Xiao Mu had just started prepping dinner when Chuxingyue walked in.

“Sister Xingyue, I literally just began—how’d you get here so fast?” Xiao Mu asked with a smile.

Chuxingyue looked slightly flustered. “I… wanted you to teach me how to cook. Is that okay?”

“Of course! Come on, I’ll show you the basics of knife skills first.” He pulled out a potato and demonstrated. Thin, perfectly even shreds fell effortlessly under his blade.

“Wow, amazing!” Chuxingyue stared at the neat pile, utterly impressed.

“Your turn.” Xiao Mu handed her the knife. “Be careful.”

Chuxingyue sliced slowly—but produced only lopsided chunks. She shot him a helpless look.

Xiao Mu stepped behind her, gently guiding her right hand. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, “Like this, Sister Xingyue.”

Her body stiffened instantly. His breath brushed her ear; her heart hammered. Her face flushed crimson—adorably apple-red.

Too close… Why so close all of a sudden…

She didn’t dare move, letting him lead her hand stroke by stroke through the potato.

She stole a glance. He was completely focused, murmuring details about the cut.

They say a man is most handsome when serious—and right now, she felt it.

Xiao Mu wasn’t strikingly handsome, but quietly appealing. His eyes held her most—deep, unwavering focus… genuinely captivating.

Chuxingyue had never been the fangirl type. Surrounded by handsome guys her whole life, she’d grown immune. But Xiao Mu’s eyes? The most beautiful she’d ever seen. Zero resistance. She just wanted to keep looking… and looking…

*Ding!* Chuxingyue’s favorability toward the Host increased by 2 points. Keep it up!

Hearing the system prompt, Xiao Mu knew his moment had come.

“Sister Xingyue, did any of that make sense?”

He turned his head. Too late—Chuxingyue’s gaze locked straight with his.

Silence fell.

So close they could hear each other breathe.

Palms damp, heart racing, she tried to look away—but her body refused. Trapped in his eyes.

Would he… kiss me?

Her mind spun. *This feels like a drama scene… the hero leans in…*

But we just met today! Too soon? Should I refuse? What if he gets hurt?

Ahhh… what do I do?!

Xiao Mu was nervous too—far from calm.

*Should I kiss her? Perfect chance… but too fast? What if she hates me?*

Both silent, lost in thought.

“System, what now?”

“Recommendation: Gently ask, ‘Still stuck?’ Steadily raises favorability. Save kissing for 80+.”

Trusting the system, Xiao Mu softened his voice. “Sister Xingyue… still not getting it?”

“Y-yes… not really,” she murmured, head down. *Phew…*

*Ding!* Favorability +3. Total: 79. Keep it up!

Worth it. Another huge step forward.

He cooked while teaching—only five or six dishes, yet over an hour passed. For Xiao Mu, every minute was wonderfully sweet.

“Mmm, smells incredible!” Chuxingyue inhaled deeply, eyes sparkling with eagerness.

“No need to be shy—dig in,” Xiao Mu smiled.

“Mm-hmm!”

They ate, chatting and laughing. Warm, easy harmony.

“Ohhh, so full! Haven’t eaten this much in ages. All your fault—so delicious I couldn’t stop!” She patted her stomach casually.

“Alright, alright, my fault,” Xiao Mu chuckled, shaking his head. Women!

“Xiao Mu, I’ll never survive without your cooking. What do I do?” she teased.

“Then I’ll cook for Sister Xingyue forever,” he said without hesitation.

A hint of sweetness bloomed in her chest—but she kept a stern face. “No. Save that for your future girlfriend.”

*Ding!* Favorability +1. Keep it up!

“I’ll find someone like Sister Xingyue!” Xiao Mu blurted, heat rushing to his face. *Oops—system didn’t stop me!*

Her heart leaped. *W-was that a confession?!* Panic fluttered.

Seeing her flush, Xiao Mu backtracked fast. “I meant… I’d want a girlfriend *like* Sister Xingyue. Don’t misunderstand!”

A tiny flicker of disappointment—quickly masked. “Why someone like me? I’m not that great.”

“You’re kind. Honestly… I really like you, Sister Xingyue.”

“R-really? Thank you.” Uncertain what “like” meant—but still, warmth spread.

After more chatting, Chuxingyue left. It was late.

Xiao Mu didn’t stop her. Progress was enough. These things take time.

He exhaled softly. Today felt unreal: gaining the Goddess Conquest System, raising Chuxingyue’s favorability to 80…

Eighty points… Does that count as *like*?

Before, he’d never dreamed a girl—especially someone like Chuxingyue, a stunning beauty—would ever notice him.

All thanks to the system. Without it? Still that invisible nobody.

As night fell, he whispered *good night* to the system… and drifted into deep sleep.

…

Next morning, after breakfast, Xiao Mu rode his bike to school.

Every girl who saw him held her gaze at least five seconds.

He’d meet their eyes, smile warmly. Watching blushes bloom on their faces? One word filled his chest: *Thrilling.*

He entered class as usual. Three-quarters full. Girls chatting nearby froze, eyes wide.

“Look! Isn’t that Xiao Mu? His eyes are so captivating now!”

“Seriously charming!”

“Huh… he’s actually kinda handsome!”

Xiao Mu ignored them. His focus: Lin Hanyun, seated behind him—one of the school’s Four Campus Beauties.

A true ice beauty. Unlike Chuxingyue (cool outside, gentle within), Lin Hanyun was icy to all—and rumored to have “violent tendencies,” ready to throw punches at a wrong word.

She sat perfectly still. Raven-black hair flowed down her back. Delicate oval face, clear eyes utterly calm. An aura screamed: *Do not approach.*

Sensing his gaze, she lifted her eyes.

*Ding!* Second Goddess discovered: Lin Hanyun. Difficulty: 4.5 stars. Initial favorability: 50.

*Ding!* Lin Hanyun’s favorability +2. Keep it up!

Only 50? Chuxingyue started around 60… Difficulty difference?

“Good morning,” Xiao Mu offered a friendly smile.

Before, she’d ignore him. Now—she gave a slight nod.

Gasps rippled through watching girls. *Lin Hanyun… nodded to Xiao Mu?! Impossible!*

Xiao Mu sat calmly, opened a book.

Before he settled—

*BANG!*

A hand slammed the desk. He looked up.

Yellow-dyed hair, edgy non-mainstream style: Xu Judong, his classmate.

“Look! ‘Ji Shao’’s confronting Xiao Mu!”

“Saw Lin Hanyun nod, huh?”

“Jealous fool. Can’t win her, won’t let others near.”

“Shh—keep it down or you’re dead…”

Xu Judong glared. Four lackeys sneered behind him.

*Trying to scare me? Not happening.*

Xiao Mu stayed perfectly calm. *Ji Shao… Xu Judong? One of Huazhong’s Four Young Masters…*

Before, he’d tremble. Now? A quiet thrill sparked. This was getting interesting.