You didn’t accept my confession, why are you crying because I changed my mind?
Chapter 40 - Mom and Dad, You Should Work on Your Backup Child

Chapter 40: Mom and Dad, You Should Work on Your Backup Child

Qingbei University, Girls’ Dormitory.

Chu Yuwei put down her phone, her mood gradually sinking.

Even a goddess wasn’t free of worries.

Even goddesses had their troubles.

She didn’t want Jiang Zhou to fall in love, but she also hadn’t decided whether or not to pursue him herself.

So this… is what it feels like to have a crush.

Chu Yuwei was truly experiencing the anxious back-and-forth of wanting and fearing to lose.

For the first time, she understood what it meant to like someone so much that they constantly linger in your thoughts.

There were things she never understood before.

Like why those guys who were head over heels for her always seemed so free.

Why they had time to message her every single day.

Why they’d even ask about boring things like what she had for lunch or dinner.

Turns out, it’s not that they were idle. It’s that they cared too much.

Cared so much that the person they liked occupied their whole mind. To the point that nothing else held interest anymore.

“It’s not because I’m lonely that I miss you. It’s because I miss you that I’m lonely.”

Chu Yuwei picked up her phone again.

After hesitating for a long time, she finally posted a new status.

It was a lyric from a song released in January by the group T.R.Y.

The song depicted the emotional rollercoaster of a girl falling in love and being unsure.

As soon as it came out, it went viral, bringing countless love-struck young people to tears.

Chu Yuwei used this song to subtly express herself.

Three minutes later, the comments poured in like a flood:

“Need someone to hang out with? I can take you to the movies.”

“Campus belle, how did you know I’m thinking of you right now?”

“Feeling lonely in college? Want me to come cheer you up?”

“Are you talking about me? Maybe I shouldn’t have given up chasing you…”

“Yuwei, I’m downstairs at your dorm. Come out?”

“Say the word and I’ll catch the next train. I’ll be in Beijing tomorrow afternoon!”

…

Looking at all the comments, Chu Yuwei couldn’t help but sigh.

None of these replies were what she really wanted.

No matter how enthusiastic or eager they were, it didn’t matter.

She was only waiting for one specific person.

Even just a like would be enough.

And just then, Jiang Zhou’s name popped up in the comment section.

“Stop being dramatic and go to sleep. I’ll bring you the agreement tomorrow.”

Chu Yuwei’s eyes widened in surprise, and she replied instantly: “Okay! I’ll go to sleep right away!”

As soon as she hit send, the corners of her lips lifted into a smile.

He would come see her tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in the dorm, Jiang Zhou let out a long sigh.

Chu Yuwei really didn’t play fair.

She actually used her post to emotionally bait an old-timer like him — 35 years old and still holding strong.

Speaking of being old…

Jiang Zhou’s eyes widened.

He had already been at university for a whole week. Between chasing girls and starting a business, he hadn’t even called home once.

If his mom, Yuan Youqin, found out, she’d definitely scold him for being heartless.

Terrified, Jiang Zhou immediately dialed her number.

“Heartless brat, you still remember how to call home?!”

“Mom, let me explain! I’ve just been really busy lately!”

“Too busy to remember your own mother?”

“You told me to find you a daughter-in-law, right? I’ve been juggling a ton of girls, it’s exhausting!”

After a long silence, Yuan Youqin said softly, “Son, as long as it’s a woman, that’s fine. Just don’t bring home a guy.”

Jiang Zhou nearly choked. “I’m serious!”

“Honestly, after you said you weren’t into Yuwei, your dad and I were already preparing ourselves.”

“No need to worry. I’ll bring someone back even better than Chu Yuwei.”

“…Better? A boy?”

“A girl! Jeez!”

At that moment, Jiang Hongshan yelled from the background, “Stop fooling around at school and do something productive!”

Jiang Zhou sighed. “I am! I’m running a startup now!”

“You’re actually selling socks? Don’t go around telling people you’re my son, it’s embarrassing!”

“Then don’t expect me to take care of you when you’re old! I’m only supporting Mom. You can go live under a bridge!”

“You brat! Trying to rebel?”

Yuan Youqin snapped, “Don’t yell at our son! …Son, how’s Yuwei doing at school these days?”

Jiang Zhou thought for a bit. “She seems okay? I’m not really sure.”

“Your dad and her dad were comrades, remember? You should check on her more, see if she needs anything.”

“Mom, why don’t you adopt her as your daughter and forget about me instead?” Jiang Zhou couldn’t help but grumble.

What kind of parents encouraged their son to be a simp?

If it was his past self, he probably would’ve gone to see the goddess under the excuse of “helping Mom.”

But in his previous life, he hadn’t helped Officer Chu catch that killer, so their families never got close.

That’s what made him give up on her for good.

Yuan Youqin sighed again, “We’ve thought about it too… but we don’t know if Yuwei would agree.”

Then Jiang Hongshan’s voice came again: “Let’s just have another daughter and toss Jiang Zhou out.”

“Shut it, old man! Go do the dishes!”

“Fine, fine…”

On Jiang Zhou’s end, a vein throbbed on his forehead.

They seriously wanted to adopt Chu Yuwei?

That wouldn’t work.

She was calling me “Daddy” now.

If she suddenly became my “sister,” wouldn’t that mess up the whole dynamic?

And seriously…

Was I, their actual son, so disposable?

“Son? You still there?”

“I’m here. Just… trembling in fear at the thought of being disowned.”

“Well, take care of yourself at school. And look after Yuwei too.”

“Got it. You two go work on your ‘backup child’ now.”

“…What backup child?”

“You know. When the firstborn’s a failure, so you start over with a new one.”

“Jiang Zhou! One more word and I’ll rip your father’s lips off!”

Fearing for his dad’s life, Jiang Zhou immediately hung up.

His parents were more violent than ever.

He grabbed his slippers and headed to the balcony to brush his teeth and wash up.

Afterward, it was around 10 p.m.

The four roommates pulled out a table and started playing cards.

“Hey, guys. Have you used that ganfanren.com site yet?” Jiang Zhou asked casually mid-game.

Zhang Guangfa nodded. “Yeah, it’s actually pretty good. I don’t even have to think about what to eat anymore.”

“What about you, Gao Wenkai?”

“I don’t use it. I fetch lunch for my senior crush every day.”

Jiang Zhou gave him a look of pure disdain. “What about you, Haodong?”

Xu Haodong slammed the table. “Man, I got tricked into signing up by that stupid thirsty-looking ad!”

“How was it though?”

“It’s alright, I guess… but it feels like something’s missing.”

Jiang Zhou perked up. “Missing what?”

Xu Haodong scratched his head. “If I could just order straight from the ad, that’d be perfect.”

Jiang Zhou raised an eyebrow. “Damn, Haodong. You actually have some business sense.”

“Eh, why are we talking about this? Let’s just play.”