Chapter 670: The Greatest Hero Under Heaven
The rain outside the window continued to patter endlessly.
Young Master Sang sat silently at the table, his head lowered.
In the kitchen, Mama Sang was cooking while nagging, “You child, every time I come to your room it’s a mess.”
“It’s so dirty and chaotic; how could you let guests in?”
“It’s fine.” Young Master Sang replied with a calm smile, “No one is coming over.”
“That won’t do.”
Mama Sang shot him a look of disapproval, “You should invite some pretty girls over! I’m still waiting to meet my daughter-in-law.”
Daughter-in-law.
In that moment, Young Master Sang was choked with countless words, unable to speak.
He wanted to tell his mother that he had already found someone he liked.
Someone gentle and virtuous, with adorable children.
She could hold those lovely grandchildren and live a long, happy life, until her time came naturally.
Instead of dying in a cold hospital room in pain.
He longed to introduce Mama Sang to Zhang Xiaoying. He knew Xiaoying was precisely the type his mother loved—gentle, virtuous, and family-oriented.
He also wanted his mother to meet Bai Ming, that quirky and eloquent spirit who would surely entertain her with tales of his thrilling life in another world. Mama would absolutely adore hearing those stories.
Of course, he also wanted her to meet Gu Yingmian, Tang Yubbing… all his beloved friends.
To tell her that in his darkest, most helpless moments, during the gloomiest days of his life.
He was never truly alone.
He always had loved ones standing by his side.
“Here!”
Soon, Mama Sang brought over a steaming bowl of fish soup.
Lifting the lid, a delicious aroma burst forth, making Young Master Sang swallow hard.
“Your mom knows you’ve been thinking about this, so I specially bought the fish for you.”
Mama Sang smiled triumphantly, “How about that? Did it make you salivate, little greedy cat?”
Young Master Sang chuckled, his eyes suddenly misty.
He had loved drinking his mother’s fish soup since he was little.
It was delicious and nourishing; he could never get enough.
Even after his mother had passed, he would occasionally order fish soup for takeout.
And even in that other world, he loved asking Zhang Xiaoying to make fish soup for him.
After sipping a spoonful, he savored it in silence for a moment before smiling, “It’s delicious.”
“See?”
Mama Sang beamed as she returned to the kitchen.
“Mom, you don’t need to cook anymore, come eat with me.”
“What are you talking about? I have to finish making the noodles!”
Mama Sang’s voice came from the kitchen, “Can we skip noodles on a day like today?”
Day? Young Master Sang was puzzled, “What day?”
“You silly child, you’re not seriously that forgetful, are you?”
Mama Sang looked at him with concern, “Today is your birthday! What do you think I came all the way here for?”
Birthday?
Such a strange term.
Had he ever celebrated his birthday?
When was the last time he celebrated?
Young Master Sang tried to think back but couldn’t remember.
It must have been after his mother was hospitalized; since then, he hadn’t celebrated his birthday.
He had never mentioned his birthday to anyone, nor had he called anyone to celebrate with him. Even the shallow sense of ritual was lacking; even celebrating by himself felt too exhausting.
With time, the day had blurred in his memory.
“Mom, you still remember my birthday.”
“You silly child, what nonsense are you talking?” Mama Sang glared at him playfully, “How could I forget the day you were born?”
“That was the greatest thing I ever did in my life.”
“Even if I’m buried six feet under, I can’t possibly forget!”
Young Master Sang lowered his head quietly, finally managing to mutter, “…Don’t talk about graves. It’s not lucky.”
“Alright, alright.”
Mama Sang, half-heartedly, brought out a bowl of noodles and poured it into the fish soup, “Here, stir and eat it.”
Young Master Sang could no longer hold back; he immediately grabbed his chopsticks and started devouring the meal.
He could barely taste it as he inhaled the entire bowl within moments. This made Mama Sang laugh and scold him, “You little rascal! How long has it been since you ate properly? You’ll starve at this rate!”
“I can’t help it; it’s just too delicious!”
Young Master Sang kept pestering Mama Sang for more bowls of noodles, determined to finish them all.
Throughout, Mama Sang propped her chin on her hands, watching her child gobble up the food with a face full of happiness.
“Slow down. Nobody is competing with you.”
Young Master Sang didn’t respond.
He just slurped the noodles down as tears streamed down his face.
“This child, why is he crying while eating?”
Mama Sang gently ruffled his hair.
But Young Master Sang suddenly stopped, a piece of noodle still suspended in the air.
“Mom.”
“Is it because once I finish this, you’ll leave?”
“You don’t want me to go?” Mama Sang teased, “Then I’ll stay an extra day with you!”
“Can you stay forever?”
Young Master Sang slowly raised his head, his red-rimmed eyes revealing a hint of ferocity, “I can stay here with you.”
“I’m serious.”
Mama Sang paused, then chuckled with a hint of resignation.
“You silly child.”
“What about your wife and kids?”
Young Master Sang remained silent.
“Let’s be real, they put in so much effort to prepare you this birthday gift; you should thank them properly.”
The middle-aged woman gently touched Young Master Sang’s cheek. Her eyes were filled with warmth and happiness, and the crow’s feet on her face seemed to dissolve away with her smile.
“Actually, this is a gift for me too.”
“I get to see what you’ve grown into.”
“…I’m already content.”
In that moment, Young Master Sang felt like he suddenly crumbled apart.
He bowed his head firmly, his throat choking with a sound like a wild animal’s roar.
The chopsticks in his hand snapped into two from being clenched; tears dripped steadily onto the table.
“Don’t…”
“Look as long as you want.” Young Master Sang choked out, “Just don’t only take a quick glance.”
“…Please.” His body trembled uncontrollably.
Mama Sang simply smiled calmly.
She reached out to stroke Young Master Sang’s head, like one would caress a gentle creature.
“I’ve seen enough.”
“I saw that your wives are all stunningly beautiful, each more endearing than the last when they call me ‘Mom’.”
“I’ve seen Little Ying You and Little Lonely as well. Little Ying You resembles your dad, spirited and lively; Little Lonely is like you, elegant and well-behaved.”
“I saw that my son is clever and ambitious. Even without me beside you, you’ve grown into a handsome young man.”
…To have so many who love you. To chase after your dreams without restraint.
“Actually, I’ve always felt quite guilty.” Mama Sang caressed Young Master Sang’s cheek, her eyes sparkling with affection, “These things should have been given to you by me.”
“But I was useless; I couldn’t give you anything.”
“Thank goodness my son is strong-willed.”
“You don’t need me with you to succeed.”
“In fact…”
“You have already made it, haven’t you?” Mama Sang smiled gently.
I’ve seen it all.
My son.
Is the greatest hero under heaven.
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