Shen Qingling smiled; Song Zhining was quite interesting, not the high-and-mighty young lady he had imagined.
The young man sat by the window, looking at the scenery.
It would take some time to get back to Jiang University, so he put on his headphones and listened to music, shutting out all the outside noise.
“Host, Song Zhining’s heartthrob value for you has reached 85. I must say, you’ve got something.”
“This girl is good; you can conquer her just by her own imagination.”
“After all, she’s a B-level character and hasn't been influenced by the male lead yet, so there’s a good chance of conquering her.”
“Simple-minded young girls like this are easy to handle; those with complex minds are harder to say.”
Shen Qingling and 077 were chatting idly, unaware that someone had recognized him, secretly taken his photo, and posted it online.
Jiang City is the second-largest city in China after the capital, with a developed economy and the most universities among all cities, so you can meet college students everywhere.
Jiang City has a forum app for college students called “Chance Encounter.”
Initially, only Jiang City university students posted and browsed on it, but it has now become a software for college students nationwide to gossip, chat, and make friends. Occasionally, people also discuss the entertainment industry and some supernatural events.
This software is somewhat like a combination of Tieba and Tianya from Shen Qingling’s world.
“Host: Guess who I met! Shen Qingling, who is on the hot search today, is right next to me!”
“L1: Wow, it really is him. He looks even more handsome than in the photos. You didn’t use a beauty filter, did you?”
“L2: It is well known that cameras make people look worse. The host’s picture should be taken with the original camera. Shen Qingling’s attractiveness is beyond doubt.”
“L3: Strange, why haven’t I heard you talk about this person before? Logically, someone so handsome shouldn’t just be famous now.”
“L4: Jiang University student here (raises hand). Actually, many people used to post about him, but each time they were questioned for being heavily Photoshopped, haha.”
“L5: If I hadn’t seen the photos on the hot search today, I would find it hard to believe someone could really look like this.”
...
Shen Qingling’s phone suddenly rang. He opened it and saw a message from someone named Chu Jiaojiao.
Chu Jiaojiao...
Shen Qingling remembered her; in the original novel, she was Shen Qingling’s childhood friend.
They were both orphans in the Orphanage. Later, a couple came to adopt a child, and Shen Qingling gave this opportunity to Chu Jiaojiao.
Chu Jiaojiao was adopted and had a normal life, but their contact did not break off.
Chu Jiaojiao’s new home was not far from the Orphanage, and Shen Qingling would wait for her every day to go to school together. Chu Jiaojiao’s adoptive parents also knew Shen Qingling, and the two grew up together.
Shen Qingling was very good to her, giving her his rare moments of tenderness, but she did not cherish it.
In the original novel, she accepted Gu Yijin’s bribe and, after Shen Qingling was framed, came forward to accuse the original host of having sexually assaulted her, and not just once.
She claimed to be timid and weak, and because the original host was an excellent student with good grades, she feared no one would believe her, so she had always endured in silence. The Shen Qingling in her words was a hypocritical, selfish, two-faced, and twisted rapist.
Chu Jiaojiao cried in front of the camera, gaining countless people's sympathy and deepening everyone's disgust for Shen Qingling.
Chu Jiaojiao and Shen Qingling attended elementary and middle school together, and then high school, only truly separating when they went to Jiang University.
Their former classmates all knew their relationship; they were once inseparable, and many girls envied Chu Jiaojiao for receiving Shen Qingling’s care and affection.
So, when Chu Jiaojiao’s words came out, everyone believed them implicitly because she had no reason to slander Shen Qingling. Who would doubt the words of a childhood friend?
Because of Chu Jiaojiao’s malicious rumors, this rumor became what everyone believed to be the truth. Everyone’s suspicion about the original host kidnapping Song Zhining and attempted rape turned into belief.
Shen Qingling didn't know what Chu Jiaojiao’s true feelings were towards the original host, nor did he want to know. Anyway, in the original novel, what she did was unforgivable.
This time, just because of his arrival, the original events did not happen, but this does not mean that she did not conspire with Gu Yijin in private. Anyway, given the chance, she would still choose to betray the original host.
Chu Jiaojiao had already been condemned in his mind; there was no possibility of forgiveness.
Shen Qingling clicked on her message and saw that this person was actually still pinned in his WeChat. He frowned tightly and quickly unpinned Chu Jiaojiao’s message.
She wasn’t worthy.
“Jiaojiao: Qing Ling! You’re number one on Chance Encounter’s hot posts! My Jiang University classmate took a picture of you on the bus, hahaha, everyone is saying you’re so handsome!”
Shen Qingling lowered his eyes and gave a cold smile. If he hadn’t known what happened in the original novel, Chu Jiaojiao’s true nature would have been deeply hidden, making it hard to see her true colors.
On the surface, she was a lively, cute, and pure young girl, full of admiration and dependence on Shen Qingling. In reality... ten thousand yuan could buy her and the original host’s childhood friendship, allowing her to completely put Shen Qingling to death.
This childhood friendship was truly cheap.
At this moment, the system's voice rang out: “Detectable conquerable character: Chu Jiaojiao.”
Chu Jiaojiao’s character panel appeared before Shen Qingling’s eyes.
“Name: Chu Jiaojiao”
“Goddess Level: A-level”
“Identity: Shen Qingling’s childhood friend”
“Personality: Selfish, vain, two-faced”
“Plot Relevance: 30%”
“Ending: Insufficient points, cannot unlock”
“Ding! Triggered side quest: Obtain Chu Jiaojiao’s regret value, reward 100,000 points. Host, do you want to activate the side quest?”
“Chu Jiaojiao’s regret value is 100,000 points?”
Shen Qingling frowned. It was already annoying enough to conquer a woman like Chu Jiaojiao; why was there also a side quest about her?
“Yes, Chu Jiaojiao and the original host had an inseparable relationship. She was one of the key figures who caused the original host’s tragic life, so her regret value is very important to the original host.”
“Then let’s activate the side quest. 100,000 points are too good to pass up. She will definitely come out to cause trouble again later; Gu Yijin will surely bribe her if he wants to attack me.”
“So, the host needs to obtain not only her heartthrob value but also her regret value, making her work for you. However, it’s not easy to gain the heartthrob value of a selfish woman like her.”
“Not easy? Actually, it’s not that difficult.”
In his opinion, the original host was too good to this woman. He should have given her the cold shoulder, then a slap and a sweet date to make her realize what her life would be like without Shen Qingling.
“Shen Qingling: Got it.”
Shen Qingling simply replied with one sentence, without a single extra word.
Chu Jiaojiao frowned when she saw Shen Qingling’s cold reply.
It wasn’t anger, but confusion.
Although Shen Qingling was always indifferent to women, he was very gentle with her and never replied to her words in such a cold tone.
What happened today? Was he in a bad mood because something happened?
That shouldn’t be... Shouldn’t he be happy after saving someone?
Chu Jiaojiao sent another message.
“Chu Jiaojiao: Qing Ling, what’s wrong? Are you in a bad mood?”
“Shen Qingling: No.”
“Chu Jiaojiao: Then why did you only reply with three words? You never used to be like this. How about you come to my Jiang University this weekend?”
After sending this message, Chu Jiaojiao revealed a scornful expression.
She knew Shen Qingling too well. No matter what happened, he would still treat her as well as ever once they met.
A simp.
The male god whom countless women couldn't reach was at her beck and call, reduced to a backup simp she looked down upon. How could she not feel pleased?