The deep-blue Bentley Continental GT glided down the dimly lit street. Lin Can paid no attention to the envious stares from pedestrians outside. One hand rested on the window, supporting his head, while the other gripped the steering wheel. The soft, emotional version of "Heading North" by Qiao Meina played through the speakers.
The playlist used to belong solely to Chu Qingning. Now, Qiao Meina had been added.
The other two singers' playlists? Still pending.
The 9 PM high-speed train had already departed. After all the noise and excitement, he was back to being alone—and it felt strange.
[Name: Lin Can]
Lin Can chuckled. That little thought of his had been dissected by the system until even his underwear had been laid bare.
Alright, fine, I admit it!
[God-Tier Tycoon Self-Cultivation Buff Activated]
[This buff is designed to assist the host in all aspects of life, offering the highest quality options.]
[Would you like optimized healing suggestions?]
"Yes."
Lin Can was curious about what kind of high-quality options this thing could offer.
[Healing Option One: Yang Wuluo's parents are away visiting her grandmother. No need to say more—you know what that means.]
Pfft—
Lin Can nearly burst out laughing. Damn, this system knows me too well.
[Healing Option Two: Your old otaku crush "Miss Mikami" has retired from the industry and is currently touring Huaxia. She's now traveling in Ninghai Province, only 69 kilometers from you. She leaves tomorrow. Here's her contact info—if the money's right, she'll be at your place in an hour, ready to shoot a private "Detective Series" film just for you!]
Note: Option Two includes live clinical Japanese.
Holy crap!
This system doesn't just understand me—it's helping me fulfill my dreams?
[These are the two best options.]
Suddenly, Lin Can found himself torn over such a... trivial matter.
He wondered—could he choose both?
What a bold thought.
After a moment of consideration, he decided to first call his former otaku goddess. He added Japan's country code, 0081, to the provided number and dialed.
Ring ring ring—
[Sorry, the number you dialed is currently unavailable.]
Tried another. Same result. Who knew where she'd gone—wasn't even interested in making money now?
Forget it. He'd wait until she got signal and called back.
Lin Can kept one hand on the wheel while reaching for the shredded squid snack Qiao Meina had left on the console with the other. He chewed absentmindedly, wondering—Meina had only just left, and here he was already thinking of calling Yang Wuluo. Was that... too fast?
Ring ring ring—
Just then, his phone rang.
Not Mikami calling back—but Yang Wuluo.
She called him?
"Hellooo~~ Lin Can~~"
"Why do you sound so weak?"
"My stomach hurts a little."
"Your period?"
"No, it just ended. Ah! Why are you asking that!"
"You startled me. Geez. So, what's up?"
"Lin Can, I think I left my dirty clothes in your car. Can you check?"
"Yeah, I see them. In the backseat bag—a white blouse, pleated skirt… and your underwear?"
"They all got soaked with milk tea, so I took everything off."
"So you were going commando under your sweatpants all afternoon?"
"Aiya, why are you so excited about that!"
"...Ahem."
"Could you just throw the dirty clothes away? Otherwise, they'll start to smell in your car."
"So salty."
"You're annoying!"
Click — she hung up.
Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey—
Lin Can spat out the squid snack. It really was salty as hell.
Why'd she call me annoying, though?
...
Meanwhile, Yang Wuluo sat on her bed, holding her stomach.
Ring ring ring—
Lin Can was calling.
"Lin Can~~"
"Don't get me wrong. I was talking about the squid snack we ate this afternoon."
"Really?"
Pfft—
Lin Can almost died laughing at that 'Really?'
"Are you sure it's not the squid that made your stomach hurt?"
"Not sure."
"Oh—right. That JK outfit looks pretty expensive. It'd be a waste to throw it out. I'm at your complex gate now. Come down and take it back to wash."
"You're at our gate?" Yang Wuluo leaned against her window, looking down. "Where exactly?"
"Same spot where you kissed me last time."
"...Wait for me. I'm coming down now."
...
Across from the apartment complex, the Bentley blinked its hazard lights in a temporary parking spot. About ten minutes later—knock knock knock on the window.
"Lin Can~~"
He lowered the window and saw Yang Wuluo dressed in strawberry-print pink pajamas with loose pants. She had her school uniform draped over her shoulders, her body hunched as she clutched her stomach, face pale and weary.
"What's wrong? Should we go see a doctor?"
Lin Can opened the door and got out.
"No need. I probably ate something bad. I'll sleep it off. Thanks for bringing the clothes. Bye~"
She took the bag and slowly crossed the street, clearly in pain.
Lin Can held the door handle, watching her.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Drive safe. Text me when you're home."
She waved at him.
"..."
Ring ring ring—
The phone rang again. Lin Can glanced at the caller ID—Mikami was calling back.
But he wasn't interested anymore.
Compared to those petty indulgences, he was more worried about Yang Wuluo's health.
He didn't pick up. Hung up. Tossed the phone onto the seat, and jogged after her.
"Look at you—goosebumps all over, still shivering. Let's go. I'm taking you to the hospital."
"I really don't need to go."
"Still saying that? You're sweating cold! Your parents aren't even home. What if something happens?"
"??? How do you know my parents aren't home?"
"You said so this afternoon."
"I did?"
"Aiya, not important. Come on, lean on me."
Ah—
Under the night sky, beneath traffic lights and across the zebra crossing—
Yang Wuluo suddenly squatted down, hands clutching her stomach.
"It hurts~"
"What kind of pain?"
"Cramping."
Lin Can didn't say a word. He simply picked her up and placed her gently into the passenger seat, buckling her in.
Yang Wuluo gripped her stomach tightly, breaking out in cold sweat, the waves of cramping pain bringing real tears to her eyes.
"Hang in there."
"Mm~"
Lin Can jumped into the driver's seat and floored the accelerator.
Vroom—
With a roar, that gleaming sapphire-blue car disappeared into the night.