I Admire You

April 13th, early morning.

Sunlight streamed through the window into the room, casting mottled shadows. Eight or nine empty bottles lay scattered across the floor.

In one night, Tang Jian had directly consumed 3,900 points of energy, raising his vitality from 8.5 to 9.5.

At the same time, he had spent another 1,100 energy points to raise his card energy to its limit of 95 points, and 200 energy points to raise his mental strength to its limit of 10 points.

In a single night, the Red Card Cheater alone had consumed 5,200 energy points, while seven bottles of Nutritional Express, including two bottles of Low-Grade Nutrient Solution, had also been squandered by Tang Jian.

The energy stored in the Red Card Cheater had instantly fallen to just 7,760 points.

Still, Tang Jian's strength had improved remarkably overnight.

His card energy was already approaching the 100-point mark. Just as he had bragged to Tang Yueyue yesterday, it was almost at 100.

Such rapid improvement was gratifying, but the expense was no small matter. Counting the nutrient solutions and consumed energy, it had already cost more than ten thousand.

Yet compared with the cost-effectiveness of ordinary people taking Solar Energy Potions, the Red Card Cheater was clearly far cheaper and more straightforward.

Whoosh, whoosh—

Tang Jian sprang out of bed, threw a punch that cut through the air with a fierce gust, then flipped over and kicked out.

With a bang, he accidentally smashed the wooden corner of the bedframe to pieces, scattering wood chips everywhere.

Tang Jian felt a sharp pain across the top of his foot and jumped in alarm, quickly lowering his head to inspect it.

The skin on his foot was only a little red, with a slight scrape on the surface. There was not even a trace of blood, and the pain quickly faded.

He breathed a sigh of relief, then felt his spirits soar.

"Although this body's constitution is still a little weak right now, it's already impressive among high school students. It's now roughly at the top standard of a first-level athlete from the old era, and its bones and flesh are a little stronger when it comes to taking hits."

Tang Jian rolled his wrists, familiarizing himself with his rapidly enhanced physical strength.

Since he had been a Three-Star Card Master in his previous life and his vitality had long surpassed four digits, this little bit of strength was easy enough for him to control after some adjustment.

This was also his advantage. So long as he had not yet become a Three-Star Card Master, soaring strength would hardly affect his foundation at all. He did not need to worry about gaining power too quickly and being unable to control it.

What troubled him instead was the lack of resources. His strength was too weak to keep up with his awareness, so most of the time, he preferred playing the pig to eat the tiger, acting weak for show.

"Looks like I need to keep making money and gathering resources. It'd be great if someone invested in me."

Tang Jian looked at the bottles littering the floor and scratched his head. Sun Yiying's lovely figure flashed through his mind.

As long as you're bold enough, your teacher can take maternity leave!

She had kept inviting him over to her house. Maybe one day, he should just go along with it?

"Damn it!" Tang Jian hurriedly banished the unhealthy thought that had tainted his pure heart.

"Bro, when you come back from the city, remember to bring me a gift. I want a Barbie Doll Card."

"How old are you, still playing with Barbie dolls? Are you three?"

"Asshole! You made tens of thousands, and you can't even satisfy me with one Barbie Doll Card? If you give me a gift, I can help you look around."

"You little brat really need a spanking. Behave yourself. When I get back, I'll make one for you."

"What? You can make Barbie Doll Cards?"

"What can't your brother do?" Tang Jian wore an expression of utter superiority, rubbed Tang Yueyue's head, then waved and ran off beneath her skeptical gaze.

"You take the bus yourself. I'm leaving first."

"Don't forget."

Tang Yueyue called after Tang Jian and waved. Then she looked at the gradually approaching bus, pursed her lips, and looked again at Tang Jian's retreating figure. For some reason, she suddenly felt reluctant to see him go, and a little aggrieved.

Ever since they were little, Tang Jian had basically argued and messed around with her at home every day. The two rarely spent long periods apart.

Tang Jian was going away for more than a month this time. Before he left, she had not felt much, but now that he was really gone, Tang Yueyue felt upset instead.

"Bro, come back early. There have been so many lunatics in the city lately. If you don't come back, your precious little sister might get taken away."

After shaking off the headache-inducing Tang Yueyue, Tang Jian took just over seven minutes to run quickly to the school.

A luxurious double-decker coach was parked on the school field.

When Tang Jian arrived, he found that quite a few people were already there. Some school leaders and teachers were gathered together, chatting.

The students had formed little clusters here and there. Some were still gnawing on corn, while others slurped down fragrant ramen, chewing tender and delicious braised beef sprinkled with scallions.

When they saw Tang Jian walking over with his backpack, many gazes immediately turned toward him in unison. Even Vice Principal Zhou Dongbo, who was talking with several teachers nearby, glanced at him from afar with a smile in his eyes.

Clearly, Tang Jian's performance yesterday had completely made him the center of attention at school.

An unknown student from an ordinary class had, in a single day, crushed every student from the Rocket Class and taken first place in the Interstellar Tower assessment.

Of course, that did not mean Tang Jian was necessarily stronger than top Rocket Class students like Wu Chun. But it at least showed that Tang Jian's potential was no weaker than theirs—perhaps even a little greater.

That was rather astonishing.

"Let me introduce myself again. I'm Wu Chun. We met yesterday, but I never expected Class 12 of Senior Year Three to have a big fish like you."

Before Tang Jian could walk over to Yang Mao and the others, Wu Chun, with his triangular eyes and close-cropped hair, came over and extended a hand to Tang Jian, smiling.

Tang Jian glanced at his palm, reached out, and casually smiled. "Fine, let's get acquainted. But I'm no big fish. I've long heard of your great reputation, Wu Chun."

A smile immediately appeared on Wu Chun's face, but inwardly, his wariness lessened and was replaced by a measure of disdain.

It seemed his name carried quite a bit of weight at school. Tang Jian might have been in the limelight yesterday, but the moment Wu Chun personally came over, he had immediately backed down.

With that thought in mind, Wu Chun clasped Tang Jian's hand and suddenly squeezed hard, a trace of mockery flashing deep in his eyes.

With my vitality of 12, you dare shake hands with me? Today, I'll make you embarrass yourself in front of everyone!

His move was extremely subtle, yet vicious.

The instant his palm exerted force, the thick muscles in his forearm tensed sharply, like steel bars twisted together.

Yet almost immediately, a stabbing pain shot up from the pressure point in the web between his thumb and forefinger.

Wu Chun nearly cried out from the pain. The cry that reached his lips instantly became a muffled grunt. As his expression changed slightly, Tang Jian curled back the little finger pressing against the pressure point, then took advantage of the brief slackening of Wu Chun's grip to smoothly withdraw his own hand without leaving a trace.

"What's wrong, Brother Wu? Your complexion looks a little off."

Tang Jian blinked, staring earnestly and doubtfully at Wu Chun's ugly expression.

Anger flashed through Wu Chun's eyes, but when he noticed the gazes from Wang Ba and the others nearby, his expression eased. He withdrew his somewhat numb and unnatural hand, smiled at Tang Jian, and nodded. "It's nothing. You're very good. Very impressive."

Tang Jian immediately broke into a delighted smile and scratched his head. "Brother Wu, don't praise me like that. You're the impressive one. I've always admired you."

"Admire my ass!" Wu Chun nearly cursed aloud. He shoved his still stiff and numb hand into his pocket and immediately turned to leave.

"Tsk, that doesn't sound like that bastard at all. Why was he so cowardly today? He even said he admired Wu Chun?"

Not far away, Yang Mao looked at Tang Jian's beaming face in surprise.

Liu Kun's eyelids twitched. He glanced at Wu Chun's hand tucked in his pocket and his abnormal complexion, his eyes filled with suspicion. "Could Tang Jian be gay? Did he just take advantage of Wu Chun?"