The Price of a Performance

The greasy-haired young man stared at the dessert, clearly a VIP exclusive. His expression instantly became a kaleidoscope of emotions.

Su Xiao’s mocking expression froze. She had never imagined that this seemingly ordinary takeaway bag contained a hidden dessert, one she, a frequent patron, had never even seen before.

Zhou Yi suppressed a laugh. Jiang Chen’s ability to retort had clearly improved again.

‘But… when did he prepare this dessert?’ she wondered. ‘There was definitely no box like this when we paid!’

“You’re overacting again!” she whispered, leaning closer to him.

Jiang Chen merely winked at her slyly. “A last-minute rescue,” he said, “a chicken drumstick isn’t too much to ask for, is it?”

“I’ll give you a…” Zhou Yi’s words died on her tongue as her peripheral vision caught the couple’s ashen faces. A mischievous impulse suddenly flared within her, and she reached out, linking her arm through Jiang Chen’s. “Let’s go, Brother Chen~ I want to eat the ice cream from that shop on the west side!”

Her “Brother Chen” was so soft and sticky that not only did Jiang Chen pause, but she herself almost got goosebumps. Nevertheless, the effect was outstanding. Watching the couple’s expressions crumble instantly, she couldn’t help but inwardly chuckle.

Yet, this sudden, intimate address was like a key, gently prying open a dusty corner deep within Jiang Chen’s memory. A hazy image flickered through his mind.

He almost blurted out, “Next time you pretend to be with me, remember to be more invested.”

‘Had he… said those words to someone before?’

A familiar tremor swirled in his chest, yet it was as elusive as morning mist, impossible to grasp.

He looked at Zhou Yi’s cunning eyes, and that inexplicable sense of familiarity grew increasingly intense.

“What’s wrong?” Zhou Yi asked, feeling a little uneasy under his gaze.

Jiang Chen suppressed the strange feeling in his heart, tightening his arm around her shoulder with a soft chuckle. “Nothing,” he said. “It’s just that… you acted exceptionally well.”

He masked the turmoil in his eyes, and before leaving, he didn’t forget to cast a lighthearted glance at the couple still frozen in place.

****

Only after they had exited the restaurant and rounded the street corner did Jiang Chen leisurely release his arm from around her. “Well, girlfriend?” he asked. “Was my acting acceptable?”

Zhou Yi immediately hopped half a step away, grinning as she held out her palm to him. “Performance over!” she announced. “Time to settle the acting fees?”

Jiang Chen chuckled, then, as if performing a magic trick, he pulled out the purple rice pudding dessert from the takeaway bag and gently placed it in her palm. “Your payment,” he said.

Zhou Yi gazed at the exquisite dessert in her hand, unable to suppress a giggle. “Smart move!” she declared.

“Though…” she added, nudging him with her elbow while holding the dessert. “That final blow you delivered was indeed quite dashing!”

Jiang Chen watched her triumphant little expression. The words, ‘Did I know you before?’ circled on his tongue, but ultimately, he swallowed them, letting them transform into a gentle, deep smile.

The evening breeze swept by, and for a moment, the atmosphere settled into a subtle quiet.

Zhou Yi cleared her throat, then spoke with a touch of awkwardness. “Um… I’ll transfer you the money for dinner just now.” As she spoke, she reached for her phone.

“No need,” Jiang Chen replied swiftly. “You just need to remember…”

He deliberately paused, watching her anxious little face, before slowly adding, “that you still owe me a meal.”

“Huh?” Zhou Yi’s entire face crumpled. “Still… still treating you?!”

The figures on today’s bill were still dancing before her eyes. Another such meal, and her fragile little heart truly wouldn’t be able to bear it!

Jiang Chen watched the undisguised horror and hesitation on her face, finally unable to hold back his laughter. Without further teasing, he said, “Next time, we’ll just eat whatever you want. A street stall is fine too.”

“Really?” Zhou Yi eyed him suspiciously. “Even the eight-yuan claypot rice on the third floor of the cafeteria?”

“Of course,” Jiang Chen answered casually. “If you want to eat at the cafeteria, I’ll go with you.”

“…” Zhou Yi was utterly speechless.

Her original plan was to deter him with the mention of claypot rice, yet he genuinely didn’t seem to mind the ‘hellish kitchen’ that was the cafeteria.

“Wait a minute,” she suddenly realized. “Are you trying to trick me?”

Jiang Chen replied nonchalantly, “Didn’t you say you wanted to treat me? I’m just creating an opportunity for you to repay my kindness.”

Zhou Yi unceremoniously rolled her eyes at him. “Typical you,” she scoffed. “You’re so slick, I almost slipped.”

They exchanged a glance, both unable to suppress their laughter. The night wind swept past, drawing their shadows long under the streetlights.

Zhou Yi lowered her gaze to the dessert in her hand, and suddenly, a jolt went through her.

‘Oh no!’ she thought. ‘I didn’t come out today just to eat. It’s all Jiang Chen’s fault for suddenly appearing and making me almost forget my real business.’

Recalling Li Yanze’s impenetrable attitude and the system’s inhumane punishments, the limited-edition dessert in her arms suddenly lost all its appeal.

‘Why did I let myself be tricked into taking this mission?’ she regretted deeply. ‘I knew this rotten system was never humane, yet I still let that meager reward cloud my judgment… Money smells sweet, but if you can’t get it, it’s just a drawing of a pancake!’

The painful memory of her last mission failure, where she was punished with “A-cup breasts,” was still vivid. This time, she had no idea what bizarre punishment awaited her.

‘It couldn’t be even more perverse, could it…’ A sudden unease churned in Zhou Yi’s heart at the thought.

Unable to resist, she frantically pinged the system in her mind. ‘Xiao Qi! What exactly is the failure punishment?!’

[Retrieving. Please remain calm, Player…]

Zhou Yi’s mind churned, yet she maintained a facade of nonchalance, walking alongside Jiang Chen.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Chen suddenly asked, turning his head to observe her ever-changing expression.

“Nothing!” she quickly forced a smile. “I’m just seriously thinking about… what to treat you to.”

Jiang Chen chuckled at her words. “Is that so?”

[Retrieval complete.]

‘So? What is it?’ she pressed urgently in her mind.

[According to Chapter 7, Article 3 of the System User Agreement’s supplementary clauses, to ensure the gaming experience, the punishment details will only be revealed at the moment of failure~]

Zhou Yi was almost driven to laughter by the sheer brazenness of this clause. Wasn’t that just saying nothing at all?

[Don’t be disheartened! The unknown surprises are the most exciting! Please remain optimistic, Player, and keep up the good work!]

‘So, this is like opening a blind box, huh?’ she thought. ‘There might not be a surprise, but there’ll definitely be enough frights.’

[However… what can be revealed is that the punishment options will be randomly drawn by the dice of fate, ensuring absolute fairness and impartiality~]

‘Do you have some misunderstanding of what “fair and impartial” means?’

[It’s alright, relax and enjoy the experience. Remember to give a five-star review after the game ends~]

‘…Five stars my ass!’ she fumed. ‘I’ll spam bad reviews!’

[Player, please make sure to quickly formulate a strategy plan. Target Li Yanze’s ‘simp index’ must be reduced to below 80 within this week.]

Zhou Yi suddenly felt the path ahead was bleak. ‘Is it still too late to quit now?’ she wondered. She gasped, and her foot unexpectedly stumbled.

“Careful,” Jiang Chen said, steadily supporting her elbow. “Are you alright?”

Zhou Yi hastily regained her footing, forcing a strained smile. “I, I think I just stepped on a pebble…”

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. “I thought asking you to treat me was that difficult…”

“Of course not!” she exclaimed, feigning composure as she patted her chest. “Am I really the kind of person who’d begrudge a meal?”

‘Because, Brother, it’s not just about one meal…’