Chapter 5, In a Moment of Thought

A sense of oppression descended, heavy as a mountain. Lou clenched his teeth and instinctively picked up his phone, dialing the familiar number

By the time I reached high school, my father's lofty ideals and temper had been tempered by society, and he returned to our hometown to work as a technical supervisor in a local enterprise, which improved our family's situation. However, my mother could not sit idle either; she unexpectedly joined the community as a temporary worker and got along well with a group of middle-aged women.

No amount of benefits or future prospects can dispel the worries within one's heart

This ... ..." Lou Cheng took a light breath, slowed down his running speed, and made every effort to calm himself as he gazed towards his lower abdomen

He approached the crystalline and dreamlike "Golden Elixir". He held his breath, carefully bent down, and cautiously extended his right hand, wrapped in a thin coat. The tactile sensation was solid, conveying a sense of weightiness, while the coldness and heat perceivable to the naked eye seemed merely an illusion, not penetrating reality

By the edge of the Micro Water Lake, on a secluded path, a figure dressed in a worn old man's shirt approached from a distance and stopped near the previous position of the green fish. His hair was completely white, and he appeared to be in his seventies or eighties, yet the wrinkles on his face were not many.

Lou Cheng exerted a slight force, and the "Golden Elixir" rose accordingly, floating lightly as if it were insubstantial, contrasting sharply with the sensation of touch

After running for a while, Lou gradually calmed down. The situation had reached this point, and fear and panic were of no use; instead, they would only lead to a waste of energy.

He closed the door behind him, sitting dazed in front of the computer, not moving the mouse, nor looking at the screen

Hmph, do you have to make your mother cry, you little rascal?

If I were to die like a bluefish, it would certainly be a great regret

This illusory scene flashed by in an instant, and all that was before Lou Cheng was his own dark blue T-shirt. He carefully lifted the hem, revealing his belly, which showed no abnormalities, soft and slightly protruding, clearly indicating that he had just eaten not long ago

Indeed! If I keep running like this, I might even be able to participate in the school's long-distance running competition... The joy in Lou Cheng's heart gradually outweighed his worries as he stopped in front of the lifeless green fish.

After the third grade of elementary school, the company where my father worked fell into difficulties. As a key technical staff member, he could only receive a basic salary, relying entirely on my mother who set up a stall on the street to earn some hard-earned money to support the family, which was quite exhausting. By the time I reached middle school, my father finally made up his mind to go out and work, but his proud nature often led to conflicts with his bosses. He could not stay in one place for long and had to leave, wandering from place to place. The family was entirely supported by my mother, and I witnessed her hardships.

First, observe for a while; if there are any issues, quickly seek assistance from the authorities. Standing at the entrance of Dormitory 302, Lou Cheng took a deep breath, made a decision, and then took out the key to open the door.

Every time at this moment, I always think of home, the place that can embrace all my pain and turmoil

I never expected that making a phone call home would yield such results... Lou Cheng found it both amusing and perplexing, as the previously suppressed and uneasy feelings had now settled.

Lou Cheng listened quietly, occasionally agreeing with a word, a faint smile lingering at the corners of his mouth

"Hello, Chengzi?" A slightly hoarse female voice came through the radio.

Returning to the dormitory, with a weight of unresolved matters pressing on his heart, Lou Cheng did not check if Cai Zongming had returned. He simply entered the small dorm room, pressed the light switch, and the room was filled with brightness, dispelling the darkness

It is indeed a marvelous phenomenon... This thought arose spontaneously in Lou Cheng's mind, and he sought reasons for its transformation deep within himself, "Perhaps the residual hostility within the 'golden elixir' has been completely consumed and brought forth by the blue fish..."

As he lowered his head, a buzzing sensation filled his mind, and he vaguely saw an illusory scene: at the position below his navel, which is referred to as the Dantian in martial arts, there resided a vast nebula-like "Golden Elixir" that quietly coiled, expanding and contracting with his breath, and emanating a stream of air mixed with brilliant ice crystals and flames.

Once he calmed down, he suddenly felt something was amiss and frowned

As soon as the thought arose in his mind, he saw the "Golden Elixir" suddenly become even more ethereal, swiftly transforming into a stream of light that pierced into his palm, with no hindrance whatsoever despite the thin outer layer of clothing

With the Golden Elixir, at least my physical strength is sufficient for me to practice martial arts, striving to achieve an amateur rank of five or six as soon as possible, so that Yan Zheke will take notice of me. Perhaps before graduating from university, I can reach a professional rank of nine, providing multiple pathways and employment options.

If one wishes to take away the hidden, where should it be placed? How should it be stored?

"You still don't know about your dad? Which day after dinner do you not spend the next hour playing chess?" Lou Cheng's mother said with a hint of annoyance, but she was clearly more concerned about Lou Cheng's situation. Seizing the opportunity, she asked him about every detail of his studies and life. Is the course schedule tight? Is the teacher good at explaining? Is it difficult? Are the dormitory mates easy to get along with? Are there any aspects you are not accustomed to? Have you been bullied? Is it difficult? Are the dormitory mates easy to get along with? Are there any aspects you are not accustomed to? Have you been bullied?

Uh, if Xiao Ming sees me touching my belly like this, he will definitely ask, "Are you pregnant?"

Luo Cheng was momentarily stunned, his mind blank, only able to feel his own breathing, and the rhythm of this breathing unexpectedly harmonized with the expansion and contraction of the "Golden Elixir," creating a resonance.

Is this acceptable as well

Suddenly, he felt the "Golden Elixir" in his palm slowly expanding and contracting, resembling the inhalation and exhalation of a human being, and its frequency seemed to be constantly adjusting

Without thinking too much, he instinctively began to walk, heading towards the school hospital along the lakeside path, regardless of whether others had the ability to deal with the injuries caused by the "Golden Elixir"

His footsteps grew slower and eventually came to a halt, and as his breathing returned to normal, that warm sensation disappeared, leaving no soothing warmth to alleviate his fatigue

Lou Cheng knew that the three "study maniacs" in his small dormitory had returned from their self-study session

resonance

In the past, Lou Cheng was always impatient with these questions, casually brushing them off with a few words. However, today, he was calm and reflective, sincerely and earnestly answering each one.

A warm sensation envelops my lower abdomen, causing considerable discomfort. With each breath, a wave of heat surges forth, flowing towards my feet and lungs. The fatigue from my running dissipates entirely, and my breathing gradually steadies, making me feel as though I could run another 3,000 meters. Meanwhile, the anticipated sensations of burning heat and icy cold do not manifest.

Worries weaken, joy rises; as she touches her belly, she cannot help but indulge in a moment of reverie.

"Chengzi, have you been wronged? Why does your voice sound a bit off?" asked Cheng's mother, sensitive to the situation.

One's life is but a single thread, yet the world is so beautiful

The evening breeze is slightly cool, and the deep autumn is gradually turning cold. However, Lou Cheng, who has taken off his coat, does not shiver at all; instead, he feels an inexplicable warmth, much like encountering a series of questions during the college entrance examination that exceed his capabilities.

Amidst the ebb and flow of thoughts, Lou Cheng felt as if he had gained a bit more confidence in life. At that moment, the lock of the main door turned, and several voices entered in a cacophony.

He made a decision and turned back to run along the original path

Having completed all of this, he turned around once more and returned along the lakeside path towards the male dormitory area

"Mom, it's me." Hearing that familiar voice, Lou Cheng felt a lump in his throat, and the fear within him seemed to be soothed.

After waiting for a moment, Lou Cheng's eyebrows gradually relaxed, as neither the scorching flames that had charred him nor the cold of the frozen insides had manifested.

This contradictory feeling left Lou Cheng momentarily stunned. He focused his gaze and saw it quietly lying in the palm of his hand, wrapped in his coat, gently rotating at the center, stirring up tiny ice crystals and flames, with no trace of the previous brutality and terror that had burned and frozen the blue fish.

Missing home? When I asked you during the previous festival if you wanted to come back, who said that a man should be independent? Lou Cheng's mother laughed in a tone reminiscent of a real mother, saying, "To be honest, are you short on money?"

The danger has temporarily subsided, and Lou Cheng has begun to consider how to deal with the issue at hand. The current situation cannot be definitively identified as "Golden Elixir" based solely on fragments of information. Even if it can be confirmed, the exact function of the "Golden Elixir" remains completely unknown to him. Should he submit it to the state, which would be a one-time solution with minimal benefits and no future repercussions, or should he conceal it, seek out information, and conduct a gradual study to extract the maximum benefit, thereby changing his otherwise ordinary fate? This path may carry significant risks, and it is also possible that he may end his life without any gains.

No matter how much I comfort myself or seek various explanations, I remain an ordinary young man who has not experienced any significant events, unable to remain unperturbed in the face of potential danger.

There seems to be a strange fluctuation here? The old man surveyed his surroundings

After a moment, he shook his head and skillfully produced a silver-colored metal flask, took a deep swig, and then strolled away humming a tune.

Loucheng's mother spoke increasingly openly about sex, discussing family matters ranging from her grandfather's home to her younger aunt's house, from unreliable relatives on her father's side to conflicts that arose within the community involving various families

After some thought, he bent down to pick up the green fish, stuffed it between the stones by the lake, and threw it back into the shallow lake.

... ...

Thoughts were racing and fierce battles were being fought, yet the only clarity that Lou Cheng had was that, regardless of the decision made, it was not advisable to stay here for long; he must leave as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen accidents or changes

Of course, if the "Golden Elixir" surpasses the miraculous, then can I, like in my childhood fantasies, enter the true martial arts world, compete with those strong individuals each with their own personalities, and obtain one of the five prestigious titles that attract national attention

"Can the Golden Elixir replenish my energy when I am exhausted?" Lou Cheng furrowed his brow in contemplation of the changes, "This is a good thing, it doesn't seem like a source of danger; after all, humans are different from the blue fish..."

Along the way, Lou felt a moment of joy at having indeed acquired a treasure, thinking that in the future he might rely on it to become one of the pillars of the Martial Arts Society, gaining the favor of Yan Zheke, and enjoying the adoration of fans, living a glorious life. Yet, he was also momentarily troubled by the hidden dangers of the Golden Elixir, fearing that he might follow in the footsteps of Qingyu and meet an untimely end. Thus, his steps were at times light and at other times exceptionally heavy

I am the same as your father

Luo Cheng felt a warmth in his eyes and forced a smile, saying: "No, I just miss home a bit."

Loucheng's mother fell silent for a moment, her voice tinged with a slight sob as she spoke

Adjustment

Lou Cheng couldn't help but smile, and his mood gradually calmed down: "How could I dare? By the way, where is my dad?"

After chatting, Lou Cheng's mother, in a moment of great compassion, decided to send him another 800 this month to help him adapt to university life more quickly

People will die, running will tire one out. After a while, Lou Cheng began to feel fatigued. At that moment, the warm sensation in his lower abdomen reappeared, radiating heat and soothing his body

Luo Cheng's heavy emotions gradually dissipated as he said: "Really, I miss you and my dad, I miss the eggplant with pork you made, the stir-fried eel segments, the tomato and egg soup, and I miss the pot of chives that I grew myself on the balcony..."

... ...

At this point, since nothing has happened, it seems that the "Golden Elixir" is truly not dangerous. As long as we remain cautious and report any signs to the state, there should not be much of a problem

This, this! The building startled me, and an overwhelming fear surged within me, my mind filled with the tragic state of that blue fish