Returning home this time meant Ji Chenai wouldn’t be able to sneak out and collect scraps anymore, but he continued posting online. His current goal was to accumulate enough positive energy within three months to at least be able to walk with crutches.

Zhou Yaoyun had no idea what Ji Chenai was thinking. Since coming home, Zhou Yaoyun had grown noticeably quieter and wasn’t as cheerful as before.

Their mother, Wang Zhixiu, had prepared a lavish meal for their return. When she saw the two brothers enter, her face lit up with a bright smile.

During dinner, Zhou Yaoyun ate quietly. Unlike at school, he didn’t take the initiative to serve Ji Chenai food. Instead, he kept his head down, seeming out of place in the familial atmosphere.

Ji Chenai couldn’t quite figure out what was going on with Zhou Yaoyun. His memories regarding family were extremely vague, almost as if Zhou Yaoqin had deliberately avoided thinking about them. Other than recalling his parents’ faces and a few scattered images, Ji Chenai knew practically nothing.

After dinner, Zhou Yaoyun quickly washed up and went to bed.

Since they were at home and Zhou Yaoyun didn’t need to look after Ji Chenai, he didn’t say a single word to him after the meal, as if all the care and attention he’d shown at school were left behind the moment they returned home.

Ji Chenai found Zhou Yaoyun’s behavior strange but didn’t feel comfortable asking about it. Instead, he followed suit, turning in early and preparing to sleep.

The answer to Ji Chenai’s confusion, however, came the very next day, provided by one of Zhou Yaoqin’s cousins.

The cousin, Zhou Leling, had a close relationship with Zhou Yaoyun. On his second day home, she came over to visit him.

It was Zhou Yaoyun who answered the door. Zhou Yumian and Wang Zhixiu had gone out grocery shopping, leaving only the three of them at home.

Zhou Leling stepped into the living room, glanced briefly at Ji Chenai without greeting him, and continued chatting with Zhou Yaoyun, asking how school was going and how he planned to spend the vacation.

Zhou Yaoyun, ever the gentleman, answered all her questions politely, making the atmosphere feel particularly warm and pleasant.

The conversation didn’t last long before Zhou Leling, claiming to be thirsty, asked Zhou Yaoyun to get her some water. Zhou Yaoyun hesitated, glancing at Ji Chenai for a moment before eventually standing up and heading to the kitchen.

The living room was now left with only Ji Chenai and Zhou Leling.

As soon as Zhou Yaoyun stepped out, Zhou Leling turned to Ji Chenai with a sly smile and asked, “You must be happy, huh?”

Ji Chenai was puzzled by the question. “Hmm?”

Zhou Leling let out a soft scoff. “Having Brother Yun take care of you—doesn’t that make you happy?”

Ji Chenai felt like he was beginning to grasp something but couldn’t quite put his finger on it. “What are you trying to say?”

Zhou Leling sneered. “It’s only fair. Brother Yun owes you—it’s his responsibility. But are you planning to keep living off him like this for the rest of your life? What happens when he gets married? Will you still cling to him and make him take care of you?”

Looking at Zhou Leling’s mocking expression, Ji Chenai suddenly said, “Don’t tell me—you like Zhou Yaoyun.”

Zhou Leling’s face instantly turned bright red. “What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Ji Chenai continued, his tone calm, “He already has a girlfriend.”

Zhou Leling froze, her expression stiffening. “You’re lying!”

Ji Chenai shrugged. “She’s even stayed over at his place before.”

Zhou Leling bit her lip, her eyes welling with tears. She raised her voice, “That’s impossible! You’re lying to me!”

Out of the corner of his eye, Ji Chenai noticed Zhou Yaoyun walking toward them, holding a glass of water. He smirked slightly and added, “Don’t start crying now. If Zhou Yaoyun thinks I bullied you, what will I do?”

Zhou Leling, being a teenager of only fifteen or sixteen, had thin skin and nearly burst into tears. When she saw Zhou Yaoyun approaching, she huffed and sat down on the couch, refusing to explain what had happened.

Ji Chenai found the whole situation amusing, though Xiao Qi’s sudden interjection made him roll his eyes: “Bullying a girl to tears will cost you points!”

Ji Chenai retorted, “If I cry instead, can I earn points back?”

Xiao Qi replied, “You’d have to change your gender first.”

Ji Chenai: “…”

Although Zhou Yaoyun didn’t know what had transpired, he noticed Zhou Leling’s watery eyes and glanced at Ji Chenai. “Brother, what happened?”

For some reason, Ji Chenai felt a suppressed irritation in his chest, like a kid who fought to defend their friend only to be misunderstood afterward.

So he responded coldly, “How should I know?”

With that, he wheeled himself away, leaving behind a teary-eyed Zhou Leling and a baffled Zhou Yaoyun.

Once back in his room, Ji Chenai muttered to Xiao Qi, “I really want to use my ‘Invincible Flying Kick’ on him.”

Xiao Qi sighed, “…That could kill someone.”

Ji Chenai replied, “Which is why I’m just thinking about it.”

Xiao Qi offered mischievously, “But if you level up and get a healing skill…”

Ji Chenai cut him off with a glare. “Shouldn’t you be advising me to control my temper instead?”

Xiao Qi shrugged. “If you don’t let it out, I’m worried you’ll turn into a psycho.”

Ji Chenai: “…”

=^_^=

The author has something to say: This story mainly focuses on transforming the world into a better place, with romance playing a secondary role. =L= Don’t worry, there won’t be any dark plots here. I’m not that kind of author!