The commotion was a bit much. As soon as he finished speaking, the bedroom window downstairs opened as well.

Martin Bennett stuck his head out and looked at him: “Who are you talking to?”

Before William Bennett could answer, he immediately realized: “Edward Harris?”

“Who else? A thief?” William Bennett said.

But he regretted it almost instantly.

Two minutes later, Edward Harris, who had planned to leave, was dragged into the living room by his mom and Martin Bennett, trapped at the junction between the first and second floors.

Young Master Bennett cracked the door open to watch the show, but as soon as he peeked out with one eye, he met Edward Harris’s icy gaze. He thought for a moment, then quietly shut the door again.

Author’s note: Still owe one chapter, I remember _(:з」∠)_ I originally wanted to write a 6,000-word double update, but didn’t make it, rip. Thank you to the little angels who gave me “霸王票” or watered me with nutrient solution~

Thank you all so much for your support, I’ll keep working hard!

Chapter 7 Sticky Notes

After all the fuss, it was already midnight.

No one knew what method Martin Bennett and Owen Harris used, but in the end, Edward Harris was made to stay. William Bennett pressed his ear to the bedroom door, listening in confusion, but based on what he’d seen earlier, he guessed it was probably Owen Harris playing the sympathy card. As long as Owen Harris showed that cautious, slightly pleading look, Edward Harris couldn’t bring himself to say anything too harsh.

Footsteps shuffled upstairs. Leaning against the door, William Bennett heard Martin Bennett say, “Xiao Tian, you’ll stay in this room.”

Across from William Bennett’s room was a private bathroom and a study; the “bedroom” his dad referred to was right next door. Although the house was old, it had been fully renovated, and the soundproofing was actually pretty good. Still, with the rooms right next to each other sharing a wall, you could hear some noises.

William Bennett felt like his private territory was being invaded, a mix of annoyance and a subtle, awkward feeling.

His phone suddenly buzzed twice. Listlessly, William Bennett glanced down and swiped at the screen. Crab was still live-updating the progress of those two seniors.

Octagonal Crab:

Good news, they finally solved the first problem. I could feel the excitement through the wall, and then their dorm got warned by the patrolling teacher.

Octagonal Crab: Hey, you still awake?

Octagonal Crab: ??

William Bennett brought the phone to his lips: “It’s still early, I’m awake.”

Octagonal Crab: It’s half past twelve, bro. What about you? How’s your problem-solving going?

Canned: “Haven’t gotten around to it.”

Octagonal Crab: Huh? Then what have you been doing all this time?

Canned: “Watching a family ethics drama.”

Crab was his former roommate and they were pretty close, so he knew a bit about his family situation. The phone, which had been buzzing nonstop, suddenly went quiet for a while. After a long pause, Crab cautiously asked: What’s going on?

William Bennett pressed the voice button, but after a few seconds, let go and switched to typing.

Crab received a blank voice message and sent back a long string of question marks.

William Bennett ignored it, leaning against the door and tapping away on the keypad: Someone who’s about to become my stepmom and her son have moved in. Her son is living right next door to me, I—

I what? There wasn’t much point in telling others this, and it felt a bit melodramatic. Mainly, it was just a bit melodramatic, which didn’t fit his cool image. Thinking this, William Bennett deleted everything he’d typed and used voice instead: “It’s nothing, just that some brat is temporarily staying next door, and out of politeness I’m supposed to call him ‘brother.’”

The way he said it was ambiguous, so Crab thought it was some annoying distant relative and stopped worrying.

Octagonal Crab: So did you call him?

Canned: “No way, I’ve never been polite.”

Octagonal Crab: Hahaha, then kick him out.

Canned: “I’d love to. Don’t you have a dog? Lend it to me sometime, I’ll let it pee all over that room and see who can stand living there.”

Octagonal Crab: Damn, don’t describe it, I can already smell it.

William Bennett laughed. He’d gotten his fill of venting, but suddenly remembered how Edward Harris had stood alone outside in the yard, his shadow stretched long by the streetlight—proud, but also a bit… lonely.

Young Master clicked his tongue and said, “Forget it, annoying. As long as he doesn’t talk to me or bother me while I’m reading, out of sight, out of mind. I’m off to do problems.”

Octagonal Crab: Hey? Wait.

Octagonal Crab: Speaking of problems, it just occurred to me—since you’re supposed to call him ‘brother,’ that brat next door must be older than you, right?

Octagonal Crab: At least a junior or senior? Why not show him the last problem? If he can solve it, great; if not, at least you’ll annoy him.

This train of thought was a bit wild. William Bennett was stunned, then replied without hesitation: You’re just trying to mess with me.

Canned: I’m out!

That last message was a bit fierce, so Octagonal Crab chickened out and went quiet.

After settling Edward Harris, Martin Bennett hesitated for a moment, then walked to William Bennett’s door and called softly, “Son?” His voice was quiet and he didn’t knock, as if afraid to disturb someone.

William Bennett was actually standing right behind the door, with only a door panel between father and son. He heard everything clearly but didn’t respond.

“Son?” Martin Bennett called again.

William Bennett still didn’t answer.

After a while, he heard Martin Bennett whisper to Owen Harris, “It’s been over an hour, he’s probably asleep.”

“Really asleep?” Owen Harris sounded a bit uncertain.