Unconventional [Rebirth] - Chapter 108

As expected, two days later, while Jiang Rui was at home alone and Rong Jingtang was away, his mother knocked on his door once more.

Jiang Rui smiled and poured a cup of tea for her, adding a few “mind-clearing” herbs to the brew before stepping out of the kitchen.

Jiang Mother took the warm tea, holding it as if trying to draw heat from the porcelain. She watched Jiang Rui sit calmly on the sofa beside her, his attention fixed quietly on the television. She found it hard to believe that this child, who had always been so obedient and sensible, could fall in love with a man.

To be honest, compared to the increasingly entitled young women she saw these days, she actually liked Rong Jingtang more—but that wasn’t the point.

“Rui Rui, do you truly love that boy, A-Jing?” she asked tentatively after taking a sip of tea.

Jiang Rui paused, then sat up straight. “Mom, what would it be like if I were with a girl instead?”

“Girls nowadays expect a man to earn a lot of money, be handsome, do all the housework… and eventually, he might have to raise the children alone, or face a divorce.” Seeing the hesitation in his mother’s eyes, he continued, “I know you know many ‘good girls’ back in Qing City. But while you might want me to talk to them, would you truly want me to marry any of them?”

Naturally, she wouldn’t. To be blunt, almost every neighbor in Qing City had a daughter or two. She was happy for Jiang Rui to be their friend or neighbor, but she absolutely did not want her exceptional son to marry any of them. In her mind, her son deserved a perfect “virtuous wife and mother” type to take care of him.

As Jiang Rui laid it out, she realized she truly didn’t want that. No mother wants to see the precious son she raised for years working like a slave for someone else, only to be scolded or beaten by a “spoiled girlfriend” if things weren’t perfect.

She turned the thought over in her mind before settling on one final concern: “But… you and A-Jing can’t have children…”

“Mom, there are many people nowadays who are infertile. Look at Xi Xi—she was adopted by Second Uncle. They’ve been fine all these years, haven’t they?” Seeing his mother’s resolve begin to waver, Jiang Rui began to “persuade” her with a smile.

“Ah… that’s true.” She nodded, finding logic in his words.

Deciding to drive the point home, Jiang Rui gestured toward the spotless apartment. “Look, Rong Jingtang handles the housework, and he’s the one who cooks the meals…”

Jiang Mother stared at her son blankly for a long time before suddenly asking, “Rui Rui, tell me the truth… do you just not have enough money?”

After Jiang Rui started university, they had given him about a thousand yuan a month—a significant sum back in Qing City. After seeing the prosperity of the capital, she had offered him more, but he always said he had enough, so they hadn’t worried. Now that he had graduated without a clear job, yet lived in such a large house… she was genuinely afraid.

A row of imaginary black lines slid down Jiang Rui’s forehead. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Mom, where on earth did your mind go?”

Realizing her words were inappropriate, she felt a flash of regret. Come to think of it, ever since Jiang Rui was a child, he had been helping the family earn money. Years ago, the family struggled to produce even a few thousand yuan; now, buying a small house in the capital would be easy for them.

She fell silent, looking around the home. It truly didn’t look like the messy apartment of a single young man. She believed Rong Jingtang didn’t lack the money for a maid; the only explanation was that he didn’t want outsiders intruding on their space.

She didn’t understand the “life-and-death” passion of young lovers, but she had seen enough novels and dramas. She knew the tragic ends of lovers who lacked their parents’ blessings, and it broke her heart every time. Naturally, she didn’t want her own child to suffer that pain.

“Is it really him and no one else?” she asked one last time, looking troubled yet as if she had finally let go of a heavy burden.

Jiang Rui just smiled without answering. At that moment, the door opened from the outside.

Rong Jingtang entered, carrying a heavy load of groceries. Without even looking up as he kicked off his shoes, he said, “Rui Rui, it’s raining outside. Remember to take an umbrella when you go out to look for a job this afternoon.”

He set the groceries down and found the black umbrella Jiang Rui usually used. He placed it in a conspicuous spot before continuing to nag, “Are you hungry? I’m back a bit late today…”

“Auntie?” Rong Jingtang turned at just the right moment, looking slightly flustered as he hurried to put on his slippers. Raindrops were still dripping from his coat, yet his first priority upon returning was clearly Jiang Rui…

Jiang Rui watched the performance with his arms crossed, feeling a bit “chilled” by the acting. His mother, however, had gone from a stoic expression to a look of suppressed satisfaction. Now that Rong Jingtang had “noticed” her, she broke into a wide smile. “Oh, A-Jing is here?”

Rong Jingtang looked at the groceries in his hand and smiled. “Ah, yes… I just came to make Rui Rui some… to bring some things over.”

What a pro, Jiang Rui thought, his teeth aching from the display. He watched his mother set down her tea and enthusiastically welcome the man.

She had probably never seen someone treat her son like such a precious treasure. In that instant, she realized that except for the “gender” issue, Rong Jingtang really had no flaws.

It wasn’t until after they saw his mother off that Jiang Rui finally had a chance to relax. Seeing Rong Jingtang return to his usual self on the sofa, Jiang Rui raised an eyebrow. “I never realized Mr. Rong was such a talented actor.”

Rong Jingtang ignored the teasing. He thought for a moment before saying, “That feeling just now… it was very good.”

Jiang Rui froze. He saw a faint smile spread across the man’s usually expressionless face. The warmth in Rong Jingtang’s eyes made Jiang Rui’s heart skip a beat. “Rui Rui, is this the feeling of ‘home’?”

Jiang Rui’s desire to tease him vanished instantly. He smiled warmly and nodded. “Yes. That is the feeling of home.”

Rong Jingtang had lived in that grand mansion for years without ever feeling a “home” atmosphere. Though Uncle Cheng had been with him for a long time, he was a servant first and foremost, never overstepping his bounds. Rong Jingtang was naturally cold and silent; he simply had no one to talk to.

Today, between Jiang Mother and the “act” they played, he had finally felt that home truly existed.

Jiang Rui remembered how, not long ago, while helping the souls of Rong Jingtang’s parents pass on, the man had walked out of the courtyard with his back ramrod straight… he must have been grieving then, too.

Jiang Rui stood up, walked over to Rong Jingtang, and pulled the man’s head against his chest. He stroked his hair gently and whispered, “From now on, I will always be by your side.”

Rong Jingtang gave a nearly imperceptible nod, his arms reaching out to encircle Jiang Rui’s waist.

“This is good.” It was unclear who spoke the words, but in that moment, the two of them forgot everything else, simply embracing in the quiet room.

Outside, the door had been pushed open a tiny crack. Jiang Mother looked at the two of them with a complicated expression. Finally, she let out a soft sigh, quietly picked up the black umbrella leaning against the door, pulled the door shut, and walked softly downstairs.

Children and grandchildren have their own luck. As long as she could watch over them and offer her blessing, that was enough.