It's just The Sims, how did it become my ideal love story?

Chapter 34 Call Me Brother!
Is it abnormal for Cai Yan to appear at the convenience store? It's perfectly normal. Everyone has the right to come. It's perfectly normal to come here to buy an ice pop on such a hot day.

Why is she looking at me like that?
Gu Huai didn't know what went wrong either, and he didn't want to fall into that inexplicable feeling of guilt. He didn't even know where the problem was, so why should he feel guilty?
So he looked at Cai Yan as if nothing was wrong, just like always.

"You're here too? What a coincidence."

Cai Yan was so angry she felt like her teeth were about to break.

Good grief, I've been dawdling here for ages, even thinking of treating you to an ice cream, and you're out here flirting and laughing with some girl, huh?

I have this strange feeling that I've been tricked.

Although she knew perfectly well that whatever Gu Huai did had nothing to do with her, and who he was close to or intimate with was none of her concern, a girl's emotions are often irrational, and she was just very unhappy.

But you can't show it too obviously, otherwise people might really think that you and he have something going on.

"Yeah, what a coincidence. You've got some luck with girls, haven't you? The girl must be in her first year of high school, right? I don't think I've seen her before."

Compared to herself, Cai Yan was naturally the type of social terrorist who wasn't afraid of socializing and could talk to anyone naturally, it just depended on whether she wanted to or not.

When Cai Yan took the initiative to greet her, Lin Jiang appeared very nervous and awkward.

But she still politely replied, "Yes, I'm a first-year high school student."

Cai Yan walked over and stared at Gu Huai in a sarcastic tone, "You're something else, you managed to hook up with a junior girl while playing ball, and she's so cute."

These words made Lin Jiang's ears turn red.

Gu Huai said irritably, "Don't talk nonsense. We've known each other for a long time. What seduction?"

You've known each other for a long time?

How come I've never seen that before?
What luck! I met such a cute girl so early on? But she doesn't seem as pretty as me, hehe.

"We've known each other for a long time? Oh, I see~"

She looked at Gu Huai, hoping the boy would explain more, since someone she already knew couldn't explain anything. But Gu Huai, clearly oblivious to this kind of female aptitude, wouldn't realize her thoughts.

He actually felt the conversation should end there.

Turning to Lin Jiang beside him, he asked, "By the way, what would you like to drink?"

Lin Jiang glanced furtively at Cai Yan, whose expression seemed off, and then whispered, "Mineral water will do."

"Iced or room temperature?"

Gu Huai asked this purely out of thoughtfulness, without any other ulterior motive.

"Room temperature is fine."

"it is good."

Gu Huai reached for a bottle of mineral water, and just as he picked it up, a figure suddenly appeared beside him, carrying a slightly familiar scent, and casually grabbed the bottle of water.

Gu Huai looked over and saw Cai Yan giving him a provocative look.

The boy was completely baffled. What was going on? It was so strange.

Without thinking much about it, Gu Huai, holding two bottles of water and a pack of wet wipes, was about to pay when Cai Yan appeared again, put the water and Gu Huai's purchases together, and said something.

"Let's buy them together."

Don't you have any money yourself?

Gu Huai looked at her with annoyance.

Good grief, I just treated you to a late-night snack, and now you want me to buy my own water? You're so shameless!
Cai Yan snorted coldly, "Shouldn't you thank me for cheering you on while you were playing?"

Why bring this up again!

Gu Huai couldn't even imagine how others would look at him when he returned to the classroom. He had absolutely no desire to cause such a commotion, yet she was adding unnecessary attention to herself for no reason.

Therefore, Gu Huai can say with a clear conscience, "I didn't ask you to cheer me on, you really aren't afraid of people making a fuss."

"You! Don't care, buy them all!"

Cai Yan was furious.

While I had my own selfish motives in cheering him on—it was a way of getting revenge on myself—objectively speaking, I genuinely wanted him to win, and yet he blamed me!
Gu Huai was too lazy to argue with Cai Yan. He had already bought two bottles, so one more wouldn't make a difference.

Although I'm short on living expenses, I can afford three bottles of water.

I bought them together anyway.

Gu Huai didn't argue with Cai Yan and came out to hand the water to Lin Jiang.

Lin Jiang looked at herself, appearing somewhat shy but polite, and said, "Thank you, Brother Gu Huai."

Before Gu Huai could even feel comfortable with such a form of address, he heard sarcastic remarks in his ear.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Brother Gu Huai. Thank you, Brother Gu Huai~"

How can that sound so awful?

Glancing at Cai Yan beside me, she was walking with her ponytail swinging as if someone owed her eight million.

Lin Jiang and I walked ahead, while Cai Yan and her friend followed behind. Now, we couldn't say anything, feeling like we were being watched.

Lin Jiang seemed to be walking with her head down because of this, as if she couldn't even look at herself anymore.

Lin Jiang whispered as they entered the teaching building, in the stairwell of the first-grade classroom.

"My classroom is right here."

Gu Huai nodded. "Take care then. See you next time. You can talk to me on your phone if you need anything."

"Thank you, Brother Gu Huai."

As she spoke, the young girl Lin Jiang disappeared from Gu Huai's sight as if she were fleeing.

Gu Huai glanced at the other person's back again, feeling somewhat sentimental.

It's hard to imagine that Lin Jiang had this kind of personality in high school.

Just as he was thinking this, he was suddenly stabbed in the ribs. It wasn't a knife, but Cai Yan's elbow.

"What are you doing?"

Gu Huai looked at her strangely, only to see Cai Yan with a sarcastic expression, "Still looking at her after she's left? So reluctant to let her go, why don't you consider repeating a grade to keep her company while she studies?"

"I even offered you water, do you have to be so sarcastic?"

"Who cares about your water? Plenty of people want to offer me water~ Pfft."

"Then transfer the water fee to me."

"Why should I? You've already invited them!"

"You're so shameless."

"You're the one with thick skin! You think just anyone can offer me a drink?"

"Are you some runaway princess? You need to be qualified to even be offered a drink of water."

I'll punch you twice!

Gu Huai ignored him and went upstairs on his own.

Cai Yan, who was lagging behind, glared fiercely at Gu Huai, but he was destined not to see it.

His friend next to him kept laughing.

Cai Yan looked at her, her cheeks burning with inexplicable embarrassment, and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

The girl quickly shook her head, "It's nothing, it's just quite interesting."

"Don't misunderstand. I just really disliked him, so I cursed at him a couple of times."

"I see."

"real!!"

"I really understand!" "Ugh! I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Gu Huai returned to the classroom.

He saw Chen Pinyan gathered with a few boys by the trash can again, but this time Chen Pinyan didn't dare to look at him.

He acted as if nothing had happened, talking about things that had nothing to do with the basketball game they had just played.

Gu Huai didn't interrupt, because he was too busy taking care of himself.

"Yo~ Gu Huai's back~"

"Huh? Where's Cai Yan?"

"Hey kid, something's up here!"

"It's one thing that he plays basketball so well, but what about his private life?"

Just as I expected, all sorts of messy rumors and gossip started circulating.

Gu Huai could only deny it and give evasive answers as he returned to his seat.

Cai Yan then returned to the classroom amidst some jeers, and compared to herself, she handled the situation much more gracefully.

This "graceful and generous" specifically refers to...

"What the hell is this to you?"

"It's just a classmate giving you gas, is that bothering you?"

"If you spread any more rumors, I'll tear your mouth apart!"

That's really fierce.

Finally, the school bell rang, and everything quieted down.

Gu Huai let out a long sigh of relief, and then saw Cai Yan casting a glance at him from her direction.

He glared at himself fiercely.

That glance was reminiscent of Cai Yan's later style, and Gu Huai, just like later on, still didn't know what had made her so angry.

This lesson was taught by our homeroom teacher, Mr. Wang.

Gu Huai had no expectations, no nostalgia, or much resentment towards his former homeroom teacher, whom he no longer remembered much.

But Teacher Wang soon announced some news.

"I hope everyone will listen carefully to the following lessons. The key points of this monthly exam will be covered. If you still don't do well under these circumstances, then I have nothing more to say."

Ok?
Are you about to take an exam?
Before he could think any further, Gu Huai heard a voice pop into his mind.

[This simulation has ended! Exiting the simulation!]

Wait?

Why this particular node?

White light gradually covered everything in front of us.

[The simulation has ended. Your simulation rewards are being calculated!]

[This simulation rewards you with 8 free attribute points and 150 R coins! You have 270 R coins remaining!]

[Based on your performance in this simulation, you'll receive a special reward: Double Recovery!]

[Double Recovery: Now you can recover your real-world energy in less time through simulation, meaning less sleep but higher quality to ensure you're full of energy and vitality throughout the day. The simulation process is also affected.]

I was initially disappointed that the results of this simulation weren't as good as expected, at least not as good as the last one.

But there's a new skill? This ability to restore energy is pretty good; you only realize how precious energy is when you reach middle age.

I feel tired after doing even a little bit of work, and I feel exhausted after talking even a little bit.

Not to mention how difficult it is to maintain that level of performance throughout the day; even playing games for a few hours can feel incredibly tiring.

Even more useful is that it effectively increases your real-world time, so you don't have to worry about not getting enough sleep during the day if you enter the sleep pod too late for the simulation.

Gu Huai first allocated the points.

If you have eight attribute points, add three points to Strength, two points to Stamina, and three points to Charisma.

[Value updates complete!]

[Intelligence: 54.]

Strength: 40 (Having largely overcome his weak physique, he can now perform well in some sports!)

[Endurance: 37 (Already able to barely complete high-intensity exercise, but still needs to be cautious!)]

[Charm: 37 (Perhaps some observant people will start to think you're the type that grows on you?)]

The fact that the simulation ended at this point is quite intriguing. Gu Huai could reasonably suspect that the next time he logged on, there really would be an exam. As for why he knew this but still didn't increase his intelligence...?

Gu Huai didn't rush to synchronize the data; instead, he opened the weekly store.

Choose the "Memory Sandwich" and purchase it directly for 100 R coins.

Then I chose to eat it immediately, and a sandwich actually appeared. I could even taste it, but to be honest, it didn't taste like much. It was a bit like chewing on a book.

A notification appears immediately after you finish eating.

[You have gained five points of intelligence from consuming the Memory Sandwich!]

[Intelligence: 59 (Your memory is excellent, but your comprehension is still lacking. You are not a top candidate for Tsinghua or Peking University, but your academic performance is far from average.)]

Your remaining R coins: 170R.

Next, synchronizing the data and skills cost 70R.

With 100R remaining, Gu Huai exited the simulation with satisfaction.

Looking at the bright sunshine outside, he decided to open a website and search for high school math and physics to review. It had the effect of a memory sandwich, so he should be able to recover quickly. He wondered if he could handle the upcoming monthly exam.

Holy crap, someone almost thirty years old is going to be tested on high school level knowledge? Is that even absurd?
I just turned on my phone.

He unexpectedly saw the message from Lin Jiang. When you have no expectations, it seems like you're always pleasantly surprised.

It was posted last night.

Energetic Xiao Jiang: [Have you finished your work?]

Energetic Little Ginger: [Going to bed so early?]

Gu Huai thought for a moment, then replied, "Sorry, I was too busy and tired yesterday, and I fell asleep before I could reply."

I didn't expect the other party to reply immediately, but Lin Jiang is like someone who lives inside the phone.

He replied to my message instantly.

Energetic Xiao Jiang: [It's okay, but you should remember to get some rest, Gu Huai.]

Gu Huai?

Gu Huai inexplicably thought of Lin Jiang, the girl who called him "Brother Gu Huai".

As if possessed, he replied with a single line of text.

Why don't you call him Brother Gu Huai?

The bedside was clean, but the room was somewhat dim because the curtains were not drawn.

The young woman, still a little sleepy, stared at the screen with her eyes slightly wide open.

Her cheeks flushed a delicate, vibrant blush, untouched by the sun.

……

(End of this chapter)