mijobooks Chapter 2: I picked up a pure and innocent school beauty and obtained an enhancement card!
Chapter 2: I picked up a pure and innocent school beauty and obtained an enhancement card!
A cold, mechanical voice, yet with an indescribable allure, rang out in the deepest recesses of his mind without warning, as clear as a whisper.
Cao Shuang was suddenly stunned; his overwhelming anger and humiliation seemed to have been paused.
[This system aims to assist the host in better surviving and developing in the post-apocalyptic world. Its core function is to collect and connect with beautiful women who meet certain criteria. For each successful connection, the vehicle will receive a corresponding boost.]
[Upon the initial encounter with the beautiful woman entering the vehicle, you will receive one 'Vehicle Enhancement Card'. Successfully establishing a 'Link Enhancement Card' will grant an additional 'Link Enhancement Card'.]
[Ultimate Tip: In the apocalypse, you should forge a strong bond with the beautiful women you admire!]
system?
A cheat code?!
A barrage of information rushed into Cao Shuang's mind, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Surprise? Confusion? Both.
A cheat system? In this desperate situation, it's practically a savior from heaven! But the name and functions of this system...
"Apocalyptic Beauty Collection Link System"? "Connect with beauties intensely"?
Cao Shuang's lips twitched, and subconsciously, a rather unhealthy thought popped into her head.
Could it really be the kind of "connection" he's thinking? What kind of time is this? Why are they still doing this? Is this system even legitimate?
Also, what does "meets the standard" mean? What are the standards?
Almost the instant the thought arose, the system notification sounded again, with a rigid, mechanical quality:
[A female life form has been detected in the host's line of sight. Preliminary scan and assessment initiated...]
[Target: Liu Ruyan (formerly known as Liu Cuihua)]
[Bare-faced real appearance assessment: 6.5 points (Facial features are acceptable, skin condition is average, with minor blemishes)]
[Current post-makeup appearance assessment: 8.0 points (Makeup skills are acceptable, effectively improving complexion and concealing some imperfections)]
[Personality Assessment: Strongly opportunistic, power-hungry, and ungrateful tendencies; extremely low loyalty and trustworthiness.]
[Overall assessment: Does not meet the system's inclusion standards. It is recommended that the host stay away to avoid being dragged down or betrayed.]
Cao Shuang: "..."
His expression instantly became incredibly complex. First came astonishment, then realization, and finally a mixture of mockery and relieved disdain.
So that's how the system "connects"! It's not as sordid as he thought, but rather a kind of "partner" or "teammate" bond that can bring real benefits!
Moreover, this system... has a pretty sharp eye? It directly stripped away Liu Ruyan's exquisite facade.
A 6.5 rating for bare face, but an 8 for makeup... Thinking about the brand-name cosmetics she used to save up to buy for her, Cao Shuang suddenly felt a little nauseous.
"Does not meet the inclusion criteria..."
Cao Shuang repeated the sentence in a low voice, and then rolled his eyes dramatically at the couple who were still swaggering in the distance.
Pshaw! Who cares!
The heart-wrenching pain and anger caused by the betrayal had strangely dissipated by most of it, replaced by a nausea after seeing the truth and a frustrated drive to "make you regret it when I'm awesome in the future."
Liu Ruyan? Does she even deserve to be a target of its "connection"? She's not even worthy of shining the system's shoes!
He gave that side a final, cold glance and saw that Liu Ruyan seemed to have furrowed her brows slightly because of his lack of reaction and even his turning his head away from her. The smug smile on her face was starting to falter.
Zhang Qiang continued to spout nonsense on the channel, mocking Cao Shuang's "sensibility" and "cowardice."
Cao Shuang sneered inwardly, no longer hesitating, and too lazy to listen to the babbling of that despicable couple.
He slammed the not-so-soundproof door of the Wuling Hongguang shut, shutting out the noise and nauseating sights.
The most urgent task is to find a "suitable" beautiful woman during this one-hour "free team-up" period, and then... connect with her!
He took a deep breath and started the beat-up car. The engine made a coughing sound, but finally it started, albeit shakily.
His gaze swept across the female players on both sides of the road like a searchlight, some looking lost, some seeking to team up, and some already in groups.
Time passed second by second.
Just as Cao Shuang's heart sank lower and lower, and he even began to doubt whether the system was playing a trick on him.
[Beep! High-value potential link target detected!]
[Location: Approximately 50 meters to the left and forward, next to the wreckage of the red car.]
[Start detailed scan...]
Name: Chu Yao
[Appearance: 92 (Bare face, condition: slightly haggard, frightened)]
[Overall Evaluation: A universally acknowledged pure and innocent school beauty, with outstanding temperament and excellent natural features; with a little rest, she could easily surpass 95. Core Personality: Admires strength, values life, and possesses basic principles and conscience. Current Status: Isolated and helpless, extremely insecure, with a strong will to survive.]
[Meets inclusion criteria! Meets inclusion criteria!]
[Immediate contact is recommended for the host!]
The system's notification tone suddenly became urgent and clear, and a series of data and evaluations flooded into Cao Shuang's mind in an instant.
Chu Yao? !
Cao Shuang's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately looked in the direction indicated by the system.
To the left, next to a red car that had crashed into the guardrail and whose hood was sticking up, a girl dressed in a simple white T-shirt and jeans was squatting.
She hugged her knees, buried her head deep in her arms, and her thin shoulders trembled slightly.
Even from a distance, and even in her disheveled state, Cao Shuang recognized her at a glance because of her outstanding figure and the beautiful profile that was still striking even in the dim light.
It was Chu Yao, the pure and beautiful school beauty who was hailed as a once-in-a-decade beauty!
It really is her! Cao Shuang remembered seeing her a few times from afar at school before, always surrounded by admirers.
Unexpectedly, she was also dragged into this damn game, and it seems... her situation is very bad.
He immediately drove the car slowly closer and stopped a few meters away. He could see more clearly that Chu Yao was all alone, without any companions.
Other players passed by, but most of them only glanced at her. Seeing that she was empty and there was no sign of any supply bags, they frowned and quickly left, afraid of being bothered by her.
In this apocalyptic game where survival is uncertain, beauty is worthless compared to survival resources.
Cao Shuang pushed open the car door and walked over. The sound of her footsteps startled Chu Yao, who suddenly raised her head, revealing a pale but still stunningly beautiful face.
Her eyes were red and swollen, clearly from crying, with undried teardrops still clinging to her long eyelashes. Her eyes were filled with fear, helplessness, and a hint of forced wariness.
"Who...who are you?" Her voice trembled, very soft, but very beautiful.
Cao Shuang tried his best to keep his expression calm, even though he was inwardly excited because of the system's notification.
"Chu Yao? From the School of Economics and Management on the East Campus?" He called out her name directly.
Chu Yao was visibly taken aback, her guard lowered slightly, and she nodded, a hint of doubt in her eyes, clearly not recognizing Cao Shuang, this "passerby."
"I'm also from that school, I deliver food, you probably haven't seen me before."
Cao Shuang was concise and to the point, leaving no time for pleasantries. His gaze swept over her empty side as he cut straight to the point.
"Where are your initial supplies? Are you all alone?"
Mentioning this, Chu Yao's eyes instantly reddened again. She bit her lip, as if using all her strength, before taking out two ordinary 500ml bottles of mineral water from behind her.
Two bottles of water.
It was all alone, held tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning white from the force.
"...That's all...that's all." Her voice was barely audible, filled with despair and shame.
"I...I don't know why...only this..."
She tried to force a smile that said, "I won't cause any trouble," just like she had said when she asked for help before, but the smile looked worse than a cry.