"War and Peace" has already been mostly finished by Samuel Grant, and that golden bookmark finally came in handy, neatly placed inside. He knew that Henry Bennett looked down on him, and also knew that night Henry Bennett was merely moved by a moment of pity. He didn’t care; whatever, it didn’t matter.

Henry Bennett didn’t care either. He’d been spoiled since childhood into a picky temperament; after a fleeting moment of sympathy, he saw no difference in Samuel Grant. Pitiful, sure, but truly incompetent. At most, he’d feel a pang of softness when reminded of the other’s misfortune, but nothing more.

The weather was too hot, and even eating together was irritating. Colin Bennett’s family stayed in their own courtyard, while Edward Bennett’s family was in the front yard, temporarily splitting up. The dishes weren’t all served yet when Edward Bennett took out a file and said, “Samuel, I’ve arranged for your student registration at No. 6 High School through a contact.”

Samuel Grant almost spilled the soup he was holding, and only after putting the plate down and wiping his hands hard did he take it: “Thank you, Master. When do I start school?”

“Summer break is about to start. For now, just join any class for lessons. After the final exams, we’ll see how your grades are, and then the teacher will assign you to a permanent class.” Edward Bennett was quite pleased, pouring a glass of wine. “I know the principal. Back in the day, Fang Xu came here to play and even gifted him a three-colored hibiscus peach tree, which is still in his office.”

Samuel Grant didn’t talk much at home, quietly preoccupied with his own thoughts. Now that the matter was settled, he even had a better appetite than usual. Henry Bennett, like someone just mooching a meal, ate in silence, having lazed around for days, bored and listless.

Lillian Carter looked at him: “If you’re not going to work, at least go to the shop. It looks bad for a young man to just idle around.”

Henry Bennett picked at his almonds: “There’s no business at Yuxiaoji anyway. Better to idle at home than at the shop.”

He always said the wrong thing at the wrong time. Edward Bennett worried day and night about reviving the business, but his own son just didn’t care. He said, “Since you’re free, you can take Samuel to and from school.”

Henry Bennett put down his chopsticks. Meeting his parents’ gaze, he knew arguing was pointless. True, Samuel Grant was new here and, apart from visiting Yuxiaoji, hadn’t really been out.

He recalled Samuel Grant rubbing oil and thought of a sheltered young lady who never stepped outside.

He snorted with laughter and agreed, “Pearl, let your senior brother take you.”

Hearing that nickname, Samuel Grant instantly got goosebumps, gripping his porcelain spoon and saying, “Thank you, senior brother.”

That “senior brother” reminded Edward Bennett. He pointed at Henry Bennett and looked at Samuel Grant, saying, “Samuel, you can’t neglect your craft just because you’re going to school. Our trade is the main business; everything else is secondary. Since you’ve acknowledged me as your master, I’ll teach you everything I know. If you can’t find me, having Henry teach you is just as good.”

Samuel Grant confirmed, “Senior brother is as skilled as you?”

Edward Bennett laughed. This was the one thing he was proud of in his life: “Your senior brother’s words and actions may be annoying, but his skills are impeccable.” He looked at Henry Bennett, unable to help but scold, “Samuel has been here so long, and you two haven’t sparred? What have you been doing living in the same courtyard?”

Henry Bennett’s expression was as if he couldn’t bear to listen. Spar? He didn’t dare tell Edward Bennett the truth, afraid Samuel Grant would die of embarrassment. Glancing up, he didn’t expect Samuel Grant to be looking at him, face open and unbothered.

He thought this little southerner’s face was as clear as white jade, but not at all thin-skinned.

Since coming here, Samuel Grant hadn’t seen Henry Bennett carve anything, only knew he was picky about food, sharp-tongued, lazy, and idle, not at all like someone with superior skills.

Mainly, he didn’t believe anyone could be more skilled than himself.

One was openly proud, the other quietly arrogant; neither thought much of the other, let alone admired each other. That night, as they returned to the courtyard, Samuel Grant spoke at the gate, “Senior brother, school tomorrow morning.” He was afraid Henry Bennett would sleep in again.

“Yeah, yeah.” Henry Bennett didn’t stop walking. “Let’s see what you score on your finals.”

Samuel Grant wasn’t worried for nothing. The next morning, he was all ready, but Henry Bennett’s bedroom door was still closed, the air conditioner in the corner having run all night, leaving a puddle of cool water. Seeing there was still time, he sat in the corridor to wait, taking out his textbooks to review.

After half an hour, if they didn’t leave now, they’d really be late. He knocked on the door: “Senior brother, are you awake?”

No response inside, so Samuel Grant knocked harder: “Senior brother, we’re going to be late for school.”

Henry Bennett was in the middle of a deep dream, dreaming of Ian Bolton returning from Fujian with a box of defective goods. If not for the increasingly loud knocking, he would have slept even longer. Bleary-eyed and irritable, he shuffled out in slippers, bare-chested, and suddenly opened the door, startling Samuel Grant.

“You’re like the god of death.” Henry Bennett went to wash up, unhurried. Samuel Grant, anxious, went into the bedroom to prepare clothes for him. Touching the wardrobe, his professional instincts kicked in; his gaze lingered, he sniffed along the edge, tapped with his fingers, savoring the wood’s hardness, luster, and scent.

Henry Bennett came in after washing up, leaning against the doorframe, half-asleep: “Falling in love with my wardrobe?”

Samuel Grant didn’t even turn his head: “This wood is excellent. In Yangzhou, you’d have to search high and low for it.”

“It’s hard to find here, too.” Henry Bennett thought Samuel Grant had a good eye, so he stepped forward, opened the wardrobe, picked out an outfit, and changed right in front of Samuel Grant. As he fastened his belt, he ordered, “Button me up.”