Zhu Tong finally returned to his grandfather’s house and called Uncle Liu during the return journey.
When he returned home, his grandfather was unusually not busy working upstairs in his study but instead sitting at the tea table in the yard, enjoying his tea.
Drinking tea in the yard on a chilly autumn night? Wouldn’t he feel cold?
Zhu Tong’s steps, originally headed straight for the house, took a detour when he saw his grandfather in the yard. He walked over and greeted him, “Grandpa.”
Cheng Qingsong knew he had returned when the car entered the gate, so he waited for his grandson to come and pay his respects.
It’s good that he didn’t ignore the lonely old man, but isn’t the youth approaching him a bit too elated?
Cheng Qingsong greeted in return, “Mn, you’re back?”
Zhu Tong nodded and sat down beside him.
A servant came over next to him, ready to pour tea for him, Zhu Tong waved his hand and politely refused, “No need, I’m not thirsty.”
Cheng Qingsong quietly looked at his expression.
Zhu Tong was dressed relatively lightly today, wearing a white T-shirt paired with a corduroy jacket. It might have been okay during the day, but he would definitely feel cold at night.
Zhu Tong couldn’t afford to catch a cold. Even if others didn’t pay attention, he would always be cautious, rarely going out at night.
Yet today, he was sitting in the yard with himself, despite the chilly evening breeze.
Has he become more outgoing now compared to his previous introverted self, willing to open up and communicate with his grandfather?
If not, then perhaps he’s aware of his own physical condition and is no longer afraid of the cold.
Cheng Qingsong glanced at him discreetly and said softly, “Even if you’re not thirsty, it’s good to drink something warm to keep yourself warm. It’s cold outside.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
‘You know it’s cold and still sitting outside drinking tea?’
Cheng Qingsong motioned to the servant to pour a cup of tea for Zhu Tong. Seeing that he took it and drank it, he asked, “Where did you go after the banquet?”
The tea Zhu Tong ust sipped almost choked in his throat.
He raised his head blankly.
‘Does Grandpa really not know or is he pretending?’
‘Even if Xiao Ling didn’t tell Uncle Liu, wouldn’t Uncle Liu tell Grandpa?’
‘Or maybe… he’s too busy to ask?’
Zhu Tong felt a bit embarrassed for no reason, but he didn’t lie, “I went to the hotel with my… classmate. It was arranged by the math competition teacher for them. I just went to take a look.”
The specifics… probably don’t need to be mentioned for now.
It would scare grandfather.
Zhu Tong took another sip of tea with a guilty conscience.
Cheng Qingsong said: “Your deskmate, wasn’t he? Is he the boy who was with you at the banquet today?”
Zhu Tong nodded and said, “Yes.”
Cheng Qingsong picked up the teacup and tasted the tea, his tone nonchalant. “He can come to participate in the math competition in A City. His grades should be very good, right?”
Zhu Tong’s eyes brightened, “Mn, he has excellent grades. He is the first in every exam in our school. After I transferred, my grades improved. He helped me a lot.”
“…”
Speaking of his deskmate, Zhu Tong’s mental state was obviously different.
Elder Cheng was a meticulous observer and was usually able to detect when something was wrong.
“Is that so?” Cheng Qingsong said, “Since everyone is in A City, would you like to invite him over to our house?”
Zhu Tong’s excited expression suddenly stiffened.
Invite him over to the house? Isn’t it too soon?
He hasn’t even talked to Shao Ming about family matters yet!
“…Let’s wait for a proper occasion,” Zhu Tong bargained, “He’s about to participate in the finals soon, and after the exams, we’ll go back to class. There’s no time for leisure.”
Cheng Qingsong was keen, “Back after the exams? Are you also taking the exams?”
Zhu Tong: “…”
Zhu Tong responded quickly, “No, I’m just going to see Xiao Xin tomorrow and then come back with him… Oh, by the way, Grandpa, did you help me extend my holiday with the school?”
He quickly changed the subject. A little too quickly.
Cheng Qingsong didn’t expose anything, and continued, “Yes, I asked someone to inform your school principal, so you don’t need to rush back to school.”
Seeing that he didn’t ask any more questions, Zhu Tong breathed a sigh of relief. He continued to drink tea. “It’s better to go back early, if I don’t go back to the class, I won’t be able to keep up.”
Cheng Qingsong also knew the results of Zhu Tong’s several exams after his transfer. He said with relief: “It’s good to be motivated, but you must also pay attention to your health.”
Zhu Tong smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry, I will do that.”
The grandfather and grandson chatted in the yard for a while before Zhu Tong returned to his room. After washing up, he laid down on the bed, pulled up the system interface, and stared at the progress bar.
The progress was at 75%, already halfway across the length of the progress bar.
He couldn’t discuss the progress bar with Shao Ming, but fortunately, he had a little friend with him.
However, this little friend had been acting strange lately.
Zhu Tong picked out an opening remark at random and said, ‘I’m with Shao Ming.’
The system replied, ‘I know.’
Zhu Tong said again, ‘I am dating the White Moonlight.’
System: ‘I know.’
Zhu Tong: “…”
‘Why aren’t you surprised at all?’
The system said, ‘I see the progress of the two of you from beginning to end, why should I be surprised?’
Zhu Tong: “…”
So reasonable.
But the favorability level is only at 75%.
Shouldn’t that be surprising?
Zhu Tong asked, ‘Do you know why the favorability level is not full?’
System: ‘I don’t know. However, although favorability is a very subjective thing, it can easily be affected by objective factors.’
“…”
Zhu Tong fell silent for a moment. ‘What do you mean?’
System: ‘For example, this time you fainted because your favorability rating plummeted sharply. The reason for the drop was that the White Moonlight was very upset after learning about your health condition. This is an objective factor, and your favorability rating has been unstable. This isn’t the first time this has happened.’
Zhu Tong: ‘It’s not the first time? Why didn’t I know?’
System: ‘Because at that time, I couldn’t determine the reason either, and the main system didn’t impose any punishment, so I didn’t inform you.’
Zhu Tong frowned.
What is the reason for that favorability fluctuation?
Zhu Tong: ‘When did this happen?’
The system retrieved the records and showed him. ‘The first time was when he took you back to the hotel, the second time was when you asked him for a math problem, and the other time was during the National Day holiday, after the two of you went back to the homestay.’
Zhu Tong: “…”
Are there any factors that can cause the favorability to fluctuate at these three time points?
Zhu Tong recalled it carefully, but he didn’t even remember what happened at these points in time.
The most outrageous thing was the second time: he just asked about a math problem. Why did that swayed Shao Ming’s favorability level?
Should he ask Shao Ming to help him recall?
Zhu Tong was eager to ask, his mobile phone already in hand.
At this time, the system suddenly said, ‘Host, if you really don’t understand, shouldn’t you find some reference objects? Maybe you can infer a clue from there.’
Zhu Tong blankly replied, ‘Reference object? Where can I get that?’
System: ‘You still have an unusual perspective change ability.’
Zhu Tong: “Perspective…”
He trailed off.
Yes, after the battle with Xia Yang on the racecourse, the system rewarded him with a perspective change ability. He could check the details of the White Moonlight’s favorability level to others. He unlocked this ability after the favorability level exceeded 60%.
But he had completely forgotten about it.
The system asked, ‘Host, do you want to use it?’
Zhu Tong decisively said, ‘Use it.’
A mechanical sound rang out, ‘Host, please choose a supporting character related to the White Moonlight you want to check.’
The first relevant person to use a reference, of course, has to be the person who was closest to Shao Ming.
Zhu Tong chose Shao Yujie.
Shao Yujie’s face appeared on the system interface in front of him, and soon showed the favorability value: 20%.
Zhu Tong: “…”
“Is this bugged or something?”
The system fell silent before replying, ‘Even if they are mother and son, that doesn’t mean the White Moonlight liked her the most. For example, Host, if you had to put a number representing your favorability value towards your father, what number would it be?’
“…”
Zhu Tong suddenly remembered the day when Qiu Shaoping came to the door – Shao Yujie took a half step back the moment she saw Shao Ming go beat that piece of shit.
He quickly chose another person. This time it’s Luo Suo. The moment his face appeared on the interface, and the value quickly showed: 30%.
System:”…”
Zhu Tong: “…”
This is definitely a trash ability!!
