Volume 1, Chapter 20: An Awakening

[Ding! Ant exterminated. Killing points gained: 0.1. Current killing points: 578.4]
[Ding! Ant exterminated. Killing points gained: 0.1. Current killing points: 578.5]
[Ding! Red fire ant exterminated. Killing points gained: 0.2. Current killing points: 578.7]

Early in the morning, Jiang Buyue got up and placed the insecticide he had purchased along the edges of every anthill he encountered.

The ant powder Jiang Buyue bought was designed so that as long as one ant consumed it or carried it back to the nest to share, the poison would spread like a plague throughout the colony. At this very moment, in certain obscure corners of the Jiangnan Base City, a localized genocide of the species was underway.

Watching the system notifications flood his interface, he thought, *What beautiful music! This is truly the most wonderful music in the world.*

Seven-thirty.

Jiang Buyue jogged all the way to the school gate. Upon arrival, he ran straight into the figure he despised the most: Li Shishi. Ignoring her completely, he headed straight into the school.

Li Shishi noticed him as well. She was visibly stunned to see him brush past her without a word. She had spent the entire previous night deep in thought, concluding that a martial artist like Jiang Buyue—handsome, talented, gentle, and utterly devoted to her—was not someone easily replaced. A "simp" like that shouldn't be let go so easily.

"Jiang Buyue!"

Jiang Buyue had no desire to acknowledge her and simply chose to play deaf. Seeing this, Li Shishi trotted over to catch up with him.

*Damn it! I'm done simping for you, so why are you pestering me?* Jiang Buyue quickened his pace. Halfway there, he sighed, stopped, and accepted the reality of the situation; they were in the same class, after all.

He turned to look at her. "Is there something you need?" he asked, his eyes cold and his tone impatient.

Seeing his dismissive attitude, Li Shishi felt a flare of anger, but she suppressed it, putting on a pitiful expression instead. "Jiang Buyue, you've changed. You never used to speak to me like that. Can't we go back to how things were, Buyue?"

Back to how things were? Back to when she used him as an ATM, a beast of burden, a ghostwriter for her homework, and a personal errand boy?

Jiang Buyue smiled faintly. "Is that your idea of an apology? Shouldn't you offer me something to show you mean it?"

Li Shishi sneered inwardly: *A simp is a simp. As long as I use a little trick, he’ll come crawling back to grovel! I'll just buy him a bottle of water later.*

"I’ll forgive you if you buy me a few dozen Tier 2, First-Circle Spirit Recovery Pills!"

Li Shishi froze, stunned by the demand.

In a nearby corner, Bai Ruixue was eavesdropping. When she heard Jiang Buyue’s words, the corners of her mouth curled upward involuntarily. The blockhead had finally wised up. A single Spirit Recovery Pill cost around a thousand, so a few dozen would cost at least ten thousand Chinese yuan.

"Jiang Buyue, are you playing with me?"

"Hold it, I’ve never played with you!"

Jiang Buyue felt he needed to make things clear, or this bitch would keep缠着 him. It was maddening—he had stopped chasing her, yet now she was clinging to him.

"Li Shishi, since you've already rejected my confession, I don't want to entangle myself with you anymore. Can't we just go our separate ways and never bother each other again?"

"No, I won't allow it!"

Jiang Buyue snapped. *Damn it, can't you listen when I'm trying to talk to you calmly?* He shoved Li Shishi aside and bolted toward the stairs.

Once upstairs, Jiang Buyue realized someone else had been eavesdropping. "School beauty Bai, eavesdropping isn't a very good habit, you know!"

Today, Bai Ruixue was wearing a simple white T-shirt paired with denim shorts—simple, yet full of youthful vitality. The hem of the shirt was tucked loosely into her shorts, revealing a slender waist and long legs. She wore white sneakers. Jiang Buyue couldn't help but sigh; with her beauty, temperament, and figure, she was destined to be the center of attention wherever she went.

"Who was eavesdropping? I just happened to be passing by and ran into you two talking!" Bai Ruixue huffed. She couldn't help but ask, "Did you really give up on Li Shishi?"

Jiang Buyue replied, "Why? Do you like me and want to pursue me?"

Bai Ruixue retorted, "The sun is up, so stop daydreaming, okay?"

"Ha! That's just because I didn't sleep well last night..." Jiang Buyue smirked. "Student Bai Ruixue, you wouldn't want others to find out about our little trip to the couple's hotel, would you?"

Bai Ruixue replied, "Then go ahead and tell them!"

"Fine! I'll tell them. I've already lost enough face confessing to Li Shishi for three years, one more time won't hurt!"

Suddenly, Bai Ruixue pinned him against the wall, her eyes flashing with killing intent. "If you dare say a word, I’ll cut out your tongue!"

"Bai Ruixue, let go! If someone sees this, they’ll misunderstand!"

Bai Ruixue replied, "I thought you weren't afraid?"

At that moment, Li Shishi caught up and happened to see Bai Ruixue pinning Jiang Buyue to the wall. Her expression was as if she had just witnessed a melodramatic soap opera.

Jiang Buyue broke free from her grasp and took off running.

Watching Bai Ruixue, whose beauty completely eclipsed her own, Li Shishi thought, *Don't tell me Jiang Buyue has set his sights on her! A toad trying to eat swan meat—what a delusion. Would Bai Ruixue even look at him?*

Bai Ruixue also glanced at Li Shishi and thought, *Is this it? What exactly did that blockhead see in her?*

Back in the classroom, Jiang Buyue found "Fatty" already seated and studying intently.

"Fatty, back in 'sage mode' again?"

"Fatty, take a piece of advice from your brother: too much of that stuff and you'll burn out!"

Fatty slowly raised his head, his face solemn and serious. He stared straight at Jiang Buyue and said with great gravity, "Brother Yue, I’ve made up my mind this time. I’m not joking!"

Jiang Buyue was slightly taken aback, his gaze falling on Fatty, whose round face looked unusually determined.

Fatty took a deep breath and continued, "Brother Yue! Last night, my dad stood on the balcony alone, smoking all night long." He gritted his teeth. "I suddenly realized that I’m a total loser! When trouble comes, I can't help with anything. I have to work hard; I can't keep living like this."

Jiang Buyue listened quietly to Fatty’s confession, feeling the intense desire and resolve within him. Looking at the unwavering determination in Fatty’s eyes, he knew he was serious this time.

He patted Fatty on his broad shoulder, smiling with relief. "Fatty! You’ve finally wised up! Don't worry, I’ve got your back. As long as you put in the effort, I promise I’ll get you into a top-tier martial arts university!"