Chapter 4: The Third Female Lead

Soon, a month passed. The System had issued dozens of missions, but Ye Kelin had only managed to complete a few, leaving her somewhat disheartened. The only changes so far were in the Favorability ratings: Chen Siyan had only risen to 10, while Long Wenxuan was even worse off at just 3. The future looked bleak.

[Host, don't lose heart. Your Favorability is low right now, so your success rate is naturally low too. It will get better over time.]

"I see..." Ye Kelin sighed, only to have a milk candy stuffed into her mouth by Feng Geya. Blinking, she looked over to see Feng Geya watching her with concern.

"Are you okay?" Feng Geya patted Ye Kelin's head gently.

"Mmm... Why is the class so noisy today?" Ye Kelin muttered softly.

"Ah, you don't know? I heard a transfer student is joining our class. The principal poached her from another school—apparently, she's an outstanding academic achiever," Feng Geya explained to Ye Kelin.

"But we're already in our second year of high school. Is she transferring now?"

"Probably for the school's reputation. If this top student scores well, the school will gain more fame."

Feng Geya shrugged, indifferent to the school's motives. In her view, what did such an elite school need reputation for? Weren't the children of the wealthy and influential enough?

Ye Kelin patted her head. A transfer student in the second year of high school—why did this feel so familiar?

Just then, the teacher walked in, followed by a tall girl with striking looks, on par with Chen Siyan and Long Wenxuan. Her shoulder-length brown hair was tied back, and she had blue eyes—was she mixed-race? Yet, a hint of melancholy lingered between her brows.

The class stirred with excitement as the teacher introduced the new student. Meanwhile, a voice echoed in Ye Kelin's mind:

[Ding, ding, ding. Detected one of the female leads: Ge Yiyun.]

[Beginning data scan. Favorability: 0, Darkening Value: 0, Hatred Value: 0...]

Wow! Ye Kelin nearly jumped in excitement. Three zeros! For an ordinary person, these numbers would be tragic, but given the two previous examples, this female lead undoubtedly still held goodwill toward her.

Unable to suppress a slight smile, Ye Kelin opened Ge Yiyun's Character Panel:

Name: Ge Yiyun

Identity: Female Lead / Daughter of Fortune / XXX / XXX

Age: 16

Appearance: 96 (100)

Intelligence Quotient: 95 (100)

Combat Power: 18 (Adult Male: 10)

Spiritual Power: 85 (Normal Person: 60)

Ability: ???

These stats felt so familiar. Ye Kelin blinked, carefully observing the girl on the platform. She truly was beautiful, though the melancholy between her brows made one want to smooth it away.

[Ding. Mission (A) triggered. Host, please raise Ge Yiyun's Favorability to 50 within three years. Reward: 5000 Points, Hidden Reward x1, Strength +15.]

Wow! In Ye Kelin's eyes, Ge Yiyun was now undoubtedly a walking reward. Ah, their eyes met.

Ye Kelin blushed, quickly lowering her head. She felt Ge Yiyun walk past her and take a seat behind her.

Huh? The female lead was placed right behind her. Ye Kelin couldn't help but glance back, only to meet the other's gaze again. She hurriedly turned around. Wow, the female lead's blue eyes were truly beautiful—a deep, sea-like azure.

Ge Yiyun noticed the small movements of the person in front of her, watching as the other met her gaze twice before hurriedly looking away, behaving like a timid little white rabbit. This felt quite novel to Ge Yiyun, who had encountered all sorts of people.

Looking around, if it weren't for her mother's illness and the urgent need for money, she wouldn't have come to this place filled with young masters and young ladies. But with the little white rabbit in front, it might still be quite interesting. Thinking this, the corners of Ge Yiyun's lips lifted slightly, and the hesitation between her brows faded considerably.

[Ding, Female Lead Ge Yiyun's Favorability +5. Please keep it up, Host.]

Why did the Favorability suddenly increase? Ye Kelin tilted her head in confusion, finding it unbelievable. Compared to before, the Favorability now seemed to come out of nowhere.

[Triggered Mission (D): Give Ge Yiyun a piece of chocolate. Time limit: two hours. Reward: 50 Points.]

[Triggered Mission (C): Invite Ge Yiyun to have lunch together. Time limit: today. Reward: Unknown Pet Egg x1.]

"Unknown Pet Egg? What's this?"

[The creature to be hatched is unknown, but it is one of the species on this planet. It will Bind with the Host upon birth.]

Wow! This feels pretty good. Ye Kelin excitedly rubbed her hands together, her eyes sparkling. As expected of one of the female leads—the Rewards were truly amazing!

Ding-dong—

The bell signaling the end of class rang. The teachers here never dragged on. Holding the chocolate, Ye Kelin turned around to face Ge Yiyun, who was looking down and flipping through a book.

"Um..."

"Is something matter?" Ge Yiyun slightly raised her gaze, looking at the hesitant figure before her, a flicker of amusement passing through her eyes.

"Would you like some?" Ye Kelin asked, suddenly feeling a pang of regret. This was her favorite fermented rice flavor, and she only had two pieces left. If only she had chosen another flavor earlier, qaq.

Seeing Ye Kelin in front of her, a piece of chocolate about the size of a thumb resting in her fair and tender palm, offering it to her while her eyes brimmed with reluctance, Ge Yiyun found it rather amusing. That look of reluctance made one want to pinch her chubby cheeks. A mischievous thought suddenly rose in Ge Yiyun's heart. She picked up the chocolate with two fingers and waved it in front of Ye Kelin:

"In that case, I'll take it."

Under Ye Kelin's longing gaze, Ge Yiyun unwrapped the chocolate, popped it into her mouth, and slightly narrowed her eyes, savoring the chocolate as it slowly melted in her mouth, sweet and delightful. Her gaze inadvertently fell on Ye Kelin's lips, wondering if they tasted as delicious as the chocolate.

"It's delicious, thank you."

"As long as you like it," Ye Kelin muttered, but anyone could see that the speaker's head drooped, looking quite dejected.

[Ding, Mission D completed. Reward: 50 Points.]

[Ding, detected Ge Yiyun's Favorability +10. Please keep it up, Host.]

Well, these two notifications made Ye Kelin feel a bit better. She let out a proud "hmph," turned around, rested her chin on her hands, and rolled her eyes, thinking: How should she invite Ge Yiyun to go out for lunch together?

This frustration lasted until noon. As soon as the bell rang, Feng Geya jumped up, grabbed Ye Kelin's arm, and rushed outside, shouting, "Let's go, let's go! Hurry to the cafeteria, or we won't find a good spot if we're late!"

Ye Kelin felt her vision blur as she was dragged outside. Coming to her senses, she struggled frantically:

"W-wait!"

"What's wrong?" Feng Geya turned her head to see Ye Kelin pulling her back toward the transfer student, whispering softly:

"Want to go eat together?"

Ge Yiyun was slightly surprised by Ye Kelin's sudden return, raising an eyebrow. She had thought the other girl's kindness would end with the chocolate she'd given her, never expecting an invitation to lunch. However—

This young lady probably didn't realize that the student cafeteria at this elite school operated on a card system, where a single meal could cost thousands or even tens of thousands. She couldn't afford it. Ge Yiyun tried to detect any malice in Ye Kelin's eyes—perhaps an attempt to humiliate her—but found only pure clarity instead. Unconsciously, she lowered her head:

"I brought my own."

"You brought your own?" Ye Kelin looked left and right suspiciously, unable to spot any lunchbox.

Seeing Ye Kelin's expression that seemed to say, "I'm not stupid, don't try to fool me," Ge Yiyun sighed helplessly and pulled out two... energy bars?!

Ye Kelin blinked, eyeing Ge Yiyun doubtfully:

"You're eating just this?"

"They're tasty, filling, and nutritious." Facing Ye Kelin's accusatory little gaze, Ge Yiyun suddenly felt a twinge of guilt—an unfamiliar emotion.

"Come on, come on! It's your first day here, so I'm treating you!" Ye Kelin planted her hands on her hips, then rushed over to grab Ge Yiyun's arm, trying to pull her from her seat. But even with all her strength, Ge Yiyun didn't budge an inch.

After a moment, Ye Kelin was panting heavily. Ge Yiyun looked tall and slender—how could she be so heavy? Wait, could this be a difference in Combat Power? Was she so weak she couldn't even move someone?

"Are you coming or not!" Ye Kelin had no choice but to bare her teeth at Ge Yiyun, growling fiercely yet adorably.

Ge Yiyun had intended to stick to her principles, but seeing Ye Kelin like this, her heart skipped a beat, followed by a strong flutter. Before she could regain her composure, her mouth spoke first:

"Alright, alright, I'll go."

"That's more like it." Ye Kelin nodded in satisfaction, especially when she heard the sound of the Mission completion, a smug smile appearing on her face.

Ge Yiyun couldn't help but reach out and ruffle Ye Kelin's head. Hmm, her hair was soft, the texture very pleasant. But the next second, the sensation in her hand vanished as Ye Kelin's deskmate, sitting beside her, pulled her away, glaring warily at Ge Yiyun:

"Kelin, let's hurry up and go."

"Yeah!" Ye Kelin turned and waved at Ge Yiyun:

"You follow too, okay."

"Mm." Ge Yiyun responded softly, her gaze lingering on Feng Geya's hand resting on Ye Kelin's shoulder. She wanted to take that person's place. Startled by her own thoughts, Ge Yiyun lowered her eyes.

Due to her mixed heritage, poor family background, and her personality, she had faced plenty of rejection. Yet Ye Kelin was the first person to show kindness upon meeting her. In that case—a glint flashed briefly in Ge Yiyun's eyes.

Shiver... Ye Kelin trembled, feeling as if someone was plotting against her? The thought crossed her mind, but as she heard the System announce the Mission completion and Ge Yiyun's Favorability +5, she quickly brushed it aside.

Prompted, Ye Kelin immediately felt overjoyed, casting aside the momentary sensation from just before. With a cheerful expression, she ran toward the cafeteria between Feng Geya and Ge Yiyun.

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