Shi Hai didn't actually want to move back to the dormitory; he still preferred to have a private space.
If he could use a room at Zhu Lingjie's house, it would indeed solve the problem.
"Is that okay? Won't your parents move in with you when they come back from their honeymoon?"
"No... this time, I'm the only one moving back..."
"I see."
"So, um... if you don't mind..."
She wanted to suggest that he move into her house.
However, Shi Hai interrupted her.
"Then, could Jian Sichun stay at your place?"
"...Huh?"
Zhu Lingjie was momentarily stunned.
Shi Hai's suggestion shattered her hopes.
But upon thinking calmly, she realized it was the best solution, allowing Shi Hai's family to stay together.
Though she understood, she couldn't help feeling disappointed.
Even so, she wouldn't refuse Shi Hai.
"Sure... that's okay..."
"You've helped a lot; thank you so much."
"It's nothing, really... You saved me... and helped clean my house."
"Don't worry, I'll finish the rest of the cleaning for you."
"...Alright."
But this was fine too.
At least this way, Jian Sichun wouldn't be living with Shi Hai.
We can compete fairly, with no one having an advantage.
"Oh, Lingjie, if you need rent, just ask Aunt Liu for it."
"No, it's okay; there's no need for rent..."
"Really?"
"Yes, I'm looking forward to living with her too."
Before leaving, Zhu Lingjie naturally smiled.
Though she was smiling, it gave off a cold feeling similar to before.
The Zhu Lingjie he saw now often appeared anxious and timid, but that composed smile made Shi Hai feel a chill down his spine.
Zhu Lingjie said she would go home to tidy up and would come back later.
After Zhu Lingjie left, Liu Zhenshan rolled her eyes at her son and said, "Shi Hai, you... are really hopeless."
Even Liu Zhenshan could see that Lingjie wanted Shi Hai to move into her house.
Yet Shi Hai instead suggested that Jian Sichun go there.
What kind of clueless guy move was that? She couldn't stand it.
Where's the sweet and sour romance comedy?
"If I actually moved there, that would be bad for her."
Shi Hai had noticed the change in Zhu Lingjie's expression.
He also guessed that she wanted him to move in.
Moreover, he felt she had feelings for him.
However, these feelings were likely a temporary dependence from the Stockholm syndrome.
"Mom, you know, right? She has androphobia."
"Yeah, Lingjie has been afraid of men since she was very young. But she's much better now. She used to hardly talk to you."
"Indeed, she's improving... But precisely because she's improving, I shouldn't 'interfere' with her recovery now."
"Oh? How so?"
"She's not as afraid of me because she's known me for a long time and trusts me."
"Yeah, you two are childhood friends."
"If she only interacts with me now, she'll easily become dependent, ending up being able to only approach me but still unable to get close to other men."
"Isn't that a good thing? Men usually don't want other men near their women. That's possessiveness."
"From my perspective, maybe so. But given her current condition, if she only interacts with me, she might end up having no independence and would blindly follow me."
"Isn't it good to have a woman who's obedient to you?"
"If someone places all their hopes on another person, what happens if they lose them? Mom, you know that well."
"..."
Liu Zhenshan fell silent. Shi Hai noticed her eyes turning red.
Liu Zhenshan wasn't born a saint or a benevolent person.
She became the person she is today after losing her husband, feeling the need to find a reason to keep living by helping others in need.
This was a form of self-satisfaction, a compensatory behavior.
Luckily, time healed some wounds. Liu Zhenshan wasn't as obsessive as before and began to focus more on Shi Hai and her duties as a mother.
Using her thumb to wipe away the tears, Liu Zhenshan took a deep breath to calm down.
"Your dad's life was too short. He really left too early."
"Life was unfair to him. He didn't deserve to go so soon..."
"So, Shi Hai, I only wish for you to stay healthy. I don't expect anything else."
The only thing Liu Zhenshan asked of Shi Hai was for him to be healthy.
She made sure he exercised daily and ensured his meals were nutritious, even though her cooking was simple.
The constant egg frying was for this reason—to ensure he had enough protein.
Shi Hai remembered when he was in middle school, his mother practically forced him to drink milk, which made him nauseous at the smell for a long time.
In the end, he didn't grow much taller, only just over 180 cm.
"This is why you drill me every day..."
"Exactly! You need to have six-pack abs!"
"I already have them."
"Really? Let me see."
Shi Hai obediently lifted his shirt to show his well-defined abs, and Liu Zhenshan patted them approvingly.
"Not bad! Girls love this; it's very reassuring!"
"I'm not working out to attract girls."
"Don't you know? Having a man who's wholly dependable is the ultimate happiness a woman can have."
"Not everyone would think so... Anyway, I won't take advantage of anyone."
"Tsk, you're just like your dad, so infuriatingly upright."
"Dad was a decent man."
"Decent my ass! He was a gentleman in public, but not in private. He had way too much energy!"
"..."
Shi Hai rolled his eyes, wanting to stop his mom from ruining the image of his dad in his mind.
"Don't be so dull! You should have a passionate love while you're young! The more complicated, the better!"
"You've watched too many soap operas, Mom."
"Girls these days like sweet talkers who are caring and warm. Can't you learn that?"
"Some people are naturally good at it; others will never learn."
That's why some men are born flirts.
"You're going to drive me crazy! Twelve years of school, and you haven't even brought home a girl once!"
"A student's duty is to study."
"Oh, now you're using that as an excuse? Why didn't you go to a better university then?"
"I didn't want to leave you alone at home..."
That was the truth.
He's the number one scorer in their province, he could have gone to a top university but chose a middle-ranked one close to home to be with his mom.
"Don't use me as an excuse! I wanted to be called to school for your early love affairs! But you graduated without me experiencing that! You shattered my dream! You ungrateful son!"
"..."