Chapter 12 Cohabitation

Updated: Apr 19, 2021

Shi Qingyang wished somebody would tell him that this was a lie, but it was clear that the other boy wouldn’t deceive him, and Cheng Ran seemed to be more powerful than he realized.

He took out the tablet and opened "The Encyclopedia of Mutant Beasts," reading one sentence at random. Cheng Ran could continue memorizing it without prompts. He was also familiar with some overseas records. The book he was reading before was foreign one. The appearance of a specific kind of mutant plant differed from that of domestic books.

Only then did Shi Qingyang realize Cheng Ran was fluent in several languages!

As the entire world was engulfed by radiation, relations between countries had weakened, and with the addition of translators, the number of people studying foreign languages had inevitably declined. Shi Qingyang hadn’t learned even one language, while Cheng Ran knew few foreign languages with a clear accent simply by watching foreign films, television, and literary works!

Furthermore, when speaking a foreign language, he wasn’t slow or clumsy; rather, he spoke very smoothly and quickly. Maybe he was less concerned with speaking the wrong word because most couldn't understand what he was saying, therefore he spoke more leisurely.

Shi Qingyang realized for the first time what a scumbag he used to be by looking down at Cheng Ran.

"Shi Qingyang, you...are you unhappy?" Cheng Ran's face turned pale, and he glanced nervously at Shi Qingyang.

"How come?" Shi Qingyang responded with a query.

Though he was jealous, he was also happy for Cheng Ran.

Cheng Ran was gifted in so many ways. In reality, as long as he doesn't need to become a Rad-Warrior, he would be able to live happily for a lifetime.

"Previously, my brothers and sisters were unhappy." Cheng Ran seemed to be at a loss.

"Because they were jealous of you." Shi Qingyang was certain of it.

Cheng Ran smiled at him, but quickly discouraged him: "Sadly, those aren't just their idle thoughts. My dad also described me as a lost cause...…"

‘Lost cause?’ Shi Qingyang scowled. Everyone at school said Cheng Ran was trash, but at home his parents said the same thing?

What's the matter with Cheng Ran's parents?

They had only just met, so Shi Qingyang could only follow up by comforting him. "How can you be a useless person? I believe you are incredibly powerful. I'm afraid that there aren't many people like you in China."

"Really?" Cheng Ran was taken aback by Shi Qingyang's answer.

"Really!” Shi Qingyang said right away. "If you're willing, Cheng Ran, I'll take you to Central University in the future!"

Central City, China's largest city, had two of the best colleges in the country. The Central Radiation Institute was one, and the Central University was another. Radiation University mostly accepted Rad-Warriors and pharmacists, as well as rad-power experts, while Central University recruited students from a variety of fields.

Many of China's top talents have gathered at Central University. Both Rad-Warriors and ordinary citizens studied there. Instead of heading out the city to hunt, many first-level and second-level Rad-Warriors preferred to study and find another career.

"All right," Cheng Ran said, nodding, "Dad asked me to complete a degree at the Spark Academy. When I'm done, I'll go for the exam in Central University.”

Shi Qingyang sighed, unable to comprehend Cheng Ran's parents' attitude. He even wondered if Cheng Ran was one of their own.

Unfortunately, Cheng Ran was unable to resist the Cheng family, let alone his little "accompaniment."

Furthermore, he intends to remain in Spark City for the next two years, and he naturally hoped that Cheng Ran would as well. In terms of schooling, he will complete the education as a part-time student.

"I’m certain that you will be admitted to the Central Academy. You can right now learn to make pharmacy if you are interested." Shi Qingyang said once more that because Cheng Ran enjoyed pharmacy.

"All right." Cheng Ran said solemnly. “Shi Qingyang, I will make medicine for you, and I will always make medicine for you.”

Gu Changjin stood outside the door for a while, didn’tt enter, and silently left.

Cheng Ran went to bed early that day, Shi Qingyang exercised for a long time and fell asleep the last, but the next day, he still got up early and helped Gu Changjin prepare breakfast.

Shi Qingyang wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but he had the impression that Gu Changjin was more kind to him.

After finishing breakfast, Shi Qingyang went to work in the butcher shop. He no longer needed the insect leftovers, but because many shop’s employees now participated in taking them home, he continued dividing. They even helped him out in return for those leftovers, making his job lot easier.

Shi Qingyang had been rushing around all morning, and as he had the opportunity, he bypassed the villa.

He didn't want to arouse Cheng Ran suspicion. After all, he'd run here so many times in the previous few days, but what he hadn't expected was to see Cheng Ran every time he passed.

Cheng Ran seemed to have settled behind the dining room’s window. As long as Shi Qingyang walked by, he would stick his head out the window and wave at him.

Cheng Ran didn't say anything, only smiled at Shi Qingyang, but Shi Qingyang felt warm because he felt valued. This feeling was intensified when he returned to the villa at noon and discovered the boy waiting for him at the entrance.

"Lunch is ready!" Cheng Ran dashed over when he saw Shi Qingyang from afar.

He brought a bottle of water to Shi Qingyang and then returned to the house to assist Gu Changjin in setting the table.

Shi Qingyang's heart was bursting and warm as he slowly drank the water. Someone was waiting for him to come home and eat. This was what he had always desired. Originally, when his father left the city to hunt mutant animals, his mother would treat the medicinal materials at home, cook meals, and wait for his father to return…

This was the feeling of being at home.

Shi Qingyang was in a trance for a moment, but he soon calmed down.

Cheng Ran was the Cheng family's young master. In Yangtze City, his grandfather was an eighth-level Rad-Warrior. His father also couldn’t be taken lightly. While Cheng Ran was now incognito in Spark City, and he treated Shi Qingyang equally, there was a significant difference between the two…

‘I need to become stronger!’

Shi Qingyang's thoughts were unknown to Cheng Ran. He was simply overjoyed at the prospect of making a new friend. He automatically focused all of his attention on Shi Qingyang. He even wanted to pull his chair just as Gu Changjin had done to him.

Shi Qingyang, of course, couldn’t allow Cheng Ran to do this. He drew out the chair himself, sat, lowered his head, and feasted, hiding his complex feelings.

Shi Qingyang, as usual, finished his meal first. Cheng Ran gave him a sidelong look now and then. Perhaps the young master became infected with his voracious appetite and ate more than normal.

Gu Changjin smiled as he observed this scene.

Cheng Ran always wanted to say something while dining, but his upbringing kept him silent. When Shi Qingyang finished his meal, he immediately smiled.

"Shi Qingyang, Grandpa Gu purchased some herbal materials for me."

Shi Qingyang noticed a couple of boxes on the table next to the window after he pointed to it. Within the boxes were common medicinal materials that had been refined, some of which had gone through secondary processing.

So Cheng Ran had been processing medicinal materials by the window this morning? Shi Qingyang couldn't help but recall his mother, a junior pharmacist, handling pharmaceutical materials. He couldn't remember the specific situation, but he recollected the pleasant feeling at the moment.

"Shi Qingyang, I also requested that Grandpa Gu purchase a computer for us. In the future, I want to pursue a degree by online learning. If you want to go online, you can also do it." Cheng Ran said it as he drew Shi Qingyang upstairs while holding his hand.

Shi Qingyang was shocked but obeyed, however he didn't dare to grip Cheng Ran's soft palm with any strength.

After going up, Shi Qingyang discovered that the so-called computer he had ordered was different from what he had imagined.

Signals cannot be transmitted in the wild anymore, so every city will set up a network, and the cities will be connected by massive optical cables. Human communication relies on networks, and computers were, by consequence, very common.

However, Gu Changjin's bought computer was different.

The two computers in front of them were the most recent models of secure computers!

Many hackers were really powerful and could access knowledge from other people's computers. Initially, malware was used to intercept them. Someone later created a secure computer. This type of computer could be updated on a regular basis and had excellent confidentiality. Such a computer was used by important people.

Shi Qingyang was aware of this, but he didn't expect Gu Changjin to spend so much money on a computer. Over all, the only advantage of this kind of computer over ordinary computers was that it performed better in terms of security. While the cost was 100 times that of standard machines.

Furthermore, Gu Changjin purchased not one, but two.

"This computer is too expensive." Shi Qingyang responded immediately.

He aspired to own a machine like this. He can think of ways to make money online or do other stuff with a safe computer! But he had no idea Gu Changjin would buy one for him in just a few days.

"I only purchased one; yours was purchased by the young master with his pocket money." Gu Changjin glanced at Shi Qingyang, who on the surface seemed to be unhappy, but he had a happy glint in his eyes. “Young master’s personal funds had been all spent for sake of you."

"No.. No I still have money, and I… I don't usually spend it." Cheng Ran's face flushed as he spoke rapidly.

"Yes, there’s still some left. By coincidence, the computer you purchased with me was on sale, saving you fifty credits.” Gu Changjin revealed. "Last night, Master, didn't you borrow money from me?"

"No, no... Grandpa Gu!" Cheng Ran was at a loss for words.

There were a lot of people who spent money on themselves, but there weren’t many people who rather spent money on others then themselves.

Shi Qingyang genuinely thanked Cheng Ran. "Thank you."

Being watched intently by Shi Qingyang, Cheng Ran turned his eyes away awkwardly. He suddenly felt that ordering the computer with his own money, rather than the money of his family, was the wiser decision. But now both of them were too poor to buy anything.

He had a cousin his age. He lived with his parents. His monthly budget was more then he could spent. In comparison, Cheng Ran had to live alone, rent a property, buy food, and spend money on everything. Should he start thinking about how he can make money in the future? What choices does he have?

Gu Changjin's gaze was complicated when he stared at Cheng Ran and Shi Qingyang. Someone finally accompanied the young master of his household. Shi Qingyang was weak, but at least he came from a simple background.

However, the young master of his household was too innocent. He didn't really want to say whether he spent his own poet money or whether he had any left over after purchasing the computer.

He could only assist and inform Shi Qingyang.

Not just that, but his young master seems to be unaware of his net worth. About the fact that his young master's younger brother bemoans his poverty every day, the Cheng family has a substantial amount of living expenses. Since his young master never spends it, he naturally saves some. He had enough to purchase a large number of computers.