Chapter 19: Growing Stronger

The evening heat began to wane, and Chen Lingxue, Dong Xuan, along with Wang Lingling, busied themselves preparing dinner. Naturally, they were making rice cakes. Ji Chang and the other boys, including Huang Mang, were busy constructing a toilet.

After more than half an hour had passed, the simple toilet was finally built, and the rice cakes were ready. As they gazed upon the gradually "matured" rice cakes, everyone was thoroughly satisfied. Soon, after freshening up, they gathered around to eat the rice cakes.

When everyone had nearly finished eating, Chen Lingxue stood up and said, "I have something I'd like to discuss with everyone."

Upon hearing her words, everyone lifted their heads to listen.

Meeting their expectant gazes, Chen Lingxue continued, "It's been over a day since the shrinking incident occurred. Normally, a day's time would swiftly pass, but in our current situation... it feels incredibly long. From our initial panic and confusion to the ants we encountered, building our stronghold, seeking water, food... facing hornets... we've truly endured countless trials."

"But fortunately, we're still alive. Fortunately, we're sitting here eating rice cakes, and we have water to drink. None of this would have been possible without our unity and effort. However, I believe there's one person we should be especially thankful for – Ji Chang."

With her words concluded, Chen Lingxue raised her cup and looked towards Ji Chang, continuing, "Ji Chang, thank you for everything you've done for us! Without you, I don't think we would have made it this far."

Chen Lingxue knew that without Ji Chang, they might have avoided the ants and insects, but they would likely have suffered from thirst and hunger.

"Ji-ge is mighty! Thank you, Ji-ge! Without Ji-ge, my extraordinary power wouldn't have grown so much! From now on, Ji-ge is my big brother!"

"Yeah, without Ji-ge, we wouldn't even have these rice cakes. Plus, I owe my awakened extraordinary power to Ji-ge. Ji-ge is awesome; he's my big brother from now on!"

"Both of you, back off. Ji-ge is my big brother! You can only be the third and fourth younger brothers!"

"Thank you, Ji Chang."

"Ji Chang, it was thanks to you in the cabinet last time. We're grateful for your presence!"

...

Everyone at the table sincerely expressed their gratitude. Ji Chang modestly waved his hand and said, "No need to thank me, we're here to help each other."

Then, Chen Lingxue continued, "Now that we've gained some improvements in our extraordinary powers, we're still quite weak. So, we must continue to strive and strengthen our extraordinary abilities. But I believe our group currently needs a captain, a leader who can guide us towards strength, a captain who can provide us direction. And this captain can only be Ji Chang."

"Ji-ge, become our captain! Lead us!" Chen Lingxue earnestly looked at Ji Chang.

The idea of making Ji Chang their captain had taken root in Chen Lingxue's heart since she heard about Ji Chang's plans for the future in the courtyard that morning. Moreover, she deeply admired everything Ji Chang had done for everyone since he returned.

For her, she might have been able to inspire everyone to stay strong, but she lacked the ability and resources to provide food and water like Ji Chang did.

She might be able to analyze the current situation logically, but she couldn't come up with as far-reaching plans as Ji Chang's. Ever since she started school, she had held the position of class monitor, honing her organizational and management skills. But in comparison to Ji Chang, she knew she was inferior.

Throughout her life, she had never admired anyone until her recent interactions with Ji Chang. She deeply admired the Ji Chang in front of her.

At this moment, in her mind, the image of his distinct and resolute face under the sunlight still lingered – the face that discussed the new era and new order with her.

...

Huang Mang and the others stood up as well and echoed, "Ji-ge, become our captain, lead us!"

Initially, Ji Chang had considered declining Chen Lingxue's suggestion. However, seeing everyone's sincerity, he stood up slowly and softly said, "Being able to sit here and eat rice cakes isn't solely my credit. It's a result of our unity and effort. When disaster strikes, no one can remain unaffected. One person's strength is limited, while the power of a group is boundless."

"Since everyone agrees that I should be the captain, I won't refuse. I hope we can unite and work together from now on. We need to not only survive in this post-shrinking world but also live splendidly. Let's grow stronger and create our own brilliance!"

After he finished speaking, Ji Chang extended his palm slowly.

Following suit, everyone also reached out, overlapping their palms over Ji Chang's.

"Unite and strive, grow stronger, create our brilliance!"

"Unite and strive, grow stronger!"

"Create brilliance!"

"Live splendidly!"

...

Each individual seemed ignited by Ji Chang's words, shouting, roaring, excitedly and wildly exclaiming, releasing their inner emotions. Even the usually quiet Dong Xuan was shouting, veins popping on her forehead.

As they yelled, they embraced each other, bursting into tears.

In this moment, they truly emerged from the shadow cast by the shrinking incident.

Chen Lingxue and Ji Chang stood together, their hearts overflowing with excitement.

Ever since the shrinking, each of them felt like a heavy stone weighed on their hearts, especially after what happened with Xiao Feng. Although they kept up appearances, that stone in their hearts made it hard for them to breathe, particularly during the late hours of the night, when the feeling intensified.

However, now, under Ji Chang's influence, they not only dispelled their internal gloom and lifted that weight from their hearts, but they also vented their pent-up emotions and became filled with hope for the future.

All of this was what she had always aspired to achieve.

Lost in her thoughts, Chen Lingxue gazed at Ji Chang beside her, growing increasingly entranced...

...

At dawn, Ji Chang, having slept through the night, woke up early. To ensure everyone could rest better, he decided to cancel the shift duty rotation. His ants and hornets would take over.

Even if they had been on shift duty, Ji Chang had already stationed his ants and hornets nearby. If danger approached at night and neither ants nor hornets could withstand it, the meaning of shift duty would be minimal.

However, as Ji Chang stepped out of the 'room' to stretch, he saw Chen Lingxue, who seemed to have been up for a while. At this moment, she was continually spraying green droplets from her palm.

The green droplets on her palm kept gathering, growing larger.

Ji Chang could sense a strong aroma from the gathering green droplets. Taking a deep breath, he felt as if he was standing in a lush forest after the rain.

But in the next instant, Ji Chang suddenly noticed that the green droplets gathering in Chen Lingxue's palm had turned into a withered yellow color!