Chapter 4: The Tool, Binding Successful

Cheng Yao did not look down on or belittle Lu Mengyao. In society nowadays, buying and selling relationships has become as commonplace as marriage itself; it's an era where poverty is mocked more than promiscuity, and one must keep up with the times.

That night, Cheng Yao dreamed of Zhang Ya wielding a forty-meter-long machete, telling him to run thirty-nine meters ahead first.

He jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat, only to find the dormitory empty—his roommates were gone.

Where did everyone go?

Just then, the door swung open and Wang Wenbo and the others walked in, catching sight of Cheng Yao getting up. “Cheng Yao, want a meat bun?” one offered.

“I bought soy milk,” another said.

“I got fried dough sticks—want a couple?” a third added.

Cheng Yao frowned. “What’s this about?”

Wang Wenbo set the bun on the table and patted him on the shoulder. “Let’s get along well these four years. We’re brothers, let’s help each other out.”

Cheng Yao feigned disgust, “Come on, don’t get all sentimental on me…”

“Eat if you want to. Ugh, you’re making my skin crawl with all this mushy talk,” Wang Wenbo shot back.

Zhang Lei and Zhu Huiyang chimed in, “Just this once. We couldn’t afford to do this every day.”

Cheng Yao couldn’t help but laugh. After brushing his teeth and washing his face, he grabbed the meat bun with his left hand, a fried dough stick with his right, sipped soy milk from the table, then let out a satisfied burp.

University truly was wonderful.

College students rarely have much money—unless they come from wealth, like Wang Wenbo, who was an exception. Cheng Yao himself relied on his parents; if they hadn’t been able to give him a little, he wouldn’t have known where to get spending money—he might have had to work summer jobs.

The “Sleeping Dragon and Young Phoenix” of Dorm 404 left the dormitory, heading straight for the School of Economics.

Cheng Yao remarked, “There are quite a few pretty girls in the School of Economics. I spotted several in our class just yesterday.”

“True. Economics is decent, but the Arts and Media departments have the most beauties, as do Foreign Languages and Accounting. If only I’d majored there, I’d have gone straight for it,” someone replied.

Wang Wenbo shook his head, “I heard the so-called beauties in Arts and Media are mostly made up—plastic surgery and the like. But the Accounting department does have a lot, especially in the ACCA program…”

“In any case, there are plenty of wolves chasing too little meat. If you have a chance in college, seize it,” another added.

“Right—over thirty million singles out there.”

As they walked and chatted, Cheng Yao glanced at his phone and saw a message from Lu Mengyao.

A faint smile appeared on his face as he replied.

[You have successfully bound your target ‘Lu Mengyao.’ Current favorability: 50. All expenses you incur for her during the relationship will earn tenfold cashback. Quick, buy her things!]

The same old formula, the same familiar taste—Cheng Yao once again felt as if he were inside a game, an experience he knew all too well.

He didn’t let it show, remaining calm as always, chatting idly.

Freshman year classes weren’t numerous and were scattered throughout the week; whether he attended evening self-study or not made little difference. He had no real motivation to study in earnest.

For him, the evenings were the true stage for adventure.

In fact, every night, the hotels near campus seemed to tremble with frequent, minor “earthquakes.”

Before he realized it, they’d reached the teaching building, Class One of the School of Economics.

The classroom was already filling up. Cheng Yao and his friends sat together, naturally choosing seats near the attractive girls.

“Hi, everyone, I’m Wang Wenbo, from Liuhe.”

“Hello, I’m Yang Qing, from Changzhou.”

Most students didn’t know each other yet and were too shy to start conversations. Wang Wenbo, however, couldn’t walk past a pretty face without introducing himself, and Zhang Lei and Zhu Huiyang benefited from his boldness.

Cheng Yao was less enthusiastic, yet a girl greeted him first, “Hello, I’m Zhou Ziqing.”

“Cheng Yao—Cheng as in ‘future prospects,’ Yao as in ‘dazzling.’”

Name: Zhou Ziqing (can be pursued)
Looks: 80
Figure: 85
Special: 90

It was as if Zhou Ziqing wore a sign on her head: “supporting character.” Cheng Yao ignored it. If this were a game, he’d never hesitate to pursue her, but reality was nothing like that.

The saying goes that a rabbit doesn’t eat the grass near its own burrow—it’s easier said than done. The main reason was, if anything happened between classmates, he’d be unable to stay in the class, or even the school. At worst, he’d have to drop out.

He had no interest in stirring up such trouble.

“Cheng Yao, where are you from? You sound a bit different,” Zhou Ziqing asked.

“I’m from near the old city, way out in the suburbs.”

She nodded gently. “That’s not too far. The subway goes out there now—it’s just forty or fifty minutes. I’ve been to your area; the lakeside is beautiful, almost as lovely as Xuanwu Lake.”

“Of course…”

Soon, the classroom was full.

The counselor, Ms. Li, a middle-aged woman, introduced herself and gave them her phone number. Her role was to guide students onto the right path and help them complete their studies, and to assist with everyday difficulties.

But few counselors could truly be called “life mentors.” Most just wanted students to stay out of trouble and keep the peace.

This was understandable. No teacher could possibly take care of every single student. Usually, each college had just one counselor, while student numbers ranged from hundreds to thousands.

In such circumstances, it was impossible for a counselor to be attentive to every student.

After saving her contact information, there wasn’t much else to do that day. It was said that classes in the first month of university were rather relaxed; only after military training did things become more intense.

With classes done, the rest of the day was spent getting familiar with the campus.

Bored, Cheng Yao wandered around with Wang Wenbo and the others. The campus shopping street was full of dazzling options—almost everything you’d find outside was available, and the prices were similar.

“I heard these storefronts sell for several million,” someone remarked.

“Sounds about right,” Wang Wenbo replied. He was more familiar with this, thanks to his background. “The demand is huge. You can’t lose money on a two-million-yuan storefront here.”

They had clay pot rice for lunch on campus—good value for students.

There was a meeting in the evening, but Cheng Yao barely listened.

When it ended at half past seven, he turned to the others, “You all go eat. I’m heading home for a bit.”

“Okay, bye.”

They all knew Cheng Yao had a younger sister and didn’t pry.

After leaving the school, Cheng Yao hailed a cab straight to the subway station.

Ten minutes later, just as he got out, he spotted a graceful figure waiting at the entrance.

Cheng Yao approached with a smile. “How tall are you?”

“One sixty-five. You’re over one eighty, right?” Lu Mengyao, though she’d shed her last pretense, acted as though nothing had happened.

Cheng Yao nodded, “One eighty-one. Let’s go—there’s not much to do in Xianlin.”

“Alright.”

Lu Mengyao didn’t mention anything, though she quietly fretted to herself. She’d agreed to see Cheng Yao, but now that they were meeting, she still felt a little awkward.

The subway was packed, so Cheng Yao simply led her to stand in the corner.

Her scent was sweet and fresh—a different fragrance from last night.

With a rumble, the subway sped along, reaching Xinjiekou Station in about twenty-five minutes.

As soon as they exited, Cheng Yao took her hand without a moment’s hesitation.

…