Episode 4

"As usual, enough to fool anyone." Elise smiled wryly as she stared at her reflection.

Elise stood in front of the mirror, perfecting her appearance.

Her hair was styled simply, tied neatly back.

She wore large black-framed glasses, and a rather large mole was stuck on her right cheek.

"Okay, done." With a small bag in hand, Elise headed to Alex's room.

The boy sat in front of a laptop, his blue eyes fixed on the screen.

"Honey, you're up early again?" Elise asked, stroking her son's head.

Alex didn't answer, his fingers dancing on the keyboard, typing strange codes that Elise didn't understand.

"Alex, Mom's talking, are you listening?" Elise looked at him suspiciously.

"Just a minute, Mom," Alex replied without turning around. "Almost done."

Elise sighed, staring at the room filled with scribbled numbers and diagrams. The six-year-old's room was like a scientist's workspace.

"Mom knows you're bored because you're suspended. But play outside, don't just stare at the screen," Elise said.

"I'm doing something important, Mom. If it works, Mom won't have to work at that company anymore," Alex replied, still focused.

Elise frowned. "What do you mean?"

Suddenly, a small voice from Alex's laptop sounded: Access Granted

Alex cheered softly, "Yes! Success!"

"What succeeded?" Elise asked curiously.

Alex quickly closed the laptop and hid his tense face.

"Nothing, Mom. Just a game."

"Game?" Elise narrowed her eyes. "What game needs a password that long?"

Alex was silent, trying to find an excuse.

"A game that educates children," he replied.

Elise scoffed, then walked closer. Alex moved the laptop and covered the screen with his hand.

"Alex, Mom's serious. Don't open weird sites. I don't want our computer to get a virus."

Alex lowered his head, a faint smile playing on his small lips. "Don't worry, Mom. If there's a virus, I can fix it. I can even fix the school server that was hacked last week."

"You hacked the school server?"

Alex looked at his mother blankly. Then replied, "If I say yes, will Mom be angry?"

"Goodness, Alex. You could be punished! What are you actually doing?" Elise massaged her temples, which were beginning to throb painfully.

Alex opened his laptop screen a little. There was a series of complex numbers and symbols as well as the logo of a large company that Elise knew.

It was the logo of the company where Elise worked. Elise froze, her heart pounding.

"You also hacked Mom's company?"

Alex nodded. "I just wanted to know why Mom is paid so little, even though the company is so big. They're not fair. Mom works hard every day, but still lives in hardship. So I tried to open their payroll system."

Elise didn't know whether to be angry or amazed. Her son was truly beyond reason.

"Alex, that's not something a six-year-old can do!"

"That's exactly why they won't be suspicious," Alex replied calmly.

Elise almost laughed amidst her anxiety. She looked at the boy sadly.

"Alex, listen to Mom. You're smart, too smart. But the world isn't always good to smart people. Sometimes, smart people are misused."

"I don't want Mom to be misused, that's why I'm helping. I just want Mom to stop working there. I'll find my own money for you." Alex returned his mother's gaze.

Elise was silent. Those words pierced her chest. A child so small, with such mature thoughts?

"Mom works not just for money. But because Mom wants you to have a good future. You don't have to be a little hero, honey. Mom is still strong enough to pay for school and provide for our lives."

The boy lowered his head while looking at his fingers. There was a little guilt. But, Alex was still Alex with all his advantages and disadvantages.

"Mom often comes home late, looks tired, and sometimes Mom cries secretly."

Elise held her breath. "You... you saw that?"

Alex nodded. "A genius like me doesn't need to see. I know from Mom's breathing sound."

Elise's eyes widened. Hearing the sound of breath, he said?

Elise took a deep breath, then said, "Promise me, from now on don't open anyone's company system again. If we get caught, we could be in danger."

Alex looked at his mother, then nodded slightly. "Okay, Mom. But I'll find another way."

Elise looked at him suspiciously. "What other way?"

Alex smiled faintly. "State secret," he said, in a tone that made Elise want to hit her head gently.

Elise chose to give up. Arguing with Alex would never end.

"Alright, little Professor. But now close that laptop and have breakfast. Mom is almost late for work."

"What is it this time? Instant noodles?"

"No, but toast," Elise replied.

Alex looked at his mother and smiled faintly. "Mom, if one day someone looks for Mom, or someone is mean to Mom, I will protect Mom."

"Yes, yes, okay, Mom believes you." Elise kissed Alex's forehead and left.

"Mom, how long are you going to hide your identity?"

Hearing that question, Elise's steps stopped. Elise slowly turned around. Looking at the boy who was still sitting in his chair.

"W-what do you mean, honey?" she asked nervously.

Alex closed his laptop, then stood up. Approaching his mother who looked shaken.

"Mom always wears those big glasses, always covers Mom's face with a mole, and even changed our last name. I'm not a stupid child, Mom."

Elise swallowed. Her throat felt dry. "Alex, Mom only—"

"Trying to protect me?" Alex interrupted quickly. "Or trying to run away from something?"

Silence filled the room. Elise closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm her erratic heartbeat.

Could it be that Alex already knows who Elise really is?

Elise looked at the boy for a long time, then approached. "Honey, there are things that Mom can't explain right now. But it's all purely for your own good."

Alex raised his chin, looking at his mother with a sharp gaze.

"Then Mom should know, I've started looking for the answers myself," Alex said.

Elise froze. The world around her seemed to stop for a moment.

"Oh God. Don't tell me he's started investigating his own mother's past," she muttered.

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