Chapter 101: Summer Vacation Ends

When receiving the rewards, Jiang Zheng was astonished to discover that the reward actually offered two items. He had the choice to select two skills to claim.

This novel-writing task comprised four temporary skills in total.

Namely, the Tentacle Monster, the Fountain of Inspiration, the Elegant Prose, and the Rhythm Master.

His ability to update so rapidly while ensuring chapter quality—nearly three million words of a novel, never deviating from the rhythm until the very end—was inseparable from these four temporary skills.

Without them, Jiang Zheng would have been unable to attain such a level.

The Tentacle Monster enhanced hand speed.

The Fountain of Inspiration provided inspiration.

The Elegant Prose allowed for high-quality writing.

The Rhythm Master, however, enabled him to grasp the overall rhythm, preventing a collapse midway.

Each of the four skills was exceptionally powerful; any one could be deemed a network author's ultimate aspiration.

Now, with two selection opportunities, Jiang Zheng faced a dilemma in choosing two skills as rewards.

The system-provided skills were all formidable, which was precisely why he hesitated so much upon receiving rewards.

Considering broad applicability, he muttered to himself, we can initially exclude the Rhythm Master skill.

This Rhythm Master skill was indeed strong. Online novels, particularly serialized long ones, were prone to rhythm collapse. Once the rhythm broke, the story was essentially finished.

Moreover, its effects extended beyond that; mastering the rhythm would yield more satisfaction points for readers, making the experience more enjoyable.

All readers sought novels to kill time and alleviate boredom, all in pursuit of pleasure.

Thus, if Jiang Zheng aspired to the path of an online author, this skill would be an indispensable divine technique.

Yet, while potent, its limitations were significant; it shone brightest in online novels.

At other times, it had little practical effect.

Since Jiang Zheng had no immediate plans to pursue that route, he set this skill aside first.

The remaining options were three choices.

He was still tempted by the Tentacle Monster skill, which boosted hand speed, as there were numerous applications for it in daily life.

He hesitated between Elegant Prose and Fountain of Inspiration.

Both were writing-related skills, and compared to Rhythm Master, they offered wider applicability—not limited to online fiction.

After much deliberation, Jiang Zheng decided to choose the Fountain of Inspiration skill.

He reasoned that he might not have much time to write, and Elegant Prose would not be utilized frequently either. However, for his graduation thesis, this skill could expedite its completion.

After all, theses required no high literary flair, only precise and solemn expression.

Having selected the rewards, Jiang Zheng claimed them.

Both skills belonged to the talent-type, and he prepared himself for any potential drawbacks.

Secondly, Jiang Zheng's fingers felt sore and powerless, as if needles were pricking them. As the proverb goes, ten fingers connected to the heart, the pain made him lose all desire to do anything.

Apart from the soreness, his mind felt sluggish.

Unlike his previous absent-mindedness, where thinking was normal but unfocused, now his thoughts moved slowly. When reading, it was particularly noticeable.

A single piece of knowledge might take him a long time to process.

Fortunately, this was at home, with no mishaps.

After a day of recovery, all symptoms vanished.

To his surprise, his tenosynovitis had seemingly healed.

Due to overworking his fingers with intense writing, he had contracted tenosynovitis, which was excruciating.

Jiang Zheng had relied on plasters for relief, planning to seek treatment later, but unexpectedly, it resolved.

Now, his fingers moved freely without any pain.

After completing the novel task and claiming the rewards, little time remained in the summer vacation.

Seizing the final days, Jiang Zheng spent quality time with his parents.

Honestly, during this summer break, he had minimal time with them, spending most days coding.

The days passed uneventfully, and the summer vacation concluded.

As the start of school neared, and since Jiang Zheng attended university in a distant city, he needed to head there early.

His parents packed a large bag for him. Upon opening it, it was filled with milk, fruits, bacon, snacks, and more, brimming with provisions.

Jiang Zheng smiled bitterly and said, Dad, Mom, you packed so much; how am I supposed to carry it all?

Why not? You can put it in the car during travel, his mother replied.

But it's too much; I really can't take it all. Maybe leave the milk and bacon for you to eat, Jiang Zheng suggested.

Drink more milk. The bacon is already cooked; just cut a piece when you want to eat it, his mother said.

Then I'll leave the fruits and snacks behind.

No, take them with you to eat, his mother insisted.

Jiang Zheng had no retort; whatever he said, there was a counter.

Staring at the heavy bag, he inwardly resisted—not because the gifts were insufficient, but because he disliked carrying so much.

He was someone who abhorred trouble, preferring light travel when going out, without excess baggage.

Enough, hurry up and go. Don't waste time, his mother urged, prompting him to depart.

Jiang Zheng responded and walked to the door, suddenly feeling a pang of reluctance.

He turned to look at his parents; his mother waved him off, saying, Hurry, hurry.

Jiang Zheng pursed his lips tightly, turned, and left with the bag.

Soon after, a worried reminder came from behind: Be careful on the road. Call me when you arrive.

Jiang Zheng nodded, boarded the car with his belongings.

This time, he took the high-speed rail; he hailed a taxi to the station.

He had considered flying, but recalling recent plane incidents, he abandoned the idea.

On his return, he had brought little, but now heading to school, besides a large suitcase, he had a big bag of things.

For Jiang Zheng, these were sufficient; for his parents, perhaps not enough.

Sitting on the high-speed train, Jiang Zheng sat in a daze, lost in thought.

The passing scenery blurred by—mountains and rivers, bridges and streams—until he reached the city where his university was located.

After alighting, Jiang Zheng carried two large items, pushing his way out through the crowd.

Though slender, his strength was formidable; he handled the bulky bags as if they were feathers.

Exiting the station, he waved down a taxi with ease, ignoring the driver's inquiries.