Chapter 36: Unexpected Rewards and Unsettling Premonitions

Immediately after the system disbursed the reward, Ji Wenyan’s phone vibrated. Upon unlocking the screen, he discovered that a casual red packet stacking game he’d played two days prior had unexpectedly awarded him a special lucky prize.

The prize money amounted to a thousand yuan.

The funds had already been transferred directly to his linked bank account.

Ji Wenyan paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, before he promptly understood. This was the reward for the random task he had just completed.

He had assumed the system would simply deposit the money directly into his bank account, so this method of distribution was quite unexpected.

Still, it was rather amusing.

However, he wondered what pretext the system would use to disburse the hundred thousand yuan reward for the main quest—the one requiring him to elevate any of Bai Mengze’s attributes to the elementary level.

He found himself anticipating it with a hint of excitement.

Having resolved the situation with the girls who had been cornering Bai Mengze, Ji Wenyan and Bai Mengze promptly hurried back to class, eager to avoid being marked absent by their teacher.

Despite Ji Wenyan’s status as one of No. 1 High School’s most influential students, he couldn’t afford to be too reckless within its walls.

Otherwise, his father’s disciplinary stick, which had made an appearance just last night, would be ready for action at a moment’s notice.

Consequently, Ji Wenyan wouldn’t dare openly skip classes.

Shen Hua’s household operated under similar strictures; otherwise, given his personality, he would undoubtedly be spending every day with women.

Yet, the thought of Xiaoyun transferring to No. 1 High School brought an irresistible urge to laugh to Ji Wenyan.

‘Shen Hua is doomed!’

If Shen Hua refused to help, then he couldn’t blame Ji Wenyan for not giving him a heads-up.

“Thank you so much for what just happened! I’ve been troubling you constantly, I don’t know what I should even say…”

“It’s fine. As long as you consider me a friend, there’s no need for excessive thanks!”

“Even so, it’s still a considerable bother for you.”

“I’ll also be relying on your help, so it’s a mutual exchange. Don’t overthink it.”

Just a second before the class bell chimed, Ji Wenyan and Bai Mengze slipped back into the classroom. Once they were seated, Bai Mengze immediately offered her thanks in a hushed tone.

While she could have managed the situation on her own, it wouldn’t have been nearly as straightforward without Ji Wenyan’s timely intervention.

Xuan Yan, in particular, was not someone easily dismissed.

And if her brother, Xuan Li, had become involved, the situation would have escalated disastrously.

Hearing Bai Mengze’s sincere gratitude, Ji Wenyan simply smiled and shook his head, urging her not to dwell on it.

‘His very survival depended on Bai Mengze!’

Their fates were intertwined too deeply for mere thanks.

It was a bond of mutual trust and reliance.

Yet, Ji Wenyan couldn’t voice these thoughts aloud just yet; he could only keep them buried deep within his heart.

Perhaps, only once the shadow of death that loomed over him had lifted, would he finally be able to articulate them.

“Mm, from now on, you’re my friend!”

Seeing the genuine sincerity in Ji Wenyan’s expression, Bai Mengze nodded solemnly, implicitly acknowledging their newfound friendship.

Even if he were to deceive her, there was nothing he stood to gain.

Besides, Ji Wenyan seemed to lack for nothing.

“Oh, by the way, I just thought of something. The Campus Belle Competition contestants need makeup. Is that arranged by the school?”

“No, it’s not strictly handled by the school. Hiring a private makeup artist is perfectly acceptable, though most students don’t opt for it. However, last year’s champion did bring in a professional.”

“I see, that’s a relief then!”

With Bai Mengze’s answer, Ji Wenyan cast aside any lingering worries and focused entirely on the approaching noon.

He was genuinely eager to discover what it would feel like to use his new skill.

The mere thought sent a small thrill through him.

“Excuse me for interrupting, but are there any students in this class participating in the Campus Belle Competition? If so, please come with me now for makeup. The school has arranged for professional makeup artists this year, and it will require a significant amount of time, so everyone needs to prepare in advance.”

As Bai Mengze and Ji Wenyan conversed in hushed tones, and before the teacher at the front of the class could even begin the lecture, the classroom door swung open from the outside.

Immediately, a small group of students, both male and female, bearing ‘Student Council’ badges, entered. After a brief greeting to the teacher, they addressed the class.

“Wow, the Campus Belle Competition is almost here! I’m so excited!”

“I wonder who will win this year. Could it be one of the first-year students?”

“Teacher, I want to go and watch the girls get their makeup done too!”

“Yeah, don’t leave us out! We could even sneak a peek through the door crack.”

Upon hearing the phrase “Campus Belle Competition,” the boys in the class immediately erupted into a lively buzz.

However, as Ji Wenyan listened, his gaze drifted back to the Student Council members, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He was suddenly plagued by a strange, unsettling premonition.