The System is Abstract, Luckily, So Am I

Yang Liang's target wasn't Sun Ying, but actually not himself either. His wanting to be his father meant he was targeting his mom and now wanted to test his attitude!

Lin Li turned red with anger.

It wasn't that he couldn't accept his mom dating again—honestly, he didn't particularly care about this. Although he probably wouldn't accept calling a new dad "dad," he could manage not to resist.

But he couldn't be kept in the dark from start to finish, not consulted at all, only told when things were almost settled, and by the man no less! This was disrespectful to him!

"I will never agree to what's between you two!"

Lin Li only hated that he had no money.

Otherwise he would slap a 500,000 yuan bank card on Yang Liang's face and sneer: "Five hundred thousand, leave my mom."

Money is most sorely missed when needed.

"No no no no no—" After being stunned by these two sentences, Yang Liang reacted and immediately broke into a sweat.

"Little Lin, you misunderstood! Your mom and I don't even know each other yet!"

Lin Li's expression eased somewhat as he calmed down.

Come to think of it, there was nothing abnormal when he video-called his mom on Friday. If there was something between them, it should have been more dramatic when they caught him in the anti-prostitution raid on Friday.

So when checking his identity information, Yang Liang saw his mom's photo and fell in love.

This was acceptable.

"So you want to pursue my mom, right? Not bad, very ambitious." Lin Li looked at Yang Liang with examining eyes and asked: "But getting past me won't be easy! What's your job? Do you have a car and house? Do you love your father or mother more? Do you eat salty or sweet tofu pudding?"

Yang Liang looked down—he was still wearing his uniform, right? Even without the uniform, didn't Lin Li know what he did?

Lin Li seemed to be displaying classic abstract artistry, but Yang Liang understood too well. He felt no one in this world understood Lin Li better than him.

Lin Li at this moment was just deliberately using this abstract method to cover his inner panic.

He took a deep breath and continued: "No, Little Lin. I already have a family and couldn't possibly pursue your mother. I just purely want to acknowledge you as my child—like an adopted son concept. I feel we're quite compatible. I've discussed this with my wife too, and she has no objections. This could also compensate for the fatherly love you lack."

Yang Liang's wife indeed had no objections. After hearing what he'd done early Saturday morning, she even thoughtfully advised him that jumping off buildings could hurt people below—better drink pesticide instead. You really deserved to die.

She also thought Lin Li was a pitiful and cute child.

Hearing this, Lin Li was stunned, then his expression became somewhat hesitant and cautious.

Seeing this scene, Yang Liang's expression became gentler. He realized Lin Li's protective shell had been broken by him—he had peeled away to his softest heart.

Yang Liang should be grateful he didn't have mind-reading abilities, or he would have heard this thought:

"Is Uncle Yang impotent or infertile?"

Anyway, unable to have descendants.

Then seeing such an excellent new-era youth like himself, he felt joy at discovering talent and wanted him to inherit his legacy.

This was Lin Li's judgment.

But because these words were indeed somewhat offensive to an adult male, Lin Li appeared hesitant and cautious, and after consideration, ultimately didn't say them.

As for compensating for his lack of fatherly love, Lin Li completely ignored this point.

Because it made no sense—they'd only had one night of interaction total, and he'd never even met Yang Liang's wife who was also willing to be his adoptive mother. If the Yang family developed such kindness from this alone, they might as well take care of all single-parent families in Xiling Town.

Neither emotionally nor logically could Lin Li accept this.

"Thanks, Uncle Yang. I appreciate your kind intentions, but it's not necessary. Sorry." Lin Li bowed in 'gratitude' and spoke, using this posture to show his seriousness.

"Little Lin, uncle is sincere."

"Uncle, it's really not necessary."

Uncle Yang, when I succeed in cultivation, I'll use immortal magic to cure your affliction. Then I guarantee you'll be rejuvenated, seventy times in one night.

No wonder he led anti-prostitution operations—could there be a hint of envious jealousy mixed in?

Thinking of this, his gaze toward Yang Liang also carried some sympathy.

Yang Liang sensed the special emotion in Lin Li's eyes—probably this youth's gratitude—but also felt his determination.

He had actually anticipated being refused. After all, a child like Lin Li who could build such a solid protective shell must have very strong self-esteem.

Continuing would easily backfire.

So Yang Liang nodded: "Titles don't really matter. Little Lin, if you have any difficulties or troubles in the future, you can always come discuss them with me. Uncle will try to help you as much as possible. Feel free to visit my home, especially on weekends—always eating takeout isn't good for your health."

No name of father, but the reality of one.

Yang Liang had decided to definitely treat Lin Li better in the future.

"Mm-hmm, okay."

Yang Liang knew Lin Li was being perfunctory, but he believed someday he could make Lin Li completely drop his disguise in front of him.

"Well, uncle has nothing else. Go to class." Actually, Sun Ying had finished the back-and-forth in the distance and was waiting for him, so he said.

The road to protecting this child was long, but he had plenty of time.

"Okay, bye Uncle Yang."

It was now class time, but no problem—it was just English class that the system didn't recognize anyway.

...

The five separated at the office door, with Lin Li following Xue Jian back to the classroom.

"Lin Li, how exactly did you... what are you doing?" Xue Jian finally couldn't contain his curiosity as a serious middle-aged man and wanted to ask Lin Li for specific details, but then saw him stuffing the banner into his crotch.

Worthy of someone who could go undercover at a massage parlor—very distinctive behavior.

But thinking of the "Anti-Prostitution Pioneer" on the banner, Xue Jian suddenly understood Lin Li's actions.

But if this banner was discovered, it would be hard to explain.

And Lin Li was currently wearing short sleeves and summer shorts—the banner was indeed hard to hide.

"Give me the banner." Xue Jian said.

"Sure, teacher. There's no name on it anyway, so if you like it, I'll give it to you! I see your office indeed doesn't have a single banner—this could enrich it." Lin Li happily gave this hot potato to Xue Jian.

"I meant for you to come to the office and take it home tonight!" Xue Jian immediately clarified.

He wouldn't want this thing even if given to him.

Hanging "Anti-Prostitution Pioneer" on the wall—when parents came and saw it, they'd think his class was some kind of pornographic den.

As for "Heroic Youth," were there any youths grown like him?

"Oh oh." Lin Li nodded.

The two continued walking.

Xue Jian suddenly reacted: "You said I don't have banners?!"

Lin Li: "..."

"That's not true, teacher. You heard wrong." Lin Li quickly explained, noticing from the corner of his eye that Xue Jian's expression seemed off.

"I see."

"Yeah."

The two continued walking.

Ten seconds passed.

"Teacher has banners! They're just not hung in the office! It would easily encourage other parents to send them too, which wouldn't look good." Xue Jian emphasized again.

Lin Li smiled along and played it off.

The more someone emphasized having something, the more they didn't have it.

"This matter is over now. Don't overthink it—go back to class properly. Your ranking when you first enrolled was quite good, but it's dropped a lot now, Lin Li." Having reached the second floor where Class 4 and the office were located, Xue Jian said to Lin Li.

The five had agreed this matter wouldn't be specially publicized within the school—just posting a commendation letter without details on the bulletin board would suffice.

Hearing this, the familiar and terrifying oppressive feeling of a middle-aged man immediately arose.

"Yes, teacher." Lin Li nodded.

"I really have bann..."

Lin Li was already on his way back to the classroom, his pace even faster.

Bai Bufan and several other classmates stood in the hallway with English books.

Probably pulled out for spot-checking recitation.

They also noticed Lin Li, their faces full of curiosity about what he'd been doing.

"I'm back!" Lin Li spread his arms, feeling like Jordan returning to basketball, about to cause a sensation.

Bai Bufan: "Hello Back, my name is Bufan, nice to meet you!"

Lin Li: "?"

The atmosphere instantly disappeared. Where did this English fool come from?

The English teacher, who happened to be walking to the door, heard this conversation and her mouth twitched slightly.

"Student Back, you stay too. Recite yesterday's passage."

Lin Li: "..."

Wasn't it Bai Bufan who spoke nonsense English? Why was he getting dragged into it?

(End of Chapter)