Cheng Yu sucked in a sharp breath inwardly. He wished he could instantly put a hundred meters between himself and Suzhan Yue, never to see her again.

What kind of person was she? In less than an hour, this woman had already triggered two options.

Just glancing at the rewards behind them made Cheng Yu’s scalp prickle.

Suxia Energy Company… wasn’t that the largest private energy firm in the country? Those 5% shares could set him up for ten lifetimes of worry-free living. And this woman shared the surname Su—could she be a top executive’s daughter?

A National Scholarship spot… equally obvious. It wasn’t just material gain but an honor—something students strived four years for without securing. Now, all it took was picking up a few broken medicine bottles?

And this “Proficiency in C Language”… another superpower. Normally, superpowers were rare, appearing once in dozens of options. Why did they become so commonplace before her?

The richer the rewards, the more alarming Cheng Yu found them.

He could almost see a gleaming cleaver beckoning to him.

Beyond “utterly terrifying,” Cheng Yu had no words for Suzhan Yue. He frantically chanted “DDDD” in his heart. Finally, the familiar feeling returned.

Cheng Yu let out a long breath. Meeting Suzhan Yue’s expectant little eyes, he said with utmost seriousness:

“But I refuse.”

Suzhan Yue’s smile froze on her face. For a moment, she looked utterly flustered.

She opened her mouth, letting out dry “ahs” and “ums” before stammering:

“W-why…”

“No reason. I don’t want to pick them up for you. Do I need one?”

Cheng Yu suppressed his emotions, forcing a cold demeanor as he spoke to her:

“You seem mistaken about our relationship, classmate Suzhan Yue. I only overheard your name earlier and have a slight impression of you.

I don’t consider us friends now, nor do I owe you help. Solve your own problems. Pick up your own dropped things. Is that so hard?”

“…But even if we’re not friends, shouldn’t we help each other…”

“Then you misunderstand me.”

Cheng Yu impatiently cut off her timid words, continuing icily:

“I’m cold-natured. I won’t lift a finger for anyone outside my friends—not even for trivial tasks.

Besides, classmate Suzhan Yue, you bumped into me first and knocked your things over. Since it was your mistake, you didn’t apologize. Yet you expect me to bend down and clean up.

Isn’t that excessive?

You know why I say I’m cold-natured? My legs aren’t agile. I can’t bend.

Pick them up yourself or find someone else. I’m leaving.”

[Task completed by host. Reward: 1 point of Charisma.]

As Cheng Yu finished, a cold system announcement echoed in his mind. His trouble was temporarily over.

Yet, seeing Suzhan Yue’s tearful, pitiful expression, indescribable guilt spread through him.

Damn, did I go too far… No, Cheng Yu, stay calm. Don’t be bewitched by beauty. If you’re not ruthless, that cleaver will be for you.

He repeated this inwardly. Unable to bear her sorrowful face, he steeled his heart, turned, and walked into the campus clinic, back turned to her.

No sooner had he entered than urgent shouts came from behind:

“Look, Suzhan Yue’s there!”

“Zhan Yue, what’s wrong? Why the clinic? Are you unwell?”

“Ah, did she get hurt falling? We failed to protect Princess Yueyue—we’re worthless!!!”

Close call…

Cheng Yu patted his chest, sighing in relief again.

He instantly grasped the consequences of the first three options. If those guys saw him alone with Suzhan Yue, their emotions might drive them to tie him up as a “heretic.”

No… they’d probably cleaver him outright.

Why was this huge Computer Science department full of such weird students…

Guilt vanished, replaced by post-disaster relief. He silently vowed to avoid this major’s students. Pushing thoughts aside, he hurried to get cold medicine for his roommate.

Outside the clinic, Suzhan Yue hung her head like a dejected puppy, unhappiness plain on her face.

The surrounding boys hadn’t seen what happened. Assuming she was upset over spilled medicine, they scrambled to pick up the bottles.

Only Suzhan Yue knew she felt wronged.

Cheng Yu’s guess was correct: Suzhan Yue was the daughter of Suxia Energy’s chairman.

With two older brothers and one sister, she’d been raised in honey—carefree, spoiled, always the center of attention, receiving the finest education.

Gently treated by the world since childhood, she couldn’t grasp Cheng Yu’s logic.

Why refuse her? Shouldn’t he help her kindly like her classmates, and she’d return the favor?

Suzhan Yue replayed his every word in her mind, scrutinizing each one.

[…I’m cold-natured. I won’t help anyone outside my friends…]

Her eyes suddenly lit up.

She’d grasped the crux: he refused because she wasn’t his friend.

So, if she became his friend, would he help her mutually!?

Under everyone’s gaze, Suzhan Yue shook off her gloom. A warm, energetic smile bloomed on her face—like spring’s first dawn.

“I’m fine, everyone. Don’t worry. My roommate’s hurt, so I came for medicine.”

To spare them worry, she spun a white lie. In return came even more fervent shouts:

“My goodness… Suzhan Yue, you’re too kind!”

“Meeting such an angel is a blessing for my university years!”

“Yueyue isn’t a princess—she’s a true goddess!”

“Goddess Yueyue, awoooohhh!!!!”

The boys erupted in deafening cheers. Even the clinic nurse, visibly exasperated, warned them to quiet down at the entrance.

Unnoticed, Suzhan Yue clenched her little fist amid the crowd, resolve hardening.

Next time… I must, must make him see me as a friend!

The girl vowed this inwardly.

…But, what was his name again?

…………

Outside events no longer concerned Cheng Yu. After buying medicine, he lounged in the clinic, idly scrolling his phone.

Only when certain the entrance was clear did he sigh in relief and slowly step out.

He hadn’t expected it—moments later, a snort of laughter came from behind, followed by a disdainful voice:

“Hey, Cheng Yu. I’ve been searching all afternoon. How could you leave without a word?”