Daily tasks

As dawn broke the next morning, the edge of the sun peeked over the horizon. Golden light spilled down, illuminating the earth, and Bai Yu slowly opened his eyes.

The moment he opened them, he saw a pair of bright, alert eyes looking at him with a hint of disdain. A hand then tapped him lightly on the head, very lightly.

"You're supposed to be the big brother, yet you make your adorable little sister cook breakfast every day. Don't you feel even a little guilty?"

Xiate spoke in a flat tone. She was wearing an apron, but it was spotless.

Yeah, Xiate really likes keeping things clean, Bai Yu thought.

"Yaaawn... The old man's place won't open for a while yet. Don't be in such a hurry."

There was deep exhaustion in Bai Yu's eyes, but he narrowed them slightly, hiding his gaze and making him look a little dazed as he stretched hard.

Xiate pursed her lips slightly and tossed him the clothes in her hands.

"Hurry up and get dressed. Breakfast is ready."

"Hehe, thanks, Little Xi."

Xiate gave a soft huff, then turned and left the room.

Before Bai Yu was a window that only he could see.

[Personal stats:

Strength: 65.7 (increased by 0.1)

Stamina: 75.4 (increased by 0.1)

Speed: 76.1 (increased by 0.1)

Mental reaction speed: 120.6 (increased by 0.001)]

(The average for an ordinary person is around 50, while trained individuals range from 65-75. Reaction speed is largely innate and very difficult to improve.)

[Today's tasks:

1. Eat breakfast on time.

Reward: Four hours in the training ground.

2. Clock in at the restaurant.

Reward: A middle school physics textbook.

3. Eat lunch on time.

Reward: Four hours in the training ground.

4. Sleep for a full hour during your lunch break.

Reward: An ordinary dagger.

5. Eat dinner on time.

Reward: Four hours in the training ground.

6. Go to bed on time.

Reward: One random book.

7. Sleep for a total of 15 hours in one day.

Reward: Random]

Well, the system's tasks were very healthy, and there were no penalties for failing to complete them. Besides, the definition of eating "on time" was vague, without any specific times. As long as he didn't leave it too late, he could pretty much always complete them.

He could also fulfill the fifteen-hour sleep requirement while entering the training ground to train in his sleep. That was very accommodating.

Ah, come to think of it, I'm so tired. Mentally.

Bai Yu dressed rather slowly. Last night, he had trained with the Omni-Directional Mobility Gear, practiced hand-to-hand combat and firearms, and trained in armed combat as well.

He knew these skills would be useful in the future, but why push himself so hard? All night, there had been waves of tearing pain and the seemingly eternal haze of death. Yet Bai Yu didn't dwell on that question. They would be useful eventually, after all. His way of thinking was casual, and his peculiar personality let him keep going for the most offhand reasons.

Bai Yu liked being that way. He said it made him happy enough. What a strange person.

Once he had dressed and washed up at the sink, he finally came to the table.

A fried egg, a piece of bread, and a bowl of porridge-a perfectly ordinary breakfast. Xiate hadn't eaten porridge before, but Bai Yu liked it.

"My teeth aren't great. Softer food suits me better."

That was what he had said back then.

Still a little dazed, Bai Yu sat down and began eating somewhat absentmindedly. Across from him, Xiate offered a dry comment.

"Why does my big brother still look like he hasn't had enough sleep when he slept for ages yesterday afternoon, went to bed before ten last night, and got up so late this morning?"

At her words, pride immediately appeared on Bai Yu's face.

"What do you call that? A natural gift!"

"Is that really something to be proud of?"

But Bai Yu seemed to live by the principle that as long as he wasn't embarrassed, everyone else would be. He kept eating with a proud expression and said,

"Hurry up and eat. If we're late, Sister Shi might tell us off."

"You know she'll tell us off, yet you still get up so late."

Xiate spoke quietly, but said nothing more and began eating her breakfast too.

As she ate, however, Xiate kept glancing at Bai Yu. She really liked watching him, but if he asked her why, it would go something like this.

Bai Yu swallowed a mouthful of porridge and looked at Xiate, who was staring at him, then asked in mild confusion,

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. You just look so happy eating that I'm wondering whether I should make tomorrow's food taste worse."

"There's really no need."

Well

", Lady Xiate."

"Hmph."

Xiate gave another soft huff, but she still watched Bai Yu happily eating in front of her. Her gaze held deep dependence, very deep dependence.

After breakfast, Bai Yu saw that it was almost time to leave and was about to clear away the dishes when Xiate stopped him.

"Just sit there quietly, Bai Yu, and watch your poor little sister clean up."

She immediately gathered the dishes from the table, giving Bai Yu no chance to help. He could only yawn and remain seated, propping his head on one hand as he watched Xiate bustle about.

As though sensing his gaze, Xiate looked at Bai Yu too. Their eyes met, but she hurriedly turned her gaze to the table in front of her.

A little later, she couldn't resist looking at Bai Yu again. Finding that he was still watching her, she looked away once more. She said nothing, keeping her head slightly lowered as her face reddened.

"What are you doing?"

Xiate forced herself to sound composed. Although her tone was flat, it trembled slightly.

Bai Yu rested his head on his hand, sighed, and answered wistfully.

"Ah, looking at Xiate now reminds me of the Xiate who used to follow me around, calling me big brother over and over."

Her brow rose slightly. Just as she was about to say something, Bai Yu continued.

"Of course, it's true that Xiate just keeps getting cuter."

Those words stopped whatever Xiate had been about to say. Flustered, she lowered her head, still murmuring under her breath.

"Cute..."

Bai Yu looked rather pleased with himself as he watched his little sister grow shy. This was his little act of "revenge."

It was childish, but really, that was simply his true nature.

He had been deeply repressed in his previous life. After coming to this world, Bai Yu had finally shown his true colors.

In the end, thanks to Bai Yu, the two of them were still late for work and got a scolding from Sister Shi. Of course, she didn't dock their pay. She was simply a little exasperated with them.