"I've made up my mind!"
"I'm going to A University!"
During their usual routine of walking Tang Manman home, after two weeks of agonizing over the decision, she finally declared her choice.
Lin Yu nodded and asked,
"So, are you planning to get in through direct admission?"
"You qualify for that, right?"
Tang Manman first nodded, then shook her head firmly and said,
"No, I want to take the entrance exam."
"If I can rank well in the province or city, I might even get a scholarship."
Seeing Tang Manman settle on her university, Lin Yu nodded, secretly making his own decision.
If she was going to A University, then he would go to N University—a first-tier institution in the same city as A University.
Based on his recent mock exam scores, getting into N University shouldn’t be a problem.
That way, they’d be in the same city, and during holidays…
Heh heh heh!
"What about you?"
"Haven’t you picked a university yet?"
Just as Lin Yu was struggling to control his facial muscles, Tang Manman turned to him with the question.
"Ahem!"
Clearing his throat and schooling his expression, Lin Yu put on a casual air and said,
"Haven’t decided yet."
"No rush."
"I’ll take my time."
Not getting an answer, a flicker of disappointment crossed Tang Manman’s delicate features. After a moment, she looked up again and asked,
"Are you planning to stay in the north or go south?"
A University was in the north, and Lin Yu’s intended N University was naturally also in the north. But he wasn’t about to reveal that. Instead, he feigned hesitation.
"I don’t know either."
"I kind of want to see the south, but I’ve heard it’s really humid and hotter than the north. If I had to live there for four years, I’m not sure I could get used to the climate."
"Then don’t go."
Tang Manman suddenly spoke up, her glistening eyes fixed on Lin Yu with a hint of pleading, as if she were on the verge of tearfully begging, "Stay with me, okay?"
Lin Yu chuckled and ruffled Tang Manman’s hair, amused.
This silly girl had no idea he’d already decided to attend a university in the same city as hers.
And here she was, already sad about their post-exam separation!
Thinking it over, worried that Tang Manman’s overthinking might affect her exam performance, Lin Yu decided to dangle a carrot.
"Tell you what—if you get into A University, I’ll give you a surprise!"
"What surprise?"
Tang Manman blinked, looking adorably curious.
"If I told you now, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?"
Lin Yu rolled his eyes at her, refusing to spoil the mystery.
As they walked, nearing Tang Manman’s home, Lin Yu took a detour, leading her to a nearby snack shop.
Each of them picked out a big bag of snacks, and on their way out, they grabbed two fruit teas from the stand outside.
When they reached Tang Manman’s doorstep, Tang Qinqin peeked out like a cat catching a whiff of fish, eager for gossip.
Spotting the giant bag of snacks in Tang Manman’s hands, Tang Qinqin’s eyes lit up.
When Lin Yu handed over his own bag of snacks along with the fruit tea, Tang Qinqin’s delicate brows shot up in shock, her bright eyes widening like two little lightbulbs.
"You’re the best brother-in-law in the world!!!"
She snatched the snacks and tea with exaggerated gratitude, looking as overjoyed as a drought-stricken farmer kneeling in the rain, weeping thanks to the heavens.
Tang Manman’s fair skin flushed scarlet. She shot a reproachful glare at her sister, who’d clearly forgotten her in favor of snacks. But to Lin Yu’s surprise, she didn’t correct or deny anything.
Instead, her first instinct was to check Lin Yu’s reaction.
Their eyes met, and Tang Manman’s face turned even redder.
She opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words, her flustered expression both hilarious and endearing.
In the end, she fled inside like a startled rabbit.
The instigator, Tang Qinqin, glanced at her sister’s retreating figure, then back at Lin Yu with a sly grin that seemed to say, "See? Worth the snacks, right?"
Lin Yu suppressed a laugh, shot her a mock glare, and turned to leave…
---
The college entrance exams took place in early June.
It was a season of blooming flowers and lush greenery, a time when life thrived in full vigor.
Free from family pressure or expectations, Lin Yu faced the pivotal exam with calm composure.
Stepping out of the testing hall, he let out a long exhale.
He felt reflective, though not as intensely as in his past life.
Compared to his previous existence—where high school meant seven days of study and half a day of rest—this life had been downright blissful.
And honestly, he hadn’t even studied that hard!
Over three years, only the last six months had demanded real effort. The struggles and sacrifices of his past life paled in comparison.
After the exam, Lin Yu lingered, waiting for Tang Manman, who was also testing at the same venue.
While he waited, Gu Yue emerged first, her eyes red.
"What’s wrong?"
"Did you bomb the test?"
Lin Yu approached her.
Gu Yue pouted pitifully as she walked toward him. Without a word, she suddenly raised her arms, aiming for a hug.
Lin Yu stiffened.
What the—?
Tang Manman’s about to come out! Are you trying to get me killed?
He quickly sidestepped, slinging an arm around Gu Yue’s shoulders like a buddy.
"Come on, no waterworks. What’s up?"
"Couldn’t answer the questions? Think you failed?"
Gu Yue shook her head, looking even more miserable.
"No, I just… wanted to cry."
"I’m so tired from all the studying."
Lin Yu rolled his eyes and gave her shoulder a pat.
"Go home, sleep it off. Play some Genshin for a couple days—you’ll be fine."
Just as he finished consoling her, Lin Yu spotted Tang Manman in the crowd.
Glancing between Gu Yue—who was now avoiding his gaze—and Tang Manman’s stormy expression, a realization struck Lin Yu.
He turned to glare at Gu Yue, furious.
You little—
Did you do this on purpose?
Trying to stir the pot with Tang Manman?
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
with countless casualties. As a top-tier gamer, Liu Xuan volunteered to join the fight, intending to dominate with his skills, but instead he obtained the hidden class: [Pacifist]. Unable to attack. Unable to use active skills. Fortunately, with each level gained, he acquired a new passive skill. And so, armed with a body full of passives, Liu Xuan slaughtered his way through the battlefield of ten thousand races! [You attacked Liu Xuan] [You gained the debuffs: 'Poison', 'Fear', 'Burning', 'Bleeding', 'Freeze', 'Silence', etc.] [Your attack speed has been reduced by 99%] [Your armor and magic resistance have been reduced by 99%] Warriors of the Ten Thousand Races: How the hell am I supposed to fight this?!
close your eyes and open them again, only to find yourself transmigrated into the role of a villainous male supporting character. Readers familiar with urban wish-fulfillment novels know that it is only through the relentless antics of the villainous male supporting character that the plot between the male and female leads can progress. As the villainous male supporting character, Long Aotian not only has to bully the female lead, harass the second female lead, and flirt with the third female lead, but he also has to go all out to antagonize the male lead. In the end, when his body is discovered, he is still clutching half a moldy fried dough stick in his hand. Fully aware of the plot, Long Aotian is determined to change his fate, starting with the female lead! In the beginning, the female lead lacks confidence: "Big brother, I hope I didn't scare you?" In the middle, the female lead treads carefully: "Brother Long, please don't hit me, okay?" Later on, the female lead becomes coquettishly clingy: "Aotian, it's time to pay the 'public grain' tonight." Long Aotian's legs go weak, and he feels like crying: "I taught you to be thick-skinned, not shameless!"
iaobai: "Councilor Dad, front me some funds. I want to hire ten thousand professional miners for a project!" [Five-Star Mission Issued: Capture the leader of the Blood Heaven Pirate Gang, who is on the run in the Radiant Star Sector. It is said the gang has over a hundred members. Proceed with caution.] Lu Xiaobai: "Councilor Dad, lend me the family's hundred-thousand-strong Lu Army!" [Seven-Star Mission Issued: Subdue a juvenile Void Dragon Beast.] Lu Xiaobai: "Councilor Dad, I'm taking your tamed Void Dragon Beast King out for a family reunion!" I said, System, don't you have any slightly more challenging missions? You're just not up to par! [Nine-Star Mission Issued: Become the Human Councilor.] Lu Xiaobai: "Dad, there's a small matter I'd like to discuss with you..."
