I was an adult with three decades of experience, future tech knowledge, future LEARNING knowledge, as well as future knowledge about fitness.
My first run around I had struggled with being an overweight kid all my life. But now...
I smiled. "Let's start with the basics." I grabbed the house keys and headed to the backyard. Once there, I picked up a stick and started lightly swinging it at the pine tree in the backyard.
"One. Two. Three... Hm." I hummed, feeling the slight fatigue from the unfamiliar actions.
After all, there was a reason I was overweight and chubby when I was younger. I was pretty sedentary due to reading books and watching TV a lot.
But even so...
"Youth is amazing."
I was tired, but just a little bit and I was ready to go again.
I smiled and continued swinging my stick at the pine tree.
On the outside, it just looked like a kid swinging a stick around and playing at being a knight or something.
But in reality, I was testing if I could derive swordsmanship from base principles.
I mean, might as well, right?
I laughed and kept swinging my sword, enjoying myself.
===
Later in the evening. The Li household.
Mei had arrived back home from her job, picked up by her husband, Wang. Once she was, after getting changed, she bustled about making dinner while her husband relaxed from his job as well.
She didn't mind. Mei enjoyed cooking since it helped her unwind from the monotonous day at work. Washing the rice, slicing the chicken for some stirfry along with greens... it was a pleasant way to relax.
But as she walked into the kitchen, she noticed that her little Alex was missing.
"Alex?" Mei felt a jolt of panic.
Usually, he was sitting at the table and waiting for food. Her son was a big eater, so he was always eager to watch her cook as well as eat first.
But he wasn't there.
Wang flipped through a newspaper and said, "He's in the backyard. I guess he got tired of reading and decided to move his fat self for once."
Mei furrowed her brow and glanced out the back window to see Alex swinging a stick at the tree. When she did, she relaxed. But then she realized what Wang said. "He's not that fat, Husband."
Wang snorted and sipped on his cup of jasmine tea, still looking through the newspaper. "He looks like a panda cub. Probably because of how much you feed him." He glanced out the kitchen window towards Alex in the backyard. Then he said, "It's good that our son's deciding to get in exercise for once instead of laying around all day."
Mei wanted to protest. But she just sighed and went back to cooking. After she finished washing the rice, she said, "He wouldn't be 'laying around' if you were home earlier."
Wang's hands tensed for just a fraction. Then he let out a soft sigh and said, "You know I can't do that, Meimei."
Mei paused and let out a weary sigh on hearing the pet name. "...I know. It's just... hard."
They were barely making ends meet.
Wang's new job as a manager was helping. But it wouldn't be for another few years before their debts would be cleared. And while Mei's job at the factory made sure they didn't have to worry about money, it would still be a while before they had any actual savings. Before they could feel safe about having a roof over their heads with the mortgage payments.
Wang set down the newspaper and then walked over to hug Mei. Placing his head against her cheek, he said, "I know, Meimei. I know."
Mei sighed and leaned her head against his too. "...Maybe we should have waited a bit longer." She looked out the window towards Alex and said, "It isn't fair to our son. He's mature, so he hasn't caused any problems. But..." She sniffled and brushed a tear away. "...I'm only with him a few hours in the morning. And then he's just all alone. I make meals for him and he seems okay, but..." She paused and looked at Wang. "...Are we bad parents, Husband?"
Wang stared into Mei's eyes. Then he let out a soft sigh. "...We're doing the best we can. It's all we can do."
Mei sighed as well. "...I know."
Wang gently rubbed her arm and said, "Come on. I'll help with the chicken. You go get our son. The fat dumpling is probably starving by now."
Mei swatted Wang's arm and said, "Don't call him that."
Wang laughed and said, "Fine. But you have to admit, he kind of looks like one."
Mei hid a smile, though her eyes were conflicted. "Even so...!"
Wang kissed her cheek and said, "Go on, Meimei." After that, he washed his hands and took over the cooking.
Mei sighed and then went to go get her son.
After a quick walk outside, she hugged Alex and said, "Mommy's home, Sweetie."
===
I tensed when I felt arms wrap around me. But then I recognized the voice and relaxed. Putting on my carefree expression, I hugged my mom back and said, "Mommy! Is dinner ready?"
Mom laughed and said, "Not yet. But Daddy's cooking for once. Isn't that amazing?"
I paused. "Daddy's cooking?"
Dad? Cooking?
...Did that guy ever cook?
Mom booped my nose and said, "I know. It's a miracle, isn't it?"
I chuckled. "I guess so. But I like Mommy's cooking better."
I honestly did. The faint and VERY few memories I had of my father's cooking... it was super basic. Just grilled meats and things.
Mom smiled and hugged me. After that, she nuzzled against my face and said, "That's because Mommy keeps you well fed. Right, Sweetie?"
I laughed. "Yep!"
...Hm. It was weird. It felt natural for me to act like a kid.
...Maybe I always craved this. I never really had the chance to be a 'proper' kid at all growing up. Especially after my first brother was born and I had to be 'the eldest son' as an example.
Maybe I SHOULD have gone to therapy in my past life.
Meh, too late now.
At least it let me fit in more.
Mom smiled and held my hand, leading me back inside.
After that, it was an ordinary evening.
We ate dinner, I turned in for bed early...
...And then my parents snuck down to the bedroom in the basement after checking to see if I was asleep.
...And NOW I understood why Dad was cooking.
I immediately covered my ears with pillows, closed my eyes, and thanked god that I was exhausted from my training that I didn't have to hear an early 'talk' about where babies came from...
===