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.
Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"
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?!!!"
ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"
. As long as he maintains the villain image and follows the plot to the grand finale, he can obtain generous rewards and return to the real world. So Gu Chen'an entered the role and began to act as a scumbag villain, but who would have expected that the female leads could hear his inner thoughts. Miss Su from the Su family was shocked: "I originally thought Gu Chen'an was a scumbag, but I didn't expect he turned out to be a gentleman! What? You said I have to call off the engagement? I definitely won't, I'll piss you off!" Bai Yuan Tian was dumbfounded: "Young Master Gu is usually unreasonable and a complete brat, but he actually calls me little sweetie in his heart? What, Young Master Gu even said he likes me?" As the female leads' images collapsed more and more, the plot also collapsed with it. Gu Chen'an looked at all this chaos. "Ladies, don't aggro me, if you keep this up the male lead really will stab me, I still need to survive to the grand finale!"
