New Days

As she settled into her seat, Liu Yumei couldn't help but feel a rising sense of nervousness. The young woman before him was undeniably striking, but her intense gaze left him questioning her intentions. But why is she staring at me so intensely? Why was she sitting so close? Was a kiss in the cards? He was consumed by a whirlwind of uncertainties and racing thoughts.

However, in the midst of his internal turmoil, his attention was drawn to a teenage girl with dark hair who watched them from a distance. Her piercing green eyes bore into him, unsettling anyone who met her gaze. Clad in blue jeans and a matching t-shirt, she sported a black leather jacket with the word 'Rocker' emblazoned on it.

After several minutes of silent scrutiny, the girl with the green eyes finally spoke, her question directed at Soo-ah, "Are you going out with the guy next to you, Soo-Ah?"

Liu Yumei turned to face the girl, startled to hear her mention his name. He couldn't help but wonder if the two young women were acquainted.

Soo-ah hesitated momentarily before responding, "Nnn-No, we just stran—" Her words were interrupted by Liu Yumei, who clarified, "No, we're just strangers who happened to cross paths and got caught up in conversation. There's nothing going on between us."

Liu Yumei nodded slowly as if to affirm his understanding of the situation.

The girl with the brown eyes continued her inquiry, now in a flirtatious tone, "Oh, then can I have your number?"

Liu Yummei stared at her in disbelief and asked himself why he was even talking to this girl. He had no interest in getting involved with anyone at all right now; nor did he want anyone bothering him about his personal or private life. He felt like she was just trying to get closer to him for some reason that he couldn't understand or comprehend

Baffled, Liu Yumei wondered why he was even engaging in this conversation. He had no desire to get entangled with anyone, and he resented the intrusion into his personal life. He felt that the girl was trying to get closer to him for reasons he couldn't fathom.

"Why would you want my number? We haven't even introduced ourselves," Liu Yumei responded, deflecting her question and adding, "Oh, Why don't you introduce yourself first?"

She looked at him with a smile; it was accompanied by an enchanting smile, rendering her even more beautiful, if that were possible. "I'm Hyemi, and this is my friend Soo-ah," she stated, extending her hand for a handshake. Liu Yumei shook her hand lightly, noting the softness and smoothness of her skin. Her grip was firm yet delicate, and the gesture left him feeling somewhat embarrassed. He quickly masked his reaction with a composed demeanour.

"Nice to meet you, Hyemi. I'm Liu Yumei," he replied, taking his hand back. Hyemi's abrupt change in demeanour left Liu Yumei intrigued and slightly perplexed.

Just as he turned his attention back to Hyemi, a sudden message from the Quy System interrupted the conversation, leaving him with a sense of intrigue and curiosity.

[Host, while you were aware of an impending reward, you may not have realized that you've accomplished all your daily quests. As a result, you've earned the opportunity to select any stat for a 1+ grade boost. Congratulations!]

Liu Yumei stood at a crossroads of destiny, his gaze fixed upon the alluring notification before him. It was a tapestry of choices, each promising the elusive 1+ grade boost, an ascension to greatness that beckoned from the very core of his existence. His thoughts swirled like a tempest, his very being a battleground of desires and destinies.

In the face of this monumental decision, he ventured far beyond the ordinary. Where most would have seized the opportunity to amplify their physical attributes, he took a path less traveled. The allure of combat proficiency held no sway over him, for he harbored no desire to traverse the treacherous streets as a pugilistic warrior. He sought not the taste of brawls, nor the thrill of thug-like confrontations. It was not fear that held him back; rather, it was a profound desire to exist on the fringes of danger's reach, to slip through life's labyrinth without courting the perils that lay within. He knew that in the depths of the Quy System, every need could be met through careful acquisition.

With firm resolve, he cast his lot with a rare choice, one that bespoke a different form of strength—Mental Clarity. The world's chaos may have sought to overwhelm him, but in this decision, he stood undeterred, a beacon of unwavering determination.

He whispered the words, "Mental Clarity," and in that moment, the universe itself seemed to shudder with the weight of his choice.

[Your choice has been confirmed, dear host. Congratulations on securing the chance to pick any stat for a 1+ grade boost. Please confirm your selection, and we'll proceed to the next stage of your journey. Rest assured, there are no adverse consequences to your choice. However, do keep in mind that your Mental Clarity cannot advance to the next letter; you'll need three + for that.]

A wave of relief washed over Liu Yumei after confirming his choice. The decision had seemed to come so naturally to him; he was sure that it had something to do with his current mood and mindset. However, he still wasn't convinced that his selection was correct, and he worried that he might regret it later. But there was no turning back now; he needed to move forward, and he knew exactly which direction he wanted to take.

As a result of the confirmation message, the game interface changed and displayed the following:

─ Mental Clarity has been upgraded to C+

A sigh of relief escaped Liu Yumei's lips, dissipating into the air as he exhaled deeply. His thoughts raced, fixating on ways to enhance his stats and maximize their effectiveness.

Hyemi, perplexed, broke the silence, "Liu Yemui, is everything alright?"

Liu Yumei turned to face her, his expression masking his inner turmoil. "No, it's nothing," he replied, though his tone hinted at a deeper concern. "Well, maybe it is... but I think it's too early to discuss."

Leaving his spot at the cafe table, Liu Yumei silently slipped away from Soo-Ah and Hyemi. As he wandered through the vibrant city streets, he pondered whether to return home. Though both Soo-Ah and Hyemi had shown kindness, he couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that they were drawn to his attractiveness. Their attempts to get closer and their small talk felt shallow, lacking depth and sincerity. It seemed like they wanted to pull him into their circle, making him uneasy about their true intentions. The discomfort lingered in his mind, urging him to keep his distance.