Chapter 26: Favorability, Accumulated Strength Unleashed

"Wait for me, I’ll just put on a bit of makeup. I’ll be done in a few minutes."
"Alright."
Cheng Yao sat down on the stool. "You’re already so beautiful, why bother with makeup?"
"The prettier I am, the more face you’ll have when we go out, right?"
"I like the sound of that—say it a few more times..."
Cheng Yao realized that girls really matured early, often understanding things long before boys did; like those who, knowing you have no money, would leave early so as not to burden you.
Something about that didn’t feel quite right.
Watching Zhang Ya applying her makeup in front of the mirror, Cheng Yao walked over and embraced her.
Zhang Ya was touching up her eye shadow. "What’s wrong?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to hold you."
"Mm."
Zhang Ya smiled sweetly, a little shy, her heart filled with a gentle warmth.
A small curve played at the corner of Cheng Yao’s lips. He wanted both Zhang Ya and the pursuit of wealth—why should he have to choose, like a child?
As long as he kept it a secret and didn’t get caught, Zhang Ya wouldn’t be considered betrayed.
After their brief moment of tenderness, the two left the dormitory hand in hand.
They ran into a few female classmates in the elevator, each casting a surprised glance at Zhang Ya.
Though the semester had just begun, Zhang Ya was already well-known at the university—mainly for her looks. None of them had expected that she already had a boyfriend.
And the way she clung to his arm looked so intimate.
Ding—
The elevator doors opened, and as the two stepped out, the female classmates exploded into chatter.
"Wow, that’s Zhang Ya, isn’t it?"
"Yeah, I’ve seen her a couple of times before. She already has a boyfriend, and they look so close."
"Hmph, what’s the use of being close? Won’t help her in a fight later on."
...
...
Their university was close to the Bund and Lujiazui. With the day off, Cheng Yao and Zhang Ya decided to stroll around Lujiazui.
They both thought the Oriental Pearl Tower wasn’t worth the wait, and since there wasn’t much time, they skipped the line, opting instead to take a sweet photo together on the footbridge, which they set as their phone wallpaper.
Then they bought tickets for the aquarium and wandered through, until it was getting late.
As night fell, the city’s fast pace became more palpable.
On the Bund’s observation deck, Cheng Yao asked, "Want to try the sightseeing tunnel?"
"No, that place is such a rip-off. I went the first time I came here—there’s nothing inside. It’s getting late; what do you want for dinner, hot pot or crayfish?"
"Isn’t it what you want to eat?"
"Exactly, it’s what I want!" Zhang Ya gazed at Cheng Yao, her smile radiant, teeth sparkling white.
Cheng Yao shook his head with a laugh. "You decide. Let’s have both."
"That won’t do. You pick one."
"Hot pot, then."
"Got it, crayfish it is!" Zhang Ya pinched his palm and went on, "I know a really good crayfish place in an alley off Nanjing Road, not far from the tripe hotpot place."
"Then let’s go where you say. After dinner, we’ll catch a movie."
"Mm."
Affection +5
Name: Zhang Ya
Appearance: 92
Figure: 81
Special: 93
Affection: 84
[Congratulations! Your girlfriend-in-training ‘Zhang Ya’ now has an affection rating of 80. You may select one life or domain skill from her. Friendly reminder: cultivate more girlfriends to unlock more exclusive skills. Please seek out additional targets as soon as possible.]
Was this the reward for patience?
Cheng Yao mused wryly—if he hadn’t come to see her this time, would her affection have dropped?
The answer: very likely.
It wasn’t yet dark when they arrived at the crayfish restaurant, but it was already packed. They waited in line at the door before finally getting a table.
Cheng Yao flipped through the menu. "How about the seafood feast—do you want some?"
"Not really worth it. There’s a lot I don’t eat in there. Do you want it?"
"Never mind, just crayfish then?"
"Yes, crayfish and spicy crab, plus a plate of spicy baby squid and spicy snails." Zhang Ya was practically drooling, smiling as she asked, "I remember you can’t handle too much spice, right?"
"I’m fine now. Order what you like. Worst case, I’ll pay for it tomorrow morning."
"Ha ha ha..."
Zhang Ya covered her mouth, laughing with that odd goose-like cackle of hers.
Cheng Yao’s gaze drifted to her chest, and he couldn’t help asking, "Are you raising a big fat goose in there?"
"You’re the one raising a big goose..." Zhang Ya rolled her eyes at him, not amused.
Cheng Yao swallowed. He’d noticed Zhang Ya had developed well over the past few months; whether or not there was a goose, the curves were certainly generous. Given a few more years—or a pregnancy—who knew, maybe they’d be the size of rice bowls. Their future child would be lucky.
Service was efficient, and the dishes arrived quickly.
Cheng Yao ate and bragged, telling stories about the university’s dating privileges, and the like.
Zhang Ya arched an eyebrow. "So, you added them?"
"Of course not. How could I be that kind of person? I had my roommate turn them down for me."
"Smart."
"Here, have some."
Cheng Yao piled dozens of crayfish tails into Zhang Ya’s bowl. She smiled so her eyes became crescents, happiness radiating from her.
The cost of food in this city didn’t always reflect its reputation; even with all that they ordered, the bill came to only a bit over five hundred. Crayfish and crab, whether in a first- or second-tier city, were priced about the same.
Sated, they bought two Haagen-Dazs cups at a convenience store, wandering toward the cinema as they ate.
They arrived just in time for ticket check-in, the lobby filled with a long line.
They found seats in the very back—reserved for couples, perfect for a bit of intimacy.
Of course, if you didn’t mind the cinema’s infrared cameras broadcasting live, you could go as wild as you liked.
In truth, Cheng Yao’s attention was nowhere near the movie.
He held Zhang Ya by the waist, his hand restless. At this age, a single picture could set him off, so his mind was running wild, paying little heed to the plot on screen.
Before he knew it, it was already half past eight.
It was getting late; some people had already gone to bed. Zhang Ya yawned, saying, "I got up early today. Walk me back, I’ll introduce you to my roommates."
"Alright, you really won’t stay with me?"
Zhang Ya pecked his cheek. "Give me some time. Let me prepare myself."
"...Okay."
Cheng Yao didn’t press her, taking her hand as they strolled the streets.
Zhang Ya’s hand was even softer than Lu Mengyao’s. Playing piano demanded flexibility, so she took great care of her fingers—they were long, slender, and fair, truly beautiful.
Cheng Yao almost wanted to take a bite.
They bought some fruit and snacks, caught a cab—it was only five kilometers, and the subway was packed with rush hour crowds at this hour. No need to make things harder for themselves.
When they reached the area near the music academy, they saw three tall girls waiting outside the dorm. Seeing Zhang Ya, their eyes shifted to Cheng Yao.
"Zhang Ya, this is your beloved? The whole piano department’s been talking about him!"
"Hello, handsome, I’m Cheng Linlin."
"Rong Xuelin, hi there."
"Li Yingshan." The girl with glasses pushed her frames up.
Cheng Yao glanced at them, smiling and nodding. "I’m Cheng Yao. Nice to meet you all."
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