Chapter 12: The Unconventional System

Seeing that Lin Bai remained unmoved, the bowl of rice tilted slightly. Following the principle that a true hero does not suffer losses without retaliation, Yuan Fengcai finally relented.

“Stop! I apologize! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

Hearing Yuan Fengcai’s apology, Lin Bai released his grip and placed the bowl back on the table.

“Speak politely to my girlfriend from now on, or get lost!”

Rubbing his hair, Yuan Fengcai stepped back, his eyes filled with clear fear and hatred.

“Fine, this isn’t over. Just wait!”

With a parting threat, Yuan Fengcai turned and fled.

Lin Bai paid him no mind, turning instead to Qin Ruowei. “Didn’t scare you, did it?”

Qin Ruowei smiled softly and shook her head. Looking at the messy table before them, the two had no choice but to find another place to eat.

“He should have paid for our meal.”

“You’re something else—getting the better of him and acting all innocent. His father is the head of the school security. Aren’t you afraid he’ll retaliate?”

“I don’t care who his father is. No one has the right to bully you.”

Qin Ruowei smiled sweetly, then grabbed Lin Bai’s hand. With many students around, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek.

Lin Bai was stunned. As he stood there dazed, Qin Ruowei blushed and pulled him away.

They found another eatery and ordered two bowls of noodles. As before, Qin Ruowei shared half of her portion with Lin Bai.

“I want to ask you something, Lin Bai.”

“Go ahead. Ask away—no secrets between us.”

Qin Ruowei gently tapped his cheek. “My roommate wants to know who you really are. Do you think it’s the right time to tell them?”

Lin Bai immediately understood—Qin Ruowei was worried about Chen Shuya.

After all, Chen Shuya was Lin Bai’s ex-girlfriend, though nothing had ever happened between them.

After some thought, Lin Bai made up his mind. He stroked Qin Ruowei’s face and spoke earnestly.

“Let’s wait until after the holidays. Then I’ll invite your roommates out for a meal. My treat. How about that?”

His action made his intention clear. The reason for waiting was that Chen Shuya would only return after the holidays.

He wanted to announce their relationship in her presence.

Qin Ruowei understood perfectly. She was satisfied and happy, nodding repeatedly.

“All right, let’s eat.”

“By the way, after we finish, do you want to go to the bubble tea shop?”

“Do you want me to come? If not, I won’t. Besides, with everything that happened, I’d be busy anyway.”

“Then don’t go. How about we go out and have some fun this afternoon?”

“Sounds good. Where to?”

“Ummm… Hubu Alley. It’s been a while, and I want to eat that place’s stinky tofu. Hee hee hee.”

Lin Bai scratched Qin Ruowei’s nose. “Okay, your call.”

…

After the meal.

It was just past 1:30 in the afternoon.

The two walked hand in hand downstairs, habitually heading toward the parking lot behind the cafeteria.

Halfway there, Lin Bai suddenly remembered that although he now had a car, he wasn’t sure if there was any fuel in it.

The Mercedes GLE, of course, required 98-octane gasoline. A full tank would cost at least four or five hundred yuan. He had spent over two hundred on dinner yesterday, leaving just over a hundred, plus two hundred in his system account…

Still broke!

Qin Ruowei’s worries were quite the opposite.

She had a car too—the Xiaomi SU7, just released this year, top model, almost as good as the Mercedes GLE.

Her main concern was that Lin Bai might feel discouraged or distant after seeing her car.

The two arrived at the parking lot, where the purple Xiaomi SU7 and the brand-new black Mercedes GLE stood out strikingly.

“This Mercedes is really beautiful.”

“And this Xiaomi SU7 is gorgeous too.”

They said in unison, then burst out laughing together.

Just then, they both noticed a small gate.

Behind the east district cafeteria was a small door leading straight to the street—perfect for hailing a taxi!

Their eyes lit up simultaneously, and again they spoke together:

“Let’s take a taxi!”

They smiled at each other once more.

…

Hubu Alley was a famous snack street in Jiangcheng, located before the renowned Yellow Crane Tower. During tourist season, it was crowded with throngs of people and especially popular with young folk.

It was Lin Bai’s first time here, and the bustling crowd overwhelmed him—he had never seen so many people in such a small place.

As for the snacks…

Were visitors really here just for the food? Lin Bai wasn’t so sure.

Seeing Qin Ruowei so happy made him happy too. They wandered Hubu Alley for over two hours before visiting the Yellow Crane Tower.

The ticket cost seventy yuan, but as students, they got half price, so together they paid only seventy yuan. Qin Ruowei insisted on paying.

In her words, since Lin Bai had paid for all the food at Hubu Alley, she was determined to cover the ticket.

Lin Bai didn’t stop her, silently resolving to treat Qin Ruowei better.

After touring the tower, it was nearly six in the evening, and dusk was settling.

They took a taxi back to school. Tired from the day, Qin Ruowei fell asleep, clutching Lin Bai’s arm.

Watching her sleep, with a faint sheen of sweat on her delicate nose and her cherry lips a rosy red, a mischievous flame stirred within Lin Bai’s heart. He repeatedly warned himself not to let his thoughts wander.

But at that precise moment, an impish system voice sounded.

[Beep! Side quest triggered!]

[Side quest: Capture Qin Ruowei’s first kiss within thirty seconds. Reward: Permanent +1 endurance!]

[If declined or failed: Permanent -1 endurance.]

[Countdown begins! 30, 29…]

Lin Bai barely had time to resist. His gaze fell on Qin Ruowei’s tightly closed eyes, then her tempting red lips.

Only thirty seconds—and this was his first kiss too. The difficulty was immense.

What if Qin Ruowei got angry? What if she ignored him? What if she thought poorly of his character?…

A thousand doubts flooded his mind, leaving him torn.

[20, 19, 18…]

The system’s countdown pressed on like a death sentence.

The system had explained endurance before—its importance to a man was beyond words.

Moreover, this task’s endurance increase or decrease was permanent—unchangeable.

He couldn’t make up for it with future tasks!

[10, 9, 8…]

As the timer hit ten seconds, Lin Bai suddenly came to his senses.

Ignoring everything, he leaned down and gently kissed her.

The instant their lips met, a current seemed to pass through his body, freezing him in place.

Soft!

Qin Ruowei was the same—her body stiff as wood, eyes still closed, cheeks flushed deep red.

[Beep! Congratulations, host, side quest completed. Reward: Permanent +1 endurance, now active.]

Hearing the system’s voice, Lin Bai knew the task was done. Yet he did not pull away, reluctant to break the moment.

The fresh scent from Qin Ruowei’s lips was intoxicating. Unconsciously, Lin Bai deepened the kiss, wanting to savor it a little longer.