Chapter 25: I Should Have Known Helping Older Sister Fix Her Computer Would Also...

Restricted Fantasy Invasion

"Slurp..."

"Stare..."

Inside the Far Moon Academy Cafeteria, at a table tucked away in the corner, Yan Huan was sipping his Apple Juice.

Sitting right across from him, Yurianna glared intently at the Carton in his hands as it gradually shriveled up.

She crossed her arms and puckered her lips, sulking furiously.

"Stare..."

Yabashi Ki, who was eating his food, glanced at Yan Huan beside him and then at Yurianna across the table, unable to stop himself from asking,

"What is going on today? Why is she making such a weird face?"

Ashley, who was eating across from them, let out a soft chuckle and remarked without even lifting her head,

"Stare..."

Yurianna''s resentful gaze immediately snapped toward Yabashi Ki, causing his chewing to involuntarily slow down.

"It is just a Placement Test, it does not even count toward our GPA. The Dean of Students already said it is just To Focus One''s Mind."

Unable to withstand Yurianna''s death glare any longer, Yabashi Ki had no choice but to offer some comforting words,

"Look, the student in last place only scored sixty-six points, practically a Personification of failure. You scored more than six times higher than them, is that not pretty impressive?"

"It is not because I bombed the test!"

Yurianna sniffled and slapped the table, looking incredibly wronged and exuding an aura that screamed, ''I am going to settle the score with everyone!''

"This is obviously all your fault! What did everyone say in the group chat during winter break?!"

Her sharp gaze first fell upon Yan Huan.

"President! You speak first!!"

Unfazed, Yan Huan smiled and replied,

"Yurianna, you know me. I always have to work part-time outside, and during the winter break, I even took on an extra temporary job. Did you not come to my shop to buy milk tea? How could I possibly have had time to review?"

Yurianna puckered her lips and turned to Sakuramiya Hitomi beside her.

Sakuramiya Hitomi elegantly wiped her pink lips and told Yurianna,

"You know me as well. I recently adopted a Maine Coon, the one named Mitsuki. Did you not come over to pet her? She is in very poor health, so I spent the entire break taking care of her and never reviewed a single thing."

Sakuramiya Hitomi was a Copycat, her conversational style already thoroughly corrupted by Yan Huan.

Yurianna puckered her lips further and looked at Yabashi Ki.

Without a moment of hesitation, the Accountant Yabashi Ki directly raised his hand to answer first,

"Secretary, you know me too. I am just deeply immersed in the Two-Dimensional culture, spending every single day playing Mobile Games, deciding To Grind for Resources, and throwing money at the screen to Draw Wives. Every time you asked me to play a game, I was online. I never opened a book even once!"

Finally, Yurianna''s gaze landed on Ashley beside her.

But Ashley shot back an even more terrifying look, stating expressionlessly,

"Are you serious? I was the one who said in the group chat that there would be a Placement Test and that it was best to review. All of them claimed they were too busy to study. You never replied, yet you were privately bothering them to hang out the entire time..."

"Waaah! I get it now, all of you are secretly geniuses! I am the only one who is stupid, the only one who is lazy... Boo-hoo..."

She wailed loudly and tried to throw herself into Ashley''s embrace, but Ashley held out a hand to block her, bouncing her straight into Sakuramiya Hitomi''s arms instead.

"Thud!"

The embrace was entirely flat with practically no cushioning, making her head throb from the impact.

"Ouch!"

Following that, Yurianna cried even louder,

"No! Waaah, I refuse to just be the Student Council''s mascot! I want to be an Academic Expert too! President, Sakuramiya, Yabashi, please help me!!"

Sakuramiya Hitomi gently patted her back, allowing the girl to nuzzle around in her embrace.

Meanwhile, veins bulged on Ashley''s forehead as she offered a smile that did not reach her eyes,

"So you ask everyone for help but completely leave me out, huh? For some reason, that pisses me off..."

Yabashi Ki thought for a moment before saying to Yurianna,

"Just this morning, the President mentioned wanting to restart the Study Group and force the underperforming students to join. The two of us discussed it and decided to manage it together. Do you want to join, Yurianna?"

Hearing this, Sakuramiya Hitomi froze slightly, the arms holding Yurianna suddenly tightening their grip just a bit.

On the surface, however, she merely voiced her doubt naturally,

"Has the President already discussed this with Yabashi? Do you not need my help?"

''What does this mean?''

''Does that not mean he will be studying together with that Spencer girl?''

''What if sparks of romance fly between them? What then?''

''Is the Study Group turning into a Matchmaking Event?!''

Sakuramiya Hitomi had naturally already excluded everyone else from the equation, finding the situation increasingly critical.

Yan Huan smiled faintly and explained,

"Ah, it is mainly because this task will be quite troublesome... Yabashi and I really need that corporate study slot for the summer vacation. After all, the Jinshi Group is incredibly prestigious."

In truth, the primary reason was that Spencer''s Modifier was highly unusual. His own thoughts had been bizarrely influenced at the time, and he was not certain if it would produce the same effect on Sakuramiya Hitomi.

He had no idea what role the Aggrieved Party would play within her Modifier, considering the sheer variety of possibilities.

For Sakuramiya''s safety, and to make it easier for him to operate, Yan Huan decided not to drag her into this mess.

"Sakuramiya does not need any of this anyway, so there is no point in—"

"It is alright~"

Sakuramiya Hitomi broke into a smile, prompting Yurianna, who was in her embrace, to look up in a daze.

Because she suddenly felt the temperature within Sakuramiya Hitomi''s arms plummet.

"It just so happens that I have also thought of a series of methods to help underperforming students improve their grades. We could try them out and see the results."

Sakuramiya Hitomi parted her pink lips slightly, uttering those words with the terrifying inner motive of ''killing that Spencer,''

"Every day, they will complete two sets of Exam Papers for all subjects, ten pages of Math Workbook Exercises, write ten Exam Essays, finish ten Reading Comprehension passages, undergo a Recitation Spot-Check for their Sociology Knowledge, and then..."

It was yet unknown whether Spencer would be deterred, but hearing this, Yurianna''s face grew increasingly pale. A look of sheer terror crossed her features as she began struggling wildly in Sakuramiya Hitomi''s embrace.

"No... Please, no!! I do not want to be an Academic Expert anymore, I give up! I want to be the mascot! Waaah..."

She hastily escaped from Sakuramiya Hitomi''s arms and dove into Ashley''s embrace, who did not block her this time.

Ashley simply sighed speechlessly, pinching her ear as she said,

"Sakuramiya is just joking with you. How could anyone possibly do all of that?"

"Hehe..."

Sakuramiya Hitomi covered her mouth and chuckled softly, yet her expression remained deadly serious.

Yan Huan rested his cheek on his hand, looking at the pitiful Yurianna as he consoled her,

"Yurianna, there is no need to agonize over a single exam. It is just a Placement Test, it does not determine anything. You should know that you are the only one who has ever treated yourself as the Student Council''s mascot."

"President..."

Yurianna looked at Yan Huan, deeply moved, only to have a bucket of cold water dumped on her by Ashley, who was currently hugging her,

"Aside from you, I also think of you that way~"

"Ashley!"

As for Sakuramiya Hitomi...

Yan Huan slowly gathered his nearly finished meal tray and asked them,

"Alright, I am just about done eating. I am going back to class for a midday nap. What are your plans?"

Ashley and Yabashi Ki planned to head to the Commercial Street off-campus to buy some things, while Sakuramiya Hitomi chose to return to the Student Council Office as usual.

Yurianna had completely forgotten her pain the moment the wound healed. She had just been agonizing over her grades, but now she was running off to the third-year section to hang out with the Senior Female Students.

After returning their trays to the Recycling/Return Area, they parted ways at the cafeteria entrance. Only Yan Huan and Sakuramiya Hitomi were left walking toward the first-year Teaching Building.

Yan Huan let out a lazy yawn. A gentle breeze blew past, making his slanted bangs droop and slightly obscure his eyes.

Beside him, Sakuramiya Hitomi walked with elegant steps. It was as if she had caught the breeze carrying Yan Huan''s scent, letting it playfully tousle the long locks of hair framing her face, their tips tinged with a faint pink.

She had a petite figure, yet standing beside the one-point-eight-four-meter-tall Yan Huan, she did not look delicate in the slightest. This was entirely due to her unique, commanding aura.

With the blossoming of spring and the prime of youth, the young boy and girl walked side by side.

They always seemed like a perfect match.

"President..."

Just as Yan Huan was yawning with his eyes closed, Sakuramiya Hitomi suddenly spoke up.

"What is it, Sakuramiya?"

"Regarding what I said earlier about wanting to join the Study Group, it seems the President has not given me an answer yet, right?"

Because of Yurianna''s interruption earlier, Yan Huan and Sakuramiya Hitomi''s conversation had been cut short. Afterward, Yan Huan actively wrapped up lunch, so the topic had not been resumed.

Until this moment, when she brought it up once again.

Yan Huan blinked, letting out a helpless smile.

The main issue was that Spencer''s Modifier was nothing good, and it was closely linked to Sakuramiya.

Sakuramiya lacked Resistance. If her consciousness ended up warped by the Modifier...

After all, they had known each other for half a year and were close friends. He could not possibly let her suffer collateral damage, right?

"I read between the lines, it is just..."

"The President seems to have been yawning non-stop these past two days."

Before he could finish, Sakuramiya Hitomi spoke up again.

Yan Huan was slightly taken aback. He turned to look at Sakuramiya Hitomi, only to realize that she had already lifted her head to gaze at him.

"You are already so busy normally, juggling your studies, Student Council matters, and working part-time after class. Now, adding the Study Group to your plate, you must be exhausted, President."

Sakuramiya Hitomi looked straight into Yan Huan''s eyes, her gaze filled with absolute earnestness,

"So, even if it is just a little, I can share some of your burden. After all, I am the Vice President of the Student Council."

There was a slight pause after ''After all,'' as if the young girl had secretly swapped out her true thoughts in her mind.

"..."

Although Yan Huan''s drowsiness was not because his body could not handle the workload—he seemingly had endless, boundless energy every day, perhaps due to his vigorous vitality and robust innate constitution—however...

Hearing Sakuramiya Hitomi say all this did not feel bad at all.

He stopped yawning, but could only offer a smiling refusal,

"I have never hesitated to ask for your help when I needed it, Sakuramiya, but let''s drop it this time. Definitely next time..."

"..."

Sakuramiya Hitomi pursed her lips, but since he had already made it so clear, she had no choice but to nod and end the topic.

''I will bring it up again later.''

As they walked, they soon arrived at the base of the Teaching Building. It was just about time for them to part ways.

"Good afternoon, President."

"Good afternoon, Sakuramiya."

Yan Huan was heading to Class A on the first floor, while Sakuramiya Hitomi took the stairs up to the higher levels.

The Teaching Building was completely deserted at noon, and there was not a single person in his classroom. The Commercial Street outside the campus was probably much livelier. He planned to come back, pack his books, and take his School Bag straight to a quiet spot to rest before doing some self-study. Once he finished studying, he would go play Mahjong.

Today was Tuesday. He was originally supposed to take the elective Handicraft Class with Ye Shiyu. Yan Huan had deliberately chosen this class for her just to increase their chances of meeting, making it easier to check on her and the Modifier''s status at any time.

However, the teacher for the Handicraft Class sent out an email that morning, stating that she was organizing a voluntary trip into the city to buy crafting supplies. She had chartered a school bus for it, and anyone not going would just see her on Thursday.

Yan Huan had already purchased his supplies at the beginning of the semester, so that freed up his schedule for the afternoon.

''Mahjong, here I come.''

With his delightful plans fully laid out, Yan Huan hummed a tune as he walked out of the Classroom, only to run straight into a familiar floral scent.

''No way, right?''

Yan Huan, who was just reaching the Classroom door, paused his footsteps. Yet, the head he had already poked out of the doorway spotted the aloof young woman standing in the corridor outside.

She was wearing a White Dress, her black hair cascading down like a waterfall. Her flawlessly beautiful, expressionless face only shifted slightly when she saw Yan Huan step out of the classroom.

Needless to say, it was Ye Shiyu.

She was hugging a Cloth Bag to her chest, which seemed to contain something inside.

"..."

Yan Huan, however, was struggling to maintain his composure.

He felt as if he were an office worker on a Friday, cheerfully getting ready to clock out and welcome the weekend.

Just as he was happily about to punch out, some idiot boss suddenly walked over to inform everyone about an impromptu meeting...

That was roughly his current state of mind.

Thank goodness for Perfect Expression Management, allowing Yan Huan to remain the ever-smiling young man on the outside.

"Older Sister Shiyu!"

He smiled and greeted Ye Shiyu, who heard him and walked over with her usual blank expression.

"..."

"Why did you suddenly come to the First-Year Section, Older Sister Shiyu? Is there something you need?"

Ye Shiyu looked at Yan Huan before her and nodded.

"..."

Just as Yan Huan''s smile was on the verge of collapsing, she abruptly opened the small Cloth Bag in her arms and took out a black Small Lunchbox.

Needless to say, her name was written on the box.

Ye Shiyu gently opened the lunchbox, revealing the neatly arranged Cookies inside.

Seeing this, Yan Huan froze slightly. He looked up at Ye Shiyu and asked,

"Did Aunt Chen pack this for me?"

"..."

Ye Shiyu tilted her head, hesitating for a moment before she spoke,

"...I made them."

Yan Huan raised an eyebrow. Just as he was about to say something, Ye Shiyu spoke up once again,

"I have a small favor to ask of you."

The words came out abruptly, as if shoved forcefully from her lips by some deep-seated emotion.

She lowered her head, retrieved her Laptop from the cloth bag, and told Yan Huan,

"Since last night, my computer has been experiencing severe lag. I do not know why, but everything takes incredibly long to open, and random ads keep popping up... I am not very familiar with this part of Linmen, so I do not know where to get it fixed, and I do not really want to bother Mama with it, so..."

"I see..."

''Severe lag? Cannot open the browser or other applications? Pop-up ads?''

''Is it a disk drive issue, or...''

At that thought, Yan Huan asked,

"Older Sister Shiyu, did you bring the power cable?"

"Yes."

Yan Huan turned to check the time before saying to Ye Shiyu,

"I know a little bit about computers. I will take a look at it for you first, Older Sister Shiyu. If I can fix it, we will not have to go through the trouble of visiting a repair shop."

"Okay."

"Then come into my classroom. There is no one around right now."

"Okay."

Yan Huan led Ye Shiyu into the empty classroom and arrived at his seat. He set the Laptop down, plugged in the power supply, and booted it up...

Actually, it was not booting up from scratch; the computer was already in sleep mode.

Ye Shiyu seemed to believe that computers could heal themselves—that if she left it alone for a night and turned it on the next day, it would magically return to normal.

Unfortunately, that approach was entirely useless. Upon opening it the next day, it still lagged just as severely.

He sat down and swiped the Mouse pointer across the screen using the touchpad. Ye Shiyu took a seat beside him, placing her hands on her thighs and blinking her long eyelashes as she watched him work.

"Have you been doing anything specific on your computer lately, Older Sister Shiyu?"

"...No."

"Did you download anything?"

"No."

''Great, she knows absolutely nothing. I had better just check it myself.''

"Password, Older Sister Shiyu."

"Mama and my birthdays combined, 06270903."

Yan Huan threw a brief glance at Ye Shiyu before tapping the keys to enter the passcode. The interface opened up, revealing a Background Image of a Life-Sized Doll dressed in exquisite clothing.

Dragging the Mouse with the touchpad, the moment he started swiping, Yan Huan immediately felt an extreme sluggishness.

The cursor seemed to teleport across the screen, making it incredibly difficult to operate.

He glanced at the desktop and the bottom right corner, finding that Ye Shiyu had not downloaded any weird applications. He did not spot any stubborn adware like the Little Bird Wallpaper; her system looked exceptionally clean.

"I do not see any Rogue Software..."

"Mhm."

Ye Shiyu nodded.

"There is plenty of disk space available too... C Drive, D Drive..."

"Mhm."

Ye Shiyu nodded once more.

"..."

Hearing her constant murmurs, Yan Huan turned his head toward Ye Shiyu beside him, only to find her staring blankly back at him.

Every time he muttered a thought or checked a setting, she would nod and respond from the side.

It gave him the distinct impression of a girl who knew absolutely nothing about computers or games sitting beside him, simply watching him operate and agreeing with whatever he said.

''Secretly very satisfying.''

''I can only describe it as secretly very satisfying.''

However, if it was not this and it was not that, then what exactly had messed up this computer?

Yan Huan pondered for a moment before opening the Task Manager and navigating to the Performance Interface, ready to check on the CPU and disk usage.

If he had not checked, he would have remained in the dark, but the moment he looked, he discovered that the CPU Utilization Rate was already maxed out at 100%!

''But no applications are even open right now...''

Opening the processes tab, Yan Huan finally realized that a System Process was hoarding all the CPU power.

''A system process hogging the CPU for long periods is already abnormal, and coupled with the pop-up ads...''

''This has got to be a Downloader Virus, right?''

Yan Huan raised an eyebrow and told Ye Shiyu,

"It is probably infected with a virus, Older Sister Shiyu. I just need to download some Antivirus Software from the internet to scan and remove it. It is not a big deal."

"Mhm, mhm..."

''Yan Huan is really amazing at this kind of stuff too...''

Ye Shiyu thought silently to herself, her gaze drifting down to the Cookies cradled in her arms.

''This is my thank-you gift for asking him to fix my computer this time...''

''But the apologetic return gift I owe him from before still has not been sorted out.''

''I planned to ask him what he likes yesterday, but in the end, I could not bring myself to say it...''

''Right now, it is just the two of us, and the atmosphere seems quite nice. It is the perfect opportunity to ask...''

She parted her lips and lifted her eyes, the words already resting on the tip of her tongue.

"Yan—"

However, the moment she raised her gaze, she saw Yan Huan moving the Mouse pointer toward the browser icon.

And down in the taskbar, that icon was already highlighted, indicating that the browser was already open.

She suddenly remembered that when she woke up that morning, she had tried opening the browser to revisit that strange website.

She had managed to get in, but the lag was horrendous.

At that exact moment, it was time to leave for school. Aunt Chen came to rush her, so she simply minimized the window, closed the Laptop, and shoved it into her School Bag to let Yan Huan take a look at it.

After a whole morning of classes, she had completely forgotten that she had left the computer in sleep mode without ever closing the browser.

And now, Yan Huan''s Mouse was about to click open that very browser?

"Older Sister Shiyu, I will just download some Antivirus Software from the internet and run a scan for you. This will be fixed in no time."

''Inside...''

''Inside there is... something he absolutely must not see!!''

Beside him, Ye Shiyu''s face turned paler and paler. The Mobile Phone in her hand slipped down silently, lighting up with a sinister, bewitching purple glow.

Her lips trembled slightly, and she abruptly called out Yan Huan''s name, using the affectionate nickname that only his mother ever used,

"Xiao Huan..."

"Ah? Older Sister Shiyu, wha—"

Hearing that nickname, Yan Huan turned his head toward her in immediate surprise.

However, what met his eyes was an all-too-familiar, deep purple swirling vortex on the Phone Screen.

[Effect: Individual Hypnosis]

[Duration: 15 minutes]

[Timer, Start]

Yan Huan: "????"