Dong Kaihui’s nose tingled, and she nearly burst into tears, but her expression shifted instantly.
"You brat, are you in trouble again? Is it serious? Did you get into a fight, or what? Why aren't you saying anything? Playing the brooding type? You didn't break the law, did you?"
Dong Kaihui fired off a string of questions, every one of them rooted in a mother’s fear that her son had done something wrong. She never expected anything good from him. It was a clear sign of how pathetic he must have been at this time, for even his own mother to think the worst.
Seeing the worry on Dong Kaihui’s face, Ji Feng’s gaze softened. "Mom, I didn't do anything wrong. Really. It’s just... it’s been a while, and I wanted to give you a hug."
Staring at his mother’s round face, Ji Feng felt a wave of profound emotion. It had been a long time indeed. People are destined to be haunted for a lifetime by the things they couldn't have in their youth. And his lost causes hadn't just been Gu Xueting—that "white moonlight" of his—but his parents, who had watched him descend into ruin, and the smiles that had slowly vanished from their faces.
Back then, he had lost himself chasing after Gu Xueting, committing so many mistakes. His parents had followed behind him, cleaning up his messes bit by bit, watching helplessly as he sank lower and lower.
Someone once asked: Does a woman truly accompany a boy as he grows up? Of course, she does. When your mother first met you, she was only in her twenties. She was in the prime of her life, without a single wrinkle on her forehead. She has been by your side through it all, hasn't she?
Living a second life, Ji Feng would never tolerate the cowardice of a "simp" ever again.
"Don't be so gross. Move it, I'm going to cook." Though she said this, the corner of her eyes crinkled with a smile before she turned away.
Ji Feng savored this feeling—the feeling of home. He would no longer be like in his previous life: struggling alone, helpless and adrift like a rootless duckweed. What is a home? It’s only a home when your family is there.
"Mom, add more chopped green onions."
"What about the chili?"
"Add plenty."
Ji Feng didn't mention meat. If his own mother was cooking, he was afraid he’d eat himself into a stupor if he asked for more.
*Slurp, slurp!*
He inhaled the large bowl of noodles in three minutes flat.
"Like a starving ghost—did you get enough?"
"Plenty, plenty. At this hour, I’m afraid I’ll get fat as a pig if I eat any more. Mom, go get some sleep, I’ll clean up. Mom, what are you doing?"
Dong Kaihui looked at Ji Feng with suspicion and reached out to touch his forehead, thinking he must have taken the wrong medicine.
"What's wrong with you today?"
"Nothing's wrong."
"Short on cash again?"
"No."
Ji Feng waved his hand. Having lived two lifetimes and possessing the memories of his rebirth, he’d be a disgrace if he couldn't figure out how to make money.
Seeing him like this, Dong Kaihui’s expression cooled slightly after a moment of thought. "It’s not because of that Gu Xueting again, is it? Let me tell you—"
"Mom, don't," Ji Feng interrupted. Seeing her about to sigh, he quickly shifted his tone. "Don't overthink it. I won't be a simp for Gu Xueting anymore. I’ve realized the truth, I really have."
The word "simp" sounded harsh coming from a mother, but hearing him swear off Gu Xueting brought her instant relief, though her voice remained skeptical. "For real?"
"For real. I swear it. If I ever simp for Gu Xueting again, then—"
"Alright, alright, stop making random vows."
"Fine. Mom, go rest. I'll wash the bowls and then head to bed. I've got class tomorrow."
Ji Feng nudged her back, ushering her into her bedroom.
"Get some sleep early, then."
"Yeah, I know. Love you, Mom. See you tomorrow."
"You brat..."
Quietly closing the bedroom door, Ji Feng carried the dishes to the kitchen and hummed a song that didn't exist in this world while he scrubbed.
Halfway through the dishes, his phone lit up on the counter. Although WeChat was popular, most students were still using QQ. It was a message from Gu Xueting.
【Ji Feng, go buy three orders of tofu pudding from Xixi Valley and bring them to room 902 at Junhao KTV. Hurry up, don't make us wait too long.】
Seeing the message, Ji Feng stopped scrubbing and silenced his humming. He wondered what his past self would have done. His past self would have been delighted to serve the "goddess," rushing downstairs, hopping on his bike, buying the pudding, and adding some extra snacks for good measure. Then, he would have raced to Junhao KTV, only to likely be mocked by her friends. At this very moment, she might even be with Yan Honghao, playing truth or dare, or testing how far she could push her "simp."
It had happened before in his past life, more than once.
Ji Feng put those memories aside, gave a faint, mocking smile, set his phone aside, and continued washing the dishes. After finishing, he took a shower. In the steam-filled bathroom, he looked at his young reflection and couldn't help but grin. He flexed his arm; he needed to start working out a bit. He didn't need to be a powerhouse, but he needed at least some form of self-defense.
"I was really young back then. Just a bit too scrawny."
Ji Feng lay down on his soft bed. He inhaled the scent of the sun-baked quilt and felt a wave of contentment. Whether it was the smell of the sun or just baked dust mites didn't matter.
He picked up his phone and began to contemplate how to earn his first pot of gold. It was the most important task, but also the hardest. His family had some money, but asking his parents for hundreds of thousands was out of the question. In their eyes, as long as he didn't squander their savings, it was already a win. Earn money? *Heh.*
Before he could give it more thought, his phone chimed again. Another message from Gu Xueting, this time a voice note.
【Ji Feng, did you see my message? Did you buy what I asked for? Answer me!】
Ji Feng sighed after listening to it. His past self really was pathetic.
With ripples of disdain in his heart, he pressed the record button, his bored expression slowly turning playful.
【I bought it. Not just the tofu pudding, I got some snacks, too.】
【Did I tell you to buy those? Why do you always do what you want? Where are you now? Get here quickly and pay the bill while you're at it.】
【Xueting, don't rush. I’m on Jiangqiao Road. There’s an accident ahead and it's backed up. I’ll be there in about five minutes. Wait for me!】
After sending the message, Ji Feng stared at his phone and sneered.
"Tofu pudding? Pay the bill? Junhao KTV? You really have the audacity to say that..."
He turned over, threw the covers over his head, and shut off his phone. Not today.