Chapter 32: What do I owe the Pleasure.
The system let out a laugh, the sound light and almost musical. «[You're so dramatic. Do you really think you'll lose tomorrow?]»
Lin Mu hesitated, his anger faltering. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "I don't even know what I'm up against. For all I know, they're all stronger than me. And if I die here, what was the point of any of this?"
The system's tone softened, her mockery fading. «[The point, Lin Mu, is to grow. To become someone who can face any challenge without hesitation.]»
«[ You've spent too long avoiding hardship, looking for shortcuts. This is your chance to prove to yourself what you're capable of.]»
Lin Mu stared at the ground, her words sinking in. "But… what if I'm not capable?" he whispered.
«[You are.]»the system replied firmly.
«[You've survived everything this world and your's have thrown at you so far, What better proof is that.]»
«[Don't forget you also saved those two girls, didn't you?. We both know that wasn't luck, but you.]»
He closed his eyes, the weight of her words pressing on him. "Well It doesn't feel like enough." he muttered.
«[It will be.]»the system said, her voice gentle now. «[Trust yourself, Lin Mu. And trust me.]»
«[I wouldn't put you through this if I didn't know you could handle it.]»
Lin Mu let out a long sigh, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "You're really not going to let me leave, are you?" he said with a helpless chuckle.
«[Not a chance.]» Her tone was teasing again, but there was a warmth beneath it.
"Fine," Lin Mu muttered, rising to his feet. "But if I survive this, you owe me an explanation for why you're such a pain in the ass."
The system laughed. «[Deal.]»
Lin Mu couldn't help but smile faintly as he turned back toward the settlement. "Guess I better prepare for tomorrow, then."
«[That's the spirit.]» the system said.
«[And don't forget, I'm here if you need advice.]»
"Yeah, yeah, but I still feel to exhausted to start just yet..." Lin Mu muttered, though there was no real annoyance in his tone now. For the first time today, he felt a spark of confidence flicker within him. Tomorrow might be a disaster, but he wasn't going down without a fight.
"i just can't help wondering why I always keep getting bullied by life...." he muttered after some moments of silence, resting his head in his hands.
«[Because you're the protagonist of your own story.]» the system replied matter of factly.
Lin Mu groaned. "Yeah, well, being the protagonist sucks."
The system chuckled softly, the sound surprisingly warm. «[Adversity is the crucible of greatness, Lin Mu. Tomorrow, you'll have a chance to prove not just to them, but to yourself, what you're capable of.]»
«[You'll even be one step closer to making your dear grandfather proud from beyond the grave.]»
Lin Mu sighed, the weight of the system's words settling on him. "Yeah, I guess. But if I die, I'm holding you responsible."
«[Noted.]»the system replied, and Lin Mu could almost sense her smirk.
As he closed his eyes and tried to steady his thoughts, he couldn't shake the feeling that tomorrow would change everything. Whether for better or worse, only time would tell.
_________________________________________
Back on Earth....
The evening light filtered through the vast windows of a grand villa perched atop one of Huaxia's wealthiest districts. Li Fei lounged on her cream leather couch, her legs curled up beneath her as she swirled a glass of crimson wine in her hand. The faint hum of her phone disrupted the serene atmosphere, pulling her gaze to the sleek smartphone resting on the glass coffee table. Like one would expect, her device was a high end one most wouldn't be able to get their hands on even if with enough money, in other to get a device like this, ones connections would need to play a distinct part.
Still as calm as ever, she reached for it with an elegant yet deliberate motion. The name flashing on the screen, Tian Long, elicited a faint smirk on her luscious, succulent lips.
"Headmaster Tian," Li Fei answered, her voice smooth as silk. "What do I owe the pleasure?"
"Miss Li" the older man's deep voice greeted her, polite yet visibly cautious, like a kitten who didn't dare behave calmly with a vicious tiger. "I believe you know why I'm calling. Your involvement with the anomaly has drawn quite a bit of attention Miss Li."
Li Fei arched an eyebrow and reclined further into her couch. "I assume by 'anomaly,' you mean the boy from the Cafe incident awhile ago?, Lin Mu was it?"
"Yes...miss Li, that's the one." Tian Long confirmed with a sigh. "Forgive me for intruding but do you understand the gravity of what you've done?."
" Some very high-profile individuals aren't pleased with your actions Miss Li. It would appear that you've angered people you shouldn't have."
Li Fei chuckled softly, taking a sip of her wine before responding. "High-profile individuals?."
' More like wretched Boars who haven't faced a Tiger....' She said inwardly with evident disdain.
" Please, spare me the theatrics Mister Tian. I don't scare easily, Headmaster. And frankly, if they're so upset, they should come to me directly.... instead of probing around like some cowardly mutt's."
Tian Long's tone accidentally hardened. "You're playing a dangerous game, Miss Li. Even you should know that your reputation has its limits."
" Oh my, is this Headmaster already frightened. I didn't know you would be this terrified of those old goats."
"I advice you to take some time to relax..." she replied with a dismissive wave of her hand, though the headmaster couldn't see it.