Chapter 301: Confession on the Flag Platform

After the confession was confirmed.

Yan Zhusheng happily took the red heart badge from Xu Youyu's hands, cradling it carefully in her palms.

Then she looked at Li Luo and said, "If you run out of credits later, come to me."

"How about giving me 20 credits right now?" Li Luo blinked, grinning boldly, "I feel we're gonna break up in the next round."

Hearing this, Yan Zhusheng immediately reacted, turning her gaze to Ying Chanxi, pursing her lips and tightening her face as she asked, "Xixi, you won't break us up, will you?"

Asked so bluntly to her face, Ying Chanxi was momentarily speechless, completely thrown by Yan Zhusheng's move and not knowing how to respond.

So she could only stammer, "Um… this… it's just a game… I drew this card, I—I have to find a chance to use it."

Seeing Ying Chanxi say that, Yan Zhusheng narrowed her eyes, then silently pulled 20 credits from her own stash and shoved them into Li Luo's hand: "Here."

"You're really giving it?"

"Mm." Yan Zhusheng nodded. "Advance payment. Breakup fee."

"You're kinda nice, you know."

Watching this, Ying Chanxi clenched her 【Tattle】 card tighter, desperate to move to the next round, and urged Xu Yinghuan: "Huanhuan, your turn."

Just as Xu Yinghuan picked up the dice, Yan Zhusheng took Li Luo's empty hand and secretly linked her fingers with his.

Because Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng sat on opposite sides of Li Luo, she couldn't see this small gesture.

Li Luo was startled, turning his head to look at Yan Zhusheng.

But Yan Zhusheng merely lifted her heart badge and pointed to the one in Li Luo's hand.

The meaning was simple.

We're a couple now—holding hands is normal, right?

Li Luo: "…"

True, that's what you'd say—but Li Luo only held her hand briefly before quietly pulling away, leaving Yan Zhusheng deeply dissatisfied.

After that.

Xu Yinghuan successfully purchased the homeroom teacher's office.

Zhao Rongjun rolled two sixes and landed directly on the 【Event】 space.

Not the 【Accident】 space, which gave Zhao Rongjun slight relief.

He reached out and drew an 【Event】 card; Xu Yinghuan leaned over to read it aloud: "Date Card."

"This card can only be used while the holder is in a romantic relationship."

"After activating this card, the user may take their partner to any designated location for a date."

"Upon arrival, you will remain in place for one turn to enjoy the date."

"If the location has already been purchased, since it's a secret date, no passage fee is required when arriving there."

"If the location has not been purchased, the couple may jointly fund its purchase after discussion, making it shared property."

"When others pass by this location, they must pay the designated passage fee to both parties."

"If the couple breaks up in the future, this asset will be assigned to the female partner."

"This is an active-use card; it may be kept but can only be used during your own turn."

"Damn." Li Luo exclaimed after hearing the description, "Sis, you're amazing—why does the asset go to the girl after breakup?"

"Why do you care so much?" Xu Youyu rolled her eyes. "The rules say so—just play. What about you, Zhao Rongjun?"

"Um…" Zhao Rongjun glanced at Qiao Xinyan across from him, unsure how the Date Card worked, and silently begged for her guidance with his eyes.

Qiao Xinyan fell into thought, studying the map on the table, then pointed to the most expensive spot on the map: "How about we go here? Let's buy the most expensive one."

Zhao Rongjun followed her finger and immediately tensed up, stammering: "Th-this isn't a good idea."

Li Luo glanced at the map and burst out laughing: "Xinyan, you're bold! Going on a date in the principal's office with our Junge? Awesome! The most dangerous place is the safest—no wonder you're the top student in Class One!"

Qiao Xinyan's cheeks flushed red at his words, suddenly feeling shy; she slightly shifted her finger and suggested to Zhao Rongjun: "Then… how about we go here instead?"

Zhao Rongjun looked again—this time it wasn't the 【Principal's Office】 but the 【Playground】—and immediately relaxed, nodding quickly: "Fine, let's go there for the date."

After saying that, the two each picked up their own chess pieces and moved directly to the 【playground】.

Then Zhao Rongjun willingly pulled out 100 credits.

But Qiao Xinyan shook her head, pulled out 200 credits instead, and bought the 【Playground】, smiling at Zhao Rongjun: "The rules say it'll be mine after we break up, so I'll just buy it myself."

"Huh?" Zhao Rongjun blinked, then couldn't help saying, "Th-this isn't right…"

"What's wrong with it?" Qiao Xinyan laughed. "You used the Date Card too—if you hadn't, we wouldn't have even made it here."

"Look at Xinyan," Li Luo clapped. "Now look at you, Junge—learn something."

Zhao Rongjun blushed under the teasing, but he was still moved by Qiao Xinyan's willingness to shoulder all the credit cost.

"Th-thank you."

"Thank for what?" Qiao Xinyan covered her mouth and giggled. "We're a couple now—why keep saying thanks? It's silly."

"Men should be more generous, not so shy and hesitant," Xu Youyu patted Zhao Rongjun's shoulder, then picked up the dice and rolled a six.

Moving his piece to the 【Student Council Meeting Room】, Xu Youyu raised an eyebrow and smiled happily: "Perfect—luck's on my side. Bought it!"

She pulled out 110 credits.

Qiao Xinyan skipped her turn since she was secretly on a date with Zhao Rongjun.

Finally.

The dice returned to Ying Chanxi's hand.

At this point, Ying Chanxi had already pulled out her 【Tattle】 card, before even rolling the dice, declaring: "I'm reporting!"

"You're too eager," Li Luo laughed. "You haven't rolled yet."

"But it's already my turn," Ying Chanxi pouted. "I've reported—you two are broken up."

"Fine." Li Luo reluctantly handed over the 20 credits Yan Zhusheng had just given him, along with the red heart badge in his hand.

Yan Zhusheng also obediently handed over 20 academic credits, though when pulling out the Love Medal, she couldn't help feeling reluctant, muttering under her breath: "Chanxi is mean."

Ying Chanxi, seeing the two separated by her actions, immediately wore a satisfied smile—but quickly suppressed it: "It's just a game, anyway. My turn to roll."

Ying Chanxi rolled a 4, paid 60 academic credits, and directly claimed the 【Flagpole】.

"No surprise—you're the fixed NPC for the weekly flag-raising ceremony," Li Luo glanced at the map and chuckled, "There's clearly some fated connection between you and the flagpole."

"Hmph, you talk too much," Ying Chanxi shoved the dice into Li Luo's hand. "Your turn. Hurry up."

Li Luo was still in the girls' dormitory; he rolled casually and landed on the 【Event】 space that Zhao Rongjun had just visited.

Seeing this, Li Luo's heart skipped a beat. He silently prayed not to draw anything weird, then extended his hand.

A 【Event】 card was drawn.

Yan Zhusheng and Ying Chanxi both leaned in to look.

"The class bell rings. You and a classmate head to the restroom together."

"Designate a same-gender friend to accompany you to the restroom corresponding to your gender."

"If the restroom has not been purchased, you and your friend may jointly purchase its ownership."

"If the restroom has already been purchased, you and your friend must pay the corresponding toll fee."

After reading the event, Li Luo stared blankly.

The boys' restroom had already been bought by Ying Chanxi—going there now was pure academic credit loss.

"Can I choose to go to the girls' restroom?" Li Luo paused, then asked.

"Of course not," Xu Youyu rolled her eyes. "Even if you want to, you still have to ask your good friend if they're willing to go with you."

Zhao Rongjun immediately shook his head: "I'm not going."

"Fine," Li Luo clicked his tongue, grabbed his best buddy, and the two walked into Ying Chanxi's boys' restroom, then obediently paid 5 academic credits.

Ying Chanxi accepted their credits, but felt something was off: "I feel like I'm some school thug, hoarding restrooms and collecting protection money."

"You know it well," Li Luo nodded. "So, can I have my credits back?"

"Dream on," Ying Chanxi snorted.

"You both passed the school gate when you went to the restroom," Xu Youyu reminded them. "You can claim 20 academic credits."

"Ohhh," Li Luo suddenly remembered. He grinned. "Then I'm not losing out—Jun Ge, you should thank me for taking you to the restroom."

"Thank you for what?" Zhao Rongjun muttered. "I was on a date, and you dragged me into a restroom."

"Who's more important—a girlfriend or a brother?" Li Luo patted Zhao Rongjun's shoulder and grinned.

At these words, at least three pairs of eyes turned toward Li Luo, making him instinctively shiver.

"It's Zhusheng's turn," Xu Youyu reminded.

"Oh," Yan Zhusheng picked up the dice, landed on the 【Rock Club Activity Room】, and successfully claimed her territory.

Xu Yinghuan later purchased the broadcasting room.

Skipping Zhao Rongjun, who was still on a date but got dragged to the boys' restroom, Xu Youyu arrived at the 【Cafeteria】 and claimed it easily.

Qiao Xinyan reached the 【Flower Bed】, collected 20 academic credits after passing the school gate, then spent 5 credits to buy the 【Flower Bed】.

Ying Chanxi rolled two 6s and purchased the 【Basketball Court】.

When it was Li Luo's turn again, he stood at the entrance of the boys' restroom. Looking across the board, the only empty space within his reach was the 【Gao Er Class 16 Classroom】.

Everything else was already taken.

Behind him, more and more locations were being quietly claimed by others, making him grimace: "I just went to the restroom—how did you guys manage to divide up all the territory?"

"Stop dawdling. Roll," Xu Youyu urged. "If you dare buy my classroom, I'll kill you."

"Heh," Li Luo smiled. "Since you said that, I won't be polite anymore."

Saying this, Li Luo tossed his dice.

Honestly, if he wanted to, he could've tested the dice beforehand and used his Soul Possession ability in the Memory Palace to perfectly replicate any number.

But it was a game—randomness was the point. Li Luo wasn't that boring; he didn't cheat just to play.

So when the dice rolled, it naturally didn't go his way.

The good news? He didn't land on anyone else's territory.

The bad news? He didn't land on his own either—he stopped on 【Accident】.

"Huh?" Xu Youyu, seeing this, grinned broadly. "Quick, quick, draw a card."

"Your excitement makes me really nervous," Li Luo's mouth twitched. "Do you even have one normal card in that pile of accidents?"

"Who cares if you do or don't? Just draw," Xu Youyu snapped impatiently.

Li Luo clicked his tongue, reached into the 【Accident】 deck, and pulled out a card.

Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng both pressed close to read it with him.

"You made a secret appointment with a female classmate you're romantically involved with, meeting at the pavilion in the small grove. You intended to confess—but due to nervousness, you couldn't bring yourself to speak."

"At that moment, your suspicious behavior was spotted by your homeroom teacher. You were taken back to the homeroom teacher's office and severely reprimanded, losing 5 academic credits."

"Designate one opposite-gender player as your romantic interest. First, proceed to the small grove pavilion."

"If the small grove pavilion has already been purchased, the player who drew this card must pay the toll fee for both."

"Then, both of you will be taken to the homeroom teacher's office for reprimand and must stand in penalty for one turn."

"Also, if the homeroom teacher's office has not been purchased, neither of you may purchase it."

"If the homeroom teacher's office has already been purchased, you must pay double the toll fee."

Li Luo: "... Are all your accident cards like this?"

"You'll find out if you keep playing," Xu Youyu grinned. "Hurry up—pick your romantic interest."

"Pick me," Yan Zhusheng tugged Li Luo's sleeve. "I have enough credits to pay."

"Do you even have the nerve to keep mooching off Zhusheng?" Ying Chanxi shot her a sideways glance. "Can't you pick someone else?"

Li Luo twitched his mouth, then sighed and patted Ying Chanxi on the shoulder: "Then I'll leave it to you—come with me on this trip."

"Hehe." Xu Youyu pulled out his proof of ownership for the 【Little Grove Pavilion】, "Not expensive, not expensive—three credits per person. Li Luo, just give me six credits."

At the side, Xu Yinghuan suddenly jumped out, grinning: "The homeroom teacher's office is mine~ If it's double toll fee, each of you gives me twelve credits~"

After placing all their pawns in the homeroom teacher's office, Li Luo and Ying Chanxi obediently paid their credits.

Although she hadn't become Li Luo's girlfriend, Ying Chanxi secretly rejoiced inside, thinking that Li Luo had wanted to confess to her.

But Xu Yinghuan now complained: "Li Luo, aren't you a bit of a jerk? You just broke up with Zhusheng not long ago, and now you're already trying to confess to Xixi? You're switching affections way too fast!"

"And you're confessing to the very person who reported you for dating." Qiao Xinyan giggled behind her hand.

"You guys are going too far!" Li Luo said, exasperated. "It's all because of Senior's weird cards—I'm being forced into this!"

"Indeed, it's all forced," Ying Chanxi nodded softly in agreement.

"Hmph." Xu Youyu smiled indifferently and said only: "Zhusheng, your turn."

"Oh." It was Yan Zhusheng's turn again. After rolling the dice, she arrived at the 【Gymnasium】 and successfully claimed it.

Xu Yinghuan rolled a six and went directly from the broadcasting room to the 【Exam】, her face instantly falling: "This is just awful… I haven't even gotten credits after finishing the exam…"

After entering the 【Exam】, you must stop twice and receive credits based on everyone's midterm scores.

Although Xu Yinghuan had improved greatly in her midterm, she still ranked outside the top three hundred in the entire school, so she earned no credits after the exam—making her even more miserable.

After Xu Yinghuan entered the exam hall, it was Zhao Rongjun's turn.

Just stepping out of the men's restroom, Zhao Rongjun rolled the dice—an eight—and was sent to his best friend's side.

——【Accident】

"Haha, haha!" Li Luo laughed. "We really are brothers in misfortune—you've come to keep me company already?"

Zhao Rongjun's face darkened; he was genuinely reluctant to touch the 【Accident】 card.

But under Xu Youyu's smiling gaze, Zhao Rongjun gritted his teeth and reached out, drawing a card from the 【Accident】 deck.

Xu Yinghuan leaned over curiously and read aloud: "You have long harbored deep feelings for a certain girl. Today, you finally muster the courage to confess your love to her."

"Choose one single opposite-gender player present, move directly to their location, and confess to them face-to-face."

"If they accept, you both become a couple and may lend each other credits."

"If they refuse, you will fail your exam in sorrow and lose five credits."

"Wait…," Zhao Rongjun stared at the card, stunned. Then he looked helplessly at Xu Youyu: "Senior, I already have a girlfriend—do I really have to confess to someone else again?"

"Why not?" Xu Youyu struggled to hold back her laughter, covering her mouth as she giggled. "Hurry up—people who walk two paths aren't rare. Try it out! Besides, she might not even say yes."

Hearing this, Zhao Rongjun's face flushed red. He lowered his head, too ashamed to look at Qiao Xinyan across from him.

He hadn't even confessed yet, but he already felt guilty toward her.

Qiao Xinyan also looked at Zhao Rongjun, pursed her lips, but said nothing—her gaze instead shifted to Xu Yinghuan.

At that moment, Xu Yinghuan realized it too.

Among those present, Qiao Xinyan already had a partner; the only other single opposite-gender players were Ying Chanxi, Yan Zhusheng, and Xu Youyu.

Obviously, Zhao Rongjun would never dare choose any of those three.

So… his only possible choice was…

"Sorry…" Zhao Rongjun awkwardly said to Xu Yinghuan, "I'll have to trouble you—would you mind just refusing right away?"

As he spoke, Zhao Rongjun moved his pawn into the 【Exam】.

Li Luo saw this and burst out laughing: "Bro Zhao, you're amazing! Confessing in the exam hall—you're the one!"

He raised his thumb toward Zhao Rongjun.

Hearing this, Zhao Rongjun's face darkened with exasperation.

But the next second, something even more shocking happened.

"I accept!" Xu Yinghuan beamed. "Now we're a couple~"

"Yes! Good, good!" Xu Youyu clapped her hands loudly, leaping from her chair and applauding vigorously. "Huanhuan, you did great! Hahaha~"

When she designed this Monopoly-style game, Xu Youyu had once imagined this exact scene.

But she never expected Zhao Rongjun would be the first to achieve the "walking two paths" milestone.

Qiao Xinyan, sitting across from them, instantly froze in shock.

She had assumed Zhao Rongjun's confession to Xu Yinghuan was just a formality—after all, in her view, Xu Yinghuan would surely refuse.

That way, she and Zhao Rongjun would remain the only true couple.

But now Xu Yinghuan had accepted outright—this meant… oh… Just thinking of it, Qiao Xinyan felt a pang of annoyance, puffing out her cheeks in petty anger.

She looked at Xu Yinghuan across the table and asked: "Huanhuan, you really accepted?"

"It's just a game—why not make it fun?" Xu Yinghuan grinned, slapping Zhao Rongjun's shoulder. "I think Zhao Rongjun's actually pretty nice. He'd make a decent boyfriend."

"But he already has me!" Qiao Xinyan protested. "Huanhuan, this isn't fair."

"But he confessed to me right in the middle of my exam!" Xu Yinghuan giggled. "That's so cool!"

Qiao Xinyan had no reply. She sighed, pressing her palm to her forehead, smiling wryly.

But since she remembered it was only a game, she let it go—though her gaze toward Zhao Rongjun carried a hint of reproach.

Zhao Rongjun instinctively glanced at Qiao Xinyan—and met her eyes. Instantly, he felt guilty and lowered his head. After a moment's thought, he pulled out 100 credits from his hand and offered them to her.

"How about I give you half the credits for the playground I just bought?"

"No need," Qiao Xinyan laughed softly, shaking her head at his remorseful expression. "I'm not mad at you. You're too easygoing—I haven't even scolded you yet."

Seeing how understanding Qiao Xinyan was, Zhao Rongjun felt deeply moved.

Two more rounds passed.

Ying Chanxi arrived smoothly at the 【Principal's Office】 and immediately spent 250 credits to claim the most expensive location.

Qiao Xinyan claimed the 【Table Tennis Hall】.

Yan Zhusheng claimed the 【Library】.

Xu Youyu purchased the 【Principal's Office】.

By now, most areas had essentially been claimed.

Xu Yinghuan and Zhao Rongjun had just finished their exam and stepped out of the testing hall.

Seeing Zhao Rongjun receive a 20-credit reward after finishing his exam, Xu Yinghuan immediately wore an envious expression.

Perhaps noticing Xu Yinghuan's gaze, Zhao Rongjun hesitated, then handed her 10 credits, and immediately handed the remaining 10 credits to Qiao Xinyan.

"Wow~ Brother, you're so nice~" Xu Yinghuan took the 10 credits and broke into a happy smile.

Seeing Xu Yinghuan accept them, Qiao Xinyan quietly abandoned her initial desire to refuse and silently took the credits Zhao Rongjun offered.

Li Luo watched this and chuckled: "You've got two girlfriends, and now you're splitting your salary right down the middle?"

"Shut up," Zhao Rongjun growled, his face dark.

After Zhao Rongjun ended his turn, it was once again Xu Youyu's turn to roll the dice.

She rolled a 10, passed the school gate to claim 20 credits, and landed on the 【Event】 space.

"Let me see," Xu Youyu eagerly drew a card from the 【Event】 deck and read aloud: "You have long harbored affection for him/her, but have never dared to confess."

"Until one night, you could no longer suppress your impulse and invited him to take a walk on the playground."

"Finally, you sat side by side on the steps of the flagpole platform, and before you even spoke, he sensed your feelings and confessed to you first."

"Choose one opposite-gender player present. You must invite the two of you to take a walk on the 【Playground】, and the other must confess at the 【Flagpole Platform】."

"If the 【Playground】 or 【Flagpole Platform】 have already been purchased, you must pay the cost for both to walk and to rest at the 【Flagpole Platform】."

"After the two become a couple, they must remain on the 【Flagpole Platform】 for one turn."

After announcing this,

Ying Chanxi's expression darkened.

Yan Zhusheng frowned slightly.

Xu Youyu smiled sweetly at Li Luo across from her.

"Junior~ Hmm?"