Chapter 718: Lingering Fear

The Beauty System tapped its little paws together. "Host, are you really okay?"

Tan You tried to sit up but only managed to push herself a few inches off the bed before flopping back down with a soft THUD. "Don’t worry, I’m fine. I’ll be okay after some rest."

’Thank goodness I didn’t do the prize draw in the middle of class. I would’ve scared my teacher and classmates to death!’

The thought sent a shiver of belated fear down her spine. ’Even with a system, you can’t just blindly follow its instructions; you have to use your own head. If I had actually gone through with the draw in class this afternoon, I’d probably be in a hospital bed right now, getting poked and prodded by doctors.’

With that, Tan You secretly resolved to herself, ’From now on, I absolutely, positively cannot do a prize draw in front of anyone. It’s just too terrifying. Who the hell knows what I might get?’

The Beauty System’s ears drooped. "Host, I was wrong."

"I’m not blaming you," Tan You said, comforting the sulking little system. "It’s fine. Did you find anything out?"

She hadn’t believed for a second that the little system would just sit by and do nothing while she was in agony. And sure enough, the Beauty System sidled up to Tan You. "I asked around. Every 10 points of Intelligence Value is a major threshold. The higher you raise it, the more intense the pain becomes."

Tan You couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. "Oh? So I’m not the only one with a good eye, then."

’I knew it,’ she thought. ’There was no way I was the only one who noticed how broken the Intelligence Value is.’

The Beauty System sounded frustrated. "I can’t say anything more about the rest. Host, I went to a meeting, and the higher-ups said that from now on, the Intelligence Value rewards... will be gradually reduced."

Tan You’s expression shifted slightly. "Oh? Are they trying to rein me in?"

’So they know I’m exploiting a loophole? Still, even if the bonus reward eventually drops to just one point of Intelligence Value, I wouldn’t consider it a loss.’

’When I think about how I once spent nearly a hundred Energy Points just to get a single point of Intelligence Value from the lottery, it’s clear that working hard in the mission worlds is a much better bet than relying on that one-percent chance. It’s way more efficient.’

The Beauty System added, "It’s not that they’re targeting you, Host. It’s just that Intelligence Value is extremely precious. Besides, the maximum is 100, and you’re already at 80. The increases are bound to get smaller the closer you get."

"If you insist on only choosing Intelligence Value, that is."

Tan You considered it for a moment. "Until my Intelligence Value is maxed out, I’m not considering anything else."

The Beauty System fell silent, simply displaying Tan You’s personal stat panel. Her current stats were:

Appearance: 91 (Traits: Perfect Bone Structure, Flawless Jade Skin, Eyes Like Autumn Pools, Hair Black as Ink, Sweet Dimples, Herculean Strength (Beginner), Blossoming Smile)

Spiritual Power: 300 (not on a 100-point scale)

Intelligence: 80

Constitution: 38

Charisma: 58

Energy Points: 5

Beauty Value: 288 (Unavailable in current world)

Skimming over her stats, Tan You’s gaze lingered on her Constitution for a few seconds. ’My Constitution dropped by another point. I can’t go on like this.’

’My starting Constitution was 40. I’ve been dancing and working out, and I even got Herculean Strength (Beginner) from a draw. And what happens? Two boosts to my Intelligence Value, and my Constitution gets knocked down by two points.’

When she saw her spiritual power had risen to 300, Tan You felt a flicker of satisfaction. As for her Charisma and Beauty Value, she’d already become zen about them.

"So, after five prize draws, besides the five points of Intelligence Value, all I got was useless Beauty Value?" Tan You raised a slight eyebrow. "Fine. It is what it is."

The Beauty System protested, "Host, your luck is just too good! You drew the super-rare Perfect Bone Structure right off the bat, so now you’re unimpressed with all these other prizes."

Tan You thought about it. ’I guess that does make sense, huh?’

"So my luck is usually garbage, but it skyrocketed after I met you?" Tan You flicked the little puppy’s forehead. "See? We really are the perfect team."

The Beauty System’s tail started wagging. "You really think we’re the perfect team, Host?"

Tan You’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Has someone been saying things?"

The Beauty System squinted its almond-shaped eyes. "I’m not sad at all anymore!"

Tan You got it. ’The other systems must have seen this little guy coasting along and profiting effortlessly, and now they’re getting jealous and making snide remarks.’ She thought for a moment before saying, "You know me. I like to rely on myself for everything."

"If a super-powerful system suddenly showed up, my first reaction wouldn’t be to cooperate with it, but to get away from it. I might never be able to fully trust it."

"You don’t have to be that powerful. Just staying by my side is enough. Sure, there are plenty of outstanding and powerful systems out there, but none of them could provide the emotional support you do. You know that’s what I value most."

The Beauty System was so moved its eyes welled up with tears. "Host, I knew you were the best!"

Its wailing made Tan You’s temples throb. She had no choice but to endure it... but she could put a manual stop to the little system’s brain-piercing demonic cries. Without a moment’s hesitation, Tan You clamped its mouth shut. "Stop wailing. You’re giving me a headache."

’Speaking of which, this brain development cost me another point of Constitution. What can I eat to get it back? Looks like I need to find time to visit Doctor Zhu... What excuse should I use? Maybe I’ll just say I’ve been overworking my brain?’

Mulling these things over, Tan You finally got some of her strength back. "Go play by yourself now. I’m going to wash up and get some rest."

That was the plan, anyway. After dragging her sore, weak body through a shower, even after she was tucked into bed, Tan You still picked up her book of competition notes. She read for a few minutes, her eyes growing brighter and brighter.

"Just as I thought. Intelligence Value is the ultimate cheat," she murmured to herself. Tan You set the notes aside, finally unable to fight it any longer. She let out a huge yawn and fell fast asleep.

The next morning, Tan You woke up feeling refreshed and invigorated. That, combined with the five new points of Intelligence Value from yesterday, put her in an excellent mood. First thing, she went out to buy ingredients and got busy cooking up a storm in their dorm room.

Soon, waves of an incredible aroma began wafting out of the dorm room. Tan You had made not only shumai, but also potstickers and steamed dumplings, and to top it all off, braised pork belly.

Li Fugui found it impossible to stay asleep any longer. "Braised pork belly this early in the morning? Did you win the lottery or something?"

Teacher Lin rolled over in bed. "It smells amazing."

Still half-asleep, Guoguo smacked his lips, rubbed his eyes, and sat up. "Daddy, it smells so good! What’s Sister Youzi making now?"

Li Fugui sat up and hugged his chubby son. "It’s definitely braised pork belly. Aigh, the smell alone is making my mouth water. Should we have braised pork belly for lunch, too?"

Teacher Lin thought for a moment. "I don’t have class during the third or fourth period this morning. I could come back and make it. It definitely won’t be as delicious as Tan You’s, though. I have no idea how that girl got to be such an amazing cook."