An Han had already pulled out his phone to call Ren Chi—when a sudden idea lit up his mind.
“Wait! If I solve this trouble my own way, I won’t complete the task *or* run into difficulties!”
“This is a system bug! Who says I have to follow the system’s tasks?”
He immediately dialed Su Peng.
“I’m busy. Won’t be back on campus till evening. What’s up?”
“Sprained my ankle… can’t walk. Never mind.”
He switched to An Kexin.
“Shopping with friends~ Taxi ride back takes an hour.”
*Any other close friends still on campus who’d help?*
An Han frowned, thinking hard—but no third face surfaced.
Over thirty classmates; most gone for National Day. Only Su Peng and An Kexin felt familiar. Others? Barely acquaintances. Strangers he’d exchanged words with. Not friends.
“This system really leaves zero loopholes!”
Gripping the railing, he pushed up—and staggered to his feet.
*Reverse thinking!* Pick Task Three… but do Task Two! Solve the problem *without* the reward!
*Ugh… If I’d thought of this earlier, I’d have chosen Task One and called Ren Chi.*
He lifted his sprained left foot, hopping carefully down one step.
Lost balance. Hands hit the floor. Pain flashed—his face went pale.
No hesitation. Phone out. Dialing Ren Chi.
Unbearable! Left foot barely touched the floor—sharp pain shot through. Calf already aching. Hopping all the way back? Impossible.
“Hello, Bro Ren~” Voice soft, sweet—needing a favor.
“Who’s this?”
“It’s An Han!” he pleaded, dejected. “Bro Ren… when you come back to move luggage, could you take me to the clinic on your way?”
“What happened?”
“Sprained my ankle coming downstairs… pretty bad.”
*Thud.* A door opened upstairs. Ren Chi’s anxious shout echoed: “An Han!”
“Here! Fifth floor!”
Heavy footsteps rushed down. Ren Chi appeared.
Brows furrowed, he strode over. “How could you be so careless?!”
“Sit. Take off your shoe. Let me check.”
“Okay.” An Han sat on the step, looking wronged.
*It’s not like I meant to…*
Worried his sweaty feet might smell, he still obediently removed shoes and socks.
Ren Chi crouched, supporting An Han’s calf, examining the swollen ankle.
A light touch—
“Don’t! It hurts!” An Han winced.
“Hss—I *said* don’t!” Tears welled from the pain.
“Serious. Good thing you called me.”
“…Is that so?”
“I’ll take you to the clinic.”
An Han grabbed the railing to stand—but Ren Chi turned, crouching with his back to him.
An Han stared at those broad shoulders. *He’s gonna carry me?* Blush crept up his cheeks. “J-just support me while I walk…”
“It’s far.” Ren Chi glanced back, surprised. “We’re both guys—why shy?”
“It’s the pain!” An Han protested.
“Hurry up. Don’t waste time.”
*Fine…*
Worried Ren Chi might feel the “steamed buns” on his chest, An Han zipped his jacket tight.
Then carefully looped his arms around Ren Chi’s neck, shifting his weight onto that solid back.
“So careless.” Ren Chi hoisted him up easily. “Light. Under a hundred pounds?”
“Almost…”
“Eat more. Too thin.”
Ren Chi’s warmth made An Han’s system-tormented heart flutter. *Does the counselor… like me?*
*Nah. No affection-point alert.*
*Just normal counselor care.*
Thighs cradled by strong hands. No sway. No instability.
Ren Chi muttered, “Sprain your ankle *descending stairs*? Be careful!”
“What if something happened? I’m responsible as your counselor.”
“Don’t move. Clinic first. Then dorm.”
*You’re just scared the school’ll blame you for privately assigning tasks,* An Han thought—but felt like he’d gained an older brother.
Warmth from Ren Chi’s skin seeped into his own. Calm settled in his chest.
He sighed softly, leaning against Ren Chi’s shoulder, eyes closed.
“Almost there.” Ren Chi glanced back. “Rest well. Classes start soon.”
“I know.”
Ren Chi sighed inwardly. *Who knew asking An Han for help would end like this?*
He carried An Han into the community clinic, gently set him on a chair, and called out: “Doctor, my student sprained his ankle.”
*(Locals here often address doctors as “Teacher,” drivers or laborers as “Master.”)*
An Han slumped back, utterly drained.
[Task completed. Pi Gu attribute +1.]
He barely glanced at the notification. Eyes stuck on “Pi Gu.”
*Skin… and bones?*
He didn’t get it. But system rewards…
He and Su Peng were just good friends—until the system’s rewards nearly twisted everything.
An Han gritted his teeth, cursing silently. Yet he could only accept the random attribute.
Ren Chi noticed his tense face, sat beside him. “Don’t like hospitals?”
“…It’s fine.”
He forced a smile—only to meet Ren Chi’s stunned gaze.
Flustered, An Han puffed his cheeks and glared.
“Sorry,” Ren Chi murmured, looking away. *Why does his skin look so smooth… like a baby’s? Makes me want to pinch it.*
As if a filter had dropped over his vision. An Han’s change caught him off guard. *Must be the clinic lighting…*
