They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

"Oh, that's fine then, but my sister and I might have to go home first..."

"It's alright, Chuqing. Let An'an sit with us for a while, shall we?"

"No, won't it disturb you?"

"It's okay~ Anyway, our parents are already away on a business trip, so I'd rather you come to our house as a guest, An'an."

Ling Qingxue, sitting in the passenger seat, said with a smile.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing all the students from the top tier of the school come together."

[Next chapter preview: "How many can you handle, Mr. Red and Black Belt?"]

An Yu seemed to be reciting lines, trying her best to appear calm and composed.

"No! We absolutely cannot let her friends come!"

"Hey, could you at least do one thing I want you to do?"

"Don't you understand that no one will be happy?!"

Testimonials

I've been reflecting on this ever since the end of the promotional campaign.

The two-day featured recommendation only gained me a little over 100 favorites. It seems my writing is really too bad, and there's no chance it will ever be published.

The next day, editor Zhu Bao asked me.

"Why haven't you filled out the application to list the product?"

? !

If you've read this far, please allow me to bow to you all. I'm truly touched that you've all continued reading despite my clumsy writing and immature storytelling.

The fact that this book has come this far is truly thanks to everyone's continued reading, comments, and monthly ticket donations. Especially recently, the data has been rather mediocre (high EQ), and the writing style of Volume Two has also drawn a lot of criticism. I also happened to be a bit stuck on the plot of Volume Three. If it weren't for seeing everyone's feedback every day, I would have almost given up.

—Although updating only once a day is actually quite pointless (covers head to prevent squatting)

I've seen everyone's complaints and criticisms. To be honest, if you knew my original concept and draft, you would probably feel genuinely moved.

"Damn it, that wasn't enough of a scolding."

If it weren't for editor Zhu Bao stopping me during the outline stage and deleting many outrageous settings and beginnings, do you think this is my skill level?!

No, I can be even more of a flop!

Well, so really, we've come this far thanks to our editors 60% and our readers 60%.

What? Me? I'm in the -20%. This book is just one author away from platinum status (bitter smile).

My initial idea was to write a "light" novel—one that readers could pick up and put down easily, yet still feel connected to the characters.

Ning Ruoyu, Chen Di, An Yu, Ning Ruoxin... including the newest and probably final female protagonist who will appear in the next volume. I hope that even after this book ends, there will be a few characters that readers will remember.

It can be considered the author's overestimation of his abilities.

By the way, I actually feel that Ning Ruoyu wasn't really aggrieved.

As I mentioned in a previous comment, this guy has a serious problem. He's always calculating and playing it safe with those people, always hiding his true intentions. (Except for that slap from An Yu that left him speechless, haha, which was truly a rare moment of bewilderment and confusion for Ning.)

This even includes Chen Di, a character I absolutely love. His character is actually a bit like Akechi from Persona 5, but in a truly kind way, not like Pancake Man. He's currently the only genius who can go toe-to-toe with Ning Ruoyu when he gets serious. Ms. An Yu keeps saying that Ning Ruoyu doesn't include her, but actually it's because explaining things to anyone other than Chen Di is too much trouble (laughs).

Even so, Ning Ruoyu harbored some secrets about Chen Di that he had already seen through. (There are some hints in Volume One; it would be terrifying if you could guess them.) He didn't say anything because he felt it wasn't important, but being wary of others was practically an instinctive reaction for him.

Can you say he actually likes any woman right now? Probably not. He himself said that in his mental state, how could he possibly fall in love with someone else? It's already a miracle he hasn't stabbed anyone.

His primary characteristic is coldness and indifference. Even Ning Ruoxin only showed him any kindness because of their blood relation and because she genuinely cared for him. Otherwise, he probably wouldn't have intervened in the school bullying. As for his methods of revenge, well, I don't even dare to write about him personally carrying them out—because he's probably capable of anything at that point. The consequence of writing it would be that the story would be banned and taken down…

You wouldn't want to see him expressionless, tilting his head, and poking those three girls' private parts and organs with a fire poker, would you? It's too extreme, I can't write it. But according to the character's development, he either won't do it, or he really will.

All I can say is that if Ning Ruoyu was a scumbag in the past, then Ning Ruoyu is actually a demon now.

Insults and likes are both jokes that aren't very funny to him.

A demon who doesn't care about anyone is actually very hard to suppress.

He might change later, and by Volume Three he might even take on some responsibilities, though the core essence is still that he doesn't want to owe anyone favors—I think that would be a very interesting story.

However, if readers feel frustrated while reading this, that's a problem with my writing.

I want to write about someone who seems lively and even funny, but is actually more indifferent than anyone else, someone who doesn't want to owe favors or have any entanglements, and who draws clear lines with everyone. Every thought and joke between the lines reflects his indifference to others, and of course, his indifference to himself.

I didn't write it well, I'm really sorry.

The characters in this story actually harbor many secrets, some of which have been revealed, while others are just beginning to unfold. Just like in Volume Three, perhaps the secret of a supporting character will leave you astonished or speechless.

The summer vacation in Volume Two was more like a chaotic battle, resolving Ning Ruoyu's past issues. After that, everyone's goodwill towards Ning Ruoyu increased dramatically.

So Volume Three will return to everyday life and entertainment, with everyone bickering and arguing, interpersonal relationships both simple and complex, doing some silly, pointless things typical of students, living ordinary daily lives, and chatting and arguing about things that seem a bit funny to outsiders. Moreover, more and more female leads are realizing Ning Ruoyu's special qualities, so a love triangle is probably just around the corner…

Of course, the gray market will not miss the opportunity to get involved when it matters most.

But with Ning Ruoyu and Chen Di around, most of the time things will be alright. Chen Di's biggest weakness might be his secret, and Ning Ruoyu? — Probably only his own past and the consequences it brought.

But that's a matter for later. For now, these two teenagers are invincible. Ning Ruoyu is crazy enough, Chen Di is steady enough; one is the damage dealer, the other the support. If they seriously team up, even the shady characters would have a headache, hahaha.

Finally, thank you so much again, everyone, thank you for reading this novel. If you still consider it a "light novel," then I'm even more moved to tears.

This is an attempt at a first-person narrative with a male protagonist. The female characters all have their flaws, and the male protagonist is also full of hidden thoughts and feelings. Despite these incongruous elements, I hope you've read this far and enjoyed it.

And my dear editor. The world's best editor, Ms. Xizhu, filled all the recommendation slots for this book despite its current state of disrepute, ensuring it finally got a chance to appear in your eyes. For a useless writer like me, she practically single-handedly propped it up! (Tears welling up)

Regardless, if possible, I really hope everyone can see the final story, the ending I envisioned when I first drafted the outline. While I don't have the courage to take the blame for the characters, I genuinely want to give them the ending they deserve. This is my sincerity as a writer, haha…

(Some things that people might care about:)

1. The sisterhood between Ling Qingxue and Ling Chuqing is actually meant to contrast Ning Ruoyu and Ning Ruoxin. You'll find that all of Ling Chuqing's words ultimately become echoes. Ling Qingxue will not and cannot become part of the harem; after her role is defined, she's more like Ning Ruoyu's yandere simp tool, incidentally bringing Ling Chuqing into the spotlight—in Ning Ruoyu's eyes, her status is no different from that of a dead person.

2. If the next chapter preview were placed in the author's notes, the scheduled update function wouldn't work. I think everyone should be used to it by now, and it feels like the author is going to disappear all of a sudden—so I will make up for the wasted words in the next chapter preview in the form of a side story unrelated to the main plot. Of course, it won't be a paid chapter, and it will also enrich the other characters. At least one chapter per month.

3. Bonus chapter... I actually have quite a few drafts saved up, but I often revise the previous chapters as I write, so updating is quite difficult. After all, the moment you press publish, the characters' actions and words are completely defined. Like Ms. An Yu, who almost slapped herself out of her role as one of the female leads. So for now, it'll be one chapter for every 2500 Fire Coins or 50 Monthly Tickets. Since that's quite a lot, I don't think there will be many more bonus chapters... The author will do what they can, and everyone should do the same!

4. The pace will be lighter after Volume Two. I feel that writing a story is more like having an interesting intellectual contest with the readers. I leave some foreshadowing, and everyone guesses how it will develop, just like the wonderful experience of following Mygo back then—but it is easy to cause misunderstandings and dissatisfaction, so I will be careful not to keep too many secrets in the future and will reveal the hidden details to everyone earlier.

Chapter 44: Damn it, where did all this goodwill come from?

An Yu's location hadn't changed for a long time, and the last location it showed was an abandoned factory three kilometers away from Lucheng Flower Street.

Ling Chuqing and Ning Ruoxin had arranged to meet at Flower Street, but for some reason, she and An Yu ended up staying there instead.

"Where did such a large abandoned factory come from in Lucheng?"

As I hurried over there, I couldn't help but complain.

"It used to be a leading enterprise, and it got involved in the Internet and electronics industry very early on, but in the end, the structural reform failed, and the new building was abandoned."

"As a result, that place has become almost a no-man's land, with unfinished buildings that are not sturdy and poor signal."

"We're almost there, just around that corner!"

The factory had been abandoned for many years, and the walls and fences at the entrance were basically just for show. Chen Di and I found a large hole that we could crawl through without much trouble.

"Damn it, they're just two little girls, where could they possibly die!"

"If we can't find him, it'll be a real problem. Turn over all the places upstairs where people might be hiding!"

"What the hell? One was mentally unstable, and the other was injured, yet they managed to escape?!"

The last complaint made Chen Di and me change our expressions slightly.

"When will those helpers you found arrive?" Chen Di asked me in a low voice.

"If we suddenly need to gather manpower, it will take at least 30 minutes. If we really can't wait, it's better to call the police."

“The reason this place is a no-man’s-land is also related to its location,” Chen Di shook his head. “The Flower Street commercial street is inconvenient to access, and there is no direct subway access. The nearest police station takes forty minutes to get there.”

I sighed and picked up a metal rod of suitable thickness from the ground.

"How many can you handle, Mr. Red and Black Belt?"

"If the other side has weapons like knives, I can probably only handle three or four of them." Chen Di picked up a brick just like me.

"Red and black belt, huh? You're underestimating yourself like that?"

"If you make a boast and then can't deliver, that's when you're really doomed." Chen Di frowned. "Three people. I think at worst I can hold off all three at the same time."

"...Judging from the footsteps, we can only say that the main thing is to find people, and we should also pray that there are not more than seven people up there."

A group fight is different from a one-on-one duel. Especially if the other side is an experienced adult, seven against two is enough to overwhelm them with sheer numbers.

When outnumbered, the situation changes dramatically with each additional player on the opposing team.

Of course, this is based on the worst-case scenario, that is, the other party is an experienced quasi-professional.

If there are seven Xu Xingxins, then we should truly thank God.

"Found it! I found it! It's in the abandoned metal cabinet on the third floor!!!"

We heard hurried footsteps coming from upstairs, and Chen Di and I exchanged a glance.

"Damn! This is just too unlucky."

Realizing that it was no longer possible to secretly take the person away, Chen Di and I hurriedly went down to the third floor.

third floor.

On the dusty ground, Ling Chuqing's hair was disheveled and her breathing was rapid. Even her ribbons were undone. She lay on the ground and looked somewhat dazed.

An Yu, clutching his right shoulder in pain, was grabbed by the hair and shoved to the ground.

"Damn it, we've been looking for you everywhere!"

The leader had his back to me and Chen Di, and he was cursing and swearing.

An Yu squatted down in front of Ling Chuqing with a look of disdain in his eyes.

"Are you insane to lay a hand on minors, even middle school students?!"

"I've already called the police and messaged my friends nearby. If I give up now, there's still a chance to salvage the situation. But if I continue, aren't I afraid other organizations will come and clean house?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

The leader burst into laughter, and those around him joined in.

“Too much, too little, or too deep—it’s no longer gray!” An Yu said, as if reciting lines, trying to appear calm. “If you don’t know the rules, then bring your elders who do know the rules over here!”

"What the hell are you talking about?"

The leader picked up a piece of gravel and threw it over. An Yu glanced at Ling Chuqing behind him and quickly pulled her into his arms.

The stone hit An Yu in the back, and the girl couldn't help but groan in pain.

"Stop pretending to be all high and mighty. What nonsense are you spouting? Minor? I am a minor!"

"We are all minors!"

The leader pointed around and everyone present burst into laughter.

"So don't worry, even if we gang-rape you all here today, it won't be a big deal for us!"

The younger brother next to me spoke smugly. Chen Di and I exchanged glances.

If they are underage delinquents, then their numbers are not that difficult to deal with.

I picked up the iron bar, gesturing numbers to indicate a countdown while mentally devising a plan to quickly subdue the leader without harming the two hostage ladies—looks like I'll have to explode again.

However, just as Chen Di and I were about to make our move, the leader's crotch was in grave danger.

"What are you doing! Is this still not over?!"

A familiar female voice came from downstairs.

Chen Di and I simultaneously made a stop gesture to each other, then smiled wryly and hid in a more secluded corner.

Footsteps came from the stairs, and sure enough, it was the person we had guessed.

"Xiaoxue? What brings you here?"

The leader quickly went to greet them.

"...Because you are all too slow!" Ling Qingxue's words and expression at this moment were completely devoid of her usual gentleness and kindness.

"I've made so many preparations, why aren't you done yet?"