Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

These vain and beautiful female college students are often the least aware of their own worth.

Back in the day, on this bright planet, there were many female college students doing similar part-time jobs, and no amount of persuasion could dissuade them...

Bai Zhiya felt uncomfortable under Lin Man's gaze, so she mustered up her courage, poured herself a full glass of baijiu, and stood up.

"Ding Heng, thank you for treating us today. I'd like to propose a toast to you."

There was a moment of silence on the table.

We're all classmates, is it really necessary to toast each other?

Someone whispered, "Zhiya, don't you not drink?"

It would have been better not to ask, because this question only made it seem like Bai Zhiya's sudden toast was too purposeful.

The atmosphere became a little awkward for a moment...

Lin Man reached out and gently took the wine glass from Bai Zhiya's hand, then picked up another glass of water and put it back into her hand.

"You took the wrong one; this glass of plain water is yours."

Drinking when you can't drink is considered servile and obsequious.

Using tea instead of wine is a way for classmates to express their gratitude.

Lin Man was essentially giving Bai Zhiya a way out.

Ding Heng raised his glass at the opportune moment and replied, "We're all classmates, no need to be so polite."

Bai Zhiya lowered her eyes, tilted her head back to drink the water in the cup, and sat down again.

Lin Man suddenly asked, "By the way, what are your plans for tomorrow?"

Liu Chiwang nodded: "I plan to go for a stroll along the coast tomorrow. Since we're already here, we should at least leave a good impression."

"That's perfect."

Lin Man suggested, "Come stop by our place on your way and have a BBQ together. I'll ask the chef to prepare extra ingredients."

After speaking, she turned her head to look at Ding Heng, her eyes questioning whether her arrangement was appropriate.

I ran into Ding Heng today. He's already quite prominent in public, so I might as well put on an even more convincing act.

Liu Chiwang hesitated and asked, "Wouldn't that be too much trouble?"

"It's lively when there are many people."

Ding Heng continued, "Also, inform Qian Pu to come as well."

Liu Chiwang's face immediately darkened.

"Come on."

He picked up his beer and took a big gulp, unable to contain his anger: "Come on, why call him? I called him two hours ago and he said he had some family matters to attend to!"

It's clear that Liu Chiwang is really angry this time, and he probably won't give Qian Pu a pleasant look when he gets back to the dormitory.

There was a moment of silence at the table; no one spoke.

Ding Heng patted him on the shoulder and didn't try to persuade him any further.

After the meal, everyone gradually dispersed.

Lin Man, who was at the back, called out to Bai Zhiya.

"Student Bai."

Bai Zhiya stopped and turned around with a polite smile: "Is there something you need, senior?"

Lin Man jokingly asked, "You're not still holding a grudge about what happened at the barbecue restaurant last time, are you?"

Bai Zhiya remained silent.

Lin Man smiled and softened her tone: "Are you envious of us?"

Bai Zhiya feigned ignorance: "What's there to envy? I don't understand what you mean, senior."

"It's best if you don't understand."

Lin Man stopped beating around the bush: "You're a local from Xingcheng, you should know Shen Yu, right?"

Ten years ago, she was the most beautiful girl at Hunan Normal University, majoring in Chinese Literature. She was not only beautiful but also had excellent grades, making her the most popular girl on campus.

Later, rumors spread that she was working part-time on Brilliant Planet and earning 300,000 yuan a month, which caused a sensation. As a local of Star City, Bai Zhiya had naturally heard about it.

Lin Man continued, "Do you know what happened to her afterwards?"

Bai Zhiya remained silent.

Lin Man began her story: "She was tricked into being kept by a boss, and dropped out of college in her junior year. The boss bought her a house and a car, and gave her pocket money every month, making her think that she had transformed from a sparrow into a phoenix."

Later, the boss's business failed, and he took back the house and car to pay off debts. Shen Yu was already in her early thirties and knew nothing except how to spend money. She wanted to find a decent job, but her resume was not presentable. She wanted to find a new man, but she was too old.

Finally, I heard he went back to his hometown. Because he couldn't change his spending habits, he got married three or four times. Now he's single and works as a foot masseur at a third-rate foot massage parlor in the county town.

Bai Zhiya gripped the bag strap tightly in her hand.

"Senior, what do you mean?"

"It's nothing, I'm just sharing my experience to give you some advice."

Bai Zhiya's face turned pale, and she spoke irritably.

Why don't you go and persuade those two people next to Ding Heng?

Do you know what the biggest difference is between you and them?

"They're not as pretty as them!"

"It has nothing to do with looks or body shape..."

Lin Man shook her head: "I hope you understand that Ding Heng is genuinely in love with them! But a man's feelings are always limited. If you go after them now, let's not even talk about whether Ding Heng will want you. Even if he does, all you'll get in the end are a few clothes, a few bags, a few meals... What will you do when his novelty wears off? Go find the next one?"

In Lin Man's view, Zhao Yanxi and Wen Jing were both Ding Heng's first loves, so Ding Heng would never abandon them no matter what.

It was precisely because Lin Man understood this that she always treated her relationship with Ding Heng as a transaction, and never expected the man to pour out a lot of emotion for her.

A night breeze blew by, and Bai Zhiya turned and left without a word, her steps quickening as she had come...

Lin Man returned to the car and sat in the driver's seat.

The man had been drinking, and Wenjing and Zhao Yanxi weren't good drivers, so only she was able to drive.

Ding Heng, sitting in the passenger seat, turned to look at her: "Where did you go?"

Lin Man shifted into reverse and glanced at the rearview mirror.

"Solve a problem for the boss."

She stepped on the gas, and the car slowly pulled out of the parking space: "There's nothing I can do. Boss, you're just too charming. You attract attention wherever you go. As your secretary, I have to share your burdens, right?"

Ding Heng reached out and pinched Lin Man's cheek, gently tugging at it.

"You have such a sweet tongue."

"They're just telling the truth."

"Thank you, Lin Man!"

Ding Heng released his hand, his tone utterly sincere.

Perhaps sensing the sincerity in Ding Heng's words, Lin Man was momentarily stunned.

The next second, a smile spread across her face.

You're welcome, boss!

As the car drove forward, a prompt popped into Ding Heng's mind.

Atonement Value: 1%

[Refuge Value: 4%]

It also rose by one percent.

Chapter 181: The Four?

It was already nine o'clock in the evening when we got back to the villa.

The three girls lay sprawled on the living room sofa, none of them wanting to move.

Zhao Yanxi propped her legs up on the coffee table, looked up at the ceiling, and muttered, "I'm so tired... I swam too hard today, my legs are so weak."

Wenjing curled up in the corner of the sofa, hugging a cushion, her eyes half-open and half-closed, as if she was about to fall asleep at any moment.

Lin Man, however, had clear eyes and showed no signs of drowsiness.

After resting for a while, Zhao Yanxi suddenly sat up and cleared her throat: "Um... how should we divide the rooms among the three of us?"

Wenjing opened her eyes, looked at Zhao Yanxi, then at Lin Man, and said nothing.

Lin Man didn't reply, her expression amused.

Zhao Yanxi reached out and tugged at Wenjing's sleeve: "Jingjing, why don't you sit with me?"

Wenjing blinked and said, "Oh... okay."

Zhao Yanxi then looked at Lin Man, her tone casually remarking, "Sister Man, you live in the master bedroom alone? Anyway, the bed is big."

Before Lin Man could speak, Wen Jing suddenly interjected, "How about... we all sleep in one room?"

Zhao Yanxi turned to look at Wen Jing, her eyes asking, "Are you serious?"

Feeling guilty under Zhao Yanxi's gaze, Wenjing whispered, "I just think that since we're already out having fun together, there's no need to..."

She didn't spell it out explicitly, but the meaning was clear.

Ding Heng had already made his intentions clear by bringing the three of them out, so there was no need for them to be coy.

Anyway, men are like oxen, they're indestructible...

Zhao Yanxi understood, of course, but she still hadn't completely shaken off the lingering unease in her heart.

It's not that I dislike Lin Man, but... I can't quite put my finger on it.

Lin Man spoke up at the right moment, her tone relaxed: "Let the boss decide."