Chapter 64: Chapter 64: What Truly Counts as Growth
Gu Bai looked at the dazed Deng Bo, thinking that with his level of emotional intelligence, it was completely normal for him not to have pursued Fan Jiayue successfully in his past life.
If a girl really didn’t want your gift, she would have returned it to you straight away. What’s the point of talking further?
Fan Jiayue was obviously just trying to appear reserved in front of her friends, showcasing her high and pure quality of not being materialistic. I mean, at this age, how many girls can refuse a necklace worth tens of thousands?
Those with particularly wealthy families can dismiss this statement as nonsense.
At this point, Gu Bai had no choice but to step in.
"Deng Bo took a long time to choose this necklace, so just accept it. The value of the gift isn’t important; what matters is how much thought he put into it."
Upon hearing this, Deng Bo quickly picked up the thread: "Yes, yes, yes, I haven’t really given you any gifts before. As long as you’re happy, it doesn’t matter what I give."
Seeing Gu Bai and Deng Bo echoing each other, Fan Jiayue couldn’t help but glance at Gu Bai a couple more times.
Deng Bo had been pursuing her for so long, and Fan Jiayue understood him well. He’s a typical straight guy who doesn’t know how to pick gifts. One time, he followed the trend and gave lipstick, but it was in a ’death Barbie pink.’
Obviously, since this gift wasn’t chosen by Deng Bo, it must have been Gu Bai.
But regardless of who chose the gift, she liked it. Seeing a way out, Fan Jiayue put on a reluctant expression and accepted it.
Actually, Gu Bai was quite averse to girls like Fan Jiayue who often liked to show themselves as being virtuous for no reason, but since the one who liked her was Deng Bo and not him, it didn’t matter. Whether the two of them could develop anything was no longer his concern.
After the gift-opening event, the room returned to its normal pace. Those who should sing sang, those who should drink drank, leaving only Gu Bai and Deng Bo sitting aside and chatting, not joining in.
"White Pieces, why did you buy such an expensive necklace? It’ll take me ages to pay you back!"
Clinking glasses with Gu Bai, Deng Bo said with a resentful tone.
"Don’t act all modest having gotten a good deal. Didn’t you see Fan Jiayue’s look at you just now? Do you think giving an expensive gift is just about showing off? It’s also to give Fan Jiayue face. I’m telling you, strike while the iron is hot these days, and I guarantee you’ll win her over!"
Gu Bai didn’t mention anything about paying back but instead gently advised Deng Bo, sharing his insights.
"Really?"
"Would I lie to you?"
Hearing this, Deng Bo couldn’t help but get a little excited.
He had been pursuing Fan Jiayue for a whole semester, and her attitude towards him had always been lukewarm. If this incident could really help him advance his relationship with her, then those tens of thousands would definitely be worth spending.
Seeing Deng Bo’s excited expression, Gu Bai shook his head helplessly.
Since he had driven, Gu Bai didn’t drink. After having a glass of juice, he planned to leave. He knew only a few people in the whole room, and they barely exchanged a few words, so it wasn’t meaningful to stay. After giving Deng Bo a few words of advice, he stood up.
"Birthday star, I have something tonight, so I’ll head out first. Wish you all a good time."
Hearing that Gu Bai was leaving, Fan Jiayue hastily tried to detain him: "It’s almost time to cut the cake, stay a while longer. You’ve given me such an expensive gift, it’s really quite embarrassing."
Gu Bai smiled: "Oh, there’s no need to feel embarrassed. If you and Deng Bo become a couple, we’ll be like family in the future."
Deng Bo was shy and didn’t dare to speak, but as an outsider, Gu Bai didn’t mind. In fact, such words were more appropriate coming from him, allowing him to gauge if Fan Jiayue had any feelings towards Deng Bo. If she really had no feelings for him, Gu Bai would have advised Deng Bo to let go sooner.
Sure enough, hearing Gu Bai’s words, a trace of shyness flashed on Fan Jiayue’s face.
"What are you talking about? We’re all classmates and very good friends."
Seeing her expression, anyone with discernment could notice that Fan Jiayue indeed had a good impression of Deng Bo. Only Deng Bo, with his remarkable emotional intelligence, felt in the corner as if she had no feelings for him at all.
Just as Gu Bai was about to say something, Zhou Zhou, who was sitting among another group of people, couldn’t hold back. If Gu Bai kept talking, he might really matchmake them tonight, especially with the Cartier necklace setting the stage, making it easier to bring certain matters to light.
"Gu Bai, it’s still early, and you’re already leaving? You really don’t give us classmates any face."
Zhou Zhou, holding a glass of wine, walked up to Gu Bai, pretending to have a graceful smile.
With his speech interrupted, Gu Bai narrowed his eyes, realizing that his blunt matchmaking attempt between Deng Bo and Fan Jiayue must have touched a nerve for Zhou Zhou.
Remembering previous instances of targeting, the originally indifferent attitude disappeared in an instant, and an inexplicable, violent irritation surged in his heart.
"I’m explaining to the birthday star as a courtesy, but as for you...
Who do you think you are, that I should give you face? Do you even deserve it?"
Gu Bai said with a smile, but his words instantly silenced the room.
Zhou Zhou’s hand, holding the wine glass, paused, and the contrived smile froze on his face.
Zhou Zhou noticed everyone, male and female, was watching him and Gu Bai, his face darkened, and he said coldly, "What do you mean by that?"
Gu Bai casually shrugged his shoulders.
"Just the literal meaning. Who do you think you are?"
"If you like her, go after her yourself. I don’t mind, and Deng Bo certainly won’t, but interrupting me, who gave you the audacity?"
Ever since knowing he was Deng Bo’s rival in love, Gu Bai’s initial impression of him had been very poor. What he believed in was to eradicate all unstable factors at the budding stage.
Fair competition?
That’s what gentlemen like to do, but what am I? Just an ordinary man.
Deng Bo is an honest person, but I am not; could he allow a clown to jump around in front of him?
Seeing the two people were about to start arguing, Fan Jiayue quickly said, "We’re all classmates, there’s no need to ruin the mood. Gu Bai, if you really have something to do, you can leave first. We can hang out together when there’s a chance in the future."
Since Fan Jiayue spoke up, Gu Bai suppressed that violent feeling, smiled indifferently, and turned to leave.
Zhou Zhou watched Gu Bai leave. Despite being filled with anger, he held it back.
He didn’t want to make a fool of himself at Fan Jiayue’s birthday party. More importantly, in the Shanghai Theatre Academy, various versions about Gu Bai’s identity were already circulating. Although some were absurd, without exception, every guess pointed to Gu Bai not being an ordinary person.
Don’t think young people, even with fiery temperaments, will easily act recklessly. Most people still maintain rationality; he dared to come forward to challenge only because Gu Bai’s instigation hit his sensitive spot. Emotion overpowered reason, but when he truly realized it, he regretted his previous action.
At this moment, Zhou Zhou also returned to his seat, and the friends around him gradually returned to their rhythm, as if what had just happened had never occurred.
Walking out of the KTV, Gu Bai breathed in the fresh air outside and lit a cigarette in the car.
He realized something was wrong with himself.
After rebirth, everything went too smoothly for him.
He bought luxury cars, watches, hung out with second-generation rich kids like Li Zhun, could casually spend 10 million on virtual gifts; even girls at the level of Qi Man and Zhang Yumeng obeyed him in everything. It made him believe that having money was like being God.
Initially, he could suppress the changes brought by sudden riches, but since the crash incident, he couldn’t restrain it anymore. If this continues, he’ll truly become a reckless nouveau riche.
The calmer Gu Bai became, the more scared he felt. If he hadn’t noticed his state, would he really become a slave to money?
Suddenly, the system, which had disappeared for a week, reappeared.
"Congratulations, host. You have grasped the essence of growth. Confidence value reached 99%. Reward: Godly Rich Exclusive Aura: Non-action."
"Non-action aura?"
This was the system’s first non-monetary reward, and Gu Bai was a bit confused.
Unexpectedly, the usually aloof system provided an explanation for Gu Bai this time.
"Once the confidence value reaches 90%, external matters will no longer affect the system’s upgrade. The host must select a fixed Godly Rich aura based on psychological state to proceed with upgrades.
Based on the host’s current understanding, reward exclusive Godly Rich aura: Non-action. The ultimate explanation of Non-action aura aligns with the philosophy of Heavenly Dao Non-action from the sage Zhuangzi of this dimension. The host can explore it independently."
Once the system’s so-called Non-action aura reward was issued, a cooling sensation mysteriously cleared his mind, and the previous violent feelings vanished without a trace.
He opened the system interface again.
"Host: Gu Bai
Face value: 92 (+3)
IQ: 140
Physique: 75
Confidence value: 99% (Level 1 System)
Godly Rich Aura (Non-action): 10% (Level 2 System, temporarily unavailable.)
System Level: Level 1"
The Face Value section added a bracket with plus three, presumably the so-called Non-action aura’s endowment. The Godly Rich Aura section now included the word Non-action.
"So why hasn’t the system been upgraded to Level 2?"
"The host must establish a main storyline. The storyline will be determined based on the host’s performance in the next 10 natural days. Once the storyline is established, the system will automatically upgrade, and the upgrade progress of the Level 2 system will depend on this storyline."
"What storyline?"
"Either commercial or emotional, there is no 100% established main storyline."
After these words, the system disappeared again like usual, and no matter how Gu Bai called, it didn’t appear again.
Unable to figure it out, Gu Bai decided not to think about it further since the system clearly stated it would upgrade in 10 days. No need to think too much.
He stepped on the accelerator and drove towards the direction of Shanghai Theatre Academy.
Upon arriving at the dormitory, Lou Xun and Wen Cunming were playing games in front of the computer.
"Want to play a couple of rounds?"
Gu Bai immediately showed interest.
"Sure, my Stepping Forward Slash is itching for action!"
Lou Xun looked at Wen Cunming with disbelief: "Are you crazy? You dare to call even Gu Bai?"
"Well, he’s the creditor, can’t help it..."