Chapter 2 - The All-Purpose System
1636 Words
At the school gate, Ye Xian watched her son carrying bags of various sizes, her heart filled with complexity. A hint of hesitation flashed in her expression as she tentatively asked, "Son, why do you suddenly want to transfer to another school?"
"It's nothing, I felt like I've been too idle lately," Ye Fan paused and told a well-intentioned lie. "After all, it's my senior year, changing the environment, changing my mood; I don't want to continue drifting aimlessly."
"You're right to think that way," she replied.
Seeing her son suddenly matured, Ye Xian's heart was filled with mixed emotions, and she slowly spoke, "Today is your uncle's birthday, and Mom specially made your favorite sweet and sour spare ribs for dinner. Would you like to come home for the meal?"
Her tone carried a hint of pleading.
Since Ye Fan started high school, the number of times he had come home was rare. Ye Xian had secretly wiped away countless tears over this matter, and she knew her son's thoughts very well. She just didn't want to see that person.
Seeing her mother's pleading look, Ye Fan's heart tightened, and deep guilt filled his eyes.
In his previous life, he had made too many mistakes. In this life, he had to make amends for them all!
Thinking about this, Ye Fan suddenly felt clear in his heart and chuckled, "I'm actually hungry, so I'll definitely enjoy the meal."
"Hmm?"
A simple sentence left Ye Xian stunned in place, her voice filled with uncertainty. "Xiaofan, you... you're willing to come home for dinner?"
Ye Fan didn't say anything, he picked up his luggage, walked to a red car on the side of the road, opened the trunk, and placed his luggage inside. After that, he got into the car directly.
Seeing this scene, Ye Xian felt like she was in a dream. She secretly wiped away the moisture from her eyes and soon a long-lost smile appeared on her face.
Her son seemed to have grown up...
On the way back home, Ye Xian drove and hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, "Son, Mom has one request. When you get back home, please try not to argue with your Uncle Luo Shan. He... he's not having an easy time either."
There had been too many times in the past when such incidents had occurred, and she couldn't help but worry if she didn't mention it.
A faint bitter smile appeared at the corner of Ye Fan's mouth, and he nodded silently, "Mom, drive safely."
"..."
"In the past, it was because my son was still young, but it won't happen again in the future."
Hearing this, Ye Xian's eyes were slightly moist, and a heavy burden in her heart finally lifted.
Ye Fan yawned and said, "Mom, I didn't sleep well at school last night, so I'll take a short nap now."
After saying that, he closed his eyes, appearing to be asleep but in reality not. At this moment, a series of voices resounded in his mind.
"Ding—"
"Congratulations to the host for binding the All-Purpose System."
The voice was gentle and sweet, like a warm spring breeze.
In his previous life, Ye Fan had read many online novels, so he was not unfamiliar with the existence of "golden finger." Even the ridiculous concept of rebirth had happened to him. A system? He could accept it!
After a brief astonishment, he accepted everything and asked in his mind, "Can you explain what the All-Purpose System is?"
"Knowledge encompasses astronomy and geography, understands humanity, perceives yin and yang, comprehends the eight trigrams, masters strange arts, knows the art of hiding, and possesses knowledge in various fields."
"In martial arts, one can kill a person in ten steps and travel a thousand miles without leaving a trace."
"In medicine, one can save people from illness and help the world."
"In intelligence, one can strategize in the war room and win battles a thousand miles away. Equal to the wisdom of legendary figures like Guan Zhong and Yue Yi, sitting leisurely while laughing at the world, not yet out of one's youth but already dominating one-third of the world."
"Satisfying these four points makes one an all-purpose individual."
After hearing the system's explanation, Ye Fan's lips twitched slightly as he closed his eyes.
"Knowledge is the fundamental factor of human wisdom. As long as the host masters enough knowledge, one can also become all-purpose."
With the completion of the system's explanation, a virtual page appeared in Ye Fan's mind.
[Host]: Ye Fan
[Knowledge]: Level 1 (30/100)
[Intelligence]: Level 1 (20/100)
[Strength]: Level 1 (10/100)
[Medical Skill]: Level 1 (0/100)
[Merit Points]: 0
[Experience Points]: 0
Seeing nothing but Level 1 in all categories, Ye Fan couldn't help but curse himself inwardly. He didn't even have a Level 2?
Darn! A type of plant.
Cursing aside, Ye Fan quickly noticed the key point and asked in his mind, "Can experience points upgrade these abilities?"
"Correct, that's how it works," the system replied.
Ye Fan continued, "How can I gain experience points?"
"There are two ways," the system explained.
"First, the host can gain experience points by studying various knowledge fields, and these points can be used to upgrade the levels of various abilities, with a maximum level of ten."
"Second, on the first day of each month, the system will issue tasks. Completing these tasks will reward experience points, with the amount varying randomly."
The first day of the month? Today is only the 18th, with nearly half a month remaining. Ye Fan could only hope for the first method and asked, "How do I study various knowledge fields? Please explain it clearly."
"Read books."
The system's response was rather clear.
"...”
Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of a detached villa.
Ye Xian gently shook Ye Fan's shoulder and spoke softly, "Xiaofan, we're home. Wake up."
"Uhh..."
Ye Fan rubbed his eyes, pretending to look like he had just woken up. He got out of the car, carrying his luggage, and followed his mother into the villa.
Once inside the house, the memories from his previous life perfectly overlapped with reality, leaving Ye Fan deeply moved.
In his previous life, he genuinely disliked Luo Shan, but it wasn't until his mother fell ill that Luo Shan had taken care of her meticulously for over a year. The love he showed in his eyes during normal days couldn't possibly be faked.
True feelings were revealed in times of adversity!
Since then, Ye Fan had gradually accepted Luo Shan.
As soon as they entered the living room, a middle-aged man walked out of the kitchen. He had an average build, a square face, not particularly handsome but not ugly either.
"Xiaofan is back?" Seeing Ye Fan, Luo Shan's face lit up with surprise. He warmly greeted, "Hurry up and wash your hands, you'll get to taste the braised pork I made soon."
"Thank you, Uncle
." Ye Fan nodded slightly.
It was such a normal thing to say, but it left two people in their forties dumbfounded.
"Ah... ah..."
Luo Shan's face turned slightly red, and his hands were somewhat restless. Due to excessive excitement, his speech became slightly stuttered. "Why are you being so polite with your uncle..."
Since marrying Ye Xian, this was the first time Ye Fan had called him "Uncle."
Tears welled up in Ye Xian's eyes as she wiped them away. She had never imagined that she would experience such warmth in her lifetime.
Seeing her mother crying, Ye Fan wanted to go comfort her, but before he could do anything, someone beat him to it.
Luo Shan hurriedly took out tissues and gently wiped away the tears on Ye Xian's face. "Why are you crying? Don't cry, don't cry..."
His tone was like soothing a child.
Ye Xian's shoulders trembled slightly, and she choked out, "I... I'm just so happy."
As she said, these were tears of joy.
Hearing this, Ye Fan felt even more guilty and scolded himself in his heart.
During the meal, Ye Xian recounted everything that had happened today to Luo Shan.
When Luo Shan heard that Ye Fan wanted to transfer to another school, he didn't ask why and directly inquired, "Xiaofan, which school do you want to transfer to? Your uncle has some connections; I might be able to help."
Putting down his chopsticks, Ye Fan said, "Zhenghua High School in the capital."
When he mentioned "Zhenghua High School," he couldn't help but show a barely noticeable tenderness.
Ning Xi was there.
"What?!" Ye Xian stood up abruptly, looking surprised. "You want to go to school in the capital?"
"Yes." Ye Fan nodded, his expression serious. "Mom, there's no need to persuade me. This is a decision I've thought through carefully, and I hope you can agree."
One sentence silenced Ye Xian's protests. She looked at her determined son, ultimately giving up on trying to convince him. She knew her son's personality very well—once he made up his mind, there was no changing it.
Accepting the decision was one thing, but Ye Xian couldn't help but feel uneasy. The capital was so far away, and she found it hard to let go.
Luo Shan understood his wife's current state of mind and patted her hand, reassuring her, "Xiaofan is growing up. He has his own ideas, and that's a good thing."
"Besides, Zhenghua High School is a prestigious school in the country, much better than his current school."
"Thank you for understanding, Uncle."
"You're welcome, it's just a small matter..."
Seeing his wife's disapproval gaze, Luo Shan smiled awkwardly and quickly closed his mouth.
As they ate, Ye Xian shared everything that had happened today, and Luo Shan listened carefully.
- Writer
