Chapter 1177: Affection +1

“You were just randomly pressing keys,” Zhang Wei said.

White Dew dropped her act and glared up at him. “I don’t know how to play the piano.”

A notification popped up above her head: Affection -1.

Even after she lifted her hands off the keys, the piano played the melody on its own.

“

You came too early. The club doesn’t start until three.

” White Dew said her line with an icy expression, then she added, “It’s required by the game.”

“

Sorry, I was enthralled by the piano,

” Zhang Wei said his line under the compulsion. “What a cliche story!”

“

Why didn’t you knock...

What’s going on now?”

“

You played the piano so beautifully that I couldn’t help but get drawn into it...

What’s going on is that the Strange Realm can’t be sustained forever. I have to clear Zhou Jing’s route as quickly as possible.”

“

Beautifully? Teacher said that I play precisely, but without emotion...

Then hurry!”

“

But I hear a deep sorrow in your piano. I don’t think you lack emotions. You just haven’t met someone who understands you...

Fuck, the lines are finally over.”

Zhang Wei took out his phone. “Have you ever played a dating sim?”

White Dew shook her head. “I’ve only played fighting games.”

“Alright. I’ll catch you up quickly. I may need your help.”

“Go on.”

Zhang Wei gave her the dating sim 101.

“So,” White Dew concluded, “I, Vermilion Bird, and Raven Shark should collect as much information on Zhou Jing as we can to help you romance her, while taking up as little of your time as possible.”

“Yeah. I’m going now. Seeya!”

Zhang Wei pressed the skip button.

He was back in his room, sitting side by side with Raven Shark at a desk, playing a computer game.

“Hello, I’m your roommate, Raven Shark. You may call me Little Shark.” Raven Shark said his preprogrammed line.

“I’m Zhang Wei...” Zhang Wei was forced to introduce himself.

“Zhang Wei. I heard that the milk tea shop, coffee shop, and bar are all looking for part-timers. I’ve been considering it. You can give it a go, too.”

“Sure.”

“You don’t know much about the school yet, do you? I’m a living map. You can ask me anytime.”

“Thanks.”

Zhang Wei’s phone beeped. He took it out and saw that a map had been added to the interface. He clicked into it. He now had access to a simple map of the campus and the surrounding area.

Once the two of them finished their lines, Zhang Wei called up the schedule without pause.

“Haha, I can finally make my own schedule!” He studied it. “Dawn, Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Late Night... I should be able to move five times per day, but I can’t add action to Dawn or Late Night yet.”

“You can give the dorm keeper gifts to raise your approval,” Raven Shark said. “Then you should be able to unlock Late Night actions.”

“Got it.” Zhang Wei then asked, “What do I do tomorrow?”

Raven Shark pondered for a moment. “Go to class again in the Morning. Zhou Jing should be there again for you to further her route. Don’t go to the club in the afternoon. Pick the library. That fits her character. It may trigger a random encounter.”

“How about the evening?”

“Evening... Try the bar.”

“Huh?” Zhang Wei frowned. “Shouldn’t I go to the running track, lakeside, or coffee shop?”

“Trust me,” Raven Shark said confidently.

“Alright. I’ll skip ahead.”

“Wait.” Raven Shark stopped him. “Check the interface again. There should be other functions.”

Zhang Wei clicked around and soon found something new. “Whoa, it’s true. There’s an E-mart! Let me see...” He clicked into it. “Cute doll, perfume, lipstick, purse, necklace, flower, game, snacks, figurine of cute anime girl...”

Raven Shark perked up. “How much does the figurine cost?”

“Three hundred yuan. That’s my total saving.”

“Buy it.”

“Huh?” Zhang Wei blinked in confusion. “I’m going after Zhou Jing. Would she like the figurine?”

“It’s not for her, but for the dorm keeper. I’ve got information that he’s a lifelong

otaku

. Once you win him over, you’ll unlock Late Night for more actions. You don’t need gifts for Zhou Jing yet. Get her affection level up first.”

“Pro! You’re a fucking pro!” Zhang Wei gave Raven Shark a thumbs-up. “What a genius!”

Raven Shark smiled bashfully. “It’s my Talent.”

“Nah, I’ve got a good eye for people. You’re smart even without the Talent.”

Raven Shark paused. A notification popped up: Affection +1.

Zhang Wei bought the figurine and filled out his schedule tomorrow before skipping ahead. Instead of entering the next scene immediately, he first saw a pure darkness where today’s stats were displayed: knowledge went up slightly, money went to zero, and no change to the other stats.

He pressed confirm. Then he was transported to the classroom. It was Morning.

The classroom was the same as yesterday, but Zhou Jing’s seat was empty. Vermilion Bird, the teacher, was telling the students about a day of a mortician.

“Sister Vermilion Bird, where is Zhou Jing?” Zhang Wei asked.

“Didn’t show up,” Vermilion Bird said.

“Alright. I won’t waste my time here.”

He skipped ahead and found himself in the library.

It was quiet with few people in the reading room. Sitting by the window was a familiar figure: Zhou Jing.

She looked no different from yesterday, reading a book with full concentration. The afternoon sun shone onto her through the window. Warm glowing particles danced on her hair. The picture painted was one of serene beauty.

Zhang Wei stared, losing himself a little.

Focus! Focus, Zhang Wei! She’s a death monster! The enemy!

He shook his head and picked up a random book, taking the seat across from her. He was pondering his line when he looked up in surprise; Zhou Jing’s shoulders trembled, her face covered in tears from reddened eyes. She was crying!

Zhang Wei was caught off guard.

Zhou Jing’s tears fell nonstop. She took off her thick glasses and revealed her slanted, misty eyes.

Suddenly, a white handkerchief was in Zhang Wei’s hand. Without thinking, he handed it to her. “Here.”

Zhou Jing looked up in surprise. Hesitating a little, she took the handkerchief and choked out, “Thank you...”

Zhang Wei smiled wordlessly. Although he was anxious to progress the game, he knew that being hasty could do more harm than good.

It took Zhou Jing a few minutes to calm down. She looked at the now wrinkled handkerchief. “Tomorrow...I’ll give you a new one back.”

“It’s fine. It’s just a handkerchief.” And it wasn’t even his.

Feeling like it was the right moment to start a conversation, he asked, “What book are you reading?”

Zhou Jing slowly closed the book, letting Zhang Wei see the cover.

He stared in surprise once more.