Pretending to be a genius starts with the civilization advancement assessment.

Chapter 8 The New Era, January 1st

A week flew by amidst the summer heat and the tranquility of life.

Lin Yi's body, which was originally just "healthy and regularly exercised," is quietly undergoing changes.

Time, under the disguise and careful preparation of this ordinary, almost trivial daily routine, silently and resolutely slides toward that point that is destined to overturn everything.

Bone density subtly increases, providing stronger support, nerve reaction speed also improves significantly, and the five senses become more acute.

The muscle lines become more refined and fluid within a symmetrical framework, concealing an inner explosive power.

If he was originally a high school student who loved sports, he is now comparable to a professional athlete.

On the outside, he is still that sunny and handsome young man, but inside, he is like a piece of refined steel that has been repeatedly forged and impurities removed, just waiting to be sharpened and drink blood.

The curtain is about to rise on this grand drama, where lives are at stake and the world is the stage.

【2027年7月24日，星期六】，也就是前世认定的新纪元1月1日。

The morning sunlight, carrying a hint of heat, streamed into the room through the gaps in the curtains.

Lin Yi opened his eyes, his gaze devoid of any grogginess from just waking up, revealing only the stillness of a frozen lake.

"Xiao Yi, get up! Today is your big day!"

The mother, Zhou Jinghua, spoke from outside the door with a joyful sense of busyness.

"I'm here, Mom."

Lin Yi responded in a steady voice, then quickly got up, dressed, and washed up.

The boy in the mirror still looked a bit immature. He looked at himself in the mirror and slightly adjusted the curve of his mouth to make that smile look like that of an eighteen-year-old.
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A festive red banner had already lit up on the LED screen at the entrance of the Fu Jin Hall of Hong Fu Lou restaurant: "Warm congratulations to Lin Yi on passing the college entrance examination with flying colors."

Just after 11 a.m., people began to arrive one after another.

"Xiao Yi! Congratulations!"

Uncle Zhou Jianjun, a sturdy, resolute middle-aged man, patted Lin Yi's shoulder forcefully; the strength of a veteran's hand is truly considerable.

"Oh my, this child is getting more and more energetic!" Lin Yi's well-dressed and gentle-smiling aunt praised him, holding his hand.

My cousin Zhou Jieyu, a boy who had just started junior high school, excitedly circled around Lin Yi, saying, "Brother Yi! You're awesome!"

My cousin Zhou Mengmeng, a primary school student with pigtails, looked up at me with envy and asked, "Brother, does going to university mean I don't have to study anymore?"

Looking at the genuine smile on his uncle's resolute face, Lin Yi suddenly recalled a scene from his past life:
A heavy stench of blood mingled with the putrid smell. In the narrow stairwell, the uncle brandished a chipped fire axe, roaring as he shielded himself and his cousin behind him. The fire axe whistled through the air as it slashed down, precisely striking the neck of the Corrosive Abyss Wolf that lunged at him!
But the uncle couldn't dodge in time and was attacked by the beast, who tore off half of his ear, and blood stained half of his cheek.

"Of course, you should study even harder when you get to university." Lin Yi didn't say much, but just rubbed his cousin's head, looked at her droopy face, and laughed, "Uncle and Aunt, please have a seat inside."

"Alright, alright, you go ahead with your work." Uncle nodded with a smile.

No sooner had my uncle's family left than a voice, deliberately raised and slightly exaggerated, interrupted.

"Hey, Xiao Yi, you've really made something of yourself! Tsk tsk, Qing Teng University! You've really brought honor to the Lin family. Maybe your uncle will have to rely on you in the future."

Lin Yi looked up and saw that his uncle Lin Ruiheng and aunt Liu Mei had brought his cousin Lin Ran.

The eldest uncle wore an unnatural forced smile and a subtle sense of distance, while the eldest aunt tugged at his sleeve, looking slightly embarrassed.

His cousin, Lin Ran, followed behind somewhat awkwardly, calling out "Brother Yi" with evasive eyes.

Looking at the family in front of him, Lin Yi felt rather complicated.

He knew better than anyone that this uncle, who had some disagreements with his family and whose words always carried a hint of sarcasm, had managed to secure a position managing supplies at the "Rock" large shelter six months after the apocalypse and the collapse of order, thanks to a chance encounter.

However, when he learned that his family was struggling to survive in another small shelter and living in poverty, this uncle took the risk and asked the supply escort team to send him emergency food and medicine, along with a message that he would help him secure a place to live in "Rock".

It was only after moving to "Rock" that he was able to set off on his adventure with peace of mind, freeing him from worries about his parents' safety.

"Aunt and Uncle are here, please come in!" Lin Yi's smile remained unchanged, pretending not to understand his uncle's sarcastic remarks, and greeted them warmly, his gaze sweeping over Lin Ran, "Ranran is here too, please come in and have a seat."

After greeting his uncle's family, his classmates, who had been specially invited, followed closely behind.

Squad leader Zhou Yuxuan, tall and composed, handed over a gift box with a sincere smile.

"Lin Yi, congratulations."

"You're too kind, squad leader. Please come inside."

Lin Yi's voice remained calm and steady, but only he knew that the fingers gripping the gift box tightened slightly for a moment.

After the apocalypse, the only news I received from my squad leader was an obituary:
"In order to cover the evacuation of the residents of the 'Nanhu' shelter, the entire shelter guard team, from Captain Zhou Yuxuan down, sacrificed their lives."

"Brother Yi, we have to have a good drink today!" Lin Yi's best friend Chen Yu put his arm around Lin Yi's shoulder, with his tall and beautiful girlfriend Su Xiao by his side.

Su Xiao's beautiful eyes held a hint of lazy amusement as she raised an eyebrow at Lin Yi as a greeting.

Lin Yi laughed and punched Chen Yu lightly: "Don't even think about getting me drunk!"

He glanced at his best friend and his girlfriend, and thought to himself, "What do you mean?"

"Well, there aren't any particularly good memories of those two. We were on a date when the apocalypse started, and we were killed in the first wave of the pandemic. We were like a pair of doomed lovers."

"Lin Yi, congratulations."

Ye Qingyu, the class beauty, spoke softly, her fair cheeks flushed slightly. She handed Lin Yi a beautifully wrapped gift, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment before quickly looking away.

"Thank you."

Lin Yi accepted the gift, his fingertips accidentally brushing against the other person's slightly cool fingertips.

"Well, whatever about Qingyu."

Lin Yi sighed inwardly.

Because Ye Qingyu's grades weren't very good, and she happened to sit in front of him, she often turned around to ask him questions. This matter was used by busybodies to stir up trouble. At the time, he was focused on his studies and didn't bother to interfere. Unexpectedly, Ye Qingyu didn't refute it either. Over time, the rumor spread that the two were a couple.

Ye Qingyu died later.

The scene from that time unconsciously surfaced in Lin Yi's mind.

A piercing alarm echoed through the dimly lit shelter corridors!

A mineral water bottle rolled in the corner, compressed biscuits were scattered all over the floor, and Ye Qingyu lay in a pool of blood, still tightly clutching a bag of grain that she hadn't yet managed to deliver.
As a distant relative of the shelter's management, she was assigned to the logistics group, which received slightly more rations—the rations she had saved for herself.

She didn't even get a chance to utter a complete cry for help before being ambushed and killed by a stealthy Shadowblade.

There were some things she never said, even until her death.

Lin Yi's smile was flawless, even appearing more gentle: "Thank you for your gift, Ye Qingyu. Please come in and have a seat."

For some time afterward, relatives and friends kept coming to visit.

Lin Yi, like a young man truly immersed in joy, wore a perfectly measured smile of excitement as he warmly greeted each guest and invited them to take their seats.

The father, Lin Ruiming, was beaming as he greeted his familiar coworkers and elders.

Meanwhile, Zhou Jinghua, the mother, was busy with preparations, checking the banquet with several female relatives who had arrived early. Her face was filled with undisguised pride and joy.

Looking at his parents' busy but contented figures, Lin Yi's gaze then seemingly casually swept over each familiar and vibrant face.
These figures, some scattered and some faded from their past lives, are now vividly gathered in this small banquet hall, their laughter and congratulations creating a warm and lively sea of ​​sound.

He remained silent for a moment, then a joyful smile appeared on his face.

Time slips away quietly amidst the hustle and bustle.

(End of this chapter)