The Protagonist's Gold Content

Chen Shu nodded slightly and moved the bag of urea aside, revealing Liu Dayi's face.

"Huh? I know this guy. Isn't he a wanted criminal from the internet?"

Very quickly, someone in the crowd recognized Liu Wuyi.

Everyone immediately searched online, and sure enough, he was a dangerous-level wanted criminal.

Chen Shu, however, immediately noticed the bounty amount—it was a full 100,000 yuan.

Soon, people from the Spirit Suppression Bureau arrived—they were the ones specifically responsible for dealing with beast master criminals.

The black market crowd was dispersed, and the three of them also left Qixing Street.

"Thank you both for this time."

The three of them came to the main street, and Chen Shu left his phone number in case his claim was verified and he could receive the reward.

As for Zhang Dali, he had a lofty demeanor, completely indifferent to the reward.

...

...

In his own words: "After finishing the matter, I walk away, hiding my achievements and fame."

"This was a small matter. I, Chen Shu, love nothing more than upholding justice!"

The two of them looked like paragons of righteousness, as if they existed to fix all injustices in the world.

They completely forgot how fast they had just run away earlier.

"I'll remember this favor. If you ever need anything, feel free to tell me."

Xu Xiaoyu had a serious look on her face—clearly someone who disliked owing others.

"Sis Xiaoyu, we didn't help you for any kind of favor."

Chen Shu also looked sincere, but then suddenly changed the subject.

"By the way, I'm looking for a summer job."

"..."

Zhang Dali's body twitched.

Didn't you just say you weren't doing it for a favor? I almost believed you.

"What kind of job are you looking for? I might have something suitable."

Xu Xiaoyu brushed her hair behind her ear. The evening breeze blew gently, making her look especially charming.

Unfortunately, in front of these two goofballs, her beauty was completely wasted.

"Sis Xiaoyu, I don't have high standards. As long as the work is easy, close to home, and pays well, that's enough."

Zhang Dali didn't even think before speaking.

Who could say no to a job like that?

"Dali, that's way too much to ask for!"

Chen Shu immediately rebuked him, his tone full of condemnation. He turned to Xu Xiaoyu.

"Sis Xiaoyu, I just want a job where I can lie at home and count money."

"Heh… heh…"

Xu Xiaoyu forced an awkward laugh. These two really weren't picky, huh?

"My company happens to be short on people. If you're interested, you can give it a try."

"What kind of job?"

Xu Xiaoyu looked a bit embarrassed. "Mainly patrolling for the company and providing security."

"Security guard?"

Chen Shu frowned. He had actually wanted a job related to being an alchemist.

Just as he was about to refuse, Zhang Dali suddenly perked up, looking excited.

"There's really a security guard job?"

Xu Xiaoyu: "???"

Is a security job really that exciting?

"Dali, are you crazy? If your parents, both Iron-level beast masters, find out, they'll beat you for sure."

Zhang Dali's family was fairly well-off—middle class in Nanshi City.

Was a security job really worth getting this hyped over?

"Naughty Chen, what do you know? If you haven't worked as a security guard this year, you're totally out of the loop!"

Zhang Dali had a proud look on his face.

Chen Shu sighed and shook his head.

When will Dali ever act a little normal like me?

"Sis Xiaoyu, I can prepare medicinal solutions. Do you have anything more fitting?"

"Huh? You can prepare medicinal solutions?"

Xu Xiaoyu raised her eyebrows in disbelief.

You think mixing potions is that easy? What do you think this is—breeding pigs?

To become an alchemist, one must be well-versed in a wide array of complex pharmacological knowledge. Only graduates from top universities typically have a chance at this profession.

And now a high school student is telling me he can do it?

"I can't make that decision. If you really want to try, you can visit my family's company."

Xu Xiaoyu didn't agree right away. Her family's company mainly produced various medicinal solutions, which involved core technology—definitely not something she could decide on her own.

"But if you want to work as a security guard, just say you're my classmate."

Both of them were tall enough, and being a guard was more than doable.

"Thanks again for your help this time."

Xu Xiaoyu gave the two of them a slight bow.

The three of them added each other on SuperChat and then went their separate ways.

"Can't believe we casually stepped in and ended up saving the top student."

Zhang Dali couldn't help but marvel.

"Naughty Chen, don't you think we're the main characters?"

"I'm not. You probably are."

"How do you figure?"

"You've got all the traits of a protagonist!"

Zhang Dali's whole body tensed up, eyes wide, like a soulmate had just recognized him.

"I've been hiding this for seventeen years, and you still saw through me! Naughty Chen, your insight is extraordinary!"

Chen Shu's mouth twitched. "Can we have a bit of shame, please?"

"Huh? You just said I had protagonist traits."

"Yeah—most protagonists start off as complete losers. You fit that perfectly."

"You absolute jerk!"

Zhang Dali raised his middle finger and glared at Chen Shu with contempt.

The two of them bickered their way back to the neighborhood.

Chen Shu returned home, tidied up a bit, and was about to crash for the night.

Suddenly, a new set of options popped up before him.

[Option 1: Train through the night, absorb the spiritual energy of the world. Reward upon completion: Title 'Diligent Talent'. Equip effect: +10% cultivation efficiency.]

[Option 2: Go straight to bed, embrace the slacker life. Reward upon completion: Small amount of beast-taming power.]

Chen Shu didn't expect to get options even before bed.

Without hesitation, he cranked up the AC, pulled the blanket over, and laid flat in an instant.

If you have to work hard even after activating a system, what's the point of having one?

Surely no one still doesn't understand the value of being a protagonist, right?

The next day,

As soon as Chen Shu stepped into the classroom, he was met with countless admiring gazes.

"Brother Naughty, you're incredible! Everyone else fights with their contracted beasts, but you just went in with your fists. A whole new combat path!"

"Of course! Brother Naughty's fame in the normal class even surpasses Xu Xiaoyu's. Just the image of that bag of urea is enough for us to remember for life."

"Brother Naughty, do you have any more of those urea bags at home? Give me one, I wanna hang it on the wall to ward off evil!"

Chen Shu waved his hand, tilted his head slightly, and closed his eyes, as if burdened by too much praise.

"Everyone, let's keep it low-key. The class rep's cooperation played a big part too."

Just as he was bragging and joking with everyone—

A sharp voice suddenly rang out.

"Move it! Don't block the way! Who the hell is Chen Shu?!"

A skinny but sharp-eyed student appeared at the classroom door.

"That's Zheng Nan from senior year three? What's he doing here?!"

Wang Meng stepped up immediately and stood in front of Chen Shu.

"What? I'm not welcome?"

Zheng Nan sneered, arms crossed.

"I heard someone from sophomore year bullied my little brother and cost my family 40,000 yuan for nothing. As his older brother, don't I have a right to ask about it?"

"What's the matter? Can dish it out but not take it? Kid thinks he can flip the heavens?"