Shi Feng felt the rush of satisfaction as the system's virtual screen hovered in front of him. He leaned back on the bench, enjoying the crisp evening breeze. His points had grown to 10 again after helping Zhang Li with the laptop issue.
---
[Host: Shi Feng]
[Points: 10]
[Wishes Fulfilled: 2]
---
"Not bad," Shi Feng muttered to himself. "But if I want to start unlocking medium and large wishes, I need a better plan. Small wishes are nice, but they're just appetizers."
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of laughter nearby. Shi Feng looked up to see a group of students chatting outside a trendy café across the street. Among them was a girl who instantly caught his attention.
She stood out, not just because of her graceful demeanor, but also because of her striking features. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, and her almond-shaped eyes held a sharp, intelligent glint. She wore a casual white blouse and jeans, yet she exuded a sense of elegance that made her seem out of place among the boisterous group.
Shi Feng couldn't help but stare for a moment, his curiosity piqued.
"Focus, Shi Feng," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "You're not here to gawk at pretty girls."
But as fate would have it, she turned and glanced in his direction. Their eyes met briefly, and Shi Feng swore he saw a flicker of amusement cross her face before she turned back to her friends.
---
[System Notification: Wish Detected!]
[Wish: Unknown. Approach to gather details.]
---
Shi Feng blinked in surprise. "Huh? Her wish?"
He wasn't sure if it was coincidence or the system's influence, but he wasn't about to let the opportunity slip by. Rising from the bench, he crossed the street, trying to act casual as he approached the group.
As he got closer, the girl looked at him again, this time with a raised eyebrow.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her tone polite but guarded.
Shi Feng scratched the back of his head, suddenly aware of how awkward he must look. "Uh, sorry. I thought you looked familiar. Are you from this campus?"
One of her friends snickered. "Smooth, buddy. Real smooth."
The girl waved her friend off, her expression softening slightly. "Yes, I'm a sophomore here. And you are…?"
"Shi Feng," he said quickly, extending a hand. "First-year. Just… trying to make new friends."
She studied him for a moment before shaking his hand. "Xiao Wu," she replied.
"Nice to meet you, Xiao Wu." Shi Feng tried to keep his tone light, but he was already thinking about the system's notification. If she had a wish, he needed to figure out what it was.
---
A Subtle Wish
The conversation flowed awkwardly at first, but Shi Feng quickly adapted. He learned that Xiao Wu was majoring in business and came from a well-off family. Her friends teased her about her perfectionist tendencies, which she accepted with a sheepish smile.
It was during this banter that Shi Feng caught on to something.
"I swear, Xiao Wu, you're the only person I know who'd stress over a group project even after we've finished it," one of her friends joked.
Xiao Wu sighed. "It's not stress. I just… want it to be perfect, you know? The presentation tomorrow needs to be flawless."
Shi Feng's ears perked up. Presentation? Tomorrow? This might be the opening he needed.
---
[System Update: Wish Identified!]
[Wish: Help Xiao Wu with her presentation concerns.]
[Reward: 10 points.]
---
Shi Feng resisted the urge to grin. "A small wish, huh? I can handle that," he thought.
"Presentations can be tricky," he said aloud, keeping his tone casual. "If you want, I could take a look at it. Fresh eyes might catch something you missed."
Xiao Wu hesitated, clearly torn between pride and practicality. "I don't want to impose…"
"It's no trouble," Shi Feng said quickly. "Besides, I could use the practice. Business presentations are something I'll have to deal with eventually, right?"
She glanced at her friends, who nodded encouragingly. "Alright," she said finally. "But only if you're sure it's not a bother."
"Not at all," Shi Feng said with a grin. "Let's find a spot to work."
---
Wish Fulfillment
They ended up in the campus library, where Xiao Wu opened her laptop to show Shi Feng the presentation. It was a well-organized slideshow, but Shi Feng immediately noticed a few areas that could be improved.
"Your data is solid, but the visuals could use a bit more flair," he said, pointing to a particularly bland chart. "And here—this slide could use a stronger transition to tie it to the next point."
Xiao Wu listened intently, occasionally asking questions or making notes. For someone so polished, she was surprisingly receptive to feedback.
As they worked, Shi Feng couldn't help but admire her focus. Despite her earlier nerves, she was sharp and quick to adapt.
After about an hour, they finished refining the presentation. Shi Feng leaned back, satisfied. "There. That should make an impression."
Xiao Wu reviewed the slides, her expression softening into a smile. "This is much better. Thank you, Shi Feng. I feel a lot more confident now."
---
[Wish Completed!]
[10 points earned. Current balance: 20 points.]
---
Shi Feng felt the familiar rush of satisfaction as the system's notification popped up. But what surprised him more was the warmth in Xiao Wu's smile.
"You've been a huge help," she said sincerely. "I owe you one."
Shi Feng waved her off. "It's nothing. Just let me know how the presentation goes."
As they left the library, Xiao Wu turned to him. "By the way, do you always go out of your way to help people, or am I just special?"
Shi Feng chuckled. "Let's just say I like solving problems."
"Well, problem-solver," she said with a playful smirk, "I might have to keep you around."
Shi Feng watched her walk away, feeling an unfamiliar mix of pride and curiosity. Xiao Wu was more than just another wish to fulfill. There was something about her that made him want to know more.
---
Points and Plans
Later that night, Shi Feng sat in his dorm, staring at the system screen.
---
[Host: Shi Feng]
[Points: 20]
[Wishes Fulfilled: 3]
---
"Twenty points," he mused. "That's enough for a medium wish."
He opened the bucket list, scrolling through the options. The idea of unlocking a practical skill like advanced driving or a foreign language was tempting.
But as he hovered over the options, he hesitated. Spending points too quickly might leave him vulnerable. What if a bigger opportunity came along?
"Patience, Shi Feng," he told himself. "The system's a marathon, not a sprint."
Still, he couldn't deny the thrill of progress. With Xiao Wu's wish fulfilled and his points growing steadily, the possibilities seemed endless.
---
End of Chapter 3