Chapter 73: Chapter Seventy-Two: Three Lumps

The completion of the water diversion project meant that one of Qiming's major crucial living necessities was resolved.

And according to the rules originally set, coincidentally now is exactly the time to convene the second Qiming general assembly.

Chen Mu specially made an oval conference table for this purpose.

Chairs had existed before, but they were only the crudest stools; strictly speaking, they were just plastic stools. This time, Chen Mu also put some thought into making each person a chair with a backrest.

Although still a bit ugly, after all one can tell at a glance that it is a chair.

Moreover, nameplates with the twelve people's names were placed one by one in front of each person.

The master of ceremonies and logistics guarantor, Miss Du Jia Jia, also brewed a cup of tea for each person; of course, it was just plain water, slightly heated, not even daring to boil it.

At this simple yet solemn meeting, the Chief Decision Officer of the Qiming Organization, Ms. Dong Junwei, delivered the opening remarks, first affirming the achievements everyone had made over the past seven days; the water diversion project, a work beneficial to the present and future generations, would certainly be recorded in the annals of the new era of humanity.

Subsequently, she also looked ahead to the future, expressed her confidence, and incidentally encouraged everyone.

Although only a few short paragraphs, the words were sincere and resonant.

After speaking, the attendees collectively applauded to show thanks.

Next, according to rank, each person took turns speaking.

The content was roughly the same—nothing more than expressing feelings since the apocalypse, contrasting the previous panic and despair, how precious current days are, expressing gratitude to the organization, and looking forward to future life and work.

Everything was that formal and solemn—except Wei Dalei laughed during his speech.

No matter how you say it.

Ceremonial affairs, although having no practical use, can provide great psychological comfort, just as He Ying needs to use daily morning exercises to remind herself of the meaning of survival; such meetings can, to some extent, let everyone quickly return to a normal life rhythm, alleviating the sense of despair under the apocalypse.

The meeting was very brief.

The actual matters discussed were not many, just roughly discussing a feasible plan for sealing door gaps.

Of course, Tang Jing had already discussed this with Chen Mu earlier; basically it was already decided, but procedurally everyone still needed to discuss it.

After the meeting.

Everyone dispersed.

Because they had been working continuously for seven days before, today counts as a day off, and everyone rests for one day.

Chen Mu continued according to his own rhythm, increasing his training a little each day to keep up with the growth of his mental power.

During the noon rest.

Chang Junyan walked over with a mysterious, suspicious look, speaking with a tone of seeking credit: 'Chen Mu, I feel my ability has also strengthened.'

Oh?

Chen Mu originally intended to take a nap, but hearing him say that, he also became interested.

In the initial period, he and Tang Jing also specifically discussed the abilities of Zhu Hao and Chang Junyan.

Speaking from intuition.

It's hard to believe that awakened abilities could differ so much between people.

He and Tang Jing were quite convinced that Zhu Hao's and Chang Junyan's abilities must have some use, just not yet discovered, or their abilities are not strong enough to produce a qualitative change.

But day after day.

These two fellows made no progress at all.

Although Chen Mu had selflessly imparted all his insights on training special abilities to them, it still did not help.

He and Tang Jing once had doubts.

Perhaps some abilities are truly just pure silliness.

Therefore.

When Chang Junyan came to him with a mysterious expression, Chen Mu's spirit was shaken; he was practically happier than his own special ability growth.

'Which aspect has strengthened?'

'Before, I could only grow one lump on my body, right?'

'Right.'

'Now I can grow three!' Chang Junyan could not hide the excitement on his face.

……

Chen Mu was speechless on the spot.

Big brother, can you be normal? Can we think about problems using human emotions?

He feared he had missed something, and thus asked for confirmation: 'You say the three, refer to……'

'It's just three lumps.' Chang Junyan said.

'Are they all itchy?' Chen Mu asked again.

'Itchy, itchier than before, but scratching feels even better; I can scratch all day without getting tired.' Chang Junyan said.

'Just like that?' Chen Mu felt a bit weary.

'Far from enough!'

Chang Junyan with a 'you don't know, huh' expression, laughed: 'Now each lump has grown much larger, but the most important thing is……'

He paused here, as if showing off.

Chen Mu did not take it as a pestle, but was rather happy.

As expected, there is still something different!

However, it is obvious that he was happy too early.

Then heard Chang Junyan continue saying: 'I can now eliminate the lumps I have grown.'

Chen Mu had a dazed expression.

'Finished?'

"It's over." Chang Junyan said cheerfully.

「No other special places？」

「Isn't this special enough? It can be eliminated, yeah. Before, I wasn't even sure if this counted as a Special Ability; maybe it was just that I happened to think of it and a bump appeared on my body by coincidence. But now I've confirmed it—after all, getting rid of a bump definitely isn't something an ordinary person could do。」

Chen Mu listened

He didn't know what to say for a moment

This indeed counts as progress

But what's the point of it

Besides, there are more places to scratch, it feels better when scratching, and when you don't want to scratch, you can just eliminate it

It still has no practical use

Looking again at Chang Junyan, this guy raised his arm, producing one, two, three bumps on it, then eliminating them, then letting them grow again; sometimes they'd line up in a row, sometimes form a triangle, and every now and then he'd scratch them twice, having a blast

Chen Mu was speechless

But sometimes, thinking about it, being able to maintain this carefree mindset in such an environment might actually be an advantage, after all most people are weak, and when their abilities can't satisfy their desires, it becomes a very painful thing

「Wait a moment。」

Chen Mu suddenly noticed a doubt and asked； 「You just said you can scratch all day without getting tired? 」

「I do get tired, it's just an exaggeration. 」 Chang Junyan laughed sheepishly

「No. 」 Chen Mu waved his hand: 「I mean, you won't scratch your skin raw, will you? 」

「Scratch raw? 」

Chang Junyan froze for a moment, then pondered a bit: 「I really haven't thought about this problem; it seems I indeed haven't scratched myself raw. 」

After saying that, he still, following the three bumps he had just arranged into a triangle, gave them a vigorous scratch

However, on his skin, aside from the red swelling of the bumps themselves and the marks from his fingernails rubbing, there was no sign of any wound, not even a trace of blood

This is clearly unreasonable

After being bitten by mosquitoes, many people can't help but scratch wildly, eventually breaking the skin, festering, oozing pus, healing, and scabbing—only then is the process complete

「Holy shit! 」

Chen Mu jumped up: 「I might have figured it out. 」