The next day at noon.
Xia Zhi was in the kitchen, simmering a pot of seafood porridge.
"It smells amazing."
"This is specially made for you."
"Mhm, thank you, Boss."
"No need to thank me. I promised your father I'd take good care of you. You're turning 12 this year, right?"
"Yes!"
"This is the age when you're growing the most, Diona. Make sure to drink a couple of bowls later. It's good for your health."
"Boss, will this porridge help me grow taller?"
"It will."
"!"
Diona's eyes immediately sparkled as she stared at the pot.
Baizhu sat in the outer hall, sniffing the aroma of the food in the air, his expression one of mild surprise.
Compared to the meal he had at the shop last month, today's food smelled even more enticing.
It seemed Mr. Xia's culinary skills had improved significantly.
After a while, it was time to eat.
Xia Zhi invited Baizhu to try the seafood porridge as well.
Baizhu served himself a bowl. As soon as he took a bite, he was struck by the rich, savory flavor, followed by a surge of vitality that rivaled the lotus seed porridge he had tasted before.
After finishing the bowl, Baizhu realized that the vitality he had lost from using his secret techniques recently had been fully replenished.
The first time might have been a coincidence, but this second time couldn't be dismissed as such.
Baizhu concluded that this porridge must have been specially prepared for him by Mr. Xia.
Feeling grateful, Baizhu continued eating. The other dishes were equally delicious.
Xia Zhi watched as the golden progress bar above Baizhu's head steadily filled up until the system's voice echoed in his mind.
"Progress bar has reached 100%. Golden Treasure Chest reward obtained."
After the meal, Xia Zhi and Baizhu sat together, discussing matters related to medicine.
Baizhu raised a question: "Mr. Xia, have you ever noticed that people often fall ill from drinking untreated water, but boiled water doesn't cause the same issues?"
Xia Zhi's expression turned slightly odd. "Yes, that's true."
"I believe there must be some difference between untreated water and boiled water, and that difference is what causes people to fall ill. It's similar to how eating raw food can lead to parasitic infections. Perhaps there's something in untreated water that gets killed when the water is boiled."
"…"
You're a genius.
Xia Zhi paused for a moment before saying, "Your reasoning makes a lot of sense."
"Do you think so too, Mr. Xia?"
"Mhm. Wait a moment…"
Xia Zhi got up and went inside. He spent 1 point in the [Shop] to purchase a microscope, erased any identifying marks on it, and then returned, handing it to Baizhu.
Baizhu looked puzzled. "Mr. Xia, what is this?"
"It's a little gadget I made a while back. It can magnify objects many times over, allowing you to see things that are invisible to the naked eye. It's of no use to me now, so I'd like to give it to you, Dr. Baizhu. You can place a drop of untreated water under the lens and observe it closely. I'm sure you'll make some astonishing discoveries."
"Thank you so much for this gift, Mr. Xia!"
"This device might challenge many of your existing beliefs, so please use it wisely. If you have any questions, feel free to come and discuss them with me."
"Mhm."
Xia Zhi then explained how to use the microscope to Baizhu, who committed the instructions to memory.
After chatting for a while, Baizhu stood up to leave.
Judging by his hurried steps, he was clearly eager to use the microscope to test his hypothesis.
Xia Zhi "watched" Baizhu's retreating figure, feeling a sense of admiration.
Though small, the microscope was, in a way, a more powerful "human eye" than a Vision.
Baizhu's Dendro Vision allowed him to heal hundreds, even thousands of people. But if he could use the microscope to pioneer a new medical system, he would be able to heal countless generations.
That evening.
Xia Zhi returned to his room and took out the Golden Treasure Chest he had obtained from Baizhu earlier.
He chose to open it.
A red hair ribbon appeared before his eyes.
[Positioning Ribbon]
Quality: Gold
Type: Accessory
Trait: Teleportation
Effect: Can be used on a target to teleport to their location at any time (limited to the same plane).
Hidden Effect: None.
A teleportation ribbon?
Xia Zhi picked up the ribbon. It felt smooth and soft to the touch.
The ability to bridge vast distances would be incredibly useful for Shenhe's upcoming trial…
Xia Zhi couldn't help but wonder if his high luck stat had played a role in this.
The next morning.
Xia Zhi opened his door and, as if by coincidence, ran into Shenhe in the hallway.
"Good morning, Boss."
"Good morning, Shenhe. Wait a moment before heading downstairs."
Xia Zhi smiled and reached out to take her hand.
Shenhe obediently followed him into his room, her eyes curiously scanning the interior.
This was the first time she had entered his room in reality.
"Shenhe, I have a gift for you."
"Oh? What is it?"
"A hair ribbon. Look, it's red, just like the red cord you use to tie your hair. It matches perfectly."
"It's pretty."
"Do you like it?"
"If it's from you, I'll like anything."
"Let me tie it for you, okay?"
"Sure."
Shenhe sat on Xia Zhi's bed, her back to him. She removed her hair ornament and untied the red cord holding her hair.
A cascade of snow-white, silky hair flowed down like a waterfall.
Her hair was truly beautiful.
Xia Zhi sat beside her on the bed, gently running his fingers through her hair. He could catch faint whiffs of her pleasant hair fragrance.
"[Positioning Ribbon], bind to this target?"
"Yes."
"Binding successful. You may teleport to this target's location at any time."
Xia Zhi used the ribbon to tie her hair into a simple ponytail.
It gave her a youthful look.
"I'm not very skilled at this, so it might not look the best."
"It's fine."
"Make sure to wear it every day."
"Mhm."
"Alright, the gift is given. Let's head downstairs…"
Shenhe suddenly turned around, pushing him onto the bed. Her face leaned in close, her eyes filled with a fiery intensity.
Xia Zhi chuckled. "What are you doing?"
"I want it."
"Not yet, we haven't brushed our teeth."
"It's fine."
"It's a bit weird."
"Then figure something out."
"Figure something out, huh…"
Xia Zhi thought for a moment, then spent 1 point in the [Shop] to buy a pack of [Sticky Grass Seeds].
"You're really something, you know that? Here, one for each of us."
"What is this?"
"Chewing gum. Just toss it in your mouth and chew for a bit. It'll absorb all the gunk in your mouth, and then you can spit it out."
"Oh."
Shenhe popped the [Sticky Grass Seed] into her mouth and began chewing earnestly.
She looked adorable.
Xia Zhi also put one in his mouth and chewed slowly.
Two minutes later, Shenhe pushed him onto the bed again.
"Done."
"Mhm."
"I want it."
"Alright, alright, here you go."
"Mmm…"
And then, there was no "then."
Well, if there was a "then," it was that Shenhe later took out a peach-flavored candy and shared it with him.
The taste was sweet, soft, and smooth. Such a dangerous way to start the morning.