Chapter 20
Chapter 20
"Dad."
Jiang Li opened the door, but the familiar middle-aged face wasn't there to greet him—only a wall of pristine white plastic bags.
"Take these."
After three years apart, father and son still spoke in shorthand. Jiang Jianguo shoved the groceries into his son's arms and stepped inside.
Jiang Li shifted sideways to let him pass, bags swinging from both hands like the pans of a scale. No need to check—those bags would be stuffed with meat, eggs, and milk. His father was nothing if not practical: every visit brought food and necessities, never anything flashy.
GOOGLE search TWKAN
...
Jiang Li watched the retreating figure in silence, a tangle of feelings rising in his chest. Three years had thinned the hair at the back of Jianguo's head; the gray now outnumbered the black. Running a shop in middle age was hard labor, and the hair loss proved it.
Jiang Li wasn't the sentimental type, yet the sight of family after so long stirred something deep. He opened his mouth, ready to break the ice—
His father beat him to it.
"Found a job yet?"
"N-no, not yet."
"Then what have you been doing these past few months?"
"...Working out."
Jiang Jianguo settled onto the sofa, sipped from the ever-present thermos, and gave an approving nod. "Mm... you do look sturdier."
He wasn't the sort of parent who hounded a fresh graduate to clock in somewhere—anywhere. Seeing that Jiang Li was doing something, anything, put him at ease, even if that something was just pumping iron. People rot the moment they stop moving; once inertia sets in, starting again can take forever.
"Roll up your sleeve. Let me see."
Jianguo set the thermos on the coffee table and studied his son. Three months had somehow remade the boy. During last year's New Year's visit, Jiang Li had still looked like a lanky college kid; Jianguo had worried he'd never find a girlfriend. Now the kid stood broader through the shoulders, his eyes sharp as a veteran's.
"Just trained a bit," Jiang Li said, pulling up his sleeve to show off his bicep.
Jianguo blinked, frowned, and craned his neck for a closer look. How much iron had the boy hoisted? The muscle wasn't body-builder ridiculous, but the clean lines spoke of real power.
"Hold still. I'm taking a picture for your mom—look at this kid, all bulked up."
The rare smile cracked Jianguo's stern face as he raised his phone. "She'll think it's fake."
Jiang Li rubbed his cheek, a warm, long-missed comfort blooming inside. During those three years in the other world, sleepless nights had often carried him home in thought—wondering how his parents were, how they'd felt when he vanished. Now Old Jiang stood within arm's reach, and the journey finally felt over.
While Jiang Li drifted in sentiment, Jianguo rose abruptly and stepped closer.
"Jiang Li, why are there bite marks on your arm?"
"Huh?"
Jiang Li looked down. A perfect ring of red dents circled his forearm—deep enough that you could count the tooth holes.
Jianguo grabbed the arm for inspection.
"Dog," Jiang Li said with a laugh, tugging his sleeve back into place. "It's nothing. Dad, you must be tired after the drive—let's go grab dinner."
The moment the words left his mouth, a strange rustle came from the storage room.
"I'll rest a bit and then head out. Don't hide that arm."
"It's really fine."
"Did you get the rabies shot after the dog bit you?"
"I'm tough—no worries."
Jiang Li gently pushed the old man's hand away, glanced at Jianguo's face, and—seeing no suspicion—breathed easier. He slipped into the kitchen to unpack the groceries.
Old Jiang returned to the sofa. By the time Jiang Li came back out, Jianguo was already on his feet.
"Stay a bit longer, Dad," Jiang Li said, even as he opened the front door.
Jianguo's departure would let him exhale; another minute and the truth might leak.
"Get a job. Save money while you're young."
"Sure, sure, I've got it, Dad."
"Don't think you can live off us—we've got nothing to chew on either."
"Then you two better work harder."
"Brat."
Jianguo clapped Jiang Li's shoulder hard on the way out. Jiang Li didn't budge; the old man's palm tingled.
"No idea what you've been up to, but you're built like a tank now. Come home for New Year's. And don't call asking for cash—we're busy."
He clattered down the stairs, grumbling all the way.
Jiang Li called after him, still grinning: "Take it easy, both of you. Skip the heavy work. And next time, give me a heads-up so I can prepare."
Jianguo looked back once. Something about the kid had changed—he couldn't quite name it. He'd always fretted Jiang Li was too soft, that a few wolves in the real world would chew him up. Maybe he'd underestimated the boy.
...
Jiang Li stood on the balcony until the car vanished, then let out a long breath. He still hadn't figured out how to explain Kakayan to his parents; if they knew, they'd worry themselves sick. The Witch's problem could stay his headache—Old Jiang deserved peace.
"A-hem."
He walked to the storage-room door and cleared his throat. Silence.
He rapped lightly. Still nothing.
Good girl.
"It's safe—come out."
Kakayan emerged, stretching cramped arms above her head. "Whew... Who was that? You looked terrified of him."
"Yeah," Jiang Li said simply. "He's my dad."
"Your dad?" Her lashes fluttered. "But wasn't he inside that glowing brick?"
"That's a phone."
Jiang Li rubbed his temples; once he had his thoughts in order, he'd resume explaining the whole video plan.
Meanwhile, Jiang Jianguo was driving down the road.
His phone rang—Fangxian calling.
"Hey, Old Jiang, did you see our son?"
"Saw him. I even sent you the photo—look how much muscle he's put on."
Jiang Jianguo answered with a shrug.
A moment later, her reply came through.
"His body's gotten so bulky, and there's a big patch on his arm."
"Right? Before I left, I gave the kid a slap on the shoulder—guess what? Solid as a rock!"
Hands steady on the wheel, Jiang Jianguo smiled with quiet pride.
Though he couldn't see her face, he knew the boy's mother wore the same expression.
"Hmm—wait, Old Jiang."
Fangxian's tone suddenly shifted.
"What is it?"
"There's a bite mark on his arm—who bit him?"
"He said a dog did it. I checked; it's nothing serious."
To Jiang Jianguo, it was hardly worth fussing over.
But Fangxian wasn't as thick-skinned as Old Jiang—when it came to their son, she worried about every detail.
After a short silence, she spotted the inconsistency.
"Hold on—that can't be right. If a dog bit him, why are there sixteen puncture holes?"