Bao Chen stood before the bakery, its aged brick walls and peeling shutters framed by the scent of fresh bread that wafted through the chilly morning air. The place was unassuming, but to Bao Chen, it was a goldmine of opportunity. Here, beneath the guise of an ordinary bakery, he could gather what he needed to refine his Devour Ability.

He stepped inside, greeted by the soft clatter of trays and the hum of casual conversation. The atmosphere seemed warm, almost welcoming, but Bao Chen had long since learned how to read between the lines. Beneath the polite smiles and pleasantries lay an unspoken tension, stretched taut like an invisible thread, for some reason.

Behind the counter stood Wei Changfeng, the baker and Bao Chen’s boss. He was a stout man with graying hair and an expression that rarely strayed from disapproval. His sharp eyes immediately locked onto Bao Chen as he entered.

“Bao Chen,” Wei Changfeng said, his tone carefully measured, “you’re just in time. There are scraps in the back that need to thrown away. Get to it before they pile up.”

“Yes, sir,” Bao Chen replied evenly, keeping his expression neutral. His experiences in his past life with this man he could read him like a book He knew Wei Changfeng didn’t want him here, same as his original world, but the man wasn’t one to air his grievances openly. The veneer of professionalism had to be maintained, after all.

"Maybe in this world, I will know why he has such a dislike against me." Bao chen

Standing a few steps away, Ling Yun, Wei Changfeng’s daughter, was quietly wiping down a countertop. Her movements were precise, her expression serene, but Bao Chen caught the faintest flicker of something in her eyes when she glanced his way. Warmth? Recognition? He didn’t dwell on it. Ling Yun had been the reason Wei Changfeng allowed him to stay, though Bao Chen wasn’t entirely sure why.

“Ling Yun,” Wei Changfeng said, his tone softening slightly, “take those trays to the back. And don’t dawdle—there’s still plenty of work to do out here.”

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“Yes, Father,” Ling Yun replied, her voice steady and polite. She picked up a stack of trays and moved toward the storage room. As she passed Bao Chen, she gave him a small, almost imperceptible nod.

“Excuse me,” she murmured, her voice quiet yet tinged with something Bao Chen couldn’t quite place.

He stepped aside, nodding in return, but his focus remained on his goal. The scraps and discarded materials in the back were essential to his progress. His Devour Ability thrived on what others considered waste, converting it into strength and points he could use to further refine his power.

Seated near the counter was another man, dressed in fine, tailored clothes that seemed out of place in the modest bakery. His posture was relaxed, his smile easy, but there was something calculated about him—like a predator hiding behind a mask of charm.

“This is Bao Chen, right?” the man asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

Wei Changfeng nodded. “Yes. He helps with the scraps and other tasks around here. Keeps things running smoothly.”

“Hmm,” the man said, his gaze shifting to Bao Chen. “Good to know. Every workplace needs someone to handle the... less glamorous tasks.”

Bao Chen met the man’s cold eyes briefly, offering a polite nod but saying nothing. He had no interest in engaging with whatever game this man was playing.

The man’s attention drifted to the storage room where Ling Yun had disappeared. His expression softened slightly, almost imperceptibly, as he spoke again. “Ling Yun’s really grown into her role here. The place wouldn’t be the same without her.”

“Of course,” Wei Changfeng replied, his tone guarded.

Ling Yun returned moments later, her presence drawing the man’s gaze instantly. “Ling Yun,” he said warmly, “that looks heavy. Let me help you.”

“No need,” she replied politely, setting the trays down with practiced ease. Her movements were efficient, but Bao Chen noticed the faint tension in her shoulders as she avoided the man’s eyes.

“I’ll get started on the scraps,” Bao Chen said, breaking the moment.

“Good idea,” Wei Changfeng replied, his tone light but laced with an unspoken edge.

Bao Chen turned and headed toward the back, his mind already focused on the task at hand. The scraps and wasted materials here were more than trash to him—they were the key to unlocking his potential. He activated his ability, the familiar hum of energy stirring within him as he began to devour the remnants, turning them into raw power, bao chen is using his system points to activate his ability, they're are materials for him to eat, but it will make him sick, it's better if we use the system points for now.

In the storage room, Bao Chen worked silently, his thoughts consumed by the intricacies of his ability and the knowledge he still needed to perfect it. Outside, the polite facade of harmony continued to play out. Ling Yun busied herself with her tasks, her father watching her closely, while the other man sat with a calm exterior, though his fingers tapped the counter in a subtle rhythm that betrayed his unease.

For Bao Chen, His sole focus was on the strength he needed to survive—and thrive—in a world where every scrap of power counted, like A stranger in his own life, not fitting in like he used to.