Chapter 41: The Medicine Packs a Punch

Entering the bar, Lin Bai was nearly suffocated by a mixture of alcohol, clashing perfumes, cosmetics, and the stench of sweat.

Under the kaleidoscopic lights, a chaotic throng of people moved to the music. Lin Bai searched them one by one, scanning for Li Ruonan while trying to call her phone.

Her phone was turned off, which only deepened his anxiety.

After a few minutes of searching, he couldn't find Li Ruonan, but he did spot Wang Peichuan in the crowd.

Wang Peichuan was supporting an unconscious Li Ruonan as he headed toward the exit, accompanied by a few rowdy-looking guys who didn't look like students.

Lin Bai followed them out.

The moment he left the bar, the noise died down significantly. Wang Peichuan patted Li Ruonan’s cheek.

"Ruonan? Ruonan?"

Li Ruonan didn't respond; she only tore at her own clothes unconsciously, murmuring about being hot.

Wang Peichuan’s lips curled into a smirk, and he waved to his friends. "Catch you guys later. Drinks are on me. I'm heading out."

The other men, knowing exactly what Wang Peichuan intended, chuckled maliciously.

"What's this, Class Monitor Wang? Planning to enjoy it all by yourself? Let us have a taste too, come on, haha..."

Wang Peichuan frowned. "Guys, she’s still a student, she’s young. I’m just taking her back to campus. Don’t get any ideas."

*CRASH!*

A glass bottle shattered against Wang Peichuan’s head. He collapsed instantly, and Li Ruonan fell into the arms of a bald man.

"You think I didn't see you drugging her? Do you think I'm a rookie on these streets?" the bald man roared, pointing at the bleeding Wang Peichuan.

Wang Peichuan’s vision blurred; he was in no position to fight back.

Just as the bald man grabbed Li Ruonan and turned to leave, a massive fist suddenly loomed into view.

*POW!*

A second later, the bald man was clutching his nose, seeing stars and howling in pain.

"Ouch, that hurts like hell..."

Lin Bai swiftly pulled Li Ruonan into his arms and pulled out his phone to call the police.

"Hello, 110? There’s a fight outside Piao Miao Bar on the Jiangcheng University commercial street. Yes, thank you."

After hanging up, Lin Bai shot a warning glare at the few drunken thugs lingering nearby and carried Li Ruonan away.

No one dared to follow. They watched helplessly as Lin Bai disappeared with her.

...

In the car, Lin Bai tossed Li Ruonan into the backseat and headed for the driver's side.

Unexpectedly, Li Ruonan wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. "I want... give it to me, Lin Bai, I love you..."

Her clothes were already disheveled from her own tugging, exposing her skin.

Lin Bai froze.

Morally, Li Ruonan had been drugged, and taking advantage of her now felt predatory and ungentlemanly.

But logically, he was going to kick the bucket as soon as midnight struck, so who cared about being a gentleman? Screw it!

With that thought, Lin Bai climbed into the backseat.

However, he kept his wits about him, setting his phone up on a mount to record a video.

"Listen, Li Ruonan, to prevent any misunderstandings later, I'm recording this as proof: I’m not the one who drugged you! You damn well better thank me later!"

As he spoke, Li Ruonan kept tearing at his clothes, whispering wild, desperate words.

Lin Bai was in his prime; how could he resist such provocation? In a few swift motions, he stripped off his own clothes and tore away hers.

"Damn it, whatever!"

The cramped backseat of the car made things a bit difficult, but it had its own unique intensity.

The car remained parked by the curb of the commercial street. Students passed by one after another, but the gently rocking car drew no attention.

Over an hour later...

[Beep! Congratulations, Host. Side quest completed. Reward: 500 points!]

[Beep! Point threshold reached. System upgrading. Attribute panel refreshed.]

[Host: Lin Bai]

[Strength: 6]

[Speed: 5]

[Stamina: 7]

[Overall Rating: Average]

[System Level: 3 (0/10,000)]

[Daily Cash Subsidy: ¥10,000]

[System Balance: 5,000]

In the back of the Mercedes, Lin Bai lay bare, breathing heavily.

Beside him, Li Ruonan’s hair was a mess, her body drenched in sweat, her face flushed pink.

"Finally leveled up. Ten thousand a day..."

The system had upgraded to level three, providing a subsidy of ten thousand a day! Three hundred thousand a month, 3.6 million a year!

Lin Bai suddenly felt that life was worth living.

"Honey, I want more..."

As Lin Bai’s mind wandered, he heard Li Ruonan murmur again.

Lin Bai raised an eyebrow. "Damn? That stuff is potent."

With no choice, he climbed back on. (The next ten thousand words are omitted.)

...

After 10:00 PM.

The Mercedes pulled steadily into the parking lot behind the East Campus cafeteria, and the engine died.

"So, you have no intention of taking responsibility, right?"

In the passenger seat, Li Ruonan, now dressed and having regained her senses, looked at Lin Bai with misty eyes, biting her lip. Her expression was heartbreaking.

Lin Bai frowned slightly. "I have a girlfriend. You know that."

"Just tell me, is that it?" Li Ruonan’s voice trembled with emotion.

Lin Bai took a deep breath and turned to face her directly. "Yes."

"You saw the video. If I hadn't shown up, you would be..."

Before he could finish, Li Ruonan shoved the car door open. She strained a muscle while getting out and gasped in pain.

Then...

*SLAM!*

With a heavy thud of the door, Li Ruonan hurried off and disappeared into the night.

Lin Bai shook his head and leaned back in the driver’s seat, sighing helplessly.

As for his feelings, he didn't really have much for Li Ruonan. He’d been sticking around her only for the sake of the mission. Speaking of the mission...

"Hey System, you had something to do with this, didn't you?"

Lin Bai asked the system a soul-searching question.

He didn't believe in such coincidences—that with only a few hours left and no way to complete the mission, such a perfect opportunity suddenly presented itself.

[Beep! Don't ask what you shouldn't. Just tell me, was the mission completed or not?]

Lin Bai: "..."

True, the mission was completed, and he had perfectly avoided any responsibility.

What did he call this? Hero saving the damsel, right?

As for Li Ruonan...

If he had to disappoint her, so be it. Lin Bai wasn't a saint; he couldn't take care of everyone.

With his conscience cleared, Lin Bai got out of the car and walked slowly toward the dorms. On the way, he called Qin Ruowei to confirm the time to meet Qin Yang tomorrow.

Back at the dorm, Lin Bai opened the door and saw Li Yu.

Li Yu was sitting in Zhao Fangting’s chair, using his equipment to play League of Legends. He looked quite skilled.

"Brother Bai! You're back! Look at this, this guy’s moves are insane!"

Zhao Fangting pulled Lin Bai over behind Li Yu to watch.

The hero Li Yu was playing was Cassiopeia, and his record was 11-0-2.

Lin Bai didn't know much about the game, but he could tell Li Yu’s play was on a completely different level from the rest of his teammates.

After watching for a few minutes, Li Yu pulled off a gorgeous play, scored a quadra-kill, and led his team to push through the enemy base.

"Done!"