Tears Welling Up

April 15, 2023, Saturday, cloudy turning sunny, 8–22°C, strong UV index. Take precautions against sun exposure.

At six in the morning, the crimson sun slowly rose, and the sky brightened fully.

"Ding Dong—"

"China Merchants Bank: Your account ending in 6800 received 200.00 Renminbi at 06:02 on April 15."

Tang Song sprang up from bed and neatly folded his blanket.

He opened the System Interface and checked his personal information.

Height: 180 cm, Weight: 81.1 kg

Over the course of one night, his body had naturally metabolized 0.5 kg, which was normal.

He was only 0.1 kg away from his goal!

This was the first mission he had received after obtaining the system, and the reward even included potions to strengthen his body!

Suppressing his excitement, Tang Song dashed headfirst into the restroom.

Soon, a crisp System Prompt Sound rang out beside his ear.

Ding! Congratulations, player. Challenge mission Restraint and Persistence has been completed.

Immediately afterward, a faint screen appeared before him, lines of text popping up one after another.

Calculating rewards...

Over the past 14 days, you remained steadfast in your weight-loss goal without wavering. You exercised strict self-discipline and restraint, successfully losing 9 kilograms and returning your body to a normal weight range.

You have received a special item: Lung Strengthening Potion ×1

During the mission, you did not blindly pursue rapid weight loss. You maintained healthy, reasonable eating and sleeping habits, meeting the standards of a Male God's self-cultivation and triggering a hidden reward.

You have received: Beginner Physique Optimization Potion ×1

He had actually triggered an additional reward!

Tang Song took a deep breath and suppressed his exhilaration.

Entering the System Warehouse, he found two potion bottles flickering with faint red light lying quietly inside.

He checked the item details.

Beginner Physique Optimization Potion: After use, gradually optimizes body proportions, making slight adjustments to the bones, muscles, and fat to create a more harmonious physique.

"Holy shit!" Tang Song did not know what else to say and could only express his amazement with a national classic.

A person's body proportions were purely a genetic lottery. They were fixed from birth and could hardly be changed afterward.

Balanced, harmonious body proportions could make someone healthier, more energetic, better balanced, and more attractive. Clothes would look better on them too.

Tang Song's height was decent, but his proportions could only be called average. He had plenty of flaws, such as a wingspan that was not long enough, shoulders that were not broad enough, and slightly short tibias.

Although this was only a beginner potion, its effects were still worth looking forward to.

After quickly finishing in the restroom and thoroughly washing his hands, Tang Song rushed out at the speed of a hundred-meter sprint.

He stood before the full-length mirror and took several deep breaths.

His body was still trembling slightly beyond his control.

Calm down! Calm down!

Next came the moment to witness a miracle!

He selected the Beginner Physique Optimization Potion and used it immediately.

"Whew!" A mouthful of liquid suddenly appeared in his mouth. It tasted refreshingly sweet and cool—absolutely delicious.

Before Tang Song could savor it properly, he swallowed it with a gulp.

Gradually, an icy sensation spread from his throat to his stomach, somewhat like eating a concentrated mint candy.

After waiting quietly for a while, the reflection in the mirror did not seem to have changed much. It seemed that, just as the description said, it would take some time to take effect gradually.

Then Tang Song turned his attention to the next item.

Lung Strengthening Potion: After use, effectively improves lung condition, increases lung capacity, supplies the body with sufficient oxygen, enhances resistance, promotes metabolism, Physique +2, Endurance +1.

Hadn't he worked so hard and suffered so much for this?

Without hesitation, he used it immediately.

It was once again suddenly placed in his mouth, but this one had a much stronger flavor, somewhat like cough syrup.

The liquid rolled down his throat and through his esophagus.

A faint burning sensation spread through his body.

His body felt lighter, and his heartbeat gradually slowed.

His breaths became deeper and fuller, while his chest cavity and lower abdomen began to grow faintly warm.

The pleasant sensation made him close his eyes involuntarily.

More than half an hour later.

"Breathe—breathe—"

Tang Song silently sensed the changes within his body.

After staying up late for so long and maintaining an irregular schedule, he had always suffered from minor problems like chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. They had also been the biggest obstacle during his weight-loss workouts.

Now, they had all vanished. His breathing was strong and powerful, easy and smooth.

When he took a deep breath, he could clearly feel his lungs expanding more fully, allowing him to draw in more fresh air and exchange gases faster.

He opened his personal information panel.

Player: Tang Song (29')
Role: Brocade Business—Development Engineer
Height: 180.5 cm, Weight: 81 kg
Physique: 59, Endurance: 56, Agility: 50, Insight: 76
...

"Mm?" Tang Song froze slightly and instinctively rubbed his eyes.

Physique +2, Endurance +1, and Charm reaching 29—those were all expected.

The problem was that he had actually grown 0.5 centimeters taller!?

A flash of insight struck him, and his heartbeat sped up again.

The Beginner Physique Optimization Potion was even more incredible than he had imagined. Its so-called adjustment of body proportions had actually stretched him taller.

He did not know whether it was an illusion, but Tang Song felt that his calves had really gotten a tiny bit longer, and his shoulders seemed a little broader too.

This was the biggest surprise of all!

Among the girls he was currently getting to know, Zhao Yaqian was 180 centimeters tall, while Xie Shuyu was around 175 centimeters. Both were quite tall.

Standing beside them had put a lot of pressure on him.

Now, it seemed he might really shoot up a little more at the age of twenty-five!

After excitedly doing a few vertical jumps, Tang Song changed into a Quick-drying shirt and began his daily fasted cardio.

He could not wait to find out just how strong his optimized lungs were.

On an April morning, the air was warm and moist, and the sunlight was bright.

A faint fragrance of locust blossoms lingered throughout the residential complex.

"3, 2, 1, go! Outdoor run starting!"

His breathing rhythm was steady and smooth, perfectly coordinated with his stride.

His steps were lighter and stronger, and his stamina had improved significantly as well.

By the latter half of the run, although his physical condition was still declining quickly, he no longer struggled to breathe or panted for air.

These were unquestionably incredibly healthy lungs—efficient, powerful, and full of vitality.

"You have run 5 kilometers!"

As the APP announced it aloud, Tang Song gradually slowed down and stopped running.

After carefully sensing his condition, he found that his body was not nearly as exhausted as usual.

He even felt that he could keep going for another kilometer or two.

He took out his Mobile Phone from his running armband and checked the workout route.

The total distance was 5 kilometers, with an average pace of 5'58" and a time of roughly 30 minutes.

For the first time, his pace had broken six minutes!

And that was without him having fully adjusted to the changes in his body.

Filled with excitement, Tang Song jogged into the breakfast shop by the South Gate of the residential complex.

He ordered a basket of fresh pork Small Steamed Buns, an egg-filled flatbread, a bowl of pepper soup, and helped himself to a small dish of free pickled vegetables.

One whole little meat bun, one chopstickful of pickles, and one mouthful of pepper soup.

Carbs, oil, chili, and spices exploded across his taste buds.

"So delicious!" Tears welled up in Tang Song's eyes.

The proprietress, who was wiping down the tables, saw this and thought that this young man was unbelievably handsome!