Matthew Clark’s mind flashed through dozens of reasons in an instant to explain why he was so knowledgeable about this.

Just as he was about to speak, the sound of wind chimes behind him interrupted.

Ding-a-ling... Benjamin Wright’s attention immediately shifted, his eyes lit up, and he called out, “Samuel Harris!”

No time to explain—

The flood of words surging in his heart receded like the tide. Matthew Clark grabbed Benjamin Wright’s hand, looked him straight in the eye, and said briefly and firmly:

“Actually, I have a younger sister too.”

“……”

Benjamin Wright was stunned for a moment, his mouth agape.

Samuel Harris walked over to the two of them. From a distance, he saw Matthew Clark grabbing Benjamin Wright’s hand, not sure what they were talking about, but they looked especially close.

He instinctively glanced at James Bennett, and a thought popped up in his mind: gie gie wouldn’t mind this～

“Benjamin Wright, Mingzhou-ge.” Samuel Harris called out.

Matthew Clark turned his head, only to realize that James Bennett had come along as well. He was momentarily taken aback.

James Bennett met his gaze. “Little uncle.”

“…Oh, Xiaojing.”

“Ah, I’ll go pay the bill first!” Benjamin Wright called out, but just before turning away, he suddenly stopped, leaned in close to Matthew Clark’s ear, and whispered, “No wonder you’re so natural, Mingzhou-ge…”

“You should’ve said so earlier. From now on, we’re the Brotherhood Alliance!”

After saying that, he hugged his books and dashed off to the cashier.

Matthew Clark let out a sigh of relief: Pure-hearted people are the best...

He looked at James Bennett again. “Xiaojing, how come you’re here too?”

Samuel Harris immediately fanned the flames, “Mingzhou-ge, James Bennett came to see you!”

“?” Matthew Clark glanced sideways. “…Did you forget your house key?”

Samuel Harris, “……”

James Bennett had his hands in his pockets. “It’s on the way, we can go back together.” He paused. “Or, do you guys want to hang out a bit longer?”

…Wait a minute.

How did it become ‘you guys’ want to hang out? Who’s ‘guys’? Benjamin Wright?

Matthew Clark said, “I’m done, let’s go home.”

James Bennett replied, “Okay.”

Not long after, Benjamin Wright came back after paying. The dozen or so books were packed into two bags, and he handed one directly to Samuel Harris to carry.

Matthew Clark watched silently: Oh oh oh...

With bright eyes, James Bennett glanced at him.

The group left the bookstore together and got ready to part ways at the entrance.

Benjamin Wright waved, “Mingzhou-ge, next time introduce our sisters to each other!” With that, he left with a confused Samuel Harris.

Matthew Clark, “……”

How did he even remember that!

After the two walked off, James Bennett looked over. “Little uncle, you have a sister?”

Matthew Clark nodded gravely. “…Theoretically, yes.”

“?”

-

The rainy season from before had passed, and it was getting hot again these days.

On one side of the editorial office, next to the glass window, sunlight streamed directly into the room. Matthew Clark basked in the sunlight, looking wilted.

“Having trouble?” Evelyn Cooper asked with concern.

Matthew Clark looked haggard. “Can I borrow a…”

Evelyn Cooper elegantly opened her wallet, generously asking, “How much?”

“…sister.”

“……” Evelyn Cooper looked at him sternly. “What kind of perverted thing are you saying?”

Matthew Clark was too tired to explain, waving his hand to drop the topic for now. “Forget it.”

As mid-month approached, the workload piled up again.

There were still a few ‘dog lives’ under him waiting to be saved.

After finishing a pile of work, Matthew Clark got home later than usual. As soon as he walked in, he saw James Bennett packing a suitcase.

He paused. “Xiaojing?”

James Bennett was squatting in front of the suitcase, his long arms resting on his knees. This posture made his limbs look even longer and more defined. Hearing the voice, he looked up.

“Little uncle, I have to go home for a bit tomorrow.”

Matthew Clark closed the door, checked his expression, and saw it wasn’t anything urgent. “What’s up?”

“It’s getting hot, I’m going back to change out some clothes.”

“Will you be back for dinner?”

James Bennett looked down at the suitcase, as if thinking. “Not this time.”

……

James Bennett left the next morning.

His home was in the neighboring city, and it took more than two hours by car.

By the time he got home, it was almost noon.

The taxi slowly stopped in an elegant villa district. Behind the neatly trimmed lawn stood a three-story detached villa.

James Bennett got out with his luggage, and a servant greeted him:

“Young master Xiaojing is back!”

He responded, “Where are my parents?”

“President Lin and President Xie are out for work, not at home.”

James Bennett nodded without surprise and went straight into the villa to his room to change out his luggage.

When he finished and came downstairs, he heard the sound of a car parking outside.

Soon, the front door opened, and a tall, strikingly beautiful woman walked in. Dressed in suit pants and high heels, her every move exuded a sharp, capable aura.

James Bennett glanced over and called, “Mom.”

Sarah Bennett was a little surprised but didn’t ask anything. She walked into the living room and said, “Let’s eat.”

Their family didn’t have a habit of talking during meals.

When the meal was almost over, Sarah Bennett wiped her mouth and finally spoke. “Why did you come back?”