They're already in university, and the primary school system is only just starting out?

Sunday morning, before nine o'clock.

On the tree-lined paths of Yannan University, the sun is not yet hot, and through the layers of leaves, it casts dappled light on the ground.

The air was filled with the moist scent of grass, and occasionally students who had gotten up early to exercise would jog by. Chen Lin, carrying a backpack, walked unhurriedly on his way to the library.

Recalling what happened later yesterday, Chen Lin couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Yun Qing, Song Cheng, Qi Wanwan, and the others left not long after.

He thought he could sing a few more songs he wanted to sing, but Wang Ge, who was too excited, grabbed him and forced him to sit on a table with some regular customers.

Wang was visibly in a good mood that night, and he casually opened a bottle of whiskey priced at over a thousand yuan. Chen Lin didn't recognize the brand, but Wang introduced it as "The Macallan," a standard item in high-end bars.

Then, Brother Wang started drinking and boasting about his keen eye for talent, how he spotted Chen Lin, this rough gem, in the vast sea of ​​people.

In high spirits, he even patted his chest and announced that he would edit Chen Lin and Song Cheng's singing competition into a video and play it on a loop on the bar's huge screen, making it a living advertisement for the backstreet bar.

Chen Lin himself wasn't really interested in alcohol. When he went out to celebrate with good friends, he would just drink some beer or fruit-flavored alcoholic beverages like RIO.

Faced with that amber-colored liquor, he felt a pungent sensation rush to his head.

So, after reluctantly taking a few sips, Chen Lin decisively made an excuse to urinate and slipped away.

When he got back to his dorm, he still felt a little drunk and his head was spinning.

With the day's schedule packed with activities, I was really tired. As soon as I lay down on the bed, I didn't even have the energy to brag to my roommates about my heroic deeds that night, and I just fell asleep.

However, the benefits of going to bed early are immediate.

He slept for a full nine hours and woke up naturally before eight o'clock today. Chen Lin felt refreshed and invigorated, with a sense of comfort permeating his entire body.

He still followed yesterday's plan and intended to spend today in the library, rereading "The Long Season" while writing his major assignment for the "Film and Television Culture Studies" course.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

Chen Lin took it out and saw that it was a WeChat message from Shen Yan.

Shen Yan: [Chen, do you have time this afternoon? I'm sorry, I should have contacted you a day or two earlier.]

Chen Lin raised an eyebrow and his fingers flew across the screen.

Chen Lin: [What is it?]

He guessed that they most likely wanted to ask him for math advice.

He thought for a moment. He figured he could easily write the introduction and outline for "The Long Season" in one morning, and then analyze a small portion of it. The teacher had given him a month to submit it before the final exam week, which was plenty of time.

Sure enough, Shen Yan replied quickly.

Shen Yan: [Could we schedule another consultation?]

Chen Lin: [Okay, how about 2 PM?]

Shen Yan: [Okay, see you at the usual place.]

Chen Lin: [OK]

The thought of earning 2059 yuan in tips last night and easily making 1500 yuan this afternoon filled Chen Lin with immense joy.

Although he also envied the protagonists in those online novels who awakened the Godly Rich System at the beginning, and who on the first day directly acquired a large apartment with a river view in Shanghai, a top-of-the-line sports car, and a top-of-the-line 5090 desktop computer, and lived a life of extravagance and debauchery.

But happiness is relative.

Just before last Saturday, he was a miserable sophomore majoring in Chinese Language and Literature, whose days were filled with odd jobs such as delivering food, distributing flyers, and picking up packages. He worked himself to the bone and still couldn't earn more than 200 yuan.

The future looks bleak. If he doesn't pass the postgraduate entrance exam after graduation, he'll most likely have to go back home, rely on his parents, and take the civil service exam. Although his family is relatively well-off and his parents have some savings, they don't expect him to earn money to support the family. But that feeling of having no hope is the most tormenting thing.

Life now is completely different from before.

And to be honest, although his system sometimes has nonsensical tasks that prank him, the rewards he receives are generally useful.

Judging from the previous "Little Red Flower" rewards, this system has hidden mechanisms to explore and huge growth potential.

What's wrong with the elementary school system? It's small, but also very cute.

Chen Lin thought of Shen Yan again. If he hadn't awakened the system, the biggest interaction he would have had with this math department's top student and campus beauty in his life would have been bringing her lunchboxes.

Lost in thought, my phone suddenly vibrated again.

Chen Lin opened his phone and was a little surprised to see the sender's profile picture. It was Yun Qing; this was the first time they had exchanged messages since becoming friends.

Yun Qing: [Junior, do you have time this afternoon? (◕ᴥ◕)]

Chen Lin inexplicably recalled the sly look on her face when she teased him before.

Thinking back carefully, Yun Qing was actually quite friendly to him, at most making a few teasing remarks, without any real malice.

But for some reason, every time we meet, we inexplicably exchange a few words. Maybe it's because we're incompatible according to the Chinese zodiac?

However, Chen Lin recalled the serious look on Yun Qing's face when she finally invited him to join the band yesterday, and the look in her eyes as she looked back at him before leaving the bar.

Although the smiles were still there, Chen Lin felt that there was something he couldn't understand in them.

She's a prominent figure in the art academy, a famous beauty across the entire school, so Chen Lin decided that he should treat her better in the future.

Chen Lin: [Senior, I have plans with someone this afternoon.]

Less than three seconds after the message was sent, Yun Qing's reply popped up.

Yun Qing: [You promised to help me yesterday, right? No cheating! (◣_◢)]

Chen Lin: [I really have an appointment with someone else. Next time, if you contact me a few days in advance, I'll definitely have everything arranged and I'll be there whenever you call!]

To show his sincerity, he even searched through the emoji collection.

Chen Lin: [Doraemon salutes.jpg]

Yun Qing: [Okay (T_T)]

Chen Lin breathed a sigh of relief, but still felt a little guilty. It wasn't that he didn't want to help; it was just bad timing.

He was about to put his phone back in his pants pocket.

But the screen lit up again.

Yun Qing: [Junior, you're not going on a date with Shen Yan, are you? (*ω*)]

Chen Lin was startled. Wait, how come this woman always manages to guess right?

No, could it be that she's bluffing me again, just like last time at the library?

Chen Lin replied calmly:

[This is definitely not a date; it's a legitimate business that makes money.]

【Well-behaved.jpg】

Yun Qing: [Okay, then I'll look for you earlier next time (=｀ω´=)]

Whew, Chen Lin let out a long breath. He still didn't want to lie to Yun Qing, so he figured he could get away with it by using subtle wording.