The battle begins.
Activating Super Actor Mode!
Lin Yu quickly gets into character, propping his arms on the table and burying his face in the crook of his elbow—just like a student dozing off at a school desk.
Chi Qingshui walks over to him.
"Ahem..."
"You were so energetic this morning, and now you're napping on the kitchen table?"
Her voice is loud, clearly trying to wake him.
However.
Lin Yu slowly lifts his head, his expression etched with unmistakable pain and discomfort.
As if the simple act of raising his head has drained every ounce of his strength.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?"
Chi Qingshui immediately asks, concerned.
He seemed fine when she left earlier.
How did he suddenly become so miserable?
Is he sick?
Lin Yu weakly waves a hand.
"It's nothing. Probably just too much cold beer last night."
"My stomach's been upset since yesterday."
"I'll tough it out and grab some meds from the clinic later."
Chi Qingshui: "!!!"
She doesn’t suspect he’s acting.
Besides.
She knows he really did drink a lot of beer late last night.
So technically.
The root of his stomachache traces back to her.
"Why... why would you drink so much? Trying to show off?"
Her reaction is flawless.
Any normal person, upon hearing that someone who rarely drinks suddenly downed that much, would first ask why.
As expected of a top student.
The first little trap—successfully dodged.
Lin Yu continues in a feeble voice:
"It’s fine. My own fault. I’ll rest a bit before heading to the clinic."
"Hey, Chi Qingshui, about that cash..."
Chi Qingshui snaps to attention, pulling two neatly folded red bills from her shorts pocket.
"The merch you fronted for Little Chi was definitely over a hundred. Here’s the money."
"If she pesters you for loans again, don’t lend to her. Just contact me directly."
Lin Yu nods without arguing.
Right now.
Loans and repayments are trivial.
All he wants is to test whether this is a case of twisted humanity or moral decay.
A brief silence falls.
Lin Yu continues his masterful performance of "agonizing stomach pain."
Chi Qingshui hesitates twice, words caught in her throat.
Finally, she just says:
"Take care of yourself. I’ll... head back first."
With that.
She turns to leave.
Here it comes.
The first trial for online lovers.
If Chi Qingshui walks away just like that.
Then even if she really is Lin Yu’s online girlfriend right now.
Her mindset would merely be one of curiosity about romance—accidentally finding Lin Yu online to flirt with, indulging in youthful restlessness.
As for the real Lin Yu in front of her? She likely feels nothing.
Between her "hubby’s" health and avoiding exposure, the latter takes priority.
What does that mean?
It means this "virtual husband" holds no real weight in her heart—not enough to bridge into reality.
In simpler terms: She doesn’t see him as a real person!
If she can’t even pass this first test.
Forget about later stages like "If I catch her~ I’ll give her a good~ time~."
Chi Qingshui’s steps are deliberately slow.
Inside.
She’s at war with herself.
Repeating: Don’t go back. Sudden concern is weird! This isn’t like her!
She almost slipped up in their chat earlier.
How could she willingly walk into danger now?
Just before the corner.
She stops. Turns. Asks:
"Hey, Lin Yu, can you manage alone?"
"The clinic isn’t too far. Want me to take you?"
[Ding!]
[Masterstroke! The Librarian Elder offers companionship in the mortal world—a golden chance to deepen your bond!]
[Reward: 50 Spirit Stones.]
The moment the words leave her mouth.
Chi Qingshui is instantly filled with regret, mentally scolding herself.
What am I doing?!
Why would I say that?
Lin Yu wouldn’t actually accept... right?
Under her gaze, Lin Yu hesitates.
"Chi Qingshui, are you sure you’re free? Wouldn’t it be trouble for you?"
Seeing no suspicion in his expression, Chi Qingshui relaxes slightly and steps closer.
"It’s no trouble. As your classmate and roommate, I can’t just let you writhe in pain at the dining table, can I?"
"Besides, if your health tanks, our summer project will definitely fall behind."
"Let’s go. I haven’t even changed out of my outdoor clothes yet."
Chi Qingshui’s inner thoughts: Saved it! That excuse is airtight!
Lin Yu’s inner thoughts: Wow, such an over-explanation. Scared I’ll read into it, huh?
Truly.
A tea-artistry guy lives the good life.
Playing weak and pitiful isn’t just a gendered advantage.
"Then I’ll trouble you, Chi Qingshui."
Lin Yu slowly stands, pretending to slip as his hand misses the table.
With flawless realism, he "accidentally" tumbles forward.
"Careful!"
Chi Qingshui instantly reaches out, catching his shoulders from the opposite side.
[Chi Qingshui]
[Age: 20]
[Faction: Librarian Elder]
【Intimacy Level with Host: 72% (Seventh Realm, Threads of Affection Entwined)】
【Number of Dao Companions (Soul Cultivation/Body Cultivation): 1/0】
【Attribute Skills: Reflections of the Mundane (Beginner), Scholarly Dao Physique (Great Perfection)】
【Additional Information: Soul Cultivation Dao Companion (Lin Yu)】
【Current Missions:】
【Medical Hall Treatment (Urgent Mission): Dao companion appears severely injured. Immediate treatment at the Worldly Medical Hall is required.】
【Tome Collection (Daily Mission): Absorbing tomes of diverse categories will enrich the library. Purchase "Photography: Theory of Light and Composition" promptly.】
【Tome Collection (Daily Mission): Absorbing tomes of diverse categories will enrich the library. Purchase "Photography: Practical Applications of the Golden Ratio" promptly.】
【Friendly Reminder: Regular soul/body cultivation with your dao companion accelerates skill acquisition. Learning speed correlates directly with their mastery level. The Path of Joyful Union is best explored through personal experience...】
Lin Yu: Finally took the bait…
Now there’s no need for guesswork—it’s absolutely confirmed.
Chi Qingshui is "Dreamlistening to Rain," his online girlfriend!
When he saw the information panel, Lin Yu couldn’t help but feel a twinge of emotion.
So in his past life, he’d been this close to the twin class beauties.
Yet he’d never noticed, missing out on a fateful bond.
But this time…
"Lin Yu, are you so old you need a cane now? Stand straight!"
Lin Yu: "…"
His girlfriend’s rose-tinted image shattered instantly.
How could a thirty-seven-year-old mouth utter such icy words?
Was her warmth set too low?!
Would it kill her to steady his shoulder?!
Just wait—I’ll make sure to properly discipline you.
"My apologies, I lost my balance after sitting too long."
"I can walk on my own. Could you hail a cab for me?"
"Use this for the fare."
Lin Yu handed the red bill he’d just received back to Chi Qingshui.
【Prologue: The Beginning of It All – Use holy water to heal the saintess tainted by demonic energy, then converse with her.】 Shen Nian stared at his older sister sipping yogurt, lost in thought. So you’re telling me my sister is the saintess, and yogurt is the holy water? 【Main Quest 1: Brave Youth, Become an Adventurer! Reward: Rookie Adventurer Title.】 【Side Quest 1: Find the Adorable Kitty! Reward: 1000 Gold Coins.】 Shen Nian: "Wait, I’m a high school senior here—did some guy who got isekai’d accidentally bind his system to me?" Hold on, completing quests gives gold rewards? Titles even boost stats? Is this for real? (A lighthearted, absurd campus comedy—not a revenge power fantasy.)
ial death, also known as "shè sǐ" in Chinese, generally refers to... well, never mind, it's not important. My name is Ye Cheng, and I'm about to experience social death firsthand. ... 【Host, your mission is to confess your love to the young lady of the Dongfang family, the current student council president, in a way that will be unforgettable for everyone at the freshman ceremony!】 【Host, assist the girl with a sprained ankle in front of you to reach the infirmary, and fulfill the wicked thoughts in your heart!】 【Host, act on your desires and punish the arrogant young lady before you mercilessly!】 【Host, follow your instincts—abandon shameful surrender, begging, or groveling, and ruthlessly criticize the domineering, ill-mannered young lady in front of you!】 【Host...】 Ye Cheng: "Here, here, you take this host role—I quit!" Wait, why is the girl with a sprained ankle the daughter of a mafia boss? And what kind of punishment method is this for the arrogant young lady? Also, who the heck said anything about wicked thoughts in my heart? Come out here, let’s settle this one-on-one!!! ... The haughty student council president, the scheming mafia princess, the fragile yandere young lady, the airheaded maid-in-waiting, the mixed-blood loli/...
saw a female celebrity tied up and stuffed in the trunk! Little did he know, countless cameras were aimed at him at this moment - this was a new type of reality show. The first randomly selected passerby was caught in less than an hour. But when Xu Moru was selected, things started to take an unexpected turn. "Damn, this isn't how the script goes. This Xu Moru is too bold, he's not following the rules at all." "Crap, is this guy taking it seriously?" "The female celebrity has been scared to tears!"
d intelligence to keep the plot moving, and sometimes even the protagonists are forced into absurdly dumb decisions. Why does the A-list celebrity heroine in urban romance novels ditch the top-tier movie star and become a lovestruck fool for a pockmarked male lead? Why do the leads in historical tragedy novels keep dancing between love and death, only for the blind healer to end up suffering the most? And Gu Wei never expected that after finally landing a villain role to stir up trouble, she’d pick the wrong gender! No choice now—she’ll just have to crush the protagonists as a girl!
