The training venue was at the far end of the east district sports field.

Turning the corner, the familiar green turf and red track came into view.

Scattered groups of college students gathered on the field, the air brimming with youthful energy.

The first to spot Matthew Clark was yesterday’s Little Golden.

“Hey? Brother Matthew!” Little Golden waved from afar, then turned and shouted,

“James Bennett—your uncle is here!”

His voice was loud enough that half the field looked over.

James Bennett, who was talking to the coach, also looked over.

Seeing Matthew Clark walking over, James Bennett was momentarily stunned.

“Uncle.” Under the direct sunlight, his deep features looked even more striking, his neck slightly damp with sweat, his figure casting a shadow between the two as they approached.

Matthew Clark handed something over. “Your training pass.”

“Why did you come in person?”

“It was on my way.” Just happened to be out gathering material.

“…?”

James Bennett frowned in confusion, just about to speak when the coach beside him patted him on the shoulder first,

“All right, hurry up and register. How could you forget your pass!”

James Bennett stopped mid-sentence, said “Thanks” to Matthew Clark, “Uncle, I’ll head over first.”

Matthew Clark waved his hand and wandered off toward the stands.

By the stands stood Little Golden, and at some point Short Hair had come over too.

“Brother Matthew, you came to bring James Bennett his training pass?”

“Yeah, and to look around a bit.”

Little Golden was named Benjamin Wright, and Short Hair was Samuel Harris.

The two explained that today was a joint training session for several schools, so everyone had to register with their training pass.

“Then you came at just the right time.”

Benjamin Wright said, “James Bennett is really impressive, he’s the main force in track and field, and he’s up first—look.”

Matthew Clark looked over and saw James Bennett had finished registering and was walking to the end of the track.

The sunlight stretched a long shadow from his strong ankles.

His tall back stood against the sun, shoulder blades moving, and from a distance he seemed to be level with the sky.

After finishing his warm-up, at the sound of the whistle—beep!

James Bennett shot out almost instantly, all his usual laid-back air gone, replaced by explosive power.

The dark red tank top left a blur in the wind, his flexed muscles seeming to fling off tiny drops of sweat.

As he flashed past Matthew Clark, it stirred a rush of excitement in his heart.

Matthew Clark even held his breath for a moment.

It wasn’t until that streak of red disappeared that he snapped out of it, pulling out his phone: click, click…

He almost forgot he was here to gather material.

Beside him, Samuel Harris craned his neck for a look. “Brother Matthew, you made James Bennett all blurry in this one.”

Matthew Clark scrolled through the photos. “It’s fine, as long as I get the shape.”

It was for the author’s reference for outlining.

Samuel Harris: ?

After the first group finished the training race, James Bennett stepped down to the rest area for some water.

The rest area was a short distance from the stands.

From here, he could see Matthew Clark’s profile, who seemed to be chatting happily with the ever-energetic Benjamin Wright and Samuel Harris.

“James Bennett, is that your uncle?”

A voice came from behind. James Bennett turned to see the captain of the neighboring women’s obstacle team, Henry Parker. “Yeah.”

Henry Parker had her hair in a neat ponytail and looked over at the three chatting away. “Oh~ At first glance I thought he was Benjamin Wright and Samuel Harris’s uncle!”

James Bennett looked over, tilting his head back to drink a few sips of water.

Henry Parker burst out laughing. “Just kidding, just kidding!” After laughing, she glanced again at Matthew Clark. “But seriously, your uncle is really good-looking…”

“Hey, does he have a girlfriend?”

James Bennett thought of that apartment where he lived alone. “Probably not.” He asked, half-smiling, “Why?”

Henry Parker pretended to be shy, cupping her face. “He’s just my type~”

James Bennett casually reminded her, “Even if it’s not obvious, my uncle is a lot older than you.”

“You don’t get it, that’s what makes him attractive—mature and gentle.”

Henry Parker had always been bold; when she said she “liked” someone, it was usually just talk. As for being attractive, mature, gentle…

James Bennett looked over at Matthew Clark.

The latter stood tall and handsome, his profile soft and bright. His soft hair glinted a warm chestnut in the sunlight, and he was holding up his phone, taking pictures of something—he really did give off a gentle, approachable vibe.

He hadn’t figured out where that sense of warmth came from when Henry Parker spoke up,

“I take it back… your uncle really looks like your parent.”

James Bennett turned, “How so?”

“On the first day of school registration, my parents stood on the field, in the dorm, in the teaching building, snapping photos nonstop just like that.”

She added, “It’s got that ‘my child is all grown up’ feeling.”

James Bennett, “…………”

Over there, Matthew Clark was still chatting with Samuel Harris and the others, and the two kids shamelessly asked him to take group photos for them. As Matthew Clark took pictures, the back of his neck started to flush again.

He set his water bottle down with a light clink on the bench.

James Bennett got up and walked over, his shadow flickering in front of Henry Parker. Henry Parker looked up, “What’s up?”

“I’m getting him to stand in the shade.”

James Bennett said matter-of-factly, “My uncle can’t be out in the sun.”

Henry Parker: ?