Chapter 162: Recovery

After leaving the headquarters of the Black Island Organization, Ji Cheng retained only a portion of the archival data and the Tyrant Serum, generously distributing the rest of the spoils of war to the other city-states. This action elevated the participating groups' opinion of Ji Cheng to a whole new level, and when he casually mentioned that he might drop by for a visit in the future, they all responded with enthusiastic welcomes.

Returning to South Harbor City, following a brief post-war banquet, the ability users from the other city-states departed with piles of scrap metal and trophies. The atmosphere was jubilant, and their faces beamed with radiant smiles.

"Very soon, these things will become worthless, my friends."

This was the thought in Ji Cheng's heart, akin to knowing in advance that a particular stock was about to crash, silently mourning for his leek-like friends.

October 3rd marked the founding anniversary of South Harbor City. Having endured numerous trials and changes this year, the celebration was held with exceptional grandeur. Even Ji Cheng, in his capacity as speaker, attended the ceremony and delivered a generous speech.

After the celebration concluded, Ji Cheng did not head to his office in the command building; instead, he made a rare trip to his new home.

At 4:30 in the afternoon, inside Luo Rao's bedroom.

"Sis, I've hesitated for a long time, but there is something I'm afraid I must tell you." Ji Cheng sat in a chair, his hands thrust into his pants pockets, tightly gripping an hourglass.

He felt extremely anxious inside. After all, how the "Ether" would be repaired and what Luo Rao would become afterward were complete unknowns to him.

Would this process harbor unknown dangers?

Would the Probability Engine deliberately orchestrate accidents to prevent Luo Rao from recovering, just to ensure he remained compatible with that so-called supreme treasure?

"What is it?" Luo Rao asked with a chuckle while pulling Ji Cheng toward the bed.

"Hah."

Ji Cheng took a deep breath, ultimately deciding to respect Luo Rao's own agency. "Actually, you underwent a surgery once..."

He turned his hand over to clasp Luo Rao's, confessing everything that should and could be told—including the existence of the Probability Engine.

"Oh, is that so? No wonder I've always been terrified of hospitals," Luo Rao laughed after listening. "Well then, let me try and see if I can recover."

"Mm."

Ji Cheng nodded, locked the bedroom door, and took out the hourglass containing a portion of Luo Rao's "Ether."

...

Ji Cheng leaned back against the chair, watching nervously as Luo Rao suddenly leaned in close. Her beautiful eyes were wide open, yet her lips curled into a mysterious smile.

By the bedside sat the hourglass that had once shone like starlight; now, its lid had been unscrewed, and the interior was completely empty.

"Sis, are you okay..."

Ji Cheng swallowed hard, breaking the silence.

Looking at her like this, nothing went wrong, did it?

"I'm fine."

"Let me test you then." Ji Cheng searched his memory and asked, "How should suffocated pork ribs be made?"

"First, put the ribs, ginger slices, and wine in water, and, um... blanch them." Luo Rao put on a thoughtful expression.

"And after blanching?"

"After blanching..."

Oh no, please don't let something actually be wrong! Ji Cheng's heart instantly leaped into his throat.

"After blanching, it's sage time!" Luo Rao suddenly giggled.

Very well, true to form, absolutely no problem.

Just as Ji Cheng let out a sigh of relief, he heard Luo Rao call his name.

"A-Cheng."

"I remember a lot of things now." Luo Rao smiled as she traced her fair fingertip from Ji Cheng's earlobe down to his chin.

"For example?"

"A-Cheng has changed compared to before." Luo Rao brought her face very close, observing Ji Cheng intently.

"In what way?" Ji Cheng asked in a low voice.

"Smarter than before. Back then, you were just like a reckless hothead, only knowing how to get into fights and brawls. Now you finally know how to use your brain, and your temper isn't so fiery anymore."

Luo Rao massaged Ji Cheng's face with deep satisfaction. "A-Cheng is getting better and better. When we were little, Sis always took care of you, but lately, it's been you taking care of Sis."

"It's only right."

"Still, I really forgot a lot of things these past few years, and kept concocting those weird recipes. It's a miracle of you that you could even stomach the suffocated pork ribs I made using gasoline."

"Actually, the taste wasn't bad at all. I happen to like the smell of gasoline."

"A-Cheng, thank you."

Suddenly—

Luo Rao's expression turned exceedingly tender.

"This past month or so has been the happiest period of my entire life."

"Ever since we went to New City and left Mom and Dad behind, A-Cheng has truly matured and grown up a lot..."

Ji Cheng stroked Luo Rao's hair. "Mm."

"I just wonder if you've grown taller." Luo Rao chuckled and flicked him on the forehead.

"Huh?"

...

The next day, in Ji Cheng's exclusive training room.

Under the specialized gravity equipment, he continuously tested the stress response technique, squeezing every ounce of potential from his body.

Clang!

Unsharpened blades crossed, and two figures swiftly leaped back a few paces.

"A-Cheng, why isn't the stress response technique as effective as the mimicry technique you taught me before?"

Luo Rao tossed her dagger aside, sidled up to Ji Cheng, and used his sleeve to wipe away her light perspiration.

"The assimilation and absorption of a Tier 2 Gene Progenitor are naturally slow. Your speed already surpasses ninety-nine point nine-nine percent of people." Ji Cheng laughed as he praised her.

During the period when Luo Rao's "Ether" was damaged, the talent she displayed was already terrifying, and now she was progressing at a monstrous speed.

Teacher Jian was entirely right; Sis's talent was truly no less than his own...

"By the way, when are you going to take Sis for a stroll in that Gaia Network? Didn't you boast about having a little fan-girl princess?"

"I haven't figured out how to bring people in with me yet." As Ji Cheng relaxed his muscles, he pulled Luo Rao toward the shower room attached to the training room.

Now that Luo Rao's "Ether" had recovered, Ji Cheng saw no need to keep the Gaia Network a secret from her, simply using this fortuitous encounter to explain the origins of the stress response and mimicry techniques.

"Go wash up quickly, then we'll go get something to eat. This afternoon, you can train here by yourself while I go see Su Yi about something." Ji Cheng turned on the showerhead, pushed Luo Rao inside, and slipped into the adjacent compartment himself.

"Can I join?" Amidst the splashing sound of the shower, Luo Rao's voice drifted over vaguely.

"Join? What do you think I'm going for? I have serious business!" Ji Cheng squeezed out some body wash and muttered.

"What serious business? Writing characters? On the thigh?"

...

The minute hand of the wall clock pointed to five, and Chen Qian pushed open the office door right on schedule.

"Boss, Miss Su has been brought over."

"Good, you can step outside first." Ji Cheng, who had changed into a set of comfortable and breathable clothes, took a sip of tea, his eyes widened, and he spat it right out. "Wait... you?"

To his surprise, Su Yi stood there with a blushing face, wearing a rather provocative outfit, her head lowered as she followed behind Chen Qian.

Clearly, this was another awkward misunderstanding.

"Wasn't that what the boss meant?" Chen Qian glanced down at her silk stockings, which had once again been sprayed wet by Ji Cheng.

"Am I that kind of person?" Ji Cheng covered his forehead and sighed. "Even if I were, it wouldn't be in the office, right? I asked you to bring her here for legitimate business; why did you have her wear something like this?!"

"I only put it on after entering this underground safehouse. No, nobody else saw it..." Su Yi flusteredly tried to explain on Chen Qian's behalf.

My reputation...

"Click."

Chen Qian tactfully exited the office and thoughtfully locked the door.

"Sigh, whatever."

Figuring that his reputation in front of Chen Qian was beyond saving anyway, Ji Cheng couldn't be bothered to argue further. He glanced at Su Yi before reaching into his drawer to pull out a hair tie.