After Crossing Over, I Just Want to Live Well – Chapter 4

Ch 4: Awakening Talent

The first reward was quite impressive. The system rewarded Yu Duoduo with a high-level energy stone the size of a child’s fist. Yu Duoduo, delighted to receive the energy stone, immediately shared the good news with Shi Yichen.

She quietly walked up to Shi Yichen, happily stretching out her hand. “Older Brother, look at this—what do you think it is?”

Seeing the high-level energy stone, Shi Yichen’s mouth dropped open in surprise. To make sure he wasn’t mistaken, he rubbed his eyes, finally confirming that it was indeed a genuine high-level energy stone.

His body instinctively lurched forward two steps, closing Yu Duoduo’s palm. Then he whispered to her, “Duoduo, put it away quickly—this place isn’t safe!”

After seeing Yu Duoduo stow the high-level energy stone, Shi Yichen pretended to wipe his face with his hand. When he lowered it, his expression reverted to the usual cool and composed Shi Yichen.

Noticing Shi Yichen’s change in demeanor, Yu Duoduo quickly understood the reason and hurriedly adjusted her own expression.

“Older Brother, I’m feeling a bit unwell. Can you take me back?” Yu Duoduo said loudly to Shi Yichen. Her words startled him, and with a single stride, he rushed forward, hoisted her onto his back, and ran home.

The people at the garbage dump could only see a figure speeding past in a blur.

Once they reached the small shack where they had settled, Shi Yichen anxiously asked Yu Duoduo, “Where do you feel unwell? Was today too exhausting? I’ve saved up some nutrient solutions from a while back—I’ll go exchange them for a healing potion.”

“Older Brother, I’m fine. I was just worried it wasn’t safe out there, so I made up an excuse to get you to bring me back. I’m sorry for making you worry!” Yu Duoduo’s voice was soft, filled with guilt for causing such a good brother to fret.

Instead of scolding her, Yu Duoduo only heard a sigh, followed by Shi Yichen’s voice, tinged with a smile. “As long as you’re okay, that’s what matters. You did great today, Duoduo, and Older Brother is very proud of you!”

“So, Older Brother, what do you plan to do with this high-level energy stone?”

Shi Yichen didn’t answer right away. After a moment of thought, he said, “Duoduo, we still have some nutrient solutions for now. Keep this energy stone safe for the time being. Once Older Brother finds a way, I’ll take you away from this Garbage Star. You’re still so young—you deserve a better life.”

“Okay, let’s work hard together. When the time comes, I’ll take Older Brother with me to a better place and leave this Garbage Star behind.”

Both thought they understood each other’s intentions—one wanting to send the other to a better place, the other determined to study hard and take them both away together.

Through relentless studying, Yu Duoduo’s mental power had grown significantly, and her physical condition had improved as well. Over time, her soul had become more attuned to this body.

Then, one day, Yu Duoduo suddenly discovered a piece of land in her mental sea. Although she had learned through her studies that women in this interstellar world had a chance of awakening a talent space, she didn’t know the specifics. All she knew was that there was something in her consciousness.

Recalling the cultivation and supernatural novels she’d read in the past, she nearly scared herself to tears.

Encountering something new—especially something tied to her body and mind—terrified Yu Duoduo. She rushed to Shi Yichen, clung to his leg, and burst into loud sobs.

Shi Yichen’s first thought was that someone had bullied Yu Duoduo. He picked her up to comfort her, struggling to contain his anger. “Duoduo, what’s wrong? Who bullied you?”

Hearing his voice, Yu Duoduo lifted her small face. “No one did. I’m just scared, Older Brother. Can we go home?”

“Alright, we’ll head back right now.” Without another word, he scooped her up and carried her home.

Once they were home, Yu Duoduo’s earlier fear had subsided. She spoke slowly and calmly, “Older Brother, there’s something in my mind. It feels like a piece of land.”

“But I was abandoned on this Garbage Star by my family because I didn’t have the potential to awaken a talent. So what’s happening to me?”

After hearing Yu Duoduo’s words, Shi Yichen didn’t know what to do either. He could only offer comfort, “Do you feel any discomfort, Duoduo?”

Yu Duoduo thought for a moment, then shook her head. “Not really!”

“Then don’t worry for now, Duoduo. It doesn’t seem to be a problem at the moment. Tomorrow, I’ll go ask around and see if I can find a way to get you out of here.”

“Once we leave Garbage Star, we’ll find a place to test your talent, or we can look it up on the Star Network.”

“Older Brother, why can’t we check the Star Network now?” Yu Duoduo blinked up at Shi Yichen.

Shi Yichen coughed awkwardly. “There’s no Star Network coverage on Garbage Star. We’d have to go outside to access it.”

She hadn’t expected that. It turned out Garbage Star was truly a place abandoned by the interstellar people.

“Then Older Brother, be careful when you go out. If it’s too hard, we don’t have to leave. Duoduo will stay with Older Brother forever.”

Hearing Duoduo’s heartfelt words, Shi Yichen’s lips curved upward, his eyes full of tenderness.

“Alright, Older Brother will be careful. Duoduo, just stay home and don’t go out.”

…

For the next few days, Shi Yichen left early and returned late. Finally, on the evening of the tenth day, he brought back good news—a scavenger merchant was willing to take them both away from Garbage Star.

“Older Brother, you’re amazing!” Yu Duoduo exclaimed, unable to hold back her praise for Shi Yichen.

“It’s not that I’m amazing—it’s your energy stone that’s amazing, Duoduo. I made a deal with the scavenger merchant. He’ll take us away, and once we arrive, we’ll give him the high-level energy stone. You don’t mind Older Brother making that decision, do you?”

“Of course not. It’s the only way we can leave here safely.”

The day of departure arrived quickly. That morning, Shi Yichen took Yu Duoduo to the agreed meeting spot well ahead of time.

All their valuable belongings were stored in Tutu’s system space by Yu Duoduo. They only carried a few bottles of nutrient solution in their backpacks.

The two soon boarded the spaceship, but during the journey that lasted several days, Shi Yichen and Yu Duoduo encountered all sorts of bizarre incidents.

Once or twice could be a coincidence, but after it happened multiple times, it was clear someone harbored ill intentions.

That day, the scavenger merchant claimed it was his oversight that had caused them to face these mishaps. As an apology, he invited them to share a meal.

The so-called shared meal was just drinking nutrient solutions together—nothing more than different flavors of the same thing.

But when they returned, they discovered their belongings had been tampered with. Though the intruder had been careful to cover their tracks, the meticulous Yu Duoduo still noticed.

The two became especially vigilant after that, but for some unknown reason, they grew increasingly drowsy until they both fell asleep.

When they awoke, they found themselves lying on a grassy field, with no one else in sight.

There was no need to guess—they’d been abandoned by the scavenger merchant.

Thinking of this, Yu Duoduo, lost in her wandering thoughts, slapped her own forehead. “It’s been fifteen years—why am I thinking about this again?”

Before she could lower her hand from her forehead, Yu Duoduo felt a sudden tremor run through her entire body.