Siheyuan: A master brewer starts with a jar of bone-strengthening wine!

After paying, Liu Dong picked up the steamed buns and turned to leave.

I walked to the corner and opened my lunchbox—whoa!

A whole box of glistening, fragrant braised pork belly looks so delicious it makes your mouth water!

"That's right," he replied with a laugh, "I just can't afford vegetables!"

After saying that, he turned and left.

He Daqing stood there, his teeth itching so badly he wanted to gnaw on the wall.

On his way back to the office after dinner, Liu Dong hummed a little tune, feeling very happy.

He Daqing took off his apron, picked up a lunchbox, and slowly walked out of the kitchen. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, he slipped out of the factory gate, walked east through Xizhimen, and soon arrived at a traditional Chinese medicine shop.

He cheerfully pushed open the door and went in: "Miss Bai...is Miss Bai here?"

The woman sorting the medicinal herbs inside was in her thirties, dressed simply, with gentle features.

When she turned around and saw it was him, a smile immediately spread across her face: "Oh, Brother He! Why did you come early today? Your wound isn't due for a dressing change yet."

"No need to change!" He Daqing deftly placed the lunchbox on the counter. "Try the dishes I cooked!"

Curious, Bai Yulan lifted the lid, revealing a plate of stir-fried celery with shredded pork, a dish that looked and smelled delicious.

"Hmm?" She took a bite, her eyes immediately lighting up. "It's delicious! Brother He, with your skills, it's a waste that you're not a chef!"

"Of course!" He Daqing puffed out his chest, patted the wrinkles on his clothes, and said, "See? This is the work uniform issued by the factory. It's a permanent position, a secure job!"

He leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Miss Bai, to tell you the truth, I've developed feelings for you! You're a widow, and I'm a widower. Although there's a seven or eight-year age gap, I'm capable, strong, and have a stable salary. I'll make sure you don't suffer financially!"

"How about we start dating?"

Bai Yulan's cheeks flushed instantly, and she lowered her head, biting her lip. "But my child is still in Baocheng. My older brother found me a job there... I really can't stay here anymore."

"It's fine if you want to start a family," she looked up at him, "but you have to come to Baocheng with me."

"What a coincidence!" He Daqing's eyes lit up. "My brother lives in Baocheng and owns a restaurant! Now that there's a public-private partnership, he has connections there. Take me there, let me be the public manager, I guarantee I'll earn more than I do now!"

Bai Yulan's eyes flickered slightly, her gaze as clear as water, as if a thousand words were hidden deep within.

He Daqing swallowed hard, his throat tightening. "But I have two kids... I can't leave right away."

"You should think about it carefully." Bai Yulan's face suddenly turned cold. "The children are all grown up; can they really rely on their parents for the rest of their lives?"

He Daqing opened his mouth, but remained silent for a moment.

Meanwhile, in the office of the publicity department of the steel rolling mill—

With Yu Liansheng and Xu Damao not around, Liu Dong was happy to have some free time and secretly took out a small cup of his own brewed [Rejuvenation Wine] from the drawer.

The wine had a faint green glow, like dew in a deep forest at night, or like newly sprouted spring grass. This stuff was extraordinary.

It doesn't smell of alcohol, nor does it have that kick. Let alone drink it, even if you just hold it in your hand and shake it, a layman wouldn't be able to tell that it's alcohol.

That's absolutely outrageous.

Liu Dong frowned and muttered something to himself.

He lowered his head and took a small sip.

It tastes like water, no flavor at all.

But in that instant, a semi-transparent interface popped up in front of me, like a screen stuck to the air.

Name: Liu Dong

Age: 18 years old

Lifespan: 94 years (human limit 180 years)

Strength: 947 points (human limit 99)

Resilience: 976 points (human limit 99)

Agility: 78 points (human limit 99)

Flight skill: 989 points (speed 989m/s)

Hidden physical ailments: 9 points!

Possessing the following vats: Strengthening Vat, Bone-Strengthening Vat, Time-Traveling Vat, Good and Evil Vat, Cursed Vat, Flying Vat, Rejuvenating Vat

Liu Dong froze, his eyes widening in surprise.

Has it changed?

The first thing I noticed was the new section – [Hidden Physical Ailments].

I rely on?

I've rarely even caught a cold since I was a child, how could I possibly have a hidden illness?

Nine o'clock still?

What concept?

Even more outrageous is the lifespan—it was originally written as 84 years, but now it has jumped directly to 94 years!

He has a full ten years more to live!

……

That's amazing!

One more bite!

Gumbling—

He took another sip.

Panel pops up:

Lifespan: 104 years!

Hidden physical ailments: 8 points!

May your life be extended by another ten years, and may your hidden illnesses be reduced by one.

Drink some more!

Gum!

Lifespan: 114 years!

Hidden disease: 7 o'clock!

Glug... Glug... Glug...

He downed seven mouthfuls in one go.

When the last remaining "hidden ailment value" reaches zero, the lifespan number will steadily stop at -180 years!

The final interface looks like this:

Name: Liu Dong

Age: 18 years old

Lifespan: 180 years (human limit 180 years)

Strength: 947 points (human limit 99)

Resilience: 976 points (human limit 99)

Agility: 78 points (human limit 99)

Flight skill: 989 points (speed 989m/s)

Hidden physical ailments: 0 points!

Possessing the following vats: Strengthening Vat, Bone-Strengthening Vat, Time-Traveling Vat, Good and Evil Vat, Cursed Vat, Flying Vat, Rejuvenating Vat

Liu Dong almost shouted it out, his mind reeling – Holy crap, am I going to live to see the end?

My hands were shaking with excitement.

Close your eyes and carefully feel the changes within your body.

It's clear! It feels like hot water has been poured over me from the inside out, all my internal organs are unblocked, my muscles and tendons feel relaxed, and I feel refreshed.

I can't quite describe the feeling; it's like being wrapped in a quilt and basking in the sun in winter—so comfortable that you feel like you're humming a tune right in your bones.

It took him a while to put the wine away and calm down.

People who appear healthy may be rotten inside.

...When I get home tonight, I'll let my wife, Chen Xueru, have a couple of drinks to cleanse her body of any unseen ailments.

"Liu Dong, come here for a second!"

Yu Liansheng, the deputy head of the publicity department, hurriedly pushed open the door and plopped down in his office chair.

"Why?"

Liu Dong quickly went over.

Yu Liansheng said, "Our steel rolling mill is under the jurisdiction of the Sijiucheng Iron and Steel General Plant. They're organizing a training course for young employees to improve their ideological awareness. If you pass the graduation exam, you can apply for probationary Party member status. Director Yang said you've been performing well lately and your qualifications are sufficient, so our department will recommend you!"

"Ten days of intensive training!"

"Is it okay?" Yu Liansheng's eyebrows were practically flying to the sky, his face saying, "This is a good thing, don't turn it down."

Liu Dong was overjoyed, his mouth stretching to his ears: "Great! Absolutely fantastic! Thank you for your trust, boss!"

what is this?

The plating is so shiny with gold!

Uncle Yang is really praising me!

He knows it perfectly well.

"This is your letter of recommendation." Yu Liansheng handed over a piece of paper, adding, "This is a city-wide training program for all units. It's not in our factory office; it's at the cultural center near Qianmen. Ask around for the exact location when you get there. It starts tomorrow and lasts for ten days. Don't be late!"

"clear!"

"Xueru, this is a medicinal wine I brewed myself, specially formulated to regulate your constitution. You can drink it without worry!"

"It's really...so green, I have a feeling I'm going to die from poisoning..." Chen Xueru said, clutching the cup with tears in her eyes.