6 hours.
That's what the system promised.
Six hours until the next disaster descended upon Li Cheng's fragile, overworked soul.
But Li Cheng made a tragic mistake.
He thought the six hours would be peaceful.
He thought wrong.
Very wrong.
Back at School — The Crisis Appears Early
The next morning, Li Cheng walked through the school gates with the same feeling soldiers have when stepping into enemy territory.
Mengyu walked beside him like an ice-cold guardian angel of death.
Students whispered everywhere.
"Is that… Li Cheng?"
"He looks different today…"
"More handsome…"
"More confident…"
"More doomed…"
Li Cheng ignored them.
He just wanted to reach his classroom without anything exploding.
But the system, as always, hated him.
DING!
[Crisis Update: The scheduled disaster has ARRIVED AHEAD OF TIME!]
[Reason: Host entered a public area with too much charisma.]
[New Triggered Event Detected: "Sports Department Hostility"!]
Li Cheng froze.
Mengyu stopped mid-step.
"…What now?" she sighed.
Li Cheng didn't want to know.
But he found out anyway.
Because someone stepped in front of him.
Tall.
Muscular.
Overconfident.
Smirking like he invented arrogance.
His football jersey had a name on the back:
HONG FENG.
Captain of the school football team.
The self-proclaimed "Football Genius of East City."
Hong Feng leaned forward, smirking.
"So you're the famous Li Cheng."
Li Cheng blinked.
"…Do I know you?"
"No," Hong Feng said cheerfully. "But I know you."
He slapped Li Cheng's shoulder.
"A CEO at your age, huh? Must be nice. But tell me…"
He grinned widely.
"…do you know how to do NORMAL student things? Or are you too busy drinking wine with parents?"
Li Cheng's soul burst into flames.
Mengyu's aura dropped ten degrees.
"Remove your hand," she said calmly.
Hong Feng froze.
Then laughed nervously.
"M-Mengyu, you're here. Didn't see you."
She frowned.
"You didn't see me? Are you blind or stupid?"
Hong Feng coughed.
"I'm just saying! Everyone's talking about how Li Cheng is pretending to be humble, walking around like a CEO mascot!"
He smirked at Li Cheng again.
"So, boss man… want to prove you're a normal student?"
Li Cheng raised an eyebrow.
"…Why would I want to do that?"
"Because," Hong Feng said loudly so the crowd would hear,
"You clearly can't play football. Guys like you don't touch grass."
The students gasped.
Mengyu stepped forward.
"That's stupid."
Hong Feng ignored her.
"Tell you what, Li Cheng. I'm feeling generous today."
He kicked a football to his feet.
"I'll give you ONE chance. Score a goal against me. Just one. If you do, I'll apologize."
He smirked again.
"But if you fail, you kneel on the field and apologize for pretending you belong in this school."
Li Cheng stared.
Then looked at Mengyu.
Then back at Hong Feng.
"…Are you mentally unstable?"
Hong Feng spread his arms.
"Scared?"
Li Cheng inhaled.
Exhaled.
Turned around to walk away.
Hong Feng laughed.
"That's right! Run away, CEO boy!"
Li Cheng stopped mid-step.
Not because of Hong Feng.
But because—
DING!
[System Triggered!]
[New Event: 'Public Challenge Detected.']
[Generating Side Mission!]
Li Cheng wanted to cry.
[Side Mission — Cool CEO Plays Football]
Objective: Humiliate the arrogant football captain.
Task: Score a goal in the most disrespectful way possible.
Reward: +25 Agility, +10 Reputation, 1 Skill Upgrade.
Penalty: Public embarrassment + "Weak CEO" title debuff.
Li Cheng whispered:
"…I hate you."
The system chimed happily:
[Love you too.]
Mengyu tugged his sleeve.
"You don't have to do this. He's just provoking you."
Li Cheng wanted to agree.
He REALLY wanted to agree.
But then the system added:
[Host must complete mission or will receive permanent humiliation tag.]
Li Cheng turned around instantly.
Hong Feng smirked.
"Oh? Changed your mind?"
Li Cheng walked up calmly.
"Yes. But not because I want to prove anything."
Hong Feng grinned. "Then why?"
Li Cheng smiled sweetly.
"…Because the universe wants me to ruin your life."
Hong Feng blinked.
"…Huh?"
The Football Field — The Humiliation Begins
A crowd gathered instantly.
Students stood around the field, phones out, livestreams ready.
"OMG it's happening!"
"Li Cheng vs. Hong Feng!"
"Mengyu is here too?! This is a full event!"
Hong Feng bounced the football on his feet, showing off.
"Let's start! I'll even give you the ball."
He kicked it lazily toward Li Cheng.
Li Cheng placed his foot on the ball.
The system chimed:
DING!
[Temporary Skill Granted: GODLY BALL CONTROL.]
[Duration: 3 minutes.]
[Note: Host will be 100x more skilled than the football genius.]
Li Cheng felt his legs warm with power.
He smirked.
Hong Feng frowned.
"Why are you smiling?"
Li Cheng dribbled once.
Just once.
The ball moved so smoothly the entire crowd froze.
Hong Feng blinked rapidly.
"Th…that was luck."
Li Cheng dribbled again.
The ball vanished from under his feet—
Everyone gasped—
Then reappeared in a blur behind him.
Hong Feng's jaw dropped.
"What the—?!"
Li Cheng tilted his head.
"Want me to play seriously?"
Hong Feng felt sweat forming.
"You—you're bluffing!"
Li Cheng kicked the ball lightly.
It shot past Hong Feng—
—curved around two benches—
—bounced off a trash can lid—
—and rolled back to Li Cheng's feet like a loyal pet.
The crowd exploded.
"BRO?!"
"WHAT KIND OF FOOTBALL SORCERY—?!"
"MARRY ME, LI CHENG!!!"
Hong Feng's face twisted.
"STUPID TRICKS! DO IT FOR REAL!"
Li Cheng nodded.
"Okay."
He tapped the ball.
And vanished.
Hong Feng blinked.
Li Cheng appeared behind him.
Ball already through Hong Feng's legs.
The crowd:
"OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"He nutmegged the football captain!!!"
"Hong Feng got violated!"
Hong Feng stumbled.
"You—YOU—YOU—"
Li Cheng stepped back.
Kicked the ball lazily.
And the ball—
Flew through Hong Feng's legs again.
Then bounced off the goalpost.
Twice.
Then gently rolled into the goal.
Goal scored.
Silence.
Total silence.
Then—
WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Students jumped.
Screamed.
Recorded.
Fainted.
Betrayed their loyalty to Hong Feng.
Hong Feng looked like he'd been spiritually slapped 30 times.
Li Cheng walked toward him slowly.
Calmly.
Politely.
And said:
"Thank you for the warm-up."
Hong Feng: "…"
Li Cheng continued gently:
"I haven't touched a football in 10 years."
Hong Feng: "…"
Li Cheng patted his shoulder.
"So next time, before you insult someone—"
He smiled.
"—make sure they can't humiliate you in 14 seconds."
The crowd HOWLED.
"BRO GOT ROASTED ALIVE!!!"
"HONG FENG, RETIRE!!!"
"I'M CHANGING MY SURNAME TO LI CHENG!!!"
Hong Feng fell to his knees dramatically.
"I… lose…"
Li Cheng blinked.
"Oh. Right."
He looked down.
"You promised to apologize."
Hong Feng lowered his head.
"I'm sorry…"
Li Cheng raised an eyebrow.
"For what?"
Hong Feng gulped.
"For existing."
The entire field EXPLODED in laughter.
Mengyu covered her mouth to hide her smile.
The system chimed:
DING!
[Side Mission Complete!]
[Reward Granted!]+25 Agility+10 Reputation
Skill Upgrade: GODLY BALL CONTROL → PERMANENT BASIC VERSION UNLOCKED
[Face-Slap Damage x20]
Li Cheng took a deep breath.
Crisis… resolved.
But—
DING!
[Warning: Next Crisis Arriving in 3 hours.]
Li Cheng almost screamed.
Mengyu patted him.
"Good job."
He sighed.
"I want to go home."