Chapter 92: The Other Side
"What do you mean, 'the other side of the world'?"
Could it be that his mom was actually some hidden Demon Saintess, finally ready to reveal her true identity and lead him onto the path of cultivation?
That was way too ridiculous.
"I don't get it. Speak like a normal person."
"I mean... the other side!" Ni Hui's serious expression lasted only a few seconds before she burst out laughing.
"The other side of the world is simply... the side you've never seen before."
The corners of Pu Tong's mouth twitched. Her terrible joke made him cringe.
"I'm joking, but honestly, you've seen very little of the world." Ni Hui frowned. "You've grown up without traveling to many places, haven't you?"
In a way, she was right.
Because of his parents' jobs, he had always been the one staying home, leaving him with very few opportunities to go elsewhere. In his previous life, he hadn't even had freedom, let alone the chance to explore the world.
"So... you want to show me more of the world?"
"Exactly!"
Ni Hui clapped her hands as if he'd answered correctly.
Pu Tong knitted his brows.
He had a feeling it wasn't that simple.
Although her explanation about "the other side of the world" technically made sense, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was a deeper meaning behind those words.
"I don't want to go."
"Suit yourself."
Ni Hui yawned, clearly having no intention of forcing him.
"You're not even going to try convincing me?"
Pu Tong grew curious.
"Care to explain in more detail?"
"I'm just doing an interview. I wanted you to come along as my... err... assistant."
Judging from her relaxed expression, she wasn't joking.
She genuinely just wanted him to broaden his horizons.
"Who's the interview with?"
Ni Hui simply smiled without answering.
"A celebrity? An athlete? A director? A billionaire?"
Pu Tong listed every possibility he could think of.
She shook her head every single time.
"Do you know why I said I'd show you more of the world?"
"When people hear the word 'interview,' the first people they think of are always the successful and famous."
She pointed at Pu Tong, then at herself.
"But in this world..."
"...there are far more ordinary people."
"Oh, right."
"I forgot."
"My son..."
"...isn't exactly ordinary anymore."
"What are you trying to say?"
"Nothing."
Ni Hui stood up and gave her son—who was now a full head taller than her—a thumbs-up.
"Celebrities. Variety shows. Songwriting. Poetry..."
"You've become someone extraordinary."
"So I just want to take you to see how ordinary people live."
Pu Tong froze.
Ever since he transmigrated, he'd been constantly surrounded by glamorous things—celebrities, entertainment, fame...
To the point where he had nearly forgotten what an ordinary life actually looked like.
An average family.
An unremarkable appearance.
No outstanding talents.
No extraordinary hobbies.
Never being a top student.
Graduating step by step.
Finding an ordinary job.
Becoming another office worker.
Looking forward to meeting someone you love.
Starting an ordinary family together.
The lives of ordinary people had no celebrity fame or distant dreams.
Only daily necessities—food, clothing, shelter, and the endless routines of life.
"Where are we going?"
"Some small town nearby."
Ni Hui smiled gently.
"I just want to show you something."
"Ordinary people have extraordinary sides too."
Pu Tong finally understood what his mother meant.
She simply didn't want him to spend so much time around celebrities that he mistook their glamorous lifestyle for what the entire world looked like.
On reality shows, celebrities would complain endlessly after working for only a few hours.
Meanwhile, ordinary people spent countless hours doing the same work every single day.
For celebrities, labor was an experience.
For ordinary people, it was life itself.
If people couldn't understand the reality of life...
Then what kind of "reality show" was it?
In television dramas, poor people couldn't afford food, yet somehow lived in spacious houses.
They earned pitiful salaries while wearing luxury brands from head to toe.
The entertainment industry truly didn't understand how ordinary people lived.
Even when they portrayed ordinary people...
They were only portraying what they imagined ordinary people to be.
The other side of the world...
...was also the other side of life.
"You can spend your vacation with your celebrity friends," Ni Hui said casually.
"Fly first class."
"Shop in the biggest malls."
"Spend what an ordinary person earns in several months on a single meal."
"That's your freedom."
"But you can also choose to come with me."
"Meet people who are still living life with sincerity."
"See a world you've never known."
"I..."
"I'll think about it."
Pu Tong couldn't agree immediately.
He already had his own study plans for the vacation and didn't want to throw them away so easily.
"We leave tomorrow morning at eight."
"If you're not there by then..."
"I'll go without you."
Eight o'clock...
He still had plenty of time to decide.
After enduring another meal of his mother's infamous cooking...
Pu Tong almost cried.
Not from emotion.
From the overwhelming spiciness.
Back in his room, he stared silently at the study desk piled high with books and notes.
Studying...
Was important.
For Pu Tong, it was the process of improving himself and making up for his shortcomings.
But seeing the world...
Was equally important.
Traveling wasn't about having fun.
It was about expanding one's understanding.
Broadening one's horizons.
Gaining new perspectives.
Thinking about it carefully...
Ever since arriving in this world, he had hardly gone anywhere.
The people he interacted with the most were all celebrities and entertainers.
Perhaps this glamorous environment had already begun quietly reshaping the way he viewed the world.
Pu Tong suddenly remembered how everyone used to laugh at the frog at the bottom of the well in school textbooks.
Now...
He felt like laughing at himself.
"Then jump out already."
"...Forget it."
The next morning, the first day of the holiday, Ni Hui saw her son fully dressed and ready in the living room.
She wasn't surprised at all.
"You knew I'd come with you?"
"I did."
She tapped Pu Tong lightly on the forehead.
"I know my son."
"He's different."
"Oh, give me a break..."
After packing their things, they left the house.
They waited outside their residential complex for quite a while before the team's vehicle finally arrived.
"Sorry, Sister Ni. Traffic was terrible."
A young woman with glasses and an oval face hurriedly opened the car door, looking flustered.
"This is my photographer and assistant, Xiao Jia."
"Jia Yao."
Jia Yao...
Her name sounded exactly like the Chinese words for "delicacies."
What a strange name.
"And this is my son."
"Pu Tong."
"I know him!"
The young photographer adjusted her glasses.
Her eyes practically sparkled.
"Sister..."
"I..."
"I know, I know."
"You've been single for a long time."
"But don't get any funny ideas about my son."
"Or I'll fire you."
Ni Hui laughed.
She knew this little fangirl far too well.
Better warn her in advance.
Pu Tong found the woman's gaze a little frightening.
Still...
It was broad daylight.
Surely nothing bad would happen.
After weighing the risks, he climbed into the car.
Including himself, the team consisted of four people:
Old Ye, the driver.
Xiao Jia, the photographer.
His mother, the reporter.
And himself, the temporary assistant.
With a clear destination in mind, the car left the city and headed toward a remote place Pu Tong had never visited before.
Buzz...
A new message appeared in the group chat.
Yu Wanwan had sent a photo of herself, Lin Yuxi, and Yi Zhi Xuenai checking in at the airport.
They looked radiant.
Elegant.
Smiling brightly.
They were on their way to the most prosperous city.
Outside Pu Tong's window...
There was only a long stretch of highway.
Their destination...
Was nothing more than an ordinary little town.
He put down his phone and glanced at his mother, who was resting with her eyes closed.
A trace of confusion filled his eyes.
He finally understood...
What she meant by "the other side of the world."
On one side...
Flowers bloomed in dazzling splendor.
On the other...
Life quietly disappeared into the dust.
(End of Chapter)
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