Chapter 131 Strategic Choice

"That shouldn't be, right?!"

In front of the computer, Ning Xi was wearing a fluffy headband, resting her chin on her hand, and controlling the mouse with her right hand. Her eyes were filled with doubt as she muttered to herself, "Is this guy really that good? Didn't he just start learning?"

A hundred moves already?...

To be fair, she's an amateur level one player, preparing for the amateur ranking competition. Though she's not exactly a master, she's still quite advanced among ordinary players. And to think she's already played a hundred moves against a complete beginner?

It just... doesn't make sense!!!

Thinking this, Ning Xi tapped a few keys on the keyboard and sent a message.

[Ye Fan, are you sure this is your first time playing Go?]

"Ding—" Instant reply.

[Yes, it's my first time.]

[Then how... are you so skilled?]

[Maybe it's natural talent.]

[Bah! I'm done, no fun.]

After sending the message, Ning Xi decisively logged out. Having done so, she patted her puffed-up chest, muttering softly, "Doesn't even know how to go easy, bad guy, hmph!"

That last game...

She had been at a disadvantage!

It was absurd, but it was true.

At first, Ning Xi couldn't believe it herself. Since it was a custom game, there was no countdown timer, so she counted the moves during their chat.

The result was...

She was behind by a piece and a half!

And what's worse, Ye Fan was getting stronger as the game went on. If they continued, she would surely lose.

After studying Go for over four months, she still couldn't beat Ye Fan, who just started learning?

It's a lie, it has to be a lie. Let the world end!!!

Ning Xi pulled her blanket over her head, and her exposed, fair feet kicked restlessly in the air, as if venting her frustration.

In the room.

Ye Fan stared at Ning Xi's grayed-out icon for a few seconds, then seemed to understand something, and smiled wryly.

He'd gotten too serious and forgot he was just supposed to be playing with his girlfriend...

Girlfriend?

Hmm... well, since she doesn't know, I'll just call her that for now!

Ye Fan moved the mouse, selected "concede," then turned off the computer, casually picking up a book from the desk to read.

"Reading for ten minutes, experience +1."

"Reading for ten minutes, experience +1."

...

After finishing his reading task, Ye Fan lay on the bed and pulled up the attribute panel.

[Host]: Ye Fan

[Knowledge]: Level 3 (0/2000)

[Intelligence]: Level 3 (0/2000)

[Stamina]: Level 3 (0/2000)

[Medical Skill]: Level 3 (0/2000)

[Merit Points]: 110

[Experience]: 632

After looking it over, Ye Fan squinted his eyes.

The Experience Boost Card costs 500 Merit Points; he still needs 390 more.

Almost there!

He's already accumulated over 600 experience points, and at this rate, he'll gather 2000 experience points within a month, allowing him to level up another skill.

Upgrade Medical Skill?

No!

Ye Fan planned to upgrade Intelligence. In the short term, his medical skills wouldn't be much use; level three was enough to handle minor ailments like colds and fevers.

Intelligence, on the other hand, was different. Each time his intelligence leveled up, he felt as if he'd been elevated. Intelligence determines a person's upper limit; the smarter he is, the more ways he can think of to accumulate Merit Points and get the Experience Boost Card sooner.

Strategic choice!

After checking the three items refreshed in the Merit Store, Ye Fan lost interest and mentally called out, "System, are you there?"

System: "Host, what do you need?"

The sweet voice echoed in Ye Fan's mind, making him feel warm. In terms of pleasantness, the System's voice and Ning Xi's are the best he's ever heard, almost indistinguishable.

That's an objective assessment.

If he weren't being objective, Ning Xi's voice is, of course, the most beautiful, no doubt!

Propping himself up with one hand, Ye Fan leaned against the bed's headboard and thought, "The way of gaining experience points is too limited. Can the system remove the restriction of releasing tasks only on the first of each month? The more tasks, the better, right?"

He's not just making this up.

The System's purpose is to make the host stronger, so why impose so many restrictions?

It's contradictory!

System: "Host, removing the task release restriction isn't impossible, but the time isn't right."

"Time isn't right?"

Ye Fan's eyes lit up, and he asked eagerly, "What conditions need to be met for the task release restriction to be lifted?"

He picked up on the hidden meaning in the System's words.

System: "Once all four skills reach Level 4, the task release restriction will be automatically removed. Tasks will then be released irregularly."

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan nodded, his gaze deepening.

All four skills at Level 4?

It shouldn't take too long, about half a year!

Having settled his thoughts, he went to sleep—

...

The next morning, it was hot and stuffy.

As soon as he got downstairs, Ye Fan looked up at the sky, went back upstairs to grab an umbrella, and then headed to school.

As he walked into the school building, a downpour began. Large raindrops splashed against the ground, creating a sound as if washing away the impurities in people's hearts—a soothing melody.

In the classroom.

Ning Xi raised her delicate face, took out a folding umbrella from her desk, and waved it in front of Ye Fan with a smile on her cheeks, "I thought you hadn't brought an umbrella. I was just about to go check, and here you are."

"Thanks."

Ye Fan took off his backpack, pulled out a thermos, and handed it to Ning Xi, feigning ignorance, "Why did you run away last night? I was about to concede, were you pretending to let me win?"

As he spoke, his hands moved subtly behind his back.

"…"

Ning Xi didn't notice Ye Fan's little actions, and her soft lips parted slightly, gleaming with an alluring light. Her fragrant breath wafted out, her bright eyes widening.

She let Ye Fan win?

What the heck!

Last night, she was the one about to lose and ran off to avoid the embarrassment, but somehow Ye Fan turned it into her deliberately letting him win?

As she pondered this, something foreign slipped into her mouth, disrupting her chaotic thoughts. She blinked, and her tongue instinctively tasted it.

Huh?

It's sweet???

A candy wrapper lay in Ye Fan's hand as he smiled and asked softly, "Is it sweet?"

"Sweet."

Ning Xi nodded reflexively, then realized something was off. She glanced shyly at Ye Fan, her eyes filled with a playful reproach, "Who said you could... put candy in my mouth? Did you get my permission?"

With the candy in her mouth, her voice carried a hint of a nasal tone, soft and sweet. Coupled with the expression on her fair face, she became the most beautiful sight in the classroom.

Unfortunately, the cram class students were busy studying, unaware of the scene unfolding at the back of the classroom, leaving Ye Fan as the sole witness to this view.

"Isn't it tasty?"

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