Conflict

After returning to the supermarket, Zhuge Linghao went into full-on shopping mode. In just three or five minutes, his cart was already full.

As an aside, the stingy Zhuge Linghao had swiped one of every item in the free section.

[It's free, after all. Take it if it's free, hehe.]

Zhuge Linghao carefully prowled every corner of the supermarket like a patrol dog.

"Shopping really is a great way to relieve stress~"

Zhuge Linghao sounded delighted.

"Idiot. You should learn to save your points."

Horikita Suzune, whom he happened to run into, mocked him coldly.

Zhuge Linghao strode over to Horikita Suzune and Ayanokoji and said, "Huh? You two good classmates are still here?"

Then he raised an eyebrow and glanced at Horikita's shopping basket.

"I mean, Horikita, you pick the cheapest things for everything you buy. That's one thing."

"But these... even these underwear are the cheapest? Aren't you worried they'll sully your sacred body?"

As everyone around them turned to look, Horikita Suzune's pretty face slowly turned a purplish red.

After paying, Zhuge Linghao took three pairs of quality underwear out of his shopping bag and, without a second thought, shoved them into Horikita Suzune's arms.

"Here, these are for you. They're unisex, and the quality's great. I've worn them before!"

[Hehe, now that she's accepted my gift, we can wear matching couple underwear. What a win!]

[Get lost! Why is this turning into a romance plot again? All of you, scram!]

[Studying and getting stronger are what really matter!]

After all, Zhuge Linghao was a hopelessly straight guy!

Meanwhile, Ayanokoji couldn't help giving him a thumbs-up. Truly a role model for us all!

"Typical trash. You don't even know something this basic?"

"Do you know what it means when a boy gives a girl underwear?"

"Why don't you listen carefully to what the people around you think of you?"

Horikita Suzune fixed Zhuge Linghao with her beautiful eyes.

"Whoa, pervert!"

"You disgusting piece of trash! Why don't you just die!"

"Creep! Scumbag!"

"Damn, what a genius!"

"Ugh, now I've lost my appetite, damn it."

Seeing the disgust and contempt on the faces of those around him, Zhuge Linghao, the ever-helpful sort, breathed a sigh of relief: [I've successfully earned myself a bad reputation.]

[But that's fine.]

Horikita Suzune was about to return the hot-button underwear when a commotion interrupted her.

"Don't underestimate me!"

At the supermarket entrance, the red-haired Ken Sudō shouted at three strangers.

The leader, wearing a vicious expression, pointed mockingly at the red-haired boy. "You're from Class 1-D, right?"

Ken Sudō clenched his fists and stood his ground. "So what?"

The leader put his hands on his hips and sneered. "You're just a kid. You're still gonna act tougher than me when you're facing upperclassmen?"

Ken Sudō was already itching for a fight. He stepped forward. "Quit yapping. If you wanna fight, then fight!"

Watching the scene unfold from a distance, Zhuge Linghao sighed and pressed a hand to his forehead.

[Can't be helped. I'll just have to step in and save him. What can I say? I'm a good person.]

"Ayanokoji, that redhead's in our class. Give me a hand?"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shook his head in confusion. "Ayanokoji? Are you calling me?"

"Uh... Horikita, what do you think?"

Horikita Suzune made her stance clear. "Getting mixed up with someone like that would lower my standing."

Hearing that, Zhuge Linghao shrugged indifferently.

Then he and Ayanokoji quickly headed outside.

They arrived just in time to hear the leader say disdainfully, "Heh, I'll let you off today. Picking on defective trash like you would just be too pitiful."

"Do your best to struggle while you can. Before long, you'll find out what hell is really like."

Seeing Ken Sudō about to charge, Zhuge Linghao hurriedly grabbed his arm. "Don't get worked up. They're trying to provoke you on purpose."

Ayanokoji backed him up. "Yeah, there are cameras everywhere here. Getting into a fight would have serious consequences."

Ken Sudō forcefully shook off Zhuge Linghao's hand. "Hmph! Nobody asked you to meddle!"

With that, Ken Sudō kicked over the trash can by the supermarket entrance and started cursing under his breath.

Zhuge Linghao watched with a frown and said nothing.

[There's another kid letting his emotions control him.]

[Most people are always led around by their emotions.]

[Someone always ends up paying for them. Buy a cup of milk tea or have a nice meal, and you feel better. You don't even realize those are temptations and traps laid by capital!]

[There are plenty of ways to dispel your emotions without spending money, and they're more meaningful, too.]

[For example: gaming, running, listening to music, reading novels, hitting a punching bag, yoga, and so on!]

[If you can't control your emotions, why not just return everything to where it came from?]

"Please wait, senpai!"

Zhuge Linghao put on a "kind" smile and asked, "May I ask what year and class you're in, senpai?"

The one among the three with a middle part, who looked like Kun Ge, answered, "Class 2-C. Why?"

Zhuge Linghao instantly put on Kizaru's face and drawled sarcastically, "Oh my, senpai, you're not doing so great, are you?"

"How come you're only in Class C? You sounded so confident, I thought you were in Class A."

"Brat, what did you say? Are you looking to die? Think I won't knock your front teeth out?"

As more and more people gathered around, Zhuge Linghao finally heard the long-awaited ding.

Zhuge Linghao grew excited.

[Ding! The host has been provoked and insulted. Triggering options.]

[Option A: Perverted Lawyer. Swagger up to the other side and quickly crouch down in front of them. Let your eyes dart back and forth, fixing on each of the three men's crotches in turn. In a voice like Tang Xuanzang chanting sutras, loudly unleash a barrage of relevant legal knowledge!]

[Option B: Jujutsu Master. Start by using a ridiculous crab walk to confuse your opponent. When they laugh so hard they can barely stand, take them down one by one with a step-behind body lock and shoulder throw, a guillotine choke, and an armbar!]

[Option C: Total Coward. Get so scared your eyes well up and your legs tremble. Don't dare fight back at all. Then, in front of everyone, shout, "I'll never do it again! I was wrong!" Afterward, roll around while collapsing and flee in the most spineless, sleazy way possible!]

After a moment's thought, Zhuge Linghao let out a deep sigh: [Sigh, what choice do I have? Looks like I'm going farther and farther down the pervert path. System, I choose...]