The semicircular window on the sixth floor at the intersection emitted a soft, warm glow.
In the slightly cramped living room, five men with strange expressions sat around a round table, looking at Master Rong outside holding a young womanâs hand. He called her "Mom" with tears streaming down.
"I didnât realize what was happening at the time, but later I thought Iâd never see you again. I... I felt terrible, I just couldnât stay at home, the thought that I could see you again in this lifetime..."
Li Xinlongâs words became incoherent and he choked up.
Jiang Rongâs eyes were red.
Before the apocalypse, she was always worried about her sonâs poor academic performance and how he might struggle in society.
After the apocalypse, she had only one thought: living was enough.
Tonight, she found out her son not only lived well but also became sensible.
Suddenly, she was given what she had lost and never had, all at once.
The joy she had never enjoyed left her slightly anxious.
"Now itâs good, your son has made progress. I manage a fleet of over a thousand people. From Changxing to Xiaohe and the surrounding Three Counties, who doesnât know the reputation of Li Xinlong? Those scavengers are scrambling to get into my fleet, right, Ah Ke."
The chubby guy next to him nodded quickly, "Absolutely, Aunt Rong. From now on, you can live the good life with us and no longer have to worry outside."
Speaking of worrying outside, Li Xinlong couldnât hold it anymore.
The chubby guy gave a signal to the other four brothers, and they quietly left the room.
Jiang Rong quickly stood up, "These are your friends, right? Let me cook for you all, donât go out, itâs so late and dangerous outside..."
Though they wore odd outfits, thinking of her son beside her, the immense happiness and joy made her feel like she was back to life before the apocalypse.
Several people exchanged glances and looked at Li Xinlong.
But now Li Xinlongâs eyes were only on his mother, grabbing her hand hurriedly, "I canât let you cook as soon as you return. Dad isnât here anymore, from now on, I can only honor you."
Jiang Rongâs eyes became unfocused for a moment and then she firmly freed herself from Li Xinlongâs hand, smiled at the few people before walking into the kitchen.
As she turned away, large teardrops had already soaked her collar.
Indeed, such good things donât come by easily.
Her sonâs survival was already the greatest fortune.
Regarding the past, Jiang Rong didnât want to dwell on it. She only wished to watch her son settle down and have a family, ideally with three children. With her bag full of mutant plants, she could raise as many as possible.
But she wondered where to find teachers for the children in the future.
Could she just grab someone?
With so many subjects, grabbing just one wouldnât suffice...
Grabbing them last minute wouldnât work either; perhaps she should start preparing in advance and gather a school?
As Jiang Rongâs thoughts wandered to years later, Li Xinlong wiped away his tears and followed her.
Though it was just half a year, shorter than any time Jiang Rong had left for work, Li Xinlong felt like a lifetime had passed, with countless things he wanted to tell his mom. It might sound overly attached, but those who havenât lost canât understand the feelings.
In the living room, the few were at a loss, turning their heads to look at the chubby Ah Ke.
Pang Ke gestured for them to sit down.
One of them with hard features and a crew cut glanced at the kitchen, cautiously asking, "Aunt... Auntieâs not, not simple, huh? What did she do before?"
The chubby guy hesitantly touched his large belly, the sensation of electricity coursing through the body was too memorable.
Heâs better off, recovering quickly as a Tier One defender. The guy in front of him still had a twitching mouth.
"She was simple before, but not after the apocalypse. Itâs understandable, Aunt Rong managed to come back from so far; she has some skills. But donât spread Aunt Rongâs story carelessly. Old Yang, Brother Shan, go settle the fleet downstairs, and bring some food up, President Nan, go help Aunt Rong."
"Should we bring the girl up too?"
Brother Shan, with faded tattoos on his face, asked.
Pang Ke hesitated, "That girl is a bit tricky. Better not bring her up now, let Ah Long explain to Aunt Rong later."
The other two men went downstairs, and the only woman among the five headed to the kitchen.
"Master Rong, Aunt Rong, let me help."
"I got it here, you can wait outside to eat."
The woman waved her purple sleeve, helplessly saying, "Master Rong sent me out."
In the kitchen, Li Xinlong kept chattering about how he used his clever mind from leaving home to working with his pals and father to build a large business, then came back to clean the neighborhood, and later, due to lack of resources, roamed with the fleet...
Until Jiang Rong handed him a pear, he responded belatedly.
Eyes widened, in disbelief, he weighed it in his hand.
"Whoa, a pear!"
Jiang Rong habitually slapped her sonâs hand, "Donât use foul language."
After the slap, she suddenly thought, isnât she controlling too much now that her son is this grown up...
Jiang Rong began to feel uncertain again.
Li Xinlong looked at his hand in surprise.
No one dared "offend" him like this in a long time.
But this was from his mother.
Comforting!
"Mom, you have no idea how rare fruit is after the apocalypse. Iâve only seen it once, a grapevine. Because I ate that, Pang Ke and I became so strong. Unfortunately, that grapevine was later taken over by a large force. Mom, where did you get this pear?"