0022: What could the maximum charm value be?

"Alright, your temperature has dropped a bit, but you should still rest and drink plenty of hot water at home. You really need to build up your strength with some exercise."

"Okay, then I'll head to class now."

"Go ahead. If you still feel tired or lack energy, it’s best to take the afternoon off and rest at home. Go to bed early, drink more warm water, and wear something thicker tomorrow morning."

Hearing the school doctor’s meticulous instructions, Xu Lin looked at that stern, long face, which suddenly seemed much more agreeable. It was precisely this attention to detail that made a real doctor.

Su Qingwan was about to leave as well, but Dr. Wang stopped her. Xu Lin, however, was already one step ahead, opening the door and stepping out.

"Mr. Wang, is something wrong?"

"Ms. Su, are you very close with Xu Lin?"

"Close?" Su Qingwan seemed a little confused.

"It’s nothing. It's just that, although you’re a teacher, Xu Lin is a boy at that age. You’re not that much older than him, and if you two are too close, it could... Well, you know how people can talk in schools..."

"I understand, thank you, Mr. Wang. I’ll pay attention."

Su Qingwan grasped the meaning at once. Thinking back, she realized she had indeed acted a bit... All Xu Lin’s fault!

Well, tonight she could use him as a shield in the front lines anyway...

Xu Lin managed to get through the two morning classes, though he still felt a bit weak and listless.

At least he wasn’t shivering or muddleheaded anymore. The medicine was working.

"Xu Lin, are you biking home?" Li Bin asked, pretending to tie his shoelaces, his head lowered.

"If I don’t bike, how do I get home?"

"Weren’t you running a fever? And it’s started drizzling again out there," Ma Zhiyu chimed in from behind.

"Don’t try to rope me into gaming online. I really don’t have the energy for it today."

"We’re just concerned about you."

"Ha!"

No sooner had he scoffed than the bell rang and the teacher announced the end of class. Instantly, several students bolted from the room.

"Xu Lin, you should take a cab home. Don’t get soaked again—another fever and it won’t just be a shot that’ll fix you," Zhuo Yan and Ji Yun walked over. Seeing her desk mate hesitate, Zhuo Yan spoke up for her.

"Alright, a cab to my place is only a few bucks."

Just as he finished, a voice called out from the doorway. Su Qingwan had come in.

"Has Xu Lin left yet?"

"I’m here, teacher. Is there something you need?"

"Come with me. I’ll drive you home."

"Oh... That’s too much trouble for you."

"It’s fine, let’s go," Su Qingwan said, already heading out of the classroom. Ma Zhiyu and Li Bin patted Xu Lin on the shoulder as he followed.

"Well, look at you. When I was sick, I never saw a teacher personally escort me anywhere!"

"Li Bin, do you know what sets us apart?"

"Your grades are better?"

"No, no. I might be just plain-looking, but you can only be described as tall and burly." With that, Xu Lin strode out quickly.

It took Li Bin two seconds to react. "Xu Lin, you little...!"

Downstairs, Su Qingwan told him to wait by the teaching building and not to go out in the rain. A few seconds later, a white Passat pulled up at the steps.

Xu Lin hurried over. He started to go for the front seat, but after a moment’s thought, opened the back door and got in.

"Why aren’t you sitting in the front?"

"Ms. Su, do you know any student brave enough to sit up front with their teacher? It’s too much pressure."

"You? Xu Lin afraid of pressure? You lecture as if you’re about to frighten me out of my job."

"That’s only because I don’t want you shackled by chains. As a student, I have nothing but respect for you."

"Enough nonsense. Where do you live?"

"Jinxiufu."

"Alright, let’s go then."

Along the way, the two started talking again about the evening’s matter, with Xu Lin saying a bit more, mainly to help steady her nerves.

After all, if her mind wavered, their spear would lose its edge.

As Jinxiufu came into view, Xu Lin suddenly remembered the deal he had made with their homeroom teacher. Today was Tuesday; the exam was on Friday.

"Why do you look so glum all of a sudden?"

"You know how I made that bet with our homeroom teacher, right? Said I could make it into the top fifty without doing my homework. But I’ve missed review these past two days, and now I’m sick."

"Then you’ll just have to get your parents involved."

"That won’t do..." Xu Lin frowned, but then seemed to remember something: he still had that simple-minded system.

He could improve his exam results fundamentally by boosting his intelligence stat, though each point now cost him twenty thousand points.

However, this week a new item had appeared: a short-term intelligence boost card, unlimited use, a hundred points per use, lasting one hour—perfect for both studying and the exam.

He opened the system and checked his points, surprised to find he’d accumulated 21,650.

He glanced at the affection system. To his surprise, Su Qingwan’s affection level had reached 29—almost at 30. Ji Yun’s was at 28, just two points away from giving him more points. The most astonishing part was with the budding superstar: after reaching 30, it had jumped another three points in just a day.

He really hadn’t tried to farm affection, but at this rate, he felt he wouldn’t even need to work out—he could just rely on points.

Speaking of which, he hadn’t yet checked Chu Qingchan’s personal profile. But someone as beautiful as the rising star, her charm stat must be 9, right?

[Chu Qingchan]

[Age: 24]

[Zodiac: Snake]

[Intelligence: 6]

[Constitution: 4]

[Charm: 9]

[Affection: 33]

As expected, her charm was the highest so far. Even as a woman, her constitution was still better than his own feeble self. But were the caps for the basic three stats all 10?

If that’s so, he could imagine what 10 intelligence or constitution would be like. But what did 10 charm mean? Even the acknowledged goddess Chu Qingchan was only at 9... yet there was still 10 above it.

He couldn’t even begin to imagine what that would be—an angel from heaven? But this wasn’t some fantasy world with immortals.

Thinking about it, he casually opened Ji Yun’s profile and found her charm had increased from 7.5 to 7.6.

So it could grow. Well, of course—a person changes as they grow up. Even if an adult's height stays the same, they’ll gain or lose weight over the years.

Naturally, charm would fluctuate too. Ji Yun’s increase was probably just the natural shift from girlishness to a more mature feminine allure.

In the end, she’d definitely not have less charm than Ms. Su. But hang on, he had 8 points in charm himself, and everyone called Ms. Su and the others beauties.

How come no one ever called him handsome? The question suddenly popped into Xu Lin’s mind.

"Teacher, do you think I’m good-looking?"

"Why are you asking that all of a sudden?" Su Qingwan was a bit surprised.

"Just answer—am I handsome or not?"

"You are. But you’re too thin. If you gained a bit of weight, it’d be better. Not fat, exactly, just..."

"Just more flesh, but all muscle, right?"

"Something like that."

"When I’ve built up some muscle, I’ll show you, teacher."

"Who cares!" Su Qingwan spat lightly, but in her mind flashed the image of Xu Lin’s backside when he got that shot. Hey! Su Qingwan, what on earth are you thinking?!