[Current Resentment Level of Zhao Yifei: 53/100 (Task is completed once resentment breaks 100)]
"Still need 47 more."
Xu Lin stroked his chin and looked at Zhao Yifei.
Only to see Zhao Yifei sitting there, watching Yu Xinyan from afar, glancing now and then.
This kid has been thinking about Yu Xinyan for three years now.
Although other boys are also thinking about Yu Xinyan, Yu Xinyan is too dazzling both in looks and academic performance, naturally attracting many admirers, but few dare publicly declare their intention to pursue Yu Xinyan.
Zhao Yifei is among those few.
Adolescent boys often deal with insecurities and timidness, making the dazzling girls their unattainable dream, trapping them for life.
As everyone knows, a dream is only considered unattainable when you can't achieve it.
Only someone like Zhao Yifei, who excels in academics, dares boast about pursuing Yu Xinyan.
The whole class knows.
But Yu Xinyan doesn't care about him at all.
Actually, Zhao Yifei is over 1.8 meters tall, somewhat handsome, comes from a good family, and excels academically, boasting a pretty high configuration among the guys.
Yet reality sometimes defies logic.
The blonde is the strongest presence in this version.
[A person who harbors deep resentment towards you.]
"Fei, give me a bit more resentment!"
Xu Lin silently recited Amitabha in his heart, pondering how to complete the task today.
After all, they're graduating soon, and he'll not see Zhao Yifei in the future.
Thinking about the upcoming separation, Xu Lin suddenly felt a bit sentimental.
With the third round of drinks finished, everyone was well fed and hydrated.
The time finally came for the big group photo.
The teachers stood in the front row, females in the middle, and males in the back.
There were some different arrangements too.
For example, Yu Xinyan stood in the middle of the last row of females, Xu Lin behind Yu Xinyan, and Lei Haolong was on Xu Lin's right.
Fei stood on the left of the left of the left of Xu Lin, with two people in between.
From this spot, he could see Yu Xinyan relatively closely.
Fei secretly watched Yu Xinyan this way.
Yu Xinyan's profile was truly stunning, possibly leaving many boys enchanted years later.
"Damn! Why is this jerk standing behind Yu Xinyan!"
Fei was very annoyed, wishing to switch places.
[Zhao Yifei's resentment towards you +8!]
!
Xu Lin glanced at Fei out of the corner of his eye.
He hadn't noticed earlier; he didn't expect Fei to be there.
"Alright! Get in position!"
The hotel staff responsible for photography spoke up, instructing everyone to get ready.
In a flash, Xu Lin extended both hands, making a peace sign, and placed them on top of Yu Xinyan's head.
"Xu Lin, what are you doing?"
Yu Xinyan turned around.
"I'm making bunny ears for you, look, isn't it cute?"
"Really?"
"Really, wait and see the photo later if you don't believe!"
"Hmph!"
[Zhao Yifei's resentment towards you +30!]
"It's happening!"
Xu Lin's heart raced with excitement.
[Current Resentment Level of Zhao Yifei: 91/100 (Task is completed once resentment breaks 100)]
"Everyone, say cheese!"
"Cheese!"
Click!
Click!
"Alright, everyone looks great!"
The staff responsible for photography smiled.
Everyone went to see the pictures, afterward the class teacher posted them in the class group chat.
Yu Xinyan quickly clicked open the photo and saw Xu Lin making a peace sign on her head, indeed resembling bunny ears.
"Looks good, right?"
Xu Lin came over, smiling brightly.
"I think it's decent!"
Yu Xinyan returned to her serious expression.
"You're being dishonest, I saw you sneak a smile earlier, come on, admit it, do you secretly like me?"
"Vain! Who would like someone like you? You're so carefree and unserious!"
"You're hurting my feelings saying that!"
Xu Lin put on a heartbroken expression.
Yu Xinyan glared at him: "You're such a clown!"
But right after, remembering something, Yu Xinyan added: "Let's keep a picture of us together!"
"Lei Haolong, come over to take a picture for us!"
Xu Lin called Lei Haolong over.
Without a word, Lei Haolong walked over, took Yu Xinyan's phone, and snapped pictures for Xu Lin and Yu Xinyan.
He took several photos.
Initially, Xu Lin and Yu Xinyan just stood there with about five centimeters of space between their arms, close but not too close, maintaining some distance.
Eventually, Xu Lin decided to embrace Yu Xinyan's shoulder, pulling her into his arms.
Yu Xinyan gasped but didn't break free, only stomping on Xu Lin's foot.
Not far away, Fei watched this scene, feeling like he was being stabbed in the heart.
Damn it!
Xu Lin is so despicable!
Fei was on the verge of tears.
[Zhao Yifei's resentment towards you +3!]
[Zhao Yifei's resentment towards you +5!]
[Zhao Yifei's resentment towards you +3!]
[Current Resentment Level of Zhao Yifei: 102/100 (Task is completed once resentment breaks 100)]
[Congratulations! You have completed the task 'Show him what the blonde is made of!']
[Your wealth +2000 RMB; You've received a random skill reward - Divine Penmanship.]
[Divine Penmanship: This ability allows the host to create inspiration bursting like water, Flourishing Brush, and grandiose tales.]
Bursts like water?
Hmm?
Meanwhile, Lei Haolong, shocked by Xu Lin's bold action, seized the opportunity to snap a flurry of photos.
"Damn! Xu Lin! I feel like I've just taken a legendary shot!"
Lei Haolong looked at the latest photo.
This photo captured Yu Xinyan turning back to look at Xu Lin, presenting a profile shot with a delicate contour, fluttering eyelashes, and those eyes that gleam like stars but with a hint of playful teasing.
And Xu Lin?
He happened to be looking down right at her.
The two of them, like a perfectly matched couple, left Lei Haolong mesmerized.
A stunning photo often emerges from an unintended instant.
Capture this instant, and a legendary shot might appear.
Lei Haolong exclaimed excitedly, "Xu Lin, when we get to college, I definitely want to dive into photography. You see I have a knack for it, right?"
Xu Lin glanced at the photo and said, "I think it's alright."
Yu Xinyan took the phone and started looking at it.
Actually, Lei Haolong wanted to ask Yu Xinyan if the photo looked good, but he didn't have the courage.
If he had the guts like Xu Lin, he would have had a girlfriend long ago.
Though Xu Lin didn't have a girlfriend either, many girls pursued him. Lei Haolong, having been Xu Lin's deskmate for three years, envied him for as long—like when girls occasionally asked him, "Are you Xu Lin's deskmate? Do you know how to contact Xu Lin?" Questions like these.
Yu Xinyan looked at the photo, without commenting on its beauty, and simply said to Lei Haolong, "Lei Haolong, thank you!"
"No worries!"
Lei Haolong scratched his head and smiled broadly.
Lei Haolong then suggested, "Xu Lin, let's take a selfie together!"
Xu Lin asked Yu Xinyan to help take the photo.
As for two guys, there wasn't much meaningful to capture, so they took a couple of photos.
However, for guys, taking photos isn't about the photos themselves but the meaning behind them. They say people meet again through mountain and river, others may drift apart, especially if attending college in different cities; everyone meets different friends or fleeting acquaintances along different journeys in life.
Finally, the teacher appreciation banquet came to an end like this.
People left with lukewarm tea, and many felt somewhat melancholic. Yu Xinyan felt melancholic.
Since she and Xu Lin lived in the same neighborhood, she followed Xu Lin out of the hotel.
"Xu Lin, youth has ended!"
Yu Xinyan said sentimentally.
"I'm only eighteen, how could youth have ended?"
Xu Lin was carefree.
"I'm eighteen too!" Yu Xinyan said, walking behind Xu Lin with hands behind her back.
Xu Lin walked ahead.
Thinking about his rewards, he had just received two gifts from the system, first a large sum of two thousand, and another a skill.
Divine Penmanship?
Creativity like a river bursting its banks?
Xu Lin felt this skill might not be very useful to him.
Could it mean he should create something?
I'd rather play games!
To think that Xu Lin barely scraped up 800 words in his college entrance exam essay, feeling like his head was about to explode until he finally added that exclamation mark at the end, he was relieved.
"Xu Lin, wait for me!"
At this moment, Lei Haolong came running, panting heavily.
"What's up?"
Xu Lin turned back.
"I want to come over to your house!"
Xu Lin realized.
And he suddenly remembered the Warhorse bottle cap in his pocket, he needed to redeem it for another.
"Lei Haolong, I almost forgot, where did you buy this Warhorse?"
"Just at that Meiyijia upfront!"
Lei Haolong pointed to the Meiyijia ahead.
"Xu Lin, don't drink too many energy drinks, they're unhealthy!"
Yu Xinyan reminded him promptly.
Xu Lin said seriously, "I'll listen to you!"
"That's more like it!" Yu Xinyan huffed adorably.
"But!"
Xu Lin suddenly changed his tone, pulling out the Warhorse bottle cap.
"This is another one-for-one offer, I can profit five bucks! If I'm lucky, I could win consecutively. I once bought one and won five bottles in a row, am I awesome or what?"
Yu Xinyan: …
Before long, the three entered the Meiyijia across the street, and Xu Lin exchanged the Warhorse for another bottle.
After paying a dollar, the male clerk and Lei Haolong watched Xu Lin tell Yu Xinyan: "They say that good-looking people also have good luck. Yanyan, touch this bottle of Warhorse, lend me some luck so I can win another!"
"Alright, I'll touch it."
Yu Xinyan didn't find anything odd about it.
While Lei Haolong and the clerk watched this seemingly unreliable guy.
Yu Xinyan touched the bottle of Warhorse in Xu Lin's hand.
She said, "Done."
"Watch this!"
With those words, Xu Lin peeled off the Warhorse cap like unwrapping a red envelope, his movements cautious and mysterious.
"I won!"
Xu Lin exclaimed and said to Yu Xinyan, "Look!"
Yu Xinyan couldn't help him, so she said, "Just don't drink more than this one, carbonated drinks aren't healthy!"
"I won't drink it. I'm going to give it to the most important person in my life!"
"Who's that?"
Yu Xinyan hurriedly asked.
Xu Lin exchanged for another bottle of Warhorse and ultimately placed this bottle in Yu Xinyan's hand.
"See, this one's for you. It's my token of affection for you!"
"Xu Lin, who gifts a bottle of energy drink as a token of affection?"
Yu Xinyan said, "You're always so improper!"
Despite her words, Yu Xinyan still kept the energy drink, clutching it in her hand, her cheeks flushed, pondering over Xu Lin's words about giving it to the most important person in his life, regardless of if Xu Lin was being proper or not.
"You're blushing."
"It's just hot weather!"
Yu Xinyan turned her head away, adopting a proud demeanor, unwilling to engage with this improper boy.
"Xu Lin, let's go!"
Yu Xinyan stepped out of Meiyijia.
Xu Lin followed closely.
"Lei Haolong, what are you standing there for? Let's go!"
Lei Haolong quickly caught up, he had been taking notes on his phone!
Hoping that someday he could employ Xu Lin's flirting techniques.
Xu Lin was practically his role model!