Wife, who?

Xu Wei had survived a lot of things—bar fights, pissed-off exes, even running from debt collectors—but nothing could have prepared him for sharing a house with a moody sixteen-year-old boy who hated him.

Yichen hadn't spoken to him once all morning. Not a single glance. Not a single word.

At breakfast, Xu Wei tried. He really did.

"So," he began casually, swirling his spoon in his congee, "how's school?"

Silence.

Yichen kept eating, eyes fixed on his plate.

Xu Wei cleared his throat. "Any subjects you like?"

Nothing.

"Sports?"

Crickets.

"Uh… do you have a girlfriend?"

Yichen's spoon paused mid-air. Slowly, he looked up, expression deadpan.

Xu Wei grinned. Success. A reaction.

Zhihao, sitting across from them, briefly glanced up from his phone. He didn't say anything, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his gaze.

Yichen exhaled through his nose. "What's with the interrogation?"

Xu Wei leaned forward. "What? Can't a mom be interested in her—" He stopped himself just in time. Not his son. "—in her kid's love life?"

Yichen gave him a long, slow stare. Like he was trying to figure out if this was some kind of test.

"Since when do you care?" he asked, voice flat.

Xu Wei hesitated.

He could tell the truth. That he wasn't actually Jiang Yurong, that he had no clue how to be a mother, and that he was just making this up as he went.

But obviously, that wasn't an option.

So instead, he smiled and said, "Since now."

Yichen scoffed and looked away, shaking his head. But Xu Wei caught it—the tiniest twitch of his lips, like he was amused despite himself.

From across the table, Zhihao noticed it too.

Later that afternoon, Xu Wei saw Yichen heading for the front door, slinging his backpack over one shoulder.

"Where you off to?" Xu Wei called out.

Yichen barely paused. "Library."

"Need a ride?"

The teen shot him an unimpressed look. "I've been going alone for years. I'll survive."

Xu Wei grinned. Sharp tongue. He kinda liked that.

He leaned against the wall, watching as Yichen opened the door. Then, on impulse, he said, "Want me to pick you up?"

That actually made Yichen hesitate.

For a second, he just stood there, expression unreadable.

Then, without looking back, he muttered, "Do whatever you want," and walked out.

Xu Wei smiled to himself.

Not exactly a win, but hey, not a complete loss either.

Xu Wei did show up at the library.

Which, in hindsight, was a mistake.

Because the moment Yichen saw him standing outside the gates, his face twisted in pure horror.

"Are you serious?" Yichen hissed, stalking up to him. "You actually came?"

Xu Wei shrugged. "You said to do whatever I wanted."

"You weren't supposed to take it literally!"

The students around them were already whispering. Some even stared.

Ah.

Right.

Xu Wei had forgotten one tiny detail—Jiang Yurong was not exactly a well-liked person.

A group of boys walked past, grinning. "Damn, your mom's finally showing up? Thought she forgot she had kids."

Yichen's jaw clenched.

Xu Wei's stomach twisted. Sh*t. Had he just made things worse?

"Yichen," he started, voice softer, but the boy had already turned away. "Let's just go."

Yichen didn't even reply. He just walked past him, hands shoved in his pockets, expression unreadable.

Xu Wei sighed. So much for that plan.

That evening, Xu Wei stood outside Yichen's bedroom door, debating whether this was a terrible idea.

Probably.

Definitely.

But when had that ever stopped him before?

He knocked. "Hey. You in there?"

No response.

He knocked again. "Look, I know today was awkward, but I was just trying to—"

The door swung open.

Yichen stood there, arms crossed, face stormy. "Why are you acting like this?"

Xu Wei blinked. "Like what?"

"Like you suddenly care." His voice was sharp. "You never did before."

Xu Wei hesitated.

How was he supposed to answer that? He couldn't exactly say, "Well, actually, I died, got reincarnated, and now I'm trying to fix your childhood trauma."

So instead, he exhaled and said, "I don't know how to be a good mom. But I want to try."

Yichen's eyes flickered.

For the first time, he looked unsure.

Xu Wei swallowed. "I know you don't believe me. And honestly, I don't blame you. But… just let me try, okay?"

Silence stretched between them.

Then, finally, Yichen looked away. "...Whatever."

The door closed in Xu Wei's face.

But this time, it wasn't a slam.

Xu Wei exhaled and turned away.

Not exactly progress.

But… not exactly failure either.

And for now, that was enough.