An Han had already taken out his phone to call Ren Chi—when a sudden idea struck him like a bolt of lightning.
"Wait! If I solve this problem *my own way*, I won't technically complete the task, but I also won't run into any trouble!
This is a system bug! Who says I *have* to pick from the system's options?!"
So he immediately dialed Su Peng.
"I'm busy right now. Won't be back on campus until evening. What's up?"
"My ankle's twisted—I can't walk. Never mind…"
He hung up and tried calling An Kexin instead.
"I'm out shopping with friends. It'll take an hour by taxi to get back to campus~"
He racked his brain. Who else was still at school—and close enough to actually come help him?
After a long, frustrated pause… no third name came to mind.
Out of the thirty-odd classmates, most had gone home for the National Day holiday. Only Su Peng and An Kexin were truly familiar to him. The rest? Barely more than strangers he'd exchanged a few words with—definitely not friends.
"This system really doesn't leave a single loophole!" he groaned.
Gripping the stair railing, he pushed himself up with a grunt—and nearly toppled over.
*Reverse psychology!* He'd technically selected Task Three… but could still fulfill Task Two instead! That way, he'd solve his problem without getting any reward—exactly what he wanted!
…Though if he'd thought of this earlier, he should've picked the *hardest* option—Task One—and then called Ren Chi for help anyway.
Lifting his injured left foot, An Han carefully hopped down one step.
But his balance failed. He instinctively put his hand—and injured foot—on the ground to steady himself.
"Ah—!" A sharp, piercing pain shot through him. His face went white.
Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and called Ren Chi.
He just couldn't take it anymore. The slightest touch of his left foot to the floor sent daggers of pain through his ankle, and his calves were already screaming from exhaustion. Hopping all the way back to the dorm on one leg? Impossible.
"Hey, Brother Ren~" His voice instantly turned soft and sweet—he *was* asking for a favor, after all.
"Who's this?"
The other end clearly didn't recognize his voice.
"It's me—An Han!" he whined miserably. "Brother Ren, when you're heading back to campus with your stuff… can you swing by and take me to the clinic?"
"What happened?"
"I twisted my ankle coming down the stairs… and it's pretty bad."
Just then—*click!*—a door opened upstairs. Moments later, Ren Chi's anxious voice echoed down the stairwell: "An Han!"
"Down here! Fifth floor!"
Heavy footsteps pounded downward—and soon, Ren Chi appeared in view, brow furrowed in worry.
Before An Han could say a word, Ren Chi snapped, "How could you be so careless?!"
"Sit down. Take off your shoe—I need to check it."
"…Okay." An Han sat down on the step, looking pitiful.
It's not like I *wanted* to sprain my ankle…
He was a little self-conscious—worried his sweaty feet might stink—but obediently pulled off his shoe and sock.
Ren Chi crouched on the step below, gently holding An Han's calf as he examined the swollen ankle.
He gave it the lightest touch—
"Don't touch it! It hurts!" An Han yelped, tears pricking his eyes. "I said *don't*!"
"It's serious," Ren Chi muttered. "Good thing you called me."
"Yeah… I guess…"
"I'm taking you to the clinic."
At that, An Han grabbed the railing to stand—but Ren Chi suddenly turned around and crouched in front of him, back exposed.
An Han stared at Ren Chi's broad shoulders. He understood what was coming—and hesitated, cheeks flushing pink. "Uh… you can just help me walk. No need to carry me."
"It's far."
Ren Chi twisted his head, confused. "We're both guys—what are you embarrassed about?"
"It's from the pain!" An Han protested.
"Just get on. Don't waste time."
…Fine.
Worried Ren Chi might feel the soft swell of his chest, An Han zipped his jacket all the way up—adding an extra layer of fabric as camouflage.
Then, carefully, he looped his arms around Ren Chi's neck and leaned his weight onto his back.
"You're such a clumsy kid," Ren Chi grumbled, standing effortlessly with An Han on his back. "You're light—do you even weigh a hundred pounds?"
"Almost…?"
"Eat more. You're way too thin if you're under a hundred."
That casual concern—so warm, so genuine—made An Han's heart flutter. *Could my homeroom teacher actually… like me?*
…No. The system hadn't shown any affection increase. This was just normal teacher-student care.
Pressed against Ren Chi's back, An Han felt strong hands supporting his thighs. The descent was steady, smooth—no jostling, no insecurity.
Ren Chi kept muttering, "You sprain your ankle just walking downstairs? Can't you be more careful?
What am I supposed to do as your counselor if you get hurt?"
*You're just worried the school'll blame you for misusing student labor,* An Han thought wryly—but despite himself, he felt like he'd gained an older brother.
The warmth radiating from Ren Chi's body through their contact was oddly comforting.
Letting go of his paranoid thoughts, An Han exhaled deeply and rested his head against Ren Chi's shoulder, eyes closing.
"Almost there," Ren Chi said, glancing back. "Go rest properly when you get back. Classes start again in a couple days."
"I know."
Ren Chi sighed—*how did asking An Han for help end up like this?*
He carried An Han into the community clinic just outside the compound and gently set him down in a chair. Looking up, he called out, "Doctor, my student sprained his ankle."
In this part of the country, medical staff were respectfully called "teacher"; drivers or laborers were addressed as "master."
An Han slumped back in the chair, utterly drained.
[Task completed. +1 "Pí Gǔ" attribute awarded.]
He barely glanced at the notification—until his eyes caught the words **"Pí Gǔ."**
*Pí Gǔ?* Skin and bones?
He'd never heard of this stat before.
He had no idea what it did—but the system's "rewards" had already caused enough trouble.
His friendship with Su Peng had nearly turned weird, all because of some random system bonus.
Gritting his teeth, An Han cursed under his breath—but there was nothing he could do. He had to accept these random attributes.
Ren Chi noticed his odd expression and sat beside him, lowering his voice. "You don't like hospitals?"
"Not really…" An Han managed a weak smile.
But then he saw Ren Chi staring at him—eyes wide in surprise.
That look made An Han even more annoyed. He puffed out his cheeks and shot Ren Chi a glare.
"Sorry," Ren Chi quickly looked away, flustered.
*Why did his student's skin suddenly look so smooth—like a baby's? So soft he wanted to pinch it…*
It was as if a filter had been layered over his vision. An Han seemed… different.
Ren Chi blamed it on the clinic's weird lighting.