It was finally the National Day holiday. I stood at the train station with my suitcase, surrounded by swarms of people rushing to go home. Watching everyone, I couldn't help but think back to my first semester of college in this strange city, so far from my hometown.
My name is Xiao Chen. I'm eighteen and not exactly tall—actually, pretty short. I wouldn't call myself handsome, but maybe cute is the right word. Compared to my roommates, I look like a kid. Who would've thought I'd make it to college? I'd always gone to school near home. Even in high school, I could go back on weekends. This was the first time I'd been away from home for so long, and damn, I was homesick!
I couldn't stop thinking about my mom's cooking—and not just her food. Liu Xiyun, my mom, is a junior high teacher. She's thirty-nine this year, and that's the age when a woman hits her prime. My mom has that mature charm that drives guys wild.
When Mom was younger, everyone knew she was a beauty. Those almond-shaped eyes of hers made guys drool. And her figure—wow. She's got that hourglass shape like those porn stars from Europe, with legs that go on for days. Time didn't age her; it just made her sexier. Her breasts got fuller, rounder, and her ass—well, let's just say when she walks, all eyes follow.
Mom never wanted to be a teacher; she dreamed of being a dancer. But my grandpa's family is all teachers. The thought of Mom dancing on stage in skimpy outfits, letting strangers ogle her body—no way. Grandpa put his foot down. So Mom became a teacher, but she never gave up dancing. At home, she still practices, and Dad and I love watching her move.
Dad's a high school teacher, strict and honest. Not one of those flashy guys who used to chase Mom, but maybe that's why she married him. Being a high school teacher isn't easy, especially a homeroom teacher. Dad works hard, cares for his students, but it's taken its toll. His hair's already graying. When we go out together, people probably don't even think we're a family.
I sat in the waiting room and called home. To be honest, I've always felt my parents were too strict, always "study, study, study." That's why I wanted independence and rarely called home. The last time was probably a week ago.
'Hello?'
'Mom, it's me!' I said, hearing her sweet voice.
'Ah, Xiaochen.' Mom whispered, but something sounded different about her voice.
'Xiao Chen, you... um... just wait a moment... Alex is over. I need to... um... get him a drink. I'll call you back.' She hung up before I could respond.
The beeping sound irritated me. Alex is our fourteen-year-old neighbor who goes to my mom's school. He's always been a pest, following us everywhere. He's got a sneaky side, loves playing pranks, especially on women.
When he got in trouble, he'd turn on that innocent face with his big eyes and we'd melt. He'd hug us, act cute, and we'd let him go, but then we'd regret it. Later, when we wanted to get him back, he'd hide behind the adults, looking pitiful. Even when we were kids and had contests to see who could pee farthest from the wall—little Alex won every time.
Now that I think about it, why does that kid always come over to our house? He's already in junior high, so he can't still be playing with my old broken toys, can he? But Mom treats him so well. When he was younger, she'd hug him close to her chest while he'd nuzzle against those full, round breasts of hers that all the neighbors' husbands stare at. She'd just laugh as his little hands "accidentally" grazed her nipples through her thin blouses.
But what's really fucked up is how handsome that kid has gotten. Even though he's shorter than me, that pretty little face of his makes him look like some K-pop idol. My mom is this drop-dead gorgeous woman with curves that could make a man cry, so why did I end up looking so plain?
My mom called back just as I was about to board the train: "Xiao Chen, I just walked Alex out and was chatting with his mom for a bit. What's up? Why the call?"
Her voice sounded way calmer than earlier. I wondered if I should tell her I was coming home to surprise her. "Can't I call just because I want to? I miss you, Mom."
"Little shit," she snapped back, "don't you have anything better to do? You should be studying or finding a job. Are you busy or not?"
What was wrong with my mom today? She seemed so agitated. Maybe work was stressing her out. Better get off the phone: "It's fine, never mind. You're busy, I get it..."
"Alright then..." she started, but then I heard something weird at the end. "Ah... oh... umm..." Did my mom just moan? Why was she panting like that?
Lying on the train back home, I drifted in and out of sleep. In my dreams, I saw Mom and that neighbor kid Alex standing together, holding hands, their bodies pressed close as they laughed. His hands were all over her curves, squeezing her ass while she tilted her head back, moaning...
The night passed, and the next morning, I finally got home.