The final exams ended amid his sister's Cold War. Students dragged their suitcases home one after another for summer vacation. The once-lively campus quickly fell silent within a day or two.
The seniors reluctantly bid farewell to campus life. From then on, they would enter society and leave their student days behind. Of course, those short on credits would still have to remain at school and study hard next semester.
That afternoon, Qin Ze and his roommates sat together at an internet café, gaming while helping their online friend Little Waist climb the ranked ladder. They had agreed to have a farewell dinner that evening. Qin Ze texted his sister, telling her he would not be home for dinner because he was eating with his roommates.
As expected, the message vanished without a trace. After the misunderstanding, Qin Baobao felt that her brother's thoughts were dangerous and his behavior despicable. It was intolerable. She had decided not to speak to Qin Ze for the entire summer.
"God, play another round. Invite me," Little Waist privately messaged Qin Ze.
Qin Ze could not be bothered with her.
Little Waist kept copying and pasting the same message, her stubbornness practically palpable through the screen.
"I've got something to do tonight," Qin Ze explained before exiting the game.
Qin Ze treated them to the farewell dinner at a small roadside restaurant. The table was covered in dishes, and each of them had a pitcher of draft beer. Since Qin Ze's injury had not fully healed, he could not drink.
"Better that you aren't drinking. When we're all wasted later, remember to carry us back to the dorm," Li Liang said with a laugh as he clinked glasses with Zhao Baliao and Liu Ziqiang.
Qin Ze had little appetite. He lit a cigarette, narrowed his eyes, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.
The four of them joked and laughed, but they all felt a little sorrow and reluctance at the thought of parting. There was still a year until graduation, and after their internships, they would have some time on campus for their thesis defenses. But everyone knew it would be brief. After the defenses, they would scatter in all directions. This semester could be considered the end of their university lives. The only consolation was that Li Liang and Qin Ze were locals of Shanghai City, while Liu Ziqiang and Zhao Baliao had chosen to stay in Shanghai City for their internships. It was not impossible that they would put down roots here.
"Time flies. In the blink of an eye, we're doing internships, and in another blink, we'll graduate." Li Liang patted one shoulder, then another, repeating, "Don't forget me when you make it big."
When it came to Qin Ze, he changed his tune. "If your sister still doesn't have a boyfriend, introduce her to your bro already."
Qin Ze told him to fuck off.
Time really flew. University life was over in the blink of an eye, before I even got the chance to use the system to show off properly. Just imagine it: if he had gotten the system a few years earlier, he would definitely have become the biggest celebrity on campus, the oppa in every girl's eyes and the macho guy in every man's eyes. School Hunk would not have been Zhang Mingyu, but Qin Ze. School Hunk Qin Ze would have held countless slender waists and held countless little hands. School Hunk Qin Ze would have reached the pinnacle of life early, becoming a seasoned player... Why did he still have to endure Qin Baobao's ridicule?
Thinking of the system made Qin Ze grit his teeth. If it had not suddenly drained his energy without warning, Qin Baobao would never have misunderstood him. Molesting his sister's underwear was the sort of thing that was humiliating even to think about.
"Host, you have received a shop coupon. Please check it."
Qin Ze froze. "System, you finally realized you were wrong? Is this compensation for me?"
He casually opened the Points Shop interface. An azure 3D projection unfolded, and a coupon icon lit up in the upper-right corner.
"Host, you are truly the most unambitious host I have ever seen," the system said, its voice full of exasperation. "My previous hosts all regarded me as a priceless treasure after obtaining me. From then on, they strove to better themselves, worked diligently, transformed themselves in a short time, and gained tremendous benefits. But look at yourself. Search your conscience: have you made any plans for your future? Have you ever worked tirelessly and studied with absolute dedication? Other than flirting with your sister every day and passively accepting missions, what else have you done?"
"I admit I'm unambitious, but saying I flirt with Qin Baobao is pure slander." Qin Ze tapped open the coupon, then cursed, "Holy shit!"
His roommates stared at him in surprise. Qin Ze waved a hand to tell them not to mind him, then communicated with the system in his mind. "Advanced Cooking Proficiency? What do I need that for? Am I switching careers to become a chef? And isn't one hundred points too expensive? Are you sure you're not ripping me off?"
"Any advanced skill costs three hundred points. Host, you got a bargain," the system replied. "Don't misunderstand. Giving you this coupon is absolutely not a reward. I simply hope you will spend all your points. No government likes depositors who refuse to move their funds."
"An advanced skill..." Qin Ze glanced at his 500-plus points. His belief that only bastards passed up bargains got the better of him. After hesitating for a moment, he chose to redeem it.
At seven thirty that evening, Qin Baobao drove her mount, Little Red Horse, toward the arrivals level of Hongqiao Airport.
She was there to pick someone up. A high school classmate of hers had flown all the way from BJ to Shanghai City to stay with her.
The first-floor arrivals level was crowded with countless people, most of them unlicensed drivers and taxi drivers unwilling to queue. They asked everyone they saw, "Need a ride? Need a ride? No waiting in line."
With her ample chest, long legs, and pert rear, Qin Baobao stood among the crowd like a stunning sight, drawing frequent furtive glances from the men around her.
Before long, a huge wave of people poured out. The drivers sprang into action, stepping forward to solicit customers.
Qin Baobao stood there prettily, her gaze searching through the bustling crowd. At last, she spotted her beautiful bestie, who stood head and shoulders above everyone else. She waved vigorously, and the peaks before her chest swayed, revealing dazzling feminine charm.
Among the surging crowd, Wang Zijing immediately spotted Qin Baobao standing on tiptoe and waving her arm. She dragged her exquisite suitcase over.
Qin Baobao put one hand on her hip and pointed at Wang Zijing with the other. "Heavenly King Covers Earthly Tiger."
Wang Zijing smiled gently. "Pagoda Suppresses River Demon!"
"No, no. I'll give you one more chance." Qin Baobao burst out laughing.
Wang Zijing pursed her lips and said helplessly, "chicken stew with mushrooms."
Qin Baobao hugged her bestie and giggled. "Zijing, I missed you so much."
"Bao Bao, your figure keeps getting better." Wang Zijing pushed Qin Baobao away and looked her up and down. "You got a boyfriend, didn't you? You've been nourished by love, haven't you?"
"Stop teasing me. This auntie is still a single dog."
Qin Baobao drove her bestie out of the airport and onto the elevated road. It was rush hour, traffic was congested, and Little Red Horse crawled forward in fits and starts.
Wang Zijing gazed through the window at the brilliant nightscape woven with neon lights and sighed. "How many years has it been since I last came to Shanghai City?"
Qin Baobao criticized her, "After graduating high school, you went to BJ with your family. We haven't seen each other in five years, have we?"
"But I'm back now." Wang Zijing smiled faintly. "Bao Bao, is it really okay for me to stay at your place? You told me before that you lived with your younger brother."
Qin Baobao's face darkened. "Don't mention him."
Wang Zijing was taken aback. She glanced at her. "Had a fight? You used to praise your brother to me all the time on WeChat. You even said you would introduce him to me."
"I said don't mention him." Qin Baobao sounded impatient.
"Okay, okay, I won't mention him." Wang Zijing said helplessly, "I'm just worried your brother might object. Besides, having a man around always feels inconvenient."
Qin Baobao thought about it seriously and decided it really was inconvenient. If she was not careful, Qin Ze might take her intimate clothing and use it for evil things again.
"It is my apartment. What objections could he have? If you find it inconvenient, I'll have him move back home tomorrow. It's summer vacation anyway."
"Don't. If you do that, I'll offend your entire family. What will your parents think?"
"Oh, you haven't had dinner yet, have you? I'll have A Ze... go home and cook. I haven't eaten either." Qin Baobao pulled out her phone, unlocked it, and handed it to her bestie. "Help me call him. I only have six points left on my license, so I can't let the cameras catch me."
Wang Zijing took the phone and opened the contacts. She remembered that Qin Baobao's younger brother seemed to be named Qin Ze, but she could not find him.
"Your brother's called Qin Ze, right?"
"Yeah..." Qin Baobao paused, then suddenly realized. "Xiao Ze Ze."
"Xiao Ze Ze..." Wang Zijing smiled meaningfully. She entered the character "Xiao" in the search bar, and Xiao Ze Ze immediately appeared.
She made the call. A few seconds later, it connected. "Sis, what's up?"
The guy on the other end sounded rather flattered by the call.
Wang Zijing pressed her lips together and smiled. "Hello, are you Qin Ze? I'm your sister's classmate. Bao Bao is driving, so it isn't convenient for her to call."
"Ah, ah... hello."
Wang Zijing gave an "Mm" and looked at Qin Baobao.
Qin Baobao said loudly, "Qin Ze, my classmate is coming over for dinner tonight. Hurry up and buy groceries. We'll be there in an hour."
"Understood." Qin Ze raised his voice on the other end of the line. "What does Elder Sister want to eat today?"
Qin Baobao said, "chicken stew with mushrooms... What about you?"
Wang Zijing thought for a moment. "I'm used to Shanghai City cuisine. I don't avoid anything, and I'm not picky."
"Handle the rest yourself. The more lavish, the better."
The call ended.
Wang Zijing smiled. "You and your brother have such a good relationship, unlike my family."
Qin Baobao did not reply.
He was not normally this obedient. He was only being so compliant because he felt guilty about doing bad things.
"Actually, eating out would be fine. There's no need to go through all this trouble."
"That won't do. A little restaurant would be embarrassing. But anything too lavish costs too much. Let me tell you, I'm broke right now..."
Qin Ze had no choice but to end the gathering early. Fortunately, his roommates had already drunk almost enough. They staggered a little as they walked, and if they kept drinking, he really would have to carry them back to the dorm.
He first went to the market to buy ingredients. Though he had never been selective when shopping for vegetables before, he somehow instantly acquired the skill of picking produce. He could easily tell which vegetables were no longer fresh, even if they had been sprayed with water.
He rushed home at eight that evening and began cooking.
The Advanced Cooking Proficiency he had just redeemed had found a use so quickly.
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