Chapter 6: Confession and Training
Chapter 6: Confession and Training
Pages turned as knowledge of computer programming languages raced through his mind. Like a greedy sponge, he quickly absorbed computer knowledge and skills.
He planned to finish reading one hundred books during this period, then take a piece of software technology from the Science and Technology Library to make money.
Without realizing it, it was closing time at the library. Nearly everyone around had left, leaving only a few people.
Chen Mo returned the book to its original place and left the library with Xiaoyu.
“Coming back tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow is Monday, I have classes. Tomorrow evening, I should come. I’m studying for the Accountant exam.”
Xiaoyu looked at him with a slightly odd expression.
“Do I seem handsomer?” Seeing her gaze, Chen Mo teased.
Xiaoyu burst out laughing. She had already sensed a change in Chen Mo inside the library but hadn’t dared to ask. Now, looking closely, he really had transformed a lot.
“You do feel different from this afternoon,” Xiaoyu nodded.
“So, walking beside me feels especially safe, right?”
Xiaoyu smiled brightly, though inwardly she truly felt that way. The current Chen Mo appeared more confident than that afternoon, his presence calmer.
“Let’s go, I’ll walk you back.”
Chen Mo casually took Xiaoyu’s hand. He felt her hand tremble; after a slight struggle, she silently accepted his action. The pink blush rising on her cheeks, paired with a shy smile, wasn’t very obvious in the night.
Soon after, a flicker of pain crossed Xiaoyu’s face. She looked down at his grip on her hand, her whole body tensing.
Chen Mo lowered his head and noticed her discomfort. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“My hand hurts.”
Xiaoyu pointed to the hand he held; the strength he exerted made it feel overwhelming.
“Huh?”
Chen Mo quickly understood and instantly let go. He had undergone Potential Exploitation that afternoon and hadn’t fully controlled his body’s strength yet. Plus, earlier, without thinking, he used a bit more force than intended.
“Sorry. I got a bit nervous just now, used too much strength. Let me see,” Chen Mo picked up her hand again, this time deliberately slow and gentle.
Under the streetlight, he could see several dark red fingerprints against the pale skin of her hand.
Watching Chen Mo gently rub the back of her hand, terrified of hurting her again, Xiaoyu blushed intensely, the flush rapidly spreading to her ears.
“It’s probably bruised. Sorry,” Chen Mo apologized with a bitter smile.
Walking shoulder-to-shoulder towards the dorm area, a wave of deep frustration washed over Chen Mo. He’d messed up something nice.
On the path, he resolved to start learning how to control his body’s strength the very next day. Otherwise, who knew what else might happen in the future.
Lost in thoughts about mastering his new strength, he suddenly felt softness within his palm. Turning his head, he saw Xiaoyu, head bowed, taking his hand on her own.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” Chen Mo gently held her hand. “Be my girlfriend?”
“Mmm,” Xiaoyu nodded slightly, leaning closer to Chen Mo.
They strolled along the campus path until the dorm doors were almost closed. Only then did Chen Mo say goodbye and leave with light, carefree steps.
Binhai City was a second-tier city back home. While it lacked Donghai City’s excessive bustle, its environment was pleasantly good.
Mornings on campus were fresh and peaceful, free of the city’s clamor. On the road encircling the university grounds, elderly people doing tai chi and jogging teachers and students signaled the morning’s quiet. Street sweepers worked unhurriedly, clearing away fallen leaves.
Chen Mo rode his bicycle along the university road, leaving the campus and stopping at a gym not far from school.
Having undergone initial human Potential Exploitation, he dared not make any big movements. Simple daily activities were fine, as shown by how grabbing Xiaoyu’s hand last night caused an accident.
If he got into a fight without learning to control his strength, he feared he might accidentally kill someone with his own hands.
For Potential Exploitation, the Serum activated the body’s power, while the equipment helped one quickly adapt to it and use it perfectly.
As soon as he entered the gym, a male trainer wearing a sports singlet, his muscles powerfully defined, approached him.
“Hello, I’m Dong Li, a professional coach here.” Dong Li introduced himself. “Bro, you look new around here. First time? This section is for cardio machines, that’s strength training gear, and over there is body sculpting. What part are you looking to work on? I can give advice or design a workout plan.”
“Will it train any part?” Chen Mo said with a playful tone.
“Huh?”
Dong Li looked surprised for a second, then catching on, grinned too. He hadn’t expected that answer and wasn’t sure how to respond.
“I’ve gotten stronger recently and need to get used to it,” Chen Mo explained. “Where’s the multi-gym?”
“Over there.” Dong Li pointed to the wall-mounted machine area. “Follow me.”
They walked to the multi-gym. “This is a cable crossover station,” Dong Li gestured, “pec deck fly machine, power rack attachments.”
“You can leave me to it now, thanks.”
“Alright, shout if you need help.”
After Dong Li left, Chen Mo set the weights to maximum. Sitting down, he gripped the handles and spread his arms wide. Never having used gym equipment before, he felt oddly excited. The maximum setting showed 256 pounds, a number that made his hands itch to try. He wanted to know exactly how strong his post-Potential Exploitation body was.
One… two… three…
Chen Mo slowly pushed the butterfly-arm pads together, muscles straining visibly beneath his skin, outlining his newfound power.
He stopped after ten repetitions, a faint bead of sweat forming on his brow. He knew he could do more, but building muscle wasn’t his goal today—adapting to his strength was.
An internal shock wave hit him. Human Potential Exploitation was terrifyingly more than he’d imagined. It turned an average guy like him into someone capable of such immense power. Even heavily muscled gym coaches couldn’t match this kind of physical capacity.
If nations outside—or worse, terrorists—got hold of this Potential Exploitation technology… could they forge super soldiers? The chilling thought sent a jolt through him. Right now, that Serum formula absolutely shouldn’t appear on the market.
After the basic test, Chen Mo began training following the points on record. Hands, legs, every muscle group—every part required rigorous, conditioned movement.
Only all-round development could release the human body’s maximum potential; so said the Potential Exploitation records. It not only helped adjust to strength but also built tougher muscles and better stamina. The multi-gym, versatile and comprehensive, perfectly suited his needs.
An hour later, Chen Mo left the machine and approached the nearby punching bag to learn how to control the power in his fist.
The Potential Exploitation recording also held several sets of self-defense combat skills, designed as much for protection as strength adaptation. Now Chen Mo grasped why Elder Shu recommended Potential Exploitation over other ways to make easy money–why Elder Shu advised choosing human Potential Exploitation tech over other money-making skills.
Health was the foundation for all endeavors.
Beyond making his body robust and enhancing his immunity, those combat skills could give him ways to defend himself if trouble came.
Otherwise, if even when he pulled tech out of the Science and Technology Library, unexpected disaster struck due to someone coveting his knowledge, it would all go tragically wasted.
Money was an outside thing. His own strength was what mattered absolutely.
Ending his boxing exercise feeling untiringly energetic, Chen Mo continued swiftly onto the treadmill next.
Two and a half hours wasn’t overly long nor short. Not till nine-thirty did Chen Mo finally step outside the gym, biking back toward campus.