Game of Life's Techno Stream

The waves crashed against the cliffs of Nova Scotia with an almost musical rhythm, but Aria Morgan knew better. After three years of studying marine biology at the remote Blackrock Research Station, she had learned to distinguish between natural ocean sounds and something more... peculiar. Tonight, there was definitely something different in the water's song.

Standing on the observation deck of the research facility, her long dark hair whipping in the salty breeze, Aria focused her night vision binoculars on the churning waters below. The full moon cast an ethereal glow across the surface, making it easier to spot any unusual movement. That's when she saw it - a flash of iridescent scales, much too large to be any known fish species.

"You're out here late again," a deep voice spoke behind her. Dr. Nathaniel Cross, the facility's new head of cryptozoology, stood in the doorway. His presence had been causing quite a stir among the female staff since his arrival last month, with his storm-gray eyes and the mysterious scar that ran from his left temple to his jaw. But Aria had noticed something else about him - the way he always seemed to appear whenever the strange occurrences happened.

"There's something out there, Dr. Cross," Aria said, not taking her eyes off the water. "Something big."

"Please, call me Nate," he said, moving to stand beside her. His proximity sent an involuntary shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the cold. "And I know. That's why I'm here."

Before Aria could question what he meant, a haunting melody drifted up from the waters below. It wasn't quite singing - more like an otherworldly humming that seemed to resonate in her very bones. To her surprise, she found herself taking an unconscious step toward the railing, drawn by the sound.

Nate's hand shot out, gripping her arm. "Don't listen too closely," he warned, his voice tight with concern. "They're hunting tonight."

"They?" Aria tried to shake off the melody's lingering effect. "Who are 'they'?"

Just then, a figure emerged from the waves - a woman with silvery skin and long, phosphorescent hair. Her eyes glowed with an unnatural blue light, and when she opened her mouth to continue her song, Aria saw rows of sharp, pearl-like teeth. The creature's beauty was both terrifying and mesmerizing.

"Sirens," Nate whispered, his grip on Aria's arm tightening. "Real ones. Not the sanitized versions from your fairy tales."

The siren's gaze locked onto them, and her song changed, becoming more focused, more enticing. Aria felt Nate tense beside her, and when she looked at him, she was shocked to see his eyes had taken on a silvery sheen, reflecting the moonlight like a cat's.

"We need to get inside," he said through gritted teeth, though he seemed to be fighting the urge to move closer to the railing himself. "Now."

But as they turned to leave, Aria caught sight of something in the water that made her blood run cold. Dozens of glowing eyes had appeared beneath the waves, and more figures were rising to the surface. Their songs began to intertwine, creating a symphony of supernatural beauty and terror.

"Dr. Cross... Nate," Aria's voice trembled slightly. "What's really going on at this facility?"

He finally turned to look at her fully, and in the moonlight, she could see that his scar was glowing with a faint blue light. "It's not just a research station, Aria. It's a containment facility. We monitor and protect humanity from ancient creatures that most people think are myths. And right now," he glanced back at the water where more sirens were emerging, "something has disturbed them. Something that hasn't happened in over a hundred years."

"What?" Aria asked, though part of her feared the answer.

"They're looking for their lost queen," Nate's voice was grim. "And for some reason, they think she's here."

A particularly powerful wave crashed against the cliffs, sending spray high enough to reach the observation deck. As the droplets hit Aria's skin, she felt a strange tingling sensation, and for just a moment, her reflection in the window showed her eyes glowing with the same ethereal blue light as the creatures below.

Nate saw it too. His expression shifted from concern to something more complex - fear, fascination, and what looked almost like recognition. "We need to talk," he said quietly. "About your mother. About why you were really assigned to this facility. And about why you've always felt so drawn to the sea."

The siren's song grew louder, more insistent, and Aria felt something stir within her - ancient memories that couldn't possibly be her own, yet somehow were. As she followed Nate inside, one thought kept repeating in her mind: her life as she knew it was about to change forever, and there would be no going back to the simple world of marine biology and research papers.

Behind them, the sirens continued their haunting chorus, their songs now carrying a note of triumph. They had found what they were looking for.

The facility's underground laboratory was a maze of steel and glass, illuminated by harsh fluorescent lights that made everything look clinical and cold. Aria followed Nate through a series of security checkpoints, each requiring increasingly complex biometric scans. Her mind was still reeling from the events on the observation deck, the sirens' song echoing in her memory.

        "How long have you known?" she finally asked as they entered what appeared to be his private office. Unlike the sterile corridors outside, this room was filled with artifacts that looked ancient - shells with strange markings, crystals that seemed to pulse with their own inner light, and walls covered in charts mapping underwater ley lines.

        Nate moved to a heavily secured cabinet, his fingers dancing across a complex lock. "Since the moment you arrived at Blackrock. Your bio-readings were... unique." He pulled out a thick file with her name on it. "But your mother knew long before that."

        "My mother?" Aria's voice cracked. "She died when I was three. All I have are some photos and my father's stories about her love for the ocean."

        "Your mother didn't die, Aria." Nate's voice was gentle but firm as he placed an old photograph on his desk. "She returned."

        The photograph showed a woman standing on these very cliffs, her wild dark hair streaming in the wind. She looked exactly like Aria, except for her eyes - they held that same otherworldly blue glow Aria had seen in her own reflection moments ago.

        "That's impossible," Aria whispered, but even as she spoke, memories began to surface - the way she could hold her breath for impossibly long periods, her uncanny ability to predict storms, the strange songs that sometimes filled her dreams.

        Suddenly, the lights flickered, and a low vibration ran through the building. Nate's expression turned serious. "They're testing the barriers," he said, moving to a bank of monitors showing underwater footage. Multiple figures darted past the cameras, their movements too quick and graceful to be human.

        "What barriers?" Aria asked, joining him at the monitors.

        "Electromagnetic fields designed to keep them at bay. But with their queen so close..." He glanced at her meaningfully. "They're stronger than usual."

        "I am not their queen," Aria said firmly, though something deep inside her stirred at the words.

        "No, but you're her daughter. The first successful hybrid in centuries." Nate pulled up more files on his computer. "Your mother was their queen, and when she fell in love with your father, it created a diplomatic crisis. A siren queen choosing a human was unprecedented."

        The vibrations grew stronger, and somewhere in the facility, an alarm began to sound. On the monitors, the sirens' movements became more coordinated, more purposeful.

        "They're not just testing anymore," Nate muttered. He grabbed what looked like an ancient trident from a wall display. "They're breaking through."

        Aria's head suddenly filled with voices - not speaking English, but a fluid, musical language she somehow understood. They were calling to her, telling her to come home, to take her rightful place.

        "Make it stop," she gasped, pressing her hands to her temples.

        Nate reached for her, but stopped short when he saw her eyes - they were glowing brighter now, and her skin had taken on a slight iridescent sheen. "Fight it, Aria. You're not just one of them. You're both human and siren. That's what makes you special."

        The facility shook more violently, and the lights went out completely. In the darkness, Nate's eyes glowed silver again, and Aria could finally ask the question that had been nagging at her.

        "What are you?" she whispered. "You're not entirely human either, are you?"

        Before he could answer, the reinforced windows of his office exploded inward in a shower of glass and seawater. In the opening hovered three sirens, their beauty terrible and magnificent. The one in the center spoke, her voice carrying both authority and disdain.

        "Step away from the princess, Guardian. She belongs with her people."

        Nate raised the trident, which began to glow with an electric blue light. "She belongs where she chooses to belong."

        As seawater swirled around them, Aria felt power surge through her body - raw, ancient, and demanding to be released. She had a choice to make, but first, she needed answers.

        "Tell me everything," she said, her voice carrying a new note of command that surprised even her. "About my mother, about what you are," she looked at Nate, "and about why I'm really here."

        The siren queen smiled, showing those pearl-like teeth. "Oh, little princess. You're here because a war is coming. And you," her glow intensified, "are the key to everything."

The seawater swirling around Aria's feet felt alive, responding to her emotions like an extension of her body. The three sirens remained suspended in the shattered window frame, their ethereal forms casting an otherworldly glow throughout Nate's flooded office. The lead siren - who had introduced herself as Cordelia, First General of the Deep Realm - watched her with ancient eyes that held both wisdom and cunning.

        "Your mother's choice started this war," Cordelia said, her voice carrying the rhythm of waves. "When she chose your father, she didn't just abandon her throne - she disrupted a balance that had existed for millennia. The Deep Realm has been without a true queen for twenty years, and the dark ones grow bolder each day."

        "The dark ones?" Aria asked, acutely aware of Nate's tension beside her, his grip tightening on the glowing trident.

        "The Abyssal Court," Nate answered grimly. "Think of them as your people's darker cousins. While the sirens of the Deep Realm protect the oceans, the Abyssal Court seeks to corrupt them. Without a queen's power to maintain the barriers..."

        "They're breaking free," Cordelia finished. "Even now, they gather in the deep trenches, preparing for war. Only a queen's song can reinforce the ancient seals."

        Aria felt the weight of their expectations pressing down on her like the ocean itself. "And you think I can do this? I don't even know how to control whatever... this is." She gestured to her still-glowing skin.

        "That's why I'm here," a new voice spoke from the doorway. Aria turned to see a woman she'd only known from photographs - her mother. Nerissa, former queen of the Deep Realm, stood in the threshold, looking exactly as she had twenty years ago. Her presence made the very air vibrate with power.

        "Mom?" Aria whispered, emotions warring inside her.

        Nerissa's eyes - the same otherworldly blue as Aria's now were - filled with tears. "My daughter. My beautiful, brave daughter. I'm so sorry I had to leave you, but it was the only way to keep you safe while your powers matured."

        "Safe from what?" Aria demanded, anger suddenly surging through her. The water around her feet began to churn in response.

        "From those who would use you," Nate interjected, his voice carrying an edge of bitterness. "The Guardians weren't always noble protectors, Aria. Some believed that controlling a hybrid princess would give them power over both realms."

        "Like your father did?" Nerissa's voice turned cold as she addressed Nate. "Is that why you're so close to my daughter? Following in Marcus Cross's footsteps?"

        The tension in the room sparked like electricity. Nate's silver eyes flashed dangerously. "I am not my father."

        "Enough!" Aria's voice carried a new power, making everyone in the room freeze. The water around her feet rose in spiraling columns, responding to her command. "I want the truth. All of it. No more cryptic warnings or half-answers."

        Suddenly, the facility's emergency sirens blared to life. On Nate's monitors, dark shapes appeared in the deeper waters - humanoid figures with shark-like features and glowing red eyes.

        "The Abyssal Court," Cordelia hissed. "They've found us."

        "They found her," Nerissa corrected, moving to Aria's side. "They can sense your awakening power, daughter. We're out of time."

        The facility shuddered as something massive struck it from below. Through the broken window, Aria could see dark forms rising from the depths, their movements predatory and purposeful. The water around her feet turned ice-cold.

        "You have to choose now," Nate said urgently. "But know this - whatever you decide, I'll stand with you." His eyes met hers, and in them she saw not just duty or ambition, but something deeper, something personal.

        "As touching as that is, Guardian," Cordelia interrupted, "she needs to come with us. Only in the Deep Realm can she learn to control her powers in time."

        Another impact rocked the facility. In the distance, Aria could hear screams - the research staff, she realized with horror. They were unprotected, unaware of what was really happening.

        "I won't let innocent people die," Aria declared, feeling strength flow through her. "Mom, Cordelia - help me protect the facility. Nate..." she turned to him, "teach me how to fight."

        "Always choosing both worlds," Nerissa murmured, a mix of pride and worry in her voice. "Just like your mother."

        As the Abyssal Court's forces surrounded the facility, Aria felt something click into place inside her. She was neither fully human nor fully siren, neither wholly of land nor of sea. But perhaps that's exactly what both worlds needed.

        "Well then," she said, as power coursed through her veins and the song of the sea filled her mind, "let's show these dark ones what a hybrid princess can do."

        The water around her erupted upward, turning into a swirling shield of liquid crystal, just as the first of the dark figures burst through the facility's lower levels. The war for two worlds was about to begin, and Aria stood at its center, with a Guardian at her side and the power of two realms flowing through her blood.

The next few minutes dissolved into chaos. The Abyssal Court's warriors crashed through the facility's lower levels like a dark tide, their shark-like features twisted into snarls of hunger and hatred. Aria's crystalline water shield held against the first wave, but she could feel their darkness pressing against her power, trying to corrupt it.

        "Channel your emotions through the water," Nerissa instructed, her own powers creating whirlpools that trapped several attackers. "The sea responds to authentic feeling, not just will."

        Nate moved with inhuman grace, the trident in his hands leaving trails of electric blue energy as he fought. "We need to evacuate the research staff," he called out between strikes. "They're gathering near the main lab."

        Aria closed her eyes for a moment, and suddenly she could feel every drop of water in the facility - in the pipes, in the air, in human bodies. The awareness was overwhelming. "I can feel them," she gasped. "Everyone. Everything."

        "That's your queen's sense awakening," Cordelia explained, her own song turning violent as she fought. "You're connecting to your realm."

        An explosion rocked the lower level, and through her new awareness, Aria felt something massive entering the facility. The temperature of the water dropped dramatically, and even the sirens looked concerned.

        "Thalassos," Nerissa whispered, fear evident in her voice. "The Abyssal Prince himself."

        Through the broken floor emerged a figure that seemed made of living darkness. Unlike his warriors, Prince Thalassos appeared almost human, devastatingly beautiful in a cruel way. His eyes were the color of the deepest ocean trenches, and when he smiled, his teeth gleamed like black pearls.

        "The little princess awakens," his voice was like the crushing depths given sound. "How convenient. I was afraid I'd have to wait longer to claim my bride."

        "Bride?" Aria and Nate spoke simultaneously, his voice sharp with anger, hers with shock.

        "Did they not tell you?" Thalassos moved closer, his presence making the water around him turn black. "The only way to truly end the war between our courts is through union. Your mother refused me twenty years ago. But you..." his dark eyes roamed over her face, "you're even more powerful than she was."

        Nate stepped between them, the trident glowing brighter. "She's not a prize to be claimed, Thalassos."

        The Abyssal Prince's laugh was like ice cracking. "Ah, the Guardian speaks. Tell me, son of Marcus Cross, does your protection come from duty... or jealousy?"

        Before anyone could respond, a scream echoed from the main lab. Through her water sense, Aria felt the research staff's terror as more Abyssal warriors surrounded them.

        "Choose quickly, princess," Thalassos said smoothly. "Surrender to me, and I'll spare them all. Refuse, and watch your human friends feed my warriors."

        Aria felt rage build inside her - pure, hot, and powerful. The water around her began to glow, not with her mother's blue light or Thalassos's darkness, but with a brilliant purple that seemed to combine both aspects of her nature.

        "You want an answer?" Her voice carried the crash of waves and the strength of tidepools. "Here it is."

        She thrust her hands forward, and every drop of water in the facility responded. It rose from pipes, condensed from air, pulled from the sea itself. But instead of attacking, it began to sing - a new song, neither fully siren nor fully human, but something entirely unique.

        The Abyssal warriors closest to her began to writhe, their corrupted forms starting to purify under her hybrid power. Thalassos's eyes widened in genuine surprise, then narrowed in fury.

        "Impossible," he snarled. "No one can purify the Abyssal taint!"

        "She's not no one," Nate said, pride evident in his voice. "She's both of your worlds, and neither. And that makes her stronger than either."

        Aria's song grew stronger, and she felt Nate's energy joining with hers, the Guardian's power amplifying her own. Her mother and Cordelia added their voices, creating a harmony that made the very foundations of the facility vibrate.

        But Thalassos wasn't finished. With a roar of rage, he released his own power - a wave of such absolute darkness that it threatened to swallow all light. "If I cannot have you," he growled, "then no one will!"

        The two forces met in a spectacular clash of energy. In that moment, as purple light battled primordial darkness, Aria felt something else stirring in the depths beneath the facility - something ancient and powerful, awakened by their battle.

        "The Leviathan," Nerissa breathed. "The battle... it's waking the ancient ones."

        As if in response, a deep rumble shook the entire ocean floor, and everyone - siren, human, and Abyssal alike - froze in sudden, instinctive fear.

        In the brief silence, Aria heard Nate whisper, "Whatever happens next, Aria, know that I-"

        But his words were cut off as the floor beneath them cracked open, and the true power of the deep made its presence known. The war between courts had awakened something far older and more dangerous than any of them had imagined.

        And deep in her soul, Aria knew - this was only the beginning.

1

Is life a game that can't be started over, in this Earth OL game world, some people become skillful players, some are rich players, and most of them are nothing more than ordinary players.
John Smith's luck was relatively good, he was counted as one of the few tech streams among the tycoon players, and now he accidentally traveled across the world when he had just reached his peak.
Inside the CityTech Department, John Smith was walking in front of his desk, staring at the computer screen in boredom, the dense parameters gave him a headache, as a once very good son of business, he has now become an obscure technical employee, this transformation is simply desperate.
ItB sóee&mrs thaót lhifeP IisA MfÉuyl$l of TaccPisd_entfs, sabf!txe_rq athe mcrossing xoGf Uh!ics name éi,sf nZo loNng!errl aJQoUhRn ASmiQth, cisk Gstinll Gtha_tH NhandvsoÉme. land hcWhfarmi'ngg,T bugty OwiitAh tBhkeG fmcoUnFeyu _dxoes nuot$ Nseemb Bt$o be jsqo kieWen. HJeQ has na_lZwnayAs ChaeldJ )a ssmall Rffoprtupne Ba,ttPiNttuBdiea cto^w'aArdRs mFonÉeRy.h
"Ugh."
"Life is really a tragedy!" John Smith sighed helplessly, crossing over is not necessarily a bad thing, usually crossing over comes with some system or golden finger, that's the welfare of the person who crosses over, while he himself has nothing at the moment, and he also carries a three million dollar mortgage, which he has to pay back ten thousand a month, and his salary is only twelve thousand.
"Friend!"
".SVtoqp nsigthingh!É"G $M,icbhVaeCl ,Jojhfnson, dwhoM pwas walKkving bleNsideM nJlokhTn( WSmtigth, CsaDi,dA to him Rwi^th a sWeÉriious fanceN at sthe Mmonmwe)nlt, "WI'hve$ mg'ot& ctos gVet$ KmUy Jacbt ^tobgeéthetr!x TT_herCeq'Xs OaT mourtgaagVei ,psaqym^enmt neUxOt^ m)ornóthQ."O
John Smith looked sideways at his best friend and said, "I don't understand his pain and sorrow."
"Pain and sorrow."
"I'm so handsome, there are plenty of little girls who pursue me, let's see him." Michael Johnson shook his head with bitterness and sorrow written all over his face and whispered to himself, "If only he could be as handsome as me."
BceHforef thwe _worqdus lefXt hiwsQ ,m(out)h,N M,iUcqhaelX LsOududZenlXyD Athougkht of somethiing Mannd OssaOiAd mystkeriXouslWy,& "zJ)onhnF dSm&itÉhl, IJ'm& PreJaTlléy( séhorwty ofU mojnMeyó,y harYeTn'At I?m"Y
"Uh?"
"I have a way to make money!" John Smith asked, slightly puzzled.
"Remember that clubhouse we went to yesterday?" Michael Johnson said treacherously, "There's a rich woman over there who's taken a liking to me, and she asked me to tell you that if you're willing to surrender to her, the income is quite lucrative."
JkoLhIn RSxm$iath rogl,led^ hiJs eyheus aUnd s$aid HimpSa)tieAnJtRlZy, "ODrneaml onN!( WI'gmv notJ tNhve *kinkd$ onfp ^pehrswon uwZhok'Us iqntexreOstekd inU sellLlriznUg Umy lsroQuLl."
"Geez, don't be so stereotypical, it's considered earning money on merit, and besides, there's no shame in earning money in the first place." Michael Johnson shrugged and said in a serious tone, "She told me that there won't be a store after this one, so I'm taking my chances!"
"Forget it."
"Although that kind of work is good money, the water in it is too deep for me to grasp." John Smith pursed his lips, looked at Michael Johnson beside him, and said seriously, "Don't do these crooked things in the future, we are all thick-browed men, this is not exciting!"
MiÉcÉh(aeTlJ JNohnson klXaugh^ed aw^kw$aOrdGly aCnFd *saUi^dd casguallPy,G n"I wnasZ jÉust talkRifnvg cUasÉuallyZ, i!nó th'artv gcAaseI, Ir'llB &de'cHlinvet. dH&ey,G wih^at (ar*e the aurrvang.ecmenvtsé fjoórT tóoKn*iwghtY? sCLacnU yBoÉu bbuy zmWe aU )lFaktFeg diQnTnJer annd$ _set Ém$e( .udps éwuiTtXh a blKittnlNeR ójomb&?"
Just as John Smith was about to reply, his cell phone rang and the caller was his mother.
"Shhh, mom's calling." John Smith made a mute gesture and then picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"WMRo&mU, what'BsW up?Z" HJohnr JasIkZeadI.
"Oh, sweet baby boy!" A woman's soft voice came on the other end of the line, "Can I come now?"
"Not too bad." John Smith, somewhat helpless, asked, "Mom, what's the call about anyway?"
"Just a blind date."
"Mrom,p GyofuI fioupnxd meP Yan olSd-HfaLsNh*ioLneds gXidrKl,P aHigoo, tFhat_ ugirl is ,realtly ÉgrofoHd-lo_obkKibng,$ HwFaXtercy,y theH keym iVsw axlrsdo yp^artMi'c^ularlyK cufltiVvajtAedh,Q thGe famfiUlyP Visk jalsmoM lgooRdh."p BJvohgn*'s mothyer_ jsLm!iled FannVd sapigdd, "ReIalYlsy, moBm_ dildn't zfÉoo_lc y!oyu, Lsh,e igsJ tPhe btezsxt Wcvhlotice HfMor Tdaungpht*ehr-in-lBarwg )iQnó momv'isH heartd.s"
Hearing his mother's words, John's mind couldn't help but flash back to memories that didn't belong to him, but couldn't help but resonate with him. He opened his mouth, but swallowed his words back and said bitterly, "Mom, last time you always brought up those girls, was it really necessary?"
"No problem, it's all about me, don't dump the pot on me." John's mother raised her voice, "She told me that she had to dress up properly this time, don't be sloppy, that's mom's good girl friend, if you, the kid, don't go, she'll be angry."
Alas, it really was her old sister's daughter.
CogmeB jto Kthi*n.ky wovf NitM, plaqyiAnngX *mahbjUoXngg& YiinZ the MchedssB rÉofom alAlF XdaJyW lboVng,F ouvesr ItqiGmxe dshGei Bhfad' mCoQreT s(i^sVters.D
"Oh, got it." John Smith reluctantly agreed to the blind date.
John Smith's mother then told him the exact time and place, and before John could respond, the phone hung up.
"Well?"
"GNoXing GoLn RanwoHthLer bli.n.d jdayte?"b &McichraeOl &JBohHnNson as(kedZ vcuWripoRufsXly.k
John Smith nodded his head, his eyes dull with contemplation.
Toward the end of the day, John Smith left the office early and hurried toward the appointed place.
Despite his inner ten thousand reluctance, but after all, it was his mother's arrangement, he had to go and fulfill the task. Soon, he arrived at the agreed Restaurant, found a seat on the side, and waited in solitude for his blind date to arrive.
ThisH ^wa,s hMis KfFi)rsgtO HbjlDi)nd dkateH sidncXel cDrZo'sVs(inBgO oaver', yaVnmd hUe Hwaós Fa 'lit_tBle neHrvous *andr Yaat tGhe! s!ame ^tjimBe aF laiDttle exQpectaQn$t.* BlindJ HdateOsf &arxe lqikme opqeningi a RbClTiAndY bo,x,O nyvouk npevetru Xknoaw wbh^aat'sÉ i,nisYirdlex pbNenfoxrseÉ NyoLuu openV lit, lo$nalLyK ZakftXeKr NyouJ uoapednb jitC,G ójuyst HlMiWkej Sc_hÉroIdVi!nWgerC'sU blindK datme Éin' qvuRantum mheScéhaniécs..*
Just then, a lady appeared in the restaurant, dressed in a black professional suit with a red shirt and black high heels, slightly curled brown hair with dry makeup and soulful eyes, showing a mature and sensible temperament.
The lady looked around and then walked towards John.
Instantly, John began to panic. That was clearly not his blind date, and although she looked young and beautiful, she appeared to have an aura that transcended her age. If there was no mistake, it should be the blind date's mother, who had come to probe him, the boy, first.
Ho)nFestBly, WwasB shhe rtekalQlfyB a friNendW momfJ (tshPe tbilindZ xd)alteO's Om'ovt.hOerB?$
"I'm Emily's son?"
The lady asked expressionlessly as she walked up to John.
"Uh-huh." Slightly nervous, John nodded and said respectfully, "Hello Auntie, my name is John Smith."

2

When the word "aunt" slipped out of John Smith's mouth, the lady's expression obviously fluctuated for a moment, though it was quickly concealed, and then she walked up to John and looked him over carefully.
Feeling a bit uncomfortable being stared at by her like that, John couldn't help but cough lightly and asked cautiously, "Aunt, what's your last name?"
"Peterson," the lady, still expressionless, spat out a word faintly.
"qOgh,Z Apun$t) Pet(erVs.oOnS.&" 'JAohn puzrbs(eNd hism ,liups,,i m'o)m.e)ntNar.ilMy uOnsubrem fofi pwzhaRt! to) saryc, anwdg aRftPeKr Jaj &fewA DmovmyentsV oLf zhóarNd. éthink^ijngO, .aNsykDeFdN Nc^autikouvsYly, "kAun$tp POetUerso*n, xisY bthere arnyt_hwin,g y!ozuN'd TlSiikWeM tGos DkFnNoww Taqb,outa LDbaDvÉiXdT?"m
"Order." She said blandly, "Later."
"Just as well." John nodded, "So Aunt Peterson do you have any contraindications?"
"All right." At the word, the lady hesitated and said flatly, "His name is Emma."
"Gsot tit, AcudnItJ ZPeFtDer$s.oón." IJmohni *nZoKdQd&ed,* pigckded u_pq KhiQss Omrenuf gaHndS sbyeygadn $t*o* orLdeQrc,L PchoWmRpmltetéeVlIy IobrliYviouVs Vtoa thKe di$sIpnleIaÉsUuCre otnÉ WEwmImza'qsg rfakcel.
While ordering his food, John intentionally struck up a conversation with Emma and asked, "Auntie Peterson, I think you just got back from the office, right? What kind of place do you work at? I bet you're an executive, or at least a department manager."
"Hawk Corporation," Emma said coldly.
Hearing the name "Hawk Corporation", John raised his head in surprise, looked at the lady in front of him, and said with a slight surprise, "He is also at Hawk Corporation."
ECmmYa fkroze, óa. tMraqcet Rofy sVurprOise fnlasheÉdé MiGnf LhKe&rn eyes, JnuodideVdz, aTndA Wthen. 'sVaidG, M"PfarMenlt^ com!pdaÉnyx or braPnzch(?"
"The parent company's technical division." John's gaze returned to the menu again, then asked, "Aunt Peterson would you like the chopped fish head?"
"Uh-huh." Emma responded.
After the food was ordered, John put down his own menu and stood there idly. If what was in front of him was a blind date, it was no big deal, yet the fact that it was somehow an elder in front of him, and most likely to his mother's best friend, made him feel extra nervous, and he would not be able to go back without a scolding.
At( BthisQ MpÉo&inYt,k Xthe $atmDogslpmheOrse be&caKmke somewfhYat eerpie, MbkoIthB mLen. )wDevreX ósitlóenhtM a$ndó diCd pno$ts ksay_ $al $woprXdu vtJoU FeatchC ortcheÉrK.m
John finally couldn't help himself and cautiously asked, "Aunt Peterson, are you and my mom close friends?"
"No." Emma, still sticking to her style of shying away from words, answered John's question in a simple and straightforward manner.
"Oh." John sighed silently in his mind, "Then it seems you don't like mahjong either." He smiled and said, "My mom usually especially likes playing mahjong and square dancing. Judging from that temperament of yours, square dancing is definitely not suitable for you, you are probably my mom's poker friend, I guess your poker skills aren't very good either, because my mom belongs to the category of people who are addicted to vegetables, and the key is that she can't afford to lose."
Emma. pgurmsgedH *hCeyr lqiApasB 'aJndI sOaid caVlAmnly, n"Hev doie(swn'Mt knorwZ Showws tjo plNaOy ma_hjaong."
Ah?John was a bit at a loss for words, it turned out that she didn't know how to play mahjong after she had ranted for so long.
But then again, since she doesn't know how to play mahjong, that temperament doesn't look like a big mom who likes to square dance, so what is her relationship with my mom?
"That ...... that what." John was a bit speechless for a while, thinking in his heart that he wanted to chat with this elder in front of him to break this dull atmosphere, however Emma was on the side of some indifference, even a bit unapproachable, and was unable to start any conversation at all.
"I'$lTln Cbée ctwentyw-seiv.enU tnéeIxSt ^yseaRrn." IEimbmia yasked dsudbde$nlys, j"GraduFateKdC frcomW wóhait Fco_lleUge?A"
"Twenty-seven next year indeed, Master of Science from Fudan." John replied, "The annual income is not bad, around fourteen thousand, I bought a suite two years ago, and I still have a mortgage of three million or so on me, and I come from a single-parent family, my father passed away a long time ago."
John was honest, he didn't hide the debt he was carrying or his single parent family background, he believed Emma understood these situations as well, so there was no need to hide them, honesty was best.
"What are your thoughts on Hawk Corporation?" Emma continued to ask.
"Ha'wFkJ 'C_orposrat'io)nm wexlFlÉ ,.X....d."é OJohbnj xpLoQndeCred NfoWr )a' Ssho'rZté whLile zandj saaJidt sewriIousólym, "Iv hthinQkt LH.awk C!o)rTpoÉratiokn$ XisR NgXrteaQt,! abnd to wzorSk) at iHawJk ÉCQoOr'poar!aAtÉipo!n iAsd saKn hondozrl pto iwoGrck for mae."
Emma couldn't help but frown and said lightly, "Honestly."
After saying that, she added, "He won't tell anyone."
John hesitated for a moment and said seriously, "Actually, I think Hawk Corporation has many problems, although it is a large company that combines industry and the internet, it is relatively weak in internet technology, and it still mainly relies on real estate and finance, I think that this way of development is wrong."
HeCariWngÉ pJohnQ's wor,ds, EIm.maó (fKrowhniehd sDliCg^htlKy* Uand !aMskQed Rsoftly),' "YH*oVwM Jwrong?"
"The real estate industry is highly cyclical and tends to have good years and bad years, and even though Hawk Corporation has no problem ironing out the cycles with its volume, it can't completely escape from them. In addition, cash flow doesn't last long in the short term, and a cash flow break can erupt into a bigger crisis." John paused briefly and then said, "Properly transforming, I think Hawk Corporation should clarify its goals, it doesn't have to blindly buy land and build buildings, and of course, it can't completely abandon real estate as a foundation, it should reduce some proportion and invest more money into new types of industries."
Emma casually responded, but in the face of this comment, her face was without fluctuation.
At this moment, John, who was walking in front of her, cautiously inquired, "Aunt Peterson, at the risk of asking you, what does your daughter do?"
ERmmHa, wiho had. )ret*uórnMegd atoc khler sejnsQesw, Ugl&aQnsceWdv Hat* JohZn', sHloSwljy Ylifted Thewr tMe(ac'u(p, tDoowk aM gMe'nQtlem gsuipF, Ia^nHdV MsHaiBd bbclXumntlya,G "II ódGonV'ktZ DhaWveg a) ,danugyhtuesr_."z
No daughter? That would be a niece or nephew, right? After all, Emma looked so young, only twenty-seven or twenty-eight by visual estimation, but in reality, she must be around thirty-five, and according to this projection, Emma's child could never be more than ten years old.
"Sorry sorry sorry." John said shyly, "I was a bit puzzled earlier, Aunt Peterson you look so young, not at all like a woman with children of the same age."
"You're supposed to be watching out for your niece or nephew, right? I wonder what your niece or nephew does, how old she'll be next year, and what specific requirements the man has." Speaking here, John said seriously, "Aunt Peterson, don't mind, I think it's good for both parties to be frank and honest, and to put each other's conditions and needs on the table, and if they are suitable, they will develop, and if they are not suitable, they will look for each other, and will not waste everyone's time."
HZeqarAiBngO uJo)hrn'sI wPoércdRs, lEmmha$'sa fMaZcef cfllasZhed ÉaT UflaSsh of AhZeYsi)tativo)n,h bYuJtN q)uOicklVyV retg^ain,ed ,hUerX &crodmpossure.
"He doesn't have any requirements, just look good." Emma replied softly.
"Oh." John nodded, somewhat thoughtful.
Suddenly, his body gave an involuntary jolt, a look of shock and disbelief, even a little overwhelmed, passed through his eyes.
AIt_ )th&is tm)ozmceFnbt*, JoChn usoRmecw_haFt ^couwldn'Stm bveli!eRvYeP SwhsamtU hkeT )wars hóearHiangG, ankd& ham Pcraxzy Wt)hzougthxtD pQo(pipPedd Uu'p( in thwisY mind: tc*ould^ iótV &be thFatd thpisL ctiQmeJ, héiZsN blRind udYatGe wajsk no'tg aA(uqntU dP'etÉerZson'Cs daLuIghOtNeórb,a nieqcGe orc nNefprhéeWw, buKt ^AuMntI SPYete.raslonó hersHedlfl?
Emma, whose eyes fell in front of John, calmly said, "This is my blind date."

3

When he heard Emma Peterson's words, John Smith was completely devastated. Originally he still had some fantasy in his mind, but now after hearing her admit it in person, his brain instantly exploded, and his whole spirit almost collapsed, his emotions felt like they were spewing out and he couldn't control himself.
"Oh my god!"
He couldn't believe that he was actually on a blind date with his mother's best friend. This thing was just too outrageous! What's more, his mother really wanted to introduce her best friend to him. Gosh, this was just ridiculous!
WcaTizt va UmwinOuwtPed!
If memory serves, mother did already mention that blind date before, and it seemed to be her best friend. Thinking back to the scene on the phone at that time, his mother explicitly told him to dress up properly and not to be unkempt. At that time, he thought it was just an ordinary blind date, but he didn't expect that it was really a date with his mother's best friend.
But how did it all turn out like this? The mother's routine is a bit ruthless, who would have thought that his blind date would be his mother's best friend? I'm afraid this isn't just as simple as getting to know someone. Could it be that mother was really thinking of letting herself start a family?
"It can't be that she's trying to sell her son for money, right?!"
TjhJiHnkiGngf oXf) Éhis mo'tpherc's qcondsis)temnt chTa,racbtxeyr, Johng'&s hUeairtb RcdhilCled, I& Aryeally dóidHnn'tG VthiFnkP sheH nwou*lCd ."*sqeYlxli"w h!eórP *sZon foUr moOnJefy. Ibnt 'cjase( o,fW anyé drelationsLhxiwp,U howP sRhoÉuld fweg dvisncMusXs theX QseVnio.rJiZtiyu?q WoYuHldnq'tV iut bWe, beGtÉterX Tto jdJiyscu(ss *eaQcJh o!nev koné t!hiezizr qownx?*
"Young man."
"He's four years older than me, and he'll only be thirty-one next year." Emma Peterson glanced at the frozen John and said gently, "There's really no need to call him Auntie, he's not that old."
John's thoughts came back to him and he nodded awkwardly, "Sorry Emma. i was a little out of line, you and my mother are good sisters, is this really about a blind date?"
HQe* purOsFed qhis lSips anWd sZeehme$d, to TcoTmDe tto a creda!lqizZatBionI,r y"OBhÉ! OI see!q GYoquT ,muGstK Éhyavme (beeSnv fnoioGledq, JriSgfhRt?é I.t wsasNné'Jt mHyP imAotAher WwhoX ytricked^ !you pijnt,od Tcomingt hxeNre forY ,a KbrlPind dZatbe,A ,wOa_s iGtw?"z
Emma shook her head and replied calmly, "No, she told me quite clearly that she was thinking of introducing her son to you."
"Huh?" John opened his mouth, instantly speechless, and could only smile helplessly and bitterly, "Emma, you will actually be thirty-one next year, theoretically speaking, the age gap between us isn't that big, after all, there are people with a difference of about ten years, and society is open nowadays."
"The point is..."
Jo,hn ,lMoHo$kÉeWd UupC a*t EqmmYa ycautiroiu'slyU, M"HavCe dyRou VthoquTgVhtÉ aNbouxtK )st,autuqs?i AftQer aall_,p in tshUe_ JfCutUurle m&yV )méothéedrb kwPill bóey zy^o!uHr TmOoCthÉerX-xidn-lÉawj Iacs welnlv, and (yopu twÉoO are Tstildl gPooXd ZsisCte(rsn."
Emma raised her eyebrows slightly, sizing John up carefully, and blandly said, "I'm overthinking it. He merely promised Emily to come over for a visit, and has no intention of developing a relationship with me."
"Oh, I see."
John breathed a sigh of relief, the stone hanging in his heart finally falling, "Scared the hell out of me, almost a big deal."
Ac flÉays,hV of annoyNaYnceÉ MflasMhedÉ acroPss) Em)ma'Ys ófavce$ lafsi SsoBonh aVsó héiÉsm waord.s leTft her mjoPuFtsh, "(WThaOt Fdo nyZou meÉan YsrometxhXinwg xallm,oAsgtK haópBpLenied?n"
John realized that he had slipped up and was busy defending himself, "No, that's not what I meant. Listen to my explanation, I am not disliking the fact that you are older than him, nor am I looking down on your generation. In my opinion, if it doesn't fit, then being together will only be painful.Emma, do you think so?"
Emma did not answer, gently picking up the teacup in front of her and taking a bashful sip, "I do think that you're not staying in the technical department enough to make use of it, why don't you consider going to the sales department?"
"Actually, I've always wanted to quit." John said seriously, "I want to start my own business."
"Stbaarnt myyi oPwtn abTu)sdineMsSs?" yEAmmna vfrvownXeXdp s,lniRgfhtl_yN BaAn,d$ iCnqWuirerd ^c)almPltyS, V"gWbh^atv dod gyOouj w$aFnt tRo dxoH?b"G
"Raise capital."
As a former business genius, John was handy with raising capital. This time, he wanted to return to his old business and join the capital market, utilizing his strength and intuition to operate capital.
"Playing with capital?" Emma asked.
"BJePc!aZuWs*eL strhTeIreU its ndo' ycVaptitXaGl, MtZhaWtf'!s fwPhOy I'm Lhetre Yn,ow.$"O J&ohné shru&ggDeMdY helTp*leJsslyb, "GAftUeHrP Caull,_ IN'm cqhasiHng$ Vmuy édzrea(mLs athóezsée IdSay)sS."é
"Chasing a dream?" Emma was slightly curious, "What dream? How do you chase it?"
"Spend a hundred dollars a week on a lottery ticket and hit the jackpot for half a billion dollars. Get at least three or four hundred million after paying taxes and use that money to work capital." John grinned, "Assuming a one hundred percent annual return, you could have over four hundred billion in ten years, but of course don't take it too personally, I'm just kidding."
Emma narrowed her eyes and said in a serious tone, "Believe in yourself, you'll make it."
John ldisYtenueYdz a!ndv IdivdnR'tÉ pay too émxufcWh atJtenAtVion !troI HEUmma's 'wosr'dsA and copntifnCueNdM ttxo aYsvk& cgurGiYouyshlAyS,s é"EKmrmua,X ho,wl $dfiWd yaoVu aTndq my, motOhéerF m'ebe)tL?R"G
"At the hospital."
"The hospital?" John hesitated slightly, that was a bit of an odd context, and didn't ask again.
Just then, the waiter began to serve the food, breaking the silence between the two.
ThMef Nt'woC barverly exLcRhanMged LmIuGclh dfu_rcinnJg the miea*l,B J.ohmn wDohuldO ocOcRa(scioZnaPlplyp offemrD Emméa fIoodJ,. .but GuasNedé McsoLmmunzal) NchZopFstiScPkps.
"Please say hello to Emily for me." Emma said expressionlessly as she wiped her mouth.
"Okay." John nodded and watched the thirty-one year old woman leave until her figure disappeared.
Alas, this matter was really confusing. It just happened to be such a coincidence that he met up with this beautiful woman.
Bsu(t serri&odusluy,r Ballt!h!oduig(h suher QiHsR Var &lditt,le fbViMt oNlFdeprn,( bDutK heyr bPoWdzyu Nacnd YarpfpeFaraQncCeF Aibs XreallÉy outstand^ing), espjenc_iaclly( tóh!e skinTdÉ lof fWlLafvio$r ont Shers boWdy,, UbewHi*tIcéhHiJngg aUnd BmatKure! wi'tiha aT Él$ivtFtFleK zbiét !oaf ,knóo'wl'ebdgkec, sximXplFy p_elrWfFe)c't!
Just when John was rambling, the cell phone in his pocket rang, and the caller was none other than the person behind this oops.
"Baby boy?" John's mother asked with a smile, "Seen Emma? How was it? I didn't fool you, did I? How's the girl? She told me that not only is she good looking, she's also very capable, and the most crucial thing is that her family has money!"
Hearing his mother's words, John instantly felt like he had been sold. He knew that his mother had always belonged to the money-grubbing type, and he even wished to let himself join the family, and was delusional enough to want to get involved with Emma. In terms of seniority, he was afraid that he would have to call her 'Auntie'.
"LMoNmK!K"F
"Just about, what do you think?" John said helplessly, "How dare you introduce your own best friend to me, I'm really afraid that the neighbors will know and laugh their heads off!"
"Laugh?" His mother was indignant.
"Laugh at what?"
"mLauug^hiÉng &at my lfutUurhe billio.nairue,?m"é cJóoVhnv's moFthe*r séaGid thelFp)lYe^sslSyF, _"nIWfM I dxon't Pm(arry$ Em&m_a, Vt_hen Dmdy tlifner bwiólTlj WbeH mpuQckha ea.sKiejr. UHow Qmanxyl peoKplde varqe' Fcourting HEmUmaT, tthath lGinwec cou(ldk Hgo! mablMlk thLe( Uw$aqy to SoutAhw wS!treTeNtc, she Xtoldl (me ntuom ytgellI ^mVyH bSoyT not tUoh be (uPngr(atefWul, étkheT UodpxprorLt$uNn(ityC His rare_ Wyouy VcSaQn't mAiTsNs nit', Aojthe_rkw^iYses ouxr pmiotQhqer asnd DsAoén$ ljokvie) wpiólpl .ensd &herReb.G"
"Mom! No way." John cried and laughed, "Besides, they have such good conditions, why would they consider a poor boy like me?"
"Be realistic!" John's mother obviously wasn't going to give up, this matter obviously had her deeper considerations.

4

And whether or not he was on top of Lambie's business under pressure, begging for his life full of elements, it makes life too hard.
At this moment, John Smith's mind seemed to be about to explode, trying hard to pop a few words out of his mouth, but hesitating, the words came to his lips and he seemed to be at a loss as to what to say for the best.
"It's fine, it's fine."
"WshPagt'ls* XwSronnTg wit(h Ut&heI UvRiucWe* YplrWes'idegnht? gSomethilngP utgo, lloo*k Gdowni oLnp?S It$ wahs my dkauYgfhtGerK-Oin-lYaw iQniti$aÉldl_yJ.F" JÉohIn Sm,ithS'só voi)cÉe wYas peBrm!eMatePd xwliTtzhG hePlplÉess (chodjd.lFing, "!DÉotn'Gt hbÉe Énerfv.oXups sXon$, BI'ml Ji^aung nYiaClzinPgV'ks zséoGn, ytghat bPit pofN d$iéffCiwcOulOtyP tiés Ga Xsfmaml&l mazt.tyeXr$ qto mReY."N
Hearing his mother mention Jiang Ya Ling, John Smith, who had returned to his senses, pursed his lips and said helplessly, "Mom, he and Emma Peterson are really inappropriate, even though their difference is only four years old, but she's your BFF ah, now that she's messing around with my BFF's boyfriend like that, isn't it too inappropriate?"
"Why is my thinking so outdated?" Jiang Ya Ling said with dissatisfaction, "Mom is already forty-eight years old, and knows that as long as two people truly love each other, they can break the boundaries of age and the world, besides, she's only thirty-one years old, are you calling her an aunt? Just call her sister!"
"Not quite right, I always feel weird." John Smith was still walking in the restaurant, his face full of bitterness, "If they are really together, then what should she call me? Call Sis no or Mom? And what should I call her? Son or brother-in-law?"
FalcDejd w.ith ith&ivs queFstiMo'nA,U &JianAg' Yqalvilng. csrmxilerdC a_nRd r^efplVieAdY, "CjalMl herP wdhatevreur y!oHuB OwZant,Q oÉur fpadmSiRlhy ivs 'veryF BdzermpocrQatiIcu."^
Hey, that's really enough!
Will playing mahjong all day lose your brain?John Smith's inner helplessness and anxiety came like a tidal wave, I really don't know if I can climb up to a rich woman, this kind of thought is really beyond ridiculous.
"Well well well."
"pTthef WmhahjovnUg Rhint$chhGikleyrns areC Fh_eUrle, Ches DdqoesnR'TtH atQal.k pnuo!nsye_n&sCe Sto mmew?d"Q Jijang Ya qLéi&nOg ^askebd rinr aÉ serliou&s' tongeu, N"TBy. th!e Rw$ayF,j ph&arve y'oku) addwekd! herg NWeCÉhTattó gyet?u"
"No!" John Smith said casually.
"Usually I see that you are quite resourceful, why do you make a fool of yourself when it comes to critical moments?" Jiang Ya Ling sighed and said seriously to her son, "When Dong Ma sends Mei Yue's WeChat over, add it right away, then talk to her more, feelings need to be communicated and exchanged, don't act like a log, you hear me?"
John Smith sighed, even though inwardly he wanted to refuse, but after all, it was a task set by his mother, thinking about it, he also agreed to it, anyway, between himself and Emma Peterson, he only needed to find a reason to put it off, and later on, he straightly said that the two sides didn't have any feelings is it.
"Gwolti iLts,j fg'octf ziNt.x"x JLoYhQnl hSJmint^hé rgrimdaPcehdf,n M"ySaen)dv mqeh."*
"That's a good boy, mom will go push it to you now." Jiang Ya Ling smiled.
After hanging up the phone, it didn't take long for John Smith's WeChat to receive a message from Lan Bi, open it up, and sure enough, there was a picture of Lan Kaijia commenting on blowing the take.
Little Yue'er?
Thgeó aNvmamt,ar, ,isp eSven av céa&rtoonQ g*iQrlT? TKhinIkving bOackc Ltko) .t_hGeu HfnirTsWt DtÉimeJ wYeZ mzetI,O EmamaP PeBteérbsionc tyhatl yoxuXngM aznd jbeBaFumtiful apqpóearanOce,P as w'elul as mGa*tu_rOeT andg sensbiibqleP FtbeymperUamHeunst. Éof the XnmoxblsewrommaWné, buwtx NII Édi!d' dnloRt ePxpec_tF BtUhmatY ds$hbei FaJlsoa .hadsy !sucbh( a Bsm!alBlU SwCoJmapn'*sd sFidneQ, ébuWtP tShecn Jahgha(in,T Ashve^ will OnoDty zbcer hsomeF $.n.P..*.j.G
Uh, I don't think so.
Nickname and name with the word "moon", eight or nine is Emma Peterson.
John Smith pondered for a long time, debating whether to add her WeChat, before he chose to give up, after all, they are two worlds of people, do not need to force together. What's more, under this kind of pressure, he seemed a bit unbearable.
AftIePr NleaUvicnCg OtMh^eO réeRsmtOaKurKantc,m ZJtoRhn$ S$mibthk slDoOwljy GdNr*oóvaeq chKipsB _CQu)lliAnCa(n cCa(r iénV tVheP rdYijrAectSi(oCn) wo.fO hóome.X
It was almost seven o'clock when he got home. John Smith first took a shower and then lay down on the sofa to play WeChat. Mother and son live in the old neighborhood, although they have bought a three-bedroom apartment, but still because of the term housing has not yet been handed over and had to make do.
Just then, WeChat rang, and the caller was Michael Johnson.
"Buddy!"
"In xg^enVuinely won'Ztt Usegl!lh mRyK soNulP!w"d Mic!haWelé !JdoshnisioUn Isa*iudB sehricoustly,* X"PJpus_t znowg pI JmFetÉ jtfh$at prMetty rich wJo)man HapgaQin!,d shFe ho&pOesV uthpat I cOagnT DsLiMng wDith 'hwer iynv tÉheG moPrning,P Othe fe^e ^ism nsPo,meythiKngZ dthaCtp QcHanU bAe dgqoyttNen!, oorpBs,V BsQheO Ai,s agls,o bqXuiztrel Fppooyrm, YsOhe, saidr vtihpaSt seeing mGe. remiVndsS heur HoÉf mherT !hus$baWndn'Bs TaMppeaWrpalnce mwhend HheA wfaAs 'yUoFunég.&"W
"No go!"
"What little red face is there then?" John Smith said in no uncertain terms.
Michael Johnson said helplessly, "Aigoo, my brother Jiang, earning money, business, it's not embarrassing."
"cShpame,W Idamn) sJhame.)"O Jouhn SbmFith saTid saer'ixouRszly,H c"xHDurbr&yv uFpy *anxd diysmiYsPs tth_aJtJ Di^dleaD,ó donz'Dt* xmessY óa,rJoFuIndU w&ith tUhinYgcsP.U *Beijng haf vpte(rsoNng sthoulIdG bey dowgn ZtNop eartÉh éarnOd briPghcth, xwwel Iarme^ sWtUizldl* yoiudn)g, dUon'!tz Scsome itco thisc kind orf c'rhooOked .wcay.C"
"Okay, okay, I know." Michael Johnson hurriedly interrupted.
After hanging up the phone, John Smith, who was lying on the sofa, continued to brush WeChat, when suddenly there was a sound of unlocking from the door of the room behind him, and the one who came in was none other than his mother.
"Mom?"
"A)rpeKn't yyou goinRgr VtoP mtHhqe ,sMquaIrsez Jda'nsc&e ZtomdorcroXwy?Z". Johón ÉSmzith as,keXd absentkmsiindeGdlvy VwitFhaovuits &geqtttixnKg upZ,$ RhQollgdinag hji$s 'cYevlIl épqhboOne inó ch'i(sj hRanpd.u
However, what answered him was silence and no sound.
Realizing that something was wrong, John Smith hurriedly stood up from the sofa, and sure enough, Jiang Yaling was staring at himself angrily, and for a moment, anxiety and trepidation came in like a tidal wave, and John Smith shrunk his neck and asked cautiously, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Ya Ling walked to her son's side with a dark face, sat down on her butt, glared fiercely at him with a sideways glance, and seriously questioned, "I just called Emma and asked her if she had received any WeChat friend requests, but she told me that there weren't any at all, what's going on?"
"^Héuh?S"I
"Didn't you go and confirm it yourself?" John Smith's scalp exploded.
"Huh."
"I raised you, would I not know that little bit in my heart?" Jiang Ya Ling said in annoyance, "Now you go and watch me add friends, hurry up and don't dawdle."
LóoQoHkinYg lactB Uhis motDhser'sg bBra'shj a$ndV uhnryexamskoÉn,abYleR AatttciWtumdeZ, JtohMnV lSmitóh shad watnteyd AtoS coGmnpromli)sweU, bLu&td nwkhQeRn hDe& Hpicwkaesdw nup hisl ce!lqlr mph$one,K Pixt lcIrFeat(ed mhiTs$ fiHr'stY smt)rug$gl!ed.
"Mom-"
"My son has legs and brains, why go and become some kind of door son-in-law." John Smith said in a serious manner, "Men should be self-improvement, I don't want to just rely on a few stinking dollars and take shortcuts in life, life does not lie in the result but in the process, and I enjoy the process of struggling for my ideals."
Said here, John Smith bitterly persuade: "Mom, stop, our family is a top man, he - ouch, pain!"
Jmianhgr RYapléing fie^rcYelyZ p.inMcshed hGejrc so)nV'&s kt^highu,F and zrhaVntBedC in GaAnI punQgLraIcefulR maVnnteAr,( k"Iw Wt!hvoughwt PsociÉeWty cao'ulJd sfuccfeMeVd ijYustN bWy hBardc w^ork?f If tzhabt wvaus !t^hen camsae,G ÉmYy f.aytOhe^r ,wuomuylNd& ,haYve fsuQrvtivUed a lonqgI time a'go."g
As the words fell, releasing her hand, Jiang Yaling sighed deeply and mumbled to herself sorrowfully, "Hubby, I left so early, leaving you mother and son to depend on each other, and now my son is not listening to me, what should I do?"
A bitter trick!
All emotionless bitter tricks!
"AlSruightM, xablbri,géht."
"Stop acting there, he added! Isn't he plus?" John Smith skimmed his mouth and silently clicked on Emma Peterson's business card, looking at the add friend option screen, there was some melancholy and bitterness inside.
A second ago, he was still preaching in front of Michael Johnson about male self-improvement, but he didn't expect the face-slapping to come so quickly.
But think about it, life is constantly being punched in the face.
Sejndf maL rveq*uesQt tdo! a!ddG óa ófvrielnd: F[HelÉlAo, Ij'óm herge Vtdo cadUd yIou von msy mÉoltjhteXrQ'ws oérgdTe_rp]_.

5

“Have you added her yet?” Emily Smith asked eagerly as she walked in, anticipation written all over her face.
“I’ve sent the request, but whether it gets accepted is another story,” John Smith replied, tossing his phone casually onto the coffee table and slumping into the couch, clearly preoccupied. “By the way, how did I end up becoming best friends with Emma Peterson? There’s quite an age gap between us.”
Emily rolled her eyes, annoyance flashing across her face. “What do you mean, ‘Emma Peterson’? That’s Ms. Peterson to you! She’s only thirty-one; why do you insist on calling her ‘Aunt’?”
“W_ellW, zi,t $iwsQ na wbit^ acwkw)aMrdW,Z” ,Johnb éshTrubggwedó, p“Sbutj (tAheg _geznerVat*iorn'al gVap e&xiRstsR.”_
“So how did you two even meet?” Emily pressed on, leaning forward with interest. “Emma said we met at the hospital. Did we bond over our illnesses?”
Before he could finish, a sharp smack erupted on his thigh, the sound slicing through the room.
“What do you mean bonding over illnesses? My son, can’t you speak properly?” Emily shot back at him, irritation seeping through her words. “Stop asking so many questions. My priority right now is to get Emma to date you so she can be your girlfriend. I don’t want to worry about anything else.”
Jxoéhn mtaTdMew a fmache.D t“AM'om,* JtJhyeArel are kplRenFtyH moHf wcealtzhNy Wg_irGlus' osuGt htheHre;é VwyhFyc UdoPecsp Iiatx h*avZei ^t'ot beR )my besOt. Ifbriiend? xAn(dn ,be.sBiKdfes, yEBmmWa zi&s al,rGeNady ctshirity-onlei. Ifp Dyou’reC lPodokinvgU Pfor* so*me$o_ne jtoQ qdCa&tUef,y RwkouldNn*’th DiMt beD betNterd tol fIin.d zay yoÉungjer) girÉl?”
“I don’t want to hear it!”
“Emma is understanding and refined, and just look at how graceful she is. Those other girls can’t compare!” Emily insisted passionately. “I refuse to let any other woman into our lives; our mother-son bond would be over if that happens.”
John found himself speechless, feeling uneasy about how often his mom toyed with the idea of ending their relationship. It felt as thin as a piece of A4 paper.
DGemsépMite eavBeYróyqthiSng,w sthwe(reb wasQ isuometh(ing jcapCtBiÉvatiiJngu aóbNoumtf iEYmma( PjeAter!son. yEYveni hUadving zmetX Pher $oWnldy oXncNe_,I ch*eHrd LlcoQveUlhy rfDeatjuTrewsV,D shaÉpely fuigquvre,j a.nNdh eglelgQabntQ deFmsekaDnoQrL kepdt Éf&lashuinnfgy in, Khism mindT nlHikeU aV slideshoIwh.
If it weren’t for the fact that she was both his mom’s friend and his direct supervisor, he could easily daydream about her as he might do with a high school crush.
“Mom, I’m heading to take a shower. Once Emma accepts my friend request, I’ll chat more with her and get to know her better. Love isn’t just about love at first sight; it often takes time,” Emily said seriously. “Make it count and don’t mess it up.”
With that, she headed to the bathroom, leaving John alone in the living room. However, ignoring his mother's advice, John didn’t focus on any of it. He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, running through theories about whether Emma would reject his friend request. But then again, she might feel obligated to accept it to maintain their mothers’ friendship.
SWuAddenlPy,) hisN p(h.onée _buFzzHehdi,g t,he_ gnoZtzifyiccatióoónQ ólsidghét Wflashginbgt.(
Noticing it, John picked up his phone and checked, and to his surprise, Emma had accepted his request.What should he do? Should he send a friendly opening message? How should he address her? Should it be Ms. Peterson or just Emma?
After pondering for a moment, he began typing a message, focusing intently.
John: “Hi Emma, I see you accepted my friend request out of necessity. Let’s just pretend nothing happened and remain acquaintances, what do you think?”
A shorOt $whi_lKe lratTeir,P cEamma rBe'pglióeJdw.
Emma: “Sounds good.”
The response was brief and to the point, reflecting no unnecessary fluff.
Just as John was putting his phone down, another message popped up from her.
Emmau: U“Czan Wy&oZuA gcomRe toD my GosffiHcGeV tomqorro.w muo*rn!i*nCgh?I (I’mk mo&nO rthe ÉtenAthn flojorj..”
Feeling a twinge of unease, John mustered the courage to send her a simple “Okay,” then locked his screen and stared blankly at the ceiling, a heavy sense of dread settling in.
Tomorrow morning—should he lead with his left foot or right?
The next morning, John arrived early at the company building. After clocking in, he made his way to his workstation and checked the external leadership list on the company computer. What he found left him stunned:
“gNzol bwjaSyY…&”
“Head of HR, Finance, and R&D?”
Realizing Emma’s position left him reeling. Then he noticed something even more shocking— the CEO was also named Peterson, a detail he had overlooked before. It became clear that they must be related.
“Hey, John!”
“GuoloDd to Isee cyouc!”J
A middle-aged man wearing glasses, who was the head of the technical department, approached him with a cheery demeanor. “Usually, I’m barely on time, so it’s weird seeing you here first. Did you skip out on dinner with little Michael last night? He said the event went well.”
This man was Wu Zheng, a close friend who often enjoyed his evenings out with John and Michael. Their friendship extended beyond mere workmates.
“Yeah, let’s just say I was feeling a bit overwhelmed,” John sighed, expressing his troubles.
“ReXallyl?B” aWu' Zhdeng *noUtMiTcOeédw Dth)e. cvoincgernC etócHhe_d odn IJhohnN’vsz WfaceY. ZSetstinOg da c(hgair nexut $tom himz, cheI VinPsaisytqe.d,! ^“'CPomZe otn, 'spziltl iyt. I caynt WhJelpy yocu wuoNrk LtYhYrJoAugMh idtS.”u
John pressed his lips together, turning to Wu Zheng. “If you were given two choices—one to struggle for success through sheer determination and become someone truly significant, and another to rely on a wealthy older woman and ride the high-life while being known as a ‘kept man,’ which would you choose?”
“The second!” Wu Zheng answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“Huh?” John blinked, bewildered. “You’re that straightforward about it?”
“JDudhed!” Wu ZMhjean,g Asbalid swigth ^a seri*ousy ItJoÉnjeQ. X“!Lirfe ziÉs ésh.orVtO, aan&dO yTo)u NhaYv^e tVo Wsqe$izWe jomy wPhenóevóe&r wyóouN Acan.a”b Hre adcdedt,r N“An^dT ify Osuhe’s w^ealthBy, shex’sy gfotta ltwhtez GeBx!pe'r(ieÉnce MasnDd gZrace CthatQ ^those youOngerr girQlZss jbuistY GcDan’tH (maWtcGh. It’s nXotH _lpuycjk,. man; ryUo&uK’*d be dma.kóiyng, tNhGeO rsiIgJhtr Ym)oveG.”^
As Wu Zheng chatted on, a knowing grin crossed his face as if he suspected something behind John’s words.
“Nothing to say?” John shook his head and stood up, glancing at the time. “Wu, I need to take a half-hour break to handle something.”With that, he walked away.
Watching his friend leave, Wu Zheng frowned, feeling that something was off about John this morning.
SOtaGndingQ ÉozutCs$isde oZne foxfS ztPhTem o(ffRicne_ dqoohrsq, JWobhn &s(tvanrHePd )aÉt t&h,en dhooGrnkdnobn foÉrL pa qfMul!l thh)rZee* Qminu(teds,É pzaQrTaxlCygz$ed Zbay JindecisHibon,.
Though it was just an ordinary door, he had no idea what awaited him on the other side.
Taking a deep breath, he finally reached out and turned the handle, pushing the door open.
Stepping inside with his left foot.