Kids, I'm Back!

Kids, I'm Back!

Yang Liang hadn't set his sights on Sun Ying—or, technically, on himself. What he meant by wanting to be his father was that he'd set his sights on his mom and was now probing for his reaction!

Lin Li's face went red with rage.

It wasn't that he couldn't accept his mom dating again. Honestly, he didn't particularly care about it. He probably wouldn't accept calling the newcomer Dad, but he could at least refrain from resisting.

But they couldn't hide it from him from beginning to end, never discuss it with him at all, and only tell him when things were practically settled—while having the man tell him, no less! That was disrespectful! "I won't agree to anything between you two!"

Lin Li only hated that he had no money.

Otherwise, he would have thrown a bank card loaded with five hundred thousand in Yang Liang's face and sneered, "Five hundred thousand. Leave my mom."

Money always seemed scarce when he needed it most.

"No, no, no, no, no—" Yang Liang froze for a moment before realizing what those words meant, instantly breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Little Lin, you've misunderstood. Your mother and I don't even know each other yet!"

Lin Li's expression eased slightly, and he calmed down.

Thinking about it now, there hadn't been anything unusual when he spoke to his mom on Friday. If something had happened between them, then when Friday's vice squad caught him, it should have been a lot more dramatic.

So, while checking his personal information, Yang Liang had seen a photo of his mom and fallen for her.

That was more acceptable.

"So you want to pursue my mom, huh? Not bad, you've got ambition." Lin Li scrutinized Yang Liang and asked, "But getting past me won't be easy! What do you do for work? Do you have a car and a house? Do you love your father or your mother? Do you like savory or sweet tofu pudding?"

Yang Liang looked down. He was still wearing his uniform, wasn't he? Even if he weren't, did Lin Li not know what he did for a living?

Lin Li might have seemed to be pulling his usual absurd antics, but Yang Liang understood him too well. He felt that no one in this world understood Lin Li better than he did.

At this moment, Lin Li was merely deliberately using this absurd manner to conceal the panic in his heart.

He took a deep breath and continued, "No, Little Lin. I already have a family, and there's no way I could pursue your mother.

"I simply want to take you as my child—something like an adopted godson. I feel that we really get along.

"I've spoken to my wife about it too, and she doesn't object. This could also make up for the fatherly love you've lacked."

Yang Liang's wife truly had no objection. After listening to what he'd done early Saturday morning, she had even thoughtfully advised him that jumping off a building could easily hurt someone below, so he should drink paraquat instead—he really did deserve to die.

She also thought Lin Li was a pitiful yet lovable child.

Hearing that, Lin Li froze. Then his expression became hesitant and cautious.

Seeing this, Yang Liang's expression softened even further. He realized that Lin Li's protective shell had been dismantled by him, that he had peeled open the softest part of the boy's heart.

Yang Liang should have been grateful that he couldn't read minds. Otherwise, he would have heard this:

"Is Uncle Yang impotent, or is he infertile?"

In short, he couldn't have children.

Then he'd seen such an outstanding young man of the new era as himself, recognized his talent, and wanted him to carry on his legacy.

That was Lin Li's conclusion.

But since saying such things to an adult man would indeed be somewhat offensive, Lin Li appeared hesitant and cautious. After thinking it over, he ultimately chose not to say it.

As for making up for the fatherly love he lacked, Lin Li didn't pay that any attention at all.

There was simply no reason for it. They had only crossed paths for one night in total, and he and Uncle Yang's wife, who was apparently also willing to become his godmother, hadn't even met. If the Yang family was handing out kindness that easily, they might as well take in every single-parent family in Xi Ling Town.

Emotionally and logically, Lin Li couldn't accept it.

"Thank you, Uncle Yang. I appreciate your kindness, but there's no need for this. Sorry." Lin Li bent at the waist in "gratitude" as he spoke, using that posture to show his sincerity.

"Little Lin, Uncle means it."

"Uncle, there really is no need."

Uncle Yang, once I succeed in cultivating immortality, I'll use immortal arts to cure your affliction. Then I'll make sure you regain your vigor—seventy times a night.

No wonder he led the anti-prostitution operation. Could there have been a hint of envy and jealousy mixed into it?

As he thought this, the way he looked at Yang Liang also carried a trace of sympathy.

Yang Liang sensed the unusual emotion in Lin Li's gaze, which was probably the boy's gratitude, but he also sensed his determination.

He had actually expected to be rejected. After all, a child like Lin Li, who had erected such a solid protective shell around himself, must have had very strong self-esteem.

If he kept pressing, it would likely only backfire.

So Yang Liang nodded. "The title doesn't really matter. If you run into any difficulties or trouble in the future, you can come talk to me. Uncle will do his best to help you. You can also come by my place sometime, especially on weekends. Eating takeout all the time isn't good for your health."

He might not have the name of a father, but he could still fulfill a father's role.

Yang Liang had already resolved to treat Lin Li even better from now on.

"Mhm, okay."

Yang Liang knew Lin Li was brushing him off, but he believed that one day, he would truly make Lin Li completely let down his guard before him.

"Alright, Uncle doesn't have anything else to say. Go to class." Sun Ying had already finished arguing with someone in the distance and was waiting for him, so he said this.

The road to protecting this child was still long, but he had plenty of time.

"Okay, bye, Uncle Yang."

Class was already in session, but it wasn't a big deal. After all, it was just an English class that the system didn't recognize.

The five split up at the office door, and Lin Li followed Xue Jian back to the classroom.

"Lin Li, what exactly are you... what are you doing?" Xue Jian finally couldn't suppress the curiosity of a stern middle-aged man and wanted to ask Lin Li for the details, only to see him stuffing the Merit Banner into his crotch.

As expected of someone capable of going undercover in a massage parlor—his behavior had a distinctive flair.

But when Xue Jian thought of the words "Anti-Vice Vanguard" on the banner, he suddenly understood Lin Li's actions.

Still, if anyone discovered that banner, it would be difficult to explain.

And with Lin Li dressed in a short-sleeved shirt and summer shorts, there really was nowhere good to hide it.

"Give me the banner," Xue Jian said.

"Sure, Teacher. There's no name on it anyway, so if you like it, you can have it! I noticed your office doesn't have a single Merit Banner. This'll spruce it up a bit," Lin Li said happily, handing this hot potato over to Xue Jian.

"I meant for you to come back and take it from my office after you go home tonight!" Xue Jian immediately stressed.

He wouldn't want the thing even if someone gave it to him.

If he hung an "Anti-Vice Vanguard" banner on the wall, parents might see it and think the class he taught was some kind of obscene den.

And as for "Heroic Youth," did a youth like him even exist? "Oh, oh." Lin Li nodded.

The two continued walking.

Xue Jian suddenly realized something. "You said I don't have any Merit Banners?!"

Lin Li: "..."

"That's not what I said, Teacher. You must've misheard." Lin Li hurriedly explained, catching from the corner of his eye that Xue Jian's expression seemed a little off.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah."

The two continued walking.

Ten seconds passed.

"I do have Merit Banners! I just don't hang them in the office! It might encourage other parents to send them too, and that wouldn't look good," Xue Jian stressed again.

Lin Li smiled along and laughed awkwardly.

The more someone emphasized having something, the more likely they were to not have it.

"This matter is over, so don't dwell on it. Go back and focus on class. Your ranking when you first enrolled was pretty good, but it's dropped quite a bit now, Lin Li," Xue Jian said as they arrived at the Second Floor, where Class 4 and the office were located.

The five of them had already discussed it. They wouldn't deliberately publicize the matter around school; they would just post a commendation letter without any details on the bulletin board and call it done.

Hearing that, the familiar and terrifying pressure of a middle-aged old geezer instantly descended on him.

"Okay, Teacher." Lin Li nodded.

"I really do have Merit—"

Lin Li had already turned around and was heading back toward the classroom, his pace even quickening a little.

Bai Bufan and several other students stood in the hallway holding their English textbooks.

They had probably been pulled out to recite from memory.

They noticed Lin Li too, their faces full of curiosity as they wondered where exactly he had gone.

"I'm back!" Lin Li spread his arms, feeling like Jordan returning to the basketball court, about to cause a sensation.

Bai Bufan said, "Hello Back, my name is Bufan, nice to meet you!"

Lin Li: "?"

The mood instantly died. Where had this English illiterate come from?

Just then, the English teacher arrived at the door and, hearing the exchange, the Corner of the Mouth twitched slightly.

"Student Back, you stay too. Recite yesterday's passage."

Lin Li: "..."

Wasn't Bai Bufan the one speaking nonsense in English? Why was he getting dragged into it?

Strongly recommending the latest work of a big-name author whose books are guaranteed to hit ten thousand subscriptions.

It's definitely fun, a lighthearted comedy novel, good stuff—I love it.

Synopsis: After transmigrating, Luke had no system and mediocre talent. He had intended to live an ordinary life...

But then he unexpectedly encountered versions of himself from other worlds.

Talents, skills, attributes shared... every Luke was each other's cheat code! Outsider World Luke: As Zuo Ruotong's jinchuriki, with Inverse Life in my left hand and Divine Spirit in my right, I shook the Outsider World...

Hogwarts Luke: Although I absorbed Voldemort's soul, everyone says I'm a good child with excellent character and grades. It's just that Dumbledore is always watching me.

Naruto Luke: I never wanted to stir things up, but Tobirama Senju and Izuna Uchiha are inside me. The more worked up they get, the stronger I become...

One Piece Luke: Old man, now that I've obtained the Dark-Dark Fruit and become an admiral, it's time to reshape the world!

Bleach Luke: Captain Aizen... when did you begin to have the illusion that I was hypnotized by Kyoka Suigetsu?

Dragon Raja Luke: Old Chu, the Maybach is indeed a fine car, but if you want to ram Odin's carriage, our dump truck is still the best! All Lukes: "Everything I've achieved today came entirely through my own sweat and effort, without a single point of attributes!"

"Simultaneous Transmigration," "Multiverse Anime," "Shared Talents," "Feel-Good Comedy"