Matthew Clark was lying face down with his back to him, buried in the pillow, his shirt hem riding up a bit, revealing a stretch of fair, slightly sweaty lower back, gently rising and falling with muffled coughs.

James Bennett reached out and pulled the blanket over him.

Then he closed the bedroom door and walked out, sending a WeChat message.

[景]: Uncle, does little uncle have any dietary restrictions?

[谢驰]: ?

The next second, a call came through directly.

Charles Bennett's voice was thunderous, "What's going on! Why are you asking me instead of him?"

James Bennett took his phone and walked away from the bedroom toward the kitchen. "Little uncle has a fever and is sleeping. I'm checking what we have at home."

"Fever? Has he taken any medicine?"

"No, not yet. He hasn't eaten."

Charles Bennett understood, but quickly grew suspicious again. "...You're going to cook yourself? Have you ever cooked before?"

As far as he knew, his sister's family had several hired maids—there was no need for James Bennett to cook himself.

"No." James Bennett opened the fridge, his voice calm. "I'll figure it out as I go."

"......"

On the other end, there was the sound of teeth grinding.

His eldest nephew was smart, excelling at everything since childhood. Maybe because everything came too easily, he wasn't interested in much.

Even when he chose sports in high school, it was just because "exams are competing with others, running is competing with yourself"—such a melodramatic and aloof reason.

When he said "I'll figure it out as I go," the credibility was 99%.

Charles Bennett skipped over this prodigy-style comment.

"Just make some porridge, but Matthew doesn't like plain porridge. Add some salt and sugar."

"...Salt and sugar?" James Bennett, "Will that taste good?"

"When you're sick, you need to replenish sugar and salt! Don't worry, Matthew can eat it, he likes both sweet and savory!"

"........."

James Bennett hung up and was silent for a while.

-

Matthew Clark woke up groggy—it was already past nine.

He'd sweated a lot, but his mind was clearer.

He didn't know when the blanket had been pulled over him, and his bag had been placed on the table. He took out his phone and saw two prominent messages—

[谢驰]: Xiao Jing cooked for the first time and made you porridge. [rubbing face and running around.jpg]

[景]: Little uncle, let me know when you're awake.

Matthew Clark was stunned for a moment, then replied to James Bennett: I'm awake.

Half a minute later, the door was knocked on—thump, thump. "Little uncle."

He propped himself up. "Come in."

The door opened, and James Bennett walked in carrying a bowl of porridge.

Matthew Clark brushed his hair off his forehead, his gaze a bit clearer. He was still a little dazed: I can't believe there's a day when someone takes care of me...

And it's a kid so much younger than me.

There was no chair by the bed, so he patted the edge of the bed for James Bennett, who sat down sideways.

"Little uncle, have some porridge first, then take your medicine."

"You made this? Thank you."

James Bennett didn't mention it was his first time, just gave a simple "Mm."

The porridge brought to him was thick, soft, and creamy white, with some greens and finely shredded lean meat. It didn't look like a first attempt at all—actually looked quite appetizing.

Matthew Clark was about to take it when he heard:

"The taste... might be a bit layered."

"?"

"But I heard you like both sweet and savory."

Matthew Clark was confused for a second, then thought of that silly Charles Bennett... He glanced at James Bennett sitting in front of him: the latter was holding the bowl in one hand, bracing himself behind with the other.

He reached out and took it. "Mm, thanks."

Under James Bennett's gaze, Matthew Clark took a spoonful of porridge.

The moment the flavors hit his tongue, his eyes trembled, and he froze for a second—

This surreal sensation...

It was as if both sugar and salt had ambushed his brain when he least expected it!

"Little uncle." The person in front called him.

Matthew Clark snapped back to reality and saw James Bennett watching his expression, Adam's apple bobbing. "How does it taste?"

He parted his lips, and that phrase floated up in his mind again:

Xiao Jing cooked for the first time.

After a while, he held the porridge and said, "...How should I describe you most accurately?"

"......"

Chapter 6 Copying Homework

Matthew Clark ended up finishing the porridge.

Although the first bite was a huge shock, after a few more, his senses gradually detached, and he could swallow it down in a daze.

He exuded an ethereal aura, and James Bennett finally stopped him,

"Little uncle, it's okay if you can't finish."

Matthew Clark shook his head. "Numb..."

James Bennett, "You're even cursing now."

"......" Matthew Clark calmed himself. "I mean, after numbing my taste buds, I can still eat it."

"So you don't like sweet and savory together."

"...It's just the first time I've had such a... forceful sweet-and-savory combo." Matthew Clark gave a sigh of admiration, finished the rest of the porridge in a few bites, and handed back the empty bowl.

"Was this your little uncle's suggestion?"

James Bennett calmly summed up the experience. "Shouldn't have trusted him."

"......"

James Bennett left with the bowl and spoon he'd used. Matthew Clark drank a couple sips of plain water to wash it down, then picked up his phone to see Charles Bennett still eagerly following up:

—So, did he succeed?

[明舟]: I think he successfully lost trust in you.

[谢驰]: ?