Gradually Intertwined Daily Life 2

"What's there to trouble about!" Zhao Peng waved his hand, his tone exceptionally sincere. "Actually, this is my dad's idea too. I told him yesterday that exercising with you these past few days has been incredibly effective. I've gained more than from private lessons, and the best part is, it's free!"

He scratched his head and chuckled, "My dad was thrilled when he heard. He told me to learn from you more and specifically instructed the driver to bring you a lunch every day too. Consider it... well, consider it 'labor fees' for our mutual progress! It's just cooking one extra portion at home, so please don't be polite with me!"

With things put this way, refusing would seem pretentious.

Chen Mo understood perfectly. This wasn't "labor fees" at all; it was clearly the Zhao family's goodwill, and also a subtle, ongoing "investment." The other party used excuses like "mutual progress" and "saving money on private lessons" to protect his pride while offering substantial help without leaving a trace. Their thoughtfulness was undeniable.

It was mutually beneficial, and the other party had handled it with utmost grace.

Chen Mo understood and no longer hesitated. He smiled and nodded, "Then thank you, Brother Peng. Please thank Uncle for me too. It's better to accept than to refuse!"

"That's more like it!" Zhao Peng grinned and patted his shoulder.

Zhang Shun, standing nearby, looked on with envy. He couldn't help but nudge Chen Mo's arm, winking and saying, "Alright, Brother Mo, only a few days and you've already got VIP exclusive meal delivery service! I'm so jealous!"

Zhao Peng laughed heartily and turned to Zhang Shun and Zhang Yuxi, saying generously, "Shunzi, Yuxi, next time I'll ask about your preferences beforehand and bring some for you too! I decided on this today on the spur of the moment, and I didn't know what you liked, so I didn't dare to bring extra."

Zhang Shun and Zhang Yuxi quickly waved their hands, saying there was no need to be polite. However, they both felt that Zhao Peng was indeed thoughtful and not at all annoying.

Not long after, a middle-aged man in a black suit and white gloves, carrying an exquisite multi-layered insulated lunch box, strode into the classroom. It was the Zhao family's driver, Xiao Liu.

Xiao Liu respectfully handed the lunch box to Zhao Peng and nodded at Chen Mo before turning to leave.

Zhao Peng picked up the lunch box and beckoned Chen Mo, "Come on, Brother Mo, let's eat over in that corner."

There weren't many people studying on campus during the weekend, so the corner at the back of the classroom was quiet, perfect for eating and chatting.

Zhao Peng opened the insulated lunch box, and a rich aroma instantly filled the air.

The lunch box was divided into three layers. The top layer contained two exquisite small dishes – Braised Beef Brisket and Stir-fried Seasonal Vegetables. The beef brisket was stewed to tender perfection, with a rich, bright red color. The seasonal vegetables were crisp, green, and fresh, making one's mouth water just looking at them. The middle layer held a portion of Tamagoyaki, golden and soft, with a faint milky fragrance. The bottom layer was a bowl of Seaweed Egg Drop Soup, clear and flavorful, sprinkled with chopped scallions. Beside it were two large boxes of fragrant white rice, each grain distinct and glistening.

Although the dishes weren't as lavish or rare as those eaten at the Zhao family villa on Saturday, they were clearly prepared with care, a balanced combination of meat and vegetables, and nutritionally sound.

Chen Mo picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of beef brisket.

The beef brisket melted in his mouth, its rich meaty flavor mingling with a hint of medicinal aroma, exploding in his mouth. More importantly, after just two bites, he clearly felt a faint but pure energy slide down his throat into his abdomen, slowly integrating into his meridians and nourishing the Qi and blood within his body.

While this energy was far less potent and obvious than the "Crimson Ridge Savage Beef" he had eaten last time, it was gentle and long-lasting. Chen Mo roughly estimated that this meal alone could provide the Qi and blood replenishment effect of more than half a Qi and Blood Capsule!

Half a Qi and Blood Capsule was worth two hundred and fifty yuan.

The value of this meal easily exceeded two hundred yuan.

More importantly, it was free, and he could have it every day.

Chen Mo felt a slight emotion. This was the convenience of resources; it could silently improve the efficiency of his daily cultivation. In the past, even if he scrimped and saved, he might not have been able to afford such a Nutritional Meal every day.

"How does it taste? Is it to your liking?" Zhao Peng asked, shoveling rice into his mouth.

"Very good," Chen Mo said truthfully, a genuine smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It's even tastier than what my mom makes."

"That's great!" Zhao Peng beamed, even happier. "I was just worried it wouldn't suit your taste. Mama Wu's cooking is top-notch in our family!"

During the meal, the two naturally started discussing the final math problem from the morning.

That problem was quite difficult, involving the combined application of derivatives and inequalities. Few students in the class could solve it completely. Zhao Peng's foundation in science was already good, and with the guidance of a renowned tutor hired by his family, his thinking was often unique. He could sometimes break free from conventional problem-solving frameworks and offer some eye-catching solutions.

Chen Mo, on the other hand, excelled due to the solid foundation provided by the system and his perspective from two lifetimes. His approach was more rigorous, his logic clearer, and he could always pinpoint the flaws in Zhao Peng's thinking with precision, offering more concise solution steps.

The two exchanged ideas, inspiring each other. Many points that had previously been unclear became suddenly clear with the other's guidance. In the time it took to finish the meal, they not only filled their stomachs but also thoroughly understood that final problem.

Both felt they had benefited greatly, and they exchanged smiles, their eyes filled with a sense of mutual appreciation.

In the days that followed, a new rhythm gradually took shape.

During school hours, Zhao Peng would still slip to the back row during breaks to chat with Chen Mo, Zhang Shun, and Zhang Yuxi, sharing all sorts of news from inside and outside the school. And every noon, Master Xiao Liu's "VIP Lunch" would be delivered to the classroom on time, becoming Chen Mo's stable source of high-quality nutrition and Qi and Blood replenishment.

Chen Mo's Qi and Blood Value slowly climbed with this daily nourishment, getting closer and closer to the 80-point threshold.

On Saturday, Chen Mo arrived at Zhao Peng's house as scheduled.

This time, they adjusted the order of their training. Instead of practicing in the afternoon, they moved the high-intensity training to the morning, when their condition was at its best.

In the Zhao family's top-tier training room, the spiritual energy was even more concentrated than last time. The Spirit Gathering Array on the wall emitted a faint glow, and inhaling it invigorated the spirit.

Chen Mo was in excellent condition.

The lunches and dinners from the past few days had continuously replenished his Qi and Blood and energy, keeping his body in a full and robust state. He no longer had to worry about his Qi and Blood depleting halfway through training like before.

Zhao Peng stood opposite him, watching him assume the Black Tiger Stance, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Brother Mo, you'll have to guide me a lot today!" Zhao Peng rubbed his hands, eager to begin.

Chen Mo nodded, sinking his waist and lowering his hips, taking the lead in assuming the stance. "Let's start with standing meditation to find the feeling. Remember what I told you last time about sinking your shoulders and dropping your elbows – it's not about forcing them down, but about relaxing, letting your Qi and Blood naturally sink..."

He demonstrated as he explained, his voice clear and steady.

Zhao Peng quickly followed suit, meticulously imitating him.

Chen Mo closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into his Dantian.

Warm Qi and Blood flowed slowly through his meridians like a rushing stream. Unlike the deliberate guidance of the past, the circulation of Qi and Blood was now smoother and more autonomous. He could clearly feel the Qi and Blood flowing through every inch of his muscles and every bone and sinew, bringing waves of tingling warmth.

His stance was like a mountain, stable as a rock. His body seemed to merge with the training room, remaining unmoving despite the surging Qi and Blood within.

After standing meditation, the Body Tempering Fist followed.

Chen Mo took a deep breath and threw a punch.

Fist Wind whistled, carrying the sound of breaking air. It was no longer brute force like before, but contained the power of Qi and Blood, a blend of hardness and softness. Each move flowed seamlessly into the next, the power held back but carrying immense force.

He could clearly feel that his understanding of the Black Tiger Stance and the Body Tempering Fist had deepened again. The bottleneck of "Proficient" was now within reach.