The Minghai University campus was slowly waking up.
Students walking with coffee in hand, scattered laughter, the usual sounds of a normal morning.
But Lin Mo knew the truth.
"This is where urban protagonists are born. And where their futures are stolen without them even realizing it."
Beside him, Su Qingyue adjusted her glasses, trying not to draw attention. She wasn't a student, but her presence didn't feel out of place. Intelligent, discreet… perfect for observing.
"The system said 'cold campus goddess,'" she whispered. "Who is she?"
Lin Mo didn't answer aloud. He thought:
"Name: Shen Yulan. The protagonist's first love. Fated encounter in the library at 10:17. Dropped book, hands touching, a gaze that lasts half a second too long."
Qingyue heard every word. "That is… too specific," she whispered.
"Because destiny is lazy," Lin Mo replied. "It always repeats the same scene."
He checked his watch. 10:12. "Five minutes."
They walked toward the central library.
The Stage of Destiny
Shen Yulan was already there.
Long hair, a calm expression, a distant aura. She was sitting by a window, reading. Around her, several students pretended to study while stealing glances at her.
Qingyue frowned. "She… she really does seem special."
Lin Mo thought without emotion: "Yes. That's what the script wants you to believe."
10:16.
The male protagonist appeared.
Simple clothes, a worn-out backpack, a determined gaze. The "ordinary guy" with an extraordinary destiny.
"There he is," Qingyue whispered.
Lin Mo activated the system. "Shop. Blockers."
[Item Acquired: Encounter Interference F-1] Cost: 30 DP (Advanced credit) Effect: Distorts minor predestined events.
"Interesting," Lin Mo murmured. "They give me credit."
10:17.
The protagonist bumped into the table. The book did not fall. There were no hands touching. Only a clumsy thud and an awkward mumble.
Shen Yulan looked up… and looked at him with zero interest.
"Be careful," she said coldly.
That was it. The protagonist stood frozen. "S-sorry…"
Destiny had just failed.
Qingyue felt a shiver. "Is it… is it over?"
"No," Lin Mo thought. "Now the theft begins."
He approached with calm, steady steps.
Shen Yulan looked up again. This time, her eyes lingered.
Lin Mo placed the book correctly on the table. "You get distracted when you read," he said. "That means the book matters to you."
She blinked. "Do we know each other?"
A clear thought, without hiding it: "Not yet. But I won't let you become someone else's prize."
Shen Yulan felt a slight dizziness. "I…"
The system vibrated.
Predestined event altered. Emotional connection transferred.
Qingyue held her breath.
Lin Mo smiled slightly. "I'm Lin Mo," he said. "May I sit?"
Shen Yulan nodded without thinking.
In the distance, the protagonist watched the scene, confused, with a bitter feeling in his chest. He didn't know why. He only knew that something had been stolen from him.
System Confirmation
[Destiny Theft Completed] Target: Son of Luck #1 Event: Initial Romantic Encounter Result: Failed
Rewards:
+120 Destiny Points
Initial Affinity with Heroine (Shen Yulan)
Weakening of the Protagonist's Halo (Slight)
Qingyue exhaled slowly. "You… you did it."
Lin Mo thought calmly: "This is how you steal destiny. No noise. No heroes. Just taking away what they were never meant to have."
Shen Yulan closed her book. "Lin Mo," she said. "Would you like to get a coffee later?"
The protagonist, several meters away, felt an inexplicable pain in his chest. And he didn't understand why.
Lin Mo nodded. "Sure."
Immediate thought: "First destiny stolen. Many more to go."
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