The door slammed shut behind Ms. Liang.
Silence filled the lounge.
Thick.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
Li Cheng sat frozen, his pulse still racing like a man who narrowly escaped execution.
Across from him, Su Yaling gently placed her wine glass down, her expression now all business — cold, calculating, lethal.
Beside him, Su Mengyu's fingers were still wrapped around his wrist, gripping tightly as if she feared he might vanish if she let go.
Li Cheng swallowed.
"…I'm really going to die this time."
Mengyu squeezed his hand lightly.
"You're not dying."
"I might," he argued, "any second now. Heart failure. Stress. A meteor."
Mengyu glared.
"You're not dying."
"Okay…"
Before he could finish, a familiar chime echoed in his skull.
Ding!
[System Notification: Host has experienced extreme emotional turbulence.]
[Calculating…]
[New Hidden Task Generated!]
Li Cheng froze.
Oh no.
Not NOW.
The system continued smoothly:
[Hidden Mission: 'Suppress the Crisis, Slap the World.']
Objective: Clear the school board's investigation before it escalates.
Reward: 1 Mystery Stat Boost + Public Reputation + Face-Slap Points.]
Penalty for Failure: Public humiliation + temporary stat reduction.]
Li Cheng wanted to scream into the void.
"…Why is humiliation ALWAYS the penalty?!"
Mengyu blinked. "What?"
"N-Nothing!"
But then another notification hit him.
Ding!
[Daily Sign-In Available.]
[Would Host like to sign in now?]
Li Cheng nearly cried.
"Yes," he whispered in his mind. "Please. Anything to save me."
[Daily Sign-In Successful!][Congratulations, Host has obtained — 'One-Time Absolute Evidence Shield!']
Li Cheng's eyes widened.
"…Holy—"
The system explained calmly:
[Absolute Evidence Shield: Anything Host says or presents will be treated as credible, undeniable evidence for 10 minutes.]
[Use wisely.]
Li Cheng nearly burst into tears of gratitude.
Mengyu saw his expression shift and frowned.
"What happened?"
He slowly turned to her, voice trembling.
"…I might actually live."
Yaling raised an eyebrow, amused. "Did enlightenment strike you suddenly?"
He coughed. "S-Something like that."
But the system wasn't done.
DING!
[Special Trigger Detected: Host is currently supported by two high-status female powerhouses.]
[Activating Bonus Skill: 'Political Immunity Aura (Temporary).']
[Effect: Anyone with lower authority than Su Yaling will instinctively hesitate to target Host for 12 hours.]
Li Cheng felt his spine straighten instantly.
Mengyu noticed.
"…You suddenly look confident."
He stood up.
Straightened his uniform.
And declared:
"I think I know what to do."
Yaling clasped her hands. "Good. Then let's strategize."
He nodded.
"No strategy needed."
Yaling froze.
Mengyu froze.
"What do you mean?" Yaling asked.
Li Cheng exhaled slowly.
"If the school board wants to challenge me because I 'rose too fast'…"
He smirked.
"…then I'll rise even faster."
Mengyu blinked.
"That makes absolutely zero sense."
"I know."
Yaling gave a small laugh. "I assume your confidence isn't baseless?"
Li Cheng nodded firmly.
Then—
DING!
[New Temporary Ability Unlocked: 'Face-Slap Momentum.']
[Effect: Every time Host resolves a crisis with overwhelming confidence, next crisis difficulty decreases by 10%.]
Li Cheng grinned internally.
Perfect.
Absolute perfection.
Mengyu stared at him closely.
"…You're planning something reckless."
"Definitely reckless," Yaling added.
He nodded proudly.
"Yes."
Both mother and daughter sighed at the same time.
But before anyone could speak—
KNOCK.
KNOCK.
KNOCK.
All three turned sharply.
Yaling frowned. "Again?"
Mengyu's expression turned hostile."If it's the school board already, I'll personally—"
"No," Yaling cut in. "Let's see who dares."
The door opened—
And THIS time, the person standing there was someone Li Cheng absolutely DID NOT expect.
A man in a black suit.
Tall.
Imposing.
Serious.
He bowed slightly.
"Forgive the intrusion, Ms. Su. I'm here under orders."
Yaling crossed her arms. "Whose?"
The man lifted a badge.
A gold badge.
Mengyu gasped.
"…The city education superintendent's office?!"
Li Cheng's soul left his body.
Why.
WHY WAS THE ENTIRE EDUCATION LADDER CLIMBING INTO HIS LIFE TODAY?!
The man stepped inside calmly.
"I arrived after hearing about the school board's unauthorized investigation."
Unauthorized?!
Mengyu was stunned.
"They didn't get approval?!"
The officer nodded.
"That is correct. Someone in the board acted independently. Possibly personal bias."
Li Cheng blinked.
"…Wait—so I'm NOT in trouble?"
The man looked at him.
Expression unreadable.
"On the contrary, Mr. Li… you are under protection."
Li Cheng: "?????"
Mengyu: "Protection?"
Yaling narrowed her eyes. "Explain."
The officer placed a sealed document on the table.
"Mr. Li Cheng, the Superintendent has taken an interest in your sudden academic improvement and social contributions. You've been shortlisted for a regional youth innovation scholarship."
Li Cheng's brain crashed.
Mengyu's jaw dropped.
Yaling actually smiled.
The officer continued:
"Any investigation into you will now require approval from the Superintendent's office. Meaning…"
He glanced at Yaling.
"…the school board cannot touch him."
Li Cheng felt a wave of holy light descend.
Then the system chimed:
[Face-Slap Damage x10]
[School Board Prestige –15]
[Host Prestige +25]
Li Cheng nearly fainted from happiness.
Mengyu grabbed his arm again, whispering:
"…Li Cheng. How? HOW does trouble keep turning into blessings around you?"
He whispered back:
"I don't know. I think the universe is broken."
Yaling exhaled softly and stood up.
"Officer, thank you. But tell the Superintendent something for me."
The man bowed. "Of course."
Yaling smiled coldly.
"Tell him… if anyone touches Li Cheng again, I will personally buy the school."
The officer swallowed visibly."…Understood."
Li Cheng panicked.
"D-Don't buy the school!!"
Mengyu nodded.
"I agree. You'll traumatize the teachers."
"I'll traumatize whoever I want," Yaling said calmly.
The officer retreated quickly, clearly not wanting to be involved anymore.
The moment he left, Li Cheng collapsed back onto the sofa.
Mengyu sat beside him.
"So," she said softly, "you're safe."
"For now," he sighed.
Then—
DING!
[Hidden Mission: 'Suppress the Crisis' — COMPLETED!]
[Reward Granted!]
[Mystery Stat Boost unlocked: +30 Charisma]
[Face-Slap Points +500]
Li Cheng blinked.
His body felt lighter.
His mind clearer.
His presence… stronger?
Mengyu tilted her head.
"You look different."
Yaling nodded.
"More confident."
He smiled awkwardly.
But then—
DING!
[New Global Announcement from System!]
[Because Host keeps unintentionally becoming central to large-scale drama…]
[New Passive Skill Granted: "Disaster Magnet Halo."]
Li Cheng choked.
"TAKE IT BACK."
The system ignored him.
[Effect: Trouble will find Host, but Host will always gain benefits from resolving it.]
Li Cheng buried his face in his hands.
Mengyu patted his back.
Yaling laughed softly.
And the system finished mercilessly:
[New Crisis Approaching in: 6 hours.]
Li Cheng:"…I knew it was too peaceful."
Mengyu:"…Oh no."
Yaling:"…Bring it."