With a single thought, Ye Chen activated Phantom Dream.
Suddenly, Li Xu—who had been scrolling on his phone—froze.
Two versions of himself appeared inside his mind.
The first scene showed a version of him cramming for the National Higher Education Entrance Examination.
The other showed him glued to a computer, lost in an Online Game.
The picture shifted: the first version got into his Dream University; mother and son hugged in joy, Mom beaming with pride.
The other version gleefully tore his textbooks to shreds, flung the pages skyward, and yelled, "I'm finally free!"
The scene switched again.
In the first, he stepped onto a fresh University campus, pretty, stylish senior girls everywhere he looked.
The other version was already at a job interview.
The interviewer glanced at his résumé and bluntly told him his education wasn't good enough; he didn't meet the company's requirements.
The images kept changing.
Version one attended lectures, studied, even held hands with a girlfriend and enjoyed campus life. Version two, lacking a degree, could only work as an Internet-café manager, eating instant noodles at midnight while fixing customers' computers.
While version one played Basketball happily with classmates, version two crouched on the street, humbly shining a customer's shoes and pitching products—only to be coldly rejected.
The scene jumped to graduation: version one landed a White-Collar Job and got promoted to Supervisor. Version two delivered Food Delivery and was scolded for being a few minutes late.
As version one drove a Luxury Car, lived in a Mansion, and slipped a Diamond Ring onto a beautiful bride's finger, version two—without house or car—was rejected by an ugly woman.
Li Xu shuddered and snapped out of the illusion.
Everything had felt too real.
In that brief moment he had lived half a lifetime.
Back in reality, Li Xu actually felt grateful—he was only eighteen.
Li Sitong's voice still rang in his ears.
"Hmph, if you don't want to study, forget it. If Aunt hadn't begged me, I wouldn't waste my breath."
Li Sitong turned to leave.
A timid voice sounded behind her: "Sis… after school, could you help me with my homework?"
Li Sitong froze. "What did you say?"
Li Xu summoned his courage. "I want to give it one last shot."
Ye Chen's lips curved; Phantom Dream had worked rather well—it had changed a boy's destiny.
That short dream had been crafted by Ye Chen.
In truth, it mirrored his own life in his previous incarnation.
The class bell rang.
Wang Chao walked into the Classroom.
"Good news, everyone: our school is setting up a Senior Year of High School Sprint Class. After the second period every day, teachers hired from the province's key high school will give extra lessons."
The whole class erupted.
Everyone knew what having teachers from the province's top school meant.
Wang Chao went on, "But spots are limited—only the Whole School's top thirty qualify. The third Mock Exam will decide who gets in."
Groans swept the room.
Cracking the top thirty of the Whole School was brutal.
With eight Senior Year classes, you basically needed top-three in your class; fourth place might still miss out.
Wang Chao rapped the desk. "All right, now you sigh. Where was this earlier? Let's start class."
He tapped the stack of exercises and fixed his gaze on Li Xu.
"Li Xu, do you still want to get into University? How many times have I explained these problems? And you hand me a 58?"
Every eye turned to Li Xu.
Used to Teacher Wang's scolding, Li Xu usually wore a cheeky grin, the proverbial dead pig that fears no boiling water.
"Sorry, sir. I didn't listen last lesson. I won't do it again—I'll work hard and give it my all."
Wang Chao: "…"
For a moment he barely recognized the boy.
The planned tirade short-circuited in his head.
This felt familiar—he'd seen the same change in Ye Chen.
Could Li Xu be a hidden Top Student?
Excited, Wang Chao pointed to a question. "Explain this one."
Li Xu stared as if it were hieroglyphics and shook his head. "I can't, sir. Could you go over it with me after class?"
Wang Chao sighed; he'd gotten carried away.
Still, he felt pleased—was this really the same careless Li Xu?
He nodded. "Good. I don't want to give up on anyone. If you have questions, come to the Office anytime. Sit down."
Beside him, Li Sitong was stunned.
Was this still her cousin?
Had he been possessed?
None of them realized Ye Chen's dream had just scared Li Xu straight.
Li Xu refused to live that tragic life; he wanted to be the successful version of himself.
When first period ended, Yu Weiwei rushed over.
"Si Tong, bitcoin's up again."
Li Sitong checked her phone.
Sure enough, bitcoin had hit 132 yuan.
"My gosh—how much have I made?"
Li Sitong herself was stunned.
This Virtual Bitcoin had no opening hours.
Prices changed around the clock.
Looking at the trend, it should keep climbing.
"Could hit 140 tomorrow."
"Or maybe this is the peak, and tomorrow it crashes."
Blushing, Yu Weiwei asked, "Si Tong, could you ask Ye Chen if it's still okay to buy in now?"
Li Sitong nodded. "Sure, I'll ask."
Ye Chen and Xu Liang returned from the restroom to the Classroom.
Li Sitong smiled. "Ye Chen, our bitcoin's at 132. We've made 16 yuan per coin."
"Only 16 yuan so far? You'll have plenty more to celebrate later."
Li Sitong asked, "Will bitcoin keep rising?"
Ye Chen gave a confident nod. "Yes, it will."
"Weiwei wants to buy some; she asked me to check with you."
Ye Chen knew Yu Weiwei was her best friend; the two were like sisters.
He chuckled. "Let her buy. When it's time to sell, just let her know."
Li Sitong nodded. "Got it."
At noon, after helping Xu Liang with a problem, Ye Chen reached the cafeteria well past lunch.
Most students had finished eating.
He got his food and sat down, ready to eat.
Suddenly a girl in a blue coat sat opposite him.
Long hair framed an Oval Face—very pretty.
It was Su Xiaonuan, the girl who had once struck up a conversation with him.
Smiling, she greeted, "Hey, Top Student Ye, we meet again!"