C5 You Know too Much

Since their parents hadn't come back yet, Qin Anyi whipped up a simple but nutritious dinner for his younger brother, Qin Anle. With their parents often working odd jobs and returning home at unpredictable hours, and Anle being disabled and unable to walk, the responsibility of caring for his brother often fell on Anyi's shoulders.

There's a saying that the children of the poor mature early, and it's true. They're thrust into the harsh realities of life sooner, facing insurmountable challenges with a quiet resilience.

"Bro, starting tomorrow, you're a senior in high school. Your studies are so crucial—please stop working. I can look after myself. I'm the only one not contributing financially. Let me handle the cooking from now on," Anle said, his voice tinged with guilt as he ate his steamed buns and vegetables.

"It's no big deal, and it won't impact my grades. You seem to forget who your brother is," Anyi replied with a smile, affectionately ruffling Anle's hair. He felt a pang of emotion, knowing that if he hadn't acquired that mysterious brain enhancement earlier today, he would be deeply concerned about the coming year, even if he didn't let it show.

Anyi wasn't naturally gifted. His admission to a top school and his consistently high grades were the fruits of relentless effort. He had sacrificed leisure, relaxation, and even romance, pouring every moment into his studies. But senior year was a different beast, with the critical review period before college entrance exams looming large.

For someone like Anyi, who didn't possess innate brilliance, time was of the essence. Yet, working and caring for Anle ate into his precious study hours, which could jeopardize his exam performance—a situation he felt powerless to change.

But now, things were different! Although Anyi wasn't entirely sure of the extent to which this newfound intelligence would aid him, the transformation he'd undergone during the body repair process hinted at a profound shift.

"Brother, I hate seeing you and our parents so worn out every day. I want to contribute, not just sit around waiting to be served," Anle said firmly, biting his lip.

"Don't be silly. Right now, your main job is to study. The transition from middle to high school is critical, and getting into a top school can shape your entire future. If you really want to help out, focus on your studies. Good grades will bring joy to Mom and Dad."

Qin Anyi sternly lectured his brother before absentmindedly taking a few more bites of his meal. Despite a day filled with activities, he wasn't feeling hungry, likely a side effect of his body's recovery process. Setting aside his utensils, he chuckled, "I had plenty to eat earlier, so I'm not really hungry. Go ahead and eat. I'm going to read for a bit. Make sure to wash the dishes when you're done and save the leftovers for mom and dad."

Qin Anle nodded vigorously, "You got it, bro. I'll make sure they're spotless, just like new."

Ruffling his brother's hair, Qin Anyi smiled and retreated to their shared room. He often let Qin Anle handle the simpler household tasks to boost his confidence and comfort.

The Qin family's modest living situation meant all four of them resided in a one-bedroom rental; Qin Anyi and Qin Anle occupied the bedroom while their parents slept in the living room.

Following his routine, Qin Anyi pulled out his textbook on three-dimensional geometry and delved into it after a deep sigh. His diligent study habits made memorizing humanities a breeze. He had most of the material down pat, except for the more open-ended questions. For the most part, he could easily tackle any problem with a definitive answer.

Yet, three-dimensional geometry, demanding a high level of understanding, was Qin Anyi's Achilles' heel and the subject he devoted the most time to. Despite his efforts, he typically scored in the middle range for math.

But tonight was different. As Qin Anyi flipped through the pages of his usually daunting textbook, he was surprised to find his mind unusually clear. Problems that once mired him in confusion now lined up neatly in his thoughts. He could see each step he needed to take, understand the various approaches to each problem, and all the information was etched crisply into his brain in a flash.

Stunned, Qin Anyi's eyes widened. He paused, momentarily lost in thought, then, with a flicker of realization, he pursed his lips and eagerly turned to the last few pages of the textbook.

In these textbooks, there's always a section of comprehensive questions for students to practice with, particularly the last few pages, which tend to be chock-full of questions that encapsulate all the knowledge from the entire book. These are akin to test papers and are extremely valuable.

As Qin Anyi perused these final pages, he was struck by a revelation. Questions that once seemed impossibly complex now appeared straightforward, one after another. He didn't even need to jot down notes; a quick mental run-through was all it took for various solutions to flood his mind, his brain almost instantaneously crunching the numbers to arrive at the final answers.

"This... This... This computational and analytical prowess is off the charts!" Qin Anyi murmured to himself, a rush of exhilaration surging within him. He had to take several deep breaths to regain some semblance of composure.

"This is insane... At this rate, the college entrance exams will be a breeze! With a mind like this, acing them wouldn't be a stretch, would it?"

Blinking in bewilderment, Qin Anyi grappled with a sense of void. Diligent study had always been a cornerstone of his life, but the sudden realization that it was no longer necessary left him feeling adrift.

"Master, your time is precious. To spend it on such elementary knowledge would be squandering it," Qilin's voice chimed in once more.

"A waste of time? Then what should I be doing?"

"Become stronger, fortify your body. Physical strength is the bedrock of power. Right now, you're indistinguishable from the average person. Your priority should be to continually enhance your physical capabilities. I've already analyzed your current condition and devised the most effective training regimen for you. Until your strength reaches a new plateau, your focus should be on following the training plan I've provided."

"Train myself? Does that mean I don't have to go to school?" Qin Anyi asked, visibly astonished.

"No, you must still attend school. Based on the analysis of the information in your brain, it's clear that in the current societal context, it's unwise to draw too much attention to yourself before you're capable of self-protection. Standing out a little can be advantageous, but too much attention could spell endless trouble, even disaster. Being a student is an advantageous cover for now."

"The ability to protect yourself? How strong does it need to be?"

"The information database is compromised. With the current data available, I cannot make an accurate assessment..."

"Okay, but there's something I've been wondering about. That projection that appeared before me, that was your image, wasn't it? Why... um... why would it be a beautiful, naked girl?" Qin Anyi poured himself a glass of water and took a sip.

"The battle AI is the host's closest combat ally, so its physical representation mirrors the host's deepest desires. Master, your preference for beautiful, unclothed women shaped my appearance."

"Pfft... Cough, cough..."

Choking on his water, Qin Anyi nearly sprayed it out, caught off guard by the response. He coughed uncontrollably for a moment before he could catch his breath, blinking in bewilderment. Then, with a wry smile, he said, "Qilin... you seem to know an awful lot."