Jack Bolton replied, “Of course I have. Don’t be fooled by the fact that Uncle only ever competed in one international event, the Four Continents Championships. Back then, our men’s singles still had no one, and Uncle gave it his all but only managed to place eleventh. Nine out of the top ten were from North America, and the other was from Japan.”

“But this has nothing to do with you, Little Grace. Do whatever you want. The rise of men’s singles is Uncle’s dream, not yours. Now that the country’s economy is better, there will definitely be more talented kids coming into this sport in the future.”

Chris Bolton thought to himself, That’s not true. In the next ten years or so, you still won’t find the promising talent you’re looking for. The decline of domestic men’s singles won’t change before I die.

He leaned against Uncle’s neck.

“Actually, Uncle, the reason I don’t have the ambition to be a world champion is because it takes too much to get there. I’m really not sure if I have what it takes. But if you want to take on a talented student, I won’t back down, hehe.”

As soon as he said this, Chris Bolton immediately felt Jack Bolton’s mood lift.

Uncle replied cheerfully, “That’s great! Our provincial youth team doesn’t have anyone right now. There isn’t a single under-18 skater who can do all five types of triple jumps. If you can master the 3lo, 3F, and 3lz before the end of this year, Uncle might be able to take you abroad for competitions!”

The two of them made a pact.

Chris Bolton thought, although he didn’t want to pursue a career as an athlete—a tough path with little reward—if it was just about gaining experience, building his resume, and helping Uncle feel better, he was fine with it.

Even if he wanted to join a talent show or participate in some trainee sports event in the future, having professional-level figure skating on his skill list wouldn’t be bad at all.

This time, it was Emily Quinn who came to pick them up at the entrance of the community. The tall, strapping teenager was radiating heat, holding a basketball in his arms—clearly just back from working out.

Chris Bolton thought Emily Quinn was the very model of the all-rounder who excelled in both academics and sports: a strong, tall build, the handsome features of a mixed-race youth, and a top student at a leading medical school.

Little did he know, Emily Quinn also thought Chris Bolton was an outstanding boy. The kid hadn’t changed clothes before going out, still wearing those cute brown bear pajamas, with a row of moxibustion sticks smoking on his feet, and a math book in his hands.

He glanced over. “This book mainly teaches problem-solving approaches in math. It’s great for competition students. Are you planning to enter a math competition?”

Chris Bolton thought to himself that he had just agreed to the figure skating competition, and balancing that with his studies was exhausting enough. How could he possibly have the energy for a math competition—something only top students do?

He shook his head. “I’m just previewing some high school math in advance. I still have to skate regularly, so I need to study more on my own.”

Hearing this, Jack Bolton nodded repeatedly. Emily Quinn blinked his gray wolf-like eyes, put away his “Harry Potter,” and sat down next to him.

“If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me.”

Chris Bolton pointed unceremoniously at a geometry problem. “This one. I’m good at analytical and calculation problems, but I’m weaker in geometry.”

Emily Quinn responded, “Before you start, break down the problem. Tell me your approach…”

After listening to Chris Bolton’s thought process, Emily Quinn went to get a pad of blank paper. The top sheet was decorated with pencil sketches of black, white, and gray flowers. Emily Quinn lowered his head and explained the problem to Chris Bolton at a moderate pace. His hand was steady, drawing straight lines without needing a ruler, and his logic was exceptionally clear.

Not to mention that Chris Bolton himself was a top student who, after two years of slacking off, still managed to get into a 985 university after buckling down. Even a real eighth grader would be able to understand this high school problem thanks to Emily Quinn’s explanation.

Then Chris Bolton realized that Emily Quinn had deliberately used a method that even a middle schooler could grasp.

The weather was nice today. A ray of sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating Emily Quinn’s chiseled profile and casting a delicate golden sheen on his thick eyelashes.

Chris Bolton thought, This person may not seem very warm, but he’s actually very considerate.

Just then, Jack Bolton, who had been chatting with Mrs. Mia, rushed into the living room: “Emily, I’m turning on the TV!”

He quickly switched to CCTV-5. It was the coldest part of winter, and most popular ball games and track and field events had already ended, so the national figure skating championships had managed to snag a live broadcast slot in the morning.

At that moment, the TV was announcing the results: “This year’s National Figure Skating Championships men’s singles senior event has successfully concluded. Liam Sullivan from H Province completed the highly difficult quadruple toe loop in the competition and won this year’s championship…”

Chris Bolton was quite happy. “Uncle, Liam Sullivan can go to Vancouver this time!”

Jack Bolton nodded gravely, and the TV broadcast continued.

“The men’s singles junior champion is Ethan Ford from J Province. This young skater successfully completed a triple loop and a triple lutz-triple toe (3lz+3T) combination, both highly difficult jumps. Unfortunately, he made a clear mistake on his final jump, and after finishing his free skate, was unable to leave the ice on his own…”

Chris Bolton looked at the TV, at the tall, handsome boy who seemed about fifteen or sixteen, and asked in confusion, “Uncle, is that Ethan Ford you’re watching?”

Jack Bolton let out a long sigh, as if trying to expel all his disappointment and regret.