Evan Carter dragged his exhausted body stepped through the gates of Metro City University.
It was midsummer. The sun hung high above the teaching buildings, heat waves blurring the air. After a full day of internship work, his head throbbed and his clothes were soaked with sweat.
Then he stopped.
Not far ahead, a man and a woman were walking out hand in hand.
Evan's pupils shrank.
The woman was LilyHart—his girlfriend.
No.
His ex-girlfriend.
"Lily… are you breaking up with me?"
His voice was hoarse, disbelief etched across his face.
Lily didn't even bother to look at him.
"You can interpret it however you want," she said coldly. "In short, this is where we part ways."
The man beside her casually wrapped an arm around her shoulder. A Rolex gleamed on his wrist under the sunlight.
Evan recognized him instantly.
Lucas Grant—vice president of the student union. A well-known rich heir, handsome, well-connected, and extremely popular on campus.
"Just because he's richer than me," Evan clenched his fists, "you're dumping me?"
"Of course not," Lily replied impatiently. "Lucas is also an outstanding student leader. Evan, is it really that hard for you to admit that others are better than you?"
Evan almost laughed in anger.
Outstanding?
Everyone knew Lucas's position came from family connections.
Money—that was the real reason.
"Evan," Lily said indifferently, "I hope you can clearly see the gap between you and Lucas. Goodbye."
She turned away without hesitation, as if their year-long relationship meant nothing.
[Ding! Life Winner System binding complete!]
[This system will help the host become a true life winner]
Evan froze.
A system?
Evan Carter was utterly bewildered by the sudden voice in his head.
[A true life winner refuses humiliation]
[Accept Novice Mission: Counterattack the humiliation inflicted upon you]
[Mission Reward: $50,000 cash]
Evan looked ahead, half-believing, half-doubting.
A translucent panel suddenly appeared above the heads of Lily Hart and her new boyfriend, Lucas Grant.
[Target: Lily Hart]
[Favorability toward you: -10]
The cold number sent a chill down Evan's spine.
We were together for over a year!
Even if you hooked up with a rich heir, did your favorability toward me really have to drop straight into the negatives?
Even a dog would wag its tail when it saw its old owner again!
"Wait."
Evan walked over.
"What else do you want?" Lily asked impatiently.
Without saying a word, Evan set down his backpack and took out a Louis Vuitton handbag.
"Here. This was for you. I bought it yesterday—was planning to give it to you today."
Lily stared at the bag, stunned.
She couldn't believe that even after being dumped, Evan would still give her an LV bag.
Though all she felt toward him now was annoyance, she couldn't resist the temptation of luxury goods.
Her expression immediately softened. She even forced a smile.
"Thank you."
Taking the handbag, she said with feigned sincerity,
"Evan, honestly, you're not that bad. It's just that compared to Lucas, you're a bit too ordinary. I hope you find a more suitable girl in the future. Thank you for the bag."
"No need to thank me," Evan replied calmly. "I bought it off a street stall for about fifty bucks. It's not even a decent knockoff."
"If I didn't give it to you, it'd just take up space."
Lily froze.
"…What did you just say?"
Her fake smile vanished instantly.
"You said this is fake?!"
"Yeah."
"Then… were all the bags and cosmetics you gave me before fake too?!"
Evan frowned, looking at her as if she were stupid.
"Did you seriously think they were real? I'm a broke student living off an allowance. Do you think I'm an ATM?"
"You—Evan Carter! You're shameless!"
"I stayed with you for a year, and you gave me fake bags?!"
"You scumbag!"
Lily completely lost control.
[Target Lily Hart's favorability has decreased by 80 points]
[Current Favorability: -90]
[Mission Complete: Counterattack Target]
[Reward Issued: $50,000]
Evan smiled inwardly.
Just a few sentences, and her favorability had plunged to -90.
That was complete disgust.
Good.
Now he wouldn't feel the slightest burden messing with her emotions.
His phone vibrated.
[Your account ending in 5518 has received $50,000]
[Current balance: $50,510]
It was real.
Evan's heart surged with excitement.
"Lily, don't be angry," Lucas Grant said gently, pulling her into his arms. "He's probably just upset about the breakup and trying to provoke you."
Then Lucas stepped forward, wearing a polite, superior smile.
[Target: Lucas Grant]
[Favorability toward you: -50]
Evan was stunned.
We've never even interacted, and you already hate me this much?
"Junior," Lucas said calmly, "I don't dislike you."
If Evan hadn't seen the panel, he might've believed him.
Pure hypocrisy.
"Lily is a good girl. Don't worry—I'll take good care of her from now on."
"If you have anything left to say, say it now."
"But I hope you won't bother her again in the future."
Evan nodded. "Sure."
"It's good you can accept reality," Lucas continued smugly. "A woman like Lily isn't someone you can handle. You'll understand when you grow up—"
Before he could finish, Evan interrupted:
"You're right. Her heart was never mine."
"All I got… was her body."
Lucas froze.
"…What?"
"For that whole year," Evan continued calmly, "we worked pretty hard, day and night."
"She was thoughtful too—sometimes she even insisted on splitting the hotel bill."
"And she liked trying different outfits. Student uniforms, office wear, flight attendant outfits…"
"Oh right, she bought some new ones last month. Black thigh-highs too. You probably haven't seen those yet."
Lucas Grant's smile stiffened.
When he turned to look at his new girlfriend, his face turned green.
"Lily… is what he said true?"