Thinking of this, Ryan Bennett picked up the book again, keeping it about fifty centimeters from his eyes, focusing intently on it while muttering under his breath, “Don’t come out, don’t come out…”

At the same time, he tried to keep his mind focused on keeping the spiritual energy in his eyes. As his gaze fell on the book, Ryan Bennett clearly felt the spiritual energy stir, but just as he wished, it remained in his eyes and didn’t shoot toward the book. In other words, with his willpower—or rather, his thoughts—he could control the spiritual energy.

Unable to contain his joy, Ryan Bennett laughed happily. After all, although being able to see through other people’s clothes was a bit perverted, it was also quite thrilling. Plus, the change in his eyes seemed to bring him some kind of benefit. He wondered if he could see the winning numbers inside scratch-off lottery tickets.

“Xiao Rui, what are you giggling about over there all by yourself?” Ryan Bennett’s laughter woke his sleeping mother.

Chapter 0007 Demolition of the Old House

The train, blowing its long whistle and rumbling deafeningly, slowly pulled into Pengcheng Station. As soon as they stepped off the train, a cold snowflake landed on Ryan Bennett’s neck. The biting northern wind made Ryan Bennett pull his coat tighter as he carried the luggage and walked out of the station with his mother.

Pengcheng Railway Station is one of the larger transfer stations in the country. Heading south to Zhonghai, north to the capital, and west to Xi’an, almost all routes transfer here. Even though it was already past 11 p.m., the temporary waiting hall set up in the spacious station square was still filled with people waiting for their trains. With just over ten days left until the New Year, despite the bone-chilling wind, the thought of soon reuniting with family brought happy smiles to everyone’s faces.

Ryan Bennett’s family owned two properties in this ancient city. One was the old family house at the foot of the scenic Yunlong Mountain, the ancestral home. It had been requisitioned during the ten years of turmoil but was later returned. However, Ryan Bennett only spent his childhood there and moved to another place around the age of ten.

The other residence was assigned to his mother by her former school. A few years ago, when the country reformed its housing policy, previously assigned homes had to be purchased based on years of service. This apartment, next to his mother’s old school, wasn’t large—just seventy-two square meters with two bedrooms and a living room—but the location and floor were excellent, and the home had heating. Shopping and transportation were convenient. Ryan Bennett had lived there until he graduated high school. Last year, he spent over thirty thousand yuan to buy it outright. Only a few days ago, when his mother mentioned it, did Ryan Bennett learn that they had received the property deed last month.

Ryan Bennett hailed a taxi, and just the starting fare was enough to get them home. After climbing to the second floor and seeing the lights on, he knew his sister Emily Bennett was staying there tonight. Pushing open the door, a wave of warmth greeted him. A little girl, about two or three years old, was hiding behind his sister, peeking shyly at Ryan Bennett, who was covered in snow.

“This little one has been asking to see her uncle all day. Now it’s so late and she still won’t sleep, but now that uncle’s here, she’s suddenly shy. Nannan, hurry and call uncle…” Emily Bennett said with a smile.

Seeing the two steaming bowls of noodles on the table, each topped with a fried egg, Ryan Bennett felt a surge of warmth in his heart. This was home! After living and working in Zhonghai for over a year, being sick and alone in a rented room with no one to care, taking cold showers over and over in the summer to cool off—thinking of all this, Ryan Bennett couldn’t help but let his tears fall. In that moment, he felt the urge to quit his job in Zhonghai and return home.

“Mama, uncle is crying. Nannan doesn’t cry anymore, but uncle is so embarrassing…” The childish voice rang out, making everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Ryan Bennett lifted Nannan high into the air, scaring the little girl into wailing. As soon as he put her down, she hid in her grandmother’s arms and wouldn’t go near her uncle again. It wasn’t until after dinner, when Ryan Bennett brought out some White Rabbit milk candies from Zhonghai, that the little girl warmed up to her uncle.

After dinner, it was already past midnight. Ryan Bennett washed up and returned to his room. Just like a year ago, nothing had changed. Lying in bed, looking at the familiar room, it was a long time before Ryan Bennett finally fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, Ryan Bennett took his niece to the park for the whole day. They rode the water plane, the carousel—everything. Instantly, he became the most beloved person in his little niece’s heart, bar none.

It was Friday, and in the evening, after work, his brother-in-law came home, bringing lots of New Year’s goods. Only then did Ryan Bennett remember they needed to prepare for the New Year, but nowadays, most people just shop at the supermarket, which is convenient.

“Brother-in-law, how’s your factory doing these days?”

After dinner, the whole family sat on the sofa, watching TV and chatting. Little Nannan was climbing all over everyone, but after a stern look from Emily Bennett, she hid in Ryan Bennett’s arms.

“Same as always. The restructuring didn’t really help. The monthly salary is just over a thousand yuan—enough to get by, but not much more. It’s your sister who’s had to put up with me.”