With a gentle and composed air of an elite, he stood in front of the tomato stall, wearing a proper smile, speaking confidently into his phone.

Matthew Clark, “………”

Oh my god. Isn’t that the editor-in-chief of the literature department, David Wright?

David Wright had his back to him, talking on the phone with someone. As he spoke, he picked tomatoes and put them into the bag beside him, seemingly completely unaware of Matthew Clark.

In Matthew Clark’s mind appeared Evelyn Cooper’s miserable face.

The editor-in-chief’s nemesis, the one he slept with… no, his archrival.

He paused for two seconds, then quietly edged closer…

The bag was right by David Wright’s side, already filled with a few shiny, round tomatoes. Matthew Clark stood next to him, silently opening his own bag.

Whenever David Wright picked one and put it in his bag, he would reach in and take it out. The other picked one, he took one. Pick one, take one…

Very time- and energy-saving.

He was having a great time with this when, out of the corner of his eye, a figure suddenly flickered.

Matthew Clark looked up and met the gaze of James Bennett, who had come over.

Their eyes met, and silence spread between them.

James Bennett didn’t say anything, but his eyes were clearly asking: What are you doing?

Matthew Clark: ………

He quietly withdrew his hand, the bag rustling softly.

David Wright had just finished his call. Hearing the noise, he turned and saw Matthew Clark, looking a bit surprised. “Deputy Editor Clark?”

Matthew Clark tightened his bag and greeted him naturally, “Editor-in-Chief Wright, what a coincidence.”

David Wright smiled slightly. “Do you live around here?”

“Yeah. How about you, Editor-in-Chief Wright? I haven’t run into you here before.”

“Haha… I’m just visiting someone today.”

As they chatted, James Bennett had already walked over and stood beside Matthew Clark.

He silently watched the lively conversation in front of him—if he hadn’t just seen Matthew Clark taking tomatoes from someone else’s bag, he would have thought these two got along really well.

“…Well, I won’t keep you. See you at the office.”

Matthew Clark said goodbye warmly, then turned to call James Bennett, “Let’s go, Little James.”

James Bennett, “…Mm.”

They had just taken a few steps when David Wright’s puzzled voice came from behind:

“Huh? Did I really only pick this few tomatoes?”

James Bennett: …………

Matthew Clark: …………

He licked his lips and tightened his grip on the bag. Suddenly, a large hand grabbed his arm and gently pulled him forward. James Bennett’s tall figure blocked him from behind.

A light, low chuckle fell from above. “Little Uncle, aren’t you going to hurry up?”

Matthew Clark’s ears grew a little hot. “………Oh.”

-

Nothing is more awkward for an adult than being caught doing something childish and “bad.”

But now, the witness had become an accomplice.

Matthew Clark felt like it wasn’t so embarrassing anymore.

Once they were safely behind another shelf, he didn’t forget to snap a photo of the bag full of plump, shiny tomatoes and send it to Evelyn Cooper.

[Matthew]: I avenged you. [picture]

[Editor-in-Chief]: ????

[Editor-in-Chief]: [What the heck][Confused panda face]

Remembering that James Bennett was still waiting beside him, Matthew Clark didn’t explain much to Evelyn Cooper, put away his phone, and called him to the next stall. “Let’s go.”

James Bennett walked alongside, asking casually, “Was that the one from last time?”

Matthew Clark said, “Yeah, also my boss.”

James Bennett just replied, “Mm,” and said nothing more.

After buying a bunch of things, the two went to the checkout at the exit.

Customers were lining up in twos and threes. Matthew Clark turned his head and suddenly noticed that the two girls from before were in line behind them again.

………

He slowly turned back, pretending nothing had happened as he handed the items to the cashier for scanning.

They’d bought quite a lot, and the scanner kept beeping.

James Bennett waited on the side and said casually, “Looks like we bought too many potatoes. We can just cook half tonight and use the rest tomorrow.”

Matthew Clark nodded. “What do you want to eat tomorrow? Sweet and sour potatoes?”

James Bennett said, “I’ll cook tomorrow.”

…… A long, drawn-out gasp came from behind: Hoo—

Matthew Clark’s words got stuck, and he quickly shut his mouth.

After they finished paying, James Bennett picked up both big bags, one in each hand. The heavy weight pulled down, making the muscles in his forearms stand out. “Ready to go?”

His profile, youthful and handsome, made Matthew Clark feel the long breaths behind them suddenly stop.

He quickly gave him a gentle push. “Yeah, let’s go.”

As they walked out the supermarket doors, a few meters behind them at the checkout, someone finally couldn’t hold back their excited whisper:

“…It’s an age-gap couple! So cute—”

Crap! Matthew Clark’s heart skipped a beat, a mix of panic and embarrassment. He glanced sideways at James Bennett, not sure if he’d heard.

They left the supermarket and crossed the parking lot.

At this hour, there weren’t many people around.

“The other day, downstairs at our office…” Matthew Clark started some small talk, but noticed the person beside him was quieter than usual.

He turned and saw James Bennett looking thoughtful. “…What’s wrong?”

“Little Uncle.” James Bennett looked over when he heard him. “What do they mean by ‘age-gap couple’ and ‘so cute’?”