A confused son

The setting sun streamed into the living room as the clock ticked past 6:30.

Mom still hadn't returned. Sitting alone on the sofa, I felt restless.

Just then, a soft click sounded at the door—the turn of a key in the lock.

The door swung open, revealing a tall figure in the entryway.

For a moment, I thought I was seeing things.

That wasn't my mother.

Or rather, it wasn't the mother I remembered—the one who always wore loose sweatpants or cheap, worn-out T-shirts.

The woman before me wore a beige blouse that looked incredibly soft to the touch. It hung loosely on her frame, yet perfectly accentuated the astonishingly full curve of her chest. Her lower half was clad in deep gray silk wide-leg pants, the legs swaying like flowing moonlight with each step.

Black leather shoes with a slight heel graced her feet, revealing slender, beautiful ankles.

As she entered the living room, a faint, delicate fragrance drifted along with her.

It wasn't laundry detergent, but a refined, subtly sweet fragrance.

Only when she lifted her head and those weary yet still cool eyes met mine did I dare confirm it.

This really was my mother.

"Xiao Fei? Why didn't you turn on the light?"

Mom walked to the wall and pressed the living room switch.

Click.

The bright light instantly dispelled the twilight's ambiguity, allowing me to see her more clearly.

"Mom... you..." I opened my mouth, unsure what to say.

"What is it?"

She casually placed a paper bag that looked expensive onto the shoe cabinet, then bent down to change her shoes.

This simple motion made her wide-leg pants instantly tighten, perfectly outlining the curve of her firm, full buttocks.

Even through the soft fabric, I could almost imagine the astonishing elasticity and shape of those two buttocks.

My cheeks grew hot, and I quickly looked away.

"Have you eaten?" Mom asked, slipping into her slippers as she approached me.

"...Yes, I got a rice bowl downstairs," I replied softly.

"Good."

She walked up to me, reaching out as usual to ruffle my hair. But when her hand paused mid-air, catching sight of her own clean, expensive outfit, she hesitated. In the end, she only gave my shoulder a light pat.

"Mom, where... where did you go?" I couldn't hold back and asked.

"Oh, nothing. Just met an old classmate and chatted."

Mom's eyes darted away. She avoided my gaze, turned toward the kitchen, and poured herself a glass of water.

Her answer was vague, and the unease in my heart grew heavier.

I watched her retreating figure. The hem of her shirt lifted slightly with her movement, revealing a slender yet strong waist.

I knew both of us were carrying burdens today.

"Mom,"

I took a deep breath and gathered my courage. "There's... something I want to talk to you about."

"Hmm? What is it?" Mom took a sip of water and turned to face me.

"It's... it's about our school. The teacher announced today that during next week's holiday, they're organizing a seven-day nature study trip..."

I stammered through the details of what our homeroom teacher had announced during class meeting.

This so-called "study trip" was essentially a disguised form of extra tutoring.

With stricter policies now, schools aren't allowed to use holidays for make-up classes, so they've come up with this workaround.

"A lot of kids in my class signed up..."

I lowered my head, my voice growing quieter. "It's not that I want to go for fun... The teacher in charge said that during the day, local experts will explain the geological features, and at night... ...the teachers will lead us in reviewing this semester's key concepts, and they'll even bring in foreign instructors for intensive English speaking practice..."

I blurted it all out in one breath, my fists clenching nervously.

I knew our family's situation. I knew Mom had just lost her job. I knew we couldn't even cover next month's mortgage payment. Making such a money-burning request at a time like this—I felt like a monster.

But... but I truly didn't want to fall behind in my studies.

The living room fell deathly silent. I could even hear my own heart pounding.

I expected Mom to get angry, to scold me for being "thoughtless," or to sink into a long silence like she did last time at the supermarket when we bought pork ribs.

To my surprise, she just listened quietly, showing no sign of displeasure on her face.

After a moment, she finally asked softly, "How much does it cost?"

"Ninety... nine thousand eight hundred." My tongue felt like it was tied in knots as I uttered the number.

I closed my eyes tightly, bracing for the storm that was sure to come.

But the storm never came.

"Alright," she said.

I snapped my eyes open, unable to believe what I'd heard.

"As long as it benefits your studies, Mom supports you."

A faint smile touched her face, her tone unusually light. "Then let's sign you up. I'll transfer the fee to your homeroom teacher later."

"Mom! You..." I was utterly dumbfounded. "Where... where did you get the money?"

"It's the prize money from coaching that competition earlier. The provincial office held it back for ages. I just happened to pass by the Sports Bureau today and picked it up."

Prize money?

My mind buzzed.

"But... but didn't we lose last time?"

"That was earlier. It's from previous placements I'd saved up. I just never got around to processing it."

Mom answered flawlessly, without a hint of blush or hesitation.

But I clearly remembered—just days ago, she’d taken me to the bank to withdraw that fixed deposit meant for my college tuition!

If that prize money really existed, why would she have done that?

I wanted to ask more, but Mom waved me off, her face heavy with exhaustion. "Enough. I'm worn out. I'm going inside to rest."

Without another glance at me, she turned and entered the bedroom. The door slammed shut with a bang.

That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

In the darkness, the image of Mom returning home today replayed over and over in my mind.

That expensive outfit that clearly cost a fortune, that unfamiliar feminine perfume I'd never smelled before, and the unnatural look in her eyes when she lied... That nearly ten thousand yuan "research fee" felt like a boulder, heavy and oppressive on my heart.

Where on earth did that money come from?

I dared not think about it further.

I rolled over, burying my head deep beneath the covers. After what felt like an eternity of endless speculation and deep dread, I finally drifted into a heavy sleep....