Chapter 68: Lin Zhen Falls Ill (Requesting Follow-Up)

Another day passed, and mid-November arrived across the nation.

Tianhai City began to enter winter, the weather turning chilly.

For ordinary people, it meant adding one more layer of clothing for warmth.

For strong, healthy students, there was no real difference between spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

At noon, outside No. 2 High School.

Lin Qi quickly signed on his tablet and took the brown delivery box from the courier.

This delivery was a small box; he carried it swiftly back to his martial arts room.

Opening the box revealed another black metal container, but without a password.

Pressing the button, it opened automatically—inside lay a simulated arm, its skin texture and flesh-toned surface appearing utterly lifelike.

Lin Qi took it out, felt it, and nodded: “No wonder I spent 300,000 on this prosthetic—it’s clearly exceptional.”

“Dad will love it.”

As soon as the top-tier genius loan hit his account, he ordered the prosthetic online.

Prosthetics never come cheap; Lin Qi’s father, Lin Zhen, had bought only the most basic, cheapest model—50,000 Xia Nation credits.

It could only assist Lin Zhen with basic movement, but offered poor breathability and comfort.

Overexertion risked infection and hindered recovery.

But this one was custom-made: expensive, yet comfortable to use.

It was the gift he prepared for his father.

…

Nightfall.

As soon as evening self-study ended, Lin Qi rode his bicycle, the metal box tied to the rear rack, slicing through the cold night wind like lightning toward home.

Rongshan Community, Building 4, Unit 301.

“Click!”

He turned the key and opened the door.

Lin Qi entered carrying the metal box, but the oppressive atmosphere inside made him sense something was wrong.

In the living room, three figures sat at the table eating; the aroma of food and beer filled the air.

His parents and Uncle Fang Zhe were drinking and eating as usual.

Father Lin Zhen smiled: “Xiao Qi’s back!”

Mother Fang Huiyi forced a smile, her eyes red.

Uncle Fang Zhe smiled, staring at Lin Qi—internally astonished by how much he had changed.

He had grown taller and bulkier, radiating an aura that even this third-rank martial artist felt a hint of pressure from.

Lin Qi, with his sharp perception, sensed something unusual; he placed the metal box on the sofa and sat down.

“Dad, Uncle, why did you come back suddenly?”

Lin Qi asked curiously—weren’t they supposed to return only in late December, after his final exam?

Why had they come back a month early?

A bad feeling stirred in him; he studied the three, and quickly spotted the key detail—his father Lin Zhen’s left sleeve hung limp.

“Dad, where’s your prosthetic?”

The three exchanged glances; Uncle Fang Zhe sighed first:

“Xiao Qi, we won’t hide it from you.”

“Your father had an accident at Linhai Base—just a few days ago, while we were working together…”

Uncle Fang Zhe explained the full story.

As Lin Qi listened, his brow furrowed; he looked at his father—Lin Zhen looked exhausted, aged further.

“Uncle, you’re saying Dad collapsed from overwork and exhaustion while carving meat, and a massive beast carcass fell on him, destroying his prosthetic?”

Uncle Fang Zhe nodded: “Exactly.”

Mother Fang Huiyi spoke up reproachfully: “Thank goodness it was the left arm. That steel-armored rhino’s leg weighed over a ton—if it had hit the right arm, he’d have needed another amputation.”

Lin Zhen scratched his head with his right hand, then sighed, ashamed:

“I took the meat-carving job hoping to earn more, but now this happened—my prosthetic’s ruined, and the medical bills alone cost 150,000.”

“Even with partial reimbursement from my supervisor and your family card, the cost was still this high—otherwise, it would’ve been worse.”

Lin Qi calculated internally: meat-carving did pay well—his father had earned 300,000 Xia Nation credits in just two months.

But the job was brutal; Lin Zhen’s body had collapsed under the strain.

Uncle Fang Zhe continued:

“At the hospital, we found out your father’s body was already worn down from chronic overwork—he had problems everywhere.”

“Treatment only addressed the infection in his right arm and superficial injuries.”

“Other issues: lumbar muscle strain from muscle damage, myofasciitis…”

“Cervical spondylosis, shoulder periarthritis from skeletal damage…” He listed a long string of minor ailments.

Lin Qi inwardly gasped—so many illnesses; his father was practically drowning in them. How had he even endured this long?

“So from now on, your father needs rest. With today’s technology and martial arts advancements, many illnesses can be cured,” Uncle Fang Zhe said.

Lin Qi nodded, stood up, picked up the metal box from the sofa, opened it, and took out the new prosthetic.

He handed it to his father Lin Zhen and said:

“Dad, this is the new prosthetic I bought for you.”

“For now, stay home and focus on recovering. I’ve got several million on me—I can fully heal you.”

Lin Zhen stared at Lin Qi, stunned—he’d been too guilty to notice earlier.

Now, looking closely, his son had changed beyond recognition.

His face had matured, inheriting Fang Huiyi’s features, now colder, more handsome, his gaze bright and deep.

Once lean, he was now tall and powerfully built—easily over 1.85 meters, his muscles radiating explosive strength.

!

Was this really his son?

Video calls hadn’t prepared him—now,

He mechanically took the new prosthetic and slowly attached it to his left arm.

He swung his arm—then his eyes lit up.

“Great breathability, very comfortable, much more flexible.”

“How much did this prosthetic cost?” Lin Zhen swung his arm, a rare smile breaking through.

“Three hundred thousand Xia Nation credits,” Lin Qi replied.

Lin Zhen: …

…

Moments later, Uncle Fang Zhe left.

He had returned only to bring Lin Zhen home and no longer intended to continue as a meat-carver.

The family now had Lin Qi’s repayment, plus his own savings—enough to cover household expenses.

In the living room, Lin Qi was gone; Fang Huiyi and Lin Zhen were tidying up.

“Little Qi has become truly capable now,” Lin Zhen remarked with a smile.

“You probably don’t know—he’s already in the top ten of his grade, nearly top hundred in Tianhai City,” Fang Huiyi added proudly.

Lin Zhen stared blankly:

“Is this really our son?”

“Of course it is. Our Xiao Qi has always been outstanding—this is only natural.”

“We’re not short on money now. Just rest well—you don’t need to work so hard anymore,” Fang Huiyi smiled.

“You’re right,” Lin Zhen nodded.

…

In the bedroom.

Lin Qi didn’t sleep; seeing it was still early, he took a bottle of energy tonic and stood in a martial stance.

His mind surfaced his father Lin Zhen’s face—his hair had turned much grayer since returning.

Years without adequate resources had drained his blood qi, regressing him to the second realm.

Combined with chronic overwork, he’d fallen into illness.

In his past life, Lin Qi had been a corporate drone, constantly overworked, suffering from lumbar muscle strain, cervical spondylosis, and shoulder periarthritis.

The pain was unbearable—and Lin Zhen endured far worse, for years.

It shook Lin Qi deeply.

“Now is the Martial Era—technology is advanced, many medicines can cure muscle damage and similar ailments.”

“I have money. Dad’s body can be fully restored.”

Lin Qi calculated: Lin Zhen’s body could be healed—but he wasn’t satisfied.

He wanted his father to be completely healthy, to regrow his left arm.

And he knew of one medicine that could regenerate limbs—Regeneration Water.

A top-tier elixir from Blue Planet—each bottle costs 50 million Xia Nation credits.

I’m too poor right now; I must become stronger and demonstrate greater talent.

Lin Qi’s gaze grew resolute.

……

(End of Chapter)