Chapter 302: Li Luo, I

"Senior, I like you. Will you be with me?"

Under the tyranny of the Birthday Person, Li Luo reluctantly spoke these words.

Yan Zhusheng beside him pursed his lips.

Ying Chanxi silently clenched her fists, cursing that she didn't have a second 【Snitch Card】.

"I agree!" Xu Youyu grinned, pulling out two red heart badges and handing one to Li Luo. "Now you're my boyfriend."

Li Luo sighed: "I feel like I've been kidnapped and forced into becoming a mountain bandit's wife."

"What kind of talk is that?" Xu Youyu huffed. "Like I forced you."

"It's all just game rules, I get it." Li Luo rolled his eyes. "By the way, if I'd drawn a 【Snitch Card】 myself, could I snitch on myself?"

"You can try." Xu Youyu smiled sweetly.

"Never mind." Facing Xu Youyu's smile, Li Luo coughed twice and chose to back down.

At that moment, Qiao Xinyan smiled and reminded: "Senior, remember to pay the toll. You invited Li Luo to take a walk in the 【Courtyard】, so you need to pay not just your own toll, but his too—and pay both me and Zhao Rongjun at the same time."

Only then did Xu Youyu realize: "How much?"

"Twenty academic credits per person, no cheating," Qiao Xinyan giggled. "Total of eighty credits—forty each for me and Zhao Rongjun."

"Dating's so expensive…" Xu Youyu muttered under her breath, pulling out eighty academic credits and handing them to Li Luo. "Look how much I've given up just to be with you—still wanna snitch on me?"

Li Luo stared blankly, then pulled out six academic credits and handed them to Ying Chanxi: "Don't I have to pay too? We still owe tolls on the flagpole."

"Tch." Xu Youyu pulled out another six credits and handed them to Ying Chanxi.

Ying Chanxi took them without expression.

If she could destroy their relationship, she'd rather not take these twelve credits at all.

After paying the toll, Li Luo stood up, brushed off his pants, and handed Ying Chanxi one more credit. "Boss of the men's room, I'm going to pee. This is my tribute."

Ying Chanxi rolled her eyes, took the credit, and said: "Go."

Li Luo had to stay one round to date Xu Youyu on the flagpole, so he took the chance to pee.

Seeing this, Xu Youyu across the room set her things on the coffee table, stood up, and said: "I'll go pee too—I'll be right back. You two keep going."

When it came to Qiao Xinyan's turn, she picked up the dice—by then, Xu Youyu was already following Li Luo toward the hallway bathroom.

Hearing Xu Youyu was also going to pee, Li Luo retreated to his master bedroom, used the bathroom inside, and left the one outside for her.

But the moment Li Luo finished and stepped out, a figure immediately pinned him against the wall.

Li Luo didn't need to look—he recognized her just by the faint scent of her body.

Helplessly pinned against the wall, Li Luo looked at Xu Youyu's grinning face and sighed: "Senior, weren't you going to pee?"

"I was just saying that," Xu Youyu chuckled. "What matters more is sneaking out to meet my own boyfriend~"

As she spoke, Xu Youyu blew softly against his ear, her right hand braced against the wall, her left sliding down his arm until it met his palm, fingers intertwining.

Li Luo instinctively swallowed, feeling the softness of her touch.

Compared to Yan Zhusheng's slender, bony hands and Ying Chanxi's petite ones, Senior's palms were softer, and a gentle squeeze felt pleasantly comforting.

Or rather, everything about Senior gave off a soft impression.

Especially now, pinned against the wall—though there was still space between their bodies, their chests pressed together with zero distance.

Xu Youyu leaned her head slightly closer; Li Luo could clearly feel that soft pressure, making his heart race, as if it might suffocate him instantly.

"They're still waiting for us," Li Luo whispered. "Senior, stop fooling around."

"Why rush?" Xu Youyu said. "We both have to stay one round anyway—no matter how fast, it'll still take two or three minutes."

Saying that, Xu Youyu embraced him, resting her head gently on his shoulder.

Now Li Luo was pressed even more thoroughly.

"Just a little while," Xu Youyu whispered. "It's been so long since I hugged you."

"We hugged this morning," Li Luo enjoyed her soft body but couldn't help complaining.

"That was you forcing me to get up—can't count that," Xu Youyu grumbled. "I mean this kind—normal, like real lovers. Haven't we gone this long without it?"

"Hmm…" Li Luo couldn't argue with that.

After all, over the past few months, Xu Youyu might sneak into his master bedroom at night, but she either messed around on the bed or used his lap as a brain cushion.

A proper, serious embrace like this—truly hadn't happened in a long time.

But it's normal not to!

They weren't real lovers.

"Today I'm really happy," Xu Youyu murmured, resting on his shoulder. "Thank you for celebrating my birthday and playing games with me."

"I don't have many friends. Even though I seem cheerful, there are very few people who truly keep me wanting to talk."

"Some classmates get close for a while, then slowly drift away."

"Meeting someone like you feels like a stroke of luck."

"Thanks to you, I've gotten to know Xi Xi and the others, and slowly become good friends with everyone."

Here, sensing she'd grown unexpectedly sentimental, Xu Youyu smiled again and changed the subject: "By the way, guess how many average subscriptions I have now?"

Li Luo fell silent for a moment, his emotions still lingering in her previous words, instinctively hugging her softer body a little tighter.

Coming back to himself, he loosened his grip slightly and asked: "How many? Ten thousand?"

"Dream on," Xu Youyu chuckled. "9,800—still 200 short of ten thousand. Probably won't hit it before the 8th."

"Not necessarily," Li Luo smiled, patting her back. "What if there's a miracle?"

"You don't have some secret trick up your sleeve, do you?" Xu Youyu looked up at him skeptically.

"Can't say for sure," Li Luo gently pulled her away from the wall, then let go, whispering: "It's been long enough. Go back first—I'll follow later."

"Alright," Xu Youyu didn't push it; seeing over two minutes had passed, she turned and left the bedroom, returning to the living room.

Not long after, Li Luo walked back into the living room, tidied his clothes, brushed off every strand of Xu Youyu's hair, and sat again between Yan Zhusheng and Ying Chanxi.

"Why did you take so long in the bathroom?" Ying Chanxi asked with a skeptical look.

"I washed my face with facial cleanser," Li Luo lied without blinking, "just to change my luck—I'm always so unlucky."

"What do you mean?" Xu Youyu glared at him. "Is dating me bad luck for you?"

"Cough… I didn't mean it like that."

"Then what did you mean?" Yan Zhusheng tilted her head and asked.

"... Stop talking so much!" Li Luo quickly cut off the topic and asked, "Whose turn is it now?"

"Zhao Rongjun," Ying Chanxi said.

"Come on, Brother Zhao," Li Luo urged urgently.

Prompted by Li Luo, Zhao Rongjun quickly threw his dice and landed successfully on the 【Event】 space.

Seeing this, Zhao Rongjun's face twitched—he had a bad feeling.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Zhao Rongjun trembled as he reached into the deck and drew an 【Event】 card.

Xu Yinghuan leaned over, saw the content, and raised her eyebrows with a knowing smile: "It's a date card~"

"Oh?" Li Luo perked up at this, grinning mischievously, "Who are you planning to date?"

The effect of the date card was simple: take your partner to a location for a date, and stay for one turn.

If the location hasn't been purchased, the couple can jointly buy it.

But the problem now was that Zhao Rongjun had two girlfriends…

Logically, to be fair, Zhao Rongjun should go on a date with Xu Yinghuan.

After all, he'd already dated Qiao Xinyan once and bought the 【Playground】.

But after much thought and struggle, Zhao Rongjun gritted his teeth, apologized to Xu Yinghuan, and handed the date card to Qiao Xinyan across from him.

"Sorry to trouble you again—let's go on another date."

Qiao Xinyan was equally surprised—she hadn't expected Zhao Rongjun to ask her out again, thinking he'd treat her and Xu Yinghuan fairly like he had with the grade split earlier.

Beside them, Li Luo asked in astonishment: "Brother Zhao, what are you thinking? Going back to Xinyan?"

"When I was dating Qiao Xinyan, I secretly confessed to Xu Yinghuan—that was already unfair to her," Zhao Rongjun whispered. "If I go on a date with Xu Yinghuan now, it'd be even more unfair to her…"

"But she'll be heartbroken," Xu Yinghuan pretended to wipe her tears, then burst out laughing, slapping Zhao Rongjun's shoulder hard. "Good, good—Zhao Rongjun's character is still solid. I knew I didn't misjudge you."

Qiao Xinyan smiled gently, took Zhao Rongjun's date card, and scanned the map.

Most areas on the map had already been claimed.

Only the 【Regular Teacher's Office】, 【Self-Study Room】, 【School Gate Plaza】, 【Gao Er Class 16 Classroom】, 【Girls' Bathroom】, and 【Boys' Dormitory】 remained unclaimed.

Of these, the last three each cost 50 credits—relatively valuable.

"Um… how about we go to the Self-Study Room?" Zhao Rongjun pointed to the 【Self-Study Room】, which cost only 15 credits, and asked tentatively.

Qiao Xinyan glanced at him, then smiled sweetly: "Since we're playing a game, we might as well go all out—let's go here."

Saying this, Qiao Xinyan picked up her piece and placed it on the 【Boys' Dormitory】 space.

Seeing this, Zhao Rongjun's face flushed red. Without a word, he quietly picked up his own piece and placed it beside hers—both headed to the 【Boys' Dormitory】 for their rendezvous.

"Wow~" Xu Youyu clapped excitedly, grinning. "Xinyan's good—now you're sneaking into the boys' dormitory!"

Qiao Xinyan blushed, covered her mouth with a light laugh, then pulled out 50 credits: "Same as always—I'll pay."

"How envious," Li Luo sighed. "If my girlfriend were this generous…"

"You talk too much," Xu Youyu snorted. "I barely have any credits left, you know."

"That's because you spend recklessly and bought so many things," Li Luo retorted. "Look at me—how frugal I am? I still have hundreds of credits."

"You have no assets," Xu Youyu rolled her eyes. "You've only got the rooftop and the girls' dorm. I've taken five territories."

"And now you've almost used up all your credits," Li Luo glanced at her—she had only fifty-some left—and chuckled. "I bet you'll run out soon."

"When I run out, won't you still be there?" Xu Youyu smiled sweetly. "As my boyfriend, using your credits is only natural."

"Fine, fine—you're planning that, huh?" Li Luo's lip twitched. "Come on, hurry up and draw an accusation card and report us!"

"Report the Birthday Person's romance?" Xu Youyu glared at him. "You're getting too bold."

Watching them bicker, Ying Chanxi secretly felt a little happy, but she said aloud: "Stop arguing—Sister, it's your turn. Roll first."

"Hmph." Xu Youyu let Li Luo off for now, rolled the dice, and landed on the gymnasium, where Yan Zhusheng took 12 credits from her.

Her already meager credits plunged even further.

Skipping the dating Qiao Xinyan, it was Ying Chanxi's turn.

This time, Ying Chanxi finally rolled again onto the 【Event】 space and eagerly drew a card.

But when she looked at it, her expression first brightened, then fell.

Li Luo curiously leaned over to look—it was another date card.

"I don't have a partner—I can't use it," Ying Chanxi pouted.

"It's fine—you can save it," Li Luo comforted her, then muttered under his breath, "How many of these cards did you slip into the deck, Sister?"

"Don't ask so much—just tell me if it's exciting," Xu Youyu grumbled. "Hurry up—your turn."

Several more rounds passed.

【Regular Teacher's Office】 was claimed by Xu Yinghuan.

【Self-Study Room】 was taken by Zhao Rongjun.

When Yan Zhusheng landed on the 【Accident】 card again, she finally drew what she wanted.

"You and he/she are classmates, spending daily study time together—your feelings have grown over time."

"With his/her help, your academic performance has soared—you're likely to get into the same university."

"Secretly, you've agreed: if you both pass the college entrance exam and enter the same university, you'll announce your relationship to your parents."

"Designate one opposite-gender player present to become your partner, and receive the Blessing of Academic Excellence—reward: 50 credits."

Yan Zhusheng took the card and handed it to Li Luo without the slightest hesitation.

Xu Youyu, across from them, narrowed his eyes and laughed: "Zhusheng, you're nasty—you know Li Luo already has someone, yet you still try to steal him?"

"I'm not stealing," Yan Zhusheng shook her head seriously. "I'll just share with Senior Sister."

Hearing this, Xu Youyu's eye twitched—he suddenly remembered Yan Zhusheng's personality… She'd once asked her a similar question, and Yan Zhusheng had said, "Why not share?"

"Besides, Zhao Rongjun has two girlfriends too," Yan Zhusheng pointed at Zhao Rongjun with an innocent expression. "If he can, why not Li Luo?"

Ying Chanxi, hearing this, puffed out her cheeks and clenched her fists in frustration.

Li Luo, however, had already accepted reality—he knew after seeing Zhao Rongjun with two girlfriends, he'd eventually face the same fate.

After drawing the card, Yan Zhusheng cheerfully accepted the task, then happily claimed 50 academic credits as a reward, and casually gave 20 to Xu Youyu.

"Why?" Xu Youyu glanced at the credits he was handed and raised an eyebrow.

"Pocket money for you. Take it," Li Luo waved his hand generously.

"Heh," Xu Youyu sneered twice but still reached out to take it, grinning without warmth. "Thanks, my dear boyfriend."

At this moment.

Of the seven people in the room, six already had partners.

Only Ying Chanxi remained alone, clutching a date card she couldn't even use.

But if you play long enough, there's always a turn of luck.

Although most territories had already been bought, over time everyone's academic credits had dwindled due to asset purchases and other expenses.

Especially Xu Youyu, Ying Chanxi, and others—they'd bought many high-cost assets and now held under 50 credits, always at risk of bankruptcy.

As territories gradually ran out, everyone began delighting in drawing 【Accidents】 and 【Events】.

Especially when Xu Youyu pulled out beer and paired it with snacks and fruit he'd prepared earlier; they drank, ate, gradually loosened up, and played more wildly than ever.

And under this atmosphere, Ying Chanxi finally drew another 【Event】 card.

"I—I can't look…"

Nervously, Ying Chanxi drew a card from the 【Event】 deck, clutched it tightly with both hands, dared not look, and thrust it toward Li Luo.

"You check it for me—what does it say?"

"You're this nervous over a game?" Li Luo chuckled, glanced at it, and said, "Oh wow."

"Don't say 'oh wow'! What is it?!" Ying Chanxi punched him, eyes shut tight, waiting for her verdict.

"Good thing—a confession card," Li Luo smiled. "He/she is like the sun in your heart, always warming you, illuminating you, driving away all your troubles when you're sad or down."

"You've grown up together, inseparable since childhood. From simple childhood friendship, you've gradually felt another kind of emotion inside."

"Finally, on this day, you can't wait any longer—you decide to take this step."

"Face this feeling. Face yourself."

"Choose one opposite-gender player present and confess to them."

"If they accept, you become a couple and may borrow academic credits from each other."

"If they refuse, you'll fall into depression from shattered childhood feelings, fail a major exam, and lose 50 academic credits."

After Li Luo finished reading, everyone blinked, glancing at Ying Chanxi and Li Luo with strange expressions.

Zhao Rongjun muttered under his breath: "This feels too familiar… Senior Sister isn't the Birthday Person—she's a prophet, isn't she?"

"Cough." Li Luo grew increasingly uneasy as he read but finished anyway.

At that moment, Ying Chanxi opened her eyes, bit her lip, and softly said: "It's… just a game, right?"

"Of course," Xu Youyu nodded with a smile.

After receiving the Birthday Person's confirmation, Ying Chanxi exhaled slightly, then took a deep breath and looked at Li Luo with serious intensity:

"I've liked you since childhood, Li Luo—will you be with me?"

Hearing Ying Chanxi say this to his face—even though he knew it was just a game—Li Luo still froze for a moment.

Then he instinctively replied: "But I already have two girlfriends."

"It's fine," Ying Chanxi smiled through gritted teeth. "I don't mind—as long as you agree to be with me."

Since Ying Chanxi said that, Li Luo reluctantly nodded and accepted her confession.

After collecting two heart badges from Xu Youyu, Li Luo now held three badges—so many he could barely hold them.

"You're way cooler than me," Zhao Rongjun gave him a thumbs-up.

Li Luo rolled his eyes at him.

At that moment, Ying Chanxi pulled out the date card she'd been holding for so long, then pointed at the 【Gao Er Class 26 Classroom】, still unclaimed, and smiled at Li Luo: "I want to go on a date with you there."

Seeing Ying Chanxi point to his classroom, Xu Youyu widened his eyes: "Hey hey hey! Xixi, that's unfair! Why are you coming to my classroom?!"

"Senior Sister's classroom is still empty," Ying Chanxi grinned. "Let's buy it together and make it our shared property~"

"But there's still a girls' bathroom," Xu Youyu quickly suggested. "And you've got a boys' bathroom too—then you can charge double the toll."

"Turning bathrooms into communal property is too weird," Ying Chanxi firmly shook her head, placed her and Li Luo's tokens on the 【Gao Er Class 26 Classroom】, then spent 50 academic credits to buy it. "I want this classroom."

Watching Xu Youyu's twitching mouth and helpless expression, Ying Chanxi suddenly felt an inexplicable joy.

She realized—snatching Li Luo away from others felt surprisingly satisfying.

Like letting out a long-held breath of resentment.

But then she remembered he had two other girlfriends—and her face tightened again.

"I'm going to the bathroom," Li Luo had drunk a lot and it was already past five in the evening—he felt the urge and stood up, smiling. "You won't charge me credits for the bathroom now, right? We're this close."

Saying that, Li Luo jumped off the sofa, waved to Ying Chanxi, and rushed toward the master bathroom.

But Ying Chanxi immediately stood and chased after him: "Who said I won't charge? Stop! Even one credit is a credit—I'm almost out!"

"What the hell are you coming in for?! I'm going first, then I'll pay you!"

"Pay me first, then you go."

"Hurry up, close the door, close it now!"

One minute later.

Li Luo finished using the restroom, opened the door and stepped out, only to see Ying Chanxi still waiting there — he frowned. "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing." Ying Chanxi turned her head away, but extended her small hand toward Li Luo, her cheeks slightly flushed as she whispered, "Don't couples hold hands when they walk together?"