Extra 2: A Talk About Protagonist

*This is a conversation that happened a few years later*

Long Yuan'an sat beside Huang Feiyun on the stone chair, having tea and eating pastries together. It was mid-April, the weather was fine, the flowers were in full bloom, and children's voices rang in the distance playing with each other.

"...Mom, I've been thinking about this for a while but, don't you ever think of yourself as the protagonist of a transmigration novel?"

Huang Feiyun who was just about to bite on a piece if pastry, stopped her action and looked at her eldest son with a puzzled look. "Hmm? Why the sudden question? You wouldn't say that you've read a novel about me somewhere in your previous lifetime right."

Long Yuan'an immediately shook his head. "No, just... I mean, have you really never thought of it? I've heard about your experiences from dad, Aunty Ming, and a few more people. They all said that you are very powerful. And, well..." The boy hesitated a little, before he continued in a whisper "...The fact that you've been transmigrated is pretty much screaming 'I'm a lead protagonist!'..."

Huang Feiyun listened to the explanation, and fell speechless. She decided to eat a piece of pastry first before she replied to her silly son. After swallowing the pastry into her throat and drinking a gulp of tea, she poked a finger on the boy's forehead.

"Son, I know you're a bit silly here, but aren't you thinking too much? Should I remind you again that my constitution couldn't enable me to practice cultivation? You must have never read a counter-attack novel before. Who knows if I actually might be a cannon fodder instead of a protagonist? With the way the heaven is, we cannot determine that everything happening to us should be to help us embark to the peak of life."

Long Yuan'an rubbed his red forehead with grievance. Since knowing that his mother is a transmigrator, his mother always called him a silly child. It was fine when he was little, but now he is bigger! Clearly the silly one is Yuanning that foodie! He Long Yuan'an is the bright and wise one! Thinking so, he glared at the chubby little boy who came over once he saw there were pastries on the table where the two mother and son were sitting.

Yuanning felt the glare, and only gave a silly smile before snatching a piece of pastry in each of his hands and immediately stuffed them into his mouth. The empty hands once again took another pastry before he ran away.

Long Yuan'an was speechless. Although he admitted that the look of his bulging cheeks was cute, but does he need to be so greedy? Nobody would grab the food from him anyway. He pointed to the direction the little boy had ran, and looked at his mother.

"Wasn't he scared of getting chocked?"

Huang Feiyun chuckled gently. "Leave him be. He will know not to be greedy then." Although she said that, her eyes turned to Ming You who was standing at the side, ready to serve her Mistress. Ming You nodded silently, then left following in Yuanning's direction.

"Anyway, let's continue. You asked if I was a protagonist, then aren't you also a type of protagonist too? Reborn child," Huang Feiyun spoke teasingly. When she saw Long Yuan'an was about to refute, she continued:

"Getting betrayed by people, died, and finding yourself in another world in the form of a baby. Isn't that a common trope in another-world-type of novel? And you're born in a so-called 'noble' family, your options would either be a villainous cannon fodder seeking to break the flag, or a low-key harem master. Son, which path would you seek?" Huang Feiyun blinked her eyes naughtily.

Long Yuan'an shuddered. "Can I pick neither? What breaking the flag, what harem master. Those are troublesome. I just want to stay at home, do business, and cultivate."

"Are you a married woman in ancient time?" Huang Feiyun really couldn't help but retort. No, her son is still very young. He can still be saved. She should throw him out for adventure once he's of age! Yes!

"Anyway, I am not so ambitious. I already have a good life. What I want is just peace for my whole family." Long Yuan'an sipped on his tea slowly. The straight back and the serious gaze as he looked at the scenery made people feel a sense of tranquility emanating from his body.

"...But if anybody tried to smash that peace, I wouldn't hesitate to destroy them." He continued in a murmur.

Huang Feiyun sighed. This silly child. She slowly extended her hand, and flicked on his forehead when he was dazed. Long Yuan'an held his painful forehead with eyes wide in shock.

"Said you're a protagonist material, and you didn't believe. Where did the paranoia came from? You're raised in a harmonious and loving family! Even if anyone would try to scheme on us, wouldn't they be destroyed by your father and me first before your turn? Stop being so dark, son!"

Long Yuan'an rubbed his forehead as he nodded slowly. ...Can't you not hit my forehead whenever you want to scold me? It's so painful! ( Q A Q )

"But I don't want to be a protagonist... What if my story is a dog blood story. I already have a dog blood past life, wouldn't it be annoying to have a dog blood future life too? A simple slice-of-life is fine." Long Yuan'an spoke as he thought.

"...Baby son, you're so easy to be persuaded. Be careful you'd get cheated someday." Huang Feiyun was really speechless. No way, she needed to drink some tea to calm herself.

"Huh? But didn't you say I'm a protagonist? Then shouldn't I think of what kind of story I'm in? Maybe if I know what kind of story it is, I can probably avoid some trouble." Long Yuan'an looked at his mother with confusion.

...Said that you're silly and you didn't believe! I'm only talking nonsense, and you actually took it to heart. Ayy, my poor silly son ah! ( ´Д｀)=3

"Have you never heard of the phrase 'You are the protagonist of your life'? Everyone have their own story, their own trouble. What differentiate them with others are their decisions in life. If you choose a stupid and dog blood decision, of course what you get is going to be dog blood." Seeing that her son is listening to her attentively, Huang Feiyun continued.

"Son, remember my words: Think with your brain, feel with your heart. But don't let desire and lust consume you. If you feel unsure, consult your elders. We'll definitely help you. Understand?"

"Yes, mother." Long Yuan'an replied in a low voice, a small smile on his pursed lips.

"Higher! Higher!" A child's laughter rang suddenly into their ears. It was Yuanning, and this time he was being held in Long Tianyue's arms. Ming You was following behind the two silently. Long Yuan'an put his elbow on the stone table, leaning his head to his palm as he look at the two.

"Well, mom. You are a transmigrator protagonist. I am a reborn protagonist. What would you think father is?" Long Yuan'an looked at his father, then looked at his mother with a playful look. Seeing the look in her son's eyes, Huang Feiyun decided to play along with him.

"Hmmm, the classic ancient hero? He's handsome, talented, and noble. He's also hardworking and full of justice. If he's always stoic and serious all the time, he's probably a textbook example of a perfect male god in a novel." Huang Feiyun analyzed.

Long Tianyue, as if feeling that he was being talked about, looked around and saw his beloved wife and eldest son sitting together at the stone table with pastries and tea. He excitedly waved a hand towards them, then took Yuanning's chubby little arm to wave vigorously towards them too.

Seeing that, Long Yuan'an nodded in agreement to his mother's statement. "Yep, if he's stoic and serious all the time." Then, he finished his tea and got up from his seat. "I've been sitting too long. I'm going to play with them."

Huang Feiyun chuckled gently as she nodded. Looking at the three from afar, she felt peaceful in her heart. If she was really the protagonist of a book, maybe what she's experiencing right now is the epilogue or the side story of the book. No more big confrontations, no more dark schemes, just a peaceful life. And that's enough for her.

Thinking so, she got up from her seat, and walked towards Long Tianyue and the others. She hoped in her heart, that this peaceful life will continue, even after her life ends.