A Developing Dilemma

He found himself the most justifiable reason imaginable.

Being able to eat, sleep, and work was the essence of real life. He deliberately chose not to dwell on matters concerning the system.

He shook his head, hanging the freshly washed shaker cup back on its rack. Living his own life well was enough.

He recalled Jiang Chen mentioning the *League of Legends* grand finals, a clash of centuries, just last week. He suspected his friend would be glued to the computer screen tonight.

So, he instinctively shook two more cups of milk tea: one regular, and the other with less ice and a third of the sugar.

He then planned to head to the new spicy dry pot restaurant in the back alley to grab two portions of their signature beef.

Manager’s daughter, Xingyue, had been discharged from the hospital a few days prior and was now obediently sitting on a small stool backstage, drawing.

A warm cup of milk sat beside her as her tiny hands gripped colored pencils, scribbling away on the paper. Her chubby cheeks puffed out slightly with concentration, making her utterly adorable.

Zhou Yi finished packing the last delivery order, then took off his apron. He casually walked over to Xingyue and crouched down.

“Xingyue, what are you drawing today?”

The little girl looked up, her voice sweet and childlike.

“I’m drawing Milk Tea Gege!”

Zhou Yi chuckled softly, reaching out to gently ruffle her soft hair.

“Drawing me again? Well, next time, remember to add a few abs for Gege.”

Xingyue giggled, adding a few strokes of flowing long hair to her drawing.

Zhou Yi watched her small hands meticulously draw, his heart suddenly melting into a puddle.

He looked at her slender little arms, feeling a sudden tenderness. He bent down and asked softly, “Xingyue, is there anything you’d like to eat? Gege will bring it for you tomorrow.”

Xingyue lifted her head, blinked her big eyes, thought for a moment, then shook her head.

“No need!”

She then flashed him a sweet smile.

“Bye bye, Jie-jie!”

Zhou Yi stumbled, nearly losing his footing. “It’s Gege!”

Xingyue tilted her small head, gazing confusedly at his delicate face. After some serious contemplation, as if finally understanding something, she solemnly corrected herself: “Bye bye, Ge-ge Jie-jie~”

Watching the little girl’s innocent expression, Zhou Yi was utterly speechless, only able to laugh in defeat.

“Alright, alright, whatever you say.”

He decided it was pointless to argue with a three-year-old.

He gently tapped her forehead, then turned to bid the Manager farewell. “I’m off work now. See you tomorrow.”

The Manager looked up from the cash register, smiling as he reminded him, “Be careful on your way home. You worked hard today.”

Zhou Yi waved, picked up the two cups of milk tea, and exited the shop.

He turned into the dry pot restaurant in the back alley. The rich, spicy aroma wafted over, making his stomach rumble. Glancing at the vibrant pictures on the menu, he decisively ordered a medium-spicy portion.

‘It wasn’t cowardice; it was self-awareness. He really couldn’t handle extra spicy.’

Upon returning to the dorm, he indeed found Jiang Chen already stationed in front of his computer, the screen displaying a pre-final analysis. Zhou Yi placed the milk tea and the still-steaming dry pot next to him.

“Thanks,” Jiang Chen took them instinctively, his eyes quickly returning to the screen. “I’ll transfer the money later.”

“Alright, just remember not to add an extra zero again.”

Zhou Yi teased him, then, seeing that Jiang Chen was already engrossed in studying tactics, he grabbed his change of clothes and headed to the bathroom.

Hot water streamed over his body, steam enveloping the day’s fatigue.

He closed his eyes, savoring the mind-clearing relaxation.

But within seconds, he felt that something was amiss.

‘Why did it feel like they were even more prominent?’

As the warm water flowed over his skin, he looked down at the subtle undulations of his chest, suddenly recalling the terrible experience of his first system punishment.

He tentatively pressed, finding the touch soft, yet accompanied by a faint pulling sensation.

‘Holy crap, could this be… development or something?’

The thought had barely surfaced when a sharp, twisting pain shot through his lower abdomen, instantly interrupting his thoughts.

The pain felt like something was being wrung inside, coiling inward from below his navel.

“Hiss—ouch, ouch, ouch… What the hell is going on?”

Pained, he bent over, cold sweat beading on his forehead, and quickly leaned against the wall to sit on the toilet.

Strangely, once he sat down, the fierce cramping pain receded as quickly as a tide, leaving no trace. It was as if the earlier agony had been merely an illusion.

“…What’s happening?” He covered his now calm lower abdomen, filled with doubt. “Could it be that I’ve been too tired from work lately, or ate something bad?”

Or perhaps…

“Could it really be a system after-effect? Xiao Qi? Explain yourself?”

[Detecting]

[Based on player’s current physiological data… hmm… digestive system normal, blood sugar normal, body temperature slightly elevated…]

“Slightly elevated? What does that mean?”

[It means… isn’t the player showering right now~ That… water temperature affecting surface readings is perfectly normal~]

“Is-is that really how it is?” The explanation sounded plausible, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Was he truly overthinking it?

‘No, that’s not right!’ He suddenly remembered that he’d been fine every morning these past few days. Why was it only when he was about to…?

His ‘dragon’ hadn’t even raised its head; this was clearly problematic!

He’d almost forgotten how unreliable this system was. Trusting it was worse than trusting a doctor. He should find a chance to get a check-up at the hospital soon!

Outside the door, Jiang Chen’s urgent voice suddenly called out, “Are you done showering? Hurry up!”

‘The second game has started!’

“Coming, coming!” He hastily grabbed a towel, temporarily wrapping his multitude of doubts in the swirling steam.

Exiting the bathroom, he saw Jiang Chen hunched over the dry pot, eating and exhaling, his eyes red from the spice yet still fixated on the intense team fight on the screen.

Light flickered across Jiang Chen’s focused face, and the commentator’s shouts and skill sound effects filled the entire room.

“Damn, I’m watching to see if it’s Doran who feeds or the top jungler and support.” Zhou Yi wiped his hair, plopping down beside him, his eyes instantly drawn to the screen. “It’s a clash between Doran’s humanity and divinity.”

“Doran’s play was unhinged, in my opinion,” Jiang Chen commented, following suit.

“Definitely unhinged.” Zhou Yi naturally leaned over, reaching for the dry pot on Jiang Chen’s desk corner.

Jiang Chen cooperatively moved the dry pot back, making space for him, but as Zhou Yi drew close, he again caught that faint, sweet jasmine scent.

His nose twitched, and he couldn’t help but ask again, “You really didn’t change your shower gel?”

“No,” Zhou Yi replied, breaking apart his disposable chopsticks and picking up a slice of beef dripping with chili oil. “You’ve asked that question twice already, bro.”

Jiang Chen frowned, staring at Zhou Yi’s damp hair. They both used the same mint shower gel, kept side-by-side on the bathroom shelf.

Yet, the elegant jasmine scent emanating from Zhou Yi was unmistakable. And the scent had grown increasingly pronounced lately.

“Strange…” he muttered under his breath, wanting to confirm something else.

The screen suddenly exploded into a team fight. The commentator roared hoarsely:

“…the savior! Flashing into the pit with completely black vision!”