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.
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
nto another world, I bought a slave for the first time, never expecting the silver wolf girl to be so cute... Lin Feng: I know it's cold, but you don't have to sneak into my bed! Yuna: Just sharing body warmth, if you dare do anything naughty, I'll definitely...
with countless casualties. As a top-tier gamer, Liu Xuan volunteered to join the fight, intending to dominate with his skills, but instead he obtained the hidden class: [Pacifist]. Unable to attack. Unable to use active skills. Fortunately, with each level gained, he acquired a new passive skill. And so, armed with a body full of passives, Liu Xuan slaughtered his way through the battlefield of ten thousand races! [You attacked Liu Xuan] [You gained the debuffs: 'Poison', 'Fear', 'Burning', 'Bleeding', 'Freeze', 'Silence', etc.] [Your attack speed has been reduced by 99%] [Your armor and magic resistance have been reduced by 99%] Warriors of the Ten Thousand Races: How the hell am I supposed to fight this?!
