She absentmindedly savored James Bennett's natural tone: So, are you growing flowers here?

-

A full day of joint training ended at dusk.

Matthew Clark also stayed until evening, leaving the school with James Bennett and the others.

They had collected quite a few photos during their field trip, capturing the teaching building and the library as well.

“Wow—joint training is really exhausting!”

Benjamin Wright stretched his arms. “Luckily, we get to rest for half a day tomorrow morning. Hey, how about we have dinner together tonight to reward ourselves?”

Samuel Harris praised him, “You really know how to treat yourself.”

Benjamin Wright asked, “Come on, shall we get together? James Bennett, you in? Brother Matthew, you too, like we said last time.”

James Bennett didn’t mind, “Sure.”

After he spoke, he looked at Matthew Clark, “Uncle.”

Matthew Clark figured he meant it as both an invitation and a check-in, so he nodded, “Alright.”

There were five or six of them, and they found a big street food stall.

A group of sports students, all in their twenties and still growing, sat down and ordered a huge table full of dishes, plus two pitchers of beer.

A long table against the wall, three seats on each side.

Matthew Clark sat next to James Bennett, with Benjamin Wright on his other side.

As soon as they sat down, Benjamin Wright said enthusiastically, “Brother Matthew, send me the photos you took of us today!”

Matthew Clark pulled out his phone. “Hold on.”

“Why don’t we add each other on WeChat first?”

“Sure, I’ll scan your code.”

“I’ll add you too.” Samuel Harris joined in, and the three of them held their phones together, the mood quite lively.

Matthew Clark was in the middle of adding the two younger guys when he suddenly paused, abruptly remembering the matter of delivering the training pass this morning—he’d forgotten to add James Bennett again!

Realizing this, he noticed it was a bit quiet beside him.

Matthew Clark turned his head and saw James Bennett resting his chin on his hand, quietly watching them. His lowered brows and eyes looked even deeper under the overhead light, revealing no extra emotion.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, it felt self-explanatory.

James Bennett raised his brows slightly, with a hint of an indescribable smile. “Uncle.”

“……”

Alright, stop smiling. I really did forget you.

Matthew Clark tried to go with the flow and naturally handed over his phone. “Xiao Jing, let’s scan each other too.”

James Bennett cooperatively opened WeChat. “Okay.”

Everyone at the table turned their heads at once: ………???

Benjamin Wright held his phone as if it were a hot potato: So you two weren’t even friends yet!?

Ding—a verification went through.

Matthew Clark looked at the page that popped up on his phone.

James Bennett’s WeChat name was simple, just the character 【景】.

—It really suited his laid-back style. Also had that main character vibe from a school manga.

Matthew Clark was about to add a less “cool” “Xiao” in front of the remark when he heard James Bennett, while editing his own remark, ask,

“Uncle, did you take a lot of photos of them today?”

Benjamin Wright immediately chimed in, “He took some of you too.”

“Really.” James Bennett put down his phone. “Can I see?”

All three fell silent at once.

Benjamin Wright, “……”

Samuel Harris, “……”

Matthew Clark, “………”

Samuel Harris thought of that pile of blurry photos and awkwardly said, “Uh, mostly what he took was…”

Matthew Clark finished for him, “Atmosphere.”

“……” James Bennett looked over, seeming to get it.

Luckily, the food arrived just then, breaking the slightly awkward silence. Benjamin Wright quickly stood up, holding his wobbly beer glass—

“Alright… let’s toast!”

-

By the end of the dinner, everyone was eating and chatting excitedly.

They kept ordering more beer, one pitcher after another.

Matthew Clark drank quite a bit; he was the type whose face would flush with alcohol.

But he considered himself to have a good tolerance and to handle his liquor well, and he was still very clear-headed:

See, he could reassemble the lobster shells into their original shape.

“Uncle.” A low voice came from beside him. A large hand covered his glass, and James Bennett looked over,

“You can’t drink anymore.”

Matthew Clark didn’t know if his face or ears were red, so he explained, “It’s fine, I’m still sober.”

Everyone at the table, “……”

Benjamin Wright opened his mouth, “If you pass out, that’d be a problem…” then got kicked under the table by Samuel Harris, “Ow—hey!”

Samuel Harris, “We’ve all eaten enough, right?”

“Yeah.” James Bennett stood up, “I’ll go pay the bill.”

Matthew Clark stood up as well, “Uncle’s treating you all.”

“No, no, no, no…!” The group of guys immediately stopped him. “We’re splitting the bill, Brother Matthew, just transfer your share to James Bennett.”

They were all sports students, long-limbed and strong. Matthew Clark tried to struggle but didn’t budge an inch, so he had to compromise and calculated his share against the bill.

He was a top graduate from a prestigious school, with excellent grades.

He quickly did the math in his head.

While swiftly transferring the money, Matthew Clark thought: See, I told you I’m still sober.

James Bennett soon finished paying and came back.

The group left the restaurant, and outside, the sky was already pitch black. The cool night breeze blew, dispersing the tipsiness.