Sitting in the back seat, Lauren Clark blinked with a half-smile: “Are you afraid of me?”

“No, no, it’s not that, um, earlier I thought I was going to die, so I, uh, did that thing to you.” Eric Bennett’s face flushed a little. “I apologize to you. Please don’t hold it against me, you’re the bigger person.”

Thinking of Eric Bennett’s request—“Can I touch you?”—Lauren Clark couldn’t help but burst into a delicate laugh. The more she thought about it, the funnier it seemed. She held her stomach and giggled nonstop, her mature, voluptuous figure trembling, exuding a unique allure.

Lauren Clark’s driver, Adam Reed, glanced at the two of them in the rearview mirror with a puzzled look, not understanding what they were talking about. Earlier, he had been anxiously waiting outside the bank and hadn’t witnessed the excitement inside.

Eric Bennett’s face grew even more embarrassed. He cleared his throat lightly: “I really didn’t mean it.”

“I know, I know.”

Lauren Clark showed no sign of awkwardness at all, which made Eric Bennett breathe a sigh of relief. He scratched his head sheepishly, then turned to the driver: “Brother driver, um, could I have a cigarette?” Adam Reed looked at him, took out a pack of Yuxi, and politely handed one to Eric Bennett.

Just as he put the cigarette to his lips, the lighter clicked with a “snap.” Lauren Clark held the lighter in one hand and shielded the flame with the other, about to light it for Eric Bennett.

“No, no, I’ll do it myself, I’ll do it myself.” Eric Bennett hurriedly took the lighter, flattered, and lit the cigarette himself. How could he dare let the beautiful bureau chief light his cigarette?

This smoking habit was a bad one he’d picked up back when he worked as a publishing editor. He really couldn’t quit it for now.

Lauren Clark picked up pen and paper, scribbled a few lines, and handed it to Eric Bennett with a smile: “Let me thank you again. This is Aunt Jing’s phone number. If you need anything, you can contact me. Hmm, as long as it’s a school-related problem, I can still help.”

Eric Bennett took the slip of paper with a string of Global System for Mobile numbers in both hands, hesitated, and asked, “Are you with the Education Bureau?”

Lauren Clark looked at him with a beaming smile. “Deputy Director of the Municipal Education Bureau.” She extended her right hand toward Eric Bennett.

Eric Bennett still understood basic etiquette. He quickly stubbed out his cigarette and shook her hand. “It’s a great honor, a great honor.” When he got nervous, he tended to repeat himself.

Feeling the soft, fleshy little hand, Eric Bennett couldn’t help but recall the sensation of her chest, and his heart beat a little faster.

If she weren’t married, having such a mature woman as a wife wouldn’t be bad at all!

After going through so many hardships and slowly maturing, his personality had become calmer. Eric Bennett was no longer so naive and innocent. His requirements weren’t actually that high—make a little money, marry a wife he found pleasing, and that would be enough.

With the trouble of his scars gone and having returned to 2001, there seemed to be quite a lot he could do!

Chapter 4: Father, Mother

He declined Lauren Clark’s kind offer to treat him to a meal and instead boldly asked her to give him a ride home.

Mainly, he wanted to confirm his own existence.

That familiar siheyuan courtyard, the hand-turned faucet, the slightly dilapidated north room. Eric Bennett’s eyes grew moist. Only now did he truly believe he had been reborn!

“Mom!”

Trembling, he pushed open the half-closed door, only to see his mother, Julia Warren, in the outer room, washing clothes on a washboard, sweat dripping slowly from her face into the basin—a look of real hardship. Eric Bennett’s family wasn’t well-off; both parents were state-owned enterprise workers earning 800 yuan a month, so they never used the washing machine for laundry.

In his mother’s words, it used too much electricity!

In her forties, Julia Warren didn’t even look up. “How did the bank card go? Sigh, our family has no money. Why does a kid like you need that thing? Go wash your hands. When your dad gets home, we’ll eat.” Julia Warren, like mothers in ordinary families, loved to nag. “You’re about to start school. Review your lessons early. High school is the most important time. You have to work hard. Hmm, our family is counting on you to make something of yourself.”

Eric Bennett turned away and wiped the tears from the corner of his eye. “Mom, I will. I will.”

Death had taught Eric Bennett many things. Much happiness is actually right beside you, only you never noticed it.

With healthy parents and a harmonious family, is there anything happier in this world?

No!

Truly, nothing is better!

Julia Warren paused her work, looked up at him in mild surprise. “Usually you just answer me impatiently. What’s up with you today?” Fine wrinkles already lined the corners of her eyes. “If you’re really so sensible, help Mom wash the clothes.”

“Okay!” Eric Bennett rolled up his sleeves, squeezed past his mother, and grabbed the clothes and soap. “You take a break, go watch some TV.”

Julia Warren gave a wry smile and nudged her son with her shoulder. “Move aside, I was just saying. You actually took it seriously? Besides, you don’t even know how to wash. In the end, I’ll have to wash them again.” In fact, as long as her son had this intention, it was enough for Julia Warren. How could she bear to let him do chores?

But who would have thought Eric Bennett would insist on washing the clothes? Julia Warren could only cross her arms and watch him make a fool of himself, laughing. After sixteen years, Eric Bennett had never done housework, not even made his own bed—how could he possibly know how to wash clothes?