บท 7: Chapter 07
Chapter 07 - The Calm Before the Storm
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Zhang Yuchen arrived at his apartment; it was a modest 3BHK on the seventh floor of the old building. The interior was simple but comfortable. His living room featured a large, plush sofa and a coffee table neatly arranged with a few magazines and papers. There was also a small television hung on the wall.
One side of the walls was adorned with framed photos, mostly of his younger self and some landscapes he found appealing. The other two walls had lots of bikini and nude photos of female K-pop idols and actresses. Of course, these posters were there only for research purposes.
Zhang Yuchen stood in front of the walls adorned with questionable posters. He chuckled to himself as he looked at them, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Why was I such a pervert? Now I'll need to sanitize this place," he remarked, eyeing them with amusement. "I seriously need to burn these things... Maybe I should have invested in art prints instead of these..."
In his second room was a high-end gaming setup that he had taken from a store a few months ago when a fight broke out in the alley. It was his guilty pleasure, but as a kind-hearted man, he had already deposited the money into the owner's account.
On the other side of the room was the well-stocked bar. Shelves lined with bottles of vodka, rum, and various other spirits stood against one wall, a testament to his love for a good drink. These drinks, of course, were also taken from a few generous people.
Soon...
Zhang Yuchen made his way to the bar and poured himself a generous glass of vodka, the liquid catching the dim light as he raised it to his lips.
After taking a deep sip, he sighed with satisfaction, feeling the warmth spread through his body. It had been a long day, and after drinking, he felt as if he had been born again.
He then headed to the bathroom, setting the glass on the edge of the sink. He turned on the tap, letting the tub fill with hot water, steam rising and misting the mirror.
Slowly, he stripped off his clothes, revealing his chiseled physique. His muscles were well-defined, a result of years of rigorous training and discipline and also system rewards. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, smirked slightly, and had a moment of narcissism.
Once the tub was full, he eased himself into the hot water, feeling the tension in his muscles start to melt away. The heat was soothing, a stark contrast to the day's events.
"Alright, system," Yuchen muttered, leaning back and closing his eyes. "Now show me my reward?"
A familiar, loli voice spoke enthusiastically in his mind.
"Ding! The host's noble actions have stirred deep emotions within Long Shiqian. She finds herself conflicted, torn between lingering guilt for her late husband and the burgeoning stirrings of new feelings.
Her favorability now stands at an impressive 65, thanks to a reward of 15 points from the Triple D choice. The path to love is now open.
Moving forward, gently coax her heart to melt the icy barriers that guard it and guide her towards a future of newfound love before the ghost of her late husband can rise again."
"Ding! Congratulations, host! You've done a stellar job, teaching those ruffians a lesson for crossing paths with the daughter of destiny."
"Even the Heavenly Dao is pleased! As an additional reward, you now possess an Oracle's Glimpse Bronze Level Pistol."
×××[ Item: Oracle Glimpse Pistol (Bronze Level - upgradeable) ]
[ Use: Shoots an invincible beam once the target is locked, 100% accuracy. Allows the host to glimpse into the future of the target person. ]
[ Limitations: The host must never use this on himself, lest he meet an untimely fate. At its current level, the pistol can foresee only three days of destiny and can be used once per day. ]×××
Yuchen's eyes opened, interest piqued, and the water in the tub splashed slightly. Soon he spoke,
"Why is the favorability of these heroines so easy to gain? I thought it would be a challenge. Wait a minute, what do you mean by the Heavenly Dao is pleased?" Zhang Yuchen raised a brow, although he knew about that entity.
"Host! Don't be delusional! Currently, the host has only found two heroines, and both are unhappy with their existing relationships. The society's beatings that both have received made them vulnerable to kindness, and the host's actions currently work like giving charcoal in the cold. But there are women who don't need the host's help and are mentally stronger."
"Most importantly! If favorability can rise, it can also fall. It's not an absolute guarantee that women would always be lovey-dovey with you. Remember, fights between wife and husband exist. And regarding the Heavenly Dao, host! The system's current level is not sufficient to access that information."
Zhang Yuchen questioned with slight terror, "Then is it possible for them to cuckold me when their favorability is low? Then what's the point of thinking about a harem? Wouldn't I be happier with just one woman?"
"Ding! That's why the host needs to solve the protagonist as soon as possible and claim rewards. Then level up; this won't be a problem by then."
"Alright.. it can't be helped. At least I'm no longer a mob," he said. "System, what about that other heroine?"
"Ding! Because of the host's actions, Gu Lingyun has second thoughts about her marriage. She wants her husband to be like the host: brave and strong. There will be an unavoidable fight between destiny protagonist Su Yan and Lingyun. The heroine's emotions are turbulent. You have earned 100 destiny points."."
Hearing this, Zhang Yuchen felt no excitement. Destiny points were simply a currency for acquiring skills and objects from the system mall.
The more intense emotions he could evoke in the hero and heroine, the more points he would earn. Out of 1000 points, 900 were solely earned because of Long Shiqian's vulnerability and the emotions she felt.
As for this so-called protagonist of destiny, Su Yan, he posed no threat to him currently, lacking any awakened powers.
Determined, Zhang Yuchen decided not to delay any further. His current [Destiny value: 1000] was a far cry from the 10,000 points needed to unlock the system mall. It was clear he would have to target the children of destiny with greater ruthlessness in the future. With steely resolve, he commanded, "Show her profile."."
✓ Profile
[Name: Gu Lingyun]
[Age: 34]
[Titles: Destiny Heroine, Hardworking Agent, Money Lover]
[Emotional state: Excited, Disappointed, Lonely]
[Strength/Superpower: Body of Thousand Mirrors (Unawakened)]
[Luck: S-Rank]
[Favorability towards the host: 52
(He's just a friend... believe me honey~)] (Max: 100)
After studying Gu Lingyun's profile, Zhang Yuchen couldn't shake his curiosity about the protagonist, Su Yan. With a furrowed brow, he turned to the system for answers.
"Why can't I see the profiles of these protagonists?" he asked.
The loli-like voice of the system responded promptly in his mind,
"Host, you can only see the profiles of individuals who have been within the aura of the system, at least once. The range extends to a minimum of 400 meters around the host."
Zhang Yuchen nodded thoughtfully, processing the information.
"So, Su Yan and Long Aotian are beyond that range," he muttered to himself, considering the implications. "Guess... I'll have to find a way to get closer to them."
Thirty minutes later...
Emerging from the steamy bath, Zhang Yuchen's muscles relaxed, yet his mind raced with thoughts of the day's revelations.
He wrapped a towel around his waist and, feeling hungry, strode into the kitchen, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he contemplated his next move.
In the kitchen, he decided on a simple meal: an omelette and a sandwich. He grabbed a bowl and cracked eggs into it with a spoon, whisking them vigorously.
After adding a few ingredients, he poured the mixture into the pan.
However, distracted by his thoughts, he neglected to grease the pan properly, and the eggs stuck fast.
Soon, smoke began to rise, and one side of the omelette was already blackened.
"Damn it, why do the gods hate me so much?" he muttered, switching off the stove and setting the pan aside. "Guess I'll clean this mess up first."
After a brief pause spent scrubbing away the burnt remnants, he returned to the task at hand and switched off the tap. Water stopped flowing into the basin.
This time, he liberally coated the pan with butter, ensuring the eggs slid smoothly. The kitchen filled with the comforting aroma of cheese and herbs melding with the eggs, promising a satisfying meal.
Satisfied with his food, Zhang Yuchen plated the omelette and sandwich, carrying them to the dining table.
He settled himself comfortably, savoring each bite with relish. Between mouthfuls, a wistful sigh escaped him.
"Like my grandpa used to say, 'Every man needs a capable woman at home, except for gays.' I really need to charm that MILF and make her my wife soon - someone to handle all these kitchen tasks for me."
From his space, he retrieved the Oracle Glimpse Pistol.
It resembled the futuristic weapons often depicted in movies but had a slightly cartoonish and fantastical appearance.
He handled it with care; with this, he would be able to change his fate. As for the target in his mind, Long Aotian, the current active protagonist.
Though it was only afternoon, he went to bed. Like a python, he needed to digest what he ate.
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( End Of This Chapter)
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