"Li Mo, do you really think I won't tell your parents?"

The young female teacher stared sternly at the boy before her, who wore an air of indifference. She waited for his reply.

He had delicate features and wasn't tall—by all appearances, an obedient student. Yet he’d been the main instigator in three recent fights.

Who would’ve thought? She certainly hadn’t.

As a first-year homeroom teacher, she’d assumed he was the victim. Turns out, he was the bully.

"Ms. Zhu, it’s really not my fault. Those guys came to snatch our spot—what could I do? I don’t just beat people up for no reason… ah… ow…"

His voice was soft, but his words were anything but reasonable.

*Sigh…*

The teacher rubbed her forehead, exasperated. "So if I hadn’t passed by and classmates hadn’t held you back, you’d have ended up in the infirmary again?"

"Ah… I don’t know about that…"

"Anyway!"

Li Mo remained utterly indifferent. The teacher straightened up, asserting her authority. "Li Mo, thankfully nothing serious happened. Remember, you’re about to be a senior. Focus on studies. With your grades, you can get into a good university—as long as you stop acting like a delinquent."

Halfway through, she caught herself repeating old lines. She shifted tone. "For your future, I’ll talk to your mother. If this happens again, I can’t plead for you. A disciplinary record ruins college admissions… Go. Class is starting."

"No, Ms.! I’m sorry—don’t tell my mom!"

At "tell your parents," Li Mo instantly cowered. His defiant face melted into a pathetic, begging expression. "If you do, I’m done for!"

"...I meant to discuss your studies… Where did your mind go? Hurry up—class has started."

Impatient, she shooed him out.

*Sigh…*

Li Mo hated serious stuff. He smoked, fought, and scrolled on his phone in class—just like delinquents. But his grades were decent, and his family situation complicated. She couldn’t handle him harshly.

But this couldn’t continue. He was a senior now; she had to call his mother.

Back at her desk, she dialed.

Li Mo, kicked out of the office, felt gloomy. Ms. Zhu was usually lenient, but this time felt real. He’d probably get an earful at home.

*Sigh…*

Just thinking about it gave him a headache. History class was next—the teacher was super laid-back. He didn’t feel like returning yet. He’d hit the restroom for a smoke first.

"Skip class. Hurry. Shuo’s waiting. I’m logging on."

He texted his buddies.

*Hiss…*

His stomach cramped again.

Walking to the bathroom, Li Mo frowned from the sharp pain in his abdomen.

It had hurt for almost a week. At first, he thought it was diarrhea—but nothing came out. Just pure pain.

He kept things to himself, so he hadn’t gone to the hospital. He’d assumed it’d pass.

But now…

"Damn… Mom…"

A sudden, sharp pain hit—persistent this time. Worse than before?

Crap, am I dying of some terminal illness?

The pain overwhelmed him. His legs gave way. He slumped against the wall.

Damn it… I haven’t lived enough…

His vision darkened. With that thought, Li Mo collapsed.

He woke in a hospital bed.

Strange ceiling?

His foggy mind cleared. The pain was gone. Memories flooded back. The sharp smell of disinfectant and unfamiliar ceiling confirmed it—he was in a hospital. Someone must’ve brought him.

He glanced at the window; it was dark.

Then to his left…

Great. His mom was right there.

"Hey, Ms. Wang, doesn’t your arm go numb sleeping like that? Go sleep properly."

He shook his arm, jolting her awake. "It’s cold—wear a coat at least."

"Hmm…"

Dazed, she rubbed her swollen eyes and stared at him for seconds.

Admittedly, Li Mo thought his mom looked great for forty—like she was thirty.

He’d heard she was a campus beauty back then. His grandfather was rich. How had his always-busy dad won her over?

*Smack!*

"Ow!"

Before he could finish that thought, his mom flicked his forehead.

"You little brat! Why keep things to yourself? If you’d spoken up about your stomach, you wouldn’t have suffered so much!"

"Mom…"

That hit a nerve. Li Mo’s mood darkened instantly. "Am I going to die?"

"Die my ass!"

Another flick to his forehead.

Wang Jiawen couldn’t understand it. Her genes were strong—how’d she get this kid? He had her looks and height, but everything else took after his unreliable dad.

Always causing trouble, acting like a fool. His grades were decent… but nothing like her friend’s son. Worlds apart.

*Sigh…*

But what could she do? He was her only child. She loved him, fool and all.

And now this…

"This doesn’t make sense… The pain wasn’t in my appendix. If I were dying, would it hurt so bad I’d pass out…?"

"…"

Such an idiot…

Frustrating, but he was her son.

Now wasn’t the time.

She had even more mind-blowing news.

"Son, this illness… it’s complicated, yet simple to understand."

Li Mo was still confused, but his mom cut him off with something baffling.

"Huh? So what’s wrong, Ms. Wang? Why do you look so serious?"

Her stern expression made him uneasy. She’d said it wasn’t terminal, but…

Why did it feel worse?

"Actually, you’re a girl."

"…?"

Li Mo’s expression froze. After seconds, his serious face turned to disbelief—as if looking at a fool.

"Mom, it’s late."

Making up an excuse, Li Mo lay down and pulled the blanket over his head. His muffled voice came out:

"Let’s sleep. Save the dreams for dreaming."