Chapter 111 Light Clouds and Breeze
James Johnson was quite the show-off back in high school, his father being the Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau in YODC City.
Over the years, environmental protection has become increasingly important, and the power of the Environmental Protection Bureau has grown. Even when James Johnson’s father was just a minor section chief, James was already quite arrogant. Now that his father holds significant authority as a Deputy Director, he managed to get him a government job in the District Transportation Bureau after graduation.
With a government job and a powerful father, James always thought of himself as someone who ranked high among his classmates—not the absolute top perhaps, but certainly among the first few. He was usually very haughty, humbling himself a bit for classmates who were doing well, but when it came to small-time employees like James Brown, he was utterly unreserved in his disdain.
David Brown quickly stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "James Brown, James is just kidding with you."
James Brown gave a light smile and said, "It’s nothing."
Back in high school, James Brown and this James Johnson had their differences. But after so many years, James Brown had long since stopped caring, whereas it seemed James Johnson still harbored those memories. However, in James Brown’s eyes, James Johnson was hardly significant now, so even when Johnson was being mean-spirited, Brown couldn’t bother to take him seriously.
James Brown didn’t expect that Alice Brown and Jennifer Hog would hold such high esteem in everyone’s eyes. Even after meeting all kinds of celebrities and artists, Brown really didn’t think much of these two municipal TV hosts.
After James Johnson got a rise out of James Brown and saw that Brown didn’t retort, he felt immensely self-important. Although he refrained from making further harsh comments, he still had the tone of a leader lecturing an employee, "You see, James Brown, what I said earlier might not have been pleasing to you, but we’re all old classmates, and I was speaking the truth. We’re not kids anymore; we need to be responsible for what we say. How can you achieve great things if you just brag without substance?"
James Brown found it amusing and replied, "Thanks for the advice, leader James. I won’t brag anymore."
Feeling even more self-important, James Johnson laughed, "That’s good, that’s good. Seeing how humble you are, if you run into any trouble in the future, come to me, and I’ll definitely help you out."
"Well, that’s very kind of you, leader James, make sure to keep your word," James Brown responded, playing along with Johnson’s words. For such a petty figure, it wasn’t worth Brown’s time to make a fuss.