Li Cheng stared at the empty space where the woman disappeared, golden sparkles fading into the evening breeze.
It was quiet.
Too quiet.
Peaceful.
Too peaceful.
He squinted at the sky suspiciously.
"…Is this a trap?"
Mengyu crossed her arms. "Everything is not a trap. You finally have full control of your system. Enjoy it."
Li Cheng nodded slowly, still distrustful of life itself."I will try. But if something explodes in the next five minutes, I'm suing reality."
Mengyu sighed but smiled a little. "Let's go in."
They stepped into the house.
And immediately—
"WELCOME HOME, MASTER LI CHENG!!!"
Li Cheng flinched so hard he almost ascended.
Standing inside his living room were:— three butlers in suits,— one elderly housekeeper wiping a nonexistent tear,— and a chef holding a golden ladle like a divine weapon.
Li Cheng blinked rapidly.
"…Uh. Who are you people?"
The housekeeper sniffed dramatically.
"Young Master, we were sent by Old Madam Li! She said since you are now a grown man, a CEO, and apparently a football prodigy, you shouldn't live like a common mortal anymore!"
Li Cheng's brain flatlined.
"My grandmother sent— what?!"
The butler bowed.
"Young Master, the Li Family estate heard about your recent… accomplishments."
The chef nodded proudly.
"The young master humiliates people with elegance. A true Li!"
Li Cheng covered his face.
Mengyu choked on her laughter.
"Please," Li Cheng muttered weakly, "please don't make fan clubs on my behalf."
Too late.
The butler stepped forward.
"We are the Loyal Gentlemen Society of Li Cheng's Success."
Li Cheng whispered, "…Kill me."
The Unwanted Household Upgrade
The butlers immediately guided him to the dining room.
"Young Master, we prepared a celebration feast!"
Li Cheng stared at the table.
It was enormous.
Too enormous.
Soups, meats, desserts, pastries…Even a whole roasted duck with his NAME carved into the skin.
Li Cheng pointed.
"…Why is my name on the duck?"
The chef placed a hand over his heart.
"Because, Master… the duck died in your honor."
Li Cheng looked at Mengyu.
Mengyu looked at Li Cheng.
They both burst into confused, exhausted laughter.
"I can't do this," Li Cheng said, collapsing into a chair.
Mengyu sat beside him.
"You're not used to taking compliments."
"I'm not used to being worshipped like I'm the emperor of roasted poultry."
At School the Next Day — The New Era Begins
Li Cheng stepped through the school gates.
He expected whispers.
He expected stares.
He did not expect—
A LINE.
A literal line of students waiting at the entrance.
One boy raised a banner:
"GOOD MORNING CEO LI CHENG!"
Li Cheng froze."…No."
Another student held a sign:
"Please teach me how to humiliate people politely!"
Li Cheng whispered, "No…"
A third girl stepped forward holding a box of chocolates.
"For being an inspiration!"
"Noooo…"
Mengyu walked up beside him, expression unreadable.
"…You did this to yourself," she said.
Li Cheng grabbed her arm.
"Please help me escape."
"Why?"
"You're my only hope!"
She sighed deeply and stepped forward.
"Everyone, move aside. He's busy."
The line instantly opened.
Li Cheng exhaled in relief.
"I owe you my life."
Mengyu smirked.
"You owe me bubble tea after school."
"…Deal."
Inside the Classroom — The Explosion of Rumors
Rumors didn't walk in.
They sprinted.
Before Li Cheng even reached his seat—
A boy ran up to him.
"Li Cheng! Is it true you rejected five confessions yesterday?!"
Li Cheng blinked.
"I what?! No!"
Another girl waved from her seat.
"Li Cheng, can I have your signature? My cousin wants it too. And my aunt."
"My aunt…?" he echoed, traumatized.
But the worst was yet to come.
Because Qiao Ren entered the class.
He walked dramatically.
He carried a rose.
He looked at Li Cheng with eyes full of vengeance.
The classroom went quiet.
Qiao Ren slammed his hand on Li Cheng's desk.
"I challenge you again."
Li Cheng placed both hands on the desk.
"Qiao Ren."
"Yes?"
"No."
Qiao Ren froze."…You can't just say no!"
Li Cheng leaned back.
"Watch me."
The class burst into laughter.
Qiao Ren clutched his rose.
"I won't give up. I will surpass you!"
Li Cheng looked him up and down."Your confidence is admirable. Your brain cells? Missing."
Someone in the back shouted:
"REST IN PEACE, QIAO REN!"
Qiao Ren pointed at Li Cheng dramatically.
"Tomorrow! I'll defeat you!"
Li Cheng sighed.
"Can you at least tell me what the challenge is before declaring war?"
Qiao Ren puffed his chest.
"Whoever receives the most Valentine chocolates tomorrow… wins!"
Li Cheng blinked.
"…Isn't Valentine's Day in three months?"
Qiao Ren grinned.
"Not anymore."
Li Cheng whispered to Mengyu:
"He rescheduled a global holiday just to compete with me."
Mengyu whispered back:
"He's creative in a stupid way."
Meanwhile — Teacher Trouble Arrives
A soft knock echoed at the classroom door.
A woman walked in.
Young.
Elegant.
Cool glasses.
Perfect hair.
Sharp eyes.
Every boy in the room sat up straighter.
Every girl squinted suspiciously.
The teacher spoke in a calm, warm voice:
"Good morning, Class 3-B.I'm your new homeroom teacher.
You may call me Teacher Yaling."
Li Cheng froze.
Mengyu froze harder.
Because Teacher Yaling scanned the class…
Saw Li Cheng…
And smiled.
A soft, gentle, "I already know who you are" smile.
"Li Cheng," she said warmly, "please see me after class."
The classroom erupted.
"OH MY GOD—"
"TEACHER YALING KNOWS HIM?!"
"DID THEY HAVE A SECRET PAST—?!"
Mengyu's eyes narrowed dangerously.
Li Cheng whispered desperately:
"I didn't do ANYTHING."
Yaling smiled again.
And somehow…
The smile said:
"Oh, but you will."
After Class — The Meeting
Li Cheng walked into the office nervously.
Teacher Yaling sat with her legs crossed, elegant and calm.
"Shut the door, Li Cheng."
He shut it.
She gestured for him to sit.
"Don't be so tense. I'm not angry."
Li Cheng swallowed. "Then… why did you call me?"
She tilted her head.
"You're a busy boy lately. Football miracles. Public challenges. Popularity wars. And… household servants showing up at your home?"
Li Cheng stiffened. "…How did you know that?"
She smirked.
"I know more than you think."
He blinked.
"…Are you a goddess?"
She laughed lightly. "No. I'm just your teacher. And your grandmother is an old friend."
Li Cheng's soul left his body.
"Grandma WHAT—?!"
Teacher Yaling leaned forward.
"I received a request from her.
She wants me to keep an eye on you."
Li Cheng whispered, horrified:
"…A surveillance teacher."
"Think of it as… guidance."
He covered his face.
"This is worse than the system."
She smiled.
"You'll thank me later."
Outside the Office — Someone Waits
Li Cheng stepped out of the office.
And froze.
Because Mengyu was standing there, arms crossed, staring at him with the intensity of a lie detector machine.
"So," she said slowly, "what did the new teacher want?"
Li Cheng paled.
"Oh… nothing! Just school stuff! Homeroom things! Very boring! Very normal!"
He laughed nervously.
Mengyu narrowed her eyes.
"Uh-huh."
Li Cheng gulped.
"…Mengyu?"
"Yes?"
"Your aura is dropping the temperature."
She smiled sweetly.
"That's your imagination."
Li Cheng sighed.
"Normal life, huh…?"
The system pinged calmly:
[Reminder: This is your normal life now.]
Li Cheng whispered to himself:
"…I miss the goddesses."