On the morning of the third day before the new semester began, Tang Yu stood by the window in the school dormitory as the System Interface unfolded clearly in the morning light:
[Current Emotion Points: 72500/∞] [Suggestion: Purchasing a safe house can improve strategic advantage]
The idea had been brewing in Tang Yu's mind for days. The school's enclosed environment was easy to manage, but it also limited his freedom of movement.
A secret residence off campus would offer more privacy and could also serve as a safe house in an emergency.
"System, show me property listings near the school."
The translucent interface immediately switched to map mode, marking every property for sale within a five-kilometer radius. Tang Yu quickly filtered the options: a moderately sized apartment, with good security, convenient transportation, but not too conspicuous.
A luxury apartment two kilometers northwest of the school caught his eye: a top-floor unit in an eighteen-story building, with a private rooftop terrace, high-end furnishings, and immediate occupancy. The asking price was 58 million yen.
"A bit expensive..." Tang Yu murmured. Although he could exchange an unlimited amount of cash through the system, large expenditures could attract the tax authorities' attention. He had to proceed carefully.
After some thought, Tang Yu decided to handle things in three steps: prepare the funds and identity on the first day, view the property and negotiate on the second, and complete the transaction on the third. Three days would be enough to use his system abilities to get around all the usual red tape.
[Exchange "Identity Forgery" skill, cost: 2000 points] [Exchange "Presence Adjustment" ability (three days), cost: 1500 points] [Current Emotion Points: 69000/∞]
His first stop was an international bank in the city center. Tang Yu activated "Presence Adjustment," making himself inconspicuous in the crowd without being completely overlooked—just the right degree of ordinary.
Using the identity of Tang Yu—written with a different character but pronounced like his real name—a returning overseas investor, he opened an account and deposited six million yen in "initial funds" exchanged through the system.
The bank manager, Sato Kenichi, was impressed by the young client, though he couldn't quite say why. "You're very successful for someone so young, Mr. Tang. Investing in real estate already!"
"Family tradition," Tang Yu replied with a smile, handing him a box of fine chocolates exchanged through the system for 50 points. "Just a small token of appreciation. Thank you for your help."
[Enjoyment from Sato Kenichi: +100] [Relationship Network Updated: Bank Connection Established]
After leaving the bank, Tang Yu contacted a real estate agent. Using "Emotional Link" to subtly influence her mood, he managed to move the viewing up to that afternoon.
"This unit, 1802, is one of the finest in the building," the agent, Kojima Mai, said enthusiastically. "The previous owner was a diplomat. Everything was built to international standards, and both the soundproofing and security are top-notch."
Tang Yu discreetly checked every detail: the fingerprint lock, bulletproof glass, emergency exit, and even a hidden safe. Everything met his needs.
"Best of all, there's this private rooftop terrace." Kojima opened the glass door. "It's spacious, yet completely private. Perfect for... um, relaxing and entertaining."
Tang Yu noticed the subtle hesitation in her voice. After activating Emotion Perception, he detected a hint of pink in her Emotion Cloud. Apparently, the rooftop terrace had once been used for something not quite so "relaxing." It had no bearing on his plans, though.
"I like this place," Tang Yu said frankly. "Is the price negotiable?"
Kojima's eyes lit up. "The owner is eager to sell. If you make a serious offer..."
After some negotiation, aided by a slight touch of "Emotion Influence," Tang Yu brought the price down to 55 million yen and secured special arrangements to complete all the paperwork within three days.
[Surprise from Kojima Mai: +150] [Current Emotion Points: 69350/∞]
That evening, Tang Yu returned to his dormitory and began planning the flow of funds. He needed to plausibly "launder" the cash exchanged through the system, so he decided to fabricate proof of income from a remote job overseas, using "Identity Forgery" again.
The next morning, Tang Yu formally submitted the purchase application under the name Tang Yu. Thanks to a flawless credit history forged with the system's help and 50 million yen in "family support" that had suddenly appeared in his bank account—actually cash exchanged through the system—his loan application was approved at astonishing speed.
"That has to be a record!" Manager Sato exclaimed. "Your connections are impressive, Mr. Tang."
Tang Yu smiled without replying. In fact, he had used "Emotion Field" to influence the atmosphere in the entire loan approval department, making all the staff inexplicably feel that this transaction was "especially important."
At the signing ceremony that afternoon, Tang Yu met the owner for the first time: Matsumoto Koji, a former diplomat in his sixties. The old man's sharp gaze lingered on Tang Yu for a few seconds, as if he'd noticed something unusual.
"Young man, why are you in such a hurry to buy a house? Do you have some special use in mind?" Matsumoto asked outright.
Tang Yu activated "Emotional Link" and instantly picked up a deep blue hue in the old man's Emotion Cloud. This wasn't ordinary suspicion. It was the instinctive wariness of someone with professional training. This former diplomat was no ordinary man.
"Partly as an investment, partly as a home," Tang Yu replied calmly, meeting his gaze. "I believe this area has a lot of potential. And of course, privacy and security matter too."
They held each other's gaze for a moment. Then Matsumoto suddenly laughed. "Interesting. There's a little secret in this house—the main bedroom closet hides a concealed space. I designed it myself back in the day. I hope you never need it."
Tang Yu raised an eyebrow at this unexpected bonus. It seemed he'd bought more than an ordinary apartment.
[Appreciation from Matsumoto Koji: +200] [Hidden Attribute Acquired: Safe House +1] [Current Emotion Points: 69800/∞]
On the third day, all the paperwork was miraculously completed. Tang Yu received the keys and title deed, officially becoming the owner of the top-floor apartment.
He immediately set about upgrading its security: replacing every lock, installing additional surveillance equipment exchanged through the system for 800 points, and setting up an emergency equipment cache in the concealed space Matsumoto had mentioned.
Just as Tang Yu was testing the newly installed security system, his phone suddenly vibrated. It was an urgent message from Karuizawa Kei:
[People from Class C are following me. They found out I've been in contact with you. I need somewhere to hide.]
Tang Yu frowned. He hadn't planned to use the safe house so soon, but Karuizawa was indeed in danger now. He quickly replied:
[Come to this address. Unit 1802. Don't let them follow you.]
An hour later, the entry system showed that Karuizawa had arrived downstairs. On the security feed, Tang Yu saw her looking panicked and glancing back repeatedly.
More worrying still, two suspicious figures were loitering in the distance. They weren't Class C students, but looked more like young delinquents.
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