The progress bar was long but completely empty, which didn't quite add up, even though not much time had passed in class.
After rereading the mission description, Lin Li thought he understood the issue—it was because he wasn't focused enough.
The mission description included the word "attentively."
Apparently, the rigid system didn't recognize inattentive study.
"D*mn, zoning out and daydreaming isn't allowed." Realizing this, Lin Li rubbed his temples.
Completing this in two days was impossible since staying completely focused for extended periods was tough for anyone. Still, Lin Li wasn't making excuses for himself—he'd already started listening and was trying to keep up with the sect elder's lecture.
Sure enough, after about ten minutes, during a break when the teacher took a sip of water, Lin Li checked the system, and the progress bar had moved slightly.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Li told himself, "Keep going! Focused studying!"
This mission was a win-win for Lin Li, and nothing could stop him from giving it his all.
"Lin Li, I have a question. Do you think that what Optimus Prime produces is motor oil?"
"If he overdoes it and suffers kidney deficiency, would it come out like windshield fluid?"
It was always during class that random questions popped up in Bai Bufan's head, prompting him to turn and ask Lin Li.
Lin Li shot him a cold look, sitting up perfectly straight like a model student, as if mimicking the "Follow me like this" routine they were taught in first grade. His usual slouch was nowhere to be seen.
Bai Bufan was just a stumbling block on the road to enlightenment—easily ignored.
"When Zhao Zilong gets lonely, he goes to Changbanpo. So, does Optimus Prime call a ride-share when he's lonely?" the little genius Bai Bufan continued.
Ugh!
Lin Li clenched his fists and locked his gaze on Li Binbin. He didn't mind making eye contact now because he was genuinely paying attention in class. Even if called on, he could answer.
Block it out. Pretend you can't hear him. Ear, dear ear, please block out Bai Bufan's dog mouth.
Bai Bufan? Bah, just some nuisance.
"But then, if Optimus Prime calls a ride-share and gets busted, would it be managed by the traffic police or the transport authority?" Unbothered by Lin Li's silence, Bai Bufan continued on his own.
"And hey, if Optimus Prime browses a used car platform, is he looking for a divorced cougar?"
"…"
Seeing that Lin Li was ignoring him, Bai Bufan finally stopped the Optimus Prime talk and turned back to face the front.
Finally, peace and quiet.
Lin Li took a deep breath. The biggest obstacle on his path to study was now behind him! This was the unbreakable resolve worthy of a cultivator!
If Lin Li couldn't ascend, then who could?
And to be fair, Bai Bufan was a little dense. There's no way Optimus Prime would use a ride-share app.
Ride-shares only bring small cars, and the moment they saw Optimus Prime's size, they'd probably refund him immediately. The ride-share cars would be totaled just by showing up.
Pulling a large load with a small car was common, but having a big rig pull a small car was a bit much.
So, if Optimus Prime did get lonely, he'd probably call a moving truck like "Hualala." Bai Bufan's thinking just didn't go deep enough.
Not to mention, Optimus Prime was a Cybertronian. If he called a moving truck and got busted, that would be an interstellar issue, way beyond the transport authority's jurisdiction—it would require reporting to…
Lin Li froze mid-thought.
Dmn!
That fcking Bai Bufan!
He thought he'd gotten past the distraction, but he was still being led astray!
Forget it, time to refocus and get back to studying.
Study!
Lin Li immersed himself in the ocean of Chinese literature.
"Lin Li, when Kabuto gets lonely, do you think he lifts weights?" Bai Bufan's haunting voice floated over again.
Cap! Sit! Dmn! Fck!
Bai Bufan had gone silent not to stay quiet but to shift his target from Optimus Prime to Kabuto!
"Teacher! Bai Bufan is distracting me from studying. I request that he go stand at the back of the room!" Lin Li became the thing he'd always despised—a tattletale, a sly teacher's pet.
Turning, Lin Li saw Bai Bufan's bewildered expression.
After a brief moment of confusion, a look of betrayed sadness appeared in his eyes—their brotherly bond, all the good times, had Lin Li forgotten them?
But because they were so close, Lin Li didn't feel the slightest guilt. He even smiled faintly—hello, yes, it's me.
"Teacher, I'm being framed. In fact, it's Lin Li who's distracting me from learning." The brotherly bond was shattered as Bai Bufan stood his ground.
"Go stand in the back," Li Binbin said. From the podium, she could see everything clearly, even if most teachers usually didn't have the time to deal with everyone's antics.
"Teacher, this is unjust! Lin Li has deceived you—"
"Quiet."
"Oh." Bai Bufan stood up and headed to the back of the room.
Finally, blissful peace. Although that haunted gaze hadn't disappeared, he could almost hear the faint, hellish whisper:
"I'll keep watching you, watching you, for eternity~~"
"Bufan, take a few steps back, stand by the blackboard," Li Binbin, acting as an exorcist, instructed.
"…Oh."
Lin Li was completely at ease.
---
"You call yourself human? Speak! Bai Bufan, are you even human? Five meat dishes, no rice? Do you think I'm a pig? How can a creature like you exist?" In the cafeteria, after finding a seat, Lin Li yelled, feeling utterly betrayed.
The school cafeteria offered a pick-your-dish service, and thanks to subsidies, the prices were actually reasonable. Meat dishes started at four Spirit Stones, vegetable dishes at two, and rice and soup were free, with plenty of ingredients in the soup.
If you used a large ladle, dipped to the bottom, and stirred gently, you could scoop out a soup full of ingredients.
Lin Li, a day student, rarely ate out for lunch or dinner, usually eating with friends in the cafeteria.
Most people either got one meat and two vegetables or two meat and one vegetable. People like Bai Bufan, who ordered five meat dishes without rice, were a rare breed.
And since he'd used Lin Li's meal card, Bai Bufan wasn't just rich—he was a monster.
"This is what I deserve. If there'd been more room on my tray, five wouldn't be enough!" Bai Bufan laughed triumphantly.
"If you don't clean your plate, I'll just keep staring at you." Lin Li smirked.
"Don't worry, I know my limits. Haven't you noticed the portions are a bit small? I even told the server to add less, just in case. But don't worry, I paid every last cent!" Bai Bufan boasted, patting his chest.
Lin Li stared coldly at Bai Bufan.
He needed a term more vicious than "monster."
"I've decided. I'll study medicine, so when I stab you later, I can avoid vital areas and make the pain last longer." Lin Li declared.
"Bounce back," Bai Bufan laughed, but then asked, "Seriously though, Lin Li, what's with you today? Why've you been so intensely focused on studying?"
His level of focus was scary, as if he'd been completely absorbed in every class.
One Chinese class was one thing, but Lin Li had kept up the act all morning!
"Heh, people change. From now on, I'm turning over a new leaf." Lin Li responded in an ethereal, wise tone.
Bai Bufan swallowed a bite of food, then suddenly stood up, forming a hand seal and pointing at Lin Li.
"Om mani padme hum! Om mani padme hum!"
"Begone, demon!"
"I don't care who you are—leave my brother's body now, or I'll have to get rough with you!"