"Got the date set?" Jiang Chengyue asked while nibbling on some fruit, eyeing her niece with amusement.
"Yep, he's going to the bookstore tomorrow, so I'll just 'happen' to be there too."
Jiang Chengyue chuckled at her niece's transparent eagerness.
"Want me to tag along and check him out? Your auntie here has a sharp eye for people, you know."
Jiang Yunlu shot her aunt a wary look.
"Auntie, don’t you dare mess this up."
"Tsk, what’s the matter? Afraid I’ll ruin your perfect little date? Or is it that you’re scared I’ll tell your overprotective dad? Relax, I’m just worried about you—getting taken advantage of and all."
At that, Jiang Yunlu’s face flushed instantly.
"That won’t happen! I won’t let anyone take advantage of me!"
With that, she sprang up and flung open her wardrobe, already picking out tomorrow’s outfit.
"Tsk tsk tsk, already planning your outfit before the day’s even begun."
Jiang Yunlu thought of Chu Miaomiao’s curvaceous figure—wearing a dress would definitely turn heads, wouldn’t it?
But she figured she’d look just as cute in one.
After a moment’s hesitation, she cupped her own chest and muttered under her breath,
"I’m not that small either."
......
Lin Mo genuinely needed to buy study materials.
Those two test papers had stumped him in several places—most likely because they covered sophomore-level topics.
As for freshman-year knowledge, he’d already skimmed through the math textbook but hadn’t found the relevant sections.
So, he needed to grab some sophomore-level math references to get a head start.
Slipping into a loose T-shirt and casual shorts, Lin Mo slung his backpack over his shoulder and headed out.
If he was going book shopping, he’d need something to carry them in.
Lin Mo had loved reading since he was a kid—novels included.
He’d devoured series like Little Tiger Team, Adventure King, and Wesley.
Back then, he’d often drop by the bookstore on weekends for extracurricular reads or study guides.
But after starting high school, he’d stopped coming—choosing instead to waste time in internet cafés or playing pool.
A textbook case of self-sabotage.
After hopping off the bus and walking a short distance, he arrived at the bookstore’s entrance.
Weekends here were always packed.
This place was practically the city’s biggest bookstore.
The moment Lin Mo stepped inside, his phone buzzed.
Since Auntie Zheng had forbidden Xie Yuling from using a smartphone, the Android device had eventually found its way back to him.
So, Lin Mo had started using it himself.
(Ahem, forgot to check the timeline—iPhone 5 wasn’t released in China until December.)
Smartphones were just more convenient for browsing the web.
Pulling it out, he saw a message from Jiang Yunlu.
SunnyClouds: I’m at the bookstore. Where are you?
Lin Mo glanced toward the ground floor and quickly spotted Jiang Yunlu stepping through the doors.
"Third floor. I’ll wait for you up here."
The third floor specialized in children’s books and study aids.
It had everything—elementary, middle, and high school materials, with multiple editions of textbooks available.
Hands down, the most comprehensive bookstore around.
Jiang Yunlu dashed up the escalator, her deep green spaghetti-strap dress fluttering slightly. Delicate embroidered flowers adorned the straps, adding a touch of youthful charm to her lively demeanor.
With her fair complexion, she drew plenty of glances as she made her way up.
School uniforms really did dull a person’s appeal.
But Jiang Yunlu’s beauty was something even a uniform couldn’t hide.
She practically sprinted up the escalator—ignoring the fact that it was moving on its own—and reached the third floor, where Lin Mo stood waiting by the exit.
"Lin Mo!"
Lin Mo smiled. "No need to rush."
The girl tilted her head up, eyes crinkling with a grin. "I wanted to see you sooner."
Damn, this girl’s smooth.
But Lin Mo’s heart only rippled slightly. "Alright, let’s go. Help me pick out some Olympiad math guides."
Jiang Yunlu blinked in curiosity. "You’re really joining the Olympiad? I tried it once, but it was way too hard—I dropped it pretty quick."
Lin Mo reached out and ruffled her hair.
"Good thing you didn’t stick with it. It is tough. Honestly, badminton suits you better for club activities."
"Hmph! I’m officially on the high school badminton team now, you know. It’s just as impressive as your math competition."
Jiang Yunlu planted her hands on her hips but made no move to swat Lin Mo’s hand away.
"Exactly why I said badminton fits you."
"And I think it fits you too! If we paired up for mixed doubles, no one could beat us."
Lin Mo shook his head, leaning down to murmur by her ear, "Sports don’t challenge me anymore. That’s why I’m focusing on academics now."
Jiang Yunlu hadn’t expected him to get so close. A blush dusted her cheeks.
"Hey, has anyone ever told you how pretentious you sound?" she whispered back—though her tone held no real annoyance.
"Let me tell you a secret—I’m trained in martial arts. There are rules against people like me competing in regular sports. National regulations and all."
Lin Mo’s deadpan delivery made Jiang Yunlu frown.
"Seriously?"
"Dead serious. Otherwise, I could’ve easily gone for weightlifting, right?"
Recalling Lin Mo’s strength, Jiang Yunlu had to admit it made sense.
By now, Lin Mo had led her to the high school section.
Rows of math and Olympiad books lined the shelves.
Lin Mo picked up a few, flipping through them—keeping the useful ones and returning the rest.
Watching him focus, Jiang Yunlu asked softly, "If I hadn’t come today, would you have just come alone?"
"Obviously. Why?"
His blunt reply lifted her spirits.
This totally counts as a date.
"Then why didn’t you invite Xie Yuling or Chu Miaomiao? Aren’t you neighbors and landlord-tenant?"
This girl—her probing is so obvious.
"I planned to come alone. Didn’t think to ask anyone."
That made Jiang Yunlu even happier.
See? Taking the initiative pays off.
Lin Mo quickly settled on a stack of workbooks and guides.
With these, those two test papers shouldn’t be a problem.
Tucking the books into his backpack, he turned to Jiang Yunlu.
"Let’s grab some food."
Her face lit up. "Yes! What are we eating?!"
Then she froze, remembering something.
"Oh no—my family’s driver is waiting outside. If we leave, my dad will track me down in no time."
"There are multiple exits here. We’ll eat and circle back."
Lin Mo grabbed her wrist and steered her toward another door.
His heightened senses had already pinpointed the driver’s location—avoiding him was child’s play.
Jiang Yunlu stared at her captured wrist, recalling how Lin Mo had done the same on enrollment day.
"So… where are we eating?"
"How about a Hong Kong-style café?"
uld barely embark on the path to immortality. Just as he was on the verge of death, his golden finger awakened. No matter whether it was poison, drained blood and vital energy, diminished lifespan, or any other physical debuff caused by paying a price—once midnight passed, everything would be refreshed. From then on, whenever someone asked what kind of person Chu Ran was, the answer was simple: Forbidden arts that other cultivators dared not learn? Chu Ran would learn them. Prices that even demonic cultivators dared not pay? Chu Ran would pay them. Lifespan that even righteous cultivators dared not burn? Chu Ran would burn it. All the blood essence in his body? Take it. Want both his hands and feet? He would cut them off and send them to you. You say he’s finished? He wasn’t built to sit idle. You think he’s gone mad? No—he was simply waiting for midnight. From that day onward, Chu Ran would respect neither Heaven nor Earth, bow to neither gods nor ghosts. He had only one wish: For midnight to arrive a little sooner.
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
ap a wealthy young lady? Or else I'll be eliminated by the system? Ye Feng, who awakened the Kidnapper System, originally wanted to live a peaceful life but never imagined he would become a kidnapper of young women. However, after some time, he discovered that all the girls the system ordered him to kidnap were far from ordinary. "Big brother Ye Feng~ You've kidnapped my heart, and now you're not allowed to leave me ever again~" "Ye Feng~ You kidnapped me back then, now it's my turn to capture you♡" "Little Feng, you're mine! You can only be mine!" "Ye Feng, none of them deserve you. Only I love you the most♡" ... This is madness, they've all gone mad! Wait, what? Why are all the girls I kidnapped yanderes?!
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
