Xiao Yu'an was about to speak when a sharp pain pierced his brain, bringing a flood of memories that weren't his, causing him to close his eyes and faint once more.
*
Ring-ring-ring——
The infernal alarm clock rang, and Mu Ran reached out from under the covers. Relying on years of muscle memory, she turned it off directly.
It seemed like she had a dream.
She dreamt that there was a little one in her house, delivered by Sister Shu He, who was a young prince, adorably cute, with soft and squishy cheeks made for pinching.
Mu Ran rolled over, face down on the bed, mumbling, "Crazy, who set the alarm."
She hadn't slept enough.
No filming required lately.
What's the rush?
Mu Ran continued to sleep; she had gone to bed too late last night, and her brain wasn't responding at all.
When she woke up, Mu Ran glanced at her phone; it was noon, so she sat up, slipped on her slippers, and walked to the bathroom. As she brushed her teeth, she slowly opened her eyes and then suddenly widened them!
What time is it now?
Did the kid miss breakfast?
Mu Ran quickly rinsed her mouth, casually washed her face, and rushed to the living room, only to find Chu Xijin setting up takeout boxes on the dining table.
"Auntie, you're awake, have some lunch. People online say that nowadays a lot of people eat takeout, so I downloaded a takeout app and ordered some food. I don't know if you'll like it." Chu Xijin had waited until nine o'clock, unbearably hungry, before searching online to find out how people eat nowadays.
Included amongst the options was takeout delivery.
He figured this should suit them quite well, so he searched for a guide, followed the learning machine's instructions step by step, and also learned his floor and geographical location.
This, he discovered from the pile of packages at Auntie's door.
There were really a lot of boxes at the door.
But since Auntie hadn't moved them inside, he didn't meddle with them, only fiddling with the takeout app.
"You ordered takeout?" Mu Ran's brain was on hold.
Give me a break.
He'd only been in the modern world for two days, but did he have to adapt so quickly?
Even if I traveled back to ancient times as a modern person, I wouldn't adjust that fast!
"Yes, Auntie, see if you like it. If not, I'll order something else." Chu Xijin found ordering takeout very challenging.
He didn't recognize many words and needed the learning machine to read them out loud. Ultimately, he downloaded the app, randomly choosing between two restaurants.
Luckily the pictures were of great help.
Otherwise, he'd have eaten even later.
"I like it."
Mu Ran sat down at the dining table, noticing how he had already unwrapped the chopsticks and opened the rice box in front of her.
She felt like she was the one being taken care of. If she had to order takeout herself, she would have dawdled until past one o'clock.
Now she was already having lunch by noon.
It's simply touching!
"Thank you."
"You're welcome," Chu Xijin smiled. He was pleased that he had mastered takeout ordering today and discovered that in this world, there weren't just yellow-skinned people but also white and black-skinned ones. "Auntie, I found Earth is so big today."
"Yes, it's quite large, and there are many languages to learn. You'll need to study them too, so if one day you travel back, make sure to unite the globe and get rid of English."
Mu Ran didn't like English, yet she often needed to go abroad, and when she did, she had to speak English. She found studying it exasperating every time.
"Can I go back?"
Chu Xijin asked quietly while eating.
"What if you can't." Mu Ran placed a large chicken leg on his plate, "Even if you can't go back, don't be sad. Just think, you get to travel to the modern era, see so many different landscapes, and learn so many interesting things. Isn't that amazing?"
"Yeah!"
Chu Xijin nodded vigorously.
Auntie made a lot of sense.
But last night, after the lights went out, he really missed his mother and uncle; those two who cared most about him were now so far away.
The phone rang, and Mu Ran glanced at the caller before answering on speaker, eating while listening, "Hey, Old Jiao, what's up?"
"Do you want to come to the roadshow?"
"Wasn't I just supposed to attend the main events?" Mu Ran wasn't too keen on making public appearances.
"Yes, but you trended on social media and won an award yesterday. Tonight's roadshow will have a lot of attention on you, and it's right in Hai City, so I thought you could come and save on promotional expenses."
Jiao Yuyao was in his office, looking at a photo in which Mu Ran was smiling tenderly at a child, her gentleness undeniable.
A stark contrast to her demeanor on set.
"I'll get back to you soon."
"Okay."
Mu Ran put her phone aside and asked Chu Xijin, who was secretly watching her, "I'm heading out for work. Would you like to come?"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Chu Xijin nodded repeatedly.
He had never seen a woman handle affairs before; it was amazing that Auntie could earn a living through her own efforts.
"Alright, let's go together, wait while I change my outfit." Mu Ran usually preferred casual attire, often donning loose T-shirts and cargo pants on set, favoring comfort.
But today she would be on stage.
Mu Ran's fingers grazed over her limited wardrobe, finally choosing a white blouse paired with black wide-leg trousers and black high heels.
She was aiming for a minimalist, effortless professional woman look.
Mu Ran checked herself in the mirror.
Perfect!
Driving her Range Rover, Mu Ran arrived at the venue. Holding Chu Xijin's hand, she walked backstage and saw Yang Yingying chattering away.
Knock knock——
Mu Ran slightly bent her finger and knocked on the door, "Pretty lively today."
Everyone was captivated by her entrance and stood up in unison, "Director Mu."
"Hello, Director Mu."
In the entire crew, Mu Ran commanded the most respect, not just because she was the director but also the screenwriter and an investor!
Mu Ran gave everyone a slight nod, "When do we go on stage?"
"Eight-thirty."
"OK."
Mu Ran found two chairs and had Chu Xijin sit down.
Yang Yingying came over, "Look at you, I told you to buy clothes, and you never come. Always wearing those same pieces."
"No time."
She preferred staying home playing games.
It was too much of a hassle moving around.
Yang Yingying pouted, attributing it to her pretty face and great figure that allowed her such leniency!
Whatever, it didn't matter.
Yang Yingying turned her attention to Chu Xijin. She had only come because she heard from Jiao Yuyao that Mu Ran would be there, likely bringing Chu Xijin, so she squeezed some time, "Xiao Jin, did you tell your Auntie?"
"Yes, Auntie said she'll think about it." Chu Xijin was still lost in the scene where everyone was deferential to his Auntie.
Auntie treated outsiders differently than him.
With an aura so robust, it wasn't something she executed intentionally. It was deeply ingrained confidence and strength, giving her an undeniable authority before so many people!
Auntie is amazing.
Chu Xijin watched his Auntie with admiration.
Mu Ran was about to kick Yang Yingying, "You unreliable thing!"
"Hehehe, we're sisters, you have to save me from fire and water!"