Am I Still Dreaming?

"It's been two days since the game update. Damn, suddenly having no game to play really feels uncomfortable."

"Tell me about it. Now I can only chat with those bros on the forums to pass time. These two days have been really hard to adapt to."

"This game is really addictive. I'm now a level 39 Great Knight. I can't even pass a level 20 dungeon and keep getting beaten to death constantly, but I still want to play. It's really messed up."

"That's nothing. You don't know my mom used to camp at mahjong parlors, playing for three straight days and nights. Now she just logs into the game every day to flirt with handsome guys. I don't even know when she'll bring me a little brother home. It's terrifying."

"Hey bro, I'm almost level 40. Can you take me to the Calamity Demoness dungeon? I promise I won't drag the team down, please take me."

Zhang Mengmeng, bundled up tightly and preparing to buy groceries, listened to the discussions around her and smiled knowingly.

Having been with a group of experts for so long, she hadn't known what ordinary players' daily lives were like in ages.

But she didn't have much mood to listen to their chatter now. At this moment, she was taking Jiang Cheng's mother to the market to buy groceries.

She was currently at the peak of her popularity. If she was accidentally recognized, that would be the end of it. She probably wouldn't be able to move for the next few days.

"Mengmeng, you are such a good child. You are pretty and kind-hearted, getting up early to accompany this old woman to buy groceries."

Jiang's mother held Zhang Mengmeng's arm, smiling warmly.

"Not at all... Brother Cheng was also very good to me back then."

Zhang Mengmeng smiled in response, though she wore sunglasses and a scarf, so her smile couldn't be seen.

This puzzled Jiang's mother somewhat, but she didn't dwell on it and instead asked curiously,

"How come little Cheng never mentioned having a girlfriend like you?"

"Uh... Brother Cheng... probably thinks I..."

Zhang Mengmeng suddenly didn't know how to continue.

Although she had privately asked Jiang Cheng some things about his parents, Jiang Cheng didn't say much. Moreover, she wasn't someone good at lying, so she felt somewhat at a loss now.

"Did I hit the mark?" Jiang's mother smiled knowingly. "Don't be nervous. I'm just asking. You should be from my son's club, right? He probably pursued you for a while? You two probably haven't confirmed your relationship yet?"

"Ah... no, no, Auntie misunderstood. Brother Cheng and I..."

Zhang Mengmeng quickly tried to explain, but being with her future mother-in-law made her really nervous. After talking for a long time, she couldn't explain clearly.

"That's good then. My son isn't good enough for you. Don't waste so much effort on him. He's gone after all. I know you might have had some feelings after spending time together, but I see you're still young. There are plenty of good men in this world. Find someone when you should, don't delay yourself."

Jiang's mother patted Zhang Mengmeng's shoulder, speaking earnestly.

But Zhang Mengmeng could sense a hint of sadness in Jiang's mother's expression.

She really wanted to tell Jiang's mother that Jiang Cheng wasn't dead and that he was now an unmatched existence in The Great Wasteland who could fight ten thousand alone.

And not only was he not dead, but her girlfriend was also genuine, not some ex-girlfriend.

Even though she might seem a bit silly as a girlfriend, he was truly doing well.

But she also knew this news couldn't be revealed.

Her visit to Jiang's mother might not cause too much of a stir, but if Jiang's mother learned the truth, someone might harm her.

"It's okay, Auntie. You mentioned that I'm still young, so I don't want to rush into dating anymore. Let's go buy groceries. I'm really looking forward to the braised pork you make. Brother Cheng always said it was his favorite and that it was especially fragrant. Just talking about braised pork is making my stomach growl."

Zhang Mengmeng pointed to her little belly, speaking playfully.

"You child, all you know is eating. Alright, alright, this old woman will go buy some good pork belly right now."

The two bought some groceries at the market. After they returned, Zhang Mengmeng let out a sigh of relief, took off her disguise, and joined Jiang's mother in the kitchen to wash and cut vegetables, earning constant praise.

Watching Zhang Mengmeng's busy figure, Jiang's mother felt somewhat emotional.

"Sigh, if little Cheng were still alive, he'd definitely marry this girl. What a pity..."

With a long sigh, Jiang's mother continued cooking.

At this moment, Jiang Cheng's sister had just returned from work. Seeing Zhang Mengmeng's back, she was very surprised.

This profile seemed very familiar to her.

Jiang's mother didn't play games, so she might not recognize her.

But since Jiang's mother no longer objected to her gaming, she had become an elder in a small guild in The Great Wasteland and naturally knew about some important figures.

"This profile... how does it look so much like Cutie God?"

"Am I overthinking?"

Not wanting to ask directly, Jiang Ying could only try probing her mother.

"Mom, we have guests at home?"

"Ying'er is back? Yes, we have a guest. It's little Cheng's ex-girlfriend. She came to give us money last time at the funeral... no, you were busy then and didn't meet her. She came to see us today. Perfect timing to get acquainted. Hey, come wash vegetables quickly. Don't let our guest work so hard."

Jiang's mother introduced Zhang Mengmeng while pulling Jiang Ying to wash vegetables.

But Jiang Ying froze in place after Zhang Mengmeng smiled and turned around, unable to be dragged despite her mother's efforts.

"Cutie God! It's really you. I'm not dreaming, am I?"