This action, when seen by Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Bennett, left them both astonished.

“This child has really changed.”

At this moment, no one was more gratified than Mrs. BennettHelen Carter.

Who doesn’t hope their son will become a dragon, their daughter a phoenix?

Unfortunately, the child’s past behavior had been truly heartbreaking. Could it be that her prayers had been answered, and the child had really become sensible?

At this moment, Helen Carter was almost moved to tears of joy.

Chapter 3: Changing Oneself

Charles Bennett was filled with guilt.

He had seen his mother’s reaction with his own eyes. Just admitting his mistake, apologizing, and sitting properly at the dining table was enough to make his mother so happy—this showed just how much of a scoundrel he had been in his previous life.

In his previous life, he had uncontrollably crossed over from another world and refused to accept anything. Although they always treated him as their own son, deep down, Charles Bennett always believed these were not his real parents.

So, in his heart, Charles Bennett always felt a deep sense of distance from them.

This was also why, in his previous life, Charles Bennett was not afraid of being beaten or punished, nor did he listen to their teachings. Charles Bennett always thought this wasn’t his world, that he was just a passerby here.

Everyone, everything... was just a fleeting cloud or bubble in his life. But reality proved he was gravely mistaken.

Only those who have lost know how to cherish; only those who have nothing know how precious everything is!

After experiencing that upheaval and the family’s decline in his previous life, he had thought that his past behavior would make his father, mother, and relatives give up on him.

But it was precisely they who, in the hardest times, during the most difficult and drifting days, never abandoned him and always cared for him as before.

As long as there was a bite of food, he was always the first to eat.

Thinking of his mother, not yet fifty, but with a head full of white hair, looking like a woman in her sixties or seventies, Charles Bennett was filled with guilt.

In the end, his mother died in his arms. When that once-sturdy body collapsed, Charles Bennett was shocked to realize how frail she had become.

Charles Bennett’s heart bled.

It was at that moment that Charles Bennett’s heart broke, collapsed, and died completely. For the next thirty years, the living Charles Bennett was just an empty shell.

Mother! Why were you so good to me?

At that moment, Charles Bennett wept like a tiger, letting out a mournful cry in the pouring rain. That was the first time he had ever wept so bitterly in this world. In that instant, his whole world collapsed!

Charles Bennett finally woke up, but it was all too late, far too late!

Perhaps the heavens heard his heart’s cry and gave him another chance to start over. Looking at his mother beside the dining table, Charles Bennett felt a sour ache in his heart.

Mother, don’t worry. In this life, I will never let you be hurt again, nor will I let anyone else hurt you. No one!

Under the table, Charles Bennett clenched his fists and silently made a vow.

“Come, eat, eat! Everyone, pick up your chopsticks and eat. Whatever it is, we’ll talk about it later.”

Mrs. BennettHelen Carter, in high spirits, picked up her chopsticks and placed a large piece of tender, crispy roast chicken on Charles Bennett’s plate.

“Mother, you eat too!”

Charles Bennett picked up his chopsticks and also placed a big helping into his mother Helen Carter’s bowl.

With Mrs. Bennett in such a good mood, even the stern-faced Mr. Bennett, who had been very displeased with Charles Bennett, relaxed a lot. Among the three cardinal guides and five constant virtues, filial piety comes first. For this boy to actually serve food to his mother was a big improvement.

He figured that after causing such a big incident, the boy had truly come to his senses. Thinking of this, William Bennett’s conviction grew even stronger.

“Father, Mother, while I have this opportunity, there’s something I want to discuss with you. I hope you’ll agree.”

Just as everyone was about to start eating, Charles Bennett put down his chopsticks. His eyes sparkled as he considered how to say what was on his mind.

“What do you want to do now?”

No sooner had Charles Bennett spoken than Mr. Bennett’s face darkened, his gaze icy cold. This brat, after causing such trouble, and just when he thought he’d really changed for the better, turns out he’s still the same at heart.

All those words and good behavior were just to bargain with him now. He wanted to see what this unfilial son was up to this time.

“Chong’er, what do you want to say?”

Mrs. Bennett, on the other hand, wasn’t like Mr. Bennett. Instead, she was very interested and even a little expectant. After all, a mother is always the one who believes in her child the most. In this, Mrs. Bennett didn’t overthink things like Mr. Bennett did.

“Father, Mother, I’ve thought about this for a long time...”

Charles Bennett lowered his head, looking thoughtful. Whether he could regain his parents’ trust depended on this. Charles Bennett knew that what he was about to say was extremely important for himself.

“I want to join the army!”

Charles Bennett said.

As soon as the words fell, the main hall shook. In an instant, everyone in the hall was stunned. Everything Charles Bennett had said before paled in comparison to the shock of this statement.

Mrs. Bennett’s lips trembled as she stared blankly at her son, wanting to speak but unable to utter a word. The news was too overwhelming—she needed time to process it.