The Price of Ultimate Heart-Throb

“To achieve an ultimate heart-throb with a bound character, the player must meet the following conditions: 1. Deepen the emotional bond between the player and the character! 2. Live and die together…”

Stop!

Jiang Zhe tried his best to keep his expression neutral, but his mind had already slammed on the brakes. Just hearing the words “live and die together” was enough for him to realize how difficult it would be to achieve an ultimate heart-throb and extend the Heartbeat Value storage pool.

Modern relationships were often derided as “fast food love,” unlike the slow pace of old, where one person was enough for a lifetime.

Even though Jiang Zhe considered his own ability to fall in love an unexpected miracle, ruling out any fickle tendencies, asking him—who had already died once—to undergo a life-and-death emotional trial was simply too much.

By nature, Jiang Zhe was a calm, even aloof, individual. His independent upbringing had accustomed him to solitude; he wasn’t even particularly close to his own family.

When necessary, he was ruthless enough to use himself as bait, let alone anyone else.

It wasn’t that he didn’t care for Ning Ran, but having never truly loved before, he was unsure of the extent of his own capabilities. As things stood, he couldn’t bring himself to die for Ning Ran. Their relationship was too new, their feelings not yet deep enough to entrust their lives to one another.

Yet, he didn’t assume he would always remain this way. The future held uncertainties; perhaps he might indeed go mad with love.

It all depended on what was to come.

Thus, no matter how detailed the mechanical prompt became, Jiang Zhe saw no need to continue listening.

Three days of restriction were acceptable; at least it wasn’t a “game over” in a single day.

The Great Wall wasn’t built in a day, and Jiang Zhe understood that this matter couldn’t be rushed. Instead, he needed to reverse his current disadvantage and escape his “powerless” state.

He couldn’t remain “unknown” at Fenghua High. Relying solely on good looks wouldn’t last. Since he lacked a powerful background to lean on, he would have to create his own momentum.

Had Jiang Zhe been his original self, the events of the past two days would have unfolded quite differently.

He would have been overestimating himself, subjected to bullying.

Of course, if the game’s plot had unfolded as intended, Jiang Zhe would have benefited from the female lead’s halo, facing few difficulties. However, the price would have been a cuckold’s cap, deeply in love with the female lead like a complete fool.

At this moment, Jiang Zhe was immensely grateful for his “timely awakening.” After a thorough analysis, he realized that establishing a firm footing at Fenghua High wasn’t actually difficult for him.

There was a unique shortcut.

Although Fenghua High didn’t lack talented individuals, even a private high school was still a high school. Countless competitions required outstanding students to win honor for the institution.

Due to Fenghua High’s unique nature and vast wealth, its principal also possessed a significant background. Otherwise, it would be impossible to so easily manage the various powerful and affluent second-generation students.

Each year, a cohort of children from influential families graduated from Fenghua High, forming a formidable network of connections. It could be said that a large portion of the country’s upper echelons had graduated from Fenghua High, using their alumni ties to facilitate business and other transactions with remarkable smoothness.

Precisely for this reason, in the Heartbeat Love game, the Fenghua principal was a crucial NPC. Two of the five male leads vied to curry favor, increasing their bargaining chips in their family power struggles.

Among them was an old acquaintance Jiang Zhe recognized: Lin Moshu.

Compared to the two male leads who racked their brains to please the principal, initially fumbling to gain their favor, Jiang Zhe, with his game bug, didn’t need to take a roundabout path. He could precisely target the principal’s needs and hit the mark with a single strike.

Indeed, it was about academic performance, especially for top students.

More accurately, it was about students who could bring honor to the school, winning first place in various competitions. Few people knew this particular detail.

Before transmigrating into the game, Jiang Zhe had heard his niece constantly chatter about how the Fenghua principal secretly deleted and topped posts for the male and female leads on the school forum, which was incredibly heartwarming and created a stark contrast to his stern, rigid image.

So, after entering the game, he would occasionally browse the school forum and found many “essence” tagged posts featuring students who had won first place in various competitions.

The school forum was primarily managed by graduating students, but that didn’t mean there were no teachers involved.

The Fenghua principal also quietly blended in.

Those “essence” posts highlighting excellent achievements were the principal’s handiwork. However, perhaps the principal’s usual serious demeanor was too intimidating, preventing students from ever suspecting that their principal managed the school forum, checking new and hot posts daily.

He would even pose as a new user, posting and replying, engaging with the students.

However, despite the Fenghua principal’s “enjoying himself with the common people” facade, he had a distinct approach to excellent students. For those who won first place in competitions, he was as warm as a spring breeze. For second place, he offered encouragement. Third place received a reluctant compliment. And for students with lower rankings, he remained utterly expressionless, strictly maintaining his stern face without revealing any other emotions.

Among them, Ning Ran, who had won the most first places in various competitions for the sophomore year, received exceptional attention.

Previously, when Ning Ran got into trouble at school, it was easily resolved without a ripple. Everyone assumed it was due to her powerful family, but in reality, it was the principal’s special care.

However, in the middle of the game’s plot, Ning Ran, the villainous female supporting character, opposed the male and female leads, leading her to neglect her studies and competitions. Constantly battling them, she ruined the principal’s good impression, causing him to abandon Ning Ran and choose the male and female leads instead.

Jiang Zhe analyzed the situation carefully, concluding that the principal was a realist, with eyes only for first place.

Second place had already lost the qualification to enter the observation period.

Therefore, he didn’t need to do anything extraordinary. By steadily improving his grades and bringing honor to the school, he would naturally gain the Fenghua principal’s “attention.”

This would also allow him to secure protection from the physical education teacher, Wang Yi, killing two birds with one stone.

So, for the upcoming monthly exam, he needed an opportunity to “change himself.” This way, winning competitions wouldn’t seem abrupt or arouse suspicion.

“You know that’s true. So many people want to be my friend but can’t. You becoming my friend means you’ve burned high incense, so you’d better treat me well. I’ll watch your performance from now on.”

Ning Ran’s cheeks were still flushed. Even as she tried to act haughty again, her usual impact was much diminished.

Instead, Jiang Zhe felt an urge to tease her.

However, they had already taken a significant step forward today. To push further would be too reckless.

It was better to proceed steadily.

Jiang Zhe snapped out of his thoughts. Seeing that the “battery” on his wrist was fully charged, he knew he couldn’t continue being “disrespectful.” This prompted a shy smile from him, his lips curving into a soft, sweet, and harmless expression.

He nodded at Ning Ran. As he released her hand, he immediately pledged his loyalty. “I’ll treat you well.”

“…”

Yet, hearing these words, Ning Ran couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. It was easy to misunderstand, but she couldn’t refute it, as she had initiated the conversation, and Jiang Zhe was merely following along.

“Hmph, don’t just say pretty words. We’ll have plenty of time together in the future. I’ll constantly observe whether you’re suitable as a friend. So don’t get happy too soon; your friendship is still under probation.”

Eager to break the awkwardness, Ning Ran immediately stood up from her seat, leaning over the table towards Jiang Zhe with both hands. Accidentally, she got too close, leaving only a fist’s distance between them.

Their gazes met. In that instant, the lounge fell completely silent.