The Price of a New Look

It was no exaggeration; this time, he truly seemed to have undergone a transformation, becoming undeniably more handsome.

“Hey, hey, hey, Xiao Qi, this isn’t some kind of limited-time trial card, is it? What if I revert to my old self once the trial period ends?”

The air fell silent for a second.

His phone, resting nearby, suddenly vibrated. A bank SMS prominently displayed a new deposit of 1000 yuan.

The system notification followed immediately: [Mission reward issued! Please leave a five-star review, dear~]

Zhou Yi, who had been fretting over his changed appearance just a second ago, had his attention instantly seized by those four digits.

He stared at the screen, confirming it three times, before letting out a shout and leaping up. “Holy shit! They actually paid!”

Like a madman, he burst out of the bathroom, phone held aloft, and yelled at Jiang Chen: “Brother Chen! Lunch is on me today! Order whatever you want!”

Jiang Chen, bewildered by Zhou Yi’s sudden burst of enthusiasm, asked, “Did you rob a bank last night, or win the lottery?”

“Some secrets aren’t meant to be revealed~” A beaming Zhou Yi began humming as he folded his quilt, then tidied Jiang Chen’s pillow and blanket that had yet to be put away.

Jiang Chen watched his diligent actions, raising an eyebrow. “Suddenly so domestic… you didn’t actually sell an organ, did you?”

“Sell your head!” Zhou Yi laughed, tossing the neatly folded quilt over. “This, my friend, is called… acting on behalf of heaven!”

The two of them playfully finished tidying up, then exited the dorm one after the other, heading towards the academic building.

As they walked through the tree-lined path, Jiang Chen unconsciously slowed his pace, thoughtfully falling half a step behind Zhou Yi.

He felt as though he had just accomplished something extraordinary. Within his chest, a vague sense of achievement still resonated, along with an inexplicable… flutter?

Yet, when he tried to recall the specific event, his memory was shrouded in a thick fog, unable to grasp any clear images, leaving only an empty yet tangible sensation.

He shook his head, attempting to dispel the strange feeling. But as he raised his eyes to see Zhou Yi’s back ahead, that unsettling sensation surged within him once more.

The way Zhou Yi walked seemed different than usual. Gone was his typical carefree swagger, replaced by an indescribable lightness.

He stroked his chin, finding it stranger the more he thought about it, an unidentifiable sense of discord lingering in his heart.

Just then, that elusive flutter of memory resurfaced.

“Zhou Yi,” he suddenly called out to the person ahead, “Do you believe in love at first sight?”

Zhou Yi immediately turned, his eyes lighting up as his gossip-loving soul ignited. “Holy shit! The iron tree has bloomed? Which girl is so incredible?”

“I’m not sure,” Jiang Chen replied with a wry smile, shaking his head.

“Tsk, boring!” Zhou Yi forcefully clapped him on the shoulder. “But you must remember their appearance, right? Long hair or short? Which department are they from?”

Jiang Chen’s voice was somewhat ethereal. “I can’t even remember… if it was a man or a woman.”

Zhou Yi froze instantly at these words. He stared at Jiang Chen for a long moment before bursting into laughter. “Brother Chen, could it be that your symptoms mean… spring has arrived?”

“I don’t know,” Jiang Chen suddenly paused, a hint of confusion in his eyes. “It’s like I had a dream, and now that I’ve woken up, I can’t grasp anything.”

Just as Zhou Yi was about to press for more details, a series of notification sounds suddenly rang from Jiang Chen’s phone.

He ‘tsk’ed, tapped his phone open, and upon seeing the displayed content, his brows involuntarily furrowed.

Zhou Yi, who had walked a few steps ahead, turned back and curiously leaned closer. “Who is it? You’re so engrossed…”

Jiang Chen silently pressed his phone screen off. “…Nothing, just some spam notifications.”

“You’re lying!” Zhou Yi nudged him with his elbow. “It must be some girl…”

Before Zhou Yi could press further, Jiang Chen grabbed his backpack strap and pulled him forward. “Hurry up! If we dawdle any longer, we won’t get good seats!”

****

During class, Zhou Yi secretly observed Chen Hao from across the aisle.

Compared to his dejected and frustrated demeanor yesterday, today’s Chen Hao was like a completely different person.

Although a trace of fatigue still lingered between his brows, his entire aura had distinctly changed.

Chen Hao himself found it unbelievable. Only one night had passed, yet it felt as though his mind had suddenly been replaced.

The fantasies and affections he had once poured into Lin Yating, the self-deceiving hints and conjectures, now felt like a lifetime ago when he recalled them.

It was as if he had been under a spell, a delusion both vain and absurd.

Only now, having sobered up, did he realize how many foolish things he had done over the past days.

He barely remembered when exactly, or with what feelings, he had clicked to confirm that transfer. It felt like a long, chaotic dream, and upon waking, the heavy burden on his chest had suddenly vanished.

While Zhou Yi knew that a hundred days were needed for bones to heal, and that emotional wounds wouldn’t mend quickly, he could sense that the despair clinging to Chen Hao had dissipated, replaced by a long-lost clarity and renewed vigor.

Seeing him pick himself up, Zhou Yi’s nose suddenly felt a little raw.

‘Xiao Qi,’ he couldn’t help but ask the system inwardly, ‘Can you check Chen Hao’s current status?’

[Ding-dong~ Target character ‘Chen Hao’s’ real-time status updated!]

[Debt Status: All high-risk online loans cleared! Credit card outstanding balance reduced to 3821 yuan!]

[Part-time Job Intensity: Adjusted to 4 times a week, balancing work and rest~ Monthly income estimated to reach 1600 yuan!]

[Simp Index: Cleared!]

[School Handling: In light of proactively repaying debts and demonstrating a proper attitude, the Counselor will temporarily not issue disciplinary action! The school will continue to assist in managing negative public opinion to ensure his normal academic and daily life!]

Gazing at the clearly listed, comprehensively positive data on the virtual screen before him, Zhou Yi couldn’t help but curve his lips into a relieved, fatherly smile.

The function curves that Old Zhang was passionately explaining at the podium, in Zhou Yi’s eyes, transformed into Chen Hao’s life ‘K-line’ chart, showing a rebound from rock bottom.

“What are you grinning about?” Jiang Chen suddenly poked his hand with a pen. “Old Zhang’s been watching you for ages.”

Zhou Yi hastily lowered his head, pretending to take notes, but then suddenly remembered something. He secretly picked up his phone under the desk and sent a message to the bubble tea shop manager:

[Manager, I can come to work tonight! So sorry about the past few days QAQ]

No sooner had the message been sent than its status changed to [Read]. The manager instantly replied with three rapid messages:

[!!! You actually remember to come back!]

[The relief worker said she was going to send you razor blades!]

[There’s a new product tasting event today, remember to come half an hour early for training.]

Zhou Yi looked at the screen full of exclamation marks, almost able to picture the manager’s exasperated expression. He guiltily rubbed his nose, replied with a pleading cat emoji, and prepared to lock his screen.

[Ding~ Player, please look here!]

Unexpectedly, the system’s untimely voice suddenly chimed.

[Strongly recommend player to accept new system missions! Isn’t earning mission rewards better than shaking bubble tea? Enjoy the joy of easily gaining four-digit sums~]

Zhou Yi, expressionless, mentally flipped the bird. ‘Trying to trick me into working for free again? Get lost!’