CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35 THIS MUST BE INSTINCT AT WORK

Fortunately, Bai Bufan didn’t really feast at the end; otherwise, with Lin Li’s noble character, he would definitely not associate with such people.

... More rigorously, probably not.

"Why aren’t you eating?" Lin Li asked with a smile.

"I just sat on it, it’s already contaminated."

"You’re defying the heavens."

Bai Bufan got up again and went straight to Lin Li’s back, applying a chokehold on the spot, then leaned in gossipily on Lin Li’s shoulder: "Quickly tell me, what happened at noon, how did Chen Yu Ying manage to sit with you for an entire afternoon? Did you secretly make a move on her without telling the guys?

It’s weird; Chen Yu Ying is quite pretty, her personality and academics are good too, it doesn’t make sense for her to be blind."

"Heh," Lin Li sneered, pretending to be profound before speaking truthfully: "She came to ask me what the principal wanted me to do in the morning."

"..."

Stunned for a moment, Bai Bufan released his chokehold, his expression like a laughing strongman holding back: "What did you say?"

"I made up a more pleasant explanation." Lin Li repeated the exclusive explanation he gave to Chen Yu Ying.

This makes it easier to align stories, even if there’s a very slim chance in the future that Chen Yu Ying and Bai Bufan talk about this matter, it won’t unravel.

"Lin Li, you wouldn’t want your Chen Yu Ying to know the truth either, would you?"

"Quit your flavor, you Japanese person."

"I’ll forgive you guys for invading my chair, and even welcome you to come again next time."

"Green hat fetish? Bai Bufan, truly worthy of being Japanese; I must be lifelong good brothers with you!" Lin Li looked expectantly at Bai Bufan.

"?"

"Damn it, I haven’t even started dating yet, and you’re already eyeing my girlfriend? I take back my forgiveness, go to hell."

Lin Li chuckled and then looked at the system.

He spent all noon creating a story for Chen Yu Ying, and hasn’t checked the reward for task five he earned from her yet.

[You have received the following rewards: Mecha Synchronization Index +10; Random Talent *1; System Currency *50.]

Sacrifice Bai Bufan’s ten years of lifespan, give me a top-tier talent! Talent, activate!

[You have received a talent: Ballet (Ordinary).]

"..."

"..."

Suddenly, some dance techniques popped into his head.

But.

Defying the heavens with talent.

Lin Li wasn’t asking for practical skills like Tongbei Fist or Tai Chi Palm; he could accept talents like piano or violin that allow him to show off, but what’s the meaning of giving ballet?

Damn, does this mean playing the little swan in Swan Lake? No, this is just an ordinary-level talent, and the little swan is a highly challenging role in ballet, which Lin Li might not even be able to perform.

In the Cultivation Realm, with enemies looming, Lin Li utters "hold on a moment," then spins, leaps, and closes his eyes.

This scene Lin Li dares say he couldn’t even imagine.

And the thing that amuses Lin Li most is that this ability isn’t even listed on the panel; the system doesn’t care for this ability either.

Geez, why did my sacrifice fail? In the past when sacrificing Bai Bufan’s lifespan, it was pretty effective.

Wait! It’s due to insufficient balance!

"Bufan, you won’t even live ten more years!"

Bai Bufan: "?"

After some horsing around, Lin Li brought up the panel again, which now looked like this.

[Name: Lin Li (Blood Crow Assassin)]

[Age: 17]

[Constitution: Spiritual Qi absorption rate increased by 200%; Charm Resistance increased by 100%; Yang Qi concentration increased by 50%; Memory improved by 100%; Mecha Synchronization Index 10]

[Passive Ability: Barehanded Blade Catch]

[Active Ability: None]

[System Currency: 400]

Looking at his panel, Lin Li couldn’t help but fall into thought.

He feels he’s been quite busy since activating the system, but in terms of results, he’s still unsure about what exactly he’s been busy with.

Busy, being busy is good.

...

The bell for the end of night study rings.

"Keep up the effort; I’m counting on you!" Bai Bufan no longer held back Lin Li but watched Lin Li leave with great expectations.

Go on, find the big brother at the chicken farm.

Today, Lin Li rarely goes home with his backpack during school days, mainly because it’s loaded with valuables over four thousand in cash and card supplies.

He heads to the office, ready to pick up his pennant from his homeroom teacher, even though he feels giving it away is fine too.

Poor Teacher Xue without a pennant, although he himself wouldn’t admit it.

Lin Li arrives at the office door.

Almost all subject teachers are here.

Boarding schools naturally provide staff accommodation, according to Bai Bufan, they occasionally encountered Xue Jian checking dorms at eleven.

However, as most teachers are middle-aged, those who aren’t homeroom teachers mostly live in their own homes outside and drive to work.

Tonight, the reason the teachers gather is due to a weekly Monday night teacher meeting.

Yet his target, Xue Jian, isn’t here.

Lin Li knocked on the door upon entering and inquired with the nearby Li Binbin: "Teacher Li, is Teacher Xue not here?"

"Probably went to the restroom, should be back soon; if you’re looking for him, wait here for a moment," said Li Binbin.

"Okay."

Lin Li stands beside Xue Jian’s spot, observing around.

Finally, he locks eyes on the English teacher’s legs.

Based on Lin Li’s school experience, if the English teacher is female and young, she tends to be the best looking and most fashionable among teachers; Lin Li’s English teacher Coco fits this niche, though he often calls her Koukou, in her twenties, although rumored to be married.

Nansang’s school rules prohibit teachers from wearing heavy makeup or attire like short skirts during classes, not that any teachers actually do.

Dressing up is usually for oneself, not for grooming to please unruly kids.

However, Koukou returned today from outside specifically for the meeting, wearing a completely different outfit than in the morning, with well-done makeup and seemingly styled hair, paired with a carefully selected dress, looking quite nice.

The love for beauty is universal.

Nice legs.

Glancing once, it’s instinct, nothing more to say.

Looking persistently, is a continuous instinct, also nothing more to say.

Instinct is truly difficult to resist.

"Lin Li, remember to review the text diligently at home; I’ll call on you tomorrow." Koukou noticed Lin Li and spoke.

Spoke too soon.

Instinct is actually quite easy to resist.

Lin Li immediately lost interest in looking.

"Got it, teacher." Lin Li nodded.

Koukou contemplated briefly, deciding to reprimand Lin Li; lately his behavior had been exceedingly out of line.

In English class, he’d either be zoning out or asleep, totally unrelated to course content.

Koukou didn’t want Lin Li to continue this way.

She was just about to speak—

"Your class performance has been good lately, showing great seriousness, Lin Li, remember to maintain that, your grades will improve steadily." Li Binbin, readying to head home, suddenly recalled and praised.

"That’s indeed true; Lin Li is exceptionally focused in class lately," the biology teacher chimed in upon hearing.

"True, assignments are completed well too, keep it up, Lin Li," the geography teacher also nodded.

"Indeed..."

"..."

Li Binbin’s comments resonated with all teachers present, and they generously flattered Lin Li.

Leaving Koukou with: "?"

Her mouth hung open, suddenly stiff, words unsaid.

What’s going on?

Hasn’t Lin Li been increasingly neglecting academics lately?

Why is every teacher except her praising Lin Li?

Even with encouragement-based education, this praise feels over the top.

Unless...

Koukou’s gaze shifted to Lin Li, slightly embarrassed, scratching his head with a smile.

At this moment on Lin Li’s side.

Teachers’ attitudes toward students generally boil down to strictness through deep care.

Though different levels of distributive care exist for distinct students:

Low achievers: Strict care,

Average achievers:

High achievers: Deep love.

High and low achievers’ end-of-term comments vary greatly, with targeted praise or encouragement, while average achievers typically hear, "You are a quiet student..."

Due to being mischievous, Lin Li falls under the ’strict care’ category; this shift to ’deep love’ feels quite unfamiliar.

Suddenly, Lin Li felt a chill, as if someone was watching him, sending shivers across his body.

Upon Lin Li’s glance.

"Why... why... I’m not satisfied... why..."

Holy.

I haven’t seen her for a minute, how did my beautiful, stylish Teacher Koukou turn into a resentful spirit?