The morning sun slid through the blinds of Li Cheng's small apartment, spilling gold over the floor like a promise. Birds chirped lazily outside, but the system's robotic voice broke the peace first.
[Daily Sign-In complete!]
Reward: 10,000 yuan + Random Attribute Boost (Charisma +5)!
Bonus: Yesterday's face-slapping achievement detected — Fan Popularity +3%!
Li Cheng cracked one eye open. "Morning, system… can't you just say 'good morning' like a normal person?"
[Good Morning, Host. You're now officially richer, cooler, and statistically more handsome than 92% of this campus's male population.]
He smirked, rubbing his messy red hair. "Only 92%? Guess I'll need another slap or two today to fix that."
He stood, stretching lazily, muscles subtly more defined from last night's stat growth. Gone was the timid, heartbroken boy who'd been tossed aside like trash. Today, his reflection in the mirror smirked back — confident, sharp-eyed, alive.
Campus Whispers
By the time he arrived at the university gates, the whispers had already begun.
"Isn't that him? The guy who made Senior Wu kneel?"
"No way! The poor boy who got dumped? That's him?!""I heard he's loaded now… and that his aura feels different…"
Li Cheng strolled through the murmurs like he couldn't hear a thing, earbuds in but no music playing. The swagger was real, and the silence only made him seem more mysterious.
[Mini-Mission Generated: Endure envy with grace — Reward: 1,000 exp.]
"Grace?" Li Cheng muttered, smirking. "Sure, I can be graceful… for money."
Just as he passed under the shade of the cherry blossom trees that framed the entrance, a soft voice called out behind him.
"Li Cheng, right?"
He turned — and the world seemed to still.
A Smile Beneath the Blossoms
She stood beneath the falling petals like she'd stepped out of a dream. Long black hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her eyes — deep, clear, unreadable — locked onto his with a playful tilt.
She wore the same school uniform, but somehow it looked like designer wear on her. Her every movement felt deliberate, practiced — as if she was aware of the power in her presence.
Li Cheng blinked. "Do I… know you?"
She smiled faintly. "Not yet. But the entire school knows you."
He groaned inwardly. "Fantastic. I'm famous for public humiliation."
She giggled — light, musical, and far too confident. "Oh, I wouldn't say that. From what I saw, it looked more like justice. That guy deserved it."
[Warning: Unregistered Entity Detected — Scanning...]
[Result: Unknown energy signature. Source unidentified.]
Li Cheng's smirk twitched. "You… saw that?"
"I did. And I liked it," she said simply, brushing a petal from her shoulder. "Not everyone can make a self-proclaimed prince kneel in front of hundreds. You've got guts, Li Cheng."
He arched an eyebrow. "You make it sound like you enjoyed the show."
"I did." Her tone dropped just enough to make his heartbeat skip. "Besides, you looked kind of cool standing there — all calm, while everyone else panicked."
He was about to reply, but the system cut in with a sarcastic tone.
[Warning: Host's heart rate rising. Possible flirtation detected.]
[Advice: Calm down, lover boy. She's probably stronger than she looks.]
Li Cheng rolled his eyes. "System, shut up before I uninstall you."
[Request denied.]
The girl chuckled softly. "Talking to yourself already?"
"Old habit," Li Cheng said smoothly, forcing a grin. "I'm Li Cheng. And you are?"
"Mu Yuxin."
She said it like her name carried weight — the kind that could bend rumors and silence crowds.
The New Rival
As they walked toward the lecture hall, Mu Yuxin kept pace beside him. Every step of hers drew attention — heads turned, jaws dropped, whispers flared.
"Who's that girl?"
"She's new. And walking with Li Cheng?! Since when is he this lucky?"
"They look… kind of good together though."
Li Cheng pretended not to notice, but the smirk tugging at his lips gave him away.
[Minor Quest Unlocked: Survive 3 minutes of envy without rolling your eyes. Reward: +3 Patience.]
"So," he said, glancing sideways, "transfer student?"
"Yeah. From Yanjing City," she replied, spinning her pen idly between her fingers. "I heard this place was boring. Guess I was wrong."
"Because of me?"
"Maybe."
He choked on air. "...Maybe?"
She smiled wider. "You're fun to tease."
[New Emotional Link Detected: Mu Yuxin – Interest Level 12%. Potential Affinity: High.]
"System, stop analyzing my love life," Li Cheng hissed mentally.
[Impossible. It's too entertaining.]
He sighed — and then her tone shifted, serious for the first time.
"Li Cheng," she said quietly, "do you know what kind of power you've started playing with?"
He blinked. "You mean the system?"
Her eyes darkened. "Whatever gave you that strength yesterday… it's not normal. I've seen things like it before. Power that comes with hidden chains."
"Chains?"
"Every miracle," she murmured, "has a price."
Before he could respond, she smiled again — the kind of smile that told him she'd said too much. "Anyway, see you around, hero."
She turned and walked away, hair fluttering behind her, leaving Li Cheng standing there — speechless, intrigued, and slightly unnerved.
[Warning: Emotional fluctuation detected.]
[System alert: Unregistered Entity proximity — interference rising.]
The screen flickered red for a split second.
[Error: Signal distortion — Source: Mu Yuxin.]
And then it vanished.
Li Cheng stared after her, heart pounding. "System… what was that?"
[Unclear. But she's not from your world, Host.]
His smirk returned — faint, but cold. "Then maybe she's worth my attention."
The bell rang, echoing across campus. As he turned to leave, a single cherry blossom petal landed on his palm — glowing faintly red before dissolving into dust.