Chapter 16: The System Is Now Scarily Powerful

Tongtong thought indignantly in her heart, too lazy to bother with the old geezer anymore, and skipped away from the canteen.

Just as she stepped out of the canteen door, she bumped into a wall and was nearly sent flying backward.

But in the next moment, someone steadied her firmly.

“Why aren’t you watching where you’re going?” Si Muchen held the little dumpling in place, his brow slightly furrowed.

He wondered if she had hurt herself from the bump.

[Host! Just like this, I’ve discovered that with physical contact, the energy channel becomes much smoother!]

[Ah! I feel like I’m bursting with energy right now, scarily powerful!]

Ignoring the nonsense in his head, Si Muchen reached out and gently rubbed Tongtong’s reddened forehead, sighing.

“When you get home, have Aunt Yu apply an egg compress for you.”

Tongtong shook her slightly dazed head and waved her hand.

She wasn’t that fragile.

But since they had run into each other, she took the initiative to invite him: “Brother Muchen, do you want to come to my house to play? My mom is making something delicious tonight!”

She wanted to figure out why every time she met Si Muchen, she felt dizzy and sleepy.

Especially just now—it felt like she had been drained.

Si Muchen frowned, about to refuse.

[Go, go, go! Host, go!]

[The energy concentration at her house is super high. I want to go steal some more!]

[Let me tell you, just in this short while, I feel full of strength! Today, I can use misfortune transfer at least five times!]

Si Muchen: …

With a sour expression, he reluctantly squeezed out two words.

“…Troublesome!”

But his body was honest as it followed Tongtong’s footsteps.

Tongtong covered her mouth and giggled secretly.

Hehe! Finally lured him back! She was determined to get to the bottom of this!

The two walked along the road back to the family compound.

Before long, the System’s excited voice rang in Si Muchen’s mind.

[Ding! Detected a “lost small fortune” nearby! Suggest the host turn left three meters, next to the flower bed!]

Si Muchen paused in his steps.

He raised an eyebrow.

Was this what the System meant—after misfortune transfer, only good luck remained?

He walked over, crouched down, pretending to tie his shoelaces, and reached toward the flower bed.

His fingers indeed touched something folded up.

Unfolding it, he saw it was a brand-new ten-yuan bill!

Tongtong had been secretly watching him out of the corner of her eye the whole time.

Seeing that ten-yuan bill, her round, big eyes instantly widened.

“Wow! Ten yuan! Brother Muchen, did you step in dog poop luck? Oh, wait… I mean, money-finding luck!”

Si Muchen immediately felt uncomfortable under her gaze.

This money was obtained because he had stolen her energy… rounding it off, it was kind of hers too?

He did a quick mental calculation.

Si Muchen sighed and expressionlessly handed the money over, his little expression cool and aloof.

“Those who see it share it.”

Tongtong: !!! (☆o☆)

There’s such a good thing?!

Her little miser nature erupted, and she immediately took it, afraid that Si Muchen might regret it if she was even a second late.

Her chubby little hand held the ten-yuan bill, her eyes curved into happy crescents as she revealed a row of small white teeth.

“Brother Muchen, you’re such a good person!”

Si Muchen’s mouth lifted into a high smile as he snorted, “You’re only realizing it now!”

Tongtong smiled until her eyes were slits. “Even though Brother looks grumpy, your luck is super good. Come on, come on! Let’s buy candy. My treat!”

The two went to the supply and marketing cooperative in the military compound.

With the found money, they bought milk candies and two packs of peach shortbread.

Tongtong generously gave half of the candy to Si Muchen, happily hugging the remaining candy and peach shortbread herself.

Today was another happy day!

On the way, they ran into Chen An’an returning from school. Seeing Tongtong, his eyes lit up.

“Tongtong!” He ran over with his military green satchel bouncing, saying happily, “Come on! Let’s go catch bugs! Our teacher assigned catching grasshoppers as homework today.”

Tongtong blinked, a bit curious.

What kind of homework was that?

Just as she was about to speak, Si Muchen impatiently scuffed the gravel on the ground.

Frowning with a fierce tone, he said, “Didn’t you say we were going to your house?”

Oh, right…

Tongtong squeezed Brother Muchen’s hand to calm him down, then turned to Chen An’an.

“Brother An’an, I need to go home for dinner. You can catch grasshoppers by yourself.”

Chen An’an looked disappointed. “Oh… okay then.”

Tongtong remembered something and pulled two candies from her pocket, handing them to him with a smile. “Remember to help Grandpa Tree catch bugs today too~”

Chen An’an’s eyes lit up. Clutching the candies, he nodded vigorously and gave a clumsy military salute. “Okay!”

He wanted to say more, but Si Muchen’s icy glare made him forget what he was going to say.

In the end, he scurried away.

Tongtong turned back and took Si Muchen’s hand. “Let’s go.”

Si Muchen frowned slightly, instinctively wanting to pull away, but the System in his head started screeching again.

【Host! That’s it! Yes! Let her hold your hand!】

【Mmm… such abundant energy. If you dare shake her off, I’ll make you regret it!】

Si Muchen fell silent.

He could only turn his head away and pretend not to notice.

When they arrived home, Yu Wanqin had finished reading and was preparing dinner.

Seeing her daughter bring Si Muchen home, she was surprised but still gentle. “Muchen is here. Have a seat. I’m making cold-skin duck today.”

She asked Si Muchen to sit and even made him a cup of malt milk powder.

Tongtong placed the lunchbox in the kitchen, took a big gulp of cool water, then hurried back excitedly. “My mom’s cold-skin duck is so delicious!”

As she spoke, she couldn’t help but lick her lips, already craving it.

Yu Wanqin couldn’t help but laugh.

She pinched Tongtong’s soft little cheek. “You little glutton!”

Then she asked Tongtong to keep Si Muchen company while she cooked.

Tongtong stuck out her tongue, turned to Si Muchen with a grin, and stroked her chin thoughtfully.

Si Muchen felt uneasy. “Wh-what are you looking at?”

Tongtong tilted her head. “Nothing, just thought something seemed strange.”

Si Muchen nervously clenched his fists, asking the System in his mind, “Could she have noticed?”

【Don’t worry, Host!】

【I was very careful. I guarantee no one will ever find out!】

Alright.

Even though the System assured him confidently, Si Muchen still felt uneasy.

After all, this wasn’t something to be proud of.

Fortunately, after staring at him for a while, Tongtong didn’t notice anything unusual and didn’t press further.

Si Muchen secretly sighed in relief.

Yu Wanqin cooked quickly. In less than an hour, cold-skin duck, stir-fried green beans, and mapo tofu were laid out on the table.

She had also made scallion pancakes.

Golden, crispy, and fragrant, they looked absolutely delicious.

Si Muchen couldn’t help but swallow.

His uncle was a rough man, and no one cooked at home. In the two years since he came to Chuncheng Military District, he had been eating at the canteen with his cousin.

He never expected Tongtong’s mother to be such a good cook.

“Dig in,” Yu Wanqin said with a gentle smile, placing a large piece of pancake on his plate.

Si Muchen nodded somewhat awkwardly and softly thanked him.

This kind of concern from an elder felt both unfamiliar and awkward to him.

[Ding ding ding! Energy absorption in progress… 10%… 20%… Energy value 100%!]

[The battery is fully charged! Enough for three days! Well done, host!]

The System’s voice grew noticeably more cheerful with delight.