America: I came here to study, not to show mercy.

Chapter 174 The Intense Review Before Final Exams
The late autumn night was deep and quiet. The room was brightly lit, but the atmosphere was just as silent as outside.

Li Xiaoen looked up, his face expressionless, his eyes silently fixed on Su Feier.

"It's only a little over two hundred thousand."

Sophie couldn't help but look back. "Including the principal, all that money is yours. In return, you'll wear a maid outfit for me."

"That's not what we agreed on beforehand."

Silently watching the girl in front of him, who was clearly extremely conflicted, Li Xiaoen sighed helplessly.

"At most, this is all we can do."

Sophie remained unmoved, feeling somewhat dejected. She raised her hand to remove the headband, but the young man stopped her.

"Let's calculate the interest for now and not take it out."

Facing the girl's gaze, Li Xiaoen chuckled, pulled her arm and made her sit on his lap, examining her new look. "Even though it's just a headband, it's better than nothing."

"Consider it fulfilling that promise you made." Sophie rolled her eyes.

"no!"

Li Xiaoen quickly denied it, and when Su Feier glared at him, he explained, "I told you, consider this as interest. How can you treat a maid outfit like this? You can pay me back after I finish my thesis."

After saying that, ignoring the dangerous look in the other person's eyes, Li Xiaoen leaned over and kissed him, then said, "The sharp rise in the price of the Special Coin has passed. Tomorrow I will ask Victoria and the others if they want me to help them continue investing. If they do, I will continue to invest their money and profits."

Do you have any clues about whether the price of this particular coin will rise or fall in the future?

Upon hearing this, Suffer, forgetting about causing trouble for Li Xiaoen, widened her eyes and asked, "What's the follow-up situation with your leads?"

"It depends on the future market and the changes in market makers."

"Can you still guarantee the returns?"

Suffer asked quickly.

It's worth noting that because of the president's endorsement, many people thought the price of the Special Coin would rise when it was first released. However, no one expected it to rise so dramatically. Subsequently, due to the erratic behavior of the speculators, the price trend of the Special Coin has become unpredictable—and many professionals have begun to oppose their price manipulation.

"I promise."

The current price trend is exactly the same as what was written on the paper in the drifting bottle, even the opening and closing prices are exactly the same. Li Xiaoen smiled, reassuring the girl.

"Don't worry, I'll let you know if there are any changes in strategy."

"Um……"

He let out a soft hum, and only now did Suffer nod in satisfaction.

"So, the maid outfits that follow..."

Li Xiaoen smiled knowingly and raised an eyebrow. With one hand, he held the girl's soft waist through her nightgown, while with the other, he clicked the mouse to download the inference model he had backed up online and carefully examined its shortcomings.

"This investment will continue for some time. I will transfer the principal and profits back to you once the price stabilizes. Right now, we need to focus on dealing with this big guy."

Sufi glanced at the young man, took a deep breath, and kicked his foot. "Open another window, I want to watch TV series."

"Oh, okay."

Li Xiaoen nodded, opened a window and set it aside, while he looked at his own computer—fortunately, Su Feier's computer screen was large enough that both of them could have a very good experience.

When I get a new chair tomorrow, I might as well just upgrade the entire computer system too?
With enough savings in mind, Li Xiaoen began to understand some of Su Feier's ideas, and started to spend money more lavishly.

[Virtual Time Pool: Successfully charged: 20%]

Upon seeing the system comments displayed before him, Li Xiaoen paused for a moment, then mentally memorized the scene.

……

After Halloween, the entire school gradually became filled with a tense and heavy atmosphere before the final exams. Li Xiaoen saw more and more students in the school library. Even Daniel, who had always been wandering around, began to stay in the dormitory and sit at the dining table to study.

Just as he was about to leave, he was pulled aside and asked several questions, all of which were calculus questions that he thought were relatively simple. Li Xiaoen couldn't help but complain in annoyance.

"You used to take leave to go on adventures and get drunk in your girlfriend's dorm. I think your foundation is very weak now."

That's right. Perhaps having tasted the sweetness of success after Halloween, Daniel didn't move back from his girlfriend's dorm until a few days ago—when Sean Lee was startled to see him looking pale and weak.

"There was no other way. I had already done it. I had to say a lot of nice things to Olivia before I could come back."

Daniel shook his head helplessly, but his expression showed a hint of smugness. He was taken aback when he saw that Li Xiaoen was still wearing short sleeves and shorts even though it was almost winter. "Are you going to the gym?"

"um, yes."

Li Xiaoen nodded. During this period of study and investment monitoring, he intensified his training and felt increasingly close to improving his physical strength. He then used the [Virtual Time Pool] for two years to train and dedicate himself to mixed martial arts.

As expected, this choice to engage in sports, just like choosing basketball, will subsequently provide physical benefits, enhancing the training effect and accelerating the growth of physical fitness.

In the case of learning, not only would it not work, but the sheer volume of data would also slow down knowledge retrieval—the "Advanced Learning Card" focused on computer science still has three attempts to retrieve the information.

"That's wonderful. I wish I could live a healthy and regular life like you."

Upon hearing this, Daniel couldn't help but show a hint of envy in his eyes.

"Sure, shall we go work out together now?"

"Can't you see I'm studying? Final exams are coming up soon."

"Then control your diet, and stop drinking cola and eating fried chicken and the like."

"no……"

Daniel's expression turned strange and conflicted. Under Sean Lee's indifferent gaze, he forced a smile. "Studying is so hard, I was thinking of eating something tonight to cheer myself up."

"You have to figure it out yourself."

Li Xiaoen was helpless about this and shrugged, "But you're not fat now, much better than many people. Just pay attention to exercise."

After saying that, Li Xiaoen waved his hand and left.

He had read online that exercising can be addictive, and after experiencing the steady improvement in his physical fitness over this period, he has also tasted some of the benefits.

Li Xiaoen worked out until 10:30 p.m. before finally walking back under the shadows cast by the streetlights, feeling refreshed and relaxed.

[Stamina: 12 (10)]

If it were now, with the same stamina as Serafina, could he beat her with his height and weight advantage?
On his way back, Li Xiaoen couldn't help but start daydreaming. As his physical fitness improved and his physique became more refined, the muscles in his chest, waist, abdomen, and even his shoulders and back began to lift up. He vaguely felt that his charm and intelligence had also improved.

It's understandable that physical appearance contributes to attractiveness, but as for intelligence, could it be that proper exercise helps the brain function?

Li Xiaoen suddenly recalled the lessons her teachers often said when she was a child—even though they weren't said to her.

The next day, Saturday.

Li Xiaoen got up early in the morning, yawning as he knocked on the two girls' dormitory door. "Xiaoen, good morning."

He opened the door, smiled, and greeted her, but Victoria's eyes widened in surprise when she looked up.

"what happened?"

"No, it's nothing."

Victoria quickly shook her head and looked away. "Sean, you look a bit stronger than before."

"is it?"

Li Xiaoen looked down and said, "Didn't we just meet a few days ago?"

Could that little bit of physical strength be the critical point that causes a qualitative change?
He couldn't help but think to himself, since when he went back and looked in the mirror, he couldn't see any obvious changes in himself compared to before.

"Upon closer inspection, it looks almost the same as it did a few days ago."

Victoria looked up and thought back, then murmured, "But the first time I saw you today, I suddenly sensed a change."

Perhaps it's the same as growing a few centimeters a month during puberty, Li Xiaoen nodded, looking at the girl staring at him with wide eyes, he couldn't help but tease, "What? You've gotten stronger and more handsome?"

"I used to think so, but I don't anymore."

Victoria rolled her eyes, turned around, and swayed her hips as she walked into the living room.

After closing the door behind him, Li Xiaoen followed, and when he saw Serafina and Mary in the living room, he paused for a moment.

"Did Serafina and the others spend the night here last night?"

One sentence froze the faces of the two girls who were looking over with surprise and delight. Serafina picked up the book that was next to her lap and threw it at them.

"You seem to have a particular fondness for making women angry!"

"I have reasonable doubts."

Li Xiaoen took the textbook from his hand, and while tidying up the pages, he explained helplessly, "Based on previous experience, weren't you going to arrive at least at noon?"

"Alright, let's all get together, not to argue or quarrel."

Victoria emerged from the kitchen carrying a large cake, smiling as she said, "Today is a celebration party to mark Sean's successful investment, which earned us all nearly three hundred thousand dollars."

Just two days ago, as the time recorded on the message in the bottle expired and there was no longer any 100% certain source of information, Li Xiaoen kept only the 500 bottles he had bought at the bottom and withdrew the rest. He then transferred the principal plus interest back to the deposits of several girls according to a set ratio.

Each girl returned approximately 450,000 yuan. Subtracting the 50,000 yuan he lent her, based on the initial investment of 100,000 yuan, the return was three times the initial investment. While not abnormal, this was still a fairly good return rate in just two weeks.

His own savings have now reached over a million dollars, making him a small millionaire.

"correct."

Smoothing the book and tossing it to Serafina, Li Xiaoen reached out and took the large cake from Victoria's hands, placing it gently on the low table in front of the sofa before sitting down. "She earned hundreds of thousands for her, and this is how she treats me? She doesn't know how to be grateful at all..."

"Alright, you should say less."

Rolling her eyes, Victoria noticed Serafina's leisurely gaze and couldn't help but complain. Immediately afterward, Sophie, unable to suppress her smile, brought out a large plate of sliced ​​fruit from the kitchen.

This was a smile he hadn't seen even on the day when the price of the first special currency had risen the most and he had made the most profit. Could it be that there was something to be happy about again?

Surprised by Sophie's barely suppressed smile, Li Xiaoen pondered until he watched her sit down on his other side before suddenly snapping back to reality—he was now sandwiched between Victoria and Sophie again.

This startled him, and for a moment he couldn't figure out the purpose of Suffer's particularly obvious actions.

"Come on, sit down. Let's eat cake and chat together."

After sitting down and pouring everyone a cup of fruit tea, Suffer began to greet Serafina and Mary on the sofa. Only when they sat down around the low table and formed a circle did Sean Lee's heart finally settle down.

"Come on... cheers..."

Several people sat around a low table, smiling and raising their wine glasses.

"Now that I have money, I'm going to buy a new car! Finally, I won't have to ask my family for it anymore!"

Seraphina downed the entire glass in one gulp, smiling smugly, and chuckled, "I'll drive home in my new car and see what Henry and the others think."

"Also, how about we go on a trip?"

Mary grinned from ear to ear and quickly chimed in, "How about we go somewhere new and try some local food?"

"Oh, right."

Only then did Serafina realize what was going on. She picked up a piece of cake and put it in her mouth, excitedly looking at everyone as she ate, "Final exams are over and it's winter break. What are your plans?"

"We could choose China as a travel destination. I saw it online; there's a lot of delicious food there. How about we go to Sean's hometown?"

Mary became excited when the topic of food came up, and immediately chimed in, looking at Victoria and Sophie.

"I probably can't go."

Facing two burning, expectant gazes, Victoria forced a helpless smile and said in a low voice, "I'm going home. You guys go ahead and have fun."

"I'm going home for winter break to spend time with my family. I'll postpone the trip until next time."

Li Xiaoen shook his head and spoke up as well. Besides, he still had reasoning models to improve, so he looked at Victoria and gave her a comforting look.

“If we can’t go this winter break, we can travel together during other holidays. Spring break next year is only a week long, so Victoria, you don’t need to go back, right?”

"Yes, I don't need to go back for spring break."

Victoria smiled and nodded upon hearing this.

"That's it."

Li Xiaoen nodded, picked a grape and put it in his mouth. "Victoria and I are going home for winter break this year. Let's go together again next spring break. Have fun."

"what……"

Upon hearing this, Serafina and Marie couldn't help but let out a long sigh of regret and turned to look at Sophie for advice.

"I also need to go home; I have some things to take care of."

Suffer smiled and shook her head, causing the two girls, who had been chatting excitedly, to exchange disappointed glances and slump their shoulders in unison.

"Then Sean, Sophie, and I will join you next spring break."

Victoria chuckled and started cutting a piece of cake for everyone. "Remember to send me your travel photos later."

While everyone else was lost in their own thoughts, Suffer listened quietly while sipping her fruit tea, blinking her big eyes twice and secretly biting down on the straw.

(End of this chapter)