Time flew by, and after a month, Ji Chenai finally accumulated 10,000 points of positive energy—just enough to unlock the requirement for Level 2.

500,000 points.

Fifty times what was needed for Level 1.

The moment Ji Chenai saw that number, his entire being went numb. It had taken him six months just to reach Level 1. At his current rate of 10,000 points per month, he’d need around four years just to be able to stand up properly.

In his mind, he could practically see Xiao Qi grinning smugly at him while chanting, “Ai Ai, stand up! Ai Ai, stand up!”

Ji Chenai: “…” Stand up, my ass.

Still, it wasn’t all bad news. Even though the required energy was fifty times higher, Ji Chenai had unlocked a new skill—”Basic Healing.”

Not only could he now use it on himself, but he could also heal others.

The problem was, this ability was a little too… noticeable.

Using it openly on someone else? Yeah, probably not a great idea.

There were still three unused skills: “Coward’s Courage,” “The World’s Affection,” and “The Saint’s Radiance.”

Ji Chenai vividly remembered the last time he used “Gaze of the Sun” on himself in front of Zhou Yaoyun. The result? Zhou Yaoyun had looked at him with unsettling tenderness, spoon in hand, gently feeding him like he was some fragile, beloved treasure.

Just recalling that scene sent a wave of goosebumps down Ji Chenai’s spine.

He really wanted to ask Xiao Qi what these skills actually did, but as always, Xiao Qi had the same annoying attitude: “If I’m in a good mood, I might tell you. If I’m not, don’t even think about it.”

Ji Chenai had long given up trying to reason with it.

With no other choice, he decided to secretly test “The World’s Affection” on Wang Zhixiu and Zhou Yukuan when he got the chance.

The result?

Utterly speechless.

Because the moment he activated the skill…

Wang Zhixiu and Zhou Yukuan immediately started making out right in front of him.

This usually very conservative couple was happily embracing and confessing their love to each other, leaving Ji Chenai in an awkward position. He couldn’t leave, but he didn’t know how to stay either. That wasn’t even the most frustrating part.

What really left him speechless was when, after trudging back to his room, he went to the balcony for some quiet time. By chance, he glanced at the potted chrysanthemum flowers his family had planted.

To his astonishment, the buds that were just about to bloom suddenly burst open right under his gaze.

Ji Chenai: “…”

Good thing he hadn’t gone outside to use this skill on anything else. Otherwise, could you imagine? Wherever he looked, people would be falling in love, and flowers would be blooming.

Xiao Qi’s voice came through: “Exactly! The purpose of this skill is to awaken living beings’ love for life!”

Ji Chenai dryly responded: “Then why did my mom and dad start kissing?”

Xiao Qi replied nonchalantly: “Well, technically, both your mom and dad were seeing each other as an essential part of their lives.”

Ji Chenai blinked: “So, this skill also has a romantic effect?”

Xiao Qi snorted: “Crude. You’re so crude…”

Ji Chenai thought about it for a moment and more or less understood the purpose of this skill. It essentially stirred a creature’s desire for life. For Wang Zhixiu and Zhou Yukuan, it manifested in their love for each other, while for the chrysanthemums… it made them bloom.

In simpler terms, “Gaze of the Sun” made others like him, while “The World’s Affection” made others love themselves.

But what about “The Saint’s Radiance”?

Given the name, Ji Chenai had a feeling it was something pretty significant…

However, after testing this skill, Ji Chenai truly understood the meaning of “disappointment” because he discovered that he was actually glowing.

And the glow was so bright it nearly blinded him.

What was worse, when Wang Zhixiu saw Ji Chenai radiating this light, instead of reacting with shock or confusion, she treated him with unprecedented respect and admiration.

Yes, you read that right—respect and admiration.

During the time Ji Chenai was glowing, Wang Zhixiu earnestly asked him a few ultimate philosophical questions: “Who am I?” “Where did I come from?” “Where am I going?” Her gaze was filled with trust in Ji Chenai, as though she truly believed he could answer these profound questions.

Of course, Ji Chenai dared not say anything rashly. He wasn’t sure what would happen if he spoke under the influence of the skill. So, he waited until the effect wore off, wearing a face that could only be described as “having eaten something unpleasant.”

Thankfully, once the skill wore off, Wang Zhixiu seemed to forget about her son glowing. She casually brushed her hair behind her ear and continued on with her cooking in the kitchen.

Ji Chenai sighed deeply. “Xiao Qi, one day, you’re going to get me killed…”

Xiao Qi’s voice was light and unconcerned: “Don’t worry, don’t worry. How could such a great system like mine ever harm you?”

As for the effect of “The Saint’s Radiance,” in Xiao Qi’s words, it was essentially a “brainwashing tool.” Because during the time the skill was active, whatever Ji Chenai said would be completely believed by the other person. Even if he told them that the taste of feces was great, they’d genuinely believe he was right.

However, once “The Saint’s Radiance” wore off, the effect would gradually fade over time. The more absurd the statement, the faster it would lose its power. For example, if Ji Chenai told someone that the Earth was square, they might believe it for a day, but by the next day, they’d snap back to reality.

The person being brainwashed wouldn’t doubt the process at all and wouldn’t find it strange that Ji Chenai was glowing.

The once “garbage-picking prince” had finally turned into a firefly in the dark night (with heavy sarcasm).

After the New Year, the messages from Zhou Yaoyin became fewer and fewer. What used to be weekly emails turned into nearly a month of silence. The emails Ji Chenai sent had all vanished without a trace.

It wasn’t until the end of March that Ji Chenai received a message from Zhou Yaoyin. Unlike usual, where Zhou Yaoyin would complain about his hardships, this time, he simply mentioned that he had been in intensive training and told Ji Chenai not to worry about him.

For some reason, Ji Chenai suddenly had a strong feeling that Zhou Yaoyin must have been put through an extremely tough training.

After Zhou Yaoyin left, Ji Chenai tried to subtly ask Wang Zhixiu about Zhou Yaoyin’s parents. Based on Wang Zhixiu’s response, it seemed that their family didn’t know who Zhou Yaoyin’s parents were. However, from the identity of the person who had come to speak to their family, it was clear that Zhou Yaoyin’s parents were far from ordinary.

To cover up the fact that he could mysteriously walk again, Ji Chenai expressed to Wang Zhixiu that he wanted to seek treatment for his legs.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Wang Zhixiu’s eyes immediately reddened. She said, “Xiao Qin, if you want anything, just tell Mom, I’ll make sure to fulfill it for you.”

The reason she had completely stopped treatment and rehabilitation before was because Zhou Yaoqin had refused to cooperate. He wouldn’t even speak a word to the doctors who came to treat him, and would lock himself in his room. Wang Zhixiu, seeing this, had cried several times and tried to persuade him. But in the end, when nothing worked, she just gave in and let him be.

From Ji Chenai’s perspective as an outsider, he couldn’t fully understand Zhou Yaoqin’s mindset. He wondered if there were some key memories missing, and perhaps those memories could help him solve the confusion.

As time passed, Lu Yuanyuan returned to her normal life. She quit her job and broke up with her boyfriend. Though she occasionally faced some gossip, she ultimately got through it.

Time has a way of washing away everything, both good and bad.

Because of Lu Yuanyuan’s situation, Zhou Leiling became even more fond of her brother. In truth, she was still just a child, and her likes and dislikes were easily influenced by surface-level things.

After changing her view of Zhou Yaoqin, Zhou Leiling began visiting the Zhou family more frequently. Wang Zhiping was happy to see her son socializing with others, so she always welcomed Zhou Leiling whenever she came to visit.

One Saturday, Zhou Leiling was pushing Ji Chenai’s wheelchair for a walk. The weather was beginning to cool down, but that didn’t dampen Zhou Leiling’s love for ice cream. As they passed by a small shop, she asked, “Brother Qin, what flavor of ice cream would you like?”

Ji Chenai: “…” Now that’s an art of conversation—didn’t even ask if he wanted any, just went straight to the flavor. He paused for a moment before replying, “How about vanilla?”

Zhou Leiling sighed and said, “Alright, wait here for a moment. I’ll go buy two.”

Ji Chenai nodded and watched Zhou Leiling jog to the convenience store.

While waiting, Ji Chenai heard the sound of a text message coming through. He pulled out his phone, just about to check it, when he suddenly heard a loud scream, “Ah!”

He quickly turned around and saw an elderly man sitting on the ground, with an Audi parked in front of him.

The car owner, a middle-aged man, rushed out of the car when he saw he had hit someone. He hurriedly asked, “Are you alright, sir?”

The elderly man lay on the ground, groaning, but didn’t respond.

The car owner, seeing the situation, took out his phone to call the police and also dialed 120 for an ambulance. He looked around but saw no one else nearby, and there were no security cameras—only Ji Chenai, who was sitting in a wheelchair.

The car owner’s gaze shifted, and he walked over to Ji Chenai and asked, “Hey, do you know this elderly man?”

Since Ji Chenai wasn’t familiar with the area, he shook his head.

At this point, Zhou Leiling had returned with the ice cream. She handed one to Ji Chenai and, noticing the car owner and the elderly man on the ground, quickly realized what had happened. She asked, “What happened? Was there an accident?”

Ji Chenai couldn’t shake the feeling that something about the car owner’s reaction seemed off. However, the man had promptly called the police and an ambulance, so there didn’t seem to be much to criticize.

But while Ji Chenai might have overlooked it, he couldn’t fool Xiao Qi. Xiao Qi pointed out, “The car owner’s negative energy… is seriously off the charts.”

Ji Chenai glanced at the car owner, who was still smiling at him, and wondered what trick he could be pulling now. Was he planning to flee in broad daylight?

However, when the police arrived, nothing unusual happened. The car owner’s attitude was so friendly it seemed almost exaggerated. Ji Chenai watched as the ambulance took the elderly man away, but still, no problems arose.

In fact, the car owner even said to Ji Chenai, “Hey, little brother, let’s grab a meal sometime if we get the chance.”

Ji Chenai half-heartedly replied and then, along with Zhou Leiling, headed back home.

=^_^=