Different People

Different People

Name: Lucky Rabbit's Foot

Quality: E

Effect: Can grant the wearer a slight increase in luck.

There was no such thing as a Character Panel or that mysterious voice in the real world. Zhang Heng looked at the handwritten card from Bartender Lady in his hand, feeling rather speechless.

Those two simple sentences had cost him 5 points?

He had quite a few points on him, but judging from Bartender Lady's good mood after receiving them, the price was clearly not cheap.

Zhang Heng was not particularly surprised by the appraisal result. Rabbit's feet symbolized lucky charms in many cultures, and the reason he had escaped wound infection on the island probably had quite a bit to do with this thing.

Setting aside his ability to gain double time, this was the first supernatural item he had acquired.

Since it had a positive effect, Zhang Heng decided to wear it on him as a keychain.

He just did not know exactly how much "slight" luck meant.

With nothing better to do, Zhang Heng decided to run an experiment. He bought two scratch-off tickets at the Wumart Supermarket beside the library, spending twenty yuan in total.

One won ten yuan, while the other won five.

After deducting the cost, he had lost five yuan altogether.

Zhang Heng switched to another supermarket. This time, one ticket said "Thank You for Your Support," while the other won twenty yuan.

That put him exactly even with his original cost.

Zhang Heng roughly understood the Lucky Rabbit's Foot's effect. His expected returns over these attempts had definitely been higher than normal, but he was still operating at a loss. His luck had increased, but not to any outrageous extent. Trying to make money with that little extra luck would still be difficult.

After finishing his experiment, Zhang Heng walked out of the supermarket and spotted a young couple beneath a tree not far away. The young man looked agitated and seemed to be saying something, but the girl kept shaking her head. Then the young man reached out as if to grab her, only for her to dodge aside.

Zhang Heng had no intention of meddling. There were plenty of things like this happening on campus every day. University was a gathering place for hormones, where all kinds of heartbreaks and reunions played out at every moment. He was not worried that the young man would do anything more excessive. It was afternoon, and they were on campus. A single shout would bring seven or eight justice-filled young men rushing over to play the hero and save the damsel.

So Zhang Heng merely glanced over before heading toward the library.

At noon on Friday, Zhang Heng bought some snacks and outdoor supplies, mainly mosquito repellent, towels, bandages, and the like. As for camping equipment, Wei Jiangyang had already rented it all, along with a vehicle. Everyone split the cost equally, collecting three hundred yuan from each person first, with any extra refunded and any shortfall paid later.

Zhang Heng checked his mirrorless camera again and confirmed that it was fully charged. Just then, Chen Huadong and Wei Jiangyang came in from outside together, carrying large and small bags in their hands.

"The girls bought these. Tonight's dinner. Help carry them to the car later."

"Sure. Thanks for the hard work." Zhang Heng had basically finished packing his own things as well.

Wei Jiangyang set down the bags, grabbed the cup of water on the table, and drained it in one gulp. Letting out a long breath, he finally said with feeling, "These past two days have exhausted me. Running all over the place, working like an ox and a horse. You guys were smart. When I think about it, being single doesn't seem so bad."

"Don't say that. Thanks to Young Master Wei, I just caught a glimpse of hope for getting out of singlehood. Don't pour cold water on it so soon, okay?" Chen Huadong's eyes were gleaming.

"You want to pursue Shen Xixi?" Wei Jiangyang gave him a sidelong glance.

"No, no. I have enough self-awareness for that. She's the top distributor of good-person cards in the Public Administration Department. Too many guys fall at her hands every month. I won't join that excitement. I'll painfully give her up and leave Shen Xixi for our Young Master Zhang to handle. Personally, I prefer Xu Jing." Chen Huadong said with a grin.

"Damn it, I knew you pervert was into that type. Xu Jing is the officially recognized loli of Xiaoxiao's dorm, their designated adorable mascot. But her ability to take care of herself is a bit lacking. She only learned to take the subway in the second semester of her freshman year, and even now she occasionally rides in the wrong direction or misses her stop. She even washes her usual clothes and socks in the washing machine."

"No problem, no problem. Cute is justice. You know me, brother. All these years, I've always been a steadfast cultivation enthusiast." Chen Huadong pushed up his gleaming glasses.

"Humanity is finished, morality has collapsed! Where are the cops?!" Wei Jiangyang cried out in grief, then turned to Zhang Heng. "But seriously, Shen Xixi is a pretty great person. Are you really not going to consider her? Generally speaking, girls who are popular with guys tend to have average reputations among girls, but Shen Xixi is an exception. Xiaoxiao said the girl she admired most was Shen Xixi. She's pretty, studies well, sings beautifully, and treats people sincerely. Don't be fooled by how many good-person cards she gives out—she never strings anyone along as a backup. She always rejects them decisively."

"Thus earning herself the nickname, 'Exterminate Them All.'" Chen Huadong added gloomily from the side.

"..."

"But after getting to know her a little this time, I also found that she's pretty great. She's been handling everything on the girls' side for this camping trip. When we went shopping together just now, she chatted and laughed with us, without a trace of arrogance. Yeah, it seems rumors from the world can't be fully trusted." Chen Huadong changed his tune again.

"Are you guys done?" Zhang Heng asked helplessly.

"More or less. Don't worry, our relationship hasn't reached its end. I knew this day would come sooner or later." Chen Huadong said stubbornly through clenched teeth.

"..."

"Couldn't you two use all this spare energy to pay attention to international current affairs? Why do you always keep fixating on my love life?"

Wei Jiangyang and Chen Huadong exchanged a look, but they did not continue joking. "Zhang Heng, we're a little worried about you."

"Hmm?"

"Before, we just thought you had your own rhythm in life and weren't affected by the outside world. But since last week, we've felt like you've gained some indescribable aura."

Chen Huadong picked up the thread. "Yeah, I know this sounds a little artsy, but now you give people a sense of loneliness seeping out from your bones. You know there are quite a few recluses living in seclusion on Mount Zhongnan? That's what you feel like to me. Tell us honestly, brother, did something happen to you recently? Why did you suddenly develop this urge to withdraw from the world?"

Zhang Heng's heart stirred. Of course he knew what was going on with himself. When it came to withdrawing from the world, no one had done it more thoroughly than he had. He had lived alone on a deserted island for over a year, even having to make his own toothbrush. Almost every day, he had been wrapped in immense loneliness.

Although his body had not changed at all after returning to the real world, that period of time had still left its mark on him in another way.

Did experience and learning make us who we were today?

Zhang Heng recalled Bartender Lady's words again. He suddenly grew curious. If this game continued for many years, what kind of person would he become when it finally ended?

Would he be a completely different person from who he was today?