Whoa!
Chen Yusheng's sudden appearance, abrupt movements, and unexpected declaration sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Her delicate face remained expressionless, tightly controlled.
Yet internally, she was on the verge of losing it.
What... what am I even doing?!
Chen Yusheng couldn't help but wonder if some evil spirit had possessed her.
If someone had told her a month ago, when she first started university, that she'd end up wiping sweat off a guy's face in a public place like a basketball court, she would've scoffed at the idea.
As if! She wasn't some lovestruck fool who'd binge-watched too many cheesy dramas.
Well, not that she'd turned into one now—it was just that Su Bai had bulldozed his way into her life with overwhelming force.
Their souls felt inexplicably close, he ticked all the boxes of a conventionally perfect guy (tall, handsome, rich—and not just regular rich either)...
What Cinderella hadn't dreamed of being chosen by a prince?
Though Chen Yusheng, being the academic overachiever with refined tastes and higher intellectual pursuits, had fewer such fantasies... Could you really expect a prince to share her love for gaming and internet memes?
Well, guess what?
She actually found one.
Chen Yusheng only learned Su Bai was playing basketball during gym class when someone posted live photos in their class group chat.
Boys and girls had separate gym sessions, and hers wasn't scheduled for today.
But those girls courtside—especially that scandalously curvaceous pair of twins—were clearly up to no good!
So in a fit of impulsiveness, Chen Yusheng abandoned her coding project, stormed out of her dorm, and marched straight to the basketball court.
Just in time to see Wan Xinyan handing Su Bai a drink.
Watching him take a sip made Chen Yusheng's heart twist painfully, her chest tightening like she'd been sucker-punched.
It felt like the liquid he swallowed wasn't Gatorade but Wan Xinyan's... okay, that metaphor got too gross.
Point is—Academic Overachiever Chen was NOT happy!
Before she knew it, she'd pushed through the crowd and wiped Su Bai's sweat in front of everyone.
When rationality returned, Chen Yusheng froze in mortification, limbs locking up awkwardly.
Yet, given her reputation for icy aloofness,
her current demeanor read to others as cold-blooded dominance.
A decisive strike in the battle for this man!
Even the scheming Wan Xinyan misread the situation.
Hiss... This Chen Yusheng... Rumor has it she's been hanging around Su Bai, but just for gaming, right?
Gaming buddies? Plenty of guys and girls game together nowadays—doesn't necessarily mean anything romantic.
But now, Wan Xinyan sensed genuine lethality radiating from her.
Better retreat temporarily.
"You're Chen Yusheng, right? Jiang Qiuran from our broadcasting department shares a dorm with you," Wan Xinyan chirped amiably. "We're all going on that Mid-Autumn trip together—nice to meet you early, hehe."
"...Yeah. Likewise."
"Um... Su Bai, I just remembered some homework due soon. Can't treat you to lunch today—gotta run!"
"Sure, next time. Plenty of opportunities."
"Bye then~"
The Wan sisters made a tactical withdrawal.
Su Bai glanced at Chen Yusheng, suppressing a laugh.
So even ice-queen geniuses get jealous.
"Since you're here, hold my stuff while I play a bit longer."
He handed Chen Yusheng the sealed bag containing his phone and watch before returning to the game.
His system had just reset his stamina—waste not, right?
Truthfully, Chen Yusheng was so embarrassed she wanted to flee, but being entrusted with Su Bai's belongings trapped her there.
She could only maintain her stoic mask, ears burning as snippets of gossip about her, Su Bai, and Wan Xinyan's "love triangle" floated around.
Ugh.
People's imaginations really ran wild.
No epic rivalry here—just her momentary lapse of judgment.
As far as Chen Yusheng could tell, Su Bai and the Wan sisters were just... travel companions?
No matter. She'd be on that trip too.
Back on the court, Su Bai spotted Chu Mingzhe slumped on the ground, hugging a basketball.
"What, you giving up?"
"I gave it my all... but some battles can't be won..." Chu Mingzhe muttered cryptically before looking up in despair. "Su Bai, leave some girls for the rest of us! Are you the protagonist of some harem light novel?!"
"......"
Clearly, Chu Mingzhe was mentally defeated.
They subbed in Zhang Zhixuan, the resident "love guru" who'd been spectating. Decent player, far more resilient—though his expression still screamed I envy your life.
Shanghai bro—OUT!
Between plays, Zhang Zhixuan whispered, "Damn, Bai. Didn't know you had Academic Goddess Chen AND the Wan twins wrapped around your finger..."
"Not 'wrapped,'" Su Bai corrected sternly. "We're just joining the class Mid-Autumn trip together. Lots of guys and girls are going, no?"
"Pfft. You expect me to buy that?"
As a seasoned veteran, Zhang Zhixuan recognized a fellow player when he saw one.
Gym class ended.
Originally, Wan Xinyan was treating lunch, but Chen Yusheng's aura scared her off.
So Su Bai headed to the cafeteria with Chen Yusheng instead.
This solo lunch date was everything Chen Yusheng had fantasized about.
Yet between the basketball court incident and her own tangled emotions,
she just stared at her food, too flustered to speak.
Only when nearly finished did she set down her chopsticks, take a deep breath, and announce solemnly:
"I have no classes or plans this afternoon."
"Cool."
"......"
Chen Yusheng's words died again.
Expressing herself had never been her strength—especially with ulterior motives.
She bit her lip, shooting Su Bai a frustrated glare.
Sigh.
Too adorable.
Su Bai's heart softened; he couldn't keep teasing her. "Come to the internet café with me this afternoon."
"...Okay."
Instantly, Chen Yusheng's tense brow relaxed as she polished off her meal.
God, this clueless genius is so transparent!
Su Bai mused silently.
When it came to coding or research, Chen Yusheng was unparalleled.
But in social maneuvering? Ten Chen Yushengs combined couldn't outplay Wan Xinyan.
Speaking of whom—
Su Bai had promised Wan Xinyan an afternoon shopping date.
Now, that got postponed.
He texted her: Something came up. Can we reschedule for evening?
Wan Xinyan replied instantly: No problem!
Ah, the perks of wealth.
Any normal guy canceling last-minute would get crucified online as a trash-tier fuckboy.
But Wan Xinyan? All smiles.
th】 【No prior gaming knowledge required】【The First Cultivation + Game Design Novel on the Platform】 In a world where the righteous path dominates and crushes the demonic sects, Lu Ze unlocks the "Son of the Demon Path" system. Killing righteous cultivators now grants him power-ups. Wait—deaths in illusions count too? As a former game designer, Lu Ze decides to give the cultivators of this world a little—no, a massive—shock... Sect Elders: "What is this 'Escape from the Demon Sect' game? Why have all our disciples abandoned cultivation to play it??" Elite Disciples: "You're saying... mastering 'Demon Slayer' can help us counter demonic schemes?" Reclusive Masters: "Why did I leave seclusion? Ask that backstabbing rat who ambushed me in 'Eternal Strife' yesterday!" Rogue Cultivators & Civilians: "'Immortal Abyss Action' is addictive! You can even earn spirit stones by loot-running..." Sect Prodigy: "My Dao heart is unshakable... except for that cursed black hammer." Royal Scions: "Can skins have stat boosts? I’ll pay 10,000 spirit stones for one!!" Sect Leader: "WHO IS CORRUPTING MY DISCIPLES?!!!"
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!
Explosive Plot Song Gua crossed over into another world, bringing along a whole crew of his doppelgangers—all of them mischief-makers. This was a world where everyone could choose a class. Song Gua became a "Bondweaver," capable of borrowing power, while his doppelgangers took on a wide variety of classes, covering just about everything. The number of doppelgangers grew day by day, each one a talented individual with a charming way of speaking. Under Song Gua's brilliant leadership, they would "greet" each other daily and engage in friendly "sparring," pulling off one major scheme after another on Earth. Sometimes they were bandits—stealing bosses, plundering mines, snatching resources. Sometimes they were saviors—descending like divine warriors to face world bosses threatening to massacre cities. Sometimes they even went undercover, infiltrating various major factions to stir up trouble from within, keeping their enemies constantly on edge. To prevent their doppelganger abilities from being exposed, Song Gua made them wear masks with mahjong tile patterns and don Taoist robes in various colors. "Remember, in front of outsiders, call me 'The Dice.'" "Got it! Boss!" "Not 'Boss'—it's 'The Dice.' Think about the vibe, pay attention to the vibe." "Yes! Boss!" "For crying out loud..." From then on, whenever they appeared, they would have their own theme song playing: ~Hey~ paying respects at the mountain stronghold at night~ whose arm is draped over whose shoulder~ gather your courage and follow along...
u Chenyuan transmigrated into a female-oriented novel about a real and fake heiress, becoming the CEO elder brother of both. Unfortunately, the entire Lu family—including himself, the CEO—were mere cannon fodder in the story. Determined to save himself, Lu Chenyuan took action. The spoiled, attention-seeking fake heiress? Thrown into the harsh realities of the working class to learn humility. The love-struck real heiress? Pushed toward academic excellence, so lofty goals would blind her to trivial romances. As for the betrayed, vengeful arranged marriage wife… the plot hadn’t even begun yet. There was still time—if he couldn’t handle her, he could at least avoid her. "CEO Lu, are you avoiding me?" Mo Qingli fixed her gaze on Lu Chenyuan. For the first time, the shrewd and calculating Lu Chenyuan felt a flicker of unease.
