Shen Yuqing returned to the academy. Having skipped his midday rest at home, he arrived at a time when many students were gathered in small groups chatting.
Some would quickly avert their eyes when their gazes accidentally met his, as if afraid of catching some terrible plague.
Shen Yuqing pressed his lips together. This was just as well—if the original owner had been sociable, he would have had to navigate those relationships. Now, with fewer social obligations, life was much simpler.
He stretched his limbs, intending to ask the system to find him a quiet spot where he could sit and zone out for a while. It was rare to have such leisurely time.
But before he could even communicate with the system, someone called his name.
“Shen Yuqing.”
Now that was unexpected—someone actually calling for him.
Shen Yuqing turned toward the voice and was even more surprised when he saw who it was.
Song Wangzhuo.
Talk about shock upon shock—this was downright astonishing.
He watched as Song Wangzhuo slowly approached, holding a paper bag, stopping just two steps away.
Shen Yuqing asked, “You looking for me?”
Song Wangzhuo didn’t speak, simply extending the bag toward him.
Shen Yuqing raised an eyebrow and took it. He wasn’t worried about any prank items inside.
Opening the bag, he found the jacket he had given him the night before, now freshly washed.
After a glance, Shen Yuqing looked up. Song Wangzhuo’s expression remained impassive, his tone indifferent. “Your clothes from last night. I washed them. Do what you want with them.”
When Shen Yuqing had handed over the jacket, it was mainly to shield him—the predatory stares in the bar had practically been ready to skin Song Wangzhuo alive.
He had assumed Song Wangzhuo would have tossed it aside, but instead, he’d taken it home to wash.
Shen Yuqing said, “Anything else?”
Song Wangzhuo hesitated. He wanted to ask what exactly Shen Yuqing was playing at, but then reconsidered—his answer would probably be the same as the one he’d given at the gym a few days ago.
Why waste time? Rather than lingering here with Shen Yuqing, he’d be better off solving a few more practice problems to maintain his grades.
Song Wangzhuo replied, “No.”
Unable to guess the thoughts running through Song Wangzhuo’s mind, Shen Yuqing simply gave an “Oh,” then walked off with the bag.
When there were no plot points to follow, he preferred to avoid unnecessary interactions with the male leads. With Pei Yiyan, their connection was unavoidable due to circumstances, but with Song Wangzhuo, the farther he stayed, the better.
Song Wangzhuo watched Shen Yuqing’s retreating figure, his gaze dark and unreadable. Only when the other was completely out of sight did he turn and leave in the opposite direction.
Shen Yuqing found a perfect spot—a quiet bench where he could sit and unwind. He took out the freshly washed jacket again. It was spotless, free of any stains, and carried the faint, clean scent of soap.
Shen Yuqing couldn’t help remarking, [Song Wangzhuo really washed this thoroughly.]
The system, roused from standby, replied, [That’s normal. After the “switched at birth” incident, he never had an easy life. Later, when his adoptive parents died in an accident, he had to live alone off the compensation money.]
Shen Yuqing’s life trajectory was quite similar to his, except that in his previous life, he had been in an orphanage. Many kind-hearted people from society had donated to help, and the director and teachers were also very good. Although life was poor, he hadn’t suffered too much hardship.
He put the clothes back into the bag and asked, “What if we arrange for him to reunite with the Song family earlier?”
“No.” The system replied coldly and mercilessly, “Changes to the plot will cause chaos in the world, and this world can’t withstand any more turmoil.”
“But didn’t Pei Yiyan’s poisoning also happen ahead of schedule?” Shen Yuqing questioned, puzzled. “Why is it different for Song Wangzhuo?”
“Their plot points are different.” The system explained, “Even if Pei Yiyan’s poisoning happened earlier, it wouldn’t significantly alter the current plot. But if Song Wangzhuo reunites with the Song family, the entire storyline would change. Later plot developments that haven’t been completed yet would become impossible due to the protagonist’s altered identity.”
To put it simply, it was like playing a game—you had to build up resources in the early stages to deal more damage later.
Shen Yuqing leaned back in his chair and gazed at the ceiling. This was really a tough situation.
Then he asked again, “How’s the world’s energy pool been these past few days? You keep going into hibernation all the time.”
“There have been fluctuations, but they’re negligible.” The system replied, “We still need to clear the blackening values as soon as possible.”
“Fine, I’ll try my best to see if I can lower their blackening values sooner.” Shen Yuqing sighed. But if that was the case, he couldn’t just sit around—he had to take the initiative.
Just then, the system said, “It’s not two.”
“Huh?” Shen Yuqing was confused. “What do you mean, not two?”
The system hesitated before saying, “There are three male leads.”
“…” Shen Yuqing shot up from his seat. “Forget the mission. Do whatever you want.”
The system had never told him there was a third one!!! Good heavens!!!
Two male leads were already giving him a headache—how could there be another one slipping through the cracks?
The system hurriedly reassured him, “Host, please calm down and listen to me.”
Shen Yuqing sat back down and took a deep breath. “Speak.”
The system then leisurely explained, “The last male lead is a bit special. We haven’t been able to detect who it is.”
Well, great—the last one was a mystery box!
The system continued, “Because of the previous time reversals, we only encountered Pei Yiyan and Song Wangzhuo, so their blackening values were recorded. But the world’s records show three sources of blackening energy, timed just before Song Wangzhuo reunites with the Song family.”
Before Song Wangzhuo reunites with the Song family—doesn’t that mean he’s about to be written off too?
The system said, “Host, don’t worry. The reason we can’t identify the specific person right now is that the blackening values of all three male leads are relatively balanced, making it hard to pinpoint. Once Pei Yiyan and Song Wangzhuo’s blackening values drop to zero, everything will fall into place.”
Easier said than done.
Shen Yuqing slumped a little—putting it into practice would be much harder.
The system comforted him, “By the way, I don’t think I explained the rewards clearly earlier. The reward amount is tied to the male leads. If all three male leads successfully clear their blackening values, your reward will be tripled.”
Shen Yuqing gasped at this. The original reward was already enough to live comfortably for a lifetime—tripling it… wouldn’t that mean he’d never run out of money for the next two lifetimes!
Suddenly, he felt a surge of energy coursing through his body—here he comes, male leads!
