[System Binding Progress: 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 85%, 95%, 100%!]
[Ding! System binding successful!]
[Hello, Mr. Qian Quan, the host. This system is called the 'Bloodline System.' Dr. Omega designed it based on the concept of "Heroic Fathers, Brave Sons" and further amplified it, projecting each achievement of the father onto the son, magnified by ten or even a hundred times!]
[The doctor said that only when successors continuously surpass predecessors, and each generation excels the previous one, can civilization progress continually!]
[Therefore, after binding with this system, for every additional achievement your father gains, you will simultaneously and correspondingly receive rewards tenfold or even a hundredfold!]
Qian Quan, who had calmed down slightly, began to process this sudden influx of information, forming unbelievable speculation.
[Attention! The binding of this system with the host is based on the theory of quantum entanglement. Hence, you must not disclose the existence of this system to anyone. Otherwise, due to the "observer effect," this system will collapse into "lies" and "delusions," ceasing to exist.]
Qian Quan fell into deep contemplation, his thoughts fluctuating, making it difficult for him to regain composure for a while.
"Qian Quan, what are you thinking?" Ding Linlang, noticing Qian Quan's peculiar expression, couldn't help but ask.
"Just now, you said we should bid farewell to the past and look back in three to five years. I'm thinking about how I'll be in three to five years."
"It definitely won't be bad."
"I wonder if I'll meet my leading lady by then."
Upon hearing this, Ding Linlang naturally placed her hand on Qian Quan's shoulder, saying, "With me watching over you, you'll surely find the right person. Don't worry. I'm quite adept at this."
"Alright, when we get to Mystic City in the future, let's continue looking out for each other."
"That goes without saying."
They stood on the mountain for a while, then returned to the campus.
Qian Quan acted calmly as if nothing had happened, but his classmates regarded him with a subtle gaze.
"Qian Quan, don't take it to heart. Our youth is inherently full of regrets and embarrassments; that's what makes it complete." Class leader Qian Jiamin privately comforted Qian Quan.
"Thank you. I'm fine." Qian Quan genuinely thanked her.
During one's student days, certain interpersonal relationships still retained a touch of innocence, not entirely corroded by money and reality.
Like today, when Sun Shaokang and Song Xi teamed up to tease Qian Quan, it wasn't something every student approved of or supported.
In any case, Qian Quan and the others released the balloons they held before sunset.
The colorful balloons fluttered in the wind, carrying the hues of love unfulfilled.
Qian Quan had decided to let go of the past and stride forward confidently.
...
At 5:30 in the afternoon, the teachers and students of Class 2 in Grade 3 gathered at the pavilion.
The farewell banquet was officially underway.
Since the college entrance exams were long over, the students had shed the reserved attitude they usually had toward their teachers. The atmosphere was relaxed, and everyone chatted and laughed.
Those who had achieved their ideal university entrance were brimming with anticipation for college life.
Those whose scores fell short of their expectations were preparing to retake the exams and fight for another year.
A few students were ready to go elsewhere for work after receiving their graduation certificates.
As they said, everyone had a bright future.
Their homeroom teacher, Mr. Tian, had too much to drink that day. He became quite sentimental, sharing many heartfelt words. In the end, with emotions stirred, he told the students that they were the best class he had ever taught...
This wasn't just a platitude but backed up by data.
In this year's college entrance exams, their class had a 93.19% acceptance rate for Tier One universities. Among them, 25 students were admitted to National Key Universities, including one to Peking University, one to Fudan University, and one to Renmin University...
However, at this moment, it was clear that Mr. Tian's words were not based on data but rather on the concentration of alcohol.
It could be seen as a form of compensation.
After all, at the beginning and middle of the semester, he had said to the same group of students, "You are the worst class I've ever taught. For the same exams, your senior brothers and sisters from the previous year performed much better than you."
It was like some dramatic structure that emphasized symmetry.
And so, the atmosphere at the scene seemed to be approaching the end of a certain comedy show, beginning to trend towards sentimentality.
Many girls shed tears, and some boys' eyes turned red.
They all promised to stay in touch and not forget each other.
Just like the song "To Riverside" sings:
"When traveling around, don't forget the summer's view of Riverside..."
After the meal, Sun Shaokang wanted to invite everyone to sing karaoke to celebrate graduation, and his no longer single.
Qian Quan and Ding Linlang naturally refused.
Holding a balloon, celebrating his goddess being with someone else, had already exceeded his embarrassment threshold. How could he go to a private karaoke room to watch them show affection? What's Sun Shaokang thinking? He was definitely not that kind of submissive simp!
The two of them decided to take a stroll around the campus.
As they wandered, they played "I Think You Guess." Basically, one person thinks of something, and the other person asks questions, to which the first person can only answer "yes" or "no," allowing the second person to guess what the first person is thinking.
Strolling along like this, they unconsciously arrived at the basketball court and saw people playing a half-court 3v3 basketball game.
They stopped to watch.
Ding Linlang asked, "Do you remember the score when we played one-on-one?"
"I don't remember." Qian Quan answered straightforwardly.
"It was 132 to 126. I was leading by six games." Ding Linlang looked at Qian Quan with a smile.
"You remember so clearly. Well, do you remember our Chinese Chess wins and losses?" Qian Quan wasn't about to back down.
"732 to 768, you're ahead by 36 games." Ding Linlang answered just as candidly, "But I'll catch up with you."
"I'll level the score in basketball too." Qian Quan said this with a hint of competitiveness.
"I look forward to it. After all, you're running out of excuses." Ding Linlang directly threw some trash talk.
From junior high until now, they had played more than two hundred one-on-one matches. Every time Qian Quan lost, he would find an excuse. Currently, his excuses included but were not limited to having a cold, not sleeping well the previous night, poor shoe quality, too tight underwear, too loose socks, the weather being too hot, being a gentleman who doesn't compete with ladies, not receiving cheers from pretty female spectators, and the ball being improperly weighted, among others.
This couldn't entirely be blamed on him; just like in the arts and literature, sports too heavily depend on innate talent. And Ding Linlang excelled in both realms.
On the field, she displayed a mastery of skill and graceful movements. The phrase "graceful as a startled swan, agile as a wandering dragon" couldn't have been a more fitting description.
At times, Qian Quan just couldn't fend her off!
"Linlang, have you ever thought about the possibility that your combative nature and intense competitive spirit might hinder your prospects of finding a husband in the future?" Qian Quan retaliated.
"Hehe, who said I'm even thinking about getting married?" Ding Linlang didn't care about his question.
Qian Quan was taken aback, suddenly realizing he had never broached this topic with Ding Linlang. After all, what kind of man discusses finding a husband with their buddies? Curiosity got the better of him, and he inquired, "Are you implying that there's no man in this world who meets your standards?"
"I'm not that presumptuous."
"So, what kind of man do you think would be a suitable match for you?"
"I haven't really given it much thought." she said, glancing at Qian Quan. "At the very least, he shouldn't be worse than you."
"Then your expectations might be a bit high."
"Tsk."
Qian Quan chuckled and said, "But if you were a guy, you'd definitely be turning heads in college."
This wasn't a compliment. Ding Linlang had a striking appearance and a tall, slender figure. Her looks overshadowed some handsome male celebrities.
To be specific, if a perfect handsomeness score was 10, Ding Linlang easily scored 9.5, half a point higher than those male celebrities and about 0.2 higher than Qian Quan.
Moreover, she was a web novelist on Wisteria, boasting a large fan base and earning a substantial income every month from her writing. If she weren't keeping her writing endeavors a secret, she wouldn't have needed to rely on her family for tuition and living expenses – she could even support them.
She could be considered someone very accomplished among her peers, making others envious.
"I can tell you're quite agitated today, actually discussing this with me." Ding Linlang noticed that Qian Quan wasn't his usual self.
Qian Quan laughed and said, "Yeah, I suddenly realized the truth today. All those oaths of eternal love and promises of everlasting devotion don't really matter. Once money comes into play, love seems to fall into place quite naturally."
"I disagree with that perspective." Ding Linlang immediately objected, "In my view, true love boils down to two options: liking or not liking."
"Oh, how would you explain that?"
"If you don't have affection for someone, driving a BMW or a Mercedes won't change things. If you do like someone, even a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce can keep you together."
"Hahaha... That's quite an insight you've got there!"
At that very moment, a notification from the system chimed in inside Qian Quan's mind.
[Ding! The system detected your father's 3,000 bonus, rewarding you with 30,000!]
Soon, his phone received a text message from the bank confirming the deposit of 30,000.
Qian Quan was left in a daze.
Could the system be this straightforward? Giving out money directly?
So, does that mean what the system mentioned earlier about "amplifying each of the father's achievements by tenfold or a hundredfold and projecting them onto the son" was referring to this?
And where did his dad's 3,000 bonus come from? Was it legal? Could it be spent?
At that moment, Qian Quan was filled with mixed emotions – surprise, excitement, confusion, worry, curiosity, anticipation...
"Let's go back."
Regaining his composure, Qian Quan decided to head home and confirm with his dad.
The two left the school and took a bus back home.
Qian Quan rushed into the house, and before he could even ask, his mother joyfully said, "Rocky, didn't you have your eyes on a pair of basketball shoes? We'll buy them for you on your birthday."
"Why?"
"The student your dad tutored participated in a poetry competition, and won second prize. Your dad got a 2,000 bonus."
"2,000? Wasn't it 3,000?" Qian Quan blurted out.
Before the echo of his words died down, his dad's icy gaze turned toward him, and at the same time, his mom's sharp gaze turned toward his dad!
The atmosphere froze in an instant.
After a while.
"Haha, you little rascal, you're too quick with your mouth! I secretly set aside 1,000 to buy your mom a handbag as a surprise. But you blew my cover in a split second, ruining my plan. Haha, you little rascal!"
At that moment, Qian Quan could hear the undertone in his dad's voice that he really wanted to give him a good thrashing right then and there.
