Fighting is broken, but the heroine script.

Chapter 1275 The Life and Death of a Certain Boy (Part 2)

The movie wasn't long, and it was quite novel and exciting for Xiao Se. The young man was naturally happy to see his recommendation recognized.

"By the way, it's getting late. Would you like to have something to eat at my place?"

After chatting and laughing with his sister for a while, the boy turned his gaze back to the slightly bewildered girl.

"eat?"

"Well... since it's homemade, it's mostly home-style dishes. I wouldn't say they're particularly delicious, but they're enough to get by."

After the boy's invitation, his younger sister couldn't help but chime in, "Mmm—brother's cooking is delicious, would you like to come and eat with us?"

"Then, should we still pay with the meal card...?"

The boy seemed amused by Xiao Se's shyness and said, "Movies are movies. At home, it's just a matter of having an extra pair of chopsticks at night. There's no need to worry about it so much."

"You helped me out before, so this is a way of repaying that favor."

Xiao Se blinked, suddenly realizing that to the man in front of her, she was probably just a friend with whom she had a good relationship.

"Let's go, since that's the case, we still need to buy some groceries—"

"Buying groceries?"

"We don't have much food left at home, but we have a little princess here, and she's very picky about food."

Despite not fully understanding the meaning behind her brother's joke, the younger sister still sensed that it wasn't a kind remark and pouted.

So Xiao Se followed the brother and sister to the market and found that the boy was very familiar with the place. He then picked up a few bags and went home.

"Go do your homework yourself, don't make me nag you."

After putting down the bag, the boy went into the kitchen and put on an apron as if he knew it well. His sister went straight into her room. Although she was still a little lazy and unwilling, she had to put on a show since her brother had already said so.

Xiao Se glanced at his younger sister rummaging through her schoolbag in the room, but his gaze remained fixed on the boy busy in the kitchen.

"...Do you need my help?"

Feeling uneasy being alone, Xiao Se decided to go into the kitchen with them.

"Hmm...it's not too bad. We don't need to cook that many dishes today. Everything that can be prepared at the market has already been taken care of. It's just a matter of cooking it."

"But I remember how old you are now? Do kids this age have to be responsible for the family so early?"

"What do you mean by 'kids of this age'? Aren't you about the same age as me?"

"..."

Xiao Se didn't know how to explain this, so he listened as the man continued, "I'll be an adult in a year. I can't expect my parents to do everything for me, can I?"

"What kind of people are Mom and Dad?"

Xiao Se watched the young man wandering around the kitchen with a sense of utter boredom.

"They're doing well, they're just busy at work, constantly busy... They work very hard, so I want to share some of their burden as much as possible..."

Before the boy could finish speaking, the phone rang. He put down the vegetables he was holding, washed his hands, wiped them with his apron, and went to answer it.

"Hello, Mom? I'm here."

"No need to make chicken wings. I bought groceries when I got back today. We have guests today, my classmate."

"It's alright, it's just a matter of having an extra pair of chopsticks. Just bring back a drink when you come back, whatever you like."

"Dad, would you like to be a little later? No need to wait...? Okay."

After a few simple words, the boy hung up the phone.

"That's it."

Although he couldn't hear what the mother on the other end was saying, Xiao Se could easily sense from the boy's answer that the boy had learned to be well-behaved and sensible at a young age, trying his best to make his parents worry less.

"What's wrong? You look like you've seen the sun rise in the west."

"No...it's just a little unexpected? After all, I originally thought you might have more...freedom."

Xiao Se pondered for a moment, but couldn't think of a good description.

No matter how you describe or evaluate her, the woman in my impression would probably never say such a thing.

"Really? I think my thoughts have never changed, whether at home or at school."

“They gave me the best, and of course I want to reciprocate and live up to their expectations. I don’t want to let them down. Although it’s a bit tiring, I’ve gotten used to it.”

“They said that when they get old, I will be the head of the family and support the whole family, not only them, but also my own little family.”

"I don't expect much from my own family, but being able to take care of my sister and make things a little easier for them is enough for me."

"And you? What are your parents' expectations of you? After all, it's probably not an easy topic for you to talk about the troubles of your family of origin..."

The boy shook his head and then asked.

But as he looked up, he happened to meet Xiao Se's gaze.

Filled with deep doubt and distress, she remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "I... I actually want them to feel at ease, to be proud, and to be honored by me, but my mother doesn't seem to like me that much. She treats me coldly, and it's only my father who talks to me about things. But when something really happens, it always seems like she's the one who helps."

"So I often think that it might be better if I left, since she is already unconventional enough."

As Xiao Se finished speaking, he unconsciously looked away, somewhat hesitant to look at the person in front of him. Although their appearances were different now, in his eyes, they were still the same soul.

"I'm sorry, I said some embarrassing things without realizing it."

"...Isn't that just like my dad?"

"Eh?"

The boy's answer startled him.

"He's sharp-tongued and can't say anything nice. If he doesn't smile all day, he's holding back something bad. If he does smile, he's sarcastic. If something really happens and you don't go to him, he'll blame you for not telling him. He's such a troublesome person. I really don't know how Mom has managed to get along with him for so many years." "...But then again, only a son or daughter can say such things."

Ignoring Xiao Se's momentary daze, the boy seemed to have suddenly opened a floodgate, pouring out everything he wanted to say like beans spilling out.

"If I ever have children in the future, I definitely won't be like him."

Xiao Se really didn't know what to say about his response.

He just stood there blankly, as if he hadn't fully come to his senses yet.

If only it were true, as he said.

Xiao Se could only feel this regret in his heart.

But the boy in front of her didn't seem to have finished speaking.

"Speaking of which, do you know what words are the hardest for adults like them to say?"

Xiao Se was about to ask what it was, but the answer had already inexplicably surfaced in his mind.

"...Love, is it?"

"Well, I didn't really believe what my mom told me at first. After all, from any perspective, my dad didn't seem to like my personality. He said I was too settled and that boys should go out and explore. But I think staying at home is fine too. Peace and stability, and my family being healthy and safe, is enough for me."

"But in the end... it was my mom who said it. She spent more time with my dad. Do you think I have more authority to speak on this issue than she does?"

“That’s true, my father actually said something similar to me…”

"That's not right."

The boy stood up and patted him on the shoulder: "So don't worry, life is unpredictable. Although it's never as wonderful as we imagine, it's not as bad as it seems either."

Looking into those dark yet bright eyes, Xiao Se nodded: "Mm."

"By the way, speaking of which, do you... have someone you like?"

His inner turmoil had eased considerably without him realizing it, and Xiao Se couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering him since yesterday.

This question was clearly beyond the boy's expectations: "Why are you suddenly asking this? Do you like gossip like them?"

"No... I was just asking."

Xiao Se's answer made him breathe a sigh of relief.

"Of course not. At this age, who has time to think about such things? If I had to say, I'd wait until college to see, but I heard it'll be too late then? Oh well, it doesn't really matter."

"So you don't have someone you like?"

"Of course not."

The boy shook his head naturally.

As they chatted, dinner was almost ready, and the man and woman opened the front door, revealing the two people inside chatting and laughing.

When the boy saw them return, he silently shut his mouth.

"Hello, uncle and aunt."

Xiao Se greeted them first, but he still couldn't help feeling a little hesitant, since, in principle, he couldn't address these two people in that way.

"You're too kind, please make yourself at home. It's been a lot of trouble for you to keep him company for so long."

"That's not true..."

Xiao Se paused, then subconsciously looked at the boy, only to see him silently taking out bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen, his expression much calmer than before.

"time to eat."

……

What does your family do?

"Yes, they're in the herbal medicine business. Both my father and mother are traditional Chinese medicine practitioners."

“That’s amazing.”

"No, no, it's just a small business."

……

During the meal, Xiao Se chatted idly for a few moments, while also noticing that the boy beside him was no longer as lively as before, and was just eating silently without saying a word.

"I think that's about enough for today, so I won't bother you any longer."

"It's alright. This child doesn't go out often anyway. It's good for him to have another friend to chat with. Go and see him off."

"Ah."

The boy nodded and led Xiao Se out the door.

"……Thanks."

"Huh? Why are you thanking me?"

"This is the first time I've ever eaten at someone else's house with you... and the food was delicious."

The boy was taken aback, then laughed and said, "Having dinner with me isn't that strange, is it? Am I some kind of important person?"

"That's not the case, but for me, that's certainly true."

Looking at the brightly lit street in front of him, Xiao Se turned around and glanced at the boy.

Goodbye, you whom I have never met. I hope all of this is as you wished.

(End of this chapter)