Read Transmigrated into the Extra Chapter as an Extra :: The Drama of New Beginnings - 3

The next day, Arzen found himself in the back of Hanjun’s car, still groggy from the previous night’s forced nap. The car itself was a marvel of modern luxury—a sleek, custom-designed black limousine with tinted windows that blocked out the world. Inside, the leather seats were plush and perfectly contoured, with touchscreens embedded in the doors displaying everything from temperature controls to the latest stock updates. The ambient lighting shifted colors softly, casting a soothing glow that screamed “wealth” without trying too hard. Hanjun lounged beside Arzen, relaxed as always, scrolling through a tablet that synced seamlessly with the car’s onboard AI system.

Their chauffeur, dressed in a tailored suit that probably cost more than most people’s rent, drove with a professional precision, navigating the city streets as if it were second nature. Hanjun, half paying attention to his device, tried to pry details out of Arzen about the drama club, but Arzen dodged the questions with vague answers, not particularly keen on discussing his new club buddies.

As the car approached the gates of the Lan estate, Arzen’s eyes widened slightly. The gates themselves were massive, ornate wrought iron intricately designed with the Lan family crest in the center.

As they swung open, the car glided smoothly onto a driveway that seemed endless, lined with manicured gardens featuring imported bonsai trees, water features, and carefully placed sculptures that looked like they belonged in an art gallery.

The mansion came into view—a sprawling, modern architectural wonder with sleek glass walls, sharp angles, and a rooftop infinity pool visible from the front. The house was impossibly large, more akin to a futuristic resort than a home. The driveway wound through meticulously landscaped grounds that included tennis courts, a private garden, and a helipad discreetly tucked away, in case the Lans needed a quicker exit.

Arzen leaned back, momentarily overwhelmed by the scale of it all. He had vague memories of this place from this world’s Arzen, but experiencing it firsthand, with its sheer size and cold, futuristic beauty, was like stepping into another dimension. It was a far cry from any mansion he’d seen in his old life—this was wealth on another level, a statement to the world that the Lan family didn’t just participate in the tech industry; they owned it.

Yushong Lan and Hanmei Lan were already waiting at the grand entrance, which looked more like the lobby of a five-star hotel than the front of a house. They stood beneath a massive glass awning that jutted out, supported by sleek steel beams. The driveway wrapped around an ornate fountain, its cascading water catching the light in a dance of reflections that made the whole scene feel surreal.

The moment they spotted Arzen, Yushong and Hanmei faces lit up with joy. They practically rushed over, their designer outfits fluttering as they moved. Without hesitation, they pulled Arzen into warm embraces, the kind that felt a touch too tight but were undeniably genuine. Hanjun, meanwhile, strolled out of the car at his own pace, handing off a suitcase to a waiting servant who bowed slightly before whisking it away.

Inside the mansion, the opulence only escalated. The foyer opened up into a vast space with soaring ceilings, towering glass walls that offered an uninterrupted view of the expansive gardens, and a grand staircase that spiraled elegantly to the upper floors. Chandeliers hung from above, each crystal piece reflecting light in a way that seemed almost magical.

Every corner of the mansion was filled with subtle yet unmistakable signs of tech—smart displays embedded in the walls, a voice-controlled lighting system that adjusted based on the mood, and art installations that were more advanced tech than traditional decor.

They moved to the dining area, where the table was set with a spread that could only be described as a feast for the senses. Dishes from multiple cuisines, all immaculately presented on porcelain plates with gold trim, filled the room with rich, enticing aromas. Each dish was a nod to this world’s Arzen’s preferences—steamed dumplings, spicy hotpot, delicate pastries, and more. Strangely enough, the food preferences matched his own, an odd comfort that blurred the lines between his two lives.

Yushong Lan took his place at the head of the table, his sharp eyes glimmering with curiosity as he launched into a barrage of questions. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Arzen, eager to dig into the details of his life.

“So, Zenzen.”

Yushong began, voice filled with genuine interest.

“How's school treating you these days?”

Arzen’s grip on his chopsticks tightened, his gaze flickering between Yushong and the glossy table. The memory of Yushong Lan’s warm encouragements from this world’s Arzen was vivid, but facing him in person, with all that attention, felt like staring down a spotlight. He picked at his food, stalling.

“Uh… It’s fine, I guess. Classes are, um, manageable.”

Hanmei Lan smiled warmly, but her eyes were sharp, like she could see right through the nervous facade. She nudged a plate of dumplings closer to Arzen, her gesture gentle but insistent.

“Eat up, Zenzen. You’ve been working so hard.”

Arzen nodded, managing a faint smile as he picked up a dumpling, though his movements were stiff, almost mechanical. Each bite felt heavy, and he could feel all three sets of eyes on him, watching his every reaction. His thoughts buzzed like static—this was nothing like the cool, detached memories of this world’s Arzen. This was real, and it was overwhelming.

Yushong leaned in closer, his voice bright with enthusiasm.

“And what about your studies? Anything in particular that caught your interest?”

Arzen hesitated, his chopsticks hovering awkwardly. He glanced at Hanjun for a moment, hoping for some kind of lifeline, but Hanjun’s expression was expectant, waiting for his turn to jump in. Arzen swallowed, the room feeling just a little too warm.

“Math’s… okay. I mean, I’m doing alright.”

Hanjun couldn’t resist, leaning back with a casual grin, clearly enjoying the moment.

“Zenzen’s always been good at math. I’ve been helping him since middle school, you know.”

Yushong shot his son a competitive glance, his smile never wavering.

“Oh, really? I thought it was because of all those practice sets I printed out for him back in the day.”

Arzen felt caught in the middle of their friendly one-upmanship, his gaze darting between them as they traded quips.

‘Seriously? They’re having a showdown over who knows this world’s Arzen better?’

Hanmei joined in, her voice light but with a teasing edge.

“Well, it’s no wonder he’s good. I always made sure he had the best tutors and resources.”

Hanmei reached over, her hand brushing through Arzen’s hair, giving it a gentle pat before moving back to her seat. She watched him closely, her smile soft but unwavering, as if every little answer he gave filled her with pride.

“We’re so proud of you, Arzen. You’ve grown so much since we last saw you.”

Her touch was light, but it lingered, a reminder of how deeply they cared.

Arzen nodded, his throat tightening. He quickly took a sip of water, his fingers trembling slightly around the glass. It was hard to reconcile the warmth of their attention with the cold, distant stance this world’s Arzen had always maintained. How could he have kept his distance from people so generous and kind? He glanced at his reflection in the glass, trying to ground himself.

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Yushong, still brimming with questions, moved on.

“And your friends? You’re having fun at school, right?”

Arzen swallowed, his gaze flickering to Hanjun, who nudged him with a look that said, ‘Go on, tell them.’

Arzen took a deep breath, trying to stay grounded.

“I’ve been working on something with the drama club. It’s… something new.”

Yushong’s eyes widened slightly, genuinely intrigued.

“Drama club, huh? Didn’t know you were into acting!”

Arzen hesitated, caught off-guard by Yushong’s interest, his response halting for a moment.

“Well, I’m not acting. I’m actually writing the script for their play.”

Hanjun perked up, sensing an opportunity.

“Zenzen’s the scriptwriter for their next big project at the school festival. It’s a pretty ambitious one, especially since the headmaster’s planning to invite some big shots from the theater industry.”

“That sounds wonderful! We’re sure you’ll do great. We can’t wait to hear more about it!”

Arzen nodded, feeling the weight of their combined attention again. Hanmei clapped her hands lightly, her enthusiasm bubbling over.

“That sounds amazing! We can’t wait to see it, Zenzen.”

The kindness, though familiar in this setting, still clung to him awkwardly, like a jacket that didn’t quite fit. Arzen took a breath, steadying himself, he hadn’t come here just to be showered with compliments—he had a mission.

“Uncle Yushong, Auntie Hanmei, I… actually needed to ask something.”

His voice edged with a slight tremor, each word deliberate.

Yushong Lan looked up from his meal, curiosity evident in his gaze.

"Yes, Arzen?"

Arzen’s hands trembled slightly.

Hanmei leaned closer, her gaze soft and encouraging. Her hand lightly squeezed his arm.

“It’s okay, just tell us..”

"I... I need a phone. It's for keeping in touch with some people and… and…"

Arzen closed his eyes, trying to find the right words, afraid to look directly at the couple in front of him.

Hanmei’s smile widened instantly, her grip on his arm reassuring.

“Oh, Zenzen, why didn’t you say so? We were wondering when you’d ask.”

Arzen blinked, his expression caught between surprise and disbelief.

‘That’s it? Just like that?’

The easy agreement left him momentarily stunned, his thoughts scrambling to keep pace with the effortless generosity.

Yushong gave a firm nod, already waving off the need for further explanation.

"That's right. It’s such a pain having to contact Hanjun just to know how you're doing."

Arzen’s fingers tightened around his glass, the instinct to argue flickering briefly.

“I—I’ll pay you back as soon as I can. I’ve got my part-time job, the scriptwriting gig…”

Yushong waved a dismissive hand, his grin easygoing.

“Nonsense. You focus on your school and your projects! You think we can’t afford to give you one or two phones?!”

Arzen’s jaw set in determination, his need to maintain some independence still bubbling up.

“No, really, I promise I’ll pay you back.”

Hanmei’s hand brushed lightly over his head, a soft pat following.

“We know you will, sweetie. But for now, let us take care of it. We’ll pick one out together tomorrow!”

Hanjun, who had been holding back, leaned in with a sly grin, clearly enjoying the moment of suspense.

“Actually, no need for that. I bought one for you two months ago. It’s the latest model from Lan Corp. You can just use it.”

Yushong’s eyebrow twitched, his competitive streak quietly flaring up again. Hanjun smirked at his father, a playful challenge in his eyes. Yushong Lan couldn't help but curse Hanjun in his heart.

‘What is this son of mine doing? He’s trying to rob the spotlight from me again!’

Hanmei sighed, her expression a mix of fondness and exasperation.

‘Of course, he’d beat us to it. Always wanting to be first.’

Arzen, oblivious to the silent tug-of-war, felt the tension in his shoulders ease. He glanced at Hanjun, his gratitude flickering into a small but genuine smile.

‘A ready-to-use phone? Guess that’s one less thing to worry about.’

Hanjun raised an eyebrow, smirking.

“What’s with that smile? Don’t think you’re off the hook. This was supposed to be a birthday present, and you nearly broke my heart when you turned it down.”

Arzen rubbed his neck, feeling the awkwardness settle in.

“So… sorry… At the time, I was just…”

Hanjun’s tone was teasing, his lips turned into a wide grin.

“You really needed the phone, didn’t you?"

Arzen’s eyes widened slightly.

“Huh? Yeah, I do… I really want to continue working on my script but need some approval from the club president, so I…”

Hanjun’s grin widened, his eyes gleaming mischievously.

“Well, you can make it up by saying, ‘Big brother Hanjun, you’re the best,’ three times.”

Arzen’s face twisted into an unimpressed glare.

‘This demon! I knew there was a catch!!’

Arzen forced a smile, deep in thought, cursing Hanjun.

Hanjun leaned in, clearly enjoying his advantage.