He thought maybe he was just too easygoing. Even after such a serious blow, he didn’t take it to heart and still got through it without a care. And the most amazing thing was, after that night, he actually let it go—no, to be precise, he let it go even before that night was over.

Sigh, I was just a toy to begin with... A toy, so be it...

In this world, who isn’t someone else’s toy, anyway?

But, can I at least change my name?

……

“Gouda!”

A thunderous roar sounded at the door, and his mom barged in with an imposing air: “Didn’t you hear me calling you?! Are you deaf?”

Brian Carter sprang up from the bed with a “duang,” his face full of flattery: “I heard you, I heard you! I was just about to come help you with the chores, Mom... I’m coming, I’m coming...”

At the door stood a tall, slender, stunningly beautiful woman who looked only twenty-seven or twenty-eight—this beautiful lady was none other than Brian Carter’s mother.

His biological mother!

Most people, upon seeing Mother Zuo for the first time, couldn’t help but feel a bit of admiration, their imaginations running wild. The beauty before them looked so gentle and virtuous—surely the legendary good-tempered, talented, perfect wife and mother.

But only Brian Carter himself knew just how terrifying and fearsome this so-called gentle and virtuous mother could be when dealing with her own son.

Brian Carter had lived under his mother’s shadow for seventeen years. By now, he had developed a reflex to stand at attention the moment he heard her roar.

Whenever that beautiful, gentle face turned stern, Brian Carter would feel a sharp pain in his backside—because what followed was always a delicious serving of bamboo shoots stir-fried with pork.

And she never held back.

Most families had a strict father and a kind mother; but in Brian Carter’s family, it was the opposite: a strict mother and a kind father.

A kind father... actually, not that kind—more like indifferent and carefree; but the strict mother, now that was truly strict!

Brian Carter actually couldn’t figure it out—after all these years, there wasn’t a single trace of age on his mother’s face.

Still as youthful and beautiful as ever.

Of course, his old man was the same, looking about twenty-six, seven, eight, or nine; definitely not over thirty. Handsome and elegant, the kind of person who made a good impression at first sight, as if he were some learned scholar or poet.

But in reality...

Heh.

……

“Help me with chores?” His mother’s face was full of suspicion: “Gouda, since when have you been so filial?”

Brian Carter jumped up like a lackey, eagerly massaging his mother’s shoulders: “Oh, Mom, you work so hard every day, your son can’t bear to see it. Let me give you a massage...”

Emily Wright squinted her eyes, enjoying her son’s massage, and said comfortably, “Want money? No way! Let me tell you, Brian Carter, you’ve already spent your allowance for this month in advance. If you’re thinking of getting more from me, forget it.”

Brian Carter immediately stopped, his voice almost in tears: “You really are my real mom... So ruthless, I haven’t even asked yet...”

Emily Wright rolled her eyes, somehow giving off the vibe of a young girl, and pouted: “You came out of my belly, you think I don’t know what you’re thinking?”

Brian Carter hung his head in despair.

“And don’t even think about asking your dad!”

Brian Carter looked as if he’d lost a loved one.

“And don’t even think about asking your little Nian-jie! I’ll remind them all—if anyone dares give you money, just try it! Three hundred star coins a month for allowance—other families could live on that for a whole month. But you, you spent this month’s in advance last month. Brian Carter, tell me, how much has our family spent on your weird dreams? How many times have we gone along with your nonsense? And you still want to keep it up?”

Brian Carter was utterly hopeless, feeling like life had lost all meaning. He pleaded:

“Mom! I have something serious! I really do!!”

Emily Wright snorted: “A seventeen-year-old still messing around as a Martial Disciple, and not just any Martial Disciple, but a beginner one; and you’ve been stuck at beginner Martial Disciple for five years... and you’re someone who can sleep fourteen hours a day and still be a beginner Martial Disciple for five years... what serious business could you possibly have?”

Brian Carter clutched his chest, teary-eyed: “Mom, I feel like you’ve stabbed me in the heart...”

“You even have a heart?”

Emily Wright snorted coldly and turned to leave: “Hurry up and help me pick the vegetables. Your dad and your little Nian-jie will be back soon... Your dad needs a nap after eating, and your little Nian-jie will meditate and cultivate after eating, getting ready to break through to the Yin-Yang Realm... She can’t afford to rest poorly at this critical moment... Hurry up, if you dawdle any longer, I’ll break your dog legs!”

His mother gave a heavy snort: “Both of them!!”

Brian Carter was scared stiff... and hurriedly followed with his tail between his legs.

“Mom, just leave it all to me, I’ll handle everything!”

……

While picking vegetables, Brian Carter sighed and grumbled, his eyes darting around.

Is there any way to trick—uh, I mean coax—some money out of Mom? I don’t need much, just three thousand, no, two thousand would do, if not, even fifteen hundred... would be fine!