A successful counterattack could really bring that many rewards?
Aiden James stood frozen for a moment, eyes wide. Then, slowly, a strange light flickered in his gaze as he looked at Ivy Mae, like a starving man seeing a feast laid out in front of him.
Ivy Mae: Favorability -1
Ivy Mae: Favorability -1
Her favorability dropped again, from negative fifty to negative fifty-two.
That wasn't dislike. That was disgust, deep, soul-crushing disgust.
"What are you staring at?" Ivy sneered, her tone sharp enough to cut glass. "You're just a broke loser pretending to be rich. Asking for my number? Please. Go look in a mirror."
Aiden looked down at himself, worn sneakers, faded shorts, a wrinkled T-shirt. His hair was a mess. Even he had to admit, he didn't exactly scream successful businessman.
Meanwhile, Ivy stood there, bright eyes, glossy hair, fashionable clothes. She was the third-ranked beauty in the School of Arts at Wellington University, and her admirers stretched from the front gate to the back parking lot. Sons of CEOs, young artists, scholarship geniuses, all lined up hoping for her attention.
And Aiden? He was the guy who once skipped meals just to buy his girlfriend makeup.
But this time, he didn't flinch. "Don't be so quick to refuse, beautiful," he said with an easy smile. "It doesn't cost you anything to add me. If you do, I'll cover all your expenses for today."
Something about his tone was different, calm, steady, confident. Having that infinite balance in his account made his spine a little straighter.
Gasps rippled through the small crowd around them.
"Wait, isn't that the guy who used to deliver breakfast to Emily Rose every morning?" someone whispered. "The campus bootlicker?"
"Yeah! He actually asked Ivy Mae for her number? Has he lost it?"
"Man, she's known for bleeding rich guys dry. He'll be eaten alive."
The murmurs spread fast, but Aiden didn't care. He was focused on one thing, testing the system.
Ivy tilted her head, smirking. "You sure about that?"
"I'm sure," Aiden replied.
Her eyes glinted mischievously. "Alright then. I want to treat everyone here to snacks and drinks, you're paying."
Without hesitation, Aiden pulled out his phone and scanned the code.
A soft ding echoed.
'Alipay deposit received - 50,000 dollars!'
The entire shop went silent.
Students froze mid-sip, mid-bite, mid-conversation. Even the cashier stared, blinking in disbelief.
This wasn't a prank. The payment was real.
No one could believe it, the same Aiden James who used to live on instant noodles just dropped fifty grand without blinking.
A bootlicker spending that much just to impress a girl? Unreal.
Even Ivy Mae, who'd met more than her fair share of big spenders, blinked in surprise. His messy hair and simple clothes didn't fit the image of someone who could toss away money like that.
And yet… he looked calm. Confident. Like fifty thousand meant nothing.
"Now," Aiden said lightly, "can I add you on WeChat?"
Ivy smiled, slow, teasing. "What's the rush? The day's just getting started. Follow me."
Thirty minutes later…
Aiden and Ivy arrived at the Qanda Commercial Plaza, the biggest luxury mall in the city.
"Let's go," Ivy said, flashing a mischievous smile. "I've had my eye on a new Gucci bag. You don't mind buying it for me, right?"
Aiden smiled back. "I don't mind at all."
He was practically buzzing with excitement. This was a perfect chance to "lick" and earn back even more.
But as soon as they stepped into the Gucci store, fate decided to twist the knife.
"Justin, do you think this bag looks good on me?" Emily Rose asked, spinning in front of a mirror with a brand-new Gucci purse slung over her shoulder.
Her boyfriend, Justin Reed, leaned lazily against a display case, wearing designer clothes and an expression that screamed arrogance. "It looks good," he said casually. "But, babe, my dad's been on my case lately about spending too much. He's only giving me, like, a hundred grand this month for living expenses. Things are a little tight. Let's look around somewhere else, yeah? I'll buy you something next time."
He said it with the tone of someone doing her a favor.
Justin never spent money on women. He preferred investing in his image, nice watches, flashy cars, and calculated generosity. Let the other guys waste their money on gifts. He just needed to look rich; that was enough to make women chase him.
"But… I really like it," Emily pouted.
"Emily," Justin sighed, his voice turning cold. "I don't want my girlfriend to be materialistic. I want her to like me for who I am, not for things. You get that, right?"
Emily froze, guilt flashing across her face. "O-of course. I'm not that kind of girl," she said, quickly taking off the bag and placing it back on the shelf, though her eyes lingered on it for a second longer than she wanted to admit.
Just then, the store's glass door chimed.
Aiden and Ivy walked in together.
Four pairs of eyes met.
Emily's face instantly went pale.
"Aiden? What are you doing here? Are you following me?" she snapped, her voice sharp enough to draw attention from nearby customers. "I told you I don't like you! You're seriously disgusting!"
The words hit Aiden like a slap.
He clenched his fists. For three years, he'd treated her like his world. He'd worked, struggled, sacrificed… all to see her smile.
And this was what he got in return?
"I didn't follow you," Aiden said flatly. "I'm here with Ivy to buy her a bag. We broke up, Emily. You don't get to tell me what I do anymore."
For a brief moment, silence filled the air. Even Ivy raised a brow, sensing the tension between them.
Then...
Ding!
A familiar mechanical voice echoed in Aiden's mind.
> "System engagement detected!"
Target: Emily Rose
Age: 21
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 106 lbs
Appearance: 7.8/10
Favorability toward Host: - 10
Status: Secondary target locked.
When target's favorability exceeds 95 points, identity reversal will occur. The target will become the host's "licker."
Reward: 10% of total spending + 20 Enhancement Points.
Aiden blinked in disbelief.
Wait...again?
He hadn't expected to trigger another bond.
Could it be… that deep down, part of him still wanted to win her back?
He shook his head, exhaling slowly. Damn it. I really am hopeless.
Still, twenty enhancement points? That was four times more than Ivy's reward.
That alone showed just how deeply Emily had been carved into his heart.