It's just The Sims, how did it become my ideal love story?

Chapter 10 You're Chan Ho-nam?

Chapter 10 You're Chan Ho-nam?
Gu Huai remembered who this sunny and somewhat handsome boy was.

Chen Pinyan.

Someone whose name alone tells you they're from a completely different world. How to put it... they're the type who gets decent grades in class, but are incredibly popular, and seem to have connections even outside of school. They're just less aggressive than the typical school bully.

Gu Huai didn't remember having any contact with Chen Pinyan, and even when he tried to call him before, he couldn't reach him.

Perhaps it was because I was so depressed during high school and didn't have many friends I could talk to.

Now, it seems highly suspicious that this 'famous' teenager has found his purpose.

However, Gu Huai did not show it immediately; he agreed to the other party's suggestion.

The place the two chose wasn't anything special; it was just under the bicycle shed at the high school. Since the school had evening self-study sessions, those who rode their bikes home at that time either had already taken them or simply didn't know how to use them, so it became a nearly deserted spot.

Chen Pinyan casually sat on the back of a bicycle, smiling as she looked at Gu Huai in front of her.

"You've got guts. I heard that Zhang Xun, that bastard, robbed you of your money and then got beaten up by you. He was quite startled. You actually dared to do that?"

Gu Huai thought for a moment and did not show the same attitude he had shown towards Cai Yan before.

Instead, there was a belated sense of confusion, just like a child of this age should be.

"I didn't think that much at the time. Maybe I just acted impulsively."

"You acted impulsively, meaning you didn't think about what to do next?"

Chen Pinyan looked at herself with 'surprise'. If she really was just a high school sophomore, Gu Huai would probably have believed her expression.

Looking at it now, the acting skills of teenagers at this age are somewhat clumsy.

He shook his head. "I haven't thought about it. If I really have to say something, would telling the teacher or the school, or calling the police, count?"

"Ha ha ha ha."

Chen Pinyan laughed.

“Putting them in a good school might be useful, but you know how it is in Jicheng, a small place. They were among the last to be targeted in the anti-gang campaign. And let me tell you, that's where the trouble lies with these people.”

He coughed, as if he was about to say something important.

"First of all, Zhang Xun and his group have acquaintances at our school. In fact, when this news came out, someone was already keeping an eye on you at school for him. So if you tell the teachers at the school, they will know. He might not show up today and cause you trouble, but there are always times when the teachers and the school can't control you, right? Besides, these teachers aren't exactly warm-hearted people. Most of them just go to work and go home. Do you really think all teachers are so kind and treat you like their own child? You might get ambushed on your way to and from school one day."

"As for the police, they've seen plenty of these petty thug conflicts. Unless something really serious happens, like they beat you until you're bleeding, you can try to get involved; they might intervene. After all, there will be tangible injuries and evidence. But the premise is, are you really prepared to take the beating? Those guys aren't afraid of spending a few days in jail or having to pay compensation. They'd rather go to jail than not go to school. They're just planning to drift through life like this. They're like mangy dogs; there's nothing you can do about them."

Although Chen Pinyan's acting skills are not very good, what she said makes some sense.

Jicheng is a small county town, and many bad practices have persisted in this city for many years.

Even when I returned to my hometown after college, I still saw people arguing at night food stalls, often throwing beer bottles at each other, and the situation was about to escalate into a group fight.

So in this school, which isn't exactly great, most teachers are just trying to protect themselves and keep things superficial.

As for the police, that's true. If you go to them now and tell them someone wants to beat you up, do you think they'll use their police force to arrest these petty thugs? Would they go to all that trouble for a week's worth of money that you've been blackmailed for? For them, it's just a thankless task.

As for contacting his parents, Gu Huai had never considered this option from the beginning.

"So, is it possible that you're helping me by contacting me first?"

Gu Huai asked.

Chen Pinyan smiled and said, "How did you know I would help you?"

Gu Huai shook his head. "I'm not sure either, I just feel there's no reason for you to suddenly contact me."

Chen Pinyan nodded, speaking casually.

"I have a way. You know I'm quite popular at school. Although there aren't any big shots at our school to help you, I can still find people outside of school who have some connections with Zhang Xun."

Who are they? They're just another group of thugs.

Students of this age might be intimidated by these words, but Gu Huai knew exactly what the essence was. Imitating the gangsters in the movies and doing things just like them, it seemed like they could really become so-called big shots, but in reality, in later society, they would just be ants that would be crushed underfoot.

For example, Zhang Xun, whom I met today, treated me exceptionally well.

When the recklessness of youth fades, one will realize just how insignificant one's true nature really is.

"So you can help me?"

Gu Huai raised his head.

Chen Pinyan smiled and nodded, "After all, we're in the same class, and I also think you're really unlucky to have run into these bullies who pick on the weak and fear the strong."

Yes, essentially they also see themselves as the weaker party.

However, he saw no problem with it; that was his current role.

However, there is still one problem.

"If you can help me with this, I would really appreciate it, but...it can't be unconditional, right?"

"Uh."

When Gu Huai suddenly said that, Chen Pinyan's expression turned awkward for a moment, which was rare for her.

Even her gaze shifted away from the natural angle of looking directly at Gu Huai, which showed that she was feeling guilty.

"Well, you know how it is. Without a reason, it's hard for me to persuade someone to help, and Zhang Xun is unlikely to give up easily without offering something in return."

"Just tell me, what do you need me to do?"

Gu Huai's directness made Chen Pinyan somewhat uncomfortable. To be honest, although he had only interacted with this boy a limited number of times, even though they were in the same class, he felt he understood this kind of inconspicuous person, this marginal figure in the class. He could barely speak properly, and he was easily frightened and nervous over the slightest thing, prone to overthinking even before anything happened.

The question posed by Gu Huai in front of him was now getting straight to the point, and judging from his expression, he didn't seem to care much.

However, since he had come with a purpose, he calmed himself down and spoke.

"It's very simple. I will contact someone to negotiate with Zhang Xun. Zhang Xun will definitely make some demands, which will be nothing more than money."

"I don't have much money."

Gu Huai interrupted.

"Uh," Chen Pinyan frowned, then quickly realized her expression was off, chuckled to adjust it, and continued, "It's okay. When you're helping someone, you should see it through to the end. I'll have him negotiate a reasonable amount; it definitely won't be too outrageous. Just write an IOU and pay it back slowly. It's better than getting beaten up and not getting any compensation, right?"

Gu Huai remained silent.

Chen Pinyan thought that this kind of indecisiveness was the most common trait among teenagers with this personality. They lacked courage and were afraid to pay the price, and they would hesitate for a long time over even the slightest loss.

So he patiently began to persuade him.

"Think about it. I'm only getting involved because I feel sorry for you and we're classmates. I'll find someone to help, not to mention the favors I'll owe. It's like paying to avoid trouble, right? It won't be too much money. If it exceeds a certain amount, wouldn't that be extortion? He wouldn't dare. I'll make sure you can afford it. And you can pay it back slowly. At least you won't have to worry about going to and from school anymore, right? I think it's a pretty good deal. Think about it."

If this were at the high school age...

Gu Huai would probably think that Chen Pinyan in front of him was like a savior, and everything she said made sense.

It was the only helping hand extended to me when I was isolated and helpless.

They were patient and had a friendly smile.

Unfortunately, based on my current experience, there are too many problems.

They certainly don't want too much money, but for a high school student, three figures is already an astronomical sum, let alone four figures.

And would he do something that seems to offer no reward? First of all, he has no value to the other party in his eyes, and it's hard to say that he will become a useful 'good friend' in the future.

So, profit is money. His rhetoric seems quite good, and he speaks very patiently. The problem is that he's too skilled, as if he's gone through this process many times.

It's no exaggeration to say that Gu Huai even suspected that he was colluding with Zhang Xun outside.

Maybe I'm not the first person to encounter something like this.

I just chose to settle things with a week's living expenses back then, and didn't have time to meet him.

"Have you figured it out yet? We still have evening self-study sessions, and they might be waiting for you tonight. Those people may not have much else, but they have plenty of time and patience."

She looked at Chen Pinyan again.

Several lines of text appeared out of nowhere.

[Faced with the potential consequences of acting impulsively—something you hadn't considered before, but now have to face—what choice would you make?]

[1: Please ask Chen Pinyan to help you resolve this matter. Putting aside everything else, at least you won't have to face it anymore. As for the money, you can prepare it slowly; you shouldn't be living in too much financial hardship.]

[2: Tell the school teacher, the police, or your parents directly.]

[3: Do nothing, prepare to get beaten up, and just let it pass. They probably won't dare kill anyone, right?]

Is the advice given based on your own personality?
Gu Huai looked past the words that filled him with nameless anger and looked at Chen Pinyan.

Thank you for your suggestion.

"so?"

"no need."

Finish this sentence.

Gu Huai turned and left.

Chen Pinyan was surprised to receive Gu Huai's answer. He was absolutely certain that the young man would follow his advice.

After all, in this situation, who else but himself could help him avoid losing face and resolve this 'big problem' unharmed?

"Wait!"

He seemed somewhat anxious, no longer as relaxed as before, and called out to Gu Huai.