Lin Feng was troubled about ascending to the heavens in one shot, really putting a Green Hat on his good brother in one go.
Fortunately, the judgment mechanism of this dog system seemed to still follow some basic physical laws—the higher you go, the greater the resistance.
It was like dragging an armored vehicle through a swamp; that weird phenomenon from before, where favorability rose inexplicably just because they "breathed the same mouthful of air" or "maintained eye contact for more than three seconds," finally disappeared.
Ever since that "Domineering CEO Verbal Abuse Incident" sent the favorability straight to 42, no matter how Shen Linyin showed goodwill these past few days, that bright red number was like it had constipation, only wriggling occasionally.
Until the backstage of the performance day, that number was stuck dead at [45/100].
Lin Feng heaved a sigh of relief, but not completely.
Because in the system's explanation, the definition of 45 points was [Intimate Confidant]. The note was: [This is an extremely dangerous relationship of trust. The other party may confide in you about black history including but not limited to childhood shadows, physiological period troubles, and the shortcomings of her current boyfriend.]
Facts proved the system didn't lie.
These past few days, Shen Linyin's WeChat bombardment hadn't stopped.
[Lin Feng, a new cat cafe opened at the school's south gate. Heard you like cats? Want to go together? Just the two of us; Old Ren is allergic to cat hair, such a wet blanket.]
[Lin Feng, I'm stuck on a music score here, can I go to your dorm tonight so you can teach me?]
Facing these sending-life questions, Lin Feng adopted the most primitive and also most effective "Scum Man Tactic"—Read but No Reply, or Cycle Reply.
Usually, it was replying after five hours with a sentence: "Busy.", "Practicing.", "Do not disturb."
He originally thought this kind of cold violence could more or less pry open a crack in that damned Silver Lock, but regrettably, that lock was like it was welded shut, indestructible. It was even possible that because of the lock's "filtering" function, his indifference turned into "the high-cold artist temperament of focusing completely on the performance" in Shen Linyin's eyes.
Really having no choice, Lin Feng decided to offer up his ultimate move—tattling.
Just yesterday, right in front of Ren Yichen, he shoved his phone into his good brother's face.
"Old Ren, manage your wife." Lin Feng had a serious face, as if reporting some illegal criminal activity. "She is always private messaging me asking me out. This is very inappropriate. For the unity of our band, and even more for the friendship of us brothers, you have to talk to her."
Lin Feng originally thought Ren Yichen would be jealous, would be angry, would warn him to stay away.
As a result, this childhood sweetheart Young Master finished reading the chat log and actually revealed a face full of gratified smiles.
"Hai, I thought it was some big matter." Ren Yichen patted Lin Feng's shoulder, his tone so relaxed it made one want to hit him. "Yinyin was always worried before that you didn't like her, afraid you would ostracize her. Now she actively looks for you to hang out, it proves she really treats you as one of her own! This is a good thing!"
Lin Feng was dumbstruck: "...You don't mind? That's a solo date, hey?"
"Mind what? You are my best brother, she is my... cough, you know, since childhood. You two having a good relationship, I don't even have enough time to be happy." Ren Yichen had a face of innocence. "Besides, what kind of person you Lin Feng are, am I not clear about? Are you the kind of person who would make a move on a brother's woman? Obviously not!"
Looking at Ren Yichen's eyes filled with trust, even carrying a trace of clear stupidity, Lin Feng completely despaired.
This wasn't being broad-minded; this was simply the constitution of a Chosen Green Hat King!
I am already frantically hinting "I'm going to steal your home", and you actually help me open the door?
The victim of this generation is really too hard to carry.
...
At this moment, the noise of the crowd in the Cultural Square pulled Lin Feng back to reality.
Today was the first large-scale joint performance after the club recruitment. Below the stage was a dark mass of heads, especially the freshmen, each one's eyes flashing with longing for university life (and gossip about the seniors).
If it were before getting the system, Lin Feng at this moment would definitely be just as the flag he set up—superficially dedicating himself to art, but actually with radar fully on, searching for the figures of pretty junior sisters in the crowd.
But now, he held his guitar standing behind the curtain, his heart like still water.
Let alone looking at beauties, he now didn't even have the interest to look at a female mosquito.
The psychological torture of this week, plus the frantic cultivation of the [Way of the Guitar] to divert attention, had already made him enter a kind of Sage Mode.
"Nervous?"
Behind him came Shen Linyin's voice.
Lin Feng's body stiffened. He didn't dare turn his head, only holding the guitar and shifting a step to the side, saying coldly: "Not nervous. I am using this heart to prove the Dao."
Shen Linyin: "..."
Although she didn't know what ghost talk he was saying, looking at Lin Feng's tense back, she still couldn't help laughing.
"Next, please welcome our newly promoted campus band—"
The host's voice rang out high-pitched.
"And their first original track!"
Lin Feng took a deep breath and gripped the guitar neck tightly.
Whatever heartthrob, whatever favorability, whatever green hat crisis, all roll to the side.
Right now, he was Guitarist Lin Feng.
As long as he played this damned guitar well, muddled through this damned performance, as long as no accidents happened...
As long as no accidents happened.