Only looked at it. Didn’t just memorize it. And it was the two pages at the front and back.

Tch.

He opened the book, flipped to the page with the name, and pointed at the words: “So you didn’t remember these, huh?”

Edward Clark curled his lips.

“It’s written here,” Eric Bennett said, “No, borrow, give, you.”

Eric Bennett took the book and strode out of the dorm with great swagger.

“I’ll walk you out.” Edward Clark followed him.

“No need to be so polite,” Eric Bennett said.

Someone came up from the stairwell, paused when he saw him, then quickly glanced behind him: “Your friend?”

“Yeah.” Edward Clark replied from behind.

The person didn’t say anything else, just smiled and nodded at Eric Bennett, then went into the neighboring dorm.

For some reason, Brian Foster’s sudden appearance made Edward Clark feel a bit awkward.

He felt that Brian Foster might have misunderstood something, but he had no way or reason to explain, and didn’t even know what he would explain.

What’s the point of explaining?

He didn’t want to do meaningless things.

But...

“Why does that guy look kind of familiar to me?” Eric Bennett said as he walked downstairs.

Because you two look alike, little prodigy, and you still haven’t figured it out?

Edward Clark stayed silent, following him down the stairs.

“Ah,” Eric Bennett raised his hand and pointed his index finger, “he looks a bit like my cousin.”

...Alright then.

He seemed like a smart guy, but who knew his IQ could drop so fast.

“Really.” Edward Clark said.

“Yes, or no, can’t you answer such a simple question?” Dad stood at the doorway.

“The options you gave are simple,” Eric Bennett didn’t turn around, leaning back in his chair, “but the question isn’t simple.”

“Is this question really that complicated? Are you planning to give up on the college entrance exam?” Dad said, “Do you insist on downgrading your own life?”

“Why do you have to divide life into different levels?” Eric Bennett asked, “And by your standards? Can’t I use my own standards to divide them?”

“Don’t be rebellious with me,” Dad said, “If your mom and I weren’t doing this for your own good, would we have the energy to argue with you every day?”

“If it’s really for my own good, can you think from my perspective?” Eric Bennett sat up straight, a bit annoyed, and looked back at him, “How much do you really love me? And how much do I really love you? You’re both highly educated, if you don’t understand psychology you can read some books, I have a pile of them.”

Dad looked at him without saying a word.

“Before middle school, ‘dad’ and ‘mom’ were just titles to me,” Eric Bennett said, “Just titles that had nothing to do with me, and you were about the same. I, Eric Bennett, your son, supposedly a prodigy, could read at one, write poetry at three, read ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ in first grade, there’s nothing he can’t do, only things he doesn’t learn...”

“That’s not...” Dad frowned.

“I know it’s not that exaggerated, I’m just summarizing your imagination and expectations of me,” Eric Bennett waved his hand, “But then I come back, huh? The prodigy is only top five in the grade? Sometimes only top ten? Isn’t he supposed to always be first, crushing second place?”

“Shut up!” Dad pointed at him.

“Let’s both shut up,” Eric Bennett said, “I don’t want to argue, and I’m not blaming you for not coming back, really.”

Dad took a deep breath, as if he wanted to say more.

But Eric Bennett didn’t give him the chance. Dad was a man of great learning, but not good at arguing, and Eric Bennett didn’t want to win unfairly.

So he got up, walked to the door, and closed it in his face: “No one has managed me for over ten years, I’m used to making all my own decisions. You have to start raising a child from a young age—once you miss that chance, you basically never get it again.”

After waiting two minutes, Eric Bennett opened the door again and glanced outside. The living room was empty; Dad and mom had gone back to their room.

So as not to disturb his studying, as long as he was home, the TV in the living room would never be on.

This invisible pressure and expectations beyond his actual ability made him feel suffocated.

Back at the desk, Eric Bennett spaced out for a while before pulling himself together and starting on his exercises.

He wasn’t especially hardworking, but he knew his priorities. When it was time to study, he would force himself to do it. He’d slack off for small tests, try a bit harder for bigger ones, and for the college entrance exam, he’d try his best.

He just didn’t need this constant, relentless pressure. Maybe he was just used to freedom—no matter how well-intentioned, he only wanted to go at his own pace.

Don’t stare. If you keep staring, I’ll flunk.

If you swapped him for someone like Edward Clark, who was obviously calm, self-disciplined, and supremely confident, Dad and mom would probably be thrilled.

...Or maybe not, since right now he’s still memorizing “The Mystery of Palmistry.”

Oh, not memorizing—just reading.

His phone chimed; a message came in.

Eric Bennett didn’t check it. Once he started studying, he tried not to get distracted. Even if his mind wandered, his hand kept working on problems. If he stopped, he might not bother to start again.

- Are you sure? I don’t even know what he looks like now.