Chapter 38: The Habit of Waking Up Early Isn't So Easily Formed

"I'm going to the library."

Qingshan Li closed the door; the door's material was nothing more than a thin sheet of iron fitted with a handle, brushed with yellow paint to hide its ugliness.

The stairwell down was both narrow and low, water pipes and electric meters visible everywhere, like human organs exposed to the air.

And the walls were simply a layer of cheap paint brushed over the rough concrete, looking very "solid."

Qingshan Li walked to Adachi Ward Central Library.

He had carried five books back from the library once before; the feeling then wasn't all that tiring, but this time it could be called easy.

In one week's time, his physical fitness had grown stronger.

He took the elevator to the second floor, returned the books, and then started borrowing books.

This time he planned to borrow more, at least enough to make the return trip not so easy, and at the same time be able to test his fitness results when he returned them next time.

——Panel

Qingshan Li selected books while looking at the data on the panel.

【Campus Mystery, Main Ability is Beauty: 93.5%】

Yesterday's Game Club matter raised the progress by 0.1.

Besides "Mystery Novel," the progress of "Campus Romance Daily Life" also increased.

【Campus Romance Daily Life: 79%】

It seems Mikami Ai, Miyase Yaeko, and Game Club Girl C super love him; there's no helping it, at this rate his first novel might end up being a romance novel.

"Mystery Novel" is 6.5 away from one hundred; a classic or bestseller-level mystery novel can provide 0.2, meaning 33 books.

A heavy burden and a long road.

Tomorrow morning he can still be together with Mikami Ai, striving to collect more material from her.

Hopes are high; not to mention anything else, at least A-grade cooking should make her show an expression of enjoyment.

A beautiful girl's expression of enjoyment still can't increase material degree? Then the system must be broken.

Qingshan Li selected ten mystery novels, plus two novels teaching how to write mystery novels, and three novels on how to write novels.

He was a little expectant of the latter two's effects, but vaguely felt that books teaching only techniques might not necessarily be as useful as mystery novels that actively employ those techniques.

Regardless, there is still value in trying.

Then he also borrowed three fitness books, one cookbook, and one nutrition book.

Whatever he does, his body must be good; his future is visibly far-reaching, and he doesn't want to die young.

With his own body healthy, he can also take care of the other two people.

Twenty books in total; ten he put in the eco-bag he brought, ten he carried in his arms.

With one week until May, when he walked until tired and sat down to rest, the wind's temperature was just right.

The twenty books varied in thickness; they weren't heavy, just the carrying method was poor, making his arms sore easily.

Arrived home.

"What are you renting so many for? If you don't return them on time, the overdue fees will cost a lot." Ono Mizuki complained while reaching out to help.

"Poor and still not studying hard, life has even less hope." Qingshan Li said.

"Monthly exam next week, if grades are bad, let's see if Sister still lets you read these novels!"

"Do you still want to eat Hamburg steak?"

"Onii-chan~"

Looking at that sweet face and cute expression, Qingshan Li smiled and said: "Mizuki, have you ever considered becoming an idol or actress? With your looks, you'd definitely have many fans."

"I don't want to, the entertainment industry is troublesome."

If it weren't troublesome, would you have plans in that direction?

"Alright, start studying!" Ono Mizuki said.

"I'm resting for a day." Qingshan Li picked up a mystery book.

Ono Mizuki's face immediately turned unpleasant: "You just watch, when the monthly exam grades drop, let's see how I deal with you!"

"How will you deal with me?"

"Put an unidentified object in your curry!"

"What unidentified object?"

"Not telling you." Ono Mizuki clicked her pen twice and started doing homework.

"Don't disturb me." Qingshan Li instructed.

"You shut up."

——System, read!

【Intelligence: B↑】

【Reading E↑】

Two hours later, 9:40.

【Campus Mystery, Main Ability is Beauty: 93.7%】

"I'm going to pick up Mika-nee."

"Mm, be careful on the way."

Qingshan Li went out contentedly, carrying the satisfaction from reading.

Walking on the late-night street, thinking that he had solidly absorbed knowledge and life had taken another step forward, his steps became cheerful.

Don't know if it's because he's been reading too much lately, he's become a bit literary, cherishing his current mood very much.

Once he has money in the future, he probably won't be able to experience this mood anymore.

Walking home together with Ono Mika, the two of them strolling, Qingshan Li started making Hamburg steak, the three of them chatting while enjoying the delicious food.

After showering, Qingshan Li returned to his room and continued reading the second mystery novel.

Reading a mystery novel in two hours, with complete comprehension, was something ordinary people couldn't even imagine.

The books he read were recorded in his mind, as simple as copying and pasting on a computer.

Even so, for the system, it wasn't a perfect state.

【Reading A】 Reading a book allows one to learn a skill; the system indeed used A-level reading, but unfortunately Qingshan Li's Intelligence was only B.

Once his Intelligence also reached A, and the system guided his reading, he would probably gain not 0.2% of the material, but 【Mystery E】.

But advancing from 'B' to 'A' required completing special missions; the system had not issued any missions yet, showing Qingshan Li was still some distance from the limit of 'B'.

【Campus Mystery, Main Ability is Beauty: 93.9%】

Qingshan Li glanced at the panel and slept contentedly.

Tokyo Time, four in the morning.

——System, wake up, fitness!

【Guidance Begins】

Bopi Tiao, Fuwowo, Bopi Tiao, Shenhuo.

A fishy taste appeared in Qingshan Li's mouth, his brain felt like motion sickness, his vision darkened, and he dry-heaved several times.

His whole body sweated as if ice were melting.

Two hours later, he lay on the floor, patting his body.

Outside the window, a blue sky was visible, and dawn had broken.

Only after the patting ended did Qingshan Li regain a little strength; he struggled to his feet, took a towel, and walked out of the room.

"Sister Ono Mihana?" he looked toward the kitchen.

Ono Mika was drinking water in the kitchen.

"How did you become like this again?" Ono Mika walked over and looked at him with concern.

Sweat drenched his hair, his chest rose and fell uncontrollably, like the breath of a small beast on its deathbed.

Qingshan Li smiled brilliantly: "I can hold on, proving I haven't reached my limit; I've also studied fitness and nutrition, I'm fine."

Actually, he had fainted multiple times midway!

Ono Mika said nothing else, only: "Let's go buy some meat and eggs together this afternoon."

"Let me choose!" Qingshan Li hurriedly said, "I've studied nutrition!"

Ono Mika saw his anxious look and couldn't help but laugh: "Okay~"

She added: "Hurry and shower, be careful, don't catch a cold."

"Mm."

Qingshan Li went to the bathroom to shower, Ono Mika returned to the kitchen, and poured herself another glass of water.

Qingshan Li's body appeared in her mind again.

Unknowingly, he had grown up.

Ono Mika looked at the cup in her hand; actually she wasn't thirsty, she had just suddenly woken up at this time.

Had she developed a habit of waking up at this time every day to drink water?

When she didn't eat breakfast, a neighbor downstairs came to the door.

"One day, two days, three days; do you intend to make uncivilized noises at four in the morning every day?!"

"We are truly sorry! It won't happen again!"

Where should he go to exercise?

He couldn't exercise on the street; if someone provoked him, the system wouldn't care about the law and would tie the person to a utility pole on the spot.

Moreover, a person running so fast they were about to vomit blood, fainting yet still running, was not suitable to appear on the street no matter how you thought about it.

He could only change the guidance from 'Enhance Physical Fitness' to 'Exercise Push-ups and Sit-ups'.

The latter's effect definitely wasn't as good as the former, but regardless, with the system's guidance, his body wouldn't be harmed.

"What are you thinking about? Going out." Ono Mizuki greeted.

"Don't leave after school today; come to the Athens Philosophy Research Club, on the Sixth Floor, next to the Student Council."

Thank you dear Karen, Cross-Dream Dimension, Yukino who likes cats, Reader 20230810180229910, Everything Like Flame, Reader 20210813155006397 for your donations!

Thank you everyone for your reading, donations, and votes!

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(Chapter End)