After being punished with a few minutes of standing for arriving late to the morning class, Xu Lin was again summoned by the well-intentioned class teacher, who wanted him to achieve good grades.
However, he had no time to have breakfast. After the morning self-study session, he took out a cold pancake and warm rice porridge.
"Xu Lin, you just recovered from a cold, and now you're eating stale food." Ji Yun grabbed the pancake from his hand.
"I have no choice. I came late today and had no time to eat." Xu Lin gently pulled the pancake back.
Though their actions were not flirtatious, the students around, who hadn't gone to the cafeteria yet, suddenly showed teasing smiles.
It seemed that these two were not just friends, and their relationship was extraordinary. Of course, some people were envious.
After all, one was the recognised beauty of the class, even the school flower. The other, while not a heartthrob, was a handsome boy who looked pleasing. It was normal for some to feel a bit sour.
Ji Yun felt the surrounding gazes and subconsciously wanted to avoid them. However, this time she surprisingly stood her ground and continued speaking.
"But why were you late today?"
"I didn't ride my bicycle; I ran here. So I was late."
"Huh? You really ran here? I thought you were just saying that."
Ji Yun was a bit surprised, but considering his weak condition from the fever yesterday, it did make sense that he would want to exercise.
"But you need to keep it up."
"I will. For good health, I'll persist."
"But if you continue like this, what if you miss the class again?"
"I'll wake up early. Today, I got up at 5, so waking up a bit earlier is fine."
"But your rest time is too short."
Ji Yun looked at the dark circles under his fair face, unconsciously reaching out to touch them, but immediately withdrew her hand.
She scolded herself for being too bold. 'Ji Yun, you're a good girl; you shouldn't be handsy with boys.'
"I'll sleep early in the evening, around 11, and wake up at 5. Then I'll have had a good 6 hours of rest."
"That won't work. How about this? I'll buy breakfast for you, and you can come straight to school."
Seeing the cup of rice porridge on his desk, Ji Yun had an idea.
"Haven't even become someone's girlfriend yet, and you're already worrying about his breakfast like a little wife?"
At this moment, a teasing voice chimed in. Ji Yun saw Zhuo Yan holding a box of yoghurt, sitting nearby, and giving Xu Lin a playful glare.
"Zhuo Yan, we're classmates after all," Ji Yun said apologetically.
"We've been desk mates since middle school, and I haven't seen you willingly bring me food," Zhuo Yan retorted.
"Classmate Zhuo, why are you feeling jealous? If you want Ji Yun to bring you food, she can. But don't you eat in the cafeteria all the time?"
"While the cafeteria food is decent, eating it every day can be a bit tiresome. I need some variety," Zhuo Yan said.
"Then I'll bring some for you both. It's not a hassle. Whenever I feel like it, I'll buy extra. If not, you can go to the cafeteria," Ji Yun suggested.
After a brief consideration, both nodded, realising that they couldn't make her bring breakfast every day in the future.
Thinking about bringing food, Xu Lin unintentionally recalled the senior sister Bai he saw in the morning and decided to check her profile on the system.
[Bai Xiaoxiao]
[Age: 18]
[Gender: Female]
[Chinese Zodiac: Pig]
[Intelligence: 7.4]
[Physique: 5.5]
[Charm: 8]
[Favorability: 7]
Charm level at 8? Xu Lin couldn't help but doubt the system's accuracy. Although she was attractive with delicate features, an 8 was higher than Ji Yun's current score.
Su Teacher also had an 8, and Chu Qingchan had a 9, but the system's rating seemed to have its reasons. Even with the potential to gain some weight and improve complexion, an 8 seemed a bit high. However, considering her physique at 5.5, she truly was a woman who could withstand a lot of studying.
According to the system, initially displaying an adult male physique as 6, it means she's approaching the physique of an adult male.
Even in her seemingly malnourished state with a thin body, Xu Lin suddenly had an idea.
His plan was to provide her with plenty of food, allowing her to replenish and perhaps become an intellectual, physically fit, and charming hexagonal warrior with scores of 8.
However, if her physique truly reached 7, she might not differ much from the one in the biology textbook.
The thought sent a shiver down his spine, but since he had initiated the favorability system, he decided to increase it a bit. After all, his goal was to become stronger.
Now, the points that he initially considered unimportant seemed worth striving for.
However, he found the improvement in favorability confusing. For instance, with Teacher Su, whom he had been in the same class with for a long time, her favorability had only reached 12, and Ji Yun, whom he saved, had a favorability of 15.
Furthermore, subsequent increases were challenging, or rather disproportionate. Despite having good relationships with three individuals, his favorability with them is only 30.
In theory, the maximum should be 100, but what would a favorability of 100 look like? Even lifelong parents might find it challenging to reach 100, as it would essentially be like completely idolising someone.
Not to mention the so-called ultimate reward for collecting all 12 zodiac energies; at that time, he declared he wouldn't even think about it in this lifetime.
After the morning classes, Xu Lin didn't see Teacher Su, as their class did not have an English lesson in the morning. However, since the adjacent class, Class 7, had a lesson, he headed straight to the teacher's office after school. Coincidentally, he spotted Su Qingwan, brimming with energy, coming out of the office.
"Hey, Teacher Su, seeing you so lively, I guess you've completed your task."
"Yeah," she flashed a big smile, then glanced around the corridor before suddenly hugging him. Resting her head on his shoulder, her voice carried a hint of tears.
"I did it! I did it, Xu Lin! Thank you... Really thank you!"
"Well, teacher, your courage wasn't in vain. Also, you should thank your family."
Xu Lin took a deep breath, stopped his hand that was about to rest on her waist, and gently patted her shoulder.
Though he seemed to have helped her, her courage, her parents' understanding, and the understanding of others played a crucial role.
Before his rebirth, he wasn't a mature man; he was just a young guy in his twenties. There were things he couldn't handle.
If her parents were truly determined, his words might have been futile, and no matter how much she protested, it might not have made a difference.
However, seeing her future divorce indicated that her parents cared for her happiness, not just their interests. That's why he dared to suggest she go.
"I told them on the spot that I don't like Jia Qing. Then I had a serious talk with Uncle Jia, and he wasn't too upset, at least for now."
"Then, at night, after the guests left, I had a good talk with my parents. I found out that they truly love me, saying my happiness is the most important."
"Yeah," Xu Lin thought of his own parents and softened.
She slowly lifted herself from his shoulder. Seeing Xu Lin's expression, she blinked her eyes, looking a bit shy but cute.
"However... um."
"What's wrong?" Although her expression was cute, Xu Lin suddenly felt something was off.
"Sorry, I used you as a shield. My parents want to meet you."
"I'm not going!" Xu Lin made a decisive decision, turning around and leaving without hesitation. Su Qingwan tried to catch up for a few steps, but within seconds, Xu Lin disappeared around the corner.