Chapter 11: The boys’ dormitory in the early morning

[Good morning, Bai Yao! …]

[Yesterday, you completed a total of three tasks and earned a reward: 300 Living Expenses! Your cardiopulmonary function and physique are gradually improving through exercise…]

[You haven’t smoked, drank, or engaged in lewd acts for two days! Please continue to maintain healthy sleep and eating habits.]

[A new day, keep up the good work! A Graceful Figure is your ultimate weapon for seducing men!]

“It’s over, it’s all over,” Bai Yao murmured early that morning. He covered his chest with both hands, one on the left and one on the right, and pressed down lightly.

He didn’t know if his chest had grown again.

After all, when he was lying down, it wasn’t that big to begin with, spreading out like water balloons.

But he knew that the lumps inside hurt even more than yesterday!

‘The system really treats me like a woman.’

The “physique” the system mentioned was that of a woman’s Graceful Figure, with curves in all the right places.

Yesterday, he had still held onto a glimmer of hope…

Despair was written all over Bai Yao’s face as he stared at the ceiling, feeling as if life was no longer worth living.

His thighs and calves were screaming in pain, so sore and swollen he could barely lift them.

He never exercised, so it was only natural for his muscles to ache after thirty minutes of running and resting the night before.

“What are you doing?”

Chen Zhilong happened to pass by Bai Yao’s bed.

He glanced over and saw Bai Yao with his hands pressed against his chest, his eyes vacant and lifeless.

It almost looked as if he were… fondling himself.

“Nothing.”

Embarrassed, Bai Yao lowered his hands and sat up, checking the time.

It was an 8:00 AM class today.

He didn’t want to go; his legs hurt too much.

With a melancholy sigh, he reached out and grabbed the clothes piled at the foot of the bed.

He forced his aching legs up and pulled them into his pants.

As he zipped them up and fastened the button, Bai Yao froze.

‘Huh… why do these pants feel a bit tight?’

He always wore loose, comfortable casual pants.

He had been wearing this pair for over a year, and this was the first time they felt snug.

“Are there any major classes this afternoon?”

Wang Zuhao asked loudly as he returned to the dorm from the balcony, having just washed his hair.

“I don’t think so,” Lin Mingxin replied, rubbing some hair wax between his palms and carefully adjusting his hairstyle with his fingers.

“Then I’m heading back at noon. Can someone sign me in if they take attendance? If not, I’ll just skip.”

Tomorrow was the National Day holiday.

Bai Yao only just realized this.

He finished changing while hiding on his bed and then climbed down, making plans for the holiday in his head.

Once his roommates were gone, it shouldn’t be as easy to trigger tasks.

He breathed a small sigh of relief.

Yet, he also felt a faint sense of regret… ‘Wouldn’t my income be much lower then?’

“Bai Yao, want me to style your hair?”

Lin Mingxin turned to ask Bai Yao, who had just climbed down.

“No thanks. Are you going on a date today?”

Bai Yao stopped in front of the mirror, ruffling his messy, frizzy hair.

It looked like a plush ball sitting on his head after a night’s sleep.

His hair was getting long, his bangs almost covering his eyes.

He gave it a quick brush with a comb, then used a bit of water to smooth down the stray tufts and flatten the frizz.

He looked a bit like a middle school girl with a bob cut…

“Can’t I try to look handsome even if I’m not on a date?”

Lin Mingxin was too embarrassed to admit it.

Everyone in the dorm was single; if he were the only one to get a girlfriend, he’d be at risk of getting beaten to death.

“Brother Hao, are you done with the hair dryer?”

Chen Zhilong poked his head in from the balcony, his hair still dripping wet.

“Almost!”

Wang Zuhao shouted, finally turning on the hair dryer.

After finishing his hair, Lin Mingxin wanted to use the restroom.

He opened his wardrobe, only to find that the roll of toilet paper he had specifically tucked away was gone.

“Where’s my paper?”

“I used it all,” Wang Zuhao answered matter-of-factly.

“Damn you! If you use it up, buy more! Don’t take my paper next time!”

Early in the morning, the boys’ dormitory was as noisy as ever, making Bai Yao feel flustered.

“Bai Yao, do you have any paper? Lend me some.”

“In the drawer.”

Bai Yao grabbed his toothbrush and cup.

With a stern face, he walked out to the balcony and stood beside Chen Zhilong, sharing the sink.

“What’s up? Why are you limping?”

As the dorm leader, Chen Zhilong showed a bit of concern after noticing Bai Yao’s strange gait.

Replacing his cold expression with one of misery, Bai Yao rubbed his thigh and complained, “I ran too long last night…”

Though he usually kept a stiff, expressionless face as if he were cold and distant, he subconsciously wanted to play the victim to get some sympathy.

“You need to stretch after running.”

“Yeah.”

As Bai Yao brushed his teeth, another wave of noise drifted from the dorm.

He peeked inside and saw Qiu Ye from next door had come over to visit.

The system had mentioned before that a certain perverted girl used to have a crush on Qiu Ye as well and insisted that Bai Yao get his contact information…

But Qiu Ye didn’t look like an easy person to get along with.

He was handsome and had a tall, straight build, but his features carried a hint of aggression, and his personality was flamboyant.

Bai Yao had heard that he had gotten into a fight with his roommates right at the start of the semester, so he kept his distance.

Clearly, that perverted girl was just obsessed with looks; she would have a crush on anyone handsome.

“Brother Hao, stay here and keep me company during National Day!”

Qiu Ye grinned as he draped an arm around Wang Zuhao’s shoulder.

“You’re not going back?”

Wang Zuhao refused without hesitation.

“I’m packing my bags and bolting at noon. Only a fool would stay here with you.”

“Big Star?”

“I have plans—though it seems Bai Yao isn’t going back for National Day either.”

Upon hearing that name, Qiu Ye glanced around the room and spotted Bai Yao peeking out from the back door of the balcony.

The moment their eyes met, the seemingly cold classmate jerked his head back like a startled kitten.

Bai Yao didn’t want anything to do with Qiu Ye! What if another task was triggered?

Less than two minutes later, Qiu Ye strolled over to the balcony door with his hands in his pockets and leaned his back against the frame.

“Brother Long, are you going back for National Day too?”

Bai Yao kept his head down to brush his teeth, stealing a glance at Qiu Ye out of the corner of his eye.

This guy had a lazy demeanor and a constant slight smile, but it felt malicious, like a “smiling tiger” character from an anime.

“Yeah, it’s a seven-day break, so I definitely have to go back.”

“Tsk, I guess Bai Yao and I will just have to rely on each other then.”

‘Look at the choice of words! Are we even close? We haven’t even spoken before.’

“Everyone in your dorm is leaving?”

Chen Zhilong dried his hair and walked to the side to light a cigarette.

“Is it just you?”

“Two others are staying, but they said they’re going to some scenic spots to tour. I probably won’t see them except at night.”

“You’re not going?”

“Too lazy. Why go to a tourist spot just to be squeezed by crowds?”

Finished with his washing, Bai Yao wiped his face and grabbed his toiletries to head back inside.

He didn’t want any interaction with Qiu Ye, but the guy was blocking the doorway.

Bai Yao could only lower his head and try to push past.

“Excuse me…”

“Why did you add me as a friend yesterday?”

“I added everyone in the class.”

Bai Yao’s face remained tense and apprehensive.

His gaze darted around, completely avoiding eye contact—a clear sign of a guilty conscience.

He was worried both because Qiu Ye looked difficult to deal with and because he feared the system would suddenly issue another task.

Qiu Ye stepped back to make room, and Bai Yao immediately brushed past him into the dorm.

‘Thank god! The system didn’t go crazy!’

Bai Yao breathed a sigh of relief.

He could vaguely feel Qiu Ye’s gaze lingering on his back, but he pretended not to notice.

He pulled out the books and notebooks for his two morning classes from the shelf and prepared to leave.

“Brother Long! We’re going to be late!”

Lin Mingxin shouted as he came out of the bathroom, checking the time.

“You guys go first! I haven’t even dried my hair yet!”

“Bai Yao! Brother Hao! We’re leaving first!”