He glanced at Evelyn Cooper across from him. The reflective glasses blocked any expression, leaving only tightly pressed lips and a hand trembling slightly as he typed. The phone screen lit up:

　　[Editor-in-Chief]: He fucking copied the exact same article as me.

Chapter 7: A Chance Encounter

　　Evelyn Cooper's prayers were not heard by the heavens.

　　A 98% plagiarism rate—no matter how well he improvised, the problem was obvious.

　　The entire meeting room fell a bit silent.

　　Matthew Clark even saw the editor-in-chief of the literature department’s polite smile gradually fade away...

　　After the meeting, the two of them were called away by the big boss.

　　Matthew Clark returned alone to the BL editorial department.

　　When he got back, editor Little William called out, “Hey, why didn’t the editor-in-chief come back with you?”

　　Matthew Clark, “Pfft.”

　　“...?”

　　It was almost noon when Evelyn Cooper was finally let go.

　　His face was cold and dark. Matthew Clark, using the same tone as in the morning, asked with concern, “Are you okay?”

　　Evelyn Cooper shot him a look as cold as autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves.

　　Matthew Clark laughed nervously, “Who told you not to share it with me?”

　　“Heh. So all three of us could copy the same article?”

　　“That kind of luck is unlikely.” Matthew Clark thought for a moment, then looked at Evelyn Cooper with a sigh, “But, out of hundreds of posts, you two managed to pick the same one...”

　　“Unlucky.”

　　He quietly swallowed the word “in sync.”

　　Evelyn Cooper frowned, “Do you think he was born to jinx me?”

　　Matthew Clark's eyes flickered subtly, “Arch-nemesis.”

　　“...Even if that’s true, it just sounds different coming from you.”

　　“Arch-nemesis?” Emily happened to walk by, caught half the conversation, and dramatically pushed up her glasses, “As everyone knows! An arch-nemesis is an enemy you’ve slept with—”

　　The whole office looked over in unison.

　　Evelyn Cooper shot a cold look, “...Thanks. There’s no such consensus. And you, Matthew Clark, don’t you dare ship us!”

　　Matthew Clark turned away: Busted.

　　-

　　James Bennett was instrumental in helping them get through the mid-year disaster unscathed.

　　After work, Matthew Clark sent him a WeChat message: What do you like to eat? Uncle will cook for you tonight ＾0＾

　　A few minutes later, a reply came.

　　[景]: Uncle, where are you?

　　[明舟]: On the way to the supermarket.

　　[景]: I’m there too, let’s meet at the entrance.

　　“...?”

　　When Matthew Clark arrived at the supermarket outside the complex, he saw James Bennett already waiting at the door. Tall, strikingly handsome, he drew a lot of attention.

　　He noticed quite a few people glancing at James Bennett.

　　The latter spotted him, raised a hand, and called out, “Uncle.”

　　Matthew Clark walked over under everyone’s gaze, “Have you been waiting long?”

　　“Just came to buy something.” James Bennett turned and walked into the supermarket with him. “What do you need to buy, Uncle? We can carry it back together.”

　　Matthew Clark said, “I’m buying what you like to eat.”

　　James Bennett asked with a half-smile, “Oh, did I do something good?”

　　Thinking of Evelyn Cooper, Matthew Clark sighed softly, “You saved me from becoming a laughingstock.”

　　“...”

　　The supermarket was well-stocked, with fruits, vegetables, and meat all in one area. Matthew Clark called James Bennett over, and the two picked out ingredients together.

　　“Premium beef brisket, should we get this?”

　　Matthew Clark stood in front of the freezer, head down, making his selection.

　　James Bennett leaned in from behind, long arm reaching out, “This box looks a bit better.”

　　As they were picking together, two suppressed, excited whispers suddenly came from behind, sounding very familiar to Matthew Clark:

　　“Ah~ look over there...”

　　“Holy crap!”

　　Sensing something, he glanced up and saw, in the freezer’s reflective surface, two girls diagonally behind them. Apparently not expecting to be noticed, the two were still sneaking glances this way:

　　“Are they living together? ...So cute...!”

　　Matthew Clark's fingertips trembled.

　　As a fellow seasoned fujoshi, he instantly picked up on their wavelength—two guys! After work! Grocery shopping together!

　　He couldn’t even imagine how delicious this “food” was.

　　And... he looked to his side: James Bennett was a head taller than him, and even leaned down to talk, looking especially close.

　　Matthew Clark quietly edged away a bit, “Should we get another pack of pork belly?”

　　As he spoke, James Bennett leaned in, “Sure, I’ll hold it.”

　　From behind came a sudden, excited squeal: “Waaah~ ahhhh...”

　　Matthew Clark: ..........

　　He felt a strange restlessness inside. James Bennett, unlike his outspoken colleagues, was his friend’s nephew. If James Bennett heard this, he probably wouldn’t even understand.

　　After all, James Bennett was obviously straight.

　　“Xiao Jing.” Matthew Clark handed him the meat, deciding to split up. “I’ll go pick out vegetables, you pick the meat.”

　　James Bennett held two packs of meat and nodded, “Okay.”

　　Escaping that charged atmosphere, Matthew Clark finally breathed a sigh of relief and headed to pick tomatoes.

　　He had just walked over when he saw a familiar figure—