C9 Mother

Luke practically sprinted home, and as he stood at his front door once again, the thrill in his chest was nearly overwhelming.

Before his journey through time, his mother had given so much of herself for his sake. Barely into her fifties, she had worked herself to the brink of death.

Yet, Luke had never been able to show her the filial respect she deserved.

It wasn't for lack of desire, but lack of means.

Now, however, Luke's health was fully restored, and with the system's assistance, he had even surpassed the physical condition of an average person.

The building that housed Luke's apartment was a relic from the era when the Ushil helped establish the locomotive works. It was a modest, aging structure, but for Luke, it was a treasure trove of childhood memories.

In a few months, to gather the funds for Luke's medical treatment in the capital, his mother would end up selling this cherished home and relocating to a humble bungalow on the outskirts of the city. But that chapter of their lives would unfold later; for now, it remains untold.

Luke lingered at his doorstep for a full thirty seconds, struggling to compose himself, before he softly rapped on the door.

The door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged woman with strands of silver in her hair.

"Mom!" Luke whispered, his voice laden with emotion, before enveloping her in a tight embrace.

It's true what they say—absence makes the heart grow fonder, and this was especially true for family bonds.

"What's gotten into you today? You're all grown up, yet here you are, clinging like a little boy," Loma chided with a warm smile, patting Luke's head before gently nudging him back.

Releasing his mother, Luke took in the familiar surroundings. The modest home, no more than sixty square meters, was furnished with just a few pieces of worn furniture. The only electronics were a black-and-white Toshiba TV and an electric fan on his writing desk.

Ever since his father's tragic passing in a car accident during Luke's elementary school years, the family had relied solely on the slender earnings from his mother's odd jobs.

Their quest for a cure had nearly drained their modest savings.

"I've prepared your medicine," Loma said as she emerged from the kitchen with a steaming bowl of herbal concoction. "That veteran doctor we visited last time mentioned your Qi and blood levels were low. This ginseng should help boost your energy. Drink up, then rest on the bed a bit before you hit the books again." She placed the bowl before Luke with a nurturing gesture.

"Mom, I'm feeling much better now; I really don't need to keep taking this medicine," Luke said as he eyed the brown medicinal brew in the bowl with a shake of his head.

"Why won't you listen? Taking medicine isn't something to be taken lightly. Getting your health back is the most important thing," Mrs. Loma scolded, her brow furrowed and her tone stern.

"But..."

"Drink it now!"

"Fine." Luke didn't want to argue with his mother about it, so he simply tilted his head back and gulped down the entire bowl of the bitter concoction.

The spicy, bitter flavor had been a constant during his high school years, lingering even up to the point before his transmigration.

Mrs. Loma's face softened as she watched Luke finish off the medicinal soup.

"Go lie down and rest a bit. I'll make dinner," she said, heading for the kitchen.

Luke was well aware of his mother's struggles. To scrape together enough money for his medicine, she juggled two jobs and still found time to prepare his meals. He had long been aware of her sacrifices.

Back then, Luke had been too weak to help, fainting from even the slightest exertion. But now, strong as an ox, he was eager to lighten his mother's load.

"Mom, let me cook dinner tonight."

"Don't be silly. What if you faint again?" Loma said, shaking her head.

"Mom, there's an old saying, 'Life is in movement.' I'll get better faster if I stay active. I'll handle dinner tonight," Luke insisted, making his way to the kitchen.

"You and your ideas..."

"Thump! Thump! Thump!" Just then, a knock at the door interrupted them.

Hearing the sound, Mrs. Loma hurried to open the door.

A stocky, slightly balding middle-aged man stood at the threshold – Luke's uncle, Nick!

"Brother! You've come," she exclaimed warmly as she saw Nick, ushering him inside.

Luke's expression chilled at the sight of his uncle.

After all, it was by this man's hand that he had died before his transmigration. Even though fate had granted him a second chance, the resentment he felt for Nick was far from extinguished.

Mother Loma had yet to witness the darker aspects of this man's character. In her eyes, Nick was still kin, bound by blood. Despite the fact that her brother had scarcely offered her any support, he was family nonetheless.

"Luke, fetch your uncle a glass of water," Loma directed as Nick settled into a seat.

Luke, harboring deep resentment for the man, knew he couldn't openly defy his mother's wishes at this moment. So, he reluctantly made his way to the kitchen.

"Sis," Nick called out casually from the couch, legs crossed, cigarette in hand. "How's life treating you?"

"It's manageable," Luke's mother replied, her lips pressed tightly together. A fiercely independent woman, she was accustomed to shouldering her burdens in silence.

"Don't kid yourself. I know you're struggling," Nick said dismissively. "I'm here today because I want to help you..."

"Help me?" Loma was taken aback.

"Look, I'm aware of the financial strain you're under, and with Luke's health issues, the medical expenses aren't trivial. You can't keep this up on your own. It'll run you into the ground."

Loma exhaled a weary sigh. "Brother, I don't have a choice. Luke is my responsibility. No matter what it takes, I'll get him the care he needs. He's had a tough life, losing his father so young. If it weren't for that, he wouldn't have to endure so much hardship alongside me."

"Every household has its own set of challenges. Your son is suffering, but aren't you suffering too?" Nick countered with a sigh. "After all these years, haven't you considered remarrying?"

"It's not that simple," Loma replied, her voice tinged with resignation. "Alone, I might manage, but with a son, it's different. A daughter might be one thing, but who would willingly take on such a responsibility with a boy? I'm not getting any younger. The idea of remarrying has crossed my mind before, but now, it's the last thing on my mind. Yet, even on my own, I'm determined to raise him right."

Standing in the kitchen, Luke overheard his mother's words through the door and felt a sudden pang of emotion, his nose tingling. In his previous life, he had missed this conversation, having gone to lie down and rest after school.

Yet, his mother did eventually sell the house to Nick, leading to their move to the city outskirts two months later—a tale for another time.

At present, it seemed Nick hadn't mentioned buying the house. Had Luke's memory failed him, or was Nick genuinely here to visit his sister and nephew?

Soon enough, Luke caught a glimpse of Nick's true intentions.

"Poor parents," Nick mused, lighting another cigarette and sighing. "Being a parent is tough. You raise a son, feed him, clothe him, educate him, and eventually, you're footing the bill for his wedding and children. By the time they're living carefree lives, we're old and left with nothing but the grave."

"That's life, isn't it? We all go through it. What else can we do?"

"People are emotional creatures at heart. You're my only sister, and it pains me to see you struggle. I have to lend a hand," Nick said, taking a drag on his cigarette. "In theory, as Luke's uncle, I should help out with his illness. But as you know, my wife controls the finances. I can't even buy a pack of cigarettes without her approval. My hands are tied."

"Brother, please, your concern is enough for me," Loma replied.

"But there is a way to cover Luke's medical bills," Nick offered.

"What way?" Loma's eyes brightened with hope.

"It's simple. Sell the house," Nick said nonchalantly, flicking his cigarette ash.

"Sell the house? Impossible!" Loma protested vehemently.

The house was the last refuge for her and Luke, their only shelter from life's storms. Selling it would mean the end of their home.