Chapter 360: Chapter 229 Teaching my little brother how to drive properly, Return_trip 1
"Dean, why have you suddenly become interested in the sirens from mythology?"
Niel propped her chin on her hands as she lay on the edge of the bed, curiously watching Dean, who was flipping through a large book. Her legs kicked playfully in the air, clearly in a good mood.
Dean touched her head, his tone serious, "Because I suspect you are the reincarnation of a siren. How else could you make me so infatuated?"
TEE-HEE.
Niel covered her mouth and giggled lightly.
For the one she liked, even the cheesiest sweet-nothings sounded delightful, making one’s heart blossom with joy.
Suppressing a yawn, she said, "Dean, let me take a nap, and I’ll take you out for something delicious tonight!"
Niel had just had a fight with her mother and had exhausted a lot of her recovered energy. Not long after speaking, she fell into a deep sleep.
Dean looked at her fondly and then turned his attention back to the book in his hands.
Carol had given him a hint: Siren. It probably didn’t mean that there were supernatural beings in the world, but rather it carried a certain special significance.
After some research, Dean had also begun to form a vague guess.
According to the book, sirens originated from Greek mythology and were depicted as half-fish or half-bird female creatures.
In the myths, sirens consumed humans, but due to their hideously ugly appearance, humans dared not approach the coasts. Thus, they evolved into beautiful women and used their enchanting songs to lure sailors from passing ships, causing them to throw themselves into the ocean to be devoured.
Interestingly, as the age of great seafaring began, there were frequent discoveries of ’ghost ships’ – vessels in perfect condition but mysteriously devoid of people, with untouched supplies of food and water.
Consequently, the legend of the siren spread worldwide.
"Could there really be a special magnetic field that could bewitch the mind and cause one to lose oneself?"
Dean felt that this hypothesis was what Carol was trying to convey but still found it far-fetched.
Nevertheless, just to be cautious, he turned on the computer provided in the hotel’s presidential suite and started searching.
You don’t know what you don’t know until you look it up and get a shock.
It turned out that not only ancient Greece had legends of sirens. Almost every coastal nation had similar mythical creatures in ancient times, and though their forms varied, they all possessed the ability to enchant the hearts of men and lead them to suicide by sea!
One phenomenon might be a coincidence. But the fact that different cultures and customs around the world had spawned similar mythological creatures was something worth pondering.
TAP TAP.
Dean tapped on the table and then picked up his phone and dialed his younger brother Thompson’s number.
The guy was smart and especially fond of oddities and wonders. He might have come across something similar in the past and know something about it.
Thankful for technology, over a decade ago, wireless transoceanic telephony had already entered mature application in the United States and the Commonwealth.
After a moment’s wait, Thompson’s somewhat dejected voice came from the other end of the line, "Hey, Dean, Mom said you went to the Commonwealth to have fun. How’s it over there?"
"Thompson, don’t tell me you’ve fallen into another emotional crisis?" Dean teased.
The guy had been struggling emotionally ever since he had stumbled into a disastrous love triangle.
And Dean had guessed right. Thompson was silent for a moment, his voice downcast, "I don’t know how to say it, but I indeed find myself in a situation that affects a man’s pride and makes it impossible for me to tell anyone else about it."
"Got cuckolded?"
"No!"
"Your girlfriend said you’re not up to the mark?"
Thompson was just a kid; what pride did he have to speak of? It was probably either someone stealing his girlfriend, or, due to his youth and inexperienced technique in bed, he had failed to control the situation during his previous encounters and was quickly overwhelmed. Barely understanding these matters and too embarrassed to ask others for advice, they end up doubting their own abilities. This is all normal.
As expected, when it came to the second point, Thompson was silent over the phone.
He really hit the nail on the head!
Dean smirked without making a sound.
Such a tender age.
"Buddy, don’t worry, you’re just lacking some wise guidance. Unfortunately for you, your big brother here is a top-notch expert in this area. So relax, when I get back, I’ll teach you some highly confidential tricks!"
"Like what?" Thompson was skeptical.
"Are you in a hurry?"
"Well... this weekend, we’re planning a small private cookout within our class group. If I don’t perform well this time, and my girlfriend complains about me to her friends, I reckon I’ll become famous throughout the school!"
Dean understood instantly.
People in the United States love all sorts of parties, and parties inevitably involve alcohol. Although most states have clear legal drinking ages, this only serves to pique the curiosity and desire for the thrill of breaking the law among teenagers like Thompson. So in these gatherings, under the influence of alcohol and hormones, the first half is wild, and the second half is chaotic and crazier.
After all, it was his own little brother.
Dean had no choice but to set aside his own matters first, stand up, walk to the balcony, and light a cigarette. After organizing his thoughts, he began to instruct, "Thompson, you’ve driven a car before, haven’t you?"
"Of course, I don’t have a license, but I often drive on Grandpa’s farm to help carry stuff."
"Listen.
The battle between a man and a woman is just like driving a stick-shift car.
When the fight starts! You can’t rush. You need to move off in first gear, then, during second and third gear, you can last a little longer."