a title to inherit.

"Is that okay?" Henry asked.

"Of course, big boss. Even if you wanted to be called Charlie Brown and raise a dog, I wouldn't mind." Tang Mu joked.

"Then that's settled. See you in a week." Henry picked up his backpack, preparing to leave.

Tang Mu intended to see the person off, simply waving from his seat. But he immediately seemed to think of something, stood up, found an empty box, and went out after him.

"What's wrong?" Henry asked again.

"I'll clean up the trash in the car; there are some personal items too. Leaving them for you to see is just annoying. Better let me take them away, right?"

"Fine." Henry knew the truth that gifts were just trash. He only needed a car, not those strange things mixed in inside.

Tang Mu's cleanup actually took away quite a bit of 'trash'. Including condoms he didn't know if they had been used, soda cans under the seat cushions, bottle caps, coins, and so on.

More conspicuous was a short revolver in the passenger compartment. It was shiny with oil, showing it was regularly maintained.

When taking the revolver, Tang Mu also said: "Alasijiazhou doesn't require a gun permit. Just register the purchase proof when buying a gun; this is for police tracking. So if there's no gun permit then, it's not that I won't help you, but that you can't get one in Alasijiazhou."

Henry certainly didn't intend to use such a thing as a gun, so taking it away was fine. He didn't mind Tang Mu's extra remark. "It's fine; I don't need it."

"A conscientious suggestion: if you want to drive on the roads in Alasijiazhou, prepare at least a shotgun for yourself. Just in case you meet a bear and can only fight it hand-to-hand."

Henry, who was about to open the door and get in the car, paused and turned back to ask: "Bears, are there many?"

"You'll meet them when you're unlucky. And when a person will be unlucky, no one can say for sure, right?"

Considering he wouldn't be afraid of Earth's bears, asking that extra question was just considering bear paws and bear gallbladders. Henry waved his hand and said: "I understand," then got in the car.

Just as Henry was about to drive away, Tang Mu stopped the car again. He had him roll down the window, handed over a map atlas, and said: "This map is old, but actually Alasijiazhou hasn't changed much in these few decades. You'll definitely need it."

"Thanks."

Placing the map on the passenger seat where it could be grabbed anytime, Henry drove off.

He had learned how to drive a manual transmission before crossing over, just had no money to buy a car. Although decades had passed and he should have gotten rusty, with the assistance of super senses and a super brain, driving wasn't a big problem.

This old car, broken in quite ideally, set off smoothly.

As for the spatial awareness needed for driving, that went without saying. With American, or even Alasijiazhou road conditions, it was hard to find a car to crash into on the road; how could you get stuck on something or hit something?

Before returning to Old John's bar, drive to the town store to buy some things first.

This was a general store run by an elderly couple in town, selling everything from clothes to lawnmowers, from soda to Parathion. The selection for any single type of item wasn't large, but the variety covered everything.

The couple were both regulars at Old John's bar. Or rather, who in town wasn't a regular at that single bar?

Today only the auntie was watching the store; as soon as she saw Henry enter, she greeted him enthusiastically. "Yo, young man, you're back. Was this trip's harvest abundant?"

"The captain was very happy with the earnings, so our reward was pretty good too." Henry said directly.

His words weren't wrong, nor overly modest. After all, everyone knew he was just a small green, and there was no way he'd get the big share. But as long as he returned safely, that was better than many others.

The auntie guarding the counter said: "Whatever you need, just go pick it out. I'll give you a twenty percent discount, consider it a gift from me. Old John has been nagging about you these days; finish buying and go back early to let him see you."

"Understood." Henry casually grabbed a few sets of clothes and underwear, then grabbed some snacks. He went to the frozen section to pick up some food; always eating Old John's food made Henry feel guilty.

He did want to bring a gift back, but Old John didn't really like items with purely commemorative value. As for what the bar lacked, or what was broken and needed replacing, there truly wasn't anything.

Don't think a solitary old man would be sloppy and unable to survive. Strong hands-on ability meant there wouldn't be anything broken and barely usable in his life, or anything extra and useless.

Henry, who had also lived alone, knew clearly that for such a person, if an outsider gave an unsuitable gift, they would only feel the other person was causing them trouble and taking up space.

As for what gift would be just right, actually asking the person themselves might not yield an answer. So he simply stopped thinking about these unnecessary things.

Men won't be moved to tears by a little thing of ritual.

What might evoke empathy could be the long legs seen by the roadside, a straight stick picked up by hand, or a meme made by some Bai Chi fool.

Considering Old John's background. Helping him tie up a Japanese demon or a Nazi might be more popular?

Henry thought so.

New book seeking follows, collections, and recommendations; thank you~~

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(End of this chapter)