"Coin Mentor"

Li Yang's answer was exactly Xiang Kun had expected. He then looked at the blind girl beside him. "Little Apple, what about you?"

Little Apple said uncertainly, "I think I heard it." Then, imitating a "beep" sound, she said, "Is that the sound of a horn?"

"Right!"

Xiang Kun then said to Li Yang, "Professor Li, you know that Little Apple's hearing is much better than others, but actually my hearing is just as good."

Unsurprisingly, Xiang Kun didn't sense any obvious surprise from Professor Li and Little Apple; instead, he had a sense of "I knew it."

In fact, during their previous encounters, Xiang Kun already knew that Little Apple had discovered his special abilities in smell and hearing. However, Xiang Kun wasn't particularly concerned about this, because he was always careful about his words when interacting with people, avoiding directly revealing the excessive information he had acquired through his senses. However, when communicating with Little Apple, he would deliberately demonstrate that he possessed similar or even stronger sensory information acquisition abilities than her, which would be more convenient when discussing how to distinguish the details of birdsong.

If Little Apple knows this, then it's not surprising that Professor Li Yang knows it too.

Xiang Kun pointed to his ears. "I wasn't born with such sensitive hearing; I trained it."

"Trained up?" Professor Li Yang became interested. He immediately recalled the scene when his younger brother, Li Sheng, drove him and his daughter to the mountains for a trip, and the first time they met Xiang Kun on the way back.

At that time, Xiang Kun, walking barefoot on the mountain road, looked a bit disheveled, but he exuded a calm and composed demeanor, quite like a "master." Later, after dropping Xiang Kun off at the station, Li Sheng even speculated that Xiang Kun had deliberately gone barefoot into the mountains to "train," perhaps he was a martial arts expert. In their two subsequent encounters, Little Apple also told him that Xiang Kun's hearing and sense of smell were much stronger than the average person, almost the same as hers, which further confirmed the previous deduction. So when Xiang Kun said that he had "trained" his keen hearing, Li Yang did not doubt it, but was very interested.

Xiang Kun said to Li Yang with a serious expression, "Professor Li, my training method might sound a bit mystical, and I've never told anyone else about it because they'd probably think I'm crazy or involved in some kind of feudal superstition. But it's definitely effective on me, so I think if it works for Little Apple, it should be beneficial for her."

"What method is it? I want to learn it!" Little Apple exclaimed excitedly before Li Yang could even speak.

Li Yang glanced at his daughter and asked, "Tell me, what kind of method is it?"

"My practice method is actually to focus my attention on a certain object and then imagine using that object to perceive the surrounding environment. I know this sounds a bit far-fetched, but it is indeed useful. It may be some kind of psychological effect that helps to stimulate potential..." Xiang Kun said with a somewhat unconfident tone.

"Then... what object is it entrusted to?" From Li Yang's tone, Xiang Kun could clearly sense his suspicion.

"Actually, anything will do—a stone, a tree, a blade of grass, a grain of sand, a chair. Everyone's choice might be different," Xiang Kun said, taking a few Coin from his pocket. He then seemingly casually picked out a one-yuan Coin and handed it to Li Yang first. "For me, Coin are the most effective." He then added self-deprecatingly, "Maybe it's because I'm relatively poor and like money..."

Neither Li Yang nor Little Apple reacted to Xiang Kun's lame joke; their attention was entirely focused on the Coin.

Li Yang examined it for a moment and thought it was just an ordinary Coin, so he handed it to Little Apple Little Apple, who held it in her hand and examined it carefully.

Previously, through the "Emotional Injection" Minion, Xiang Kun perceived Little Apple's dream. That special cognitive pattern was like a ray of light in the darkness, allowing him to find another way to see the world, transcending the limitations of his original sensory abilities and giving him a completely new way of thinking.

The ability to create "Alice" is largely due to this.

Therefore, Xiang Kun had always wanted to find an opportunity to repay Little Apple, and nothing could be more meaningful than letting her "see" again.

However, given Little Apple's condition, completely restoring her eyesight would be extremely difficult, at least with current technology and Xiang Kun's abilities, it's not something he can do for the time being.

During this time, he often thought about whether there was a way to use his abilities to give Little Apple a sensory ability similar to vision.

Or, taking a step further, could Little Apple first "see" some scenes in dreams or other levels of consciousness?

For example, Xiang Kun could perceive Little Apple's dreams, and in turn, let Little Apple perceive his dreams, seeing what he sees and feeling what he feels.

Although, in theory, even in one's imagination or dreams, one needs relevant visual nerves to "see" normal scenes.

Xiang Kun considered combining "Emotional Assimilation" with "Projection Manifestation," directly "projecting" what he saw onto Little Apple's consciousness. However, he quickly realized that this method wouldn't work. Whether it was Guo Tianxiang's original "Fear Projection Through Eye Contact" or the "Projection Manifestation" that he derived and modified, there was a prerequisite for it to be effective. "Eye contact." There had to be interaction in their gaze, even if it was just for a brief moment. This seemed to be a necessary condition for "transmitting data."

But since that "X" could cause so many incredible changes in Xiang Kun, it might also cause miracles when it is applied to Little Apple.

As for how to make X work on other people as well, Xiang Kun got inspiration from the Little Chubby Girl Liu Shiling.

If Little Apple, like Little Chubby Girl, had a special connection with the objects that Xiang Kun had established a "Super-Sensory Link" with, perhaps it could even have some special abilities?

After all, based on Xiang Kun's previous guesses and deductions, these items that had established "Super-Sensory Link" and "Emotional Injection" were, to some extent, like terminal devices. At certain times, specific people could use these "devices" to "call upon" some of Xiang Kun's abilities, just like what Liu Shiling had done.

However, Little Chubby Girl said, Xiang Kun also speculated that to achieve this, many necessary conditions would be required, such as gaining his heartfelt approval, and having his own understanding and trust in these items.

The first point is easy to do, but the second point is difficult.

Little Chubby Girl Liu Shiling, a chubby girl who is still in kindergarten and is a very imaginative child, trusts and even admires Xiang Kun. Having witnessed some of his "magic," she is naturally easy to "fool." She easily develops a very complete "magical understanding" in her mind and believes it without a doubt.

But Little Apple is different. Although she has been blind since childhood, she is much older and has her own complete understanding and values. She also has a father who is an associate professor at a university, and she herself is extremely intelligent and knowledgeable. Therefore, it would be difficult to "foole" her using the same methods as with the Little Chubby Girl, unless he directly displays all sorts of "supernatural" special abilities on Xiang Kun, completely exposing himself. Moreover, that might only make Little Apple focus all her attention on him, and still fail to achieve his goal.

Xiang Kun devised several plans, but always felt uncertain about their success. It wasn't until last night, Christmas Eve, when he tried the reverse influence of "second-hand emotions" at Tang Baona's house, that he had a new idea and felt that the chances of success were quite high.

Xiang Kun said to Little Apple, who was holding the Coin, "We can try it out. You can use this Coin as a medium to try and imagine sensing your surroundings through it, listening to birdsong, smelling the grass, and experiencing everything in the park."

Li Yang asked curiously, "How should this be expressed? Is it just through imagination?"

Xiang Kun raised a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture, then whispered, "Little Apple will find her own way."

After saying that, Xiang Kun leaned back against the wooden chair, closed his eyes, and appeared to be sensing his surroundings.

Li Yang couldn't help but find it amusing. He naturally thought that Xiang Kun's so-called "method" was far too frivolous. What attention-seeking? If he hadn't known Xiang Kun for a while, he would have thought he was a charlatan or a lunatic.

However, according to Xiang Kun, feeling the surrounding environment, listening to sounds, and smelling scents are things that Little Apple likes to do normally, so he didn't say anything and quietly sat beside the two of them, who seemed to have entered a "meditation" state.

Li Yang assumed Xiang Kun was also sensing the park's environment, but in reality, his attention was on the CPU-like wooden carving on Little Apple's body. He had used the carving as an example when teaching Little Apple some computer-related knowledge at her home before lunch, and then "casually" put it in his pocket while cooking in the kitchen. He had just left when he suddenly "remembered" it and returned it to Little Apple, so it was now in her pants pocket.

Xiang Kun knew before that when Little Apple focused on perceiving her surroundings, she would naturally enter a special emotional state.

Through the wooden carving CPU that had been "Emotional Injection," Xiang Kun could perceive Little Apple's emotions in real time, and then use this feeling to immerse himself in the same emotion.

After more than twenty minutes, Xiang Kun gradually immersed himself in the same tranquil, peaceful, and slightly joyful mood as Little Apple, through the connection with the CPU Wooden Carving.

This kind of emotion is actually difficult for most people to empathize with or relate to, because this tranquil state without obvious fluctuations does not resemble an emotion with fluctuations. In fact, for most people, it is difficult to call it an emotion, but rather a completely calm state without emotions.

However, Xiang Kun had sensed Little Apple's dreams many times before, and he was very clear about her way of cognition. He also understood Little Apple's desire to merge herself with nature, as if the environment were water and she were a fish. In addition, he had stronger hearing and smell senses than Little Apple, and his perception of the surrounding environment was no worse than Little Apple. So after sensing her emotional changes through the CPU Wooden Carving, he began to gradually immerse himself in the experience until he was also immersed in it.

Once Xiang Kun was immersed in that tranquil state of mind, his "Emotional Assimilation" ability began to affect his surroundings and, in turn, his influence on Little Apple.

Of course, Associate Professor Li Yang, who was already feeling a bit sleepy sitting next to him, was also affected. His drowsiness dissipated, replaced by a sense of peace and tranquility. Although his eyes were closed, he seemed to feel the winter sun become brighter and warmer, the occasional birdsong brought waves of joy, and even the originally chilly wind became very comfortable. The air was filled with a very faint, unidentified floral fragrance, a scent he had never smelled before.

After being influenced by Xiang Kun's "Emotional Assimilation," Little Apple's original emotions were amplified. Under this extremely calm and peaceful emotional state, her senses also became more sensitive.

This sensitivity is different from the sensory enhancement that Xiang Kun; it's more like "software enhancement," eliminating more interference and noise, allowing her to focus more intently on the sounds and smells she wants to hear and smell.

When the three of them finally snapped out of their emotional turmoil, more than an hour had passed without them realizing it. Professor Li Yang looked at Xiang Kun with some surprise, then at his daughter who was still somewhat lost in thought, clutching Coin. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

After a moment, Little Apple exclaimed with some surprise, "Uncle Xiang, I think I've found that feeling of focusing my attention on the Coin that you described. It really seems like I can hear farther than usual!"

It's good that you found it...

Xiang Kun breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't entirely confident of success. Ultimately, all he could do was "guide," "strengthen," and "assist." In essence, it was up to Little Apple to find her own rhythm.

Xiang Kun glanced at the time, smiled, and stood up, saying, "It's probably because your hearing is naturally stronger. An ordinary person probably wouldn't be able to get the feel for it even after a hundred tries. You can start by practicing with Coin, and then try focusing your attention on other things later."

Li Yang, who was standing next to him, wanted to say, "I've found the feeling too," but then he thought that he hadn't focused his attention on anything external before, so maybe the feeling was a little different?

After chatting with Li Yang and Little Apple for a few more minutes, Xiang Kun took his leave with "Gold Glitter" as he needed to go to the station to buy tickets.

The goal has been achieved. Whether Little Apple can form a connection with that Coin like Little Chubby Girl, and what she can gain from that connection, depends on her own fate.

The Coin in Little Apple's hand was naturally the Coin that had established a "Super-Sensory Link" with Xiang Kun. The series of actions just now were intended to make her subconsciously believe that "she could enhance her sensory abilities through this Coin."

Xiang Kun didn't tell Little Apple and Li Yang that the Coin was anything special, nor did he personally show the Coin's special features like he did with Little Chubby Girl. He even deliberately made it look like he had randomly picked it from several coins when he took Coin out.

Because he understood Little Apple, he knew that if he told her the Coin was special or magical, she would only investigate why it was magical, what the reason for its special nature was, and what the underlying principle was. Only by letting her discover and understand the Coin's special nature unconsciously would she be able to "fill in" the corresponding magical details in her mind and gradually come to believe it through trying it out.

Moreover, this way, it would be less likely to offend Professor Li Yang. After all, Little Apple is not Little Chubby Girl still in kindergarten. If he used terms like "magic" or "Lucky Coin," Li Yang would think that Xiang Kun his brain.

He was also certain that Little Apple wouldn't abandon the Coin and use other objects to practice "attaching" her attention, because when she was negatively influenced by Xiang Kun's "Emotional Assimilation," she was trying to attach her attention to the Coin to perceive things. When she uses other objects to attach her attention, it's difficult to get the same level of feedback.

With Gold Glitter on the bus for the return trip, Xiang Kun sat by the window, pretending to sleep, but in his mind he was building a cognitive model of the bus and practicing his new cognitive mode.

After boarding the bus and confirming its model, he had already used his phone to search for various information about the vehicle online. Therefore, he can now more accurately build a cognitive model based on the various sensory information he receives.

Just like how he used to go to coffee shops, subways, and various places whenever he had free time to practice his sensory abilities and how to make his brain subconsciously process the sensory information he received and establish basic judgments, Xiang Kun is now also using every opportunity to practice his ability to build a completely new cognitive model. He keeps trying and training, and after drinking blood, his body will naturally make corresponding evolutions and adjustments.

However, not long after leaving the station, before even getting on the highway, Xiang Kun suddenly realized something, quickly rolled down the window, and looked at the dark clouds in the distance.

"Could you close the window? It's so cold," came the complaints from other passengers nearby.

"Excuse me, I'll close it right away." After closing the car window, Xiang Kun carried the birdcage covered with a cage cover, walked through the aisle to the driver's seat, and told the driver, "Sir, I just remembered that I have something important to do and can't leave yet. Could you please find a place to drop me off up ahead?"

For long-distance buses operating between cities, there's nothing they can't do about such requests, since Xiang Kun isn't asking for a refund or for him to wait.

After driving for a while, the bus slowly pulled over to the side of the road and let Xiang Kun off.

Xiang Kun stared at the gloomy sky in the distance for a while, took out his phone to check the map, and then hailed a taxi, telling the driver the name of a place.

Based on Xiang Kun's intuition, or rather, his speculation based on the cognitive models he built of various environmental factors and the cognitive models of atmospheric electric fields, he believed that a thunderstorm would occur in the city soon.

This weather phenomenon is not common in winter, and since Xiang Kun encountered it, he didn't want to miss it.

Thanks to readers PinsengyeaiyongPiaorou, Sanzhihongmeigui, Taozi001, Pipijiajiajia for the extra chapter, I'm Also an Idiot, Huaxia's strongest whining monster, and 2.0053E+11 for their donations.