First Lottery Draw, the Exquisite Jade Marrow Elixir

50 points of Sect Contribution and 200 RMB successfully obtained!

Calculating by hourly wage, this job is really not bad.

With these 50 points, the debt from staying out all night has finally been cleared.

Even more surprising—

An extra reward: a free lottery draw!

While Chen Qimeng was busy trimming the flower branches, Lin Yu quickly opened the system’s lottery interface.

With just a thought, a giant virtual wheel—similar to those prize wheels in shopping malls—appeared in his mind.

White, blue, green, orange, red… a dazzling array of colors.

Hundreds of differently colored grids overlapped densely.

Each one was marked with a question mark, hiding its contents.

All to heighten the thrill of the unknown!

Behind the [Start Lottery] option, a note was added: [This draw is free (normally costs 200 Sect Contribution)].

A single [Daily Mission] had earned him 50 Sect Contribution.

If there were other ways to gain Sect Contribution, drawing once wouldn’t be too difficult.

Completing an [Emergency Mission] should definitely yield even more.

Lin Yu didn’t waste time and immediately started the draw.

The wheel spun rapidly before gradually slowing to a stop on a blue section.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations, Host! You’ve obtained a physical reward: Radiant Jade Marrow Pill!]

[Description: Skin like jade, eyes like stars—only with such allure can our sect’s disciples bewitch the world.]

Radiant Jade Marrow Pill… now that’s a treasure!

In simpler terms, it’s like having a permanent beauty filter, maxing out one’s looks.

Since the system had classified him as a disciple of the Harmony Sect, appearance was crucial.

For an average-looking guy to pair up with a beauty—

Unless you had an endless supply of cash or charisma, neither of which he possessed.

Good looks were the best weapon.

With Chen Qimeng right there, Lin Yu didn’t dare take the pill out and consume it immediately.

If the change was too drastic, explaining it on the spot would be awkward.

…

After finishing the watering, Chen Qimeng put away the watering can and tidied up the balcony.

Then she hurried upstairs to grab her everyday shoulder bag, ready to head out to the flower shop.

The early bird catches the worm.

Opening the shop early meant more chances to earn.

Hard work and perseverance were practically etched into Chen Qimeng’s bones.

While changing her shoes, she noticed Lin Yu standing in the living room, watching her.

"Xiao Yu, if I’m not too busy, I’ll come back to make lunch."

"If the shop keeps me tied up, I’ll text you in advance."

"Do you still have enough pocket money? Let me give you some cash."

"It’s your break—you should hang out with friends more. There’s always something to spend on."

As she spoke, she opened her bag to pull out some cash.

Back in 2014, while Alipay and WeChat Pay existed, they hadn’t yet reached universal adoption.

Small shops in second-tier cities still relied heavily on cash, with digital payments being hit or miss.

Lin Yu shook his head.

"Auntie Qimeng, I still have plenty of money. I’ll let you know if I need more."

"But… are you really going out like this?"

Chen Qimeng: "Huh?"

What did he mean?

Wasn’t this how she always left in the morning?

Was today different?

Her sesame-sized brain raced to figure it out.

"Oh!"

Suddenly, it clicked.

With one foot in a sneaker and the other in a slipper, she rushed over to Lin Yu.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a light hug.

Lin Yu: "???"

Chen Qimeng: "Xiao Yu did great today. You deserve encouragement."

[Ding!]

[Your exemplary daily conduct has left a strong impression on the Acting Sect Leader, laying a solid foundation for future promotions!]

[Reward: 10 Spirit Stones.]

Lin Yu couldn’t help but laugh.

Was this really how a normal 35-year-old woman’s brain worked?

After the hug, Chen Qimeng looked up at him expectantly.

Her eyes practically screamed: You just wanted praise, didn’t you?

Lin Yu reached out and lightly poked the hollow of her collarbone.

The touch made her eyes flicker in surprise.

Big eyes, bigger confusion.

"Auntie Qimeng, what I meant was…"

"Are you really going to work in an apron and a nightgown?"

Lin Yu teased.

Chen Qimeng looked down—

"Oh no! I was so focused on grabbing my bag, I forgot to change!"

Watching her scramble upstairs in a fluster, Lin Yu couldn’t help but chuckle.

In the days to come, it was hard to say who’d be taking care of whom.

…

After Chen Qimeng left, Lin Yu returned to his room for a quick shower.

A whole night at an internet café, plus all that beer, had left him reeking.

If he was going to interact with the other housemates, he couldn’t smell like a dumpster.

Lin Yu and Chen Qimeng’s rooms were on the third floor.

Most tenants didn’t want to climb that many stairs daily, so the two of them ended up on the top floor.

Of course, they weren’t the only ones—other renters lived there too.

Chen Qimeng took great care of Lin Yu, reserving the largest bedroom on the third floor for him.

In addition to a private bathroom, there was even a small partitioned study.

After showering and getting dressed, Lin Yu retrieved the [Radiant Jade Marrow Pill] from his system.

It was a white pill, indistinguishable from a white chocolate candy at first glance.

Lin Yu swallowed it in one go, and the pill flowed down his throat like a refreshing stream.

He could distinctly feel changes occurring in his body—his steps even felt lighter.

He turned to gaze at his reflection in the mirror:

His amber eyes now shimmered with a dark golden luster, exuding an eerie allure amidst their usual coolness. His sharply arched brows appeared more defined than before, and when his lashes fluttered, they resembled butterfly wings brushing against a poisoned blade. His wheat-toned skin now bore a jade-like sheen, with faint golden veins faintly visible beneath, as if molten lava flowed beneath his flesh…

Of course.

None of these supernatural phenomena actually happened.

The real changes weren’t as dramatic as he’d imagined.

Lin Yu’s foundation wasn’t bad—he was tall, lean, and somewhat good-looking.

Under the pill’s effects, the faint acne scars on his face vanished completely.

His skin became fairer, as if filtered with a cool-toned brightness.

His eyes, once weary, now gleamed with clarity and vitality.

His nose bridge seemed slightly more defined.

Overall, his features became more chiseled, and even his hair texture improved.

If he ever ran out of career options, he could probably become a flirtatious streamer scamming aunties with his looks.

Staring at his reflection,

he scrutinized himself for over a minute.

Lin Yu: "Huh… I do look a bit hotter now, don’t I?"

After his shower, Lin Yu rummaged through his "modest" wardrobe for clothes.

Though he wasn’t picky about attire,

the sight of his collection—monochrome blacks, whites, and grays—made him sigh.

His younger self really had no sense of style.

Tucked in a corner of the wardrobe was an unworn checkered short-sleeved shirt,

picked out for him by Aunt Qimeng during a shopping trip.

In his past life, he must’ve had some kind of mental block—

despite it being a perfectly nice shirt, he’d stubbornly refused to wear it,

as if contradicting Aunt Qimeng was a matter of life and death.

Lin Yu pulled out the shirt and paired it with knee-length shorts for now.

He’d give his wardrobe a proper overhaul when he had time.

Once ready,

he headed down to the first-floor dining area.

Sure enough,

Chi Qingchi was still at the table, nibbling breakfast while scrolling on her phone.

Just as Lin Yu had predicted.

Little Chi wasn’t just a foodie—she ate painfully slowly.

In the time it took her to finish one meal, Lin Yu could’ve eaten two.

"Xiao Lin, are you heading out—whoa?!"

Chi Qingchi noticed Lin Yu coming downstairs and glanced sideways at the "new and improved" version post-pill.

A bite of egg pancake still in her mouth, she froze on the spot.

Lin Yu looked toward the dining area with anticipation.

Aunt Qimeng was at work.

The other sect members were either out or still asleep.

Right now, the dining area only had him and Little Chi.

Heh.

Time for a proper chat with his sect buddy…