Starting Off By Confessing To My Classmate's Mother

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

Perhaps after experiencing life's bitterness and coldness in his previous life, Li Zhiyan had grown to feel affection toward older women in this life.

Returning home, he saw his sneakers next to his mom's high heels on the shoe rack.

Gazing at the familiar rented apartment, filled with the warmth of family, Li Zhiyan called out.

"Mom."

"What is it?"

In the kitchen, Zhou Rongrong, wearing an apron, was preparing his meal.

At that moment, Li Zhiyan's tears broke free.

Without caring about appearances, he dashed into the kitchen and threw himself into his mother's arms, sobbing.

Thirteen years—it had been thirteen years since he'd had his mother to rely on.

In this life, he swore to protect her and give her the best life possible.

"Xiaoyan, what happened? Did someone bully you? Just tell me, and I'll go settle it for you."

Zhou Rongrong was truly frightened; she had never seen him this upset.

It had to be something serious for him to break down like this.

Hearing the worry in his mother's voice, Li Zhiyan took a deep breath to calm down.

He'd lost control of his emotions the moment he stepped in and heard her voice.

"I'm fine, Mom. I just… missed you."

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

"Oh, I didn't realize your son was such a mama's boy."

"Crying in his mother's arms at his age—haha!"

Turning around, Li Zhiyan saw his mother's best friend, Aunt Wu Qingxian. He knew she had always been close with his mom, but back then, he hadn't paid much attention.

Aunt Wu was beautiful, almost becoming his godmother at one point.

And she always favored qipaos, which perfectly showcased her figure!

He knew his mom and Aunt Wu were two of the "Three School Beauties" back in their school days.

The third was a woman named Zheng Yiyun. According to his mom, she looked a lot like actress Gao Yuanyuan, but their relationship had always been rocky, almost like rivals. Li Zhiyan had never met her, but he was curious about her.

"Xiaoyan's probably just in a mood. He's not usually like this," Zhou Rongrong said.

Li Zhiyan chuckled and replied, "It's true, Aunt Wu. I'm a total mama's boy—I'll always be my mom's precious baby."

"You're shameless!"

Wu Qingxian looked at him and felt something was different. This wasn't the same timid boy who used to shy away from talking to adults. The last time she'd seen him, after his college entrance exams, he'd been like that. But now, he seemed like a whole new person.

"What's there to be embarrassed about?"

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

"Aunt Wu, the happiest thing in the world is being able to stay close to my mom."

Wu Qingxian thoughtfully patted him on the head.

"Honestly, being a mama's boy isn't so bad. Not like my son—he stays as far away from me as he can."

"He acts like I'm his worst enemy whenever we meet. You two will even be at the same university. I wish he'd learn to be closer to his mom like you."

Zhou Rongrong, cooking in the kitchen, felt her eyes sting. Her once-rebellious son seemed to understand everything now.

When he started college, she planned to go to Shanghai to work and earn more money.

In today's society, with more men than women among his generation, if her son didn't own a home, he'd likely end up single forever, never finding a wife. But now, seeing him suddenly clinging to her like this…

Would he even agree to her going to Shanghai?

As she finished cooking, Li Zhiyan stepped up to help serve the dishes.

He realized just how thoughtless he'd been before.

He'd never once helped his mother around the house. No matter what it was, he'd always waited to be served.

She had taken care of his every need, and only after losing her had he understood the agony of such loss.

Fortunately, now, he still had the chance to make things right.

Seeing him helping out with chores and how he'd behaved earlier, Zhou Rongrong grew even more certain that something was bothering him.

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

"Mama's boy, you're quite the filial son, even helping your mom with housework."

"If only my son cared half as much, I'd be overjoyed."

Wu Qingxian's voice carried a hint of envy. She was beginning to think that having a son like a mama's boy might actually be quite nice.

During dinner, Wu Qingxian started talking about how companies in Shanghai offered much better pay, nearly double that of Wan City.

Though it was just small talk, Li Zhiyan felt a chill run down his spine.

No matter what, he couldn't let his mom work in Shanghai again. He had to keep her by his side and remain her "mama's boy" forever.

He never wanted to be an orphan again.

…

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

The old second-hand computer, the cheap mouse from the computer lab, the worn-out bed, and the simple chair and cartoon posters on the wall.

It all felt so familiar and precious to him.

To be given a second chance at life—what a rare, incredible gift.

When Zhou Rongrong came back, she washed the dishes and removed her apron. Dressed in a simple black dress from a street market, she entered Li Zhiyan's room.

"Xiaoyan, no one else is here now. Tell me, did you get into trouble? Or maybe you want a new computer for gaming?"

Instead of answering, Li Zhiyan complimented her, "Mom, you're so beautiful."

In that moment, she looked just as elegant and lovely as she did in his memories from thirteen years ago.

He felt a little regretful that he hadn't inherited her looks. But, in this imperfect world, not everything could be flawless.

The world might be rough and broken, but his mom would patch it all together.

"Oh, what nonsense!"

She gently patted his head, though deep down, she couldn't hide her joy.

Her son had never told her she was beautiful before.

"Now, come on, what's the real reason?"

Zhou Rongrong was convinced he had something on his mind.

"There's really nothing."

"No? You cried like that today, and you think I don't know you? The only time you ever cried like that was when you got beaten up as a kid. Did you get into another fight?"

"Mom, I'm really fine."

Li Zhiyan reassured her again. After confirming several times, she finally let it go.

"I just have a wish."

He gently hugged her around the waist.

Zhou Rongrong thought to herself that no one understood a son better than his mother.

Clearly, he wanted something.

"Alright, let's hear it."

"Are you planning to work in Shanghai?"

Li Zhiyan couldn't accept the possibility of his mom ever facing another accident. Working in Shanghai was absolutely out of the question.

"How did you know?"

Zhou Rongrong was taken aback. She had only been toying with the idea of working in Shanghai, and he'd already guessed it.

"Maybe it's that mother-son bond!"

"Yes, after you start university, I thought about going to Shanghai. You know, housing prices keep rising."

"With what I earn here in Wan City…"

"It's practically impossible to save up enough to buy a home for you."

"So I need to make enough to buy you a house and help you find a good wife."

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