Chapter 3 The system remained unchanged,
The system remained unchanged, displaying only a solitary message: “Task completed.”
Tang Huaijin used to wonder when he read novels why the protagonists were so adaptable. After getting a system or transmigrating, they adapted to it in no time.
Now he understands, because there’s nothing you can do about him except accept it.
Tell the authorities? Aren’t you afraid they’ll dissect and study you?
Fortunately, the system did not show any malice towards him.
…
Back home, as soon as I opened the door, a system notification popped up: “Urgent Task: Help your sister cook a delicious dinner.”
”Mission Reward: Sister’s Kiss”
”Failure penalty: None”
”Please decide whether to accept within 3 minutes.”
”accept.”
Tang Huaijin accepted without hesitation.
It has nothing to do with kissing or anything like that. It’s just that my sister has been busy all day, so this is a treat for her.
…
After sending a message to her sister to confirm that she would be back in half an hour, Tang Huaijin started making dinner.
Braised pork ribs with dried bamboo shoots, braised pork belly, and Shanghai bok choy with garlic.
These are some of Tang Huaijin’s signature dishes, which are also my sister’s favorites.
The kitchen is full of oil fumes, and the range hood is very noisy.
Tang Huaijin was humming a song while cooking for her sister when Tang Yaoyao’s soft body hugged her from behind.
It was the familiar scent of her sister. Tang Huaijin’s lips curved into a smile as she asked, “You came in without making a sound. What’s wrong?”
Tang Yaoyao buried her head behind Tang Huaijin and said with a hint of satisfaction, “Absorbing my little brother’s energy.”
After saying that, she stood on tiptoe and leaned over to give Tang Huaijin a light kiss on the cheek. “This is a reward.”
The soft, moist touch on his cheek startled Tang Huaijin.
”What’s wrong? Are you dumbfounded?” Tang Yaoyao squinted and chuckled softly.
”Nothing, I just wanted to know what my sister was thinking when she kissed me?”
Tang Yaoyao frowned slightly, her pretty brows furrowing in displeasure. “What are you thinking? Can’t I even kiss you?”
After saying that, she added with a hint of resentment, “When you were little, you always wanted to kiss your older sister, but now you don’t even want her to kiss you on your own initiative.”
”No, never mind.” Tang Huaijin knew her question was a bit strange, so she shook her head and smiled ingratiatingly, “Sister, go and rest, it’ll be done soon.”
Tang Yaoyao rolled her eyes at him, then walked lightly back to the living room, where she found Tang Huaijin’s new phone on the table.
”Ah Jin, you changed your phone?”
”Oh, I won that in a lucky draw at a mobile phone store while I was working part-time today.”
”Oh? Really? You’re so lucky?”
”Yes, we’re really lucky.” Tang Huaijin’s tone was quite complicated.
…
After issuing two tasks, the system remained silent, and Tang Huaijin enjoyed a peaceful weekend.
Why is it that when other people have a system, they can slay immortals and Buddhas above and demons below, while I have a system but still have to go to school?
Standing on the familiar No. 2 bus, Tang Huaijin complained.
I still have to take the bus to school…
There weren’t even any seats…
During the morning rush hour, the No. 2 bus was packed with people. Tang Huaijin tried her best to squeeze through a group of middle-aged women.
He gripped the railing above his head with both arms, trying to create a space for the girl inside.
The girl held her bag in front of her chest with both hands, turned her face to the side and stared intently out the car window. Her hair was a little messy from being jostled by several middle-aged women, and her ponytail bounced as the car stopped.
”What’s wrong? No one’s taking you to school again?” Tang Huaijin asked.
Hearing the sound, the girl turned her head and looked at the boy in front of her. The boy had his face turned to the side with a blank expression, and the bulging veins on his arms showed that the passengers behind him were squeezing him quite hard, but the girl inside was not affected at all.
”Tang Huaijin…” The girl’s eyes held a complex expression. “Do you think I’ll forgive you like this?”
Although she had already made up her mind not to say a word to Tang Huaijin, seeing the boy’s behavior still made her heartstrings tug, so much so that her tone softened unconsciously when she spoke.
Tang Huaijin chuckled and turned his head. “Lin Ruoxi, can you stop being so presumptuous? It’s perfectly normal to want to protect the animals you released, isn’t it?”
”Release the small animals?” Lin Ruoxi’s beautiful eyes seemed to be brimming with tears.
”What else did you think it was?” Tang Huaijin turned his head away again, avoiding her eyes.
”You’re a complete bastard.” Lin Ruoxi bit her lip, her knuckles turning slightly white from gripping the bag so tightly.
Tang Huaijin did not speak again.
After two stops, most of the passengers got off the train, and some seats became available. Tang Huaijin found a seat and sat down.
…
After arriving in the classroom and finishing morning reading, the homeroom teacher tapped the blackboard and, after everyone quieted down, announced: “Students, the school held a meeting for all teachers this weekend regarding the exchange student program.”
”Exchange student?”
”Is it the kind of trip abroad?”
”…”
”Quiet down for a moment.” The homeroom teacher coughed lightly and said, “There is an exchange student program between Rose Noble Middle School and our Chengnan High School. The top three students in the arts and sciences in this monthly exam can apply for this program, and the tuition is waived.”
”Those who are interested can come to me to register and learn more about the details.”
The students below had already begun whispering among themselves. Tang Huaijin had also heard of Rose Noble Middle School; the tuition was extremely expensive, and most of the students there were either rich or noble, with a top-notch educational level in the country.
However, it’s not without its drawbacks. At such a crucial time as the senior year of high school, suddenly changing to a different learning environment is not so easy for most people to adapt to.
So after their initial excitement, the people below gradually calmed down, and no one went up to sign up.
Tang Huaijin had no such thoughts. For him, it was all the same no matter where he was, and the senior year of high school was no longer a source of pressure for him.
Seeing no response from below, the homeroom teacher nodded in satisfaction. Most teachers were also unhappy about this project, since no one wanted their best students to be snatched up by others.
Just as the homeroom teacher was about to leave, Tang Huaijin suddenly stood up and said, “Teacher, I’m signing up.”
The class erupted in uproar.
The homeroom teacher turned around, saw that it was Tang Huaijin, his face twitched, and he hesitated before saying, “Are you sure? Don’t you want to discuss it with your family again?” In his opinion, Tang Huaijin was definitely one of the best talents.
Tang Huaijin’s face also looked a little unnatural because the system had just popped up and issued a task.
”Prerequisite Quest: Head to Rose Noble Highland”
”Mission Reward: Physical attributes upgraded to the human limit (gradual improvement)”
”Mission failed: Subsequent missions will be permanently locked.”
”Accept” and “Reject”
”Note: This is an important task, and the host is strongly advised to accept it.”
With years of training and part-time work, Tang Huaijin’s physical condition was already quite good, but it was still far from reaching the level of human limits.
Moreover, this was the first time the system had given such a serious reminder about an important task.
He considered it for a moment and replied, “Yes, there’s no need to discuss it anymore.”
The homeroom teacher sighed, took out a registration form and handed it to Tang Huaijin. He couldn’t be evasive about matters decided by higher-ups.
”Thank you, teacher.” Tang Huaijin took the registration form.
The homeroom teacher waved her hand, said nothing more, turned around and left, feeling exhausted.
The commotion caused by the exchange student program gradually subsided, and the day’s classes quickly came to an end.
Tang Huaijin stretched and prepared to pack his things and leave.
I’m so tired, I want to go home and suck my sister’s juices.
Just as he was about to leave, Lin Ruoxi walked over, accompanied by her best friend and classmate, Li Xiaoran.
Lin Ruoxi’s expression was indifferent, and her tone was somewhat cold, “You just want to leave like this?”
Tang Huaijin shrugged. “Otherwise what?”
Lin Ruoxi was about to say something when Li Xiaoran suddenly pulled her hand, scolding her with a hint of exasperation, “Are you stupid? Why do you still want to talk to him? Didn’t you see clearly what kind of person he is that day?”
Tang Huaijin smiled, said nothing, slung his bag over his shoulder, and left.
He hadn’t walked more than a few steps out of the teaching building when Lin Ruoxi caught up from behind and called out to him, “Come with me.”
Without waiting for Tang Huaijin’s reply, she walked off in one direction, her ponytail swaying with each step.
Tang Huaijin hesitated for a moment, but still followed.
After leaving the school, the two went to a coffee shop on the street.
The café was in a remote location. On the first floor, there was a cat owned by the owner, a fat white cat. When it saw the two of them come in, it ran over and rubbed against Tang Huaijin’s trouser leg, and Tang Huaijin picked it up.
The shop owner is named Li Jing. She is a gentle-looking older sister with an average appearance, but she is very talkative.
Tang Huaijin had worked part-time here for a long time during his second year of high school and had a good relationship with her. He greeted her with a smile and asked, “Long time no see, Sister Jing. Are there any seats on the second floor?”
”Long time no see, yes.”
Li Jing was somewhat surprised to see Tang Huaijin, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time. She smiled, then glanced at Lin Ruoxi beside him and asked, “Two vanilla lattes again?”
Tang Huaijin shook his head and said, “No need, I’ll have an iced Americano.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Ruoxi turned her head to look at Tang Huaijin, bit her lip, and said, “Vanilla Latte.”
Li Jing didn’t say anything, just nodded.
Tang Huaijin used to bring Lin Ruoxi here for coffee. Lin Ruoxi loved vanilla latte and could never get enough of one cup. Tang Huaijin would also order a vanilla latte.
Two vanilla lattes represent the unspoken sweetness between the two.
After sitting down on the second floor, Tang Huaijin stroked the chubby cat in his arms and asked, “What do you want to talk about?”
”You still owe me an explanation,” Lin Ruoxi said, looking at Tang Huaijin.
”There’s nothing to explain, you’ve seen it all.” Tang Huaijin sighed. “That’s just the kind of person I am.”
”How are things going with that woman?” Lin Ruoxi lowered her head and took a sip of her vanilla latte through a straw.
”They broke up, so how can they stay together after such a mess?” Tang Huaijin shrugged, seemingly indifferent.
”How can we continue this relationship?” Lin Ruoxi looked up, her eyes red-rimmed. “You still want to be with her, don’t you?”
”No, I’m tired of it anyway, so this is perfect,” Tang Huaijin said with a light laugh.
”What about me? Am I tired of it too?” Lin Ruoxi’s voice carried a hint of despair.
Tang Huaijin looked away, gazing at his reflection in the cat’s eyes on his hand, and calmly said, “Same.”
So you just want to leave, is that it?
“Yes, with such a bad reputation, it’s good to go to school somewhere else.” Tang Huaijin took a sip of coffee. “I won’t say anything like ‘take care’ or anything like that. I know I have no right to say it. That incident had a big impact on you. It was my fault. I’m sorry.”
”So a simple ‘sorry’ is enough?” Lin Ruoxi’s pretty face paled as she sneered, “So you can just go somewhere else and pretend to be a good person, is that it?”
Tang Huaijin fell silent.
The cat in my arms suddenly meowed, as if it was uncomfortable, and jumped down and ran away.
Receiving no response from Tang Huaijin, Lin Ruoxi finally let the tears well up in her eyes. She took a deep breath, grabbed her bag, and walked away without looking back.
The shop door was pushed open and closed again, causing the wind chimes hanging on the door to jingle.
Tang Huaijin sat in his seat, drinking coffee, his eyes somewhat dazed.
He wasn’t worried that Lin Ruoxi would go to Qiangwei Noble High School with him. He knew Lin Ruoxi’s grades; her best performance was only in the top 20 of her grade.
Li Jing walked up carrying the cat, sat down next to Tang Huaijin, lit a cigarette, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said softly, “Is it over just like that?”
Tang Huaijin kept his head down and didn’t say anything.
Seeing that he didn’t speak, Li Jing took off the leather band under her hand, gathered Tang Huaijin’s long and messy hair, and tied it into a bun at the back of his head.
The boy’s slightly immature face was revealed beneath his forehead. His skin was very fair, his features were distinct, and his high, straight nose was adorned with a pair of peach blossom eyes similar to Tang Yaoyao’s, with a hint of confusion in his gaze.
Sister Jing patted his head. “I doubt you’d tell me if I asked. Now that it’s over, it’s all in the past. Take some time to get your hair cut.”
Iced Americano is very cold and also very bitter.
Tang Huaijin responded softly and drank the rest of her coffee.