NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Family
Lin Yun straightened his rumpled school uniform, a pang of nostalgia hitting him. The same plaid shirt, the same long pants. It was a far cry from the comfortable clothes he was used to, but it held a certain charm, a reminder of a simpler time.
Descending the creaky stairs, Lin Yun found himself in the small living room that doubled as the front area of their family's convenience store.
The air buzzed with the familiar sound of the fridge and the low murmur of his father, Lin Canghai, conversing with a customer.
There he was, his father, younger than Lin Yun remembered him, but with the same warm smile and crinkled eyes that spoke of years of hard work.
Tears welled up in Lin Yun's eyes, an unfamiliar sensation. In his previous life, he barely remembered the last time he saw his father without worry etched on his face. Guilt gnawed at him, a stark reminder of the years lost.
He cleared his throat, forcing himself to compose himself. "Good morning, Dad."
Lin Canghai looked up, a surprised smile lighting up his face. "Ah, Son. You're awake early. Did you sleep well?"
Lin Yun managed a small nod. "Yeah, I'm good. Just…" He paused, searching for the right words. "Just had a nightmare."
Lin Canghai's smile softened further, and he reached out to ruffle Lin Yun's hair, a gesture that felt both awkward and comforting at the same time.
"Really? Don't worry. It's just a dream," he said, his voice gruff with unspoken affection. "Go grab some breakfast, then help your mom stock the shelves."
"Mhm!" Lin Yun nodded with a smile.
Whether in this life or his past, his family business remained the same: a convenient store. It was thanks to this store that his parents could afford to send him and his elder sister, Lin Xue, to a top university until graduation.
Lin Yun found his mother in the back, surrounded by boxes of instant noodles and bags of rice.
She looked up and said, her voice laced with concern. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Just fine, Mom," Lin Yun assured her, forcing another smile.
Wang Chulan placed a hand on his forehead, her touch warm and reassuring. "You seem a little warm. Did you catch a cold?"
Lin Yun shook his head, overwhelmed with a cocktail of emotions. Relief, for finally being here, with his family. Sadness, for the past he could never reclaim. And a fierce determination, to make things right this time around.
"I'll eat first, Mom." Lin Yun spoke and slipped into the kitchen.
Wang Chulan watched her son's retreating figure doubtfully. Turning to her husband, she asked, "Do you think Yun'er is acting a little strange today?"
Lin Canghai nodded slightly. "Yes. Maybe he wants to buy something. I hear computers are popular among kids these days."
"Computer?" Wang Chulan frowned. "Isn't that very expensive?"
Lin Canghai sighed. "Yes, it is. Around 15,000 yuan."
Wang Chulan fell silent for a moment. "Should we get him one?" she asked.
"We should ask him first," Lin Canghai said.
Lin Yun had no idea that his parents were actually considering buying him a computer because of his unusual behavior today.
He sat enjoying his porridge and century eggs, watching the news on a bulky box television. A beautiful host was interviewing a high school student.
"How confident are you in this exam?" she asked.
The student smiled confidently and replied, "To my friends out there, I'm sorry to tell you this. This year's number one spot is mine."
Lin Yun's hand froze in midair. A sudden memory jolted him: the national exam was starting next week.
He scrambled to recall his memories and discovered that, just like in his previous life, he was a top student in this world as well.
Knowing this, Lin Yun's exam worries vanished. He was confident of achieving a high score.
"Sorry, buddy," Lin Yun smirked at the young man on the TV. "The number one spot is mine this year."
"But where should I go?" he suddenly discovered a problem.
In his previous life, Lin Yun had enrolled in the country's top university, Tsinghua University, following his elder sister's path.
However, since computer engineering programs were similar everywhere here, attending Tsinghua University wasn't necessary. Perhaps he could change a city.
"Shanghai or Hangzhou?" Lin Yun murmured to himself.
A flash of information jolted Lin Yun's mind. The names of countries and cities in this world were entirely different from Earth.
Here, China was known as the Eastern Nation, and the USA was called the Federal States.
Shanghai had been renamed Far East City, and Hangzhou was now West Lake City. Recalling a few more names, Lin Yun grasped the general concept.
He paused for a moment, then decided to prioritize finding information about universities.
"Son, it's time for you to go," Wang Chulan said, glancing at the clock on the wall. "You'll be late otherwise."
"Alright, I'm heading out," Lin Yun responded, grabbing his school bag before he left.
"Be careful on your way," Lin Canghai shouted, watching his son walk away.
Sunshine City wasn't a metropolis like Far East City or West Lake City, but it bustled with a distinct charm. Nestled in the heart of East River Province (Zhejiang), it was a city on the rise.
Construction cranes dotted the skyline, carving out new avenues and towering apartment complexes. The air thrummed with the energy of a young city hungry for progress.
Lin Yun, backpack slung over his shoulder, walked to school, the familiar sights and sounds comforting in their unfamiliarity.
Street vendors hawked their wares - steaming bowls of stir-fried noodles and skewered meats with the tantalizing aroma of spices. The cacophony of honking horns and street vendors blended into a unique melody that formed the soundtrack of Sunshine City.
Unlike the sleek, high-speed trains of his previous life, public transportation here relied on brightly colored double-decker buses that lumbered down the avenue.
Lin Yun opted for the cheaper, albeit slower, option - walking. As he strolled through the bustling streets, avoiding pedestrians and weaving between mopeds, a mischievous grin spread across his face.
Here, life felt raw and alive, a stark contrast to the sterile convenience of his past life…