Wang Xi put down his phone, and the doorbell rang.
The takeout had arrived.
He opened the door to find the familiar delivery person.
"Mr. Wang." A young woman in a Yellow uniform and helmet handed him an insulated bag. "Your takeout is here. Enjoy your meal!"
"Miss Ning Meng, it's you again. Thanks."
Wang Xi smiled and took the bag.
Ning Meng gave a professional smile and said he was welcome. After speaking, she turned to leave, but Wang Xi called out to her:
"Miss Ning Meng, when you went to pick up the food, did you happen to notice the restaurant's hygiene conditions?"
The delivery girl stopped.
She turned back to look at Wang Xi, her smile turning serious as she stated matter-of-factly:
"It's clean and hygienic!"
Then, she quickly added:
"The floors and tables are sparkling. The environment might not be a 'sterile lab,' but it's close. The young lady in charge of the kitchen is also very dedicated, meticulously preparing every dish. She even has a master chef certification..."
"So, Mr. Wang, please eat without worry."
"That impressive?" Wang Xi asked with a surprised laugh. "But it seems like you're very familiar with this restaurant."
"Mhm," Ning Meng nodded seriously. "My family owns it."
"I also cooked the food you're eating."
"..."
Wang Xi froze.
'So this girl isn't just a part-time food and package delivery person, but also a part-time master chef?'
'No wonder she was praising it so relentlessly...'
"Alright, Mr. Wang, please give me a Five-Star rating if you can. I have a new order. Goodbye."
Ning Meng glanced at her phone and walked into the elevator.
'An interesting girl.'
Wang Xi smiled faintly and returned to the living room with his takeout.
The food was as delicious as ever, and since he was genuinely hungry, he wolfed it all down until nothing was left.
While the sun had not yet set, he took off his shirt and sat cross-legged on the balcony.
—"Photosynthesis"—
It was the first time Wang Xi had activated this card.
A green light flashed.
His skin turned green at a visible rate, making him look as if he'd been covered in a layer of dye.
The late afternoon sun wasn't harsh. As it shone on him, he felt a comfort like soaking in a hot spring.
It felt as if tiny mouths under his skin were constantly sucking in the sunlight, converting it into some kind of wondrous Energy that nourished his muscles and bones.
"Hah... This feels good."
Wang Xi closed his eyes, his face tilted toward the sun.
Just like that, he sat on the balcony until the sun went down.
Only after the sky was completely dark did he deactivate "Photosynthesis." The green hue faded from his skin, and he felt a minute increase in his body's strength.
Although the improvement was slow, he was still delighted.
After all, it was a reusable Function Card. Over time, the benefits to his body would be no less than those of a Technique Card.
After finishing his sunbathing cultivation, Wang Xi immediately activated the "Randall Body Refining Technique."
Without even putting his shirt back on, he lay prone on the balcony, taking a beating from an invisible force.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
An unseen force struck his body, producing a constant stream of muffled thuds.
Wang Xi grunted, his muscles trembling and sweat flying.
...
...
「The next morning.」
Wang Xi woke up sore all over.
His limbs felt as if they had snuck out to play mahjong all night while he was asleep; they were now listless and utterly exhausted.
The digital clock on his bedside table was ringing incessantly. He slapped a hand down on it, silencing the dream-disturbing noise.
Just as he was about to go back to sleep, Wang Xi remembered something.
'I think I have to meet Chu Nai today.'
He glanced at the digital clock. It was eight o'clock, two hours before their scheduled meeting at ten.
The apartment his parents had left him was in the Nest Capital District, just south of Valley City's center. It wasn't far from the meeting place in the Illusion Light District; a thirty-minute ride on the rail car would get him there.
There was still plenty of time. He got out of bed, washed up, and changed into a simple gray short-sleeved shirt and striped casual pants.
He slung an off-white crossbody bag over his shoulder and went downstairs.
When Wang Xi arrived in the Illusion Light District by rail car, it was just after nine.
He took a leisurely stroll along the road near "Phantom Light Primary School," which was lined with plane trees.
It was late May, and the trees were growing vigorously. Among the large, deep-green, palmate leaves were small, unripe, ball-shaped fruits.
The bark was mottled and peeling, and a few flying Mechanical Dolls were sweeping the sidewalks.
Wang Xi walked to a small, abandoned playground. The equipment inside was old and broken; the paint on the slide was severely peeling, and the sandbox was filled with dead branches, fallen leaves, and trash from bottles and cans.
There wasn't a soul in sight. He and Chu Nai used to come here to play often.
He found a spot on the edge of a flower bed and sat down. His phone beeped.
It was a message from Chu Nai:
"Are you up yet?"
Wang Xi replied:
"Already here. (eyeroll)"
BEEP.
"Huh?!"
A dozen or so seconds passed.
BEEP.
"Brother Xi, wait a little longer, I'll be there right away!"
"(silly goose running frantically)"
Wang Xi switched out of the chat app and started scrolling through the news.
In this era, the media was still the same old crap, writing about whatever was eye-catching, with headlines that were just as explosive.
Like an outhouse that a bratty kid had tossed a bottle rocket into—shittily spectacular.
"'Sky Dome Conglomerate' Announces Takeover of Valley City Water System, Public Protests: 'Water Bill Tripled, and It Tastes Like Piss!'"
"'Shanshan Conglomerate' Launches Artificial Universal Card 'Neon Lenses,' Switch Between 100,000 Colors and Patterns at Will, Can Also Be Used as a Light Source at Night!"
"Maid-Themed Mechanical Doll at Restaurant in Dawn District Malfunctions, Throws Customer into Synthetic Food Cabinet in Attempt to Make a New Kind of Burger!"
"Major Homicide in Melting Furnace District, Two Cardholders Clash in the Street, Resulting in 22 Deaths and Over 100 Injuries."
"Security Bureau Issues Latest Bulletin: Identities of the Two Assailants Confirmed as Members of the Underground Faction 'Ghost Grid.' The Following Are Photos and Information of Some of the Organization's Wanted Members... Citizens with Relevant Clues Can Report Them via the Security Bureau Hotline for a Reward of up to One Million Credit Points."
Wang Xi kept scrolling through the news and ads.
'In a new world where people possess supernatural power, where great strength belongs to the individual, the potential for destruction and harm also increases...' he mused.
This seemingly peaceful city required one to be on guard not only against disasters that could appear at any moment, but also against the criminal factions hidden underground.
If your own strength wasn't enough, your survival in an accident was entirely up to fate.
"Hey!"
Wang Xi's shoulder was suddenly tapped lightly, and a soft, beautiful female voice sounded by his ear.
He turned his head to see a young woman in a pure white dress standing gracefully before him, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall.
Chu Nai's light blue eyes were smiling.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," the girl said apologetically.
She handed him a cup of hot, sweet milk.
"As an apology, I brought you something to drink."
"Thanks." Wang Xi smiled and stood up. After taking the drink, he pulled a bag of breakfast from his canvas bag. "Your favorite sticky rice balls."
"Brother Xi, you still remember what I like to eat."
Chu Nai took the breakfast, gave it a little sniff, and her smiling eyes curved into crescents.
"It smells so good."
"Sit down and eat."
Wang Xi and Chu Nai sat on the edge of the flower bed and began to eat their breakfast.
"How have you been these past few years in the Eastern Continent?" Wang Xi asked casually after taking a sip of milk.
The girl was silent for a moment, then smiled.
"Pretty good. The cities there are bigger than here in the Southern Continent, but disasters are also more frequent. Luckily, East Continent University has strong protective measures, so everything went smoothly."
"What about you?"
"You know how my grades are. I almost didn't get my diploma. After that, I spent half a year looking for a job and found nothing."
Wang Xi shook his head with a wry smile.
"Thankfully, Uncle Tang Yi recommended me to Cupid Housekeeping. I just started a few days ago."
"Cupid Housekeeping? What's your position?"
Chu Nai's pretty brows furrowed slightly.
"A Cleaner," Wang Xi said with a smile.
"That's... too dangerous."
Worry flashed in the girl's eyes.
"Brother Xi, why don't you find a safer job?"
"I can barely make ends meet. I'll stick with it for now."
Wang Xi shook his head.
Chu Nai turned away and fumbled with something.
Then she pulled out a bank card, held it out to him, and said in a low voice:
"This is the scholarship money I've saved up over the years, a few hundred thousand. Brother Xi, take it and use it for now."
"What are you doing?" Wang Xi didn't take it. Instead, he glanced at her with a playful smile. "Trying to be my sugar mama?"
Chu Nai let out a giggle, her smile captivating.
"Can't I?" she whispered.
"Not enough," Wang Xi said casually after finishing the last of his milk.
"I'd need at least a million."
"Your standards are pretty high," Chu Nai huffed.
"Alright then." She thought for a moment and whispered, "When I save up a million, you'll switch jobs."
"Deal." Wang Xi smiled and pushed the card back.
That seemed to settle the matter.
'Even in his past life, he never took money from women. Playing with emotions but not with money—that had been his bottom line back when he was a professional Sea King.'
"Why did you decide to come back to the Southern Continent instead of staying in the Eastern Continent to build your career?" Wang Xi said, changing the subject.
Chu Nai gave him a deep look, then turned her head to the side, tucking a strand of silver hair behind her ear as she said:
"The competition over there is too fierce. Whether it's the government or the conglomerates, there are countless geniuses. They all have powerful backgrounds. How could I possibly compare...?"
'A lie!'
Wang Xi could tell at a glance that Chu Nai wasn't telling the truth.
Because whenever Chu Nai lied, she had this little habit of turning her head and fiddling with her hair. He couldn't be more familiar with it.
But Wang Xi didn't call her out on it.
Or rather, he never did.
"Even a genius like you can't handle the rat race? That's rare," Wang Xi remarked with a sigh.
"So what are your plans now that you're back in Valley City?"
"My advisor made arrangements for me in advance. If all goes well, I should be working for the Overlook Bureau," Chu Nai said.
Wang Xi wasn't surprised.
A top student like Chu Nai, the real deal, was either scouted by a conglomerate or selected by the government. After graduation, she was bound to start on a different track from ordinary people.
"Returning home in glory to be a civil servant, huh," Wang Xi joked.
"What position?"
"It's not clear yet." Chu Nai tucked her silver hair again, averting her gaze. "Probably something like a clerk."
'Lying again...' Wang Xi thought to himself.
Because they were sitting close, Wang Xi could clearly see a thin, golden scar on the back of Chu Nai's fair, delicate neck.
In his vision, an entry slowly materialized above the girl's head—
[Chu Nai (Green/Skull)]
Wang Xi's pupils contracted sharply.
'The skull symbol represents an evaluation beyond Five Stars.'
Not only that, but Chu Nai's entry was also surrounded by a silver pattern, making it look unique.
'Her power is far from simple!'