Why does love at first sight even exist in the human world?

They say love is humanity’s most beautiful treasure—the holiest, most sacred thing in life—worthy of endless praise.

But.

Does love even exist?

Back to the original question: Why does love at first sight exist?

Take this example: In a sea of people, a girl spots him instantly. Crisp plaid shirt. Jeans hugging long legs. Earphones grazing his collarbone. Sharp jawline, perfect hair.

She falls head over heels.

So—what exactly did she fall for?

His soul? His personality? No. She’s never even spoken to him. Those inner qualities don’t exist to her yet.

And don’t give me that fate-and-destiny nonsense. If that were real, there’d be no singles left on Earth.

Enough. Stop sugarcoating it.

"Love at first sight" is just a polite version of lust at first sight.

For me, love boils down to three things.

First: Looks. Fifty percent of the equation.

Modern youth shout about "finding one person to grow old with," swearing eternal vows. That fairy-tale fluff? Just a fig leaf.

If they met a toothless grandpa or grandma, they’d feel zero romantic spark.

And those Cinderella stories—poor boys with rich heiresses? Pure fantasy. Even in "realistic" versions, the underdog always has decent looks. No one writes about Prince Charming falling for Sister Feng’s pockmarked face or a billionaire heiress swooning over a short, creepy guy. That’d insult my IQ.

So yes—looks are the foundation. The deciding factor.

Second: Background. Thirty-five percent.

If you ever hear of a stunning beauty dating an ugly, short guy? Don’t doubt it. That’s not love. That’s Jack Ma.

Money and status can rewrite how people see beauty. Be a king or emperor—even if you look like Zhu Yuanzhang from history books—women will throw themselves at you.

But that’s not love. It’s a contract.

You get my wealth and status. I get your body and my ego stroked.

Fair. Logical. Undeniable.

Finally—the thing people preach about most—is actually the least influential.

Personality. Or "soul." Values.

Let’s generously give all three combined fifteen percent.

Truth is: If a girl dumps you for another guy, first ask—*is he hotter than me?*

If not, second question: *Is he rich? Or do his parents hold power? Does he flash cash and treat friends lavishly?*

Because she’ll never admit either reason when you break up.

Her answer will always be the script:

*"Sorry. We’re just not compatible."*

Heh. Believe that, and you’re a fool.

—

—

But that’s not my point.

In ordinary campus life, you won’t find idol-drama-level heartthrobs or Mary Sue billionaires. Even the "handsome" or "rich" kids here are nowhere near novel-tier extremes.

So the first two factors matter less. Which means the third—personality—can actually sway love sometimes.

Like a girl with no hot or rich suitors. If a plain-looking but gentle, easygoing guy confesses? Eighty percent chance she’ll say yes.

The key? Making her see you as harmless boyfriend material.

That depends on emotional intelligence. High EQ guys win hearts effortlessly.

But if yours is… lacking?

There are ways.

Psychology teaches us: Cognition—how we process info through senses, memory, thought. Emotion—how we feel about things. Will—how we set goals and push through obstacles. These three shape the human mind.

Influence one, and you influence the whole. Like therapists do.

So… what if we applied that to romance?

Especially when a high-IQ, high-EQ manipulator—with a grudge—twists those strings?

Imagine turning happy couples into suspicious strangers. Shattering their love.

Then making them fall for new people.

Or forcing two random people together…

Only to destroy that bond yourself.

Heh. Terrifying.

But thrilling enough to make your blood sing.

—

—

"Humans’ minds are easily swayed. With skill, you leave no trace."

"You could sabotage a happy couple with dirty tricks—make them hate each other, break up—and they’d *thank* you for ‘opening their eyes.’"

"This isn’t basic psychology. Only chosen ones like me can do it. Masters of reading people. Geniuses in EQ and IQ."

"*This* is my superpower."

"Love Manipulation!" Chen Yuzhe pushed his glasses up his nose, a devilish smirk curling his lips.

"Who’d believe that crap?! It’s college—when will you graduate from chuunibyo, you damn weeb?!" Han Cheng lazily twirled his blueberry tea straw, gaze drifting out the window. "Anyway… skipping class on day one just to drink boba? Seriously?"

"Eh, skipping *is* college life." Chen Yuzhe laced his fingers behind his head, staring at the ceiling. "But *you* showing up? Weird. We just saw each other over summer break."

"Scouted a cute underclassman already? Needing relationship advice?"

Han Cheng waved a hand dismissively. "Cut the jokes. You know STEM schools are guy deserts. Finding a girl to even *talk* to is sci-fi. If I had options, I wouldn’t be here."

Chen Yuzhe leaned forward. "Wait—you suddenly want a girlfriend? You always called relationships a hassle."

"No choice." Han Cheng scratched his head. "Steam’s flooded with AAA games lately. Blew my allowance. Can’t ask my parents for more cash without a solid excuse."

Ah. Chen Yuzhe got it instantly. Han Cheng’s family was well-off—especially his mom, who’d been begging him to bring home a girlfriend. One text saying *"I have a campus sweetheart!"* and cash would flood his account.

"Just pretend for a while. Break up later if it sucks."

*Exactly.* This was why they clicked.

In Chen Yuzhe’s eyes, Han Cheng was the ultimate pretty-boy player: handsome, top grades, athletic, rich—and cycling through girlfriends since middle school. None ever mattered. Just tools. Shields.

Chen Yuzhe didn’t judge. He *admired* it.

If God gave you looks to weaponize against girls… why not use them?

"So love? It’s kid stuff. Believe it, and you’ve trapped yourself in a mental cage." Chen Yuzhe’s tone shifted. "But your plan… needs to wait."

"Huh? Why?!" Han Cheng’s face fell. "Your normal school’s got ten girls for every guy! Plenty of pretty ones you’re not using—share a few!"

"It’s not about sharing!" Chen Yuzhe adjusted his glasses. "I’ve barely spoken to girls in my class or year. Didn’t even know most names until recently."

Han Cheng stared like he’d spotted an alien. "*You?* The infamous ‘Love Scumbag’ doesn’t know his own classmates? Are you kidding me? What did you even *do* all freshman year?"

Chen Yuzhe’s cheeks flushed slightly. "Well…"

"You *did* mention all those great Steam games lately…"

"So?"

"I platinumed *Zelda: Breath of the Wild* and fifteen other titles."

"You grinded games in your dorm *all year*?!"

"Low profile," Chen Yuzhe said smoothly. "Gathering intel. Didn’t want to blow my cover too soon."

"The real show starts this semester."

Han Cheng watched his friend’s sudden shift in demeanor. He sighed, smiling wryly.

"Figures."

"You really are…"

"The worst kind of villain." Han Cheng grinned.

—

—

Yes.

True love doesn’t exist. That was Chen Yuzhe’s creed.

Young love was just a life sim—meant to be hacked.

And if the hacker—the "Love Manipulator"—was a twisted, vengeful madman?

Wouldn’t that make this dull campus life…

Just a little more fun?