Chapter 164: I'll Help You Wash Them

Sophia’s words took Zhou Yi somewhat by surprise.

Logically speaking, it was rare to encounter such big figures at that tier. After all, there were hundreds of cyborgs in the Space-Time City, and nearly two hundred vice-lords alone. To have been noticed by Dr. Laura, Sophia must have had something truly special about her.

"I met her quite by chance. The first time I went to the Space-Time City, a small child fell from a high altitude. Without a thought, I flew straight up and caught the kid. I never expected that child to be Dr. Laura's attendant.

She told me to remain calm, protect myself, preserve my initial kindness, and look at people with my heart. She said that one day, I would meet someone capable of changing the Prime Material World, and then she left with the parting words: 'We shall meet again!' "

That remark carried an overwhelming sense of implication. Zhou Yi was left momentarily stunned upon hearing it. What was this supposed to be—a prophecy?

He thought about it and suddenly chuckled, patting his own chest.

"Perhaps it's me. Look at my mark—isn't it the most special one?"

Sophia smiled as well. Indeed, from the very first moment she laid eyes on Zhou Yi, she had sensed he was different.

After they ambushed him, he had bared everything to them instead. There was an irresistible gravitational pull about Zhou Yi—not born of romantic affection, but as natural as water flowing from a high place to a low one.

"Let's not overthink it. Being able to upgrade is for the best. Suppressing your rank will make your next breakthrough much more solid, preventing a situation like Waldner's, where he couldn't even absorb the spiritual stones he obtained."

Zhou Yi let out a sigh of relief. No matter what, this could be considered good news. He figured that ordinary Chosen Ones rarely had such an opportunity to acquire such a massive quantity of spiritual stones to elevate their abilities.

It seemed the Stone Egg had also recovered somewhat, considering it had absorbed just as much as he had.

"Does this mean Fatty and Cheng Zhi also have a chance to ascend as Chosen Ones, even without the mark?"

Sophia nodded, though she flashed a smile toward Zhou Yi.

"There's no rush for the two of them. Suppressing their progress before advancing will yield better results, just like you. I suppressed your abilities, which makes that kind of growth much more solid.

Although there is still time before the base opens, we must continue gathering spiritual stones as quickly as possible. Ideally, we need to find you a weapon that suits your hand. Otherwise, you'll be at a severe disadvantage in close combat, and your ice arrows are too short-ranged with insufficient damage."

"Call the two of them in. Has the excavation been continuing over these past few days?"

Sophia stood up, pushed the door open, and returned a moment later with Fatty and Cheng Zhi in tow. Cheng Zhi was wearing a laboratory white coat, clearly having been in the middle of running tests just moments before, while Fatty was wearing an apron, holding a cleaver with a face so excited he looked as if he were about to cry.

Upon seeing Zhou Yi, Fatty rushed forward eagerly. Zhou Yi reached out and shoved him away; the scent of blood radiating from Fatty was a bit too overpowering. After all, as far as Zhou Yi was concerned, he had just been talking to the Stone Egg a moment ago, and the heavy smell of blood from the monkey was still lingering in his nose.

Fatty puckered his lips, blinking his small eyes with an aggrieved expression.

"Boss, you were so heroic! I thought you were a goner back then!"

Zhou Yi couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"I'm not dying anytime soon. Don't get close to me, you reek way too much of blood!"

Fatty rubbed his nose. Though dissatisfied, he didn't charge forward again. At that moment, his posture carried the demeanor of a true foodie—a textbook little fanboy.

"Today is New Year's Eve, and I was just chopping filling to prepare for making dumplings. Since the Boss is awake, let's not just make do. I'll whip up a few more dishes, and we can celebrate properly. It feels like I haven't celebrated the New Year like this in years!"

Those words touched Sophia and Cheng Zhi as well. Like Zhou Yi, Sophia had grown up in an orphanage where childhood memories held little joy, and before she knew it, she was already an adult.

Cheng Zhi had spent his time hiding everywhere, never daring to show his face; every festive holiday had been spent entirely alone and unnoticed. Zhou Yi gave a slight nod toward Fatty.

"Then prepare a few more dishes. Let's celebrate the New Year together."

Fatty smiled.

"Alright, Big Orange, stop standing there in a daze and hurry along with me. We still need a few ingredients. It's the New Year, after all—you wouldn't make someone else run errands for you, would you? I noticed there's not a soul left in the courtyard; even the old night watchman was chased off by you."

Cheng Zhi nodded.

"I was just afraid he'd disturb Mr. Zhou's rest. I'll go right now, and I'll also pick up some fireworks and firecrackers. Since we're celebrating the New Year, we need to have everything fully prepared."

With that, the two of them walked off with their arms slung over each other's shoulders. Sophia went to the bathroom to freshen up, then emerged with her sleeves rolled up and looked at Zhou Yi.

"The water is ready for you. Do you need me to help you wash?"

Zhou Yi hurried over, utterly incapable of accepting that kind of service, and quickly blurted out:

"I can manage by myself, but..."

Before he could finish, Sophia was already holding a stack of clothes, right on top of which sat a pair of pale yellow boxer shorts, glaringly conspicuous.

He snatched them from her hands, whirled around, and dashed into the bathroom, slamming the door shut with a loud *bang*.

Sophia curled her lips in a slight smirk. Don't all men enjoy that kind of service?

She gave a faint shake of her head. It seemed this Zhou Yi truly was different. If she told him she had spent the past seven days wiping down his body in bed every single day, she wondered what his reaction would be.

At that thought, Sophia chuckled. Humming an unfamiliar tune, she opened the door, her mood exceptionally bright.

He wasn't dead, nor had he slipped into a prolonged coma; everything had cleared up after the storm. Sophia had genuinely never experienced the New Year before, and now, she felt a flicker of anticipation.

Outside in the courtyard, the snow was deep, but the pathway had already been cleared. Fatty and Cheng Zhi were carrying something over together, and Sophia rushed over to help them.

There was a table laden with basins containing various dumpling fillings, alongside a small table and a few tools Sophia wasn't quite familiar with.

"What is all this for?"

Fatty shot Sophia a sidelong glance, though he immediately remembered she had grown up in an orphanage and had never experienced these traditions. Furthermore, her missions in other worlds had been rushed affairs, so this kind of festive atmosphere was indeed rare for her.

"Don't rush, Sophia. There are rituals to celebrating the New Year, and I'll teach you all of them step by step in a moment. Aside from a table full of banquet dishes, wrapping dumplings is something everyone has to pitch in for—that's where the true festive spirit comes from."

The group carried the supplies into the room right next to Zhou Yi's. It served as a banquet hall of sorts, featuring a rustic-style lounge area complete with a dining table and a heated brick kang. The kang was already warmed up, and two large pots were bubbling merrily on the stove.

Catching the scent wafting through the air, Sophia dropped what she was holding and hurried over.

"What's stewing that smells so good?"

Cheng Zhi burst into laughter, patting Fatty on the shoulder.

"Ever since this room was built, I've never used it. Fatty is something else—he seasoned the pan with lard, fired up the kang, and really made it feel like the real deal. One pot is stewing beef alongside some braised master-stock items, and the other has a big goose simmering inside. It genuinely smells amazing."

Fatty grinned widely.

"I might not be good at much else, but when it comes to cooking and food, that's my specialty. Stop chatting now and hurry up and go buy those ingredients on my list. Make sure you bring back the seafood; I'm counting on it!"

Cheng Zhi grabbed the list and hurried off.

Sophia walked over, watching as Fatty deftly kneaded the dough and tended to the meat in the pots, spinning around in a flurry of activity.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

Fatty looked left and right, his gaze landing on the stove heating the brick kang.

"How about you help me feed some more coal into that stove? Keep the fire burning strong so the room stays extra warm. Later on, we'll all sit up on the kang to eat our reunion dinner and watch the Spring Festival Gala."

These terms were entirely unfamiliar to Sophia. She smiled and quickly hurried over to shovel more coal into the stove.

Before long, Cheng Zhi returned with the seafood and the rest of the supplies Fatty had requested. After a flurry of activity among them, the dishes were finally prepared. The sky outside had grown dark, and Fatty nudged Sophia's arm.

"Is the Boss still soaking in the bath? Could he have fallen asleep? Why don't you go check on him, Sophia?"

Sophia shook her head.

"I've been listening; there's been movement the whole time. He should be coming out soon. After being in a coma for so many days, he must feel filthy, so he's bound to take his time cleaning up."

Fatty shook his head. Since Sophia said there was no need to check, nothing was likely amiss.

He hoisted a massive basin and began scooping out all the braised delicacies from the large pot. The moment the pot lid was lifted and the contents hauled out, a rich, thick aroma billowed in all directions. In an instant, everyone's taste buds were thoroughly awakened, and saliva surged in their mouths as every single one of them swallowed hard.

Sophia found it hard to stay still anymore. She hopped down and walked over to Fatty's side.

"Is it done yet? Can I help you taste-test a piece?"