Chapter 2: When Did You Go Blind?

【Flame-to-God System】

【Host: Chen Yansen】

【Physique: 1.16】 (Earth standard: 1, peak: 3, includes strength, agility, endurance, etc.)

【Spirit: 1.32】 (Earth standard: 1, peak: 3, includes intelligence, memory, comprehension, etc.)

【Skills: Car Driving (Two-Star Proficient Level 37/100), Guitar Playing (One-Star Beginner Level 83/100), Eight-Section Vajra Art (One-Star Beginner Level 41/100)】

【Talent: None】

【Human Flame: 0】

【New User Manual: Click to View】

Chen Yansen studied the system in depth and realized that in his previous life, he’d only acquired three pitiful skills.

What the hell!

My time management and driving skills were clearly master-level!

After failing to communicate with the system, Chen Yansen had no choice but to continue reading the new user manual.

“Flame: Represents salary, compensation.”

“Fire: Symbolizes the human flame.”

“The host can establish employer-employee relationships and gain human flame by paying salaries.”

“One strand of human flame = 10,000 Huayuan.”

“One strand of human flame can raise 0.01 point of ‘spirit’ or physique, or one point of skill experience…”

Seeing this, Chen Yansen silently cursed: this damn system must be surnamed Ma.

This is clearly a pay-to-win cultivation system!

The more employees and the higher the wages, the faster the flame accumulates—and the stronger the power!

If one day he had tens of millions of employees, with endless flame, even the ancestors of the nation would kneel and lick his shoes.

“Sir, check the length, okay?”

The barber behind him interrupted his thoughts.

Chen Yansen snapped back to reality, stood up, and faced the mirror.

The former alternative vibe had vanished completely.

His features were sharply defined, nose high and straight, lips curled in a carefree smirk, a few stray strands falling loosely—yet they couldn’t hide his rogue gaze.

“How much?”

Chen Yansen nodded in satisfaction, ready to scan the payment code—until he pulled out a Noahi N78 and realized.

Fuck, in 2010, there were no payment codes!

“Ten yuan, please.”

The barber replied with a smile.

Chen Yansen didn’t waste words, paid cash without hesitation.

He turned and saw Wang Zihao crouching by the door, on the phone.

He pushed open the door and gave Wang Zihao’s butt a light kick.

“W-what the fuck! You’re Chen Yansen?”

Wang Zihao clutched his phone, eyes wide, staring at his friend in shock at the drastic change.

“It’s just a new haircut. You don’t need to act like this.”

Chen Yansen raised an eyebrow and muttered.

“Heh, tomorrow I’m getting the same haircut. The boss lady just said they’re done eating—told us to head straight to KTV.”

Wang Zihao brushed the dust off his pants and stood up.

“They’re full, but I’m still hungry. No rush—let’s find a beef soup place first.”

Chen Yansen patted his stomach, unconcerned.

In truth, this post-college entrance exam gathering would be the last time many of them ever saw each other.

So there was no point in torturing yourself for high school classmates you’d never meet again in your next life.

“Fine, fine.”

Wang Zihao gave a bitter smile and followed reluctantly.

When the two arrived at the KTV, it was already 9:30 PM. The two sofas in the private room held a dozen or so men and women scattered about.

Seventeen or eighteen years old, faces still youthful and naive.

“Chen Yansen, Wang Zihao, what the hell took you so long?”

“Sit down, drink three shots as punishment!”

“Chen Yansen, sit here—Yuan Yuan saved you a spot.”

“Haozi, what’s your best song? I’ll pick it for you!”

Chen Yansen scanned each face—barely recognized any of them, couldn’t even recall their names.

As for Zhou Keyuan?

He recognized her instantly.

She sat quietly in the corner, dressed like a pure, innocent flower—delicate eyebrows, almond eyes, cheeks flushed, lips glistening as if coated in soft pink lip gloss, a floral dress trailing to her ankles, revealing pale, tender skin.

No wonder he’d been utterly bewitched back then.

But to the current Chen Yansen, this face and figure didn’t even qualify him for his company’s receptionist.

“Where I sit doesn’t matter.”

Chen Yansen smiled carefree, walked past Zhou Keyuan, and sat on the opposite end of the sofa.

The distance between them was fully three or four meters.

The atmosphere in the room froze instantly!

All eyes turned to Zhou Keyuan, waiting for her reaction.

“Let him sit wherever he wants. What’s it to me?”

Zhou Keyuan frowned, her delicate brows twisted, voice sharp with anger.

“Come on! Let’s cherish this final time together—drink up!”

The boss lady, sensing the awkwardness, raised her glass hastily.

Inside, she thought: “Why did Chen Yansen suddenly change his hairstyle? He’s gotten handsome, but why’s his personality changed too?”

In Class 8 of Senior Three, everyone knew Chen Yansen and Zhou Keyuan were a couple—they all assumed they’d become lovers once they entered university.

In his previous life, Chen Yansen had believed the same.

But he never imagined Zhou Keyuan was dating two men at once—only to be caught by accident during her third-year summer vacation.

“Cheers! Cheers!”

“Boss lady, we’ve got to meet like this every year!”

“To bright futures and blooming paths!”

After a few beers, the mood warmed up. Youthful emotions flared fast and faded faster.

As songs played, people drank, sang, as if nothing had happened.

“Having a fight with your Yuan Yuan?”

At some point, the boss lady sidled up, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

“I never had anything with her. You guys must’ve misunderstood.”

Chen Yansen took a sip of wine, speaking calmly.

At that moment, he remembered the boss lady’s name—Meng Jie!

There are only wrong names, never wrong nicknames.

Her appearance and personality clashed completely with her name: short, neat hair ending just at her ears, crisp and efficient, more manly than most boys.

Meng Jie blinked, then sneered dismissively—clearly didn’t believe him.

You chased her for three whole years, and now you say there’s nothing between you?

That’s nonsense!

Chen Yansen’s voice was low but clear enough to reach Zhou Keyuan’s ears.

“Asshole! If you don’t apologize, I’ll never forgive you in this life!”

Zhou Keyuan’s face paled, fingers twisting tightly, trembling slightly—she silently swore inside.

She didn’t understand!

Yesterday’s devoted little lapdog had turned into a cold stranger today.

“Aren’t you going to go comfort her?”

Meng Jie leaned forward, peering over, unable to resist asking again.

“Actually, I’m more interested in you.”

Chen Yansen swirled his glass, lounging back lazily on the sofa, tilting his head to whisper.

In his previous life, besides himself, the most successful person in class was Meng Jie.

Under thirty, she became county bank manager.

You needed both ability and family background—lose one, you fail.

“Tsk tsk tsk, never knew you had the potential to be a real bastard.”

Meng Jie smiled sweetly and bluntly teased him to his face.

She earned the nickname “Big Sister” not just because she ranked first in the class, but because of her extraordinary personality—she’d never blush or shy away like a timid girl.

“I’ve got potential as a fortune-teller. Want me to read your fate?”

Chen Yansen set down his glass and suddenly felt playful.

After all, teasing the future bank president carried a peculiar thrill.

“Then read mine. If you’re wrong, you drink this whole bottle in one go.”

Meng Jie smiled faintly, picked up a large Snowflake beer, and placed it on the table.

“Open your right hand.”

Chen Yansen chuckled, pinched his fingers, and assumed the pose of a master diviner.

Meng Jie’s hand was smooth and pale, small and delicate, just like her.

The red-and-green lights fell on her chin and neck, making her skin look especially refined and flawless.

Only then did Chen Yansen realize—given his vast experience with people—Meng Jie’s beauty had been severely underestimated.

Take off her black-rimmed glasses, swap her clothes for a plain long dress, let her hair grow long, drop her into university, and she’d easily be a department beauty.

Seeing him silent and staring straight at her, Meng Jie’s heart skipped, and she snapped, “Are you even capable?”

“Don’t rush—I’m analyzing.”

Chen Yansen took Meng Jie’s small hand, gently placed it in his palm, and stroked it repeatedly until her ears turned crimson as if ready to bleed, then he spoke slowly:

“Your life line is long and strong, indicating robust vitality.

Your heart line is deep with few branches, meaning you’re loyal in love—your future husband will most likely be your first love.

Your career line runs straight from your palm upward, with minor twists but an overall upward trend, destined for great wealth and status, likely tied to finance—ninety percent chance you’ll enter the financial industry—but…”

Seeing her expression grow more serious, Chen Yansen knew she believed him, so he deliberately paused.

“But what? Say it!”

Meng Jie pressed.

“Wanna make a bet? If I’m right on everything, you owe me one favor. And vice versa.”

Chen Yansen grinned brightly.

“Tell me first.”

Meng Jie met his mischievous gaze and instantly knew he had no good intentions—she wouldn’t fall for it.

“Look at this line here—your study line. There’s a faint fork. That means your academics are hitting rough patches. If I’m not mistaken, you’ll miss your first-choice university and get bumped down to your second.”

Chen Yansen spoke with solemn certainty.

“You’re full of shit!”

Meng Jie yanked her hand free and shot back an insult.

“We’ll see in a month. But if you lose, you have to let me see you in silk stockings.”

Chen Yansen lowered his voice, leaned close to Meng Jie’s ear, and exhaled slowly.

“You’re such a pervert!”

Her earlobes flushed crimson; she scrambled back a step, face twisted in disgust.

Fuck you, Chen Yansen—you’re even harassing your own friends!

In eighteen years, she’d never faced such blatant teasing.

Her breath grew tight, her heart pounded wildly, and her ten fingers went numb.

This scene was watched by Zhou Keyuan.

The intimacy between them burned into her mind, stirring anger inside her.

“I’ve rejected you ten times already—do you give up so easily?”

“To piss me off, you’re even touching Meng Jie? You’re desperate!”

Zhou Keyuan smirked inwardly, convinced she’d read Chen Yansen’s hidden motives.

“Classmates, I’m sorry! My mom’s calling me home early—I have to leave.”

Zhou Keyuan suddenly stood up, feigned checking her watch, then spoke.

“Heh, she’s flustered!”

Chen Yansen sneered inwardly, utterly unconcerned—not even bothering to stand and see her off.

Seeing this, Zhou Keyuan’s face darkened; she slumped and pushed open the door, leaving.

“Keyuan, wait for me—I’m coming with you!”

The two girls closest to Zhou Keyuan, seeing Chen Yansen made no move to follow, glared at him in fury, then slammed the door and stormed out.

The remaining few exchanged uneasy glances.

“Let’s call it a night. We’ll get together again sometime.”

Meng Jie steadied her emotions and broke the silence.

With Chen Yansen’s interference, all the decent-looking girls had left; the remaining boys lost all motivation and nodded in agreement, one by one filing out of the private room.

“Don’t forget the bet.”

Chen Yansen stood, pressed his right hand against the wall, leaned over Meng Jie, and whispered with absolute confidence.

“Fine. But what if you lose?”

Meng Jie lifted her head, met his gaze, and refused to back down.

“Do whatever you want to me.”

Chen Yansen grinned wickedly.

“If you lose, you wear silk stockings too!”

Meng Jie snorted, hurried after the departing classmates, but at the stairwell, she couldn’t resist glancing back—there he was, still smirking.

“He’s gotten hotter… but also more of a jerk.”

Her heart raced under his gaze; she quickly turned away, forcibly suppressing her curiosity.

“Chen Yansen, you’re not chasing Zhou Keyuan anymore—now you’re going after Meng Jie?”

Wang Zihao, standing nearby, was utterly baffled.

“Don’t you think Meng Jie’s actually prettier?”

Chen Yansen smiled faintly and patted his shoulder.

“When did you go blind?”

Wang Zihao stared at him in disbelief, even considering slapping him awake—he simply couldn’t see how Meng Jie, in her androgynous outfit with hair shorter than his own, was beautiful at all.

“Fuck…”

Chen Yansen shook his head, too lazy to argue.

(End of Chapter)