Chapter 13

[Ding, the male protagonist Lin Ming felt a wave of sadness upon hearing the news of his supporter, Mr. Hu's untimely death! Protagonist's halo - 60! Host's luck points +60! Ability points +6!]

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[Wang Haoran: Host of "Villain Counterattack System"

Luck points: 480

Ability points: 0

Force: 140

Constitution: 105

Mental strength: 210

Charisma: 100

Skills: Appraisal; Capture; Ability Shield

Item: None]

"System, Lin Ming's 'good big brother' is gone, and he only loses 60 of his protagonist halo? That's the same as his three kowtows from yesterday!"

[When a "good brother" disappears, there's always another one waiting. But a kowtow is a personal humiliation—so it costs a bit more!]

"True. System, give me ten lucky draws in a row!"

With 300 luck points required for ten consecutive draws, Wang Haoran set aside the remaining 180 to cover any emergencies.

[Confirmed! Shua-shua—ding!]

"System, did you just do the sound effects yourself? And for the lottery, too?"

As a glimmering light flashed, ten items appeared before Wang Haoran.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for the following rewards: ability point +2; ability point +3; skill - burst lv1; ability point +5; ability point +4; ability point +6; item - strengthening pill; ability point +2; ability point +2; skill - enhanced perception]

Wang Haoran eyed the strengthening pill. It looked like a dark clay pellet, unappealing, but he forced himself to swallow it, trying to ignore the bitterness. Soon, a warm current coursed through him.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for gaining +10 strength! Constitution +10!]

"System, allocate all my remaining ability points to force!"

[Confirmed!]

With Lin Ming's protagonist halo now reduced to 360, Wang Haoran was ready to boost his power and close the gap.

After all, with five lives of experience, he could predict Lin Ming's moves. All he needed was enough strength to tip the scales in any direct confrontation.

He glanced at his updated panel:

[Wang Haoran: Host of "Villain Counterattack System"

Luck points: 180

Ability points: 0

Force: 165

Constitution: 115

Mental strength: 210

Charisma: 100

Skills: Appraisal; Capture; Ability Shield; Burst lv1 (temporarily increases force by 10%, but causes weakness afterward); Enhanced Perception (amplifies the five senses proportionally to the host's mental strength)

Item: none]

Stretching, Wang Haoran got up to prepare for his next task. He had an appointment that afternoon.

After turning down Liu Yunshuang's invitation, she'd been calling him daily, asking for his help. Today, she wanted him to persuade a female student she said was "misguided" by Lin Ming.

Of course, Wang Haoran knew she meant Xia Xinyan. Though he planned to handle things solo, he wasn't about to let the protagonist's romance flourish.

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At First High School, Lin Ming sat by the window, doing nothing. A few minutes before the bell, he stared intently at Xia Xinyan's back, daydreaming.

"My future wife… so beautiful…"

He drooled, his laughter tinged with infatuation. "Heh heh heh…"

It was math class, and the teacher was an elderly man, droning at the board, so Lin Ming couldn't bring himself to pay attention.

If Liu Yunshuang were teaching, though, Lin Ming would transform into "the model student," listening intently.

Recently, however, Liu Yunshuang had been cold toward him, even outright dismissive. Lin Ming found it baffling. All he'd done was crack a harmless joke!

Lin Ming went so far as to bandage his head, aiming to tell Liu Yunshuang that he'd been forced into kowtowing by Wang Haoran.

The story, he thought, would portray him as the pitiful underdog, bullied and pressured, but ultimately forced to "reluctantly yield" to authority.

It was a bruised ego but one he hoped Liu Yunshuang would sympathize with, intensifying her dislike for Wang Haoran.

In reality, the injury on his head was genuine.

But Liu Yunshuang hadn't given him the chance to play the victim.

Foiled, Lin Ming turned his attention to Xia Xinyan. Yesterday, he'd been frustrated when his x-ray vision failed him, leaving him sleepless.

This morning, though, he'd been relieved to find his ability restored. The grief over Mr. Hu's "falling from the building while absconding" was nearly forgotten.

He figured his power had temporarily worn out and needed rest—a warning to conserve it for his big exams.

When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class, Lin Ming eagerly moved toward Xia Xinyan's desk.

"Xia Xuewei, I didn't quite understand the teacher's explanation on that last problem. Can you help me?"

The students glanced at Lin Ming with distaste but held back, unwilling to waste words on someone so shameless.

As they expected, Lin Ming ignored their disdain, seeing it as a point of pride.

Envy me, admire me! Ha! Wait until the college entrance exams are over, and I'll hold Xia Xinyan in my arms!

He knew others in the class also liked Xia Xinyan, but pressures from parents and teachers kept them silent.

But Lin Ming didn't care—he was unrestrained, and his approach had its advantages.

In high school, everyone was cautious, hesitant about romance. In college or later, though, people became bold, even aggressive in love.

Some would chase their crushes openly, others even undeterred if the person already had a partner.