Chapter 5 – The Brother Returns
A wave of warm energy instantly coursed through Ding Li's body, like soaking in spring sunshine. He shivered with pleasure, but the sensation vanished as quickly as it came, leaving him longing for more.
He closed his eyes and focused. Every muscle felt lighter, denser, alive with quiet, refined power—not savage strength, but something natural and controlled.
Excited, he asked silently, "System, how do I view my status?"
"Just think 'Status'."
[Host: Ding Li] Physique: 11 ↑ Vitality: 10 Soul Strength: 10 Total Emotions Collected: 1 / 10,000,000,000,000 Spendable Points: 0 Skills: None
"System, can you analyze this world's power system? And why did you pick me?"
"This system only collects emotions, strengthens the Host, and enables travel across myriad worlds. No analysis function. Selection reason: While passing through your original world, the system detected an extremely dense cluster of emotional energy around you—grief, anger, regret, despair. It met activation criteria. In short, you got lucky."
Ding Li wanted to ask more, but—
"Ding Li! The fish is ready! Come eat! It's just fish today, sorry!"
Koya's bright voice pulled him back to reality.
On the table sat a massive one-meter grilled fish, skin golden and crackling, scent flooding the room. Ding Li sat down and demolished it in minutes—crispy outside, tender inside, absolutely perfect.
Only when the plate was clean did he realize Koya hadn't touched her chopsticks.
He scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry, Koya… I was starving and ate it all. You haven't eaten yet, have you?"
"I ate earlier," she said with a grin, eyes sparkling. "We've got endless fish here. Want another?"
"No, no, I'm full! Thank you so much." He rubbed his round belly, then asked seriously, "How much do I owe you for the fish?"
Koya waved it off. "It's just a fish! But if you really feel bad, go bring in the laundry drying outside later, okay~?"
Ding Li nodded earnestly. He already owed this girl more than he could repay.
After washing up, exhaustion hit him hard. Koya noticed his sleepy eyes.
"You can rest in my brother's room—it's right behind you. He won't be back till tomorrow. And don't wander around too much. There are only a dozen people on the island. We're tight-knit, but we don't trust outsiders easily."
"Got it. Thank you again, Koya."
Lying on the simple bed, his eyes fell on the wall calendar: Sea Circle Calendar – Year 1465
Ding Li's heart raced. Gol D. Roger hadn't even begun his journey yet. The Great Pirate Era was still years away.
He stared at the ceiling, mind racing. This world was cruel. Danger didn't care if you looked for it—it would find you. But now he had the system. Now he had hope—hope to grow strong enough to bring his parents back.
He clenched his fists under the blanket. Only the strong could protect what they loved. Only the strong had the right to speak. Weakness itself was the original sin. Fists decided truth.
Eventually sleep claimed him.
In his dream he relived the hate comments, Jiang Mengyan's cold breakup, the fall from the roof… Then his parents appeared, standing in warm light, smiling and waving. He tried to run to them, but his body wouldn't move. He tried to shout, but no sound came.
Suddenly a gentle warmth wrapped around him like an embrace. He knew they were telling him: "We're always here. Keep going."
Next morning—noon, actually—sunlight slipped through the window cracks and danced across his face. He was still smiling in his sleep when the system chimed.
Ding! "+1 [Disgust] emotion collected." "+1 [Sadness] emotion collected…"
Ding Li frowned. Who…?
Raised voices outside snapped him awake.
"Koya!!! I told you never to bring strangers home! And you let him sleep here?!"
It was Koya's older brother, Rem Hai—voice thick with anger and fear.
Koya stood firm, eyes red but unwavering.
"He's not a bad person, bro! I know it!"
"How can you be sure?! How can you guarantee he won't hurt you?!"
Koya took a deep breath.
"I found him naked on the beach. What kind of criminal runs around with no clothes? He was robbed by pirates and barely survived. Remember when Mom and Dad hid you in that barrel? A stranger heard you crying and saved your life. Someone helped you once. Why can't I help someone else? I'm still standing here unharmed. Doesn't that prove he's a good person?"
Tears welled in her eyes, but her voice never shook.
Rem Hai fell silent. After a long moment, his anger melted into guilt.
"…I'm sorry, Koya. I didn't mean to yell. After Mom and Dad were gone, you're the only family I have left. I was terrified."
He stepped forward and pulled his sister into a tight hug. She finally broke—tears spilling freely as she buried her face in his chest.
"I won't yell again," he murmured, gently patting her back. "I promise."
Koya cried harder, all her bottled-up grief and loneliness pouring out.
Rem Hai glanced over her shoulder and spotted Ding Li in the doorway.
"Koya… you might want to stop crying in front of strangers," he said softly.
Koya froze. She whipped around—and locked eyes with Ding Li.
His gentle smile was like a spring breeze.
"Sorry for causing trouble, Koya."
Realization hit her. Her face turned crimson all the way to her ears.
She frantically wiped her eyes, trying to look calm, but her red eyes and trembling lips betrayed her.
"D-Ding Li! When did you wake up?!"
"Just now," he lied smoothly. "I didn't see anything, promise. I literally just got to the door."
Koya's inner monologue: Liar! He definitely saw everything! Oh no, he saw me crying like a baby! He's gonna think I'm a crybaby forever!!
Her blush deepened to sunset red.