Adam Bennett could tell from her tone that she was in a bad mood, and snapped, “I’m at least your brother-in-law, what’s with your attitude? Do you have any manners, any upbringing at all? Didn’t your parents teach you?”

Olivia King was so angry she almost fell over backwards. Brother-in-law? He’s worthy of that title? “Cut the crap. Who the hell are you here for? If you don’t spit it out, I’ll have the security guard throw you out!”

Adam Bennett couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. “Eric Bennett, I’m looking for Eric Bennett. Which class is he in?”

Olivia King was stunned for a moment, her tone gradually calming down. “Why are you looking for him?”

Adam Bennett puffed out his chest and said, “He’s kind of my brother. I have something to discuss with him.”

Olivia King looked him up and down and let out a mocking laugh. “Biological brothers?”

Adam Bennett sensed her sarcasm and snapped, “What are you laughing at?”

Olivia King said, “No way, you’re really biological brothers? That’s a real case of a bad bamboo producing a good shoot. How come none of your brother’s good genes made it to you? The difference is just too big.”

As soon as she said this, all the blood in Adam Bennett’s body rushed to his head. “What did you say?!”

Olivia King said, “I said your brother is way better than you. He’s taller, better looking, and oh right, his grades are better too. He’s top of the grade, you know? Do you know what that means at our school? The last top student in the senior year got into Tsinghua. If nothing goes wrong, your brother will get into Tsinghua or Peking University too! Your school was okay a few years ago, but now it’s really gone downhill, hasn’t it? And with your rank in the 500s, you can pick from any of the 500+ second- and third-tier universities in the country~ Also, let me be honest with you, my sister is going abroad after the college entrance exam. Of course, she probably didn’t tell you, since she’s been so busy playing mom to a dumb, oversized baby like you that she’s forgotten herself. It’s normal she didn’t mention it. I hope you have some self-awareness. Don’t be a toad lusting after a swan. If it were your brother, I’d be all for it. If they were old enough, I’d move the civil affairs bureau here and let them get married right away. But you? Forget it. I’m afraid my future nephew would have genetic defects and end up a second-class cripple.”

Her venomous words hit Adam Bennett’s ears like cannonballs, making his head spin, but he found himself unable to retort, because Olivia King’s words—“your brother is top of the grade… Tsinghua or Peking University…”—kept echoing in his mind.

Adam Bennett’s face turned extremely ugly. “…Eric Bennett is top of the grade??”

Olivia King took a breath, raised an eyebrow at his words, and said, “Yes! He’s top of the grade! Every year, he’s top of the grade, wins scholarships every year. You’re really biological brothers? How can the difference be so huge? Are you sure you’re not adopted?”

Adam Bennett didn’t mention looking for Eric Bennett anymore. His face darkened, and he turned and left.

Olivia King curled her lips and called out loudly, “Didn’t you say you were looking for your brother? Not looking anymore?!”

Adam Bennett ignored her and quickly disappeared outside the school gate.

Olivia King took out her phone and messaged Julia King, “Sis, you’ll never guess—your dumbass boyfriend came to Nanyang looking for our school’s campus heartthrob.”

Julia King: “?”

Olivia King said, “It’s true. Didn’t you say they looked a bit alike? I didn’t see it, but Adam Bennett said himself that the campus heartthrob is his brother. It’s ridiculous. Do they look alike at all?”

Olivia King: “I heard the campus heartthrob’s family is really poor. He only orders vegetarian dishes in the school cafeteria, barely has any new clothes, and wears his school uniform all year round. But didn’t that Adam Bennett say his family is pretty well-off?”

Julia King asked, “…What are you trying to say?”

Olivia King said, “It means there’s a big problem here!”

Julia King: “…What problem?”

Olivia King calmly said, “I need to think about it some more.”

Julia King: “…”

Chapter 8: Why Are Your Hands So Rough

Tomorrow is Saturday, and Samuel Bennett called, asking Eric Bennett to come home.

Eric Bennett seemed to already have a premonition of what he would face after returning home.

Steven Martin asked him, “Do you want me to go back with you?”

Eric Bennett shook his head. “I can handle it myself, thank you, teacher.”

The boy was only eighteen, standing tall and straight, like bamboo after the rain—fresh and carrying a soft, moist feeling, making it a pleasure just to look at him.

Steven Martin felt a pang of pity for Eric Bennett. She was thirty-seven this year, still unmarried and childless. She was used to living alone, but had sometimes thought about having a child. If she’d had a child at nineteen, they’d be about Eric Bennett’s age now.

Steven Martin felt her glasses fog up a little. She took them off, pulled out a tissue to wipe them, and said to him, “Then I’ll give you a ride home.”

Afraid Eric Bennett would refuse, Steven Martin quickly added, “I have an aunt who lives near your house. I’ll visit her and drop you off on the way.”

Eric Bennett looked at Steven Martin and said softly, “Thank you.”

Eric Bennett’s home was in a small ancient town. Thanks to government support, it had slowly developed into a tourist spot over the past few years. On holidays, even though it was quite remote, many tourists would come, including foreigners. Just setting up a stall and selling some trinkets could even earn you some US dollars from foreign visitors.