Zongman: My Smart Group

Yukino Yukinoshita: "Thank you, Hiratsuka-sensei. You don't need to trouble yourself. I can pay for it myself."

Hiratsuka Shizuka: "Don't be so polite with me, I'm leaving."

Looking at the bento box on the table, Lin Mo, in the spirit of not wasting food, said, "Yukinoshita, since you're not going to eat your bento, can I have it? After all, we shouldn't waste food. I don't mind that it's cold."

Upon hearing this, Yukino Yukinoshita blushed and quickly refused, "No!"

Then she stepped forward, picked up the bento box, and turned to walk towards the classroom: "Hiratsuka Shizuka-sensei, you guys go ahead, I'll be there in a bit."

Lin Mo asked in confusion, "What's wrong with her?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka, with a look of approval, said, "Not bad, kid. You've got your eye on Yukinoshita?"

Lin Mo: "Me? I'm interested in her?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka: "Yeah, otherwise why would you eat his bento? Haha, it's like an indirect kiss! You're really bold!"

Lin Mo then realized that his words could be interpreted in this way, and said somewhat speechlessly, "Hiratsuka-sensei, I really didn't have that thought. I just didn't want to waste food. How can we talk about love when we can't even fill our stomachs!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka leaned closer, a knowing look on her face, and said, "Yukinoshita is a rich woman after all, so when..."

Lin Mo couldn't help but say speechlessly, "I really don't understand why you, a single dog, are so worried about other people's affairs."

Hiratsuka Shizuka's expression changed, and she gently placed her hand on Lin Mo's shoulder, saying kindly, "Say that again, you brat!"

Lin Mo gave her a strange look, but still granted her request: "I said you're a single dog all by yourself..."

Hiratsuka Shizuka's expression changed drastically. She grabbed his throat with her left arm and said through gritted teeth, "Shut up!"

Lin Mo quickly patted Hiratsuka Shizuka three times, indicating that he was admitting defeat.

Hiratsuka Shizuka released her grip and said irritably, "Watch your mouth! Don't you know what 'the mouth makes you sick' means? Do you think I don't want a boyfriend? You know how many of my friends are getting married so early..."

Lin Mo: "Stop! I have absolutely no interest in your romantic history, teacher. Right now, I just want to fill my stomach, okay?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka scoffed and said, "What a spoilsport. You'll never find a girlfriend if you keep acting like this."

Lin Mo: "Survival is always the first priority. I'm starving to death, what's the point of talking about love? Let's eat!"

In the cafeteria, Hiratsuka Shizuka and Yukino Yukinoshita stared at Lin Mo in shock. He had already eaten five servings and was still eating!

Yukino Yukinoshita quickly went over to stop him, anxiously saying, "Come to the hospital right now! A normal person's stomach can't hold that much food! You'll die from overeating!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka also realized what was happening at that moment, snatched the chopsticks from Lin Mo's hand, and said with unusual seriousness, "Yukinoshita! Call an ambulance immediately!"

Lin Mo was completely bewildered. He didn't think he had eaten much. He was only about 7% full. It couldn't be that serious, could it?

He quickly swallowed the food in his mouth and explained, "No need, I'm naturally able to eat that much, my stomach won't burst at all. You can see for yourselves, I can still eat!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka did not believe Lin Mo's explanation. In her eyes, it was highly likely that something went wrong when Lin Mo hit his head, which caused him to keep eating even though he had eaten a lot.

This is an illness! It needs to be treated!

And so, Lin Mo, completely bewildered, went back to the hospital.

………………

System: "Hahaha! Host, why are you at the hospital again? Do you like the environment here?"

Lin Mo: "Climb!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka: "Doctor, how is the situation?"

Dr. Jujiang: "Are you sure you didn't see wrong? After my examination, I found that Lin Mo's stomach is almost completely digested."

Yukino Yukinoshita exclaimed in shock, "What! This is not scientific!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka: "I watched him eat enough for seven people, and it's only been a short time, yet he's almost digested it all?"

Lin Mo smiled and waved, saying, "We meet again, Dr. Kikue."

Dr. Kikue also smiled and said, "Indeed, Lin Mo, did you really eat that much?"

Lin Mo: "I said it from the beginning, I have a big appetite."

Dr. Kikue pushed up his glasses and said with a smile, "So that's how it is. I thought you were joking. You don't need to worry. Although he ate a little more than others, it has all been digested by his body. There's nothing serious about it."

Yukino Yukinoshita breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it wasn't an illness, otherwise she would have felt guilty for the rest of her life. Wait! Lin Mo just said "long time no see" to Dr. Kikue? Does that mean Lin Mo is recuperating at this hospital?

Yukino Yukinoshita quickly looked at Dr. Kikue and found that his attention was fixed on Lin Mo, his eyes slightly narrowed, as if he was thinking about something.

Hiratsuka Shizuka said nonchalantly, "Thank goodness it was a false alarm. It really scared me to death! You can really eat so much!"

Lin Mo raised his head and said proudly, "Of course! Go out and ask around, I'm known in the martial arts world as the Jade-Faced Young Master Who Can Eat Anything!"

Yukino Yukinoshita said, "Since there's nothing else, we should head back. Hiratsuka-sensei, may I ask for leave? So much happened today, I'd like to go back and rest."

Now that they know Lin Mo received treatment here and even met the attending physician, they certainly couldn't let such a good opportunity slip by! They had to find out as soon as possible what had happened to Lin Mo!

Hiratsuka Shizuka agreed without hesitation: "Of course, a lot has happened today."

After saying that, he looked helplessly at Lin Mo. It was all this kid's fault that he had caused trouble. He had scared him twice in one day. He had something to brag about.

Chapter 18 House of Evolution

At the hospital entrance, Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at Lin Mo and said, "You caused such a commotion at school today. I bet you'll be bothered by all sorts of people when you get back. Are you going straight home or going back to school?"

Lin Mo thought for a moment and said, "Let's go home and buy a pen on the way."

Hiratsuka Shizuka: "Okay, how far is your house from here? Do you need me to give you a ride?"

Lin Mo: "Xiaodu, Xiaodu! Turn on the navigation."

System: "I'm a check-in system! Not a navigation system, hey!"

That's what she said, but the system still obediently turned on navigation, after all, it was one of her few functions.

After glancing at the map, Lin Mo replied, "It's quite far from my home, thank you for your help, Hiratsuka-sensei."

Hiratsuka Shizuka: "No trouble at all. I'm relieved you're alright. Take a taxi back to school first; my car is still there. What about Yukinoshita? Should I take you home too?"

Yukino Yukinoshita shook her head and said, "No need, I can take a taxi back by myself."

After waiting a while, Hiratsuka Shizuka took Lin Mo back to school first, while Yukino Yukinoshita took a deep breath, turned around and went back into the hospital.

In the office, Dr. Kikue was reviewing Lin Mo's file again, occasionally exclaiming in amazement, "The mysteries of the human body are truly boundless! I thought it was already exaggerated enough that Lin Mo's physical fitness would gradually improve every day, but I never expected him to be able to eat so much food and absorb it so quickly. Could it be that he converts food into energy to enhance his body? If that's the case, then wouldn't that mean his body is getting stronger even faster! Interesting, truly fascinating!"

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Dr. Kikue tidied up her documents and said, "Come in."

The visitor was Yukino Yukinoshita: "I apologize for disturbing you, Dr. Kikue."

Dr. Kikue pushed up her glasses and said with a smile, "No, not really. I'm usually quite free. Ms. Yukinoshita, may I ask what brings you here?"

Yukino Yukinoshita cut to the chase, saying, "Lin Mo has been receiving treatment under your care these past few days, hasn't he?"

Dr. Kikue: "That's right, I took care of him for a week, and I know his condition better than anyone else."

Yukino Yukinoshita took a deep breath and said with a firm gaze, "I want to know the specific extent of Lin Mo's injuries after he was knocked down. Did he... damage his brain?"

Dr. Kikue: "Ms. Yukinoshita, there are hospital regulations that prohibit the disclosure of patient information."

Yukino Yukinoshita calmly said, "Putting aside the fact that Lin Mo was taken to the hospital in my family's car and that my family paid for the medical expenses, I think I have the right to know about this."

Dr. Kikue laughed and said, "Ha, that's right. Since that's the case, let me explain it to you in detail. Let me answer your first question first. Lin Mo did indeed have brain damage from the accident. Your sister should know this better than you do. She investigated Lin Mo's previous records, and all the records show that Lin Mo was an ordinary, normal person before."

Yukino Yukinoshita's pupils contracted sharply, a bad premonition creeping into her heart. She asked in a trembling voice, "What's the situation? Is there any possibility of a cure?"

Dr. Kikue shook his head and said, "There is almost no chance of a cure. We detected an abnormal shadow in his brain, which caused compression of his brain nerves and even affected his IQ."

Yukino Yukinoshita clenched her fists tightly. The news was almost suffocating her. She should have realized long ago that Lin Mo's various crazy actions were not within the scope of a normal person. It must be because of that car accident that he became like this!

In other words, he was the culprit who caused Lin Mo to become like this! He was the one who ruined Lin Mo's life!

What should I do?

I'm so sorry! I'm really sorry!

Yukino Yukinoshita held back her tears, bowed slightly, and said, "Thank you, Dr. Kikue, for the information. I have some things to attend to, so I'll take my leave now!"

After watching Yukino Yukinoshita leave, Dr. Kikue dialed Yukino Haruno's number a while later: "Miss Haruno, it's been a long time."

Yukino Yukinoshita: "Didn't we just see each other yesterday? What do you want? Is there a cure for Lin Mo's illness?"

Dr. Kikue: "As I said before, Ms. Haruno, with current medical technology, there is almost no chance of curing Lin Mo's illness. Let's put this topic aside for now. I called you to tell you something else. Just now, your sister, Yukino Yukinoshita, came over and asked about Lin Mo's condition."

Upon hearing this news, Yukino Yukinoshita's expression immediately turned cold, and she said in a chilling voice, "You told him?"

Dr. Kikue said helplessly, "Her reasons are reasonable, and with the behemoth Yukinoshita behind her, how could a small doctor like me dare to go against her?"

Yukinoshita: "Heh~ I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now."

Dr. Kikue: "It's nothing serious. I wish you all the best."

Yukino Yukinoshita hung up the phone immediately. She didn't have time to argue with Kikue right now. She had to get to Yukino's side as soon as possible to help her understand her sister. She was afraid Yukino would start to get stuck on her own thoughts again.

Looking at the phone that had been hung up, Kikue smiled and then dialed another number: "Father, could you help me contact the House of Evolution? I have some experimental materials that I believe they would be interested in."

………………

After some time, Hiratsuka Shizuka drove her red sports car and took Lin Mo home.

Lin Mo: "Thank you so much, Hiratsuka-sensei! You not only treated me to dinner but also took me home. You're such a kind person."

Hiratsuka Shizuka said unhappily, "Thank you!"

Lin Mo: "You're welcome. I'll head home now. Goodbye!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka got out of the car and said, "Why are you in such a hurry? Won't you invite me up for a seat?"

Lin Mo: "If you want to come, that's fine, but make it clear first. My house is very clean, and I don't have anything to offer you."

Hiratsuka Shizuka said with a smile, "I really have to see just how clean it is."

Lin Mo's home is a 90-square-meter room with two bedrooms, a kitchen, a toilet, and a living room. It is not decorated and looks very clean.

Hiratsuka Shizuka: "It's cleaned up quite well, there's not a single piece of trash."

Lin Mo went into the kitchen, wanting to find a cup to fill with tap water. Because he was unfamiliar with the area, he couldn't find one after searching for a long time, so he had to take two bowls to fill with water.

During this time, Hiratsuka Shizuka carefully looked around. Although she knew Lin Mo's life was very poor, she didn't expect that the house was so poor that it wasn't even decorated. There was no television, no water dispenser, not even a sofa for guests to sit on, let alone any decorative potted plants. It was like a bare shell.

Hiratsuka Shizuka stood in the middle of the living room and noticed that the bedroom door was not closed. If she took a few steps forward, she could clearly see the scene inside.

Hiratsuka Shizuka couldn't help but become interested. This was his first time entering a boy's house, so why was he a little excited?

A mischievous smile played on her lips as she took two steps forward. When she saw the scene inside, disbelief flashed in her eyes!

At this moment, Lin Mo walked over with two bowls of water and said, "Hiratsuka-sensei, please have some water."

Hiratsuka Shizuka: "Huh? Oh! Thank you."

Hiratsuka Shizuka quickly took the bowl from Lin Mo's hand and subconsciously took a sip; it tasted just like tap water.

Lin Mo: "It's tap water, as long as you don't mind."

Hiratsuka Shizuka then realized that she was holding a bowl, not a water glass. Thinking back to the bedroom she had just seen, her eyes were filled with heartache as she looked at Lin Mo.

Hiratsuka Shizuka stepped forward and hugged Lin Mo, pressing his head against her chest, and said with a loving expression, "It must be tiring to be alone."

"???"

Lin Mo: What the hell? Why did Hiratsuka Shizuka suddenly say something like that with that expression? Also, can you please let go of me? I'm suffocating!

........................

P.S.: To clarify, the House of Evolution isn't as overpowered as in One-Punch Man; it just possesses some biotechnology and serves as an early-game boss for transition.

Chapter 19 Fate plays tricks on people

Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes were filled with heartache. She had just peeked into Lin Mo's bedroom through the crack in the door: a single bed, a table and chairs, and nothing else.

There wasn't even a bed sheet, just a thin mattress! It's unimaginable how he's managed all these years, how much suffering he's endured! Now he's even damaged his brain. It's true what they say, misfortune always finds its weakest point!

Lin Mo struggled free from Hiratsuka Shizuka's embrace, panting as he said, "Why did you suddenly hug me? Do you want an old cow to eat young grass?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka was slightly taken aback, carefully examining Lin Mo's rather handsome face, and thought to herself that it might not be a bad idea.

Lin Mo shuddered. Seeing that Hiratsuka Shizuka seemed to really want to do this, he quickly changed the subject and said, "Hiratsuka-sensei, you've seen my house and had your water. It's getting late, you should go home now."

Hiratsuka Shizuka said helplessly, "I'm not some monster, why are you trying to get rid of me so quickly? Besides... never mind, since you've already asked, I won't bother you anymore. You have class tomorrow, remember to get some rest today."