Chapter 2: The Exorbitantly Expensive French Dress
The System really wanted to curse, but the culprit, Shi Huaibai, spread his hands with an indifferent look, pushing his luck: “What is the reward for completing the mission?”
System: […]
Mission reward… there actually is one.
After “practicing linguistic arts” all day, this was the first time he and the Host were communicating calmly.
It was a great opportunity to demonstrate its value.
So, the System cleared its throat: [I am the System responsible for the Noble Academy mission line, Number 666. You can also call me by my nickname, Bobo.]
[The Noble Academy world line has many capture targets and numerous tasks. Every time a stage mission is completed, you can get 20 Mission Points. My ability is to convert Mission Points into Talent Points for the Host.]
[For example, Beauty Value, Wisdom Value, Martial Value…]
Speaking of this, the System slowly paced back and forth, a attribute panel with the value ’20’ jumping in its hand. It invited enthusiastically: [Do you want to try converting the Mission Points you just got into Talent Points now?]
Shi Huaibai had exactly that intention: “Convert it to Martial Value.”
System: [Bro…]
No, that’s the thing the protagonist uke (receiver) in a Noble Academy needs the least.
[Why don’t we consider it carefully?]
Beauty Value or Charm Value would be more useful. We’ve transmigrated into a Noble Academy, after all.
In a Noble Academy, the protagonist uke is amazing, but the protagonist gong (attacker) is even more amazing!
But the System couldn’t say that. Shi Huaibai clearly wouldn’t like hearing it.
At this moment, the System’s proud linguistic arts shone brightly again: [Host, Martial Value is, of course, very, very good. But, but the next stage mission seems to require Charm Value more. After all, the next stage mission is “Protect F1 at the Banquet” and obtain F1’s financial support. What is a banquet? A banquet is naturally about displaying one’s elegant demeanor. If you can complete randomly refreshed bonus missions during the banquet, you can exchange for even more Mission Points. Money begets money begets money, interest rolls on interest rolls on interest!]
[Isn’t that good?]
Shi Huaibai thought it made sense. Fairly speaking, the System’s ability was quite powerful. He asked again: “What is the maximum for each stat point?”
Shi Huaibai’s eyes instantly became sharp, like he was on steroids.
This kind of talk, I love to hear it!
He used the 20 Mission Points to exchange for Beauty Value.
Shi Huaibai looked left and right in the mirror but couldn’t see any difference from his original face. His gaze shifted from the mirror to the System.
A low, murderous aura began to permeate Shi Huaibai’s eyes, corroding the System’s bones inch by inch, making one shudder: “Is there a change? You aren’t scamming me, are you?”
The System curled into a ball in fear: [I didn’t lie to you.] [You’ll know when the banquet comes.]
“…”
That was true. Abilities are proven in use, though Shi Huaibai felt the added value of beauty wasn’t very high.
The original body was a special admission student at LB Noble Academy, from a poor background. If his academic grades dropped below the top 5% of the school ranking, he would be sent back to the orphanage.
Besides dealing with studies, he also had to deal with the four insane protagonists from the original novel. The original body had no mood to enjoy the banquet.
He was attending as a waiter.
As a Noble Academy world line, recycled plots were a cure-all.
This banquet was also a key node in the emotional progress of the main couple.
At the banquet, Shi Huaibai would accidentally spill wine on the Campus Belle’s dress. During the difficulty the Belle gave him, F1 would step in to smooth things over to maintain his “nice guy” image.
Thus, Shi Huaibai would begin to have feelings for F1.
However, the Belle’s lackeys wouldn’t let Shi Huaibai go. They locked Shi Huaibai in a changing room. No matter how Shi Huaibai smashed, banged, pushed, or cursed…
No one let him out.
Just like that, the original body thought of the orphanage, the cramped confinement room. The child hugging his knees, scared into a ball, shoulders shaking. In the endless loneliness, he was so frightened he even swallowed his whimpers.
His hands and feet were cold. Fear devoured everything like an insatiable beast. He was being consumed by this cold terror.
At that time, the original body didn’t even know this cold fear had an academic name: Claustrophobia.
Later, after becoming a special admission student at the Noble Academy and seeing enough luxury that didn’t belong to him, he understood: Only the rich are qualified to be depressed.
Thus, the dark, enclosed changing room made him recall everything again.
His emotions collapsed over and over. His thoughts went blank inch by inch.
He began to hate. He discovered that these so-called “nobles” were essentially no different from hooligans in the urban-rural fringe.
Until… a light chuckle suddenly came from beside his ear.
Rustling sounds. Malicious ones.
It was clearly a mocking tone, but under the embellishment of loneliness and fear, the original body perceived it as a “heavenly sound,” as “salvation”!
The original body suddenly looked back: A drunk F1 was nonchalantly fiddling with his cuffs, the corners of his eyes tinged with a layer of pleased pink.
That was the first time Jiang Xinian sized up this impoverished special admission student, discovering: Turns out when Shi Huaibai cries, he’s that pretty.
“Looks like we’re locked in. Isn’t it a bit boring, poor little dog?”
…
Those who understand the subsequent plot, understand.
The System confidently clenched its fist, the tumultuous excitement in its heart out of control: This time the Host has prepared 20 points of Beauty Value. When F1 sees the Host looking pitiful, he will definitely be even more unable to control himself, unable to resist wanting to keep the Host as a lover.
Perfect!
While the System was letting its imagination run wild, Shi Huaibai had already changed into the waiter’s uniform.
The soft white shirt hugged his skin, outlining his body’s curves. The pad-less fabric draped down, from his chest to the small of his back, to the rounded tips of his buttocks, finally all tucked into the waistband.
His waist was cinched extremely thin by the vest; two hands could likely span it.
The fabric wasn’t crisp; it was cheap and could expose all of a person’s physical shortcomings.
Fortunately, Shi Huaibai had no shortcomings!
After smoothing out the wrinkles on the cuffs, Shi Huaibai messed up his hair and said to the System: “Let’s go now.”
This banquet could actually be considered an alumni gathering for LB Noble Academy.
The dome of the central theater hung high, crystal chandeliers refracting dazzling light and shadows, brilliant and extravagant. The banquet hadn’t officially started yet; waiters shuttled through, the collision of silver cutlery and porcelain making crisp sounds.
Jiang Xinian held a proper smile, accompanying the former Student Council President, who had already graduated, to inspect the banquet facilities. His posture was elegant, his words humble, as if he was full of respect for this senior. Even the arc of his eyes perfectly demonstrated “a junior’s humility.”
“Junior Jiang handles things truly meticulously. No wonder the school trusts you so much.” The other party patted his shoulder, a smile containing the arrogance of someone experienced.
“Senior flatters me. I learned it all from you,” Jiang Xinian nodded slightly, his voice warm as jade.
Once the former president left satisfied, the smile on Jiang Xinian’s lips instantly dissipated, a chill rising in his eyes.
“Acting like a boss when he’s just a has-been.” He scoffed lightly, his slender fingers nonchalantly dusting off non-existent dust from his cuffs, as if the humble posture just now was a hallucination.
“Brother Jiang!” Chen Xin, who had been staying behind him, had sharp eyes and immediately scurried over like a dog, whispering ingratiatingly: “It’s still early before the banquet starts. There are so many waiters watching, nothing will go wrong. Shall we go out for some air?”
Jiang Xinian let out a lazy “Mm,” too lazy to pretend to be the model student anymore, and walked straight out.
He strode forward, his expression arrogant and distant, until his gaze swept past the entrance and suddenly paused.
A slender figure was standing with his back to him, bending slightly, carefully adjusting the wine glass at the top of a champagne tower. The arc of that person’s waist bending was just right, buttocks perky, the shirt hem riding up slightly due to the movement, revealing a section of white lower back.
Diligent and tenacious, looking just like a Cinderella provoking pity in a CEO novel.
Wasn’t this Shi Huaibai, who hugged the cat in the rain and left a deep impression on him?
What trick was he up to now?
Jiang Xinian had seen all kinds of people use unscrupulous means to attract his attention. He was also willing to play along with their performances to help build his gentle image.
But Shi Huaibai’s methods… were like those of a mental patient.
Seeing Jiang Xinian stop, Chen Xin immediately followed Young Master Jiang’s gaze with keen understanding. Seeing it was Shi Huaibai, Chen Xin squawked: “Why is he here too?”
The Noble Academy recruited special admission students over many terms; many came with ulterior motives to fish for a rich husband.
Otherwise, when other ordinary high schools had such low tuition and miscellaneous fees, why would those few poor special admission students squeeze into LB Academy?
A special admission student painstakingly sneaking into a banquet completely unrelated to his social circle—his ulterior motives were obvious.
Especially this Shi Huaibai. Since enrolling, he would appear dramatically in front of the Campus F4 at the drop of a hat. Every time, he pretended to be innocent and harmless. Who knows who he was putting on a show for?
Last time, just to show he was different, he actually let Jiang Xinian stand in the rain for two minutes.
Simply ungrateful!
Jiang Xinian chuckled lightly, airily scolding the other: “Xin, don’t speak with such malice.”
But his eyes held approval for those remarks.
It seems that to attract my attention, these commoners are coming up with increasingly strange moves.
The System was still observing the surroundings with high spirits. Seeing F1, the System got excited: [Host, look to your left.]
Shi Huaibai took a glance: “It’s glass. What about it?”
System: [The glass is a bit dirty. Why don’t we go wipe it?]
Wiping glass in front of F1! It looks like a very hardworking Cinderella. Mainly, it’s very pure and lustful.
Shi Huaibai: “Are you insane? We’re here to pull investment from F1, not to actually work as waiters.”
System: […]
The banquet was about to begin, and people gradually increased. Waiters began to work, holding trays, replenishing drinks and desserts.
The System said weakly: [Host…]
F1 just came back.
Shi Huaibai: “Shut up, I’m finding a job.”
Making it sound so complicated, but actually, it’s just a game of capitalist “Monopoly.” Making money boils down to two paths: open source (increase income) and cut costs.
The path to defeating four capitalists also has two ways: make the capitalists poor, and make yourself rich.
According to the Pareto Principle of wealth, completing the most basic accumulation of wealth early on is the most important thing.
Even if a Long Aotian walks down the street, he meets an eccentric old man saying he has amazing bone structure, one in ten thousand, a peerless genius.
Long Aotian goes out: Heavenly treasures grow everywhere, beauties and ladies throw themselves at him.
Shi Huaibai nodded. He firmly believed that at this “important” banquet stamped and confirmed by the System, he would definitely gain the attention of a noble benefactor.
The System didn’t know that its nonsense to fool the Host had caused Shi Huaibai to derive such a grand Five-Year Plan for Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Generation. It just sweated nervously looking at the exhibition hall where lights interlaced brilliantly. The increasingly crowded guests toasted each other. Amidst their conversation, amidst the brushing shoulders of comings and goings, countless mouths opened and closed, like blind Golden Toads swallowing treasure.
Croak, croak croak…
Everyone was clearly refined, so why did they seem to be drinking blood and eating flesh?
It was as if upon a bonfire pile of bones, skin-wearing skeletons and ghosts indulged in sensual pleasures, praising this perfect banquet.
As the banquet got busier, Shi Huaibai stuffed a self-recommendation business card into the hand of everyone he met.
Jiang Xinian’s gaze occasionally landed on Shi Huaibai, pondering what little trick Shi Huaibai would use this time to attract his attention.
Shi Huaibai couldn’t be bothered with him; he just wanted to continue marketing himself.
In a daze, a hand with distinct knuckles rested lightly on his wine tray. On the ring was a seven-carat main diamond, surrounded by countless smaller diamonds. The brilliance of the starry chandelier flowed, the luster on the beauty’s knuckles reflected by the diamonds, dancing on the delicate back of the hand.
CRASH!!!
The goblet fell accidentally. The glass shattered, making an “earth-shattering” sound.
The flying fragments reflected a face that was terrified but absolutely stunning. The hem of her mermaid dress was stained with the color of champagne, abrupt and messy.
“What happened?”
The System instantly looked up: Finally here! The famous scene where the poor special admission white flower gets bullied by the Campus Belle.
In the nick of time, while the Campus Belle was still silent, seeming not to have reacted yet, her two lackeys stepped forward. Their voices were like bells, aggressive toward Shi Huaibai:
“Is this the gown hand-sewn by a French designer, the only one in the world?” “Do you know what brand this dress is?”
While Shi Huaibai was astonished, the two lackeys spoke in unison: “Can you afford to pay for it?!”
Jiang Xinian sneered in the shadows: So this is how he attracts my attention?
Shi Huaibai was completely messy: “Bro…”
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