Lin Yu reached out and hooked his arm around Chi Qingchi's elbow. With a slight tug, the slender Qingchi stumbled two steps forward, effortlessly pulled to his side.
"Qingchi, you brought classmates along without giving me a heads-up?" Lin Yu's tone was domineering.
Chi Qingchi looked up, meeting Lin Yu's gaze.
What is Lin Yu up to?
Standing arm-to-arm like this made them look way too intimate. They'd clearly agreed—no fake-boyfriend cosplay in public.
Is he forcing the issue now?
But comparing the options…
Polite closeness with Lin Yu versus being awkwardly latched onto by the vice president…
Temporarily yielding to Lin Yu seemed the better choice.
"I didn’t know either. The vice president didn’t tell me he was coming."
[Ding!]
[Masterful move! Your dominant display has greatly reassured the Joyous Sect Bell Envoy. Keep it up!]
[Reward: 20 spirit stones]
[Ding!]
[Critical hit! The heretical demon suffers severe physical and mental anguish from your strike!]
[Reward: 20 spirit stones]
Two system notifications in a row.
A perfect demonstration of how human joys and sorrows don’t intersect.
The Joyous Sect Bell Envoy felt "greatly reassured"—what a brilliant choice of words.
At the entrance, she’d seemed so clear-headed during their chat.
Yet after one assertive move, she obediently played along.
A tsundere otaku through and through.
The truth behind Zhang Wuji’s mother’s warning only grows more undeniable.
The intimate gesture didn’t just leave Zhao Yuhao frozen in awkwardness—it also made his two companions widen their eyes in shock.
Was the plot unfolding this explosively?
A face-off between the real and fake boyfriends?
Zhao Yuhao didn’t even dare glance at his friends’ expressions.
He quickly changed the subject:
"Lin Yu, right? Hello. Qingchi mentioned in her texts that you wanted to buy a Zoro figurine. I’m pretty close with the shop owner here, so I came by early to check things out."
"The three best picks in the store are in the display case over there. Want to… take a look together?"
[Ding!]
[Warning! The heretical demon, unable to endure humiliation, is launching a fierce counterattack. Host, continue your assault and showcase the might of a sect disciple!]
"Sure, thanks, Vice President. You’re too kind," Lin Yu replied with a smile.
Even without the system’s alert, Lin Yu could sense it—this was a trap.
Not one, but three options?
No way the demon was being this generous.
Fine, let’s see what he’s really plotting.
Under Zhao Yuhao’s lead, the group approached the display.
Two Zoro figurines of different designs and sizes were showcased inside.
As for the third one…
It sat on a small table beside the case.
This Zoro…
Barely qualified as Zoro.
Forget craftsmanship—there was none. It looked like a cheap, crude lump of clay, with even the sword bent awkwardly.
Not even worthy of the display case.
Zhao Yuhao adopted an expert’s tone:
"I checked with the staff. These are the three best choices in the shop."
"Prices are 99, 299… and 2,399!"
He deliberately emphasized the last number.
Lin Yu understood instantly.
A wealth-checking scheme, huh?
Zhao Yuhao continued:
"For beginners, I’d recommend the 99-yuan one. Just for fun."
"Heh, no offense, but figurine collecting is an expensive hobby. If you can avoid it, better not dive in."
"As someone who started early, I know firsthand how much it burns through your wallet."
"Qingchi mentioned your budget wasn’t high, so I asked the owner to pick something affordable."
Oh, how generous of him to "ask the owner"!
No hidden meaning?
The condescension was practically oozing.
Might as well carve "EXPERT" on his forehead.
Knowing the budget was tight, he deliberately picked two expensive options for comparison.
How thoughtful!
If Lin Yu went for the 99-yuan one, Zhao Yuhao would probably swoop in to buy the 2,399-yuan piece for the final humiliation.
A flawless play.
Help Qingchi out, flaunt his expertise, and trample Lin Yu into the dirt—all in one.
If this were Lin Yu from his past life, broke and insecure, the outcome would’ve been:
Ego shattered by the "harsh realities" and "glaring disparities," he’d slink away from Qingchi’s life in shame…
Ah, the battles between otaku youth—so simple, unpretentious, and painfully naive.
No fancy cars or watches. Just figurine flexing?
How adorably juvenile.
"The vice president’s a real pro. So helpful—thanks."
"Qingchi, which one do you like?" Lin Yu asked.
Chi Qingchi parted her lips, about to speak, then bit her lower lip and stole a glance at Lin Yu.
She knew his family situation well.
Aunt Qimeng supported him financially, covering his expenses and schooling.
Even if he’d saved some pocket money, it couldn’t be more than a few hundred yuan.
Indulging in hobbies had to stay realistic.
To her, Lin Yu’s question seemed like a plea—let her point out the cheap option to save face.
But as she prepared to speak, she hesitated.
She could guess Zhao Yuhao’s motives.
If she recommended the 99-yuan figurine as he intended…
Would the aftermath hurt Lin Yu’s pride even more?
Watching Qingchi’s face cycle through micro-expressions, Lin Yu instantly knew—the overthinking otaku was at it again.
He casually rested a hand on her shoulder and gave it a light pat:
"That hard to choose? There are only three options."
"Just pick the one you think looks best. Money isn’t an issue."
Nearby, Zhao Yuhao’s glare could’ve sliced Lin Yu’s hand into sashimi.
His inner monologue: Quit your damn posturing!
Too embarrassed to pick the cheap one yourself, so you dump the decision on Qingchi?
Exploiting her kindness to cover your empty wallet?
Disgusting. Shameless. Despicable. And keep your hands to yourself!
If looks could kill, Lin Yu’s fingers would’ve been julienned by now.
Seeing Lin Yu’s confidence, Chi Qingchi decided to take a tiny gamble.
She’d bet his wallet held at least 300 yuan.
Worst case, she’d buy the figurine back from him later with her sister’s next allowance—just say she liked it.
"I think the second-tier one looks really cool. I pick the 299-yuan one!"
The moment she spoke, she scrutinized Lin Yu’s reaction, hoping she’d read him right.
But then—
Lin Yu frowned, hesitated, and rubbed his nose.
Her heart sank.
Wrong choice?
Should’ve gone with the 99-yuan one after all…
Behind them, the peanut gallery whispered.
Hao Qian murmured to Zhou Yang:
"Figurines are this expensive?"
Zhou Yang nodded slowly, shielding his mouth.
"Rich kids’ luxury. Bet this Lin Yu doesn’t wanna drop 300 on a toy."
Hao Qian gave a thumbs-up in agreement.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yuhao was loving this.
Pushing up his glasses with his arms crossed in front of him, Zhao Yuhao listened as Lin Yu muttered under his breath:
"The vice president recommended the 99-yuan one... and Qingchi, you like the 299-yuan version..."
"Personally, I think the 2399-yuan one looks the best... Ugh, this is so hard to decide!"
Zhao Yuhao sneered inwardly, disdainfully thinking to himself:
"Oh, spare me the act. Qingchi already spilled the beans—your budget’s practically nonexistent! Just grab the 99-yuan one and check out already. Quit stalling and say it!"
As the tension built up perfectly, Lin Yu finally put on a determined face and declared:
"Enough overthinking—I’ll take all three."
Zhao Yuhao, who’d been waiting for this moment, seized his chance to speak.
"Hah, knew you’d pick the—"
His words caught in his throat as the realization hit him.
"Wait... all three?!"
world slacker. But a genius female disciple just had to get clingy, insisting that he take her as a disciple. Not only that, she was always making advances on him, thoroughly disrupting his peaceful slacker life...
lities. One day, Qi Yuan was buying groceries when he unfortunately came face-to-face with a monster. Just when he thought he was going to die on the spot, he suddenly heard the monster's thoughts... "This aura, he's definitely not an ordinary master!" "So terrifying, so terrifying." "A fight with my back against the wall, I can't take it anymore." Qi Yuan: Ah, no one told me that my awakened ability isn't telepathy, but rather the stronger my enemies imagine me to be, the stronger I truly become. PS: Zhou Hai in the first chapter is not the protagonist.
his freshman year, Su Bai accidentally bound the "Indulgence Tycoon System." 【Sleeping in? Reward: +$1,000】 【Spent $288 at a street barbecue stall? Cashback: +$2,880】 【Dropped $14,396 on in-game skins? Special reward unlocked: A brand-new Porsche Panamera!】 Luxury cars, penthouses, corporate shares, financial empires… College life was all about living freely and doing whatever he pleased! … When the adorably naive academic genius faced family medical bills and financial struggles, Su Bai waved his hand dismissively: "Your future is on me." "Wuwu~ Big Brother is so good to me! I’ll become a scientist to repay you!" When the genius girl got bullied by a shady professor? Su Bai casually dropped a billion-dollar investment, forcing the university to grovel and beg for her return. A company’s funding chain collapsing? Su Bai smirked—cash was the one thing he’d never run out of. Years later, when people traced the rise of the AI prodigy beauty, who was the man behind her success? Not just that—Su Bai also became the tsundere campus belle’s unattainable dream, the contrast senior’s daily necessity, and the beautiful counselor’s emotional anchor…
some people's 18th birthday, deities bestow a playing card imbued with "supernatural abilities." 52 playing cards, 52 unique powers. Those who receive these special cards gain admission to the finest supernatural academy. School Beauty: "I have the Queen of Spades—I can summon any weapon!" Rich Heir: "My dad holds the Jack of Diamonds—it grants infinite wealth!" Meanwhile, in another corner, a young man wields his card, effortlessly using all 52 abilities. The crowd gasps in shock. "What card do you have?" The youth glances at his card and smirks: "Well..." Busiest in the circus, wildest in Gotham. Standing guard at McDonald's, unmatched in the deck. "Please check the book title."
