Chapter 527: 520 My Son Is That Mysterious Reo Niks?

Qi Ming ultimately decided to hold off, joining them to watch Ultraman Tiga on TV: “So now even system insiders are cramming up on Ultraman?”

Old Qi sipped his tea: “Live and learn—there might be other Ultramen or monsters coming later.”

“If you run into an emergency later, watching this gives you an edge. Always be prepared.”

Qi Ming nodded in approval: “Old Qi’s still striving hard—deserves a promotion. But beyond that, you won’t be able to handle it.”

Old Qi was pleasantly surprised his son praised him, but instantly bristled at the second half: “Are you trying to insult me?”

Qi Ming: “Not insulting. I’m worried you’ll get too full of yourself.”

Old Qi nearly laughed in anger:

“Enough, enough. Tell me where you’ve been sneaking around lately. At your age, I was studying all night long… If your grades were bad, who’d respect you as student council president?”

“And you? You skipped every exam. Thinking you’re above it all?”

Qi Ming: “Above it all… I’ve been there plenty of times.”

Old Qi: “?”

“Alright, don’t start quarreling the moment you get home,” came a gentle female voice from the kitchen.

Qi Ming’s body stiffened.

He turned to see his mother walking out of the kitchen.

Even at over forty, time had left little mark on her; she and Qi Ming’s father were both strikingly good-looking, no wonder they’d produced a son like him.

“Mom…” Qi Ming had always thought himself unemotional, but at this sight of his mother, he couldn’t stay calm.

To him, Shinjo Aki was just another “script-reader,” like himself—someone who could make decisions based on intel and exchange sarcastic banter with.

But Chen Yang was his real mother.

“Mom, I’m back.” All his words boiled down to this.

“You’re back—that’s what matters. We can talk slowly,” Chen Yang said. “Professor Gao’s coming for lunch. Come with me to buy groceries.”

Professor Gao had taught Old Qi in college, and also Qi Ming’s uncle and the monkey uncle he adored—his family had always been close to them.

……………………………………

Walking with his mother through the streets, Qi Ming, waiting at a red light, glanced at the nearby city hospital: “Mom, I was born right there, wasn’t I?”

“Mm,” Chen Yang patted his head. “Time flies—you’ve grown so big.”

Qi Ming glanced at his worn-out wristwatch: “By the way, Mom, do you have any expectations for me? What do you want me to become?”

Chen Yang: “I just want you safe and sound. The world’s getting more dangerous by the day.”

“News reports are full of disasters lately. While you were gone, your father and I were constantly worried.”

Qi Ming felt a pang of guilt: “Sorry…”

Chen Yang continued: “Next time you go out, at least send word home to say you’re fine.”

“And… I hope you seriously consider finding someone to spend your life with. That way, when your father and I are gone, you won’t be alone.”

Qi Ming had long declared, “Romance just gets in the way of my wandering the martial world.” Old Qi had scoffed, calling it youthful nonsense—he’d grow out of it.

Only Chen Yang had sensed, faintly, that Qi Ming truly had no interest—and she worried.

Qi Ming: “Someone to spend my life with…?”

This time, he didn’t give a clear refusal. His gaze flickered, lost in thought.

……………………………………

Back home, Qi Ming helped his mother in the kitchen. Soon, Professor Gao arrived.

His hair was gray, his attire proper; though over sixty, he radiated vigor.

“Hello, Professor Gao,” Qi Ming greeted politely.

He deeply respected this composed, unshakable elder, from whom he’d learned much.

At the dinner table, they chatted idly, and the only topic everyone circled was the Ultramen and monsters now appearing in reality.

Professor Gao lamented how strange the world had become—demons running wild, humanity no longer masters of this Earth.

The only ones capable of fighting these alien monsters were other aliens: the mysterious Reo Niks, and the Ultramen.

Qi Ming asked: “Professor Gao, what’s the official stance on Reo Niks and Ultramen?”

Professor Gao: “Of course, they want contact and cooperation. Whoever reaches them first will lead the era, ride the crest of the wave.”

“But these godlike beings are too distant for us. Even I can’t reach them. Better to live grounded, focus on our own lives.”