Lin Feng stepped off the train and stood on the platform, frozen in place.
Was he really back in 2020? Or was this just some vivid dream his dying brain had conjured up?
He couldn't find any way to explain it. None of this made sense. Maybe this was what they meant when they said your life flashes before your eyes as you die?
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
For now, he'd go to school first. Maybe he'd figure something out along the way.
That being said, he was still broke - even back then.
If he remembered correctly, he'd spent his last five yuan on the train ticket.
He looked ahead at the road stretching before him and sighed.
I guess there's just one way left. Walking.
Luckily for him, the university wasn't that far. Just a fifteen-minute walk.
As he made his way down the street, he couldn't help but be impressed by his young body. His legs didn't ache. His back didn't hurt. Had he always been this athletic?
Twenty minutes later, he arrived at the dormitory building and climbed the stairs to his assigned room.
Above the door hung a wooden plaque labeled 407.
He remembered this place.
It was a place he had many memories of - both good and bad, and some he'd rather forget.
He pushed the door open gently.
"I'm home," he said.
He looked around. The place was empty.
I guess I'm first.
But then he noticed a book sitting on one of the study desks, and one of the wardrobes had a lock on it. Someone else had already been here and claimed their spot.
Lin Feng set down his luggage and began unpacking into one of the empty wardrobes. When he finished, he sat down at the study desk, falling deep into thought.
Although he looked like he was taking this surprisingly well, he really couldn't wrap his head around what was happening.
Had he really regressed? Or were these his last moments before he died completely?
At that moment, a blue holographic screen suddenly appeared before him.
[System Integration Complete!]
He almost fell out of his chair.
He waved his hand in front of his face, but the words remained, somehow embedded directly in his vision.
What the hell?
He'd heard of something like this before. Wasn't this a common occurrence in novels? Awakening a system and conquering the world?
Was this something similar?
Suddenly, the text shifted:
[Infinite Money System]
[Total System Balance: 0.00]
[Available System Balance: 0.00]
[Personal Balance: 0.00]
Looking at the numbers, Lin Feng let out a bitter laugh.
Well, at least I know I won't be conquering the world anytime soon.
No - he shook his head. What was he thinking? He needed to understand how all this was working first.
As the thought crossed his mind, his phone suddenly rang.
He glanced down at the screen and saw the contact name of the caller.
Mom
…
Lin Feng stared at the ringing phone in his hand.
Should he answer?
This was the past, so would the mom answering also be from the past? A mom who hasn't seen that image of him - the failure, the disappointment. Should he even talk to her?
He was so engrossed in thought that the call ended.
Panic seized him. He was about to call back when it rang again.
This time, he steadied his breath and picked up.
After connecting, he remained silent.
"Xiao Feng, can you hear me?" she asked.
"Mom, I told you to stop calling me that..." he said automatically.
"What are you talking about?" Confusion colored her voice.
Lin Feng remembered - this was twenty years into the past. Well, even so, he was already twenty years old. He felt a little uncomfortable being called like that. He sighed. Not like it mattered to his mother. Even when he was forty, she still addressed him this way.
"Anyway, have you arrived yet? Why didn't you tell me when you were leaving? Do you have enough fare?" The questions came in rapid succession.
"Mom, calm down. One question at a time. Yes, I arrived a few minutes ago."
"Do you have any money for food?"
"I'll just eat the free food from the cafeteria."
"No!" Her voice sharpened. "I heard people say they don't give balanced meals there. What will I do when you become thin and get carried away by the wind? I'll send you some money for food later."
"Mom, there's no need…"
"This matter is settled."
Lin Feng could only give up.
She changed topics again. "Do you have a girlfriend yet? Remember our neighbor Meng from before? She has a daughter…"
"Mom, stop."
"What's wrong?"
"I don't want a girlfriend."
Silence. Then, carefully: "Could it be...?"
"What?"
"It's okay. Mom understands. I didn't know you were like that, but don't worry - Mom will support you." A pause. "I don't know about your father though."
It was then that he finally realized the misunderstanding.
"Mom, it's not what you think…"
"It's okay, son. It's 2020."
"No, I really am not…"
It took him a few minutes to finally clear up the misunderstanding.
He breathed heavily from the effort, wiping sweat from his brow. His mom was really hard to deal with. He hoped she didn't go around telling everyone he was gay.
"Anyway, I've got to go. I'll talk to you later. Don't you dare turn off your phone or I'll come find you."
"Alright, I understand."
Both sides went silent for a second.
Then suddenly, she spoke up.
"Xiao Feng."
"Yes, Mom?"
"I know you're hardworking. The most hardworking man I know, second only to your father." She paused. "But I hope you understand that the world might not be the same as written in books. You shouldn't be inflexible, but you shouldn't be easily bent either. I hope you can stop being so reserved all the time and just be yourself. If you really make mistakes, you can always return home. Your mother will always accept you."
Another pause.
"Basically, what I'm saying is... don't be afraid to make mistakes."
Silence.
"Are you listening?"
Lin Feng's throat tightened. For a moment, he couldn't speak.
"Yes," he finally said. "I understand."
"Alright then. Have a good night."
The line went dead.
…
Lin Feng stared at his phone.
It all felt so real.
He walked past the bunk beds and opened the curtains. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold.
He looked at the world beyond the window.
Why does it feel so real?
He glanced at the floating window at the corner of his vision…
But what if...
His heartbeat quickened.
Then, from somewhere deep inside him, he felt a feeling he hadn't felt in years begin to rise.
Hope.