After that, Li Wei came back home—this time jogging the whole way. His breath was steady, his body slightly sore, but there was a quiet satisfaction within him. After a short rest, he took a shower, letting the warm water rinse away the exhaustion of the day. Steam curled lazily through the small bathroom as he stared blankly at the mirror, droplets sliding down the glass. The reflection staring back at him wasn't much, but it wasn't hopeless either.
Later, he made a simple dinner using the groceries he'd bought earlier—some stir-fried vegetables, rice, and a bit of pork belly. The aroma filled the room as he sat down with a quiet sigh.
◆ The night was calm. The faint hum of the city seeped through the window cracks. Neon lights painted shifting colors across the walls.
With nothing else to do, Li Wei sat on the edge of his bed, phone in hand, the system's pale icon still glowing faintly on the screen. His thoughts began to drift—toward Yunfei and toward that strange quest he'd received not long ago.
He wasn't stupid. Even without asking, he could tell Yunfei was already seeing someone. She had that soft, contented glow in her eyes whenever her phone buzzed, that gentle smile she sometimes failed to hide. And though he knew nothing about the guy, a faint bitterness crept up his chest all the same.
It was that small ember of jealousy that made him think more clearly about the so-called NTR quest.
"Well, whatever..." he muttered, leaning back against the headboard. His tone was light, but his gaze was cold.
He wasn't pretending to be a saint. He'd lived long enough to know the world didn't reward morality. And if something like this system offered him a chance—a real chance—to change his life, then who was he to refuse? A man would be a fool to ignore a prize that tempting.
Moral value, ethics, all that talk—none of it paid rent. None of it fed a man.
So he would listen to instinct, to reason. There was no law against stealing someone's girlfriend, after all.
Still, a small laugh escaped his lips. "Stealing," he said quietly, as if testing the word on his tongue. It sounded harsh but oddly fitting.
◆ In truth, the old Li Wei could never have done such a thing. He'd been overweight, forgettable, and painfully average. No confidence, no charm, nothing to make anyone look twice.
But now...
He glanced at his reflection in the darkened window. His body was slowly changing—small but visible improvements from his workouts and boosted stats. His bank account balance glowed with numbers he could barely comprehend. For once, he had resources, time, and the freedom to become someone new.
He wasn't going to stay a side character anymore.
Maybe living like a main character wasn't such a bad idea.
Outside, the wind rustled faintly, carrying the scent of rain and city smoke. Somewhere below, laughter echoed from a nearby bar.
And in that quiet, Li Wei smiled to himself.
"This world has finally given me a script worth following," he whispered.
◆ Early next morning.
The faint light of dawn slipped through the thin curtains, painting soft stripes across the room. The city outside was still half asleep—the occasional hum of a motorbike, the bark of a stray dog, and the low murmur of someone sweeping the corridor.
Li Wei stirred awake, blinking the drowsiness from his eyes. His body still felt heavy from yesterday's jog, but his mind was sharp, almost restless.
He sat up, rubbing his neck lightly. "Time to move again," he muttered.
Since last night, something inside him had changed—a quiet determination that felt new yet natural. He had decided to slim down, reshape himself, and maybe, for once, start living the way he wanted. After all, early birds get the worm, or so people say.
He drank a quick cup of water, changed into his workout clothes, and stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, brushing softly against his skin.
◆ Down by the open corridor, near the small square beside the apartment entrance, a familiar figure was already stretching. Her long ponytail swayed slightly as she bent forward, the early sunlight tracing the smooth line of her back.
"Ohh, good morning, Brother Li."
Yunfei straightened up, smiling warmly as she caught sight of him. Her voice carried a light, cheerful tone—the kind that made the sleepy morning feel a little livelier. Her tight-fitting athletic clothes clung neatly to her, emphasizing the healthy curve of her form.
Li Wei froze for half a second, a faint warmth rising in his chest. Maybe it was the change in his perspective, or maybe something in him was simply more aware now—but she looked especially attractive under the soft glow of dawn.
He managed a small smile. "Yeah, good morning, Yunfei. Also… doesn't it feel a little weird calling me Brother Li? Since we both share the same surname, you can just call me by my name instead."
He said it casually, but there was a subtle shift in his tone—something easy, natural, yet slightly intimate.
"Hmm." She tilted her head, then nodded with a grin. "Then I'll call you Brother Wei."
The words rolled easily from her lips. She thought nothing strange of it; after all, what he said made sense. It was just a small change, a slight adjustment in how they spoke—yet somehow, it felt different. Closer.
Still, Yunfei couldn't quite shake a small feeling. Brother Wei seemed… different today. His eyes were steadier, his presence a little more confident. Not arrogant, but grounded. She couldn't put her finger on it, but it caught her attention.
Li Wei stretched his arms, glancing toward the street. "Alright then, I'll be off for a jog."
"Wait—Brother Wei!"
Yunfei jogged lightly to his side, her towel bouncing against her shoulder. "Are you going out for a jog? Then let me come with you."
Li Wei blinked in mild surprise, then chuckled. "You sure? I'm still a beginner at this; you'll probably have to slow down for me."
She smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "That's fine. I'll keep pace with you. Besides, someone has to make sure you don't push yourself too hard on your first few runs."
Li Wei gave a small laugh, the kind that escaped unconsciously. "Then, I'll leave my safety in your hands, Coach Yunfei."
She grinned playfully. "Deal."
◆ The two of them started walking toward the park together, their footsteps echoing lightly against the quiet street. The early morning mist hung low around the buildings, and the faint scent of steamed buns drifted from a nearby stall.
◆ After a short jog, the morning breeze brushed gently across the park trail. The faint golden sunlight filtered through the trees, scattering along the path like shards of glass.
Yunfei glanced sideways and blinked in mild surprise. Despite only recently starting this routine, Li Wei wasn't lagging behind at all. His breathing was steady, his pace firm, and his posture surprisingly composed.
"You've got good stamina, Brother Wei," she said with a soft laugh. "For someone who just started, that's impressive."
Li Wei grinned, wiping a light sheen of sweat from his forehead. "Guess all that office work didn't ruin me completely."
Yunfei chuckled, slowing her jog as they reached the small exit near the park fountain. "Let's get something to eat. After a run like this, we need to refill our energy."
"Sure. I'm starving," Li Wei admitted, his stomach growling faintly in agreement.
◆ They decided on a light breakfast—a simple vegetable sandwich and fresh juice, the kind of meal that felt refreshing after exercise. Yunfei led him to a familiar corner shop just across from the residential blocks, one she often visited after her workouts.
The little place was cozy: pale wooden counters, the aroma of toasted bread and brewed tea filling the air. The owner, an elderly lady with a warm smile, greeted Yunfei instantly.
"Oh, Yunfei! Early as always," the woman said kindly, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Morning, Auntie Liu. Same as usual—make it two this time," Yunfei replied, smiling as she gestured toward Li Wei. "He's my new jogging partner."
"Ahh, is that so?" Auntie Liu's eyes twinkled. "Good, good. Young people should exercise more!"
Li Wei smiled politely, returning the greeting before sitting down. The sandwich came out crisp and golden, stuffed with lettuce, tomato, and a light drizzle of sauce that gave it a balanced flavor. Paired with chilled orange juice, it was simple yet perfect.
"Not bad," Li Wei murmured between bites. "I can see why you like this place."
"Right? I told you the bread here's different," Yunfei said proudly, sipping her juice.
They chatted casually for a while—about morning routines, the upcoming university events Yunfei mentioned, and small stories from their building. For Li Wei, every word and every shared laugh felt oddly grounding.
◆ After finishing their meal, they jogged back together, the light morning chatter blending with the city's waking sounds.
Back in his apartment, Li Wei collapsed onto his bed with a low groan of satisfaction. The fatigue seeped through his limbs, but it wasn't unpleasant—it was the kind of tiredness that reminded him his body was alive again.
He opened the EdenLink interface and tapped the panel, adding another point to his Physique. A faint wave of warmth spread through his muscles, dissolving the tension and leaving behind a relaxed, refreshed feeling.
Status
Name: Li Wei
Level: 1
Physique: 3 [Low]
Vigor: 1 [Low]
Charm: 2 [Low]
Spirit: 3 [Low]
Intellect: 2 [Low]
Ability Points: 6
Currency: 320 Cp
Title: Book Eater.
[Shop: Open] [Quest: Open]
"These points are amazing…" he thought inwardly, feeling his body almost hum with new vitality.
But as the warmth faded, another sensation replaced it—hunger. A deeper kind, the sort that came from within. Apparently, even if the system granted him strength, his body still demanded real fuel to match it.
He headed to the kitchen and made himself a hearty breakfast—eggs, milk, and toasted bread. The smell filled the air as he ate quietly, each bite steadying his energy again.
After finishing, he decided to take a slow walk outside. The park was calmer now, the rush hour still distant. Carrying the book he had bought yesterday, Li Wei found a quiet bench under the shade and began to read.
He knew the system only rewarded him once he finished an entire book—either through ability points or a special skill—so he focused, letting the pages pull him into their rhythm.
The gentle breeze turned each page for him, and somewhere between the lines, he felt his old self fading a little more.