Chapter 4: The Weirdo in Class

  “Damn it, they really treat my brain like a CPU?” Sitting on the bus back to school, Zhang Yang couldn’t calm down. Anyone would be freaked out if something weird suddenly appeared in their brain. Still, that thing had its uses—it just saved his and Yang Fei’s lives.

  And if he uninstalled it, it even said it would format his brain?

  Zhang Yang, who was no stranger to computers, fully understood what formatting meant. Who knew what side effects it might cause? What if it turned him into an idiot?

  It’s like, can a computer function without an operating system?

  After thinking for less than five seconds, Zhang Yang quickly made a decision: Accept!

  The moment that thought flashed through his mind, a blinding white light appeared, followed by a light-green dialog box. Clearly, this interface was far more pleasant than the previous black-and-white one—like switching from DOS to Windows.

  【Welcome to the Nuwa Project System. Based on collected data, you are the only human to have successfully received and installed this system. In light of this, the system will grant an M-level reward: Primary Brain Domain Development.】

  As the voice fell, Zhang Yang felt a strange tremor in his brain. After it passed, his head suddenly felt clear—as if his thinking had become faster. Could this be the effect of Primary Brain Domain Development?

  【Reward granted. You now possess the Primary Brain Domain function, equivalent to an ordinary scientist’s level—of course, assuming you acquire matching knowledge. Now the system will introduce the Nuwa Project. Upon completion, you will receive a random F-level reward. Do you accept?】

  Zhang Yang froze. An M-level reward equating to a scientist’s intellect? That was insane. But aside from feeling mentally quicker, he noticed no other changes. Even so, that alone thrilled him.

  So when he heard about another reward, he didn’t even think twice. Logically, an F-level should be higher than an M-level. If an M-level gave him brain enhancement, the higher F-level had to be even better.

  【Nuwa Project. Origin: In 2025 AD, Earth’s technology experienced a sudden explosion, triggering global proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Under extreme tension, war first erupted in the Middle East, leading to World War III and ultimately nuclear war. Nuclear winter covered the blue planet, and within half a year, humanity could no longer survive on it. The surviving scientists devised a plan to save mankind, calling it the Nuwa Sky-Mending Project. Using parallel space theory and wormholes, they projected this system into the year 2012, hoping the time-space paradox could save other parallel versions of Earth and humanity’s future.】

  【Nuwa Project content—access restricted. Required permission: S-level, Star Mender rank. Current user: preparatory-level savior—insufficient clearance. System content locked. Will unlock automatically once permission is reached.】

  【Additional note: The Nuwa Project’s reward levels will unlock gradually as the user’s rank increases. User ranks are: Preparatory Savior, Primary Savior, Intermediate Savior, Advanced Savior, Primary Guardian, Intermediate Guardian, Advanced Guardian, Star Mender, Planetary Guardian. Corresponding reward levels from lowest to highest: M, F, E, D, C, B, A, S, SS.】

  【As a Preparatory Savior, your first F-level main quest is to become a Primary Savior. The quest has officially begun. Failure will result in the system reclaiming a random F-level reward and triggering unpredictable consequences. End of introduction.】

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  Before Zhang Yang could respond, the system continued rambling on.

  【Since the user has fully understood the explanation, the system now grants a random F-level reward: Three Danger Warnings. When a life-threatening hazard appears within twenty meters, the system will issue an alert. Note: Only physical dangers can be detected. Two warnings remain.】

  “Two? Didn’t you say three?” Zhang Yang protested loudly, immediately drawing attention from the bus passengers. He quickly shut up—thankfully, there weren’t many people, just a few elderly women. They eyed him suspiciously for a bit, then decided he must be sleep-talking and whispered among themselves before ignoring him.

  【You already used one,】 the cute mechanical female voice replied coldly.

  Zhang Yang rolled his eyes helplessly. So that counted as one use? That was fast. Still, he was content—no one else had such a privilege. Who else could get a warning before danger struck? That was two extra chances at life!

  “I have a question.” Now used to it, Zhang Yang began communicating mentally with the system. “What’s the Primary Savior quest? How do I complete it?”

  【This is your first main quest—Primary Savior Program. The system will provide a prompt. The specific objectives are: One, obtain a Master’s degree within two years. Two, find four future Star Menders.】

  “Damn, just kill me already.” Zhang Yang’s mind went blank at the conditions. That was way too harsh! He could barely secure his bachelor’s diploma, let alone a master’s degree that’d take at least three years. And what the hell was a Star Mender?

  【Warning: Quest initiated. Failure will result not only in reward withdrawal but also other unknown consequences.】

  “What kind of joke is this?” Zhang Yang wanted to cry. If the rewards were reclaimed, would he be vaporized in another explosion?

  No, please no—I’m still a virgin… Grandpa made me promise before dying that the Zhang family must not end the bloodline…

  “Fine, fine, I accept…” Zhang Yang stopped overthinking. Whatever—it gave him two years, didn’t it?

  Back at school, Zhang Yang realized he’d missed his English class. Normally, he’d take advantage of that to skip and restock goods for his small stall to earn pocket money.

  But now it was different. He’d already failed English once last year—he couldn’t afford to fail again. That’s four credits gone! You kidding me?

  If that happened, forget a master’s—he wouldn’t even get his bachelor’s.

  So, despite hearing the professor’s lecture echoing through the audio room, Zhang Yang cautiously opened the back door, trying to sneak in. It was a large class anyway, and Professor Cao rarely called names. Most importantly, Yang Fei, who was supposed to teach, was still at the police station.

  Luckily, as soon as he cracked the door, he spotted an empty seat.

  Meining University’s English course followed a 3+1 model—three in-class sessions, one online. Today was a large lecture, so attendance was high. Still, plenty of seats in the corners were free. That’s when he saw four weirdos.

  One was his roommate, Lu Su. The other three… well, it was one guy and two girls.

  Why call them weirdos? First, let’s talk about that trio. The guy was none other than the famous rich, handsome Bai Liangfeng from the Chemistry Department. The two girls—one was Xu Danlu, a rare beauty in the department, and the other was an unfamiliar but decent-looking girl. Bai Liangfeng and the stranger were sitting extremely close, while Xu Danlu sat a seat apart. From a distance, nothing seemed off—but from Zhang Yang’s angle, it was obvious.

  The rich bastard had one hand clearly under the stranger girl’s skirt, moving enthusiastically, while the other tried to reach Xu Danlu’s thigh. Xu seemed resistant but didn’t dare show it. After several failed attempts, Bai Liangfeng looked annoyed.

  When he noticed Zhang Yang enter, his hand paused briefly and withdrew. Xu Danlu, seeing Zhang Yang, looked visibly relieved and nodded at him.

  Meining University had a good reputation overall, but in a crowd of tens of thousands, a few perverts were bound to exist. Still, Bai Liangfeng and Zhang Yang had some history.

  Back in sophomore year, Zhang Yang—who had never dated—had a crush on Lin Yin, a stunning beauty from the Music Department. It was only a secret crush; as a broke student, he barely had a chance to even talk to her. But one day, she stopped by his stall, admired his handmade crafts, and chatted briefly.

  Just those few words caught Bai Liangfeng’s attention, as he had been planning to chase Lin Yin. The next day, when Zhang Yang returned to his stall, Bai and his goons trashed it and warned him that if he set up again, they’d smash it again. If not for a local roommate stepping in, Zhang’s side hustle would’ve been finished.

  From that day, bad blood was set in stone.

  The rich guy’s English was actually decent—he’d already passed CET-4—but rumor had it he’d fallen head over heels for Meining’s former campus queen, now English TA, Yang Fei. So he often showed up here to flirt.

  Apparently, not seeing Yang Fei today left him bored enough to start fooling around in the back row.

  Zhang Yang ignored Bai Liangfeng and Xu Danlu, focusing instead on his roommate Lu Su. Compared to them, this “Lu Su” guy was on another level of weird.

  Because right now, he was glancing at Bai Liangfeng’s movements under the desk—while his right hand was also moving furiously below. Yes, he was jerking off. Completely shameless.

  Zhang Yang couldn’t help turning away in disgust. This guy truly lived up to his nickname.

  Just as he was about to sneak up and scare the bastard, the cute female voice in his head spoke again: 【M-level quest alert! M-level quest alert! Based on your rank, you are authorized to view the quest. View now?】

  M-level quest—according to the system’s earlier explanation, the lowest-tier quest in the Nuwa System. Completing it would grant an M-level reward. His first M-level reward had been Primary Brain Domain Development. Without hesitation, Zhang Yang chose to view it.