Marvel: The other side of the double-passing door is Devouring the Stars

Chapter 492 We're all family
"Mom knows," Luo's mother wiped her eyes, "it's just that she can't bear to part with you."

“Mom, it’s not like I’m not coming back,” Rowan put down his bowl and hugged his mother. “I’ll be back in a month, and I’ll bring you some local specialties from Wudao Island. I heard they have a kind of Ganoderma lucidum there that’s really good for your health.”

"Okay, okay, Mom will wait," Luo's mother patted her son's back.

That evening, the family sat in the living room chatting. Rowan told his parents some interesting stories from his experiences over the years, omitting the dangerous ones and only recounting the lighthearted and fun ones.

Mr. Luo listened to his son's story, nodding occasionally and asking questions at times. Although he was an ordinary person, he had a considerable understanding of the martial arts world. Mrs. Luo leaned back on the sofa, listening quietly with a happy smile on her face.

"Oh, right, Xiaowen," Mr. Luo suddenly remembered something, "How's Luo Shuang doing lately? Has she settled into her job in Donghai City?"

“She’s doing well,” Rowan said. “She’s living in an apartment in the martial arts community now, and Virtual Universe Company is providing her and her second uncle and aunt with surveillance protection. Work is going smoothly too; she says she really likes the environment.”

"That's good," Mr. Luo nodded with satisfaction. "Your second uncle called me again the day before yesterday, thanking us profusely. He said that without your help, Luo Shuang wouldn't have this opportunity."

“We’re all family, no need to be so polite,” Luo Wen said with a smile. “Besides, Luo Shuang is very hardworking herself. Capable people will succeed sooner or later.”

“That’s true, but your help is also very important,” Mrs. Luo said. “One should know how to be grateful. Your second uncle and aunt are both sensible people; they know how good you are.”

They chatted until after 10 p.m. before Luo's parents went to their room to rest. Luo Wen returned to his room, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began to meditate.

As a high-level martial artist, he no longer needs much sleep. He only needs to meditate for a few hours each day to maintain his energy. During meditation, he senses the primal energy within his body, the source of a martial artist's power.

The next morning, Rowan got up early. He practiced a set of boxing moves in the yard, his movements fluid and graceful, each move containing immense power. The wind from his punches whistled, creating gusts of air that rustled the leaves of the trees in the yard.

"Xiaowen, breakfast is ready!" Luo's mother's voice came from the kitchen.

Luo Wen put down his fist and went inside. Breakfast was plentiful, with steamed buns, soy milk, fried dough sticks, and white porridge specially cooked by Luo's mother.

"Which shopping mall are we going to today?" Mr. Luo asked during breakfast.

“Let’s go to Tianyi Plaza in the city center,” Rowan said. “It has the most upscale shopping mall in Jiangnan City, with a complete selection of goods and good quality.”

"Things there must be expensive, right?" Mrs. Luo hesitated. "Let's just go to a regular shopping mall."

“Mom, listen to me today,” Rowan insisted. “Money is for spending, not for saving. Besides, you and Dad have worked hard for most of your lives; it’s time to enjoy yourself.”

After breakfast, Luo Wen drove his parents to Tianyi Square. He now owned a hovercar, which the Virtual Universe Company had provided to him after he became a Stellar-level martial artist. This car was quite valuable, equipped with various advanced devices, and offered a smooth and comfortable flight.

"This car is really nice," Mr. Luo said, sitting in the passenger seat and watching the scenery rushing past the window. "I've only ever seen cars like this on TV before; I never thought I'd actually get to ride in one."

“Dad, if you like it, I’ll buy you one too,” Rowan said with a smile.

“No, I’m too old for that,” Mr. Luo waved his hand. “Besides, I don’t go out much anyway, it would be a waste.”

"Then let's leave it for now, just in case you want to learn it someday," Luo Wen said.

Half an hour later, they arrived at Tianyi Plaza. It was a fifty-story skyscraper with a glass curtain wall exterior that shimmered in the sunlight. The interior was luxuriously decorated and lined with various international brand stores.

"My goodness," Mrs. Luo said, walking into the building and looking around nervously, "this place is so grand."

“Mom, don’t be nervous, it’s just a shopping mall,” Luo Wen said, taking his mother’s hand. “Come on, let’s go to the clothing section first.”

They went up to the third floor, which was the high-end clothing section. Various brand-name stores were lined up, and the clothes in the shop windows were stylish and exquisitely made.

Luo Wen led his parents into a brand store specializing in clothing for middle-aged and elderly people. The sales clerk, seeing customers enter, immediately greeted them warmly: "Welcome! How can we help you?"

“Pick out a few outfits for my parents,” Rowan said. “Something casual, some formal. Good quality, price isn’t an issue.”

“Okay, sir, this way please,” the shop assistant led them into the store.

Looking at the prices on the tags, Luo's mother quietly tugged at Luo Wen's sleeve: "Xiao Wen, the clothes here are too expensive, several thousand yuan for just one piece. Let's go look at other stores."

“Mom, listen to me today,” Rowan said with a smile. “You and Dad can just pick what you like, and I’ll check the prices.”

With the help of the shop assistant, Mrs. Luo tried on several outfits. One of them, a lake-blue silk dress, looked particularly elegant on her, making her appear several years younger.

“Mom, this one suits you perfectly,” Rowan said. “This is the one.”

“But…” Mrs. Luo looked at the price tag, “this one costs over eight thousand.”

“Mom, don’t worry about the price,” Rowan said. “As long as you look good in it, that’s all that matters.”

In the end, Luo Wen picked out five outfits for his mother, including casual, formal, and a cheongsam. He also chose several suits and casual wear for his father. When it was time to pay, the shop assistant said, "Sir, the total is 63,800 yuan."

When Luo's mother heard the number, she gasped. But Luo Wen calmly swiped his card to pay.

"Xiaowen, this is too much," Luo's mother said, still feeling the pinch after leaving the shop. "Over 60,000 yuan! That's enough for our living expenses for a year."

“Mom, things are different now,” Rowan laughed. “My monthly income is enough to buy several hundred outfits like these. Don’t worry about it.”

“That may be true, but we should still save where we can,” said Mrs. Luo.

“Okay, okay, Mom, you’re right,” Rowan nodded with a smile. “But today is a special case, so please let me do my filial duty.”

Next, they went to the cosmetics section. Luo Wen bought his mother a whole set of high-end skincare products and several lipsticks. His mother initially refused, saying she was too old for such things. But after Luo Wen's insistence, she accepted them.

“Mom, no matter how old a woman is, she should cherish herself,” Rowan said earnestly. “Using these will make your skin better and make you look younger.”

Around noon, the three of them went to a high-end restaurant in the mall. The restaurant was elegantly decorated and renowned for its upscale Cantonese cuisine. Luo Wen booked a private room and ordered several of their signature dishes.

"There are no prices listed on the menu here," Mr. Luo said, looking at it somewhat uncomfortably. "It must be very expensive."

“Dad, don’t worry about the price, just pick what you want to eat,” Rowan said. “The bird’s nest, shark fin, and abalone here are all authentic. Please try them.”

Soon, the dishes were served one after another. Clear broth bird's nest, braised abalone, steamed grouper, steamed scallops with garlic and vermicelli... every dish was exquisite and delicious, with perfect color, aroma and taste.

"This abalone is so tender," Mr. Luo exclaimed after taking a bite. "This is the first time in my life I've ever eaten such a big abalone." "Dad, if you like it, I'll bring you here often," Luo Wen said, placing food on his parents' plates. "Or we can just buy some and have Mom cook it."

“Let’s eat out. I can’t make it taste like this,” Mrs. Luo laughed. “Besides, abalone is too expensive; it would be a waste to cook it at home.”

The meal was a pleasant one for both host and guests. When it came time to pay the bill, Luo Wen looked at it—38,000 yuan. This price was indeed very expensive for ordinary people, but for Luo Wen at this point, it was just a drop in the ocean.

After dinner, they continued shopping. Luo Wen took his parents to the food section and bought a lot of high-end ingredients—imported beef, deep-sea fish, organic vegetables, imported fruits, and various nutritional supplements.

"Xiaowen, this is way too much," said Luo's mother, looking at the overflowing shopping cart. "How can the two of us possibly finish all this?"

“Don’t worry, these all have expiration dates, and we have a big refrigerator,” Rowan said. “You can eat them without worry, and I’ll buy more when we run out.”

In addition to groceries, Luo Wen also bought his parents a brand-new massage chair, which is said to relieve fatigue and be very beneficial for the back and legs of the elderly. He also bought an air purifier, a water purifier, and some smart home devices.

“These things can make your lives more comfortable,” Rowan explained. “For example, this smart home system allows you to control the lights, air conditioning, and curtains by voice, which is very convenient.”

“Oh dear, we’re not used to these high-tech products,” Mrs. Luo said.

"It's alright, I'll teach you," Rowan laughed. "It's very simple, you'll learn it after just one try."

After shopping all afternoon, Luo Wen bought more than a dozen packages of various sizes. He asked the mall to arrange a vehicle to deliver them directly to his home. Seeing his parents' smiling faces, he felt very satisfied.

"Dad, Mom, are you happy today?" Luo Wen asked on the way home.

"I'm happy," Mrs. Luo said with a smile. "Although it hurts to spend the money, I'm really happy."

“That’s good,” Rowan said. “I’ll take you out more often from now on. When I get back from Kirishima, our whole family will go on a trip and see the world.”

“Okay,” Mr. Luo nodded. “Your mother and I have never left Jiangnan City in our lives; we really should go and see it.”

"Then it's settled," Rowan said. "We'll go to Kyoto to see the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Or we can go to the South China Sea to see the sea views and eat seafood."

It was already evening when they got home. Luo's mother started preparing dinner, while Luo Wen was in the yard helping his father adjust the newly bought massage chair.

“Dad, why don’t you sit down and try it?” Rowan said. “This massage chair has more than twenty modes that can massage every part of your body.”

Mr. Luo sat down and pressed the start button. The massage chair began to operate, and the mechanical arms rhythmically massaged his back and waist. Mr. Luo closed his eyes, enjoying the massage, a comfortable expression on his face.

"Hmm, very good," said Mr. Luo. "The pressure is just right, even more comfortable than a manual massage."

“If you like, use it every day,” Rowan said. “It’s good for your health.”

Dinner was another sumptuous family feast. Luo's mother used the newly bought ingredients to cook several dishes. Although they couldn't compare to the fancy dishes in a restaurant, they tasted just like home.

"Mom, your cooking is amazing," Rowan said sincerely as he ate his food. "This beef is so tender."

"Of course, it's made with imported beef, how could it not be tender?" Mrs. Luo laughed. "But this meat is indeed excellent, much better than what you buy in the market."

“Then you should buy this kind from now on,” Rowan said. “Don’t be stingy with the money.”

After dinner, the family chatted for a long time in the living room. Rowan knew that he would be leaving for Kirishima tomorrow, a trip that would last a month. So he especially cherished the time tonight, wanting to spend as much time as possible with his parents.

"Xiaowen," Luo's mother suddenly said, "when are you getting married? Mom wants a grandson."

Luo Wen paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "Mom, I'm only twenty-five, no rush."

"Why aren't you in a hurry?" Luo's mother said. "Look at your classmates, many of them are already married. With your current good circumstances, you should find it easy to find a partner, right?"

“Mom, the world of martial artists is different from that of ordinary people,” Rowan explained. “My main task right now is to cultivate and improve my strength. I’ll think about these things after I reach a higher level.”

"But..." Mother Luo wanted to say something more.

“Alright, stop rushing him,” Mr. Luo interrupted. “Children have their own ideas, and we parents shouldn’t interfere too much. Besides, Xiaowen is so capable now; he’ll definitely find someone better in the future.”

"I was just saying," Mrs. Luo sighed, "I just hope he can settle down and start a family soon, so we can rest assured."

"Mom, don't worry," Luo Wen said, holding his mother's hand. "When the time is right, I will definitely find a good girl so you can hold your grandson."

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Rowan got up. He stood by the window, watching the pale light of day appear in the distance, and took a deep breath.

Today, he will head to Kirishima.

After a quick wash, Luo Wen went to the living room. His mother was already busy in the kitchen, and the aroma of breakfast wafted out.

"Xiaowen, you're up so early?" Mrs. Luo came out carrying breakfast. "Sleep a little longer, there's no rush."

“Mom, I’m used to waking up early,” Rowan chuckled, “and we’re leaving today, so I need to get ready early.”

Mr. Luo also came out of the room. Seeing that his son was already dressed, a hint of reluctance flashed in his eyes: "Ready?"

“Yes, all the equipment has been checked,” Rowan nodded.

Breakfast was plentiful; Mrs. Luo had specially prepared fried eggs, bacon, and millet porridge, which Luo Wen loved. The family of three sat at the table in a quiet atmosphere.

"Xiaowen," Luo's mother put down her chopsticks and looked at her son, "be careful when you get to Wudao Island. If you encounter danger, retreat immediately; don't be reckless."

“Mom, you’ve said it so many times,” Rowan said, holding his mother’s hand. “I’ll be careful. And I’ll call you every three days to let you know I’m safe.”

"Okay, then Mom can rest assured," Luo's mother said, her eyes slightly red. "Your father and I will be waiting for you at home in a month."

"Dad, Mom, I'm leaving," Luo Wen said, picking up his backpack and walking to the door after finishing breakfast.

(End of this chapter)