"All right, all right, let's head inside now. Let's not keep Shiyun waiting," Ye Feng said, watching the two friends beside him with satisfaction, thinking, "Seems like I made the right choice with these two as my brothers."
"Let's go, let's go," Hao Jian chuckled in agreement.
As Ye Feng entered the classroom, he immediately noticed Lin Shiyun already deep in her studies.
"Who would've thought this little girl would be so studious," Ye Feng mused to himself. Walking over, he took a seat beside her and said, "Hey, Little Shiyun, I didn't know you were so focused on studying! Are you aiming to become a top student?"
"Pfft, what's with 'aiming to be a top student'? I'm already one, thank you very much. Not sure who it was that spent six and a half out of eight classes sleeping on his first day. The only class he stayed awake for was homeroom," Lin Shiyun put down her book, tapped Ye Feng on the head, and laughed, unbothered by the nickname.
"Fine, fine, my top student," Ye Feng teased.
"Your top student, huh? Stop it!" Shiyun's face turned pink as she shyly tried to dismiss his words, covering her face with her hands.
"Oh, really? And who was it this morning…" Ye Feng immediately mimicked her voice, "'Ye Feng, I don't want to miss this.'"
"Enough, enough! Stop saying that!" Shiyun's face flushed even redder, and she playfully reached over to pinch him at the waist.
Seeing her about to make a move, Ye Feng pretended to be terrified. "Hey, hey, a true gentleman uses words, not hands! Don't pinch me!"
"Hehe, but I'm not a gentleman—I'm a lady, and it's every lady's right to pinch whomever she wants," Shiyun replied playfully.
"Alright, alright, you win. You're the boss," Ye Feng said, looking at her indulgently.
"Okay, enough fooling around now. I still have some studying to do. And you? Aren't you going to hit the books too? I can't believe you're in the honors class," Shiyun said, sounding both amused and exasperated.
"No worries. Your man is a genius. Just wait till the exams, and you'll see," Ye Feng boasted.
"Oh, you? A genius? Please, that's hilarious," Shiyun shook her head and gently pushed his nose, an action that didn't go unnoticed by the rest of Class 2A.
"Look, look! The Ice Queen has melted! That's the real goddess, soft and warm-hearted," a classmate whispered.
"My goddess, how could you? You didn't wait for me… my heart hurts," another chimed in dramatically.
"So, transfer students are all top-level players, huh? First day here, and he's already got my dream girl. Sigh… guess I was never an option," added a third, shaking his head in resignation.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the classroom, a shadowy figure smirked coldly. "That brat dares to steal Left Master's girl. Let's see how long he lasts."
Ye Feng, unaware of the enmity brewing, continued, "You don't believe me? I'm telling you, your man is a genius! Why don't we make a bet? Didn't the teacher mention a test today? If I win, I'll get a reward. You can decide what it is."
With that, Ye Feng lay his head on the desk, seemingly unfazed.
"You're impossible," Shiyun muttered, watching him sleep. She thought to herself, "Why do I like such a lazy guy? If my family finds out about us… what then? No, it doesn't matter. I've made up my mind—this life, I'm only marrying Ye Feng."
"Fine, let's bet. But don't cry if you lose," Shiyun pouted before turning back to her book.
Ye Feng gave her a thumbs-up from his position on the desk and then closed his eyes, his consciousness entering the lottery space.
"Congratulations, host, for completing the mission: 'First Lady of the Harem.' Task details: capture Lin Shiyun's heart within one year. Reward: two standard lottery draws and +10 to charisma. Failure penalty: unknown. (Perfectly completed.)
As the task has been rated 'perfect,' an additional 5 points of charisma have been awarded. Current charisma: 95 - Perfect Idol Level.
As charisma has increased, system settings have been slightly modified. Host, please take note:
• 30 Charisma: Acquaintance level, 5% success rate for confession
• 40 Charisma: Casual friend level, 15% success rate for confession
• 60 Charisma: Good friend level, 65% success rate for confession
• 75 Charisma: Close confidante level, 85% success rate for confession
• 85 Charisma: True partner level, 95% success rate for confession; female partner may mind if the host has other women
• 90 Charisma: Ideal companion level, 100% success rate for confession; female partner may feel jealous but will be loyal and accepting
• 95 Charisma: Devoted lover level; female partner will not be jealous and will accept the host's choices
• 100 Charisma: "Nation's Sweetheart" level; female partner will support host in any relationships and even help find additional partners
"Lin Shiyun's affection level increased by 5. Current affection: 90, Ideal Companion Level."
As Ye Feng's consciousness entered the lottery space, the system messages swirled around him. Although it was slightly annoying, Ye Feng's grin only widened—"Seems that the time for… ahem… advancing things isn't far off."
"Host, look at that wicked smile of yours. You're embarrassing me here. You've got two free lottery spins—do you want to use them?" the system prompted.
"Yes, of course! Who says no to free spins?"
"One spin for lifestyle skills, one spin for martial arts skills."
Ye Feng decided to go with one lifestyle skill and one martial art skill—after all, strengthening his combat skills wouldn't hurt. Last time, Left Master had sent people after him. Without martial arts skills, he might've been done for. He could work on lifestyle skills, too, but upgrading combat abilities had become a priority.
"Your wish is my command, host. Beginning lifestyle skill draw."
A new wheel appeared before Ye Feng, lighting up suddenly in a flash of red that startled him. But upon hearing the system's words, his grin grew even wider. It seemed his luck was truly on fire.