Chapter 94: Pretending to be Her Boyfriend
After leaving the Crystal Stone Space, Yan Zhen found a Supreme Black Card from the Merchant Alliance in his storage ring. It held his Beautiful Sect Master’s billions of crystal coins and some valuable Mystic Pills she deemed useless, likely enough to buy the entire Gallo Kingdom.
The Merchant Alliance was a coalition of renowned merchant guilds across the Mystic Heavenly Continent, with the Gold and Jade Chamber of Commerce being a prominent member.
The Supreme Black Card granted access to all member guilds, affording the holder the highest level of service and privileges.
However, Yan Zhen was already a Supreme VIP of the Gold and Jade Chamber of Commerce, a status far more advantageous than the Black Card. He wouldn’t be needing it for now.
According to the script, he wasn’t supposed to receive this card until much later, when he first ventured to another continent. His Beautiful Sect Master would give it to him to facilitate his purchases.
But due to their accelerated intimacy, she had given it to him early.
As expected, the plot was slowly slipping out of control. Fortunately, this minor detail could be easily explained.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the “Borrow Money” mission! Please claim your reward from the relevant interface.]
— Hmph, you better give me a useful Special Trump Card this time! Otherwise, I’m quitting this act!
[Ding! All rewards are carefully calculated and distributed according to the system’s algorithms. Please do not take your frustrations out on the system.]
— I don’t care! I’m loaded, but I had to shamelessly beg those girls for money! It was humiliating!
Grumbling, Yan Zhen opened the interface to view his new Special Trump Card.
[Special Trump Card – Locust Flower Pay: Upon activation, allows the Host to borrow a certain amount of money from their future self. The higher the Host’s cultivation, the greater the borrowing limit.]
“Another one of these… seemingly useful but ultimately useless cards… It’s too late! I already have more money than I can spend! Wait… could this be a combo card for the ‘Money Power’ card?”
The “Money Power” Special Trump Card, upon activation, allowed him to consume his wealth to enhance his strength. The “Locust Flower Pay” card could provide him with the necessary funds.
He pocketed the card.
“Fine. Since it can be used in a combo, I’ll consider it useful.”
Entering the dining room, he found all the women already seated and eating. He had overslept.
Yan Meng’er pulled out a chair for him, pouting. “Cousin, you were sleeping so soundly! I called you so many times, but you didn’t respond.”
He sat down, ladling some porridge from the clay pot into his bowl. “Sorry, Meng’er. I was cultivating. I didn’t hear you.”
Yan Ruyu studied him, her brow furrowed. “Your aura seems… different.”
He stretched his arms, puffing out his chest. “What’s different, Cousin?”
Mi Xue’er tapped her chin thoughtfully. “You seem more energetic… and a bit more handsome.”
He gave her a thumbs-up. “You have a good eye, Senior Sister Xue’er! I also think I’ve become more handsome.”
Xiao Xinyan, after sneaking several glances at him, finally spoke. “Did you take some kind of pill?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“You seem… refined, as if you’ve undergone a Mystic Power baptism.” Instructor Yu Xuan, as expected, was the most perceptive. She had guessed correctly. “Did you achieve a breakthrough with your cultivation technique?”
“Something like that. I’m feeling great.”
He wolfed down his porridge, finishing his bowl in record time. Then, he retrieved the prepared crystal cards from his storage ring and distributed them.
“Ahem, thank you all for your generosity. You helped me through a difficult time… And here’s the interest.”
He placed five beautifully wrapped bottles on the table.
“That’s right, I found some more Small Origin Pills at a street stall. One for each of you.”
The girls stared at him, stunned. Xiao Xinyan looked confused, while the other four exchanged knowing glances.
You’re really good at finding treasures at street stalls. You lie so effortlessly.
“These are all High-Grade, much better than the last batch. You can consume them without worry.” He turned to Instructor Yu Xuan. “If you don’t need them, Instructor, I can exchange them for Water Cloud Pills for you.”
Water Cloud Pills were beauty supplements for women. Consuming them kept the skin hydrated all day long, especially effective for Water Mystic Power cultivators.
Instructor Yu Xuan gazed at him, her eyes softening with affection. “It’s the thought that counts, Yan Zhen. I appreciate your kindness.”
“I’ll give you a Great Origin Pill when I refine one… I mean, when I find one. They’re even better… Here, take these. Senior Sister Xinyan, you get one too. Small Origin Pills are great for cultivation. One pill is equivalent to ten days of training.”
“Thank you, Cousin! I’m about to attempt a breakthrough to the Fourth Star! And remember our promise, Cousin! You have to take me out to celebrate when I succeed!”
“Don’t worry, just focus on your cultivation. I’ll handle the fun part.”
“I’m also preparing to reach the Seventh Star. These will come in handy. Thanks… And don’t forget to take me with you when you go out. I don’t trust you two running around unsupervised.”
“Count me in too, Little Brother Yan Zhen! It’s not fair if only the three of you go out and have fun!”
“Sure, why not? I’m fine with everyone coming.”
“I… I also…”
“You want to come too, Senior Sister Xinyan? Alright, let’s make it a group outing! No one gets left behind! Instructor, what do you think?”
“That’s a great idea! I haven’t had a chance to properly explore Silver Moon City since I arrived.”
“Then it’s settled! We’ll go on the free day before the next monthly assessment.”
The four girls readily agreed. Instructor Yu Xuan, however, looked slightly disappointed.
He had promised to take her out on a date. It had been a while, and there was still no sign of it happening. Was he planning to lump it in with this group outing?
That rascal!
…
During lunch break, Instructor Yu Xuan called Yan Zhen to her office. She planned to give him some extra guidance and subtly remind him of their previous agreement. However, their private moment was interrupted by the arrival of Mi Xue’er and the others.
Mi Xue’er’s opening words stunned everyone.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, will you be my boyfriend?”
Xiao Xinyan nearly jumped out of her skin. Yan Ruyu stared at her in shock. Yan Meng’er, Instructor Yu Xuan, and even Yan Zhen himself, however, remained surprisingly calm.
“Why are you asking this so suddenly, Senior Sister Xue’er? Did something happen?”
“…To avoid an arranged marriage, I lied to my parents and told them I already have a boyfriend at the academy, and we’re even living together. Now they want me to bring him home to meet them. If I don’t, I’ll be forced to go on more blind dates with those insufferable noble sons.” She clutched his arm, her voice pleading. “Please help me, Little Brother Yan Zhen! Come home with me and pretend to be my boyfriend!”
— The classic “fake boyfriend” trope. Why does a “no-female-lead, wish-fulfillment” story need this kind of comedic subplot?
Yan Zhen sighed inwardly.
“I suppose I could, but is it really okay to lie to your parents?”
“It’s fine! It’s their fault for forcing me to go on blind dates with strangers! It’s like they’re selling me off!”
Though this time, it won’t be a lie, she thought to herself. This time, it’s for real!
“When do you need to go?”
“After school today. Meet me at the front gate. A carriage will be waiting for us.”
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