Chapter 315

July 15, 2023, Saturday, sunny, 24～37°C.

5:30 AM.

Qian Lele woke up from her sleep right on time; this was just when the school's power came on in the morning.

The fan was "whooshing" as it blew.

The beige floral sheets and duvet cover felt delicate and made one feel extremely comfortable.

This was the best sleep she had had in the last few days, and she felt refreshed.

On the small, literary-style nightstand sat an elegantly shaped desk lamp and a book she hadn't finished reading, *The Courage to Be Disliked*.

This was what Professor Jiang had recommended to her yesterday.

She had also told her a lot, hoping she could bravely live for herself and not worry about, cater to, or please others everywhere.

Actually, Qian Lele understood these principles.

But the personality and habits she had developed since childhood were hard to change quickly.

Her family's financial situation had never been wealthy.

When she was in high school, her father suddenly had a cerebral infarction and was hospitalized; because he wasn't sent to the hospital in time, he was left with left-sided hemiplegia.

Currently, he could only slowly undergo rehabilitation training, hoping to be able to take care of himself.

Her mother had to earn money while taking care of her father, and her health was getting worse and worse.

Below her was a younger brother who was still in school.

The sensible Qian Lele had started helping her mother share the burden of life from that time on.

This also caused her academic performance to slip bit by bit.

Originally at the top of her class, she ended up only getting into a non-double-first-class university, Yancheng Normal University.

In order to change her fate through reading and to fulfill her own university dream.

From the time she graduated high school, she never had a moment of rest.

Besides studying, she was working to earn money.

Even when applying for university, she chose the computer major because she wanted to earn money.

At the time, she heard others say that one could earn money by writing code part-time in university.

The imagination was beautiful, but the actual situation was not ideal.

Especially in the last two years, the programming industry had become severely competitive.

Ordinary junior-level programmers couldn't even get private jobs, let alone university students like them who had no practical work experience.

They would occasionally help teachers build simple CRUD websites, but there was no pay.

So Qian Lele could only think of other ways: hotel waitress, handing out flyers, part-time sales, street vending—she had done all of these.

It wasn't until May 1st of this year, when Professor Jiang accidentally learned of her situation, that things took a turn for the better.

She got a long-term part-time opportunity at Weiguang Coffee, and it was the baking work she was most interested in.

It was only a few hundred meters from the school, a high-end boutique coffee shop, with an hourly wage of 15 yuan, and she could bring back leftover cake sponges and food near its expiration date to eat as meals.

For her, it was an almost perfect job.

At the time, Duan Fang, who was a waitress at the hotel with her, followed her there shamelessly after finding out and successfully signed a contract.

It was only later, because she wasn't attentive enough and customers complained multiple times, that she was fired.

…

Rubbing the cute Husky doll pillow on the head of the bed, Qian Lele showed a big smile.

Stepping barefoot on the clean tiles, she pulled open the thin curtains, and the sunlight, still carrying a hint of shyness, spilled in.

She tied her hair into a neat ponytail, went to the restroom, brushed her teeth, washed her face, and put her things back in the washbasin.

Returning to the bedroom, she picked up half a bottle of Vitamin E lotion, pressed out a bit, dotted it on her cheeks, and then slowly pushed it away with her fingertips.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Qian Lele's face flushed slightly.

She opened the inner pocket of her backpack, took out a tube of eye cream, squeezed out a tiny bit, and carefully applied it to her eye bags.

No girl doesn't love beauty, and she was the same, but she didn't dare to show it too much.

Immediately, her fingers touched the Chanel lipstick in her inner pocket again.

She had checked this lipstick online; it cost over 500 yuan! Enough to buy a mobile phone!

After hesitating for a long time, she still couldn't bear to use it.

Of course, she was also embarrassed to use it; she had never applied any cosmetics before.

After tidying up her things, Qian Lele went to the kitchen to start making breakfast.

After summer vacation, the school cafeteria opened at 7 AM, and there were only a few windows.

And she had to be at Weiguang Coffee before 7 AM, so she definitely wouldn't make it.

Professor Jiang's kitchen supplies were actually quite complete; basically, everything commonly used was there.

She simply cooked some oatmeal porridge.

She cut the bread she brought back from the coffee shop yesterday into slices, coated them in golden egg liquid, and fried them slowly over low heat.

Soon, two simple breakfasts were finished.

Qian Lele checked the time; it was already past 6 AM.

After thinking about it, she didn't go to knock on the master bedroom door.

Professor Jiang seemed to have come back very late yesterday, so she might need to sleep a bit longer today.

After eating breakfast happily, Qian Lele sealed Professor Jiang's portion with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator.

Carrying her backpack, she was just about to set off for work.

The master bedroom door suddenly opened.

Jiang Yourong, wearing a striped nightgown, walked out while yawning.

She still looked somewhat sleepy.

"Professor Jiang, morning!" Qian Lele hurriedly greeted her, "I fried some bread slices and cooked oatmeal porridge. Because it's too hot, I put it in the refrigerator. Remember to eat it when you get up later."

"Good morning, Lele." Jiang Yourong rubbed her sleepy eyes and was just about to walk toward the restroom when she suddenly looked enlightened, "By the way, there's one thing I haven't told you yet."

"Please tell me."

"You know Tang Song, right?"

"Yes, yes, Brother Song is the part-time tech for Weiguang Coffee; he is currently responsible for both the website and the mini-program."

Jiang Yourong smiled and asked, "He is going to stay here for half a month, in the master bedroom. Do you have any objections?"

Qian Lele was stunned and hurriedly shook her head, "No objections, no objections! Professor Jiang, why don't I move back to the school dormitory and let Brother Song stay in the second bedroom?"

The master bedroom was Professor Jiang's own room, and she felt that it was because she had moved over that led to the current awkward situation.

She didn't want to cause trouble for others, especially Professor Jiang, who was so good to her.

Jiang Yourong stepped forward and rubbed Qian Lele's head, saying warmly, "No need, I won't be coming over much after the vacation starts. Also, Tang Song is a very outstanding person; if you work hard to get along with him, it will be of great benefit to your future."

Her own ability was limited, and she had already done everything she could to help Qian Lele.

But Tang Song was different; if she could gain his friendship, it could completely change her life, or even change her class.

This was also the reason why she had agreed so decisively to let Tang Song move in.

Of course, she definitely had a good impression of him in her heart and didn't exclude him.

After all, he was so outstanding, and behind him were Jin Dongshi and Smile Holdings.

"Okay, Professor Jiang, I understand!" Qian Lele nodded earnestly, "I've seen the code Brother Song wrote; his level is very high, and I will work hard to learn from him."

"Uh... okay." Jiang Yourong opened her mouth but didn't say anything more.

Some things are better in moderation.

She believed that with Qian Lele's simplicity and kindness, she would definitely be able to gain Tang Song's favor.

There was no need to be too utilitarian and persuade Qian Lele to curry favor with him.

"Goodbye, Professor Jiang, I'm going to work."

"Bye-bye."

She watched the door close.

Jiang Yourong stretched, her round and soft breasts instantly pushing her nightgown into an alluring arc.

After using the restroom, she returned to the bedroom.

"Ding-dong—" Her phone rang.

【Tang Song: "Sister Yourong, I'll probably be over around 10 AM. I'm packing at home, and there are quite a few things I need to bring."】

After replying "Okay," Jiang Yourong turned over comfortably and continued to sleep.

A summer vacation of nearly 60 days is truly beautiful!

But as soon as she thought about how she had traded it for being "Jin Dongshi's assistant," her heart ached again.

If she had known, she would have endured it and suffered a bit back then.

The assistant who joined with her back then, Li Shiqin, was now the chairwoman of a listed technology company.

Last time at an international exchange conference, the other party went on stage to speak as the finale guest.

And she could only obediently applaud in the audience, not even having the chance to have direct contact with the other party.

This was the huge gap in class.

In the last four or five years, news about Smile Holdings and Jin Dongshi had been continuous.

Every time, it made her depressed and regretful.

This was also the reason why she had such a big reaction after seeing Tang Song.

……

Yanjing Tiancheng.

Tang Song stood his two suitcases up and exhaled a long breath.

Everything was done.

Although he was only going over to stay for half a month this time, there were quite a few things he needed to bring.

Besides clothes for changing, there was also a large box of study materials and books.

Most of them were in economics, finance, marketing, and management.

Under the bonus of the 【Learning Aura】, his comprehension was +30, and he also possessed many super-buff additions.

He had to maximize this opportunity to make up for all his weak knowledge points.

He turned off the gas and tap water and locked the door.

Tang Song took the elevator directly to B1.

Soon, the white Bentley Continental drove out of the underground parking lot.

The brilliant sun instantly submerged the car body, reflecting a dazzling luster.

The high-quality Naim audio system released dynamic music.

Wearing 【Tang Song's Glasses】, he was equivalent to having an automatic heads-up display turned on.

Clear navigation routes, real-time traffic alerts, safety warnings...

The hustle and bustle of the city unfolded before his eyes like a flowing scroll.

The car parked in a paid parking lot.

He gave Jiang Yourong a call.

Tang Song picked up his suitcases and walked toward the teacher apartments next door.

Arriving at the apartment entrance, he saw the intellectual-looking female professor standing in the shade, waving at him with a smile.

She was wearing a tight-fitting dress, looking fair and plump, with the flavor of a mature woman.

However, Tang Song, who was in a state of absolute "sage time," had clear and bright eyes, looking exceptionally upright.

Last night and this morning, he had already released himself several times with the big sister.

Finally, he had exhausted Wen Ruan; she was probably still lying on the bed sleeping.

He walked into the residential gate.

Clean and tidy stone paths, lush flowers and trees, orderly car sheds and trash cans...

It instantly left Tang Song with an excellent impression.

Although the complex wasn't high-end, the environment was truly great.

"Ding—" The elevator stopped at the 11th floor.

"It's right here, Building 2, Unit 2, 1102. Come in, this is your access card and key."

"Thank you, Sister Yourong." Tang Song put the suitcases down and looked around.

The renovation should be uniform; it was very ordinary and had no special features.

However, it was clean and tidy, making one feel incomparably comfortable and at ease.

"This is the kitchen; the microwave, refrigerator, oven, and commonly used kitchenware and seasonings are all here."

"The restroom is here. Everything in this green basin is Lele's; you can use anything else."

"When the bottled water is finished, just call this number; it's 25 yuan for a barrel of mountain spring water, and it tastes quite good."

…

Then, the two came to the bright master bedroom.

It should be about 16 or 17 square meters, looking very spacious and warm.

The air conditioner was blowing cold air with a "whoosh," and the temperature in the room was just right.

The bed was flat without a single wrinkle, and a warm, sweet scent drifted in the air, the same as the scent on Jiang Yourong's body.

"The quilt and pillow are what I just took out. I divided the cabinet into two; I put all my clothes on the right side, and the left side is all yours. It should be enough, right?" Jiang Yourong pulled open the white cabinet door.

"Enough, I'm only staying for half a month, and it's summer now, so I don't have many clothes."

A cabinet over 2 meters wide—half the space was quite sufficient.

Tang Song's gaze swept over the cabinet, and he vaguely saw Jiang Yourong's hanging underwear.

He had to say, this female professor was truly... too undefended against him.

No wonder the system mission made him come find her directly.

After hesitating for a moment, Tang Song turned around and looked straight at her.

He asked softly, "Sister Yourong, we should have met before, right?"

Jiang Yourong's eyes flickered, and she felt slightly nervous inside.

Then she showed a bright smile again, her demeanor elegant, "We met by chance in the Imperial Capital 6 years ago. It was probably because you were particularly handsome that I had a deep impression."

The aloof and noble boy from back then had indeed left a deep impression on her younger self.

She didn't want to expose the relationship between the other party and Jin Meixiao.

She liked Tang Song's current easygoing and gentle posture and hoped to make friends with him in this state.

It could be considered laying a "far-reaching" foreshadowing for her own future.

"6 years ago, 2017?" Tang Song muttered to himself, his eyes showing contemplation.

At that time, he was still in his freshman or sophomore year, and Smile Holdings had just started.

Tang Yi Precision was just a consumer electronics company on the verge of bankruptcy.

He had recruited 【Su Yu】, established Tang Zong Entertainment, and started to enter the entertainment industry.

In other words, Jiang Yourong should have seen "himself in the game."

"It seems you really don't remember me, but that's right, after all, it was just a chance meeting." Jiang Yourong bit her lip, feeling slightly regretful and disappointed.

When they met by chance at the bar last night, Tang Song took the initiative to greet her, and she thought the other party remembered.

Tang Song shook his head, "Sorry, I really don't have an impression."

"It doesn't matter, don't we know each other now?" Jiang Yourong took the initiative to step forward half a step.

A pungent, warm fragrance hit him, and he looked at the bright, intellectual, fair-skinned, and plump mature female professor in front of him.

Tang Song's eyes trembled, and his breathing became slightly hurried.

Having obtained the feedback she wanted, Jiang Yourong pursed her lips and laughed softly, her mood instantly improving.

"It's almost noon. Today is your first time coming to my house, but I don't really know how to cook, so I'll just order a big meal to treat you. You don't mind, right?"

"Thank you, Sister Yourong."

"Alright, you go pack your things first."

……

After lunch.

Jiang Yourong introduced him to the precautions in the house and talked about Qian Lele's routine.

Only then did she pick up her handbag and walk away gracefully.

She had her own house in Yancheng, leaning toward the city center area, where the surroundings were more prosperous.

When she wasn't busy with work or during holidays, she would stay there.

Tang Song finished regulating all his things and sat at the desk in the bedroom with a water glass.

His gaze swept over the stacks of thick materials and books.

"Whoosh!" The system light screen unfolded before his eyes.

On the main interface, the 【Badge-Scholar (Aura)】 on the chest of the player's 3D model erupted with dazzling golden light.

It covered Tang Song's entire field of vision.

Soon, a magnificent scene appeared on the model.

Scrolling numbers, characters, schools and playgrounds emitting halos, walls built of books...

Pale golden light flowed within it, making one dazzled and fascinated.

Immediately after, lines of text jumped out.

【Welcome to the real plot dungeon—The Self-Cultivation of a Scholar】

【Dungeon Role: Scholar (Tang Song)】

【When you play the corresponding role and are within the dungeon range, and your "Role Compatibility" exceeds 50%, you will gain multiple aura bonuses】

【Under the influence of the "Mask," you automatically conceal your true self, and all "Dress-up" effects become invalid】

【Your role compatibility automatically increases to 50% and will not be lower than this value (the higher the compatibility, the richer the dungeon rewards)】

【You are immersed in the ocean of learning, full of desire and interest in learning, diligent and hardworking...】

【Your hidden attribute Luck +2】

【You have obtained the "Learning Aura"】

【You have obtained the "Self-Discipline Aura"】

With a "thump," Tang Song, who was sitting in the chair, stood up directly.

Immediately after, his nerves fell into a state of high-intensity excitement and pleasure, and the pleasure surged like a tide.

A dazzling spirit erupted in his gaze.

His mind was incomparably clear, quick, and intelligent...

At the same time, his heart was unusually calm, composed, and firm.

Thoughts flowed, and tiny ideas emerged in his mind, quickly being captured.

The difficulties he encountered when writing program algorithms before immediately had perfect solutions.

The confusion accumulated from reading books in the past was like a cleared sewer, "whooshing" and incomparably smooth.

His gaze swept over the books on the table, and he decisively pulled out a book, the English version of *What is Finance*.

Based on the "AI's" suggestion, plus his own judgment.

This book was very suitable for him now; through real cases and deep yet accessible methods, it interpreted the logic and common sense of the financial world, allowing him to quickly establish basic financial intuition and analytical ability.

Tang Song sat down in the chair and quickly started reading.

Accompanied by the help of "Special Vision," some words he didn't understand instantly appeared with corresponding translations and explanations.

Tang Song's gaze swept over, memorizing all the content in his mind, quickly mastering it, and having his own insights.

Wearing 【Tang Song's Glasses】, his vision was excellent, and fast reading didn't make his eyes tired at all; like a precision scanner, it greatly saved his time.

His reading speed was several times faster than before.

Moreover, in the past, he only read the Chinese version; although it was translated well, compared to reading the original, there was definitely a difference.

And in this process, he could also quickly accumulate vocabulary and improve his English level.

What 【Emotion Buff】—compared to Xiao Xue, this was truly cheating!

Gradually, the room became incomparably quiet, with only the "whoosh-whoosh-whoosh" sound of turning pages.

…

5:00 PM.

"Tap!" Accompanied by the sound of the book closing, this book was officially finished.

Tang Song sat in the chair, the knowledge inside clearly imprinted in his mind, completely understood and absorbed.

Immediately after.

A wave of dizzying vertigo surged, accompanied by deep fatigue.

Tang Song leaned back in the chair, panting, and he was already covered in sweat.

His keen perception immediately made him understand.

The 【Learning Aura】 gave him "Comprehension +30, Agility +10," and also added various awesome buffs.

But his body was still his original body.

After continuous, massive knowledge input, his brain couldn't take it anymore and needed rest and relaxation.

He was too anxious!

After all, even if he were a scholar, it was impossible to study all the time.

Moreover, besides the 【Learning Aura】, he also had the 【Self-Discipline Aura】.

He needed to maintain a regular routine, healthy diet, abstinence, strengthen exercise, and be full of energy, so that his endurance would be continuously strengthened.

After all, it related to the sexual happiness of his girlfriends, so he had to work hard!

Open the system interface.

Use his consciousness to touch the player's 3D model and enter 【Personal Center】.

【Player: Tang Song (62' Charm)】

【Role: Scholar (Compatibility 55%)】

【Height: 184CM, Weight: 81KG】

【Physique: 68, Endurance: 68, Agility: 75, Comprehension: 112】

…

A comprehension as high as 112 could be said to have broken the limit.

The 10 points of agility added should all be "Mental Agility."

Immediately, Tang Song's gaze looked at "Compatibility 55%," and he understood after a little thought.

Although he played the role unconsciously under the influence of the 【Mask】, it still wasn't deep enough.

For example, his business-oriented outfit, or his carefully groomed hairstyle, and his skin after care.

Just at this moment, a crisp system prompt sounded.

"Ding! You have triggered the dungeon mission 【Makeover】."

【Mission Content: Make your appearance and clothing better fit your current identity and play the role better】

【Mission Reward: Refresh Card*1】

【Refresh Card: After use, it will refresh the dungeon once, and there is a certain probability of "Special NPC," "Wild Monster," "Mystery Shop," etc. appearing.】

After reading the mission introduction, Tang Song rubbed his swollen head, and a strategy quickly formed in his mind.

He picked up a bath towel and walked into the bathroom.

He took a simple shower and wiped himself clean.

He stood in front of the mirror and looked.

His hair quality wasn't good, and because he used to stay up late, work overtime, and study frequently, his hair wasn't dense enough.

In the past, he used a hairdryer to blow it fluffy, then used hair gel and hair wax to set it.

At this moment, the broken hair on his head fell naturally; although it looked clean and tidy, it wasn't outstanding—it was very ordinary.

After all, hairstyle really affects the perception of appearance.

He looked at the clothes and leather shoes with outstanding texture on his body.

Tang Song shook his head, took his keys, locked the door, and took the elevator downstairs.

The moment he walked out of the hallway, a piece of golden light appeared in his field of vision.

Looking around, the entire Normal University was shrouded in golden light.

Tang Song instantly understood that this was the dungeon range.

Besides the Normal University campus itself, it also included the surrounding supporting facilities.

For example, the nearby commercial street, teacher apartments, parking lot, convenience store, etc.

In other words, as long as he was in the school's ecosystem, it could be counted as a dungeon.

Tang Song quickly restrained his emotions, making himself look as low-key and introverted as possible.

Arriving at the commercial street outside the school, Tang Song's gaze swept over a row of storefronts.

He walked directly into a store named "Lily Apparel."

The boss was a middle-aged woman in her 40s, who was boredly eating melon seeds and watching a TV drama; noticing Tang Song walking in, she was extremely enthusiastic.

She kept asking about his needs and wanted to help him pick out clothes.

Tang Song acted very silent, took a simple look around, and soon chose an outfit.

A loose solid-color T-shirt, simple blue jeans, and comfortable sneakers.

He pulled the curtain, put on the new clothes.

He looked at himself in the mirror.

Simple and generous, low-key and plain, plus an ordinary hairstyle and a focused, earnest demeanor—he looked very much like a student.

Actually, playing the role of "Scholar" wasn't difficult for him.

Because when he was in university, he was basically in this state, and his mental outlook was about the same.

Now, he was just returning to that state.

"Ding! Congratulations to the player, the dungeon mission 【Makeover】 has been completed."

Open the system interface and enter the warehouse.

A card emitting white light was lying there.

Without hesitation, he selected the 【Refresh Card】 and used it immediately.

A white light flashed through the air.

【Dungeon has been refreshed, Mystery Shop has descended on "Fuqiang Supermarket"】

【Some products inside have been turned into props】

【Snapping up products and using them will grant special effect bonuses, helping you better clear the dungeon】

【Player, please note! Products may be purchased by others at any time!】

Immediately after, a flowing light belt spread from his feet toward the east.

At the end of the light belt, a striking shop icon was floating in the sky, shining brightly.

【Location of the Mystery Shop】

Tang Song's eyes flickered, and he quickly understood the current situation.

He quickly finished paying and turned to run toward "Fuqiang Supermarket."

The female boss behind him smacked her lips; this strong, handsome young man was truly honest—he didn't even haggle for a single cent!