Chapter 18: The System Can Do Anything, But There's No Need

Before the notice board on the first floor of the Club Building.

Under Mikami Ai's direction, Qingshan Li posted the Athens Philosophy Research Club's recruitment advertisement.

After posting it, the two stood a short distance away and looked it over.

"It looks like it's been isolated," Qingshan Li said.

The notice board was large, covered with all sorts of advertisements; even the cyberpunk graffiti wall was nothing special by comparison.

The plain black-and-white Athens Philosophy Research Club ad stood at a distance from the other ads, alone in the corner, like an outcast born in a kingdom of color yet having no color.

But Mikami Ai's calligraphy saved it, giving it a soulful beauty.

"That's it," Mikami Ai nodded. "Remember to come to the club tomorrow at noon. Goodbye."

If not for this material-collecting matter, Qingshan Li wouldn't have gone; he would have spent his time studying.

"Goodbye," he said.

After Mikami Ai left, he sat down on the bench facing the courtyard and took out his third mystery novel.

The sounds on campus grew quieter; the occasional instrument music, whether the melody was sad or cheerful, only seemed more desolate.

"Brother!"

Qingshan Li came back to himself; Ono Mizuki came running over with her bookbag, a sweet smile on her sweet round face.

Qingshan Li smiled too.

"Let's go home," he said.

"Mm. I was just wondering where to find you."

"From now on, meet here. Even if Tokyo Bay's seawater floods over, if I don't come, you can't leave. Understand?"

Ono Mizuki looked left and right, confirming no one nearby could hear, then lowered her voice: "Drop dead!"

"Everyone dies eventually; everyone is on the road."

"I'll beat you up when we get home!"

"Anyone's image at home and outside differs somewhat, but your difference is too great—fierce at home, well-behaved at school."

"So which side of me do you like?" Ono Mizuki asked with a smile.

"If I had to say which I like more, I like the me who knows your true nature and still likes you," Qingshan Li said. "I'm really too great. Truly a real man."

"I guess so."

"You seem reluctant?" Even so, Qingshan Li didn't care; a real man always speaks through action.

Walking down Wutong Avenue, the two boarded the homebound train at Hiroo Station. There happened to be one seat, and Qingshan Li let Ono Mizuki sit.

"You sit. Your leg isn't healed yet," Ono Mizuki said.

"It's completely fine. Just hold my bookbag for me," Qingshan Li said.

"Really?"

"I won't force myself."

"Tell me if you're tired." Ono Mizuki sat down and held his bookbag for him.

After giving his mobile phone to Ono Mizuki, Qingshan Li was about to keep reading his mystery novel when he suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, I forgot to tell you: to write my book, I joined a newly founded club. Because the Student Council president adjusted the club membership requirements, I wrote your name down too."

"Why did you write my name without asking?" Ono Mizuki, logging into LINE, was displeased.

"The club activity funds will give you some, no matter what you want to do."

"Why didn't you write your sister's name in too?"

"I'll try tomorrow."

Transferring at Hibiya, they finally arrived at Kitasenju Station.

The two returned home. Qingshan Li put down his bookbag and continued reading his mystery novel in the living room.

In the kitchen, Ono Mizuki, tying on her apron, watched him, absorbed.

On Qingshan Li's face there was no leisure of reading a novel, nor any tension or excitement of mystery-solving—only seriousness and focus, thorough study.

Just as Qingshan Li didn't care whether she was fierce or well-behaved, she and her sister didn't care about Qingshan Li's handsomeness or poverty.

The relationship among the three of them was unlike those school classmates and friends; they were not shadows that would vanish without the sun.

They were family.

After eating the dinner made yesterday and heated today, Ono Mizuki went to wash the dishes, and Qingshan Li continued reading his mystery novel.

After washing the dishes, Ono Mizuki returned to the living room to do her homework and study, while he was still reading his mystery novel.

At one point, he came back to himself from the book and sank into thought again.

Reading mystery novels is completely useless.

But it shouldn't be; the power of books cannot be this weak. Something must be wrong somewhere.

Does he lack talent for mystery novels?

Liking to read books doesn't mean one can write books; they're not the same thing, although the vast majority of people who write books do so because they like reading.

And he might just be someone who neither likes mystery novels nor has writing talent.

Or maybe his way of reading is wrong? Should he first borrow a few books on how to read books?

Wait.

—System

The panel popped up, as natural as controlling his own arms.

—Read books for me!

【Guidance Begins】

Qingshan Li entered a different world.

Imagination became inconceivable, as if it had previously been rigid, and now suddenly thawed.

No matter how he read or summarized before, he only felt the mystery novels were passable, but right now, every word the characters spoke and every paragraph break in the text seemed so insightful, practical, and full of interest.

Qingshan Li's imagination was fully ignited!

The book turned into bread, which he bit into bit by bit, savoring it with relish, eating it all up.

"Brother, we can start studying now." Ono Mizuki reminded him.

Kaimei High School was their springboard in life, a passport to the world of the rich; not being able to write novels was just temporary poverty, and with government subsidies for minors they could barely get by, but if they didn't study seriously, they couldn't even write a future.

"Stop reading, it's time to study!" Ono Mizuki raised her voice.

Qingshan Li continued reading the novel in his hand seriously, reading very slowly, as if proofreading typos.

Ono Mizuki put down her pen, stood up, and reached out to snatch the book.

Qingshan Li didn't even lift his head, grabbing her hand with his other hand.

"Stop messing around, it's time to study." Ono Mizuki thought Qingshan Li was teasing her.

In her expectation, the next moment Qingshan Li should lift his face and say "Okay" with a smile.

But no, Qingshan Li was still reading.

"Fine, do whatever you want!" Ono Mizuki withdrew her hand, sat back down, and continued reading.

Three minutes later, Ono Mizuki suddenly made a move to grab the mystery book.

Qingshan Li moved faster than her, grabbing her in one go; to stop her from getting in the way, he temporarily put down the book and untied his necktie and belt.

"What are you doing taking off your clothes?"

"No!"

"It hurts! Let go!"

Ono Mizuki was tied up in the corner, Qingshan Li returned to the low table and continued reading.

"Qingshan Li!"

"Brother, I was wrong."

"O-ni-chan!"

"I'm going to call the police!"

Without a gag, the voice would have no effect.

Two hours later, Qingshan Li came back to his senses, feeling as if he had entered a treasure trove, and after carefully selecting within, returned with a full load.

—System

【Name: Qingshan Li】

【Age: 16】

【Strength: D】

【Speed: D】

【Stamina: C】

【Intelligence B↑】

【Beauty A↑】

【Specialty: Home E, Massage E, Reading E】

The next second, the '↑' behind【Intelligence】and【Beauty】disappeared, so fast it seemed like an illusion.

Qingshan Li didn't care; whether it improved this time didn't matter, it would certainly improve sooner or later.

The key was the addition of Reading E within【Specialty】.

Also.

【Campus Mystery, Main Ability is Beauty: 91.8%】

Under System Guidance, reading for two hours increases by 0.2; becoming a bestselling writer is just around the corner!

So that's it, this is the true use of the system: let the system handle everything! Don't let even small things slip by!

"Mizuki, I've grasped destiny!"

"You've grasped me!"

"Huh?" Qingshan Li turned back and saw Ono Mizuki tied up in the corner, "What are you doing?"

"You tied me!" Ono Mizuki's face turned red with anger, "Untie me quickly!"

"Sorry sorry!" Qingshan Li took out his mobile phone to take a photo.

"You're dead, you're absolutely dead, I will definitely kill you." Ono Mizuki said unusually calmly.

Qingshan Li didn't dare take photos anymore, and went over to help.

It was simply art; the necktie and belt formed a complete polyhedron, and Ono Mizuki was stuffed inside.

"How do I untie this?" Qingshan Li knew nothing about bondage.

"You tied me!"

"Turn around, let me look at the other side. There are no knots; let me look underneath."

Ono Mizuki couldn't move, otherwise she would kick him in the face; although she wore leggings, it was still under a girl's skirt!

Both were sweating profusely.

After untying, Qingshan Li hurriedly ran away.

"I'm going to pick up my sister!"

Ono Mizuki held the belt and stopped at the doorway after chasing him.

Qingshan Li felt even more urgent to make money; if he had money, he could simply cut the necktie or belt directly instead of struggling like this.

Thank you Qingsheng and Mao_, Fanyan Dadi, Liu Sword Light Si Jian 152, Shuo Yu Shi Yu pro, Everything Like Flame, and Super Strong Number Six for your donations!

Thank you everyone for reading, donating, and voting!

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(Chapter End)