Over the next few days, Qi Feng adopted an exceptionally obedient and quiet demeanor.
I had to admit, the kid was adept at playing the sweet, harmless houseguest.
Even though I was usually present when he struck up conversations with Mom, I couldn’t completely block their interaction.
Having figured out her personality, he frequently managed to coax bright smiles out of her.
After staying under our roof for a short while, Mom clearly grew accustomed to his presence.
Her initial displeasure over the clothing incident faded away, and she began treating him almost like a godson.
This development troubled me deeply; protecting her was clearly going to be a long, arduous campaign!
“Brother Fan, are you resting yet?”
That evening after dinner, I was lounging on my bed checking messages on my phone when Qi Feng’s voice drifted in from outside my bedroom door.
What is this kid up to now?
Puzzled, I unlocked the door and let him in.
Qi Feng stepped inside carrying a sleek, rectangular box.
The sight was eerily familiar.
I stared at the packaging in his hands, and a sudden realization hit me—wasn’t this the exact laptop he used to bribe me in my past life?
Is Qi Feng already making his move?
Should I accept this computer?
What happens if I refuse it?
A flurry of thoughts flashed through my mind in an instant.
I had anticipated this move, but I hadn’t expected it to happen so swiftly following my recent interventions.
Within seconds, I formulated a counter-strategy.
“Brother Fan, you’re still awake?” Qi Feng greeted cheerfully as he walked in.
The moment that fake smile appeared on his face, I knew he was cooking up an ulterior motive—plotting to sabotage me just like he did before!
“It’s still early.
Need something?” I replied nonchalantly.
“Well, my dad mentioned getting me a new computer.
I noticed yours was getting pretty outdated, so I asked him to pick up an extra one for you too.
I brought it over for you, Brother Fan,” Qi Feng said with a bright grin, setting the heavy box onto my desk.
“Hey, how could I accept that?
It’s way too expensive.
Mom will be furious with me.
Besides, my current setup works just fine.
You should take it back,” I quickly waved my hands, feigning reluctance.
“Don’t worry about it, Brother Fan!
My dad already checked with Auntie, and she approved.
This is the latest model released this year with top-tier specs.
It’s awesome for both studying and online gaming,” Qi Feng urged.
His persuasion was word-for-word identical to my previous life, doing everything he could to force the gift onto me.
“Well… Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
alright then.
Thanks a lot, Qi Feng.
If you ever need a hand with anything in the future, just let me know,” I eventually agreed after a calculated pause, putting on a pleased expression.
“No problem at all!
I’m just glad you like it!” Qi Feng’s narrow eyes gleamed with excitement as he watched me take the box.
I caught the fleeting spark of smug satisfaction hidden behind his eyes, sneering internally.
I’m playing right along with you.
Since Qi Feng wanted me glued to a screen so he could secure uninterrupted time alone with Mom, I would pretend to swallow the bait whole.
Once he made his true move, I would expose his scheme in front of everyone!
***
For the next few days, I put on a full act of being hopelessly addicted to computer games.
The second I returned home from school, I parked myself in front of the laptop.
After dinner and homework, I played late into the night.
However, while my body sat in front of the screen, my senses remained hyper-aware, tracking Qi Feng’s every move.
Then, an unexpected bump threw off my plan.
One morning, I dragged myself out of bed and stumbled yawning into the dining room.
Keeping vigil every night to monitor Qi Feng while pretending to game had drained my energy completely.
“Xiao Fan, come sit down.
Mom needs to talk to you,” Mom’s calm voice called out as I approached the table.
She was dressed in an elegant light-green blazer over a crisp white collared shirt, looking impeccably poised.
Her fitted skirt rested just above her knees, showcasing long, gorgeous legs encased in sheer silk stockings that caught the light naturally.
“What’s up, Mom?” I sat down beside her.
“Have you been spending all your time on that computer lately?
I’ve noticed you come home and do nothing but stare at that screen for hours.
Your teacher even called to inform me that your focus has slipped in class.
You promised me you’d hold first place in your grade—are you backing out now?
Is a computer game really more important than your promise to me?” Mom glanced at me, her tone carrying a gentle yet firm scolding.
“Mom, I…
I just played a little bit to relax, it didn’t mess up my studies,” I tried to excuse myself awkwardly, unable to reveal the truth about Qi Feng.
“Sigh…
Just a few days ago you promised to take better care of your mother, and now you won’t even listen to me.
I guess my son really has grown up and doesn’t care for his Mom anymore,” she murmured softly, a touch of disappointment touching her eyes.
My heart ached at her words.
Reaching out, I held her hand tightly.
“Don’t say that, Mom!
How could I ever ignore you?
Fine, I promise I won’t play anymore.
I’ll focus entirely on studying and bring home first place for you!”
She gestured toward Qi Feng and added softly, “Take a page out of Qi Feng’s book.
Even though he’s a year younger, he’s been so attentive.
While you were glued to your screen these past few days, he was the one keeping me company.”
“Hey, Mom is obviously a thousand times more important than any game!” I coaxed, giving her hand an affectionate squeeze.
Glancing sideways, I caught Qi Feng’s smile freezing for a split second, a cold, hostile glint flashing across his eyes.
Plans rarely survive contact with reality.
Because my relationship with Mom in this timeline was vastly warmer and closer than in my past life, her concern for my well-being had intervened much earlier, effectively rendering my gaming cover story obsolete.
An idea suddenly struck me.
“Mom, why don’t we go shopping at the mall this weekend?
I can help pick out some nice clothes for you and give you a proper break!”
“I bet you just want me to buy YOU new clothes!” Mom teased affectionately, tapping my forehead with her finger.
“But alright, work isn’t too busy this weekend.
Let me take you shopping.” Turning to Qi Feng, she added warmly, “Xiao Feng, didn’t you mention wanting to go out too?
Come along with us this weekend!”
Qi Feng’s smile stiffened momentarily before he smoothed it over.
“Sure, Auntie!
Honestly, I don’t need anything for myself, I just want to keep you company and make sure you’re happy!”
“What a thoughtful boy,” Mom praised, patting his head gently.
***
Friday arrived in the blink of an eye.
With monthly examinations looming, I stayed late at school to consult my math teacher on a few complex problem sets.
By the time I stepped out of the main gate, night had fallen completely, casting long shadows across the streets.
Taking a shortcut through a narrow, dimly lit alleyway near my neighborhood, I suddenly noticed that all the overhead streetlights were out.
Right at that moment, a translucent system message popped up in my vision:
[Quest: Protect Mother – Stage 3]
Rewards: Mind Potion x1 & Shop Points x40
My pulse spiked instantly.
A system quest triggering right now…
was Qi Feng executing a move against my mother?
Before I could process the notification further, heavy, synchronized footsteps echoed from both ends of the alley.
Raising my phone flashlight, I spotted multiple figures carrying baseball bats and blunt weapons closing in from both directions, blocking off all exits!
This was Qi Feng’s doing!
He had arranged a ambush to settle the score!
Cornered and vastly outnumbered, I had no choice but to access the System Shop, spending my final 10 points to instantly redeem a Strengthening Potion.
As the liquid hit my throat, a surge of raw, explosive power surged through my veins, enhancing my physical attributes significantly.
Grabbing a two-meter bamboo pole propped against a wall, I fought with desperate intensity to carve an escape path through the attackers.
Though my newfound strength allowed me to knock down several assailants and break their formation, a heavy blow caught me across the back, causing me to cough up a mouthful of blood.
Suppressing the excruciating pain burning through my spine, I sprinted with every ounce of remaining stamina toward the school security booth.
Just as the school gates came into view, my vision blurred, my knees buckled, and I collapsed into darkness…