c7 - Are Women a Burden on the Escape from Famine? Give Them to Me

Chapter 7: Did You Cook It? "What?! A reward from the system?" Suddenly, a system notification flashed, catching Lu Wei by surprise and delight. Indeed, the events over the past few days were finally paying off with a gift. Ever since he stopped overthinking things, opting instead for an early break and early rise, everything seemed to come together. As regrets nearly took over, a sudden surge of warmth coursed through his body, originating from the void, circulating within him with increasing intensity. His heart began to race, following the intensity. Lu Wei couldn't help but feel his heartbeat pounding like a drum, as if it wanted out. His skin flushed red and grew hot, much like a boiled crab, radiating heat all around. "Brother, are you okay? Did you cook yourself or something? Why are you steaming?" Lu Xiaoxiao asked, startled, noticing his odd state. Lu Wei's face shifted between shades of red and black as he glared at her, irritated. "It's nothing, just your imagination," he replied, waving her concern away. "But...but...brother, you..." Lu Xiaoxiao stammered, her brother's head still visibly steaming, utterly confused and worried. "Quiet down now. No need to make a fuss. I'm just a little tired. I'll get better after some rest." With effort, he calmed himself down, gradually lowering his body temperature. Though he still felt uncomfortably hot, it was not as if he was genuinely cooked. He clenched and unclenched his fist, feeling the newfound strength flowing through him. Lu Wei hurriedly accessed the system to check his stats. [Host]: Lu Wei [Age]: 18 [Bone Structure]: 60 [Intelligence]: 90 [Attributes]: 70/70 [Blood Points]: 4.4/4.4 [Vitality]: 120/120 [Elemental Affinity]: Earth [System Level]: Level 3 (10/100) Bonded Target: Lu Xiaoxiao (Click to expand) ... omitted... His attributes had surprisingly jumped to 70, a three-fold increase, which explained the intense reaction. Moreover, as his attributes improved, his physique strengthened not only in terms of muscles but also in speed and agility—all significantly enhanced. Attributes influence overall physical conditions and, correspondingly, combat capabilities. Lu Wei tested his newfound strength by lifting the sled easily; it felt unexpectedly light. He threw a series of punches through the air, generating a strong whooshing sound with their speed and power. With his enhanced speed and strength, even empty-handed, he felt he could take on more formidable foes. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind: it might be time to make some decisions and plan for his next steps. Time was on his side, but contemplation alone wouldn't achieve results. After all, it's one thing to be cautious, and another to be perpetually wary. As Lu Wei delved deeper into the system's mechanics, he realized his attribute values had increased several-fold. Everything, from his condition to his fighting prowess, resembled levels in a game—constantly growing. His now-explosive state left him full of energy, feeling invigorated beyond compare. Lu Wei proceeded to carefully review the rules of this new state. There was a restriction: before reaching a certain level, you could only bind to one target. The current target was bound with a fixed bond: Lu Xiaoxiao. Items sent beyond the designated bond were accounted for and consumed at a rate based on the sent item’s appraisal. Seeing Lu Xiaoxiao’s stats, Lu Wei smirked a little, realizing his choice wasn’t wrong. Her attributes and innate qualities boasted astonishingly beneficial numbers. Seeing his younger sister—once just a semblance of a bean sprout with her faintly confused air—held such potential left Lu Wei appreciative, feeling both excitement and a hint of responsibility. With her evaluation scoring consistently high, it meant a higher return rate on attribute gains. Per the guidelines he reviewed, higher scores yielded larger gains: an evaluation above 140 garnered a return rate of thrice the usual, above 160 secured four, and above 200 provided five times the benefit. The calculations were straightforward, mainly derived from key stats like bone structure, intelligence, appearance, physique, and underlying factors culminating in a comprehensive assessment. Such a mechanism encouraged thoughtful allocation, enhancing returns exponentially. Meanwhile, Lu Wei's observations around their camp continued routinely as he remained vigilant against potential dangers lurking in the wild. Their campsite, isolated in the wilderness, was somewhere he needed to be exceptionally careful, aware that unknowable threats could emerge at any time. Upon ensuring no threats loomed nearby, he took the essentials around the vicinity, preparing for eventual emergencies. A calm review of their surroundings showed no predator activity, though something hidden seemed to have been observing him for quite some time, stealthily sneaking close. The recent uptick in his stats boosted not just his physique but also lent precautions against such intrusions. Once all seemed secure, unsettlement hardly disrupted his calm concentration. Then, clutching a wooden plank, Lu Wei fashioned a makeshift bed above the sled. Covering it with stitched fabric pieces, he created a modest shelter atop the sled's boards. This single layer of hay lined by tattered fabric provided rudimentary bedding over cold forest ground, promising a decent rest for the night. As evening fell, with warmth coming from under charcoal fires lit by chunks of wood, sleep descended as comfort enveloped him. While observing slowly kindling fire, he said to Lu Xiaoxiao, “What shall we eat tonight?” glancing briefly towards a nearby fabric-bound bag containing their meager supplies. "Really? Are you hungry?" Lu Wei asked, pulling her into an affectionate, gentle hold, tousling her hair fondly. Upon her soft cheek pressing against her brother's chest, Lu Wei felt a pang of sentimental warmth, lightly illuminated by the fire’s glow. “Not that hungry, but a little would be nice,” she replied as her stomach vocalized its contradiction. “Take your time. Let’s see—soon, I’ll have something cooked up." Thus, Lu Wei planned their evening, confident that tomorrow brought yet more promising adventures.