C3 This World!

Wang Feng gazed at the hovering motorcycle before him, its design reminiscent of a fierce tiger and something straight out of a futuristic sci-fi film. He was momentarily spellbound, struggling to discern whether he was in a fantasy world or the real one.

The motorcycle certainly turned heads, but its owner, Luo Junhao, was even more captivating. Clad in the latest, coolest leopard print shirt and pants, his features were striking and profound, his black hair cascading down in a handsome flow. Yet, despite his flawless appearance, his green eyes seemed to relegate everything else to mere background.

Indeed, this was the stark contrast between an average person and a heartthrob. Everyone else paled in comparison, like stars dimmed by the radiant moon.

The room fell silent, filled only with envious gazes that seemed to question why there was such disparity among people.

Yet, Luo Junhao's attention remained elusive to all. His eyes, usually cold, only warmed when Luo Xiaoxiao approached. He stared ahead with an icy gaze and murmured softly, "Sit tight, I'm about to drive." The motorcycle roared to life, kicking up clouds of dust as it went, leaving everyone agape in disbelief.

Luo Xiaoxiao and Wang Feng seemed to hail from entirely different worlds, utterly disconnected from one another.

"Don't stoop to their level; you've done nothing wrong," Gao Xuefeng reassured Wang Feng, misinterpreting his bewildered look as being affected by the gossip. He gave Wang Feng a comforting pat on the shoulder.

"Even so, I can't accept her money. I'll have to pay her back another day," Wang Feng thought, his headache intensifying. Why did misfortunes keep befalling him here, one after the other? The frustration was overwhelming. With that, he hurried after Gao Xuefeng.

Despite the penchant for idle talk and teasing at this school, there was an underlying sense of politeness and order. Boarding the bus was a disciplined affair, with everyone queuing neatly.

What baffled Wang Feng, though, was the absence of any sign indicating where to wait for the bus.

"Attention, passengers waiting for the bus, please note that the number 72 will reach Holy Academy Station in thirty seconds. Those boarding the 72, please prepare and line up orderly. No cutting in line."

"Holy cow..." Wang Feng had never imagined a metal rod could emit sound. No wonder there was no need for a signboard.

Wang Feng suddenly realized that even the simplest characters in this world were incredibly complex. It's no wonder voice prompts were so prevalent.

"You're not on the 72 bus; you're supposed to be on the 84. You better hurry across to the other side," Gao Xuefeng nudged Wang Feng, who stood frozen in front of him.

"But I've even forgotten which way my home is. Could you possibly take me there?" Wang Feng asked, rubbing his hands together awkwardly.

"I refuse to believe you've forgotten your own home. You must be under some spell," Gao Xuefeng grew increasingly skeptical of Wang Feng's identity. Not only had his personality shifted, but he was also asking questions that only a child would ask, and now he'd supposedly forgotten where he lived.

"Xuefeng, I truly can't remember anything, and I honestly don't know why. Can you help me out? Besides, if I were possessed by demons, wouldn't I be acting smarter than this?" Wang Feng reasoned internally that although he had taken over the original soul of the body, he was human, not some malevolent creature.

"What if you're just putting on an act for me?" Gao Xuefeng was relentless with his words, but deep down, he had already let his guard down.

"No, you've got to trust me..."

Before Wang Feng could further explain, a massive, elongated subway train arrived before them, hovering in the air without any wheels.

*Beep! Beep! Beep!*

"Attention passengers waiting at Holy Academy Station: Bus Route 72 is limited to 28 passengers. Please board quickly and orderly, and refrain from pushing and shoving."

As the bus doors opened and the announcement played, Wang Feng wished to go home with Gao Xuefeng, but luck was not on his side.

However, Gao Xuefeng was fortunate enough to be just the second person beyond capacity.

"Bus Route 72 has reached full capacity. The doors will now close."

The student in front of Gao Xuefeng tried to squeeze on board, but then a sudden burst of thunder and lightning filled the air. Wang Feng instinctively stepped back.

With a loud crackle, the rule-breaking student was blasted hairless, presenting a sorry sight. No one around showed any sympathy, and while Wang Feng felt sorry for him, he knew that there's often a reason for such misfortune.

No wonder so many students follow the rules so diligently; now it all makes sense.

"Xuefeng, could you take pity on me and take me home? Being out here alone, I've forgotten what home is like…"

Initially, Gao Xuefeng was reluctant to fulfill the request, but Wang Feng was so persistent that he grudgingly agreed.

"Hehe, I knew you were the kindest to me," Wang Feng said with a chuckle as he quickly climbed into the car. He looked around the empty driver's seat with wide-eyed curiosity, reminiscent of Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden.

"Are you just playing dumb to scam me out of the fare?" Gao Xuefeng was skeptical from the start, convinced that Wang Feng was trying to deceive him. Yet Wang Feng's naive behavior gradually disarmed him.

Still, Gao Xuefeng had no intention of ridiculing Wang Feng.

"We've arrived at the relief station. Passengers for the relief station, please..."

The bus whizzed by, each stop requiring only a few minutes.

Stepping off the bus, the two took in the stark surroundings. Wang Feng was so astounded that his jaw nearly dropped.

The area was desolate, emitting a foul stench like a vast landfill combined with a septic tank. Wang Feng pinched his nose in disgust, wondering how a modern human could withstand such an environment.

Garbage and discarded items littered the landscape, seemingly untouched. The locals' eyes held a wary look, akin to that of wild people.

Wang Feng didn't need to be told he was in the slums, but the scene resembled a chaotic graveyard strewn with bones more than anything else. A wave of melancholy washed over him.

"I had no idea the slums were this heartbreaking," Gao Xuefeng admitted, feeling a surge of compassion. He had known Wang Feng was from the slums, but as an ordinary citizen, his own plight wasn't as dire. He could at least afford meals and live comfortably.

"So, where do I live?" Wang Feng asked, suppressing his emotions and forcing a wry smile. Was his situation really this dire?

"Why are you asking me? How would I know? It's my first time here too!" Gao Xuefeng replied, his face clouded with frustration.

"Is that so?" The body that had been lying on the ground suddenly lifted its head, startling both Wang Feng and Gao Xuefeng.

"Cough, cough... Is that you, Xiao Feng? Cough, cough... Did you bring the medicine? Cough, cough..." The gaunt old man, who resembled a skeleton, spoke with a voice so raspy it was as if his throat had been slashed.

"Medicine?" Wang Feng realized the man recognized his former self, so there seemed to be no immediate danger. "Do you recognize me?"

The old man appeared momentarily dazed by the question, then broke into a fit of violent coughing.

Wang Feng hurried over to support the old man, who bore a striking resemblance to his uncle. He hadn't realized that this man had long been suffering from a severe illness, lying on the ground as if he were a corpse, waiting for Wang Feng to return with medicine.

But Wang Feng hadn't anticipated that the old man would pass away before they could even make it halfway.

Wang Feng and Gao Xuefeng borrowed a hoe from the neighbor's house and hastily buried the emaciated old man. For reasons Wang Feng couldn't quite understand, a profound sense of loneliness welled up inside him.

The cabin was tiny, barely large enough for two people to fit inside, and even then, they had to stoop. Inside was a rough-hewn wooden table, its corners still dusted with wood shavings, giving the entire space a dirty, unkempt appearance.

Upon entering the cabin, Gao Xuefeng fell silent, lips pressed tightly together, his heart growing heavier with sympathy for Wang Feng.

How could anyone live in such a place?

It was impossible to fathom the depths of Wang Feng's tragic past.

"Wang Feng, come with me. You don't have to live here anymore, okay?" Gao Xuefeng's eyes brimmed with tears, threatening to spill over.

"No, I want to stay here," Wang Feng insisted, his eyes red and swollen. His former self had endured such hardships; how could it have come to this? Yet, he was determined to carry on in his stead.

"Why?"

"This is my home. How could I abandon my home?"

Wang Feng's resolve wasn't about proving his strength; he was driven by a desire to fully understand the hardships and injustices his former self had endured.

Ultimately, Gao Xuefeng was convinced by Wang Feng to leave, yet he accepted the ten yuan offered to him.

Ten yuan wasn't a significant amount, but it represented Gao Xuefeng's goodwill. Wang Feng, no longer as dismissive of money as before, resolved to repay the sum in full at a later date.

But why was his predecessor unable to write the character for "human"? Was it a matter of intellectual deficiency, or were there hidden difficulties at play?

Despite an exhaustive search of the cabin, Wang Feng found himself unable to unearth any clues about his former self.

With no other option, he approached the desk and gazed at the large sheet of paper on the wooden wall, where the character for "human" was inscribed. The calligraphy, done in ink, bore a striking resemblance to Instructor Ouyang's blackboard writing, clearly meant as practice for his predecessor.

The original occupant had clearly been diligent; the paper had yellowed, and the chalk lay dust-covered on the floor.

In a world where strength reigned supreme, the inability to write "human" condemned Wang Feng to a life of poverty, with no prospect beyond using the money given by Luo Xiaoxiao to switch schools and settle for a menial manufacturing role.

The reason behind his predecessor's inability to write "human" remained a mystery, but Wang Feng, as a man of the New Era from Earth, was confident in his ability to replicate a mere character.

"Human" as the essence, "qi" as the strengthener, and "meridians" as the shapers of destiny!

Clutching the chalk, Wang Feng's eyes locked onto the intricate "human" character on the wooden wall. A flood of determination filled him—he was certain he could succeed. It was just the word "human," after all.

Human!

With chalk in hand, Wang Feng touched it to the wooden board and, with a firm stroke, began to write...