"Option 1: Not say a word against Zhou Qingyue's following accusations and silently accept the blame. The system will reward you with the honorary title of 'Useless.'"
"Option 2: Use sufficient evidence to prove that you are innocent of Zhou Qingyue's accusations and establish a lofty image before Zhou Qingyue. Reward: Gain Zhou Qingyue's favorable impression +5."
"Option 3: Faced with Zhou Qingyue's accusations, use your glib tongue to tell a story and make her believe it is true. Reward: Obtain detailed information about the previous reward 'project with very high returns.'"
When he heard the system's list of options, Chen Tianming didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
'Good heavens! This system is really interesting! It even has interlinked plots, and the rewards come in a series!'
Chen Tianming suspected that the system had set the scene with the previous option choices for this very moment.
However, he didn't hesitate. After all, the Chen family needed a project with high returns.
Just as Chen Tianming was about to speak, Zhou Qingyue coldly said, "So, you're the same as the others, aren't you?"
Zhou Qingyue's voice was cold but also held a trace of helplessness and cynical resignation as she continued speaking, "I thought you were different, but it turns out..."
Zhou Qingyue didn't finish her sentence and sighed deeply instead. It wasn't the first time she had felt this kind of helplessness; she would feel better with time.
Chen Tianming didn't know what to do; after all, he was a simp in his previous life. He had no other reference for treating beautiful women, but he didn't think Zhou Qingyue would like his bootlicking flattery.
Chen Tianming was about to offer her a few words of comfort when he suddenly thought of the photo and blurted out, "I think I've seen you somewhere before!"
Zhou Qingyue sneered, "Nobody uses pickup lines like that anymore!" As she spoke, she moved to get up from the bed.
However, Zhou Qingyue felt a chill across her chest; she'd nearly forgotten that her dress was ruined and her top was exposed. She instantly crawled back into the covers.
She wouldn't let Chen Tianming take advantage of her; he's not getting another chance to peek at her.
Chen Tianming was thinking about how he would explain what he had just said, so he didn't notice Zhou Qingyue's actions. After all, he still wanted the system's third option reward.
If he did notice what she was doing, he probably would've taken another look; who didn't like beautiful things?
Chen Tianming's mind whirled rapidly, and he instantly thought of a way to solve his current situation.
He coughed lightly and affected a serious expression as he said, "I'm not hitting on you! I do find you familiar! I thought I might have met you somewhere before, but you seem slightly different than I remembered!"
Zhou Qingyue didn't believe what Chen Tianming said initially, but her eyes lit up when she heard the second half of his words.
'Could it be that Chen Tianming really knew someone who looked like her?'
'Was she my mother?'
Actually, Zhou Qingyue knew from a young age that she wasn't her parents' biological child. Therefore, whenever she had time, she would work to earn money so that she could find out her background.
Now that such an opportunity was before her, she naturally had to seize it.
Zhou Qingyue wrapped herself in the blankets and implored Chen Tianming, "What happened? Tell me, where have you seen someone who looks exactly like me?"
Chen Tianming heard Zhou Qingyue's tone and knew he was halfway to the reward. Now, he just needed to make Zhou Qingyue believe him.
"It was a long time ago! But if you're interested, I'll keep an eye out!"
The light in Zhou Qingyue's eyes dimmed, but she still whispered, "Chen Tianming, thank you!" Whether Chen Tianming succeeded or not in finding her parents, Zhou Qingyue had to thank him.
Chen Tianming waved his hand and looked at the time. "It's late, and I'm exhausted. There's a pill on the table you should take at midnight. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now! The room has already been paid for, so there's no need to worry!"
Chen Tianming left after those words. That was just an excuse; he wanted to see the high-returns project.
After Tianming left, Zhou Qingyue laid on the bed. However, she wasn't sleepy at all; her mind was filled with thoughts, and she couldn't concentrate.
So, she sat up and regarded the night view outside, thinking,'I wish life would get better.'
After Chen Tianming left the hotel, he took a taxi back home. He had just laid down on his bed when a new email appeared in his mailbox.
Chen Tianming opened the email and was dumbfounded when he saw the project info.
'What is this?!'
'The system isn't playing a trick on me, right?'
He had never seen this project before in his previous life, so why did it appear now? Did his rebirth and actions cause the change, or did this project exist back then, but he didn't remember it?
Chen Tianming couldn't figure it out even after spending a long time contemplating the matter, so he gave up.
'Who cares about how and why it appeared? Since the system had rewarded him with this project, it must be useful!'
'I'll just have to wait and see and take things one step at a time!'
The most important thing now was to solve Zhou Qingyue's matter. If Zhou Qingyue hadn't helped him in his previous life, Chen Tianming wouldn't have bothered with her in this life.
He slept well that night.
The next day, Chen Tianming found Jiang Bei sitting next to Liu Yue, the class commissary in charge of studies, when he arrived at the classroom.
Jiang Bei was saying something to her, but Liu Yue looked angry and ignored him. Gradually, Jiang Bei's face showed a hint of impatience.
Jiang Bei was, after all, the son of a wealthy family. When has he ever been treated like so?
He didn't mind changing targets if he still couldn't coax Liu Yue; his deskmate, Su Qing, wasn't a bad choice either.
It would be very fulfilling to pull these lofty women from their pedestals and make them his women!
Moreover, the two girls were childhood friends; if he landed either of them, he could get his hands on them both.
With that thought in mind, Jiang Bei placed the gift for Liu Yue on the table and left.
Liu Yue looked at Jiang Bei's back as he walked away, and a trace of worry flashed across her eyes. "Am I going too far playing hard to get? What if Jiang Bei doesn't buy it?"
Liu Yue was conflicted for a long time before deciding to give Jiang Bei a chance after class. She didn't want to miss out on such a good man.
When Tianming passed by Liu Yue, he saw the expression on her face.
Jiang Bei was good at manipulation; he'd easily seen through her little mind games, so how could Liu Yue gain the upper hand? Jiang Bei was just stringing her along like he did the others.
However, Chen Tianming was too lazy to care about their relationship.
As long as they don't involve Chen Tianming in their couple conflicts, he wouldn't get involved in their affairs except for revenge.
Just as Chen Tianming was thinking about this, the sound of someone whistling could be heard in the classroom.