Chapter 39

The 'Brotherhood' is an organization similar to a club, which is very popular in Europe and America, and has existed since ancient times, continuing to the present day. Whether in the original timeline or in this parallel timeline, the 'Brotherhood' is very appealing, especially to teenagers.

In modern society, from junior high school onwards, teenagers begin to form 'Brotherhoods,' using them to gather a group of 'like-minded' friends and enjoy a happy school life. This situation persists even into high school, college, and even after entering society.

People like Nate, who are in their thirties and forties, are already established in society and have families, but they still form 'Brotherhoods.' Of course, Nate's 'Brotherhood' is community-based, and its members are all the silly middle-aged men in the community. Therefore, Nate's 'Brotherhood' has a slight difference from the school-based 'Brotherhoods,' but essentially, they are the same.

It's just a group of men gathering together to smoke marijuana, visit strip clubs, or run naked through the streets of the community when drunk, doing things that make people shake their heads. However, it cannot be denied that to integrate into American society, one must be like these people, as only then can one truly understand their mindset and attitude towards life.

Unfortunately, Jin Xuntao politely declined. Although his psychological age does not create a generation gap with these middle-aged and elderly people, he cannot do such unprincipled things, no matter what. The last time, he was not prepared and ended up drinking to a hangover. Jin Xuntao has already reflected on this and decided that he will never do it again.

After all, after getting drunk last time, he left his daughter with Demy, who took care of her for the whole night. Thinking about this the next day, Jin Xuntao was very worried. Fortunately, Demy is a good girl, and Nate's family are not bad people, so his daughter was fine. But if he had encountered bad people and his daughter was hurt, he would be devastated.

Therefore, Jin Xuntao has no interest in joining the 'Brotherhood.' However, he never expected that these unprincipled middle-aged men would announce him as a new member of the community 'Brotherhood' without even discussing it with him. This is just too ridiculous. Nate even had the nerve to ask if he was 'very excited and thrilled.' Yes, I'm so excited that I want to close the door.

Jin Xuntao was inwardly complaining. Although from Nate's perspective, Jin Xuntao was abandoned at an orphanage as a baby and grew up with American-style education, so he is basically a 'banana person' with American thinking, no different from Americans. Therefore, being absorbed into the 'Brotherhood' would make him happy, as who in this country wouldn't want to join a 'Brotherhood.'

However, as a穿越者 (穿越者 means "time traveler" or "穿越者" in this context, but it's better to use "穿越者" to maintain the original term), Jin Xuntao still has the Chinese mindset from the original timeline, and his approach to life and work is different from Americans. So, he really has no interest in joining the 'Brotherhood.'

"William! Is there something going on downstairs?"

At this moment, Annie came down the stairs, holding Coco. She had waited upstairs for a while, hearing unfamiliar voices downstairs, so she came down to check.

"Oh, it's our neighbor Mr. Nate. He invited me to join the community 'Brotherhood.'"

Jin Xuntao had no reason to hide anything, and with an additional person in the house, he needed to introduce her to Nate.

"Hmm, she's a beauty." Annie was very beautiful, and Nate's eyes lit up when he saw her, but it was purely an appreciative look, not a lecherous one.

"This is Nate, our neighbor." As Annie approached with Coco, Jin Xuntao introduced Nate to her again and then introduced Annie, "This is Annie, the nanny the publishing house hired to take care of the child. She will be living with me from now on."

"Hello, Miss Annie, you are really beautiful." Americans speak very directly and don't beat around the bush. Annie switched Coco to her left arm and shook hands with Nate.

"Jin! You got it wrong. It's not that I invited you to join the Brotherhood; you are already a member. What? Don't you want to join our Brotherhood?"

Jin Xuntao's cold reaction surprised Nate.

"No, I'm very happy, but I don't have time to attend the gathering tonight." Jin Xuntao, of course, wouldn't say what he really thought, even if he felt that way.

"William, attending the gathering is great. It helps build relationships with everyone. Besides, Mr. Nate said that the Brotherhood members are all community residents. Getting to know more people will leave a good impression among the neighbors, right? And with the child in my care, you can go out and have fun with peace of mind."

Annie, who didn't know the situation, tried to persuade Jin Xuntao.

As she said, attending Nate's community Brotherhood gathering was an opportunity to expand his social circle and meet some community neighbors, which would be beneficial for him.

"I don't think you understand. Their gathering place is a strip club, which I really don't like. It's too chaotic. Besides, these guys play very wildly, and I can't handle it."

Reluctantly, Jin Xuntao had to explain to Annie in a low voice, so she could understand the issue.

Sure enough, when Jin Xuntao mentioned this, Annie's expression changed. She remembered the last time Jin Xuntao got drunk, which seemed to be led by Nate.

"Oh, I remember. Coco isn't feeling well, and I need to take her to the doctor with William tonight. So, I'm really sorry, Mr. William might not be able to attend the gathering tonight."

Annie quickly changed her tune and made up a lie without batting an eye, involving the child, which left Nate with no choice but to give up.

After all, nothing is more important than the family and the child in America.

"Alright, I'll let the others know."

Nate had no choice but to nod and leave Jin Xuntao's house, somewhat disappointed.

After Mr. Nate left, Jin Xuntao closed the door and let out a long sigh.

"Heaven, these unreliable middle-aged men, still forming Brotherhoods at this age, and they play so wildly. I can't handle it at all."

Jin Xuntao patted his chest and looked at Annie with a bitter smile, saying, "Thank you for helping me out of that situation. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known how to refuse Mr. Nate's invitation."

Annie, holding Coco, shook her head with a smile, "No problem, but you will still have to deal with them in the future. I think you won't be able to avoid the Brotherhood."

Annie was right. Jin Xuntao lived here, and they were all neighbors. They would see each other often, and he could avoid it this time, but what about next time? Besides, they had no ill intentions.

Thinking about this, Jin Xuntao sighed, "We'll see what happens next time. But I don't think it will happen again, as I'm about to start school."

Thinking about going back to school, Jin Xuntao believed that once he started school, he could avoid these unscrupulous middle-aged men.

Annie's smile grew wider, reminding Jin Xuntao, "There are Brotherhoods in schools too. Don't forget that. Do you plan to be a loner in college, not building good relationships with your classmates and not making friends?"

Looking at Annie's smile, Jin Xuntao was taken aback.

Oh no, I forgot. There are such organizations in American schools too.

Indeed, after being reminded by Annie, Jin Xuntao remembered this. He had seen many American TV shows in his previous life, which depicted such situations.

Wild parties! Hot girls and guys!

Oh no!

Wait, that's for college, right? Is it the same for high school?

Suddenly, Jin Xuntao thought of a problem.