Days like this were actually not much different from usual—just an ordinary high school life, yet it was the peaceful life Eric Bennett had long been looking forward to.

This weekend, Eric Bennett asked the homeroom teacher Mr. Martin to call Samuel Bennett and say he needed extra tutoring, so he wouldn’t have to go home.

After explaining to Samuel Bennett, Mr. Martin hung up the phone and said to Eric Bennett, “I’ve spoken to your dad.”

She didn’t ask Eric Bennett why he wasn’t going home; over the past two years, she had basically figured out his family situation.

After thanking her, Eric Bennett returned to the dormitory.

Inside, Daniel Cooper was loudly talking about throwing his birthday party at the Jinyu Hotel, and other boys from the dorm had crowded in, making it quite lively.

When Daniel Cooper saw Eric Bennett come in, his smile faded a little, then he curled his lips again, a malicious glint flashing in his eyes, and called out, “Eric Bennett, are you coming to my birthday? If you come, I’ll have them add another chair.”

Eric Bennett glanced at him and asked, “Do you want me to come?”

Daniel Cooper let out a cold laugh, his expression unpleasant. “What kind of question is that? Of course I want you to come.”

Eric Bennett said, “Okay, I’ll come.”

Daniel Cooper deliberately said, “So do you have money for a birthday present? Don’t give me some cheap little thing for a couple of bucks. That would be really embarrassing for me.”

Eric Bennett finally lifted his face, looking straight at Daniel Cooper.

Daniel Cooper wanted to see an embarrassed look on his face, but all he saw was calm. Eric Bennett seemed to think for a few seconds, then said, “Don’t worry, I have money.”

With everyone present, Daniel Cooper didn’t want to let Eric Bennett off so easily. He deliberately raised his voice and said, “No way, you have money? Where did you get it? If you have money, why don’t you even buy yourself a new pair of shoes? You’ve been wearing those shoes forever—I feel bad for you!”

Everyone burst out laughing at that.

At this moment, Matthew Turner came out of the bathroom, face stern, and said to Daniel Cooper, “Daniel Cooper, that’s enough. Making such a big deal out of your birthday—are you afraid people won’t know you’re rich?”

Daniel Cooper said, “Well, it’s a fact that I’m rich. Unlike some people—poor as hell and still pretending to be all high and mighty!”

As he spoke, Daniel Cooper turned to Eric Bennett and said, “I’m not talking about you, top student Eric Bennett.”

Eric Bennett said, “Yeah, I know.”

Daniel Cooper curled his lips in a cold smile and said, “Just make sure you come, and don’t forget the present.”

Eric Bennett replied, “I will. Happy birthday in advance.”

After everyone left and only Eric Bennett and Matthew Turner were left in the dorm, Matthew Turner said, “Daniel Cooper really holds a grudge.”

Eric Bennett placed his workbook and pen on the desk one by one. Hearing Matthew Turner’s words, he didn’t respond.

He and Daniel Cooper had been at odds for a long time. Once, during a monthly exam, they sat front and back. Daniel Cooper asked him for his test paper to copy, but Eric Bennett refused. After the exam, Daniel Cooper even tried to pressure him in private, but Eric Bennett still wouldn’t give in, and that’s how the grudge started. Since then, Daniel Cooper would take jabs at him from time to time—though when Matthew Turner was around, Daniel Cooper wouldn’t go too far.

Matthew Turner looked at Eric Bennett and asked, “Do you still have money? If not, I have some. You can pay me back whenever you have it.”

Eric Bennett said, “No need, thank you. I have money.”

Matthew Turner said, “Really, don’t force yourself. I can lend you some.”

Eric Bennett looked up, his eyes flickering slightly, a bit moved, and said softly, “Really, it’s fine. Thank you.”

Matthew Turner didn’t press further. He took out his own exercise book and said to Eric Bennett, “Let’s do some problems together. It’s rare for you not to go home on the weekend, so I can ask you about the questions I don’t get.”

Eric Bennett softly agreed.

*

Elsewhere, Andrew Foster was playing cards with Henry Clark at a bar.

Henry Clark was a year older than Andrew Foster. At eighteen, Henry Clark also looked like a handsome young man, dressed in trendy brands, full of youthful energy.

He usually slicked his hair back, but now his bangs hung loosely, revealing a pair of striking fox-like eyes. He didn’t have the slickness he would in ten years—still a bit naive.

Looking at Henry Clark like this, Andrew Foster felt an inexplicable sense of superiority. “Ah, I won again.”

He played his last few cards and won the game.

Henry Clark said, “How many rounds have you won already? Leave me some money, or I won’t even be able to pay for the drinks later.”

As soon as he finished speaking, another friend, Evan Reed, found them. Seeing them playing cards, he said in disbelief, “You guys come here just to play cards?”

Henry Clark spread his hands. “I’m just keeping the ancestor company.”

Andrew Foster said smugly, “You can’t beat me.”

Henry Clark clicked his tongue. “Yeah, I can’t beat you.”

Evan Reed said, “Stop playing. Two really pretty girls just came in—aren’t you going to go meet them?”

Henry Clark’s eyes lit up. “Now you’re talking.”

He tossed his cards aside and looked at Andrew Foster. “Ancestor, you coming? You haven’t slept with a woman yet, right? Want to give it a try?”

Just as Andrew Foster was about to speak, Henry Clark said, “Don’t tell me you’re underage and can’t sleep with women. In our circle, sleeping with a woman makes you a man. I became a man at fourteen. What about you? You’re already seventeen and still a kid.”