7: Mama's Boy

If there’s one person in this world who will love you unconditionally, it must be your mother.

Perhaps it was after experiencing the warmth and coldness of human relationships in his previous life that Li Zhiyan developed affection for Aunt Wu in this life.

Returning home, Li Zhiyan saw his sports shoes and his mother’s high heels on the shoe rack.

Looking at the familiar rented apartment and the home filled with life, Li Zhiyan called out, “Mom.”

“Mom.”

“What’s wrong?”

In the kitchen, Zhou Rongrong, wearing an apron and cooking for Li Zhiyan, replied.

At this moment, Li Zhiyan’s tears burst forth.

He ran to the kitchen without any regard for his image, throwing himself into his mother’s arms and weeping.

It had been 13 years; he finally had a mother to rely on again.

In this life, he vowed to protect his mother and ensure she lived the best possible life.

“Li Zhiyan, what’s wrong? Did someone bully you? Mom will go settle the score with them.”

Zhou Rongrong was truly frightened; she had never seen Li Zhiyan so heartbroken.

He must have encountered something he couldn't overcome, which was why he was so sad.

Hearing his mother’s worried voice, Li Zhiyan quickly composed himself.

The moment he entered the door and heard his mother’s voice, he truly couldn’t control his emotions.

“I’m fine, Mom, I just missed you.”

Just then, a beautiful middle-aged woman in a cheongsam walked out of the bathroom.

“Oh, I didn’t realize your son is such a mama’s boy.”

“He’s so old and still crying in his mother’s arms, haha.”

Li Zhiyan turned around and saw his mother’s best friend, Wu Qingxian.

His mother and Aunt Wu had always been the closest.

Li Zhiyan knew this, but he had never really paid attention before.

Aunt Wu was so beautiful; she almost became his godmother once.

And Aunt Wu’s favorite attire was the cheongsam, which perfectly showcased her figure!

He knew that his mother and Aunt Wu were two of the three campus belles during their student days.

The other campus belle was named Zheng Yiyun, and his mother said she looked a lot like Gao Yuanyuan. However, his mother and she had a very bad relationship back then, almost like enemies, so Li Zhiyan had never met her.

Li Zhiyan always felt a bit curious about Zheng Yiyun.

“Li Zhiyan might just be in a bad mood; he’s not usually like this.”

Li Zhiyan admitted frankly, “Yes, Aunt Wu, I am a mama’s boy. I want to be my mother’s darling forever.”

“You really have no shame.”

Wu Qingxian looked at the child in front of her, feeling that Li Zhiyan seemed somewhat different from before.

He used to be evasive and didn’t talk much to elders like her. The last time she saw him was after the college entrance exam, and he was like that, but now, he seemed like a completely different person.

“What’s there to be ashamed of?”

Li Zhiyan wiped away his tears and sat down with Wu Qingxian.

“Aunt Wu, the happiest thing in this world is being able to stay by my mother’s side.”

Wu Qingxian thoughtfully stroked Li Zhiyan’s head.

“Actually, being a mama’s boy like this is quite good, unlike my son, who stays far away from me all day.”

“When we meet, it’s like we’re enemies. You two are even at the same university. If he could learn from you and be closer to his mother, that would be great.”

Zhou Rongrong, who was cooking in the kitchen, also felt a pang in her heart. Her son, this little rascal, seemed to understand everything now.

When he started university, she would also go to Magic City to earn money.

In today’s society, among Li Zhiyan’s generation of post-90s, there were more men than women. If he didn't have a house in the future, there was a high probability he would remain single until old age and never marry. But today, this child was suddenly so clingy.

If she said she wanted to work in Magic City, would her son agree?

Zhou Rongrong began to worry in her heart. She had to persuade this child well.

After the meal was ready, Li Zhiyan proactively went to help his mother carry the dishes.

He realized that he had been too thoughtless before.

He had never helped his mother with chores, always expecting to be waited on hand and foot for everything.

His mother took care of all his food, clothing, housing, and transportation. It wasn't until he lost her that he knew what heartbreaking pain felt like.

Thankfully, everything was still in time now.

Li Zhiyan proactively helping with chores, coupled with his earlier behavior, confirmed to Zhou Rongrong that her son had something on his mind.

Did he want to buy a new computer for gaming, or had he gotten into trouble?

“Mama’s boy, you’re truly filial, even helping your mother with chores.”

“If only my son had this much consideration, I’d be overjoyed.”

Wu Qingxian’s voice held a hint of envy. She realized that having a mama’s boy for a son seemed quite fortunate too.

During dinner, Wu Qingxian again brought up how the companies in Magic City offered high salaries, double what they were in Wan City.

Although she was just chatting about ordinary things, it made Li Zhiyan feel a shiver of dread.

No matter what, he absolutely could not let his mother go to Magic City to work again. He had to keep her by his side and be a mama’s boy for life.

Li Zhiyan no longer wanted to be a lonely, helpless orphan.

...

After his mother went out to see off Wu Qingxian, Li Zhiyan returned to his room.

The old second-hand computer, the mouse identical to those in the computer lab, the shabby small bed, the simple stool, and the cartoon posters on the wall.

All of them made Li Zhiyan feel incredibly fond.

To be able to start life over again was truly wonderful and rare.

When Zhou Rongrong returned home, finished washing the dishes, and took off her apron, she came into Li Zhiyan’s room wearing a black long dress bought from a street stall.

“Li Zhiyan, there are no outsiders now. Tell Mom, did you get into trouble, or do you want a new computer for gaming?”

Li Zhiyan didn't answer, but instead praised, “Mom, you’re so beautiful.”

At this moment, his mother was as elegant and beautiful as he remembered her from 13 years ago.

He felt a little regretful that he hadn't inherited his mother’s good looks, but then again, not everything in this world was perfect.

The world was tattered and torn, and his mother mended it stitch by stitch.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Zhou Rongrong stroked her son’s head. Although she pretended not to care, her heart was actually blooming with joy.

Her son had never praised her beauty before.

“What is it you want to tell me? Hurry up and say it.”

Zhou Rongrong was certain Li Zhiyan had something on his mind.

“It’s really nothing.”

“Nothing? You cried like that today. I know you, Mom. The only time you cried like that was when you were bullied and beaten up as a child. Did you get into a fight again?”

“Mom, I’m really fine.”

Li Zhiyan assured her again. After confirming with Li Zhiyan several times, Zhou Rongrong finally relaxed.

“I just have a wish.”

Li Zhiyan hugged Zhou Rongrong’s waist.

Zhou Rongrong thought, “Sure enough, no one in this world understands a son better than his mother.”

This boy definitely had something to ask of her.

“Tell me.”

“Are you thinking of working in Magic City?”

Li Zhiyan could not accept any possibility of his mother having another accident. Going to work in Magic City was absolutely out of the question.

“How did you know?”

Zhou Rongrong hadn't expected that her mere thought of working in Magic City would be spoken aloud by Li Zhiyan.

“This must be mother-son telepathy!”

“Yes, Mom plans to go to Magic City after you start university. You know, housing prices are getting higher and higher now.”

“With this job in Wan City, it’s basically impossible to buy you a house.”

“So Mom has to earn money to buy you a house and help you get married.”