“See? I told you! Bai Yi’s singing was amazing today, wasn’t it?!”
Under the quiet night sky of Jinghe District, the student council mbers stepped out of a classy Western restaurant.
As soon as they erged, You Anlina’s eyes sparkled as she spun around gleefully in front of the group. She and Aixi Li had already changed out of their cosplay outfits and removed their makeup. However, compared to Aixi Li, who looked utterly drained, You Anlina was still brimming with energy.
She held her phone tightly, replaying a short video of Bai Yi’s performance recorded by another attendee. As they walked, she stroked her chin with a puzzled look and turned to the others.
“Hey, who do you think that so-called ‘Fan A’ Bai Yi ntioned could be?”
Behind her, Yaqiao Mu carried his schoolbag. After the al, his mood had sowhat improved. Yan Huan blinked but didn’t respond. anwhile, Ying Gong Tong glanced at Yan Huan and smiled slightly, echoing the curiosity.
“Indeed, who could it be?”
“…”
Aixi Li, however, cut through the chatter with a playful chop to You Anlina’s head, extinguishing her burning gossip fire.
“Ow! Aixi Li!”
Ignoring the protest, Aixi Li grabbed You Anlina by the collar and, holding her bag of cosplay outfits, turned back to Yan Huan and the others.
“Alright, enough about ‘Fan A’ or ‘Fan B.’ I’ve already called for a ride-share. Anlina and I will head ho first. You guys…”
The two of them lived in the Beihai District, while Ying Gong Tong chuckled softly and said, “My house is nearby, so I’ll just walk. I assu the president will head back to the South District with Yaqiao?”
Yaqiao Mu gave a stiff nod and started to leave, but Yan Huan stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder, making him halt mid-step.
Yaqiao Mu looked at Yan Huan blankly, only to see him smile and say, “Let’s escort Ying Gong ho first, then we’ll head back. Even if it’s nearby, it’s still a good ten-minute walk.”
The dazed Yaqiao Mu nodded ekly, adopting an obedient “do whatever Yan Huan says” deanor.
Ying Gong Tong blinked at Yan Huan and then covered her mouth with a slight smile. “I’ll leave it to you, then.”
Before long, Aixi Li and You Anlina’s ride-share arrived.
“See you tomorrow, President, Ying Gong, Yaqiao!”
“Goodbye.”
After seeing them off, the remaining three continued down the quiet path of Jinghe District. Ying Gong Tong held her parasol inverted, letting the night breeze caress her face.
Yaqiao Mu, engrossed in his phone, suddenly blurted, “Oh, looks like the search for ‘Fan A’ is trending online…”
Ying Gong Tong and Yan Huan turned to him simultaneously. They watched as he scrolled rapidly before continuing, “But it seems like many people suspect ‘Fan A’ doesn’t exist at all, that it’s just a publicity stunt. After all, Bai Yi’s been on plenty of variety shows before and never ntioned this ‘Fan A’ until now…”
“That’s plausible,” Yan Huan nodded.
Ying Gong Tong didn’t comnt, maintaining her composed deanor. As they walked, Yaqiao Mu suddenly read aloud again.
“Oh, here’s sothing… Soone from the backstage staff claid to have seen ‘Fan A.’ They said they spotted him entering Bai Yi’s dressing room but weren’t allowed to take photos. According to them, he was wearing a plaid shirt and work pants…”
Yaqiao Mu blinked, then glanced at Yan Huan. He scanned Yan Huan from head to toe, noting his outfit. His expression shifted dramatically.
“Wait… President… doesn’t your outfit match that description exactly?!”
Yan Huan sighed helplessly, glancing down at his clothes. “Plenty of guys wear this style. I bought mine during a sale—everyone pairs it like this.”
“True, I have a similar set myself…” Yaqiao Mu nodded, convinced.
He smirked, scrolling through his phone. “All these posts speculate that ‘Fan A’ is actually Bai Yi’s secret boyfriend. If it were you, President, I think that’s pretty believable.”
Yan Huan said nothing, but Ying Gong Tong, walking ahead, turned and asked with a chilly tone, “Why do you think so?”
Unfazed, Yaqiao Mu grinned and answered earnestly, “Well, Vice President, just think about it! Bai Yi’s pretty great, but the President is way better. He was almost a child star and absolutely chard the school’s elites during the student council elections. Comparing the two, Bai Yi doesn’t have as many male fans in school.”
Ying Gong Tong smiled politely. “Perhaps it’s because there are more girls than boys at our school?”
“Ah, but that’s just half the story, Vice President~”
Now fully recovered from his earlier defeat, Yaqiao Mu chattered away enthusiastically.
“When considering relationships, compatibility is key! Focusing only on the President’s qualities isn’t fair. Bai Yi seems genuine and kind from what we’ve seen, and she’s got a good impression all around.”
“Genuine…” Ying Gong Tong’s polite smile faltered briefly, like a dagger had pierced her heart.
Oblivious, Yaqiao Mu continued, “From her height and her fit appearance on stage, it’s clear she works out regularly and is full of energy.”
Height, fitness, energy… Another three taphorical stabs.
“Plus, the school has so many wealthy ladies. Joining a rich family might not suit the President, but Bai Yi’s background is more down-to-earth. Besides, her mom often asks about the President—it seems she’s fond of him.”
Family background… Ying Gong Tong’s smile twitched as if barely holding back blood from dripping from her lips.
Realizing her expression was growing frighteningly sinister, Yaqiao Mu paled, retreating behind Yan Huan for protection. Yan Huan sighed, looking at him.
“I’ve told you, less galga, more reality. You’ve warped your brain.”
“I understand, President,” Yaqiao Mu muttered, too scared to even glance at Ying Gong Tong.
Finally, they arrived at Ying Gong Tong’s grand estate, surrounded by high walls and guarded by security. Yan Huan escorted her to the gate while Yaqiao Mu stayed back.
“No matter how many tis I see it, your house is impressive, Ying Gong.” Yan Huan glanced at the sprawling mansion behind the lawn.
Ying Gong Tong’s gaze flickered, recalling Yaqiao Mu’s earlier words. Her heart sank slightly. Perhaps Bai Yi was indeed more suited to the President…
She forced herself to ask casually, “Would a future partner’s wealth make you feel pressured?”
Yan Huan thought for a mont before replying, “Probably. If there’s too much disparity, even if we’re together, it’ll bring challenges.”
“I see…” Ying Gong Tong nodded, suppressing her unease. Just as she was about to say goodbye, Yan Huan added,
“But if I truly liked soone, I’d work hard to stand as their equal. That way, I’d have no regrets for either of us.”
Startled, Ying Gong Tong froze, staring at him. She wanted to respond but found her throat dry, unable to voice her feelings.
At that mont, a voice called out, “Miss, you’re back.”
“Ah!” Ying Gong Tong turned to see Nara, her family’s butler, erging from the gate.
“Yan Huan, thank you for escorting her ho. Would you like to co in for a visit? The young lady would surely welco you.”
Yan Huan smiled, glancing at Ying Gong Tong, who clutched her skirt nervously. “Maybe next ti. If there’s a chance, I’ll definitely visit.”
“Or you could invite her to your place,” Nara added teasingly, only to be interrupted by Ying Gong Tong’s panicked yell.
“Nara!!”
With a blush, Ying Gong Tong pushed Nara back through the gates, though it was clear her strength was no match for the butler’s.
Yan Huan chuckled, turned, and walked away under the moonlight.
As Nara was being pushed into the estate, she gave Yan Huan a aningful wink and said, “See you next ti, Yan Huan, young man~”
Yan Huan could only smile helplessly as he watched Ying Gong Tong and Nara disappear behind the gates. Just as he turned to leave, Ying Gong Tong’s voice called out again.
“President…”
He turned back to see Ying Gong Tong peeking halfway out from behind the gate, her expression soft. She smiled and handed him a sheet of manga-style illustrations.
Glancing at it, Yan Huan imdiately recognized the caricatures of all the student council mbers. It was drawn by the artist they had t earlier in the day, Miyake Huhu.
“Thanks. I almost forgot about this,” he said.
“I thought you might.” Ying Gong Tong covered her mouth as she giggled. “Thank you for walking
ho. See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow, Ying Gong.”
With a gentle nod, Ying Gong Tong walked back into the estate as the gates closed behind her. Faint, indistinct voices could be heard from within.
Yan Huan, holding the illustration, turned and headed back to Yaqiao Mu, who was squatting on the ground with his head in his hands.
“Let’s go. Shall we take the subway back to the South District?” Yan Huan asked.
“P-President…”
“What is it now?”
“I think… I think the ghost that possessed
and made Shitiao-sensei scold
might still be around. Vice President Ying Gong had that sa expression just now! Could it be that ghost is still near …?”
“…”
Late Sunday night, in the public rental housing facing south in the South District.
After taking a shower and drying his hair, Yan Huan flopped onto his bed, stretching his body in exhaustion.
Yawning, he muttered, “The sleepiness debuff from Friday is gone, but now I’m even more tired than I was then…”
A black cat appeared out of nowhere on Yan Huan’s back, curiously observing his tired deanor. It lightly pressed his back with its soft paw pads.
“But today’s Sunday, ow. You’ll unlock next week’s rewards soon, ow!”
“Oh, that’s right…” Yan Huan perked up slightly at the reminder.
He flipped onto his back, and the cat, ow-chan, leapt lightly into the air, landing on his abdon as if weightless.
Looking into ow-chan’s bright, watery eyes, Yan Huan asked, “Did Bai Yi drop any Modifier fragnts at the convention today?”
ow-chan shook its head. “After she finished singing, you t with the organizer and wandered backstage and near the stage with , but I didn’t find anything, ow.”
“Hmm, so even after fulfilling her wish to sing, she didn’t generate any intention of not needing the Modifier…” Yan Huan tapped his chin thoughtfully. “If that’s the case, then the fragnt found at Sister Tong’s pub probably wasn’t hers either.”
“I think so too, ow.”
“Then, it might belong to the fifth Modifier owner. But besides Sister Tong and Sister Rong, who else connected to
has been to that place?”
“ow?”
Even ow-chan seed clueless. Yan Huan pondered for a mont but was too tired from the day’s activities for his brain to keep up.
Deciding to give up for now, he turned to ow-chan. “Never mind. Anyway, with such a large Modifier fragnt, it should be enough to upgrade my Modifier. Let’s see it, ow-chan.”
“ow~”
The clock ticked toward midnight. As the ti shifted into Monday, ow-chan opened its mouth, swallowing the shimring, scale-like fragnt.
Pink light radiated from the fragnt, turning gold as it flowed into ow-chan’s body. Its fur glead even smoother and silkier than before.
“Gululu~”
ow-chan’s cheeks puffed slightly before it exhaled a golden light stream that expanded into floating text in front of Yan Huan.
Modifier Level: 2 → 3
Reward Pool Level upgraded to 3, unlocking stronger rewards.
Modifier Evolution Count
1, Random Attribute Fragnt
1.
Based on your selected evolution path, ‘Demonic Contract,’ choose one of the following evolution routes:
Yan Huan rubbed his chin and looked at ow-chan, sitting elegantly by his side. “Didn’t you say this fragnt was much bigger than the one Ye Shiyu dropped? But it still only raises one level?”
“Yan Huan, as the Modifier level increases, it takes more fragnts to evolve again, ow.”
“Got it…”
Yan Huan dropped the topic and decided to open the attribute fragnt first.
Stamina Fragnt: Slightly increases your stamina.
“Less exhaustion, more cooperation. Good boy~”
Charm Fragnt: Slightly increases your attraction to others.
“People who see your handso face will either give you roses… or steel wool.”
Intelligence Fragnt: Slightly increases your intellect.
“One day, you’ll be too smart to fall for health supplents.”
Yan Huan thought for a mont before selecting the Intelligence Fragnt. As the golden light entered his body, he felt no noticeable change.
“Just a little…” he muttered, then turned to the next choice: his evolution route.
Evolution Route 1: Light and Dark Contract
Rewards: One choice from a pool two levels lower, one from a pool two levels higher.
Effect: Choosing lower-tier rewards grants a permanent buff, while higher-tier rewards co with a permanent curse.
Evolution Route 2: Demonic Gamble
Rewards: Sa as before, but requires rolling two dice before selection.
Effect: The first die adds 1–6 weekly curses; the second adds 1–6 rewards of your current pool level.
Yan Huan’s eyes widened at the description of the second route.
“Isn’t this pure gambling? Talk about risking it all for fortune…”
He hesitated at the idea of mandatory dice rolls and the possibility of stronger curses than his prior “sleepiness debuff.” Shaking his head, he selected Light and Dark Contract instead.
As he made his choice, golden light burst forth again, forming three glowing spheres before him.
Option 1 (Small Sphere): Dexterity—Flexible Finger Technique
“Exactly as it sounds. Your fingers will be very useful.”
Buff: Your reproduction-related abilities are doubled.
Yan Huan nearly facepald as he glared at ow-chan.
“What kind of nonsense buff is this? Do you even understand the concept of buffs?”
“I told you, ow! These are random! It’s not my fault, ow!!”
Suppressing his frustration, Yan Huan moved to the next options.
Option 2 (dium Sphere): Ability—Demonic Chef
Learn cooking twice as fast. Your dishes taste better but mildly curse the eater for three days.
Option 3 (Large Sphere): Form—Naturalist
Effect 1: Training efficiency doubles.
Effect 2: Charm increases significantly with training.
Effect 3: Physical attributes amplify 25–100% based on clothing removed.
Curse: Muscle damage pain intensifies.
Yan Huan stared at the third option’s lengthy description, fully alert now as he read it carefully.
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