Chapter 2: System
Lin Zhiheng turned to look at him after hearing the loud noise. Seeing Chu Yang’s sour expression, he understood. “Were they talking trash to you again?”
“Yeah, they’re so annoying.”
Chu Yang had been called “Baby” for a while now, but he still couldn’t help getting angry because those jerks loved to use that ambiguous, flirtatious tone.
It started during a basketball game. His older brother, Chu Yuanzhou, had come to watch. When Chu Yang came off the court and lunged toward him, his brother naturally opened a wet wipe to clean his face and called him “Baby.”
The basketball gym went silent for a moment, followed by all sorts of weird, sarcastic jeers. People crowded in front of Chu Yang, calling him “Baby.”
Chu Yang kicked a few of them and gave Chu Yuanzhou a punch. “I told you not to call me that in public!”
But there were too many people in the gym that day, many of whom were there specifically to see him. Everyone heard it, and he couldn’t shake it off.
Thankfully, girls didn’t call him “Baby,” otherwise Chu Yang would really cry.
Lin Zhiheng said, “Don’t be mad. They just like to mess with you.”
Chu Yang didn’t respond. He opened his locker to change his shirt. He carelessly pulled out a blue T-shirt and then bent over to strip off his current one.
Lin Zhiheng’s eyes had been following him the whole time. Seeing this scene, his breath hitched, and his gaze froze.
Even if this happened a thousand times, he could never get used to it.
This was Chu Yang’s habit, and the others in the dorm didn’t object. Actually, that’s not right—one of them had objected before. At the time, Si Yao had blurted out a “F*ck!”, covered his nose, and pointed at Chu Yang.
Chu Yang had been stunned and quickly threw his shirt back on, apologizing immediately. “Sorry, I’m used to it at home. My bad, I’ll change in the bathroom from now on.”
For a long time after that, Chu Yang changed in the bathroom. But one day, Si Yao suddenly and awkwardly apologized, saying something about how he was “uncultured,” had never been in a relationship, and had never seen someone change clothes before, which was why he reacted so strongly. He told Chu Yang that if he still wanted to change in the room, he could.
Chu Yang refused.
Si Yao looked quite disappointed at the time. Chu Yang immediately clarified that it wasn’t because he hadn’t forgiven him, but because changing in the dorm really wasn’t great, even if it was just a shirt.
How was he supposed to know Si Yao was just lamenting the loss of the view?
But the vibe changed after that because the other three started taking turns changing in the room. Now it was Chu Yang’s turn to be slightly unhappy.
He had some muscle, but it was lean. Even his abs were just a few thin ridges. The others had six-packs or eight-packs. Occasionally, Chu Yang would ask how they trained, and they’d say they “just messed around,” which felt very “humble-brag.”
However, it was midsummer now. Changing in the bathroom was stifling enough to break a sweat, and since no one else was really around, Chu Yang just changed in the room. He was considering whether to install a curtain to section off a changing area, especially since the room had AC.
By the time Chu Yang finished changing and turned around, Lin Zhiheng had returned to his usual self and asked, “Are you going out?”
Chu Yang bent over to put on his shoes. “Yeah, I won’t be back tonight.”
Lin Zhiheng’s pupils contracted. “Doing what?!”
His tone was a bit urgent.
Chu Yang didn’t notice his emotion as he picked up a mirror to check his hair.
Lin Zhiheng couldn’t wait another second. “You’re not… in a relationship, are you?”
Chu Yang finally looked at him. “As if. If I got into a relationship, I’d definitely treat the dorm to a meal. I wouldn’t hide it.”
Lin Zhiheng: …No one in the dorm wants to eat your “off the market” meal.
“Then… where are you going?” Lin Zhiheng gripped his phone, looking ready to stand up at any moment. It made one wonder if he would choose to stalk Chu Yang if he didn’t get an answer.
Chu Yang: “Home to walk the dog. My brother is on a business trip.”
Plus, it was summer. He’d be covered in sweat after walking the dog, so it was better to just come back tomorrow.
Lin Zhiheng relaxed, but he still stood up and said to Chu Yang, “I happen to have errands near your place. I’ll drop you off.”
Chu Yang’s brows knitted. “How do you know where my house is?”
Lin Zhiheng’s expression remained unchanged. “I saw it on the forms you filled out.”
“Oh. No thanks, I’ll just call a cab. It’s quick.” Chu Yang declined. Honestly, of all the people in the dorm, Lin Zhiheng’s personality was the most… eccentric? Maybe not eccentric, just very moody. Chu Yang was always a beat slow in realizing when this guy was angry.
Si Yao and Xie An were different—one was explosive, one was gentle. Xie An was definitely the most comfortable to be around.
And as far as he knew, Lin Zhiheng hated being bothered by others.
Lin Zhiheng stared at him. “Walking to the school gate and calling a cab will take about 25 minutes. It’s hot outside; you’ll sweat, and you just changed.”
“I have a car. You can wait for me downstairs. I’ll drive to the school gate, and you can just walk out.”
His voice was flat, but it hit Chu Yang right where it mattered.
Chu Yang nodded instantly. “Okay, go ahead. I’ll treat you to dinner next time.”
Lin Zhiheng immediately said, “Then how about tonight? Dinner first, then walk the dog. Is that convenient?”
Chu Yang paused. “…Not really. There’s food waiting for me at home. I’ll order takeout for you?”
“Never mind.” Lin Zhiheng turned off the AC and opened the door for him.
Chu Yang walked downstairs with him, thought for a bit, and added, “How about I bring you breakfast tomorrow? My home breakfast is pretty good. I’ll leave early tomorrow.”
Lin Zhiheng didn’t answer immediately. He thought for a moment before saying, “Just bring it to the classroom.”
Chu Yang: “Oh, okay.”
Lin Zhiheng clearly knew the address well. He dropped Chu Yang off at the gate without needing a single word of direction. He watched Chu Yang wave his mini-fan at him and then head inside impatiently, as if the sun were chasing his heels.
No one was home. Upon entering, Chu Yang was greeted by a tail-wagging Border Collie.
Chu Yang bent down and patted the dog’s head. “It’s too hot outside. I’m going to eat first, then take you out.”
After changing his shoes and cleaning his hands, he went straight to the kitchen. There were dishes Chu Yuanzhou had prepared for him in the microwave; he just had to hit reheat.
Chu Yang and Chu Yuanzhou depended on each other. It could even be said that Chu Yuanzhou raised him single-handedly. From a tiny apartment to this current villa, Chu Yuanzhou never let Chu Yang lack anything, even if he himself dressed poorly.
Even now, having left for a business trip and asked Chu Yang to come home to walk the dog, Chu Yuanzhou had made a meal before leaving.
Perhaps because he raised Chu Yang alone and they only had each other, Chu Yuanzhou’s possessiveness was exceptionally strong. Aside from scheduled cleaning, he almost never wanted anyone else in the house. When Chu Yang was in high school, he was a commuter, and Chu Yuanzhou would rush back to make dinner, or they’d eat out.
Later, when Chu Yang went to university, Chu Yuanzhou finally hired an auntie to cook at set times.
So, Chu Yang had never brought a friend home. This was the private nest belonging to him and Chu Yuanzhou—oh, and now a Border Collie.
Chu Yang had just sent a message to Chu Yuanzhou saying he was reheating the food when a video call came through immediately.
A deep, magnetic voice rang out: “At home?”
Chu Yang helplessly panned the phone around. “Can’t you recognize the house?”
Chu Yuanzhou set his phone down and flipped through a file. “If you don’t show your face, how do I know you didn’t bring someone back with you?”
“Checking up on me again,” Chu Yang muttered.
The microwave dinged. He put down the phone to get the food. Chu Yuanzhou quickly said, “Remember to wear the gloves.”
“I’m not a kid.” After saying that, Chu Yang stuck his tongue out and quickly put on the gloves. He really did often forget.
Even for one person, Chu Yuanzhou had made four dishes and a soup. He really went all out.
Chu Yang knew Chu Yuanzhou called just to watch him eat. He propped his phone against a tissue box, aiming it at the food and half of his face, then picked up his tablet to find a movie.
Chu Yuanzhou reminded him, “Don’t watch anything bloody.”
“I know, I know. Stop talking, I’m eating.” Chu Yang chose a comedy he’d seen before.
Chu Yuanzhou chuckled. He watched for a while to ensure Chu Yang had a good appetite before continuing with his work, though he still looked over occasionally.
He remembered when they were poor and eating out was too expensive. Buying groceries to cook was more practical, but his cooking had sent Chu Yang to the hospital several times. Because of that, Chu Yuanzhou went to work as an apprentice in a restaurant for a while before he finally learned to feed Chu Yang properly.
Chu Yang was also sweet. Seeing Chu Yuanzhou slaving away in the kitchen, he tried to cook for him on Father’s Day once and nearly torched the kitchen. The flames shot up so high he was just standing there going “Woah.” Luckily, Chu Yuanzhou came home early, or they wouldn’t have had a future to celebrate.
Chu Yuanzhou carried Chu Yang out and gave him two smacks on the butt, making Chu Yang so mad he said he’d never celebrate Father’s Day for him again.
“…” That holiday really wasn’t for Chu Yang to celebrate for him anyway.
Later, when things got better, the TV accompanied Chu Yang when Chu Yuanzhou couldn’t. Back then, you could only flip channels, not pick what to watch.
Chu Yang accidentally saw a bloody scene and threw up, which was why Chu Yuanzhou always nagged him.
After eating, he put the dishes in the dishwasher, grabbed a trash bag in one hand, and the dog leash in the other.
The sun had set, leaving a few golden streaks of light across the horizon. It was very beautiful.
The wind rustled the leaves, lifting Chu Yang’s bangs to reveal his delicate and handsome features. If one had to use a single word to describe him, it was “youthful.”
He was the symbol of vibrant energy—beautiful and radiant. No one could help being drawn to him.
The Border Collie had high energy, but Chu Yang was full and walking slowly, so the dog circled around him as they went.
Only a few houses were in this area, and being halfway up a mountain made it not too hot. Chu Yang walked for a bit longer, but today felt strange—he felt like someone was watching him.
Frowning, Chu Yang looked around, but there were only trees and villas.
Was he imagining it?
After walking the dog, he went back and watched some TV. He had an 8:00 AM class tomorrow; not only did he have to get to school early, but he also had to bring breakfast for Lin Zhiheng.
He almost forgot. He picked up his phone and texted the auntie, asking her to make more breakfast tomorrow. Just as he put the phone down, a golden shimmer appeared in his peripheral vision.
Chu Yang jumped, instinctively covering his eyes while his other hand grabbed his phone again.
He thought his eyes were failing. His first reaction was to call Chu Yuanzhou.
[Hi~~~]
A bizarre system voice rang out. Chu Yang instantly dropped his hands and clenched his fists. He knelt halfway up on the bed, his back tense in a defensive stance.
The bright yellow blur floated in front of him. Chu Yang finally saw what it was. He immediately pinched himself to confirm it wasn’t a hallucination.
Had they really developed full-dive VR technology…? This thing looked too real.
It was a cat-head-shaped piggy bank, the color of gold coins. Every so often, a gold coin would pop out of the slot—it was quite pretty.
[Hello, I am System 091. I hope you can do me a favor.] After speaking, a golden rose popped out of the slot and floated toward Chu Yang.
Chu Yang reached out and took it. It was heavy, not the weight of a petal. “This isn’t real gold, is it?”
[091: It is gold. You can take a bite. Consider it a greeting gift.]
Chu Yang: “…”
When things were too good to be true, there was usually a catch. He didn’t dare accept a solid gold rose as a “greeting gift.”
The scene was eerie, but Chu Yang relaxed slightly. As long as it wasn’t a kidnapper, it was fine. Someone who needed a favor probably wouldn’t hurt him for now.
He turned on the bedside lamp and sat cross-legged on the bed, waiting for the system to speak.
He knew people were researching holographic tech and had heard people talk about “systems” in novels. It was actually quite exciting.
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