Chapter 005: Hardship

Both shoulders took turns bearing the tools, and they became swollen. My arms felt both sore and painful, to the point where I seemed to lose all sensation in the end

Indeed. About that matter. Mother has told you before, one can be proud, but must not be arrogant. The harmony of the Red Country's society is not only based on the complete satisfaction of material needs but also on the development and construction of spiritual civilization. In the Red Country, groups holding important political development positions do not look down upon or oppress others arrogantly due to their own outstanding achievements and contributions. However, in the Black Country, over a decade ago, the environment allowed the powerful to bully the populace at will. When discussing this matter, you also felt that those people were indeed excessively despicable. Today's events, you have handled quite well! The skills you have learned are meant for future contributions and for self-protection. Those two children, to you, are the weak. You rely on your understanding of ancient internal skills, disregarding fairness, and recklessly inflict excessive harm upon them. How is this different from the thoughts and actions of those fallen elites?

In the end, he fell into a deep sleep. At this moment, Lin Hongyan came over with a heart full of pity, carefully massaging his muscles. Emotionally, she couldn't help but feel a surge of resentment towards herself, thinking that she had been too harsh and cruel to the child

Those who are a bit older also find it appropriate. It is determined that he holds the identity of the older brother at such a young age. Later on, even the older kids playfully called him by his nickname, laughing and playing while shouting "Little You Ge".

Due to these changes, an unexpected "major upheaval" was later triggered.

During this period, Chen You became increasingly familiar with his work, and his harvest alongside Dugu Ming was consistently the best. He was also happy to assist those around him, and whenever he encountered someone facing particularly difficult circumstances at home, he would always provide some support, to varying degrees.

The development of events unfolded just as Chen You had estimated; the two children inexplicably suffered from a sudden "acute illness," causing panic among their peers, who carried and supported them away. However, the gray gaze of those two children left an indelible mark in his heart, lingering for a long time without resolution

Lin Hongyan felt a tightening in her heart, somewhat unable to believe that this was the act of a child just over five years old... In the end, a wave of sorrow washed over her; after all, it was the inheritance of his father's genes that had made his heart so cruel at such a young age

Dugu Ming kept pressing for an answer, asking what method it was. Chen You replied that he would tell him later. That day, there was no further conversation, and they busily scavenged until evening, exchanging their finds for money at the recycling center before returning home.

Mother, I saw them in pain, howling, rolling on the ground, tears and snot flowing together. I felt a bit heartbroken, but I had no ability to help them anymore.

As Chen You's words had already left his mouth, he felt that this minor sin was still bearable. Gritting his teeth, he agreed and turned to leave. At that moment, Lin Hongyan called out to him, embracing him in her arms, and a flash of light emanated from her, transferring to Chen You.

Lin Hongyan felt a pang of heartache as she watched his small figure disappear around the corner of the alley from behind the window, a sigh escaping her lips. She thought to herself that this child possessed a certain resilience in his character, and he needed to be tempered. He must understand that to take on responsibilities, one must also endure hardships.

The older children in Area 1, along with those they associate with, have all witnessed his so-called internal strength, as well as the formidable power of Du Gu Ming, capable of breaking a small tree with a single punch

At that time, Wang Laoda was still a half-grown child. Because of the lingering guilt from the past incident, coupled with the particularly good relationship they shared.

Lin Hongyan found it strange and pressed him for answers. He, as if he had done something wrong, did not dare to look up at his mother's concerned gaze and carefully explained the situation.

Why not directly drive them away, instead of resorting to such heavy-handed schemes?

He is just over five years old

From that point on, everyone in the area, except for the adults, began to call him this way, including both big and small children. Initially, it was just for fun, but later it became a habit. Chen You became known as "Brother You" and "Little Brother You" by everyone.

Chen You felt very ashamed and said softly: "It doesn't matter..."

After all, it was a matter of life and death to bring the tools back to the city, and I returned them to Wang Laoda, insisting on leaving some money to express my gratitude. Seeing his expression, Wang Laoda, feeling even more guilty, finally managed to persuade me to take back a few more items.

The matter of Chen You having a laser sword quickly became known to everyone. They all believed it was left behind by his father, who died in battle, and said that his father was not an ordinary person in the past, possessing such a formidable item.

Chen You nodded and said, "Mom, I remember! I feel much more at ease now. I won't make this kind of mistake again in the future; it harms others and also leaves me feeling uneasy."

He said to give him the lightsaber for self-defense and to be careful on the way. Chen You was overjoyed; he had long desired to possess this lightsaber.

Those around me, of similar age, have taken on more responsibilities, which has become a habit. Like the leaders who are about the same age as the big boss, I have also become accustomed to pointing fingers and giving directions to those around me

When it comes to returning, let alone.

Finally home, Chen You quickly washed up and fell asleep. Although he felt uncomfortable all over, he felt particularly relieved and content in his heart, sensing a great sense of accomplishment for having completed this "difficult" task.

Chen You pursed his lips for a moment, lowering his head even further. He replied in a soft voice

After Chen You returned home, he appeared distracted, with his head lowered. The coins he often flicked from his fingers merely spun and danced between them, clearly reflecting his heavy thoughts and low spirits

The children began to call him Brother You, just like they did with Dugu Ming. Some older ones, not much older, were also willing to call him that. He said it was not appropriate, but the children insisted that it was a nickname

It was proposed that a child of a similar age to Chen You, who is capable of scavenging energy crystals, should simply be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the task.

I am young and weak. Perhaps I could win, but they would definitely call in older people from other areas to take revenge, and then we would all be beaten up. I thought about it, and the outcome would either be that we were caught by the city police and educated for a few days, or that older people nearby would be dragged in to help, resulting in even more injuries. Thinking this way, I felt that it would be better to resort to underhanded tactics, but seeing the miserable state of those two people made me feel distressed... I thought about it, and it still seemed better to resort to underhanded tactics, but seeing the miserable state of those two people made me feel distressed... Mom, did I do something wrong?

Lin Hongyan suddenly found herself at a loss for words

Xuan recalled that he had forgotten to pick up the items from Wang Laoda's grocery store on his way back, so he mentioned it to his mother. Lin Hongyan then asked him how his leg felt, to which Chen You reluctantly replied that it was almost better.

On the second day, just before noon, Chen You returned to the city, dragging his tools and drenched in sweat. The ordeal he endured was far heavier than he had anticipated when he confidently set out. By the time he had not yet reached his destination, his legs felt as heavy as if filled with lead, accompanied by a sharp pain.

One truly feels that she, as a mother, has put in tremendous effort and it is not easy at all

Another year has passed in such days, in between.

Do you remember something your mother told you? The social environment in the Black Country over a decade ago

Chen You pondered for a moment and inferred a hint of his mother's meaning, responding, "Are you referring to the story of the powerful in the dark country oppressing the people?"

Lin Hongyan took a breath and said: "If a person can cause you harm that results in a severed hand, you can first break the other person's hand to prevent further injury. However, if possible, do not break both of their hands. Even if you deeply dislike or hate the other person, you should not hasten to kill them! The distinction here is that the former is a consequence of their actions that you must deal with, while the latter is an additional harm imposed by your personal emotions. Do you understand the difference?"

She rationally supports this approach, believing that the child has considered it thoroughly. She is not a soft-hearted person by nature, but emotionally, she is unwilling to accept that Chen You would do such a thing

She thought for a moment and finally said

But the child has already done this

Lin Hongyan knew he was putting on a brave face. After some thought, she still instructed him that if he truly felt capable, he should return to the forest in the evening to bring back the tools belonging to others and return them. He should not take things for free; he should at least pay a little.

Lin Hongyan then asked him, "Are you planning to go scavenging today?" Chen You replied without hesitation, "Yes, I will go after lunch."

The number of children scavenging together has increased significantly, inevitably leading to several disputes with people from other districts, all of which were resolved by Chen You and Dugu Ming

Chen You bit his lip and continued to speak to himself

At this time, giving him a lightsaber, a dangerous weapon that could easily lead to serious incidents, serves two purposes: firstly, it is hoped to use this as a means of testing and observation; secondly, there is concern that if the separation city encounters unforeseen circumstances, he can use it for self-defense

With a pair of lightsabers in his hands, some jokingly remarked that if Chen You grew a bit more, he would become the most formidable person in our city.

Hearing his words, Lin Hongyan felt somewhat better in her heart. She thought that this child was still young, and even if he had inherited his father's cruelty and cold-bloodedness, it was not beyond redemption. She then asked him:

Chen You did not take this matter seriously and failed to understand the importance of humility, but instead became somewhat arrogant and overbearing