{Chapter: 12 Blueberry flavored ice cream!}
[Yes, host. The favorability panel can record the favorability values of the hostesses you encounter,] Shen Lan explained.
Lin Yuan immediately opened his attribute panel.
Nothing had changed on the panel, except for the increase in counterattack points. However, there was now a new section at the end labeled "Favorability Panel."
[Favorability Panel:]
[Yan Ruoyue: -20, Qiu Wanxi: 10]
Lin Yuan was a little puzzled upon seeing this favorability panel.
"Is Yan Ruoyue's favorability with me still negative?" Lin Yuan asked.
[Yes, host. Yan Ruoyue's favorability with the former Lin Yuan was in the negative hundreds,] Shen Lan explained.
Lin Yuan roughly understood after hearing Shen Lan's explanation.
'It seems that my efforts haven't been completely useless. But love isn't built in a day.'
'The aftermath of being a simp king for so long is profound and can't be eliminated too quickly. It requires both time and effort.'
Lin Yuan soon arrived at a Häagen-Dazs ice cream shop with Qiu Wanxi.
As they entered, Lin Yuan's luxurious car, his exquisite suit, and his handsome looks immediately attracted attention, particularly from the opposite sex.
Behind him, Qiu Wanxi followed quietly, her presence almost unnoticed.
Lin Yuan guided Qiu Wanxi to a seat. Watching her sit nervously across from him, he smiled and asked, "What would you like to eat?"
"I... I don't know..." Qiu Wanxi lowered her head, her face full of embarrassment.
Even though she knew the gazes of everyone were directed at Lin Yuan and not her, she was still very anxious. She clutched her patched-up pants tightly, unable to relax.
Her low self-esteem made her more afraid of embarrassing Lin Yuan than herself. Seeing the prices on the menu—each ice cream costing hundreds—she dared not entertain the idea of ordering anything, as it equaled several days of her part-time earnings.
"I'll order for you then. Don't worry, and don't be nervous," Lin Yuan said, quickly placing an order for two blueberry-flavored ice creams.
He reached out and gently stroked Qiu Wanxi's head afterward. To her surprise, she felt a sense of calm wash over her under his touch.
Lin Yuan also noticed her visibly relaxing. Her demeanor reminded him of a timid small animal that felt comforted when petted.
Once she calmed down, Qiu Wanxi hesitantly let go of her pants. However, her unease hadn't completely faded.
Lin Yuan's eyes fell on a fresh, fist-sized red mark on her knee, visible beneath her patchy pants. It was likely from her earlier fall. His brow furrowed as he reached for his phone.
"Hello? Wu Shu? The manager of the fashion clothing store at the World Trade Center is under our group, right? Good. Replace them with someone else. That's all," Lin Yuan said before hanging up.
Dismissing an ordinary store manager was a trivial task for someone like him, especially when his family owned the clothing store.
Why fire the manager?
Simple. Lin Yuan felt uncomfortable, and so he acted on impulse.
The ice cream soon arrived.
Lin Yuan pushed one toward Qiu Wanxi with a smile. "I wasn't sure what flavor you'd like, so I ordered blueberry. You don't dislike it, do you?"
[Ding! Counterattack points +50]
A reward notification echoed in his mind as soon as he finished speaking.
Immediately, Qiu Wanxi waved her hands nervously. "I like it... I like it! I'll like whatever you order! It all tastes good!"
"And... I really do like blueberry flavor!" she exclaimed.
Seeing Lin Yuan's amused smile, she quickly added, "I... I didn't say that just to please you! I really like blueberry flavor ice cream! I'm sorry!"
"Why are you apologizing?" Lin Yuan asked, still smiling.
"I... I was afraid you'd think I said that just to flatter you or that I was lying..." Qiu Wanxi admitted softly, her innocence apparent in her tone.
Lin Yuan's smile deepened. "I believe you."
After hearing those four simple words, Qiu Wanxi's cheeks turned crimson, and her eyes grew slightly misty.
Lin Yuan felt a mix of emotions watching her reaction.
'Qiu Wanxi has so little self-esteem. She's even afraid to admit she likes the same ice cream flavor as me, worried I'd misunderstand. And yet, she's deeply touched just because I said I believe her.'
'She's such a humble and adorable girl.'
Following his words, the system chimed again:
[Ding! Counterattack points +150]
The caution and fear in Qiu Wanxi's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a quiet trust.
Lin Yuan didn't actually like blueberry ice cream, but he had read in the novel that it was Qiu Wanxi's favorite. That's why he ordered it.
He checked the favorability panel again and noticed that her favorability had risen by 30 points.
Despite her disheveled appearance and messy hair, her natural beauty still shone through. Her fair, rosy cheeks and pure, innocent eyes left a lasting impression on anyone who looked at her.
As he watched the adorable girl cautiously scooping ice cream into her mouth, Lin Yuan couldn't help but feel an inexplicable joy.
"Is it good?"
"Super... super delicious," Qiu Wanxi replied shyly.
---
Half an hour later.
"I... I've finished," Qiu Wanxi said nervously, looking at Lin Yuan.
She had taken longer to eat due to her nervousness. Lin Yuan had finished much earlier and patiently waited for her.
Lin Yuan smiled, sensing her unease. "It's fine, don't worry."
He reached out and wiped a smudge of ice cream from the corner of her mouth.
"Huh!"
Qiu Wanxi's pink cheeks instantly turned scarlet, her embarrassment so intense she wanted to bury her face in the ground.
*****
You can support me by joining my Patreon and get upto 60 chapters in advance.
patreon.com/Translator_God