Being carried onto an ambulance at the start? But this is America!

Perhaps it was because of the alcohol, or perhaps it was because the [Wanderer] talent was working at full capacity to repair his body during deep sleep, but Li Ping slept exceptionally soundly this time.

When I woke up, I felt like a battery that had been fully recharged.

At 6:30 in the morning, the alarm clock woke him up. He was so full of energy that he had nowhere to vent it, as if he could poke a hole in a tent.

The moment I crawled out of the sleeping bag, a surge of heat coursed through my limbs and bones, my muscles swelled slightly, and my senses became exceptionally sharp.

"Eating too much, converting energy too quickly... isn't always a good thing," he muttered with some distress.

This body is in its prime, full of vigor and vitality, and has been forcibly transformed into a highly efficient energy furnace by its innate talent. As a result, certain physiological reactions are particularly pronounced in the morning, and it is full of energy.

He lifted the hem of his undershirt to take a look.

After just two days of indulging in a feast, the effects are already beginning to show.

The once clearly visible ribcage outline is now covered by a thin layer of firm muscle, and the lines of the six-pack abs are becoming more defined, with the bottom two also beginning to take shape.

Instead of developing into a bulky physique, it evolved into a lean, streamlined, and explosive cheetah-like body.

This aligns well with the core logic of the "vagrants" evolving for survival, since on the streets, agility and endurance are often more important than sheer size.

Looking down at his belly again, he saw it was small and thin.

Not bad.

In order to expend excess energy and to continue feeding this greedy body.

Li Ping ate a hearty meal while carrying a small cart, and then went for a run.

After running quickly through several blocks, I spent three dollars at a convenience store that opened early to buy two hearty sandwiches and a large cup of black coffee before leisurely strolling back to the camp.

He has a resistance to junk food, but his younger brother might not be so. Even if you have money, you still need to pay attention to your diet.

"Hey Ping, up so early today?"

Back at the camp, Camilla was already ready and standing in her jingling little car, heading out.

Good morning, beautiful lady!

Jermaine and Una left even earlier than her, before dawn—they had seen Los Angeles at four in the morning and walked through it day after day.

"Do you need this to perk you up too?"

Li Ping's eyelids twitched when he saw Camilla take a small medicine bottle out of her bag, pour out two white pills, and swallow them with water.

"Don't worry, I'm not like Fletcher, that painkiller warrior."

Camilla shook the bottle, which had the name of some kind of over-the-counter energy supplement on it.

"This is a hunger-fighting drug."

A mixture of vitamins and caffeine can keep you going all morning and save you over a hundred dollars a month on breakfast.

"Want one?" Camilla handed over the bottle.

Li Ping quickly waved his hand and handed over a sandwich: "Let's eat something more substantial."

"No, I need to lose weight, thank you."

Camilla smiled and pushed it away, glancing at the neatly packaged sandwich.

This wasn't from a relief station; she has principles and won't take advantage of her friends.

She waved, pushed the cart, and her figure quickly disappeared at the end of the dilapidated streets of Los Angeles.

At the campsite, many people were still sound asleep, recovering from the hangover from the previous night.

Li Ping returned to the tent, shook Li Fan awake who was still snoring, and handed him a sandwich and coffee.

"Brother, have one too."

Li Fan was still sleepy, but he still remembered to hand the other sandwich back to him.

"I've eaten, and I ran around, I'm very full."

Li Ping patted his stomach. "Eat quickly, we have important business to attend to today."

While Li Fan wolfed down his food, Li Ping began tidying up the cart.

He unloaded some miscellaneous items that he didn't need for the time being to make room, and then took out the waterproof backpack that had been used to hold his sleeping bag yesterday, and began to stuff it with bottled water, drinks, fruit and various high-calorie foods that could be stored for a long time.

I probably won't have time to jungle today, so I need to make sure I have enough energy.

The Wanderer's talent for enhancing his physical foundation has clearly not yet reached its limit; he needs continuous and substantial feeding.

Then, he packed up the clothes he had received yesterday and the toiletries he had received the day before.

I'll take a shower later and take good care of myself.

Maintaining basic cleanliness on the street can not only reduce the risk of disease, but sometimes it can also earn you a little more respect or opportunity from others.

After Li Fan finished eating, the two brothers set off again.

"Brother, what are we going to do today?" Li Fan asked, pushing the cart behind them.

"Let's go to church first and take a shower."

Li Ping had planned it all along: "I felt uncomfortable if I didn't clean myself up last night, since I reeked of alcohol and cigarettes."

In the vicinity of the poorest neighborhood, many churches are open to the homeless, providing free hot showers and clean toilets.

Before you leave, you only need to offer a brief prayer or simply express your gratitude—for God's sake.

Before 7:30 a.m., the two brothers stood once again in front of the white, right-angled, three-sided Methodist church.

The morning light bathed the building in a pale gold hue, and the black cross at the top silently pointed towards the sky.

They arrived early, but some people arrived even earlier.

Ms. Marina is already here.

Today she was wearing a simple white short-sleeved shirt, her hair was neatly combed, and she was taking inventory of the supplies piled up next to the side door.

The morning light shone on her face, softening even the deep wrinkles, making her appear as a loving and peaceful old woman.

From Roland and Camilla, Li Ping learned that Marina was not just an ordinary devout believer.

She is a full-time employee of the church, working as a community outreach and relief project coordinator.

It may not sound prestigious, and the salary may not be high, but it is a key link connecting the church with marginalized groups like them.

In Li Ping's understanding, this church is somewhat like an enhanced version of a community activity center.

It simply relies on donations from believers and volunteers to provide community members with multi-level support, from material to spiritual.

Food, temporary shelter, childcare, job recommendations, legal advice and referrals, emotional support, etc.

Especially when you encounter difficulties, it can prevent you from being instantly killed.

Of course, how much help you can get when you encounter difficulties often depends on how much you have contributed to the community.

Whether it's money, time, or devotion.

However, in the face of the rich’s money, the poor’s time and piety are not so important.

"Good morning, Ms. Marina. It's so nice to see you again."

Li Ping stepped forward and greeted him in a natural yet appropriately respectful tone.

In the United States, unlike in Tokyo, people address each other with respect, such as "Grandma" or "Auntie," while maintaining a respectful distance.

Addressing someone by their first name or as a lady is a way to maintain respect and appropriate distance.

"Oh, Ping! Fan!"

Marina looked up, her grey-blue eyes brightening noticeably when she saw the two brothers, and a warm smile bloomed on her face.

The two Asian brothers in front of her, one calm and slightly thin, the other tall and somewhat simple-minded, always reminded her of her two sons who had long since passed away.

They were once a similar group.

She gently hugged Li Ping and asked with concern, "Children, did you come so early because you need any help?"

"No, Ms. Marina, you have shown us the way and helped us a great deal."

Li Ping spoke sincerely, without mentioning the helper opportunity suggested by the system, as that had not yet occurred.

"We just wanted to use the shower room to freshen up."

He pointed to the conspicuous half-bag of empty bottles and cans on Li Fan's cart, "Roland and our friends at the camp taught us some ways to make a living, and we started to learn to save money little by little."

"Collecting bottles won't be enough to cover the cost of asking Roland for help, child."

Marina shook her head gently, her eyes showing understanding mixed with a hint of worry.

Roland had already mentioned to her that the two brothers had a chance to apply for green cards through a special immigration law, but they would need a considerable amount of start-up capital.

This money, to some extent, is also a screening and test to see if the two brothers are worthy of being helped.

"Camilla is keeping an eye out for suitable job opportunities for us."

Li Ping immediately responded, subtly revealing his plans and attitude.

"We are also trying to find our own solutions. Besides collecting bottles, we can also help people move things, clean up yards or garbage. We believe that as long as we are willing to work, we can always find work."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious, "We just need some time and a chance to get started."

These words were partly a genuine plan, and partly a carefully laid groundwork.

Li Ping understands a psychological principle well: compared to those you have helped, those who have helped you in the past are often more likely to lend a helping hand to you again.

Marina was such a key helper.

He needs to show her his initiative and gratitude, not just that he is waiting for charity.

In the United States, there are indeed casual jobs available where people are willing to put in the effort, such as cleaning up trash, maintaining yards, and doing simple housework; the requirements are not high.

The only obstacle is often the availability of information and jobs.

And that is precisely what they currently lack.

Marina listened quietly, her gaze lingering on Li Ping's young yet earnest face, and on Li Fan's strong yet submissive figure beside him.

"Keeping clean and working hard is good."

She finally spoke gently, without making any further promises, but the approval in her eyes was clear.