179: He had already started cultivating immortality-could piloting a Gundam be far behind?
As Gerald crossed the road, he noticed that the convenience store on the corner had changed its sign.
It had once been "Thomson Convenience Store." Now it was "Star of the East."
Several red paper cutouts decorated the shop's glass window, and a string of little brass bells hung from the door handle.
Clearly, the new owner was probably an immigrant from the East.
Gerald did not linger. He quickened his pace, turned through the entrance to the residential neighborhood, and arrived in front of the three-story house.
Uncle Jack had originally rented this house. Over Christmas, Gerald had asked Winslet to help buy it for a full £230,000, with Uncle Jack's name on the land registry.
He had just raised his hand to knock when the door opened from inside.
Aunt Mary answered the door, wearing the familiar blue floral apron, her hands still dusted with flour. Clearly, she had been making something with dough and had rushed over to open the door when she heard footsteps.
She froze for a moment when she saw Gerald, then gave him a great big hug.
Mary felt incredibly happy now. Her parents had once looked down on her husband, Jack. After all, they lived on Privet Drive in London, while Jack's family had lived in the countryside in northern Essex County.
Her family had actually been much better off than Jack's.
But everything had changed now.
Not only had she and Jack's family bought a large house in London, but she herself also nominally worked in finance at Jack's foreign trade company.
Her two children attended relatively good schools in London, too.
And all of this was because of Gerald, standing right in front of her. Although she