Chapter 13

Chapter 13

“You two, why did you come back later than usual today?”

“We stayed in the classroom for a while, so we came back a bit late.”

At the entrance of Shen Qinghan’s house, Lin Zichen explained to Xu Meng who had come out to open the door.

Xu Meng nodded and didn’t ask any further, telling him to go home early so as not to worry his parents.

Before leaving, Lin Zichen glanced at Shen Qinghan.

Seeing that the little girl was feeling much better, he felt relieved and turned back to go home.

Regarding the incident that took place in the alley today, he had already made a secret agreement with Shen Qinghan, to keep it between them and not let a third person know.

The affair with the giant mutant rat was still manageable.

What was mainly concerning was that his combat ability, as demonstrated when he severely injured that male and female with ill intentions, was excessively flamboyant and did not match his age at all.

If others were to find out, it could potentially bring a lot of trouble.

At this stage, Lin Zichen simply wanted to maintain his persona as a mere prodigy.

That way, he could gain certain privileges and a tilt in the distribution of educational resources at school, as well as make his parents proud.

And that would be sufficient.

Anything more would be inappropriate.

It could significantly disrupt his current life rhythm, rendering him unable to evolve in peace and quiet.

...

After he got home,

and had dinner,

Lin Zichen did nothing but sit in front of the TV waiting for the evening news.

He hoped that the security team would be efficient and reveal today’s event happening in the alley tonight.

About ten minutes later,

Lin Zichen finally got the news report he had been eagerly anticipating, regarding the giant mutant rat that had appeared in the alley in the afternoon.

The content of the broadcast was more detailed than he had expected.

Two different angle videos were released.

One was a third-person perspective shot from a drone hovering above.

The other was a first-person perspective recorded face-to-face by a Mechanically Modified Human while grappling with the giant mutant rat at close range.

Lin Zichen watched the videos from both perspectives together.

The Mechanically Modified Human initially rarely took the initiative to strike, simply maintaining distance and sparing with the giant mutant rat.

He didn’t step into the giant mutant rat’s attack range, nor did he allow it to leave the purple-blue smoke.

It wasn’t long before the previously swift-moving giant mutant rat began to slow down significantly, as if it had been anesthetized.

Clearly, the purple-blue smoke could weaken the giant mutant rat’s combat ability.

When the giant mutant rat’s combat ability had sufficiently decreased, the Mechanically Modified Human’s arms sprouted sharp blades and he began to actively engage and grapple with the giant mutant rat.

The battle lasted nearly seven minutes.

Lin Zichen and Shen Qinghan, childhood sweethearts, approached their ninth birthdays together.

More precisely, it was Shen Qinghan’s own ninth birthday.

Their birthdays were one day apart, and both sets of parents had arranged to celebrate the other’s birthday alternately each year, so their children could always celebrate together.

Last year was Lin Zichen’s birthday, so this year, it was Shen Qinghan’s turn.

In the evening.

Both families gathered for dinner at Shen Qinghan’s house to celebrate.

The two birthday kids had both prepared birthday gifts for each other with great care.

Knowing that Lin Zichen liked reading, Shen Qinghan bought him a set of books related to Mechanically Modified Humans, Genetic Integrators, and Exotic Beasts.

Lin Zichen gave Shen Qinghan a hairpin he had handcrafted.

Made of pure wood, hand-carved and polished, it bore Shen Qinghan’s name and a dandelion she liked, looking exquisite.

“Xiao Chen, this hairpin looks so beautiful, I love it!”

Shen Qinghan was very surprised, not expecting to receive a gift made by Lin Zichen himself.

She quickly put on the hairpin, looking at it in the mirror with delight, finding it more and more appealing. It made her think that the books she gave him seemed a bit cheap in comparison.

A gift made by hand holds more meaning and value than something bought with money.

“Xiao Chen, how about we agree to give each other handmade gifts for our birthdays every year?” Shen Qinghan suggested to Lin Zichen.

Lin Zichen smiled and responded, “Sure.”

“Xiao Chen, when did you learn woodworking, and how come Mom had no idea?”

Zhang Wanxin felt a pang of jealousy as she looked at the beautiful wooden hairpin Shen Qinghan had on.

Lin Zichen explained, “I usually stay in my room a lot and don’t come out, and I spend a lot of that time crafting.”

That was a lie; he spent his time hidden in his room doing high-intensity physical training.

As for the woodworking skill, he just casually watched an online video last week, paid attention, and then learned it.

That is the power granted by “Heavenly Roots.”

“Mom, I’ve also made a wooden hairpin for you. After we celebrate the birthday and return home, I’ll give you a surprise,” Lin Zichen whispered to Zhang Wanxin, noticing the bitterness in her heart.

Upon hearing this, the bitter feeling in Zhang Wanxin’s heart vanished, replaced by a sweet smile. Her precious son still knew how to honor his mother.

...

After the birthday celebration.

Lin Zichen returned home, turned off the lights, and lay in bed, not hurrying to sleep. Instead, he gazed quietly at the ceiling in the weak moonlight filtering through the window, lost in thought.

He had been following up on the incident with the giant mutant rat that happened last month, curious why such a creature would appear out of nowhere in the old part of the city.

However, the officials had yet to provide a clear explanation, and it remained a mystery.

Fortunately, the giant mutant rat only appeared once, and there had been no further sightings, allowing life to return to normal.

“Hopefully, the appearance of the giant mutant rat was just an accident and not part of some conspiracy.”

This world was not as peaceful as his former life; with Exotic Beasts lying in wait outside and the Heretical Sect stirring trouble within, Lin Zichen found it hard not to be concerned.

...

PS: I bow and ask for your monthly and recommendation tickets!