Is not being able to do as you please also called rebirth?

Chapter 191 I'm just a legend
Yang Kaiyi escorted Jiang Xun to the apartment building. She was too embarrassed to go upstairs with Jiang Xun; the little girl was still too shy after all.

Before leaving, Jiang Xun grabbed her and kissed her for a while, making the little girl's legs feel weak. She gave Jiang Xun a charming glare before driving away.

Jiang Xun took the elevator to her new home. With a soft "ding," she arrived at the seventh floor.

The heavy security door was slightly ajar, and light streamed through the crack, falling on the cold tiles of the corridor.

Jiang Xun gently pushed open the door with his foot, and the aroma of food instantly enveloped him, carrying the salty and savory flavor of dark soy sauce, the rich and smoky aroma of oil, ginger, and garlic stir-frying, and a faint, yet all too familiar, scent—the deep and mellow aroma that only wafted from his mother's simmering bone broth.

"Dad, Mom, I'm home." His voice wasn't loud, but it sounded exceptionally clear in this small world filled with the clatter of pots and pans and the sizzling of oil.

A loud clatter came from the kitchen—the sound of a spatula being hastily thrown down.

"Oh! It's Xiao Xun! She's back!" Zheng Yun's voice, filled with urgency and surprise, burst from the kitchen. She was still wearing the old apron with faded lotus patterns, which had been washed until it was almost white. Her hands were wet, and a few water droplets were dripping down her fingers, wetting the seams of her trousers.

She practically ran out, her eyes scanning Jiang Xun from head to toe, as if to make sure he wasn't hurt or bumped.

Finally, her gaze settled on his face, her eyes a mixture of longing from months apart, and the awkwardness of having too much to say yet not knowing where to begin, all transformed into an almost greedy scrutiny.

"Why have you lost weight? Is the food at Peking University that bad? Even the plates are pointy!" Her tone was reproachful, but the heartache in her eyes was almost overflowing.

"Mom, what kind of look is that?" Jiang Xun couldn't help but laugh, bending down to change into slippers while moving the heavy bag in her hand to the open space in the entryway. "The school food is great, maybe it's because I've grown a little taller? That makes it look like that."

Father Jiang Jianguo also peeked out from the kitchen, holding a half-peeled, bright green scallion in his hand, and his slightly worn dark blue jacket had some oil stains on the cuffs.

He didn't say anything enthusiastic, but the deep wrinkles on his face smoothed out considerably, and his eyes held an obvious smile—a relaxed expression of relief.

"Come in quickly, the food will be ready soon! You must be exhausted from the journey, sitting in the car for so long." His voice was calm, but when his gaze fell on Jiang Xun, it was with the same meticulousness as Zheng Yun's, carefully depicting every subtle change in his son after being away from home for several months.

The entryway wasn't large, and it felt even more cramped after several shopping bags were piled up. Jiang Xun straightened up, her gaze following the open living room into the space. The scene before her made the last trace of weariness from her journey quietly disappear.

Everything was brand new and shiny. The snow-white walls were smooth as glaze, without a single stain or trace of time.

The ceiling is simple and clean, with several bright spotlights embedded in it. At this moment, only one light is on near the dining room, making a small area warm and quiet.

The entire hall is covered with beige-brown composite flooring, its soft sheen clearly reflecting the simple outlines of the furniture. The dining table is made of heavy solid wood and is paired with four chairs in the same color scheme, placed against the wall.

Next to it was a TV cabinet from the same series, on which stood a brand-new LCD TV with a huge screen, still a silent black, reflecting the light.

The most eye-catching feature is the large, thick fabric sofa in the center of the living room. Its warm-toned plaid pattern and fluffy, soft cushions almost beckon you to comfort.

In front of the sofa is a large, square, solid wood coffee table with strong lines.

Brand new, neat, yet with a kind of cautious cleanliness that hasn't truly been permeated by the atmosphere of life.

A faint, lingering scent of building materials and paint still lingers in the air, subtly masked by the rich aroma of food. Like a newly framed painting, it's almost unreal, needing the warmth of human presence to truly come alive.

"How is it?" Zheng Yun asked, her voice filled with nervous anticipation as her son looked around the new house, like a child waiting for praise. She rubbed her hands together, clutching the edge of her apron.

“Your dad and I didn’t do anything wrong. We just followed the layout of the house we viewed before. The furniture is all from the brands you mentioned… It’s just that the sofa cushions… I think the high-elastic ones aren’t as sturdy as these…” She was eager to explain, afraid that something might not suit Jiang Xun’s taste.

Jiang Jianguo put down the scallion segments, rinsed his hands under the tap in the corner of the living room, and shook off the water droplets: "Your mother is only worried about whether you're comfortable sitting here when you come back. I think it's quite nice, bright and airy, much better than the old house downstairs where the whole place smells of gasoline."

His tone was one of pure satisfaction, his gaze shifting back and forth between his son and the new home, finally settling on the pile of shopping bags his son had brought back. "What did you buy? Good stuff from Beijing?" He noticed a sturdy corner peeking out from the bags.

"Just getting some practical stuff for the house." Jiang Xun deftly picked up the largest bags, strode into the living room, and placed them directly on the large coffee table. The rustling sound of plastic scraping instantly broke the tranquility and emptiness of the living room. He reached into the bags and took things out one by one:

"A humidifier is very useful in Beijing winters, as the air is so dry. I think it will be helpful at home, so my mom won't keep complaining about her itchy throat."

"A robot vacuum cleaner liberates labor, it's high-tech!" He patted the round, white machine. "Connect it according to the instructions, and it will go around the room by itself."

“A multi-functional high-speed blender,” he said, pulling out a square, heavy-looking box. “It can make soy milk, rice paste, and mince meat, saving you the trouble of chopping dumpling filling. Mom, you can study the instruction manual later.”

The last machine to be taken out was a high-end coffee machine with a silver-gray metal casing. Its cold, hard, and smooth lines created a strange conflict and fusion with this warm new home.

Jiang Xun placed it at the very edge of the coffee table. Looking up, he saw his parents' faces, a mixture of joy and unease that said, "It's too expensive," and "We don't need this foreign thing called coffee at home." He immediately added:

“My friend insisted on keeping it, saying it was the latest model. I thought I'd just leave it there, in case guests come and want to try something new. It saves trouble anyway, otherwise it would just take up space.”

Zheng Yun quickly said, "Oh dear, you child... bringing so much stuff home... how much money must it have cost..." As she said this, her hand unconsciously reached out and lovingly touched the frosted shell of the blender.

"Alright, alright," Jiang Jianguo interrupted his wife, whose words betrayed her anxiety. "Our son is so thoughtful; even in such a bustling place like Beijing, he hasn't forgotten what we need at home. Are you starving?"

He decisively steered the conversation back to everyday life, "Hurry up and wash your hands! Dinner's ready! We've got a big feast tonight! We've made you a special old duck soup!"

The small dining area by the kitchen door has become the liveliest place in the house at this moment.

The brand-new solid wood dining table was temporarily filled with several plates of home-style stir-fries, replacing its original elegance and ethereal atmosphere.

A plate of stir-fried green peppers with cured pork, the lean and fatty cured pork is stir-fried until slightly translucent, glistening with oil, and the rich smoky aroma is irresistible; a dish of twice-cooked pork with garlic sprouts, the pork slices have crispy curled edges, and are decorated with bright red fermented bean paste.

A large bowl of stir-fried, fresh local bok choy sprouts, their tender stems still glistening with dew;

The staple food is freshly cooked white rice with a simple wheat aroma.

The air was filled with the mixed aromas of grease, fermented soybeans, ginger, garlic, and steaming rice, creating a unique and intense fragrance characteristic of Yin County. The familiar olfactory memory, almost etched into the soul, instantly activated every cell in the body.

In the center of the dining table, where other dishes had been carefully moved aside, was a dark gray glazed earthenware pot.

The lid was carefully lifted slightly, and a rich, savory aroma, as if time itself had been frozen in time, suddenly broke free and, like a silent torrent, instantly flooded the entire restaurant, domineeringly overpowering all other smells.

It was the aroma of a whole country duck, simmered over low heat for a long time, releasing a rich broth that had been infused with the essence of bone marrow. The steam rose and swirled, blurring the faces of loved ones across from them, and also blurring the outlines of the brand-new dining table and chairs, leaving only the warm, substantial fragrance.

Jiang Xun took a deep breath, the air sliding down his nasal cavity into the depths of his lungs, soothing his stomach and completely dispelling the last trace of fatigue from the long journey.

In that instant, all the admiring glances from Peking University professors, the spotlights of the Qidian Annual Meeting, and the bustling noise of the financial center evaporated like water vapor.

Before me was only this pot of piping hot, thick soup. Behind the rising steam were my parents' faces, illuminated by the lamplight—deep wrinkles but relaxed hearts, their eyes no longer filled with distant longing, but reflecting only the genuine joy of the hot soup and rice before them.

This soup, this seemingly simple meal, this small yet steaming corner—this is the place he longed to return to, having traversed mountains and rivers.

"Delicious!" Jiang Xun uttered only one word, picked up the soup spoon, and ladled out a full bowl.

The duck was stewed until tender, falling apart with the gentle touch of chopsticks. Plump, golden ginger slices floated in the deep brown broth, along with slightly swollen shiitake mushrooms soaked in the broth, and a few round goji berries as garnish.

The piping hot broth slid down my throat. It didn't have the exotic delicacies of sea cucumber and abalone, but only the rich and authentic flavor brought out by time and heat. With just the right amount of salt and a hint of Shaoxing wine, it swept away the last bit of drifting dust from my heart.

"Drink slowly, there's plenty more in the pot!" Zheng Yun said with a mix of heartache and pride, piling food onto his plate until it was overflowing. "Try this cured pork, it's smoked by your third aunt, it's authentic, you can't find this kind of flavor in the capital, can you?" The glistening slices of cured pork were pressed onto the rice, their salty and fragrant aroma filling the air.

Jiang Jianguo took a bite of rice and watched his son eat heartily. The wrinkles on his face relaxed, revealing a sense of peace and contentment.

……

The next morning, Jiang Xun's biological clock woke him up early.

The sky outside the window was overcast, and the crisp autumn air filled my lungs, dispelling any lingering sleepiness. My parents seemed to still be sound asleep in their room; the new house was peaceful both inside and out.

He quietly finished washing up, dressed neatly, and went downstairs.

At around six o'clock in the morning, the streets of Yin County were sparsely populated with vehicles. Only occasionally would students in school uniforms and carrying schoolbags hurry by on their bicycles, their wheels making a soft rustling sound as they rolled over the wet pavement.

A cool breeze and the aroma of steam rising from the breakfast stalls filled the air, and the faint sizzling sound of frying dough sticks could be heard in the distance.

He turned the corner with practiced ease, the location still clear in his memory. However, when that familiar neon sign came into view, even he subconsciously stopped in his tracks, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"King of Kings Internet Cafe"

Five huge, three-dimensional illuminated characters have caught everyone's attention, no longer the crooked and flickering "King of Internet Cafe" of the past.

Each character is illuminated by a cool, pure blue LED light, outlining a streamlined, sharp silhouette that shines brightly in the dim morning light, showcasing a hardcore yet high-end technological feel.

The massive glass curtain wall was spotless, offering a clear view of the interior's layout.
By the window is a row of e-sports area with cool black and red ergonomic chairs. Each seat is equipped with a large curved screen monitor, a floating colorful keyboard and a mouse with breathing light. There is also a cool light strip array on the ceiling above.
Further inside is a more spacious and comfortable sofa booth area, equipped with a large high-definition display screen and thick sofa chairs with adjustable backrests; at the far end, there are even several transparent luxury private rooms with full glass partitions, from which you can see the high-configuration equipment and more luxurious environment inside.

Jiang Xun pushed open the heavy, damped frosted glass door.

A pleasant, gentle "Welcome" electronic notification sounded, and the air purification system brought in a refreshing breeze. The temperature and humidity were precisely regulated, leaving no stuffiness or staleness.

The massive air conditioning units and fresh air systems, operating quietly in an inconspicuous corner, are the hidden "muscles" that support this dignified and comfortable environment. The front desk is no longer the simple counter crammed with instant noodle and beverage packaging, but a sleek, technologically advanced white curved bar.

Behind the bar, two young men wearing brand-new blue work shirts and name tags were skillfully checking boxes of Red Bull cans.

"Hello sir, would you like internet access or a private room? We have special early morning market hours now..."

The receptionist looked up with a professional smile, but the moment he saw Jiang Xun's face, his smile froze, and his eyes suddenly flashed with an unbelievable, burning light. "Holy crap... Jiang... Jiang..."

"Young Master Jiang!" The younger internet cafe manager next to him also looked up suddenly, so excited that he almost jumped off his chair, and the barcode scanner in his hand fell to the bar counter with a clatter.

"Hello, Mr. Jiang!" His voice changed, carrying a hint of youthful excitement.

The shout was neither too loud nor too soft, like a pebble thrown into a calm pond. Several night shift workers who were running the morning market at the nearby bar, still half asleep, were startled and turned around.

Jiang Xun, also known as Xiao Jiang Zong.

This is a legendary existence in Yin County.

(End of this chapter)