The bad value system is measuring values.

Chapter 145 Relationship

Qiao Xiao thought to herself, "Oh no, it seems I've accidentally strained the relationship between the two of them."

She frowned, looked directly at Jiang Yu, and said in a somewhat serious tone, "Jiang Yu, I'm not in a good mood right now. You make it sound so easy for us to live together, but for me, it's a big decision that requires careful consideration."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu was clearly stunned. His usually shrewd eyes revealed a rare look of bewilderment and ignorance.

He scratched his head in a slightly flustered manner and quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, it's my fault. I really didn't consider this issue properly."

Qiao Xiao then added, "Our relationship isn't even officially defined yet, and we're already starting to live together so abruptly. Have you considered how this will affect my reputation?"

As she spoke, a powerful aura emanated from her eyes, as if she could see right through Jiang Yu.

Faced with Qiao Xiao's sharp questioning, Jiang Yu suddenly became somewhat at a loss.

He stammered in response, "I...I think...we..." but then he couldn't find the words to continue.

Qiao Xiao sighed heavily, thinking, "Sigh, I really don't want to try to win him over."

Jiang Yu stared intently at her, his pace unwavering. His heart was filled with a chaotic and uncertain feeling, like a leaf falling in a storm, but he still followed closely behind without hesitation.

Qiao Xiao simply couldn't understand how this academic genius could be so naive and ignorant when it came to interpersonal relationships, like a blank sheet of paper.

She has never been interested in guiding others, let alone taking the initiative to do so.

She felt that this so-called strategy mission was even less enjoyable than staying in the other world; it was incredibly boring!

The two continued walking in silence, until suddenly Qiao Xiao stopped without warning.

Jiang Yu was caught off guard and crashed straight into her.

Qiao Xiao frowned and exclaimed softly.

"I'm sorry! Are you alright?"

Jiang Yu instantly became flustered. His demeanor changed drastically whenever he was with Qiao Xiao.

Qiao Xiao stared at him with a hint of helplessness, thinking, "This guy is such a dullard."

"I'm fine." Qiao Xiao shook her head gently, rubbing the spot where she had been bumped, and said slowly, "But... how long do you intend to keep following me?"

Jiang Yu seemed to be frozen in place, his fox-like eyes fixed on Qiao.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment, and the surrounding noise gradually faded away, leaving only him and the girl in front of him who was causing him so much distress.

Qiao Xiao sighed helplessly, her sigh as cold as the autumn wind, making Jiang Yu's heart tighten.

She slowly said, "Jiang Yu, I need to go to the supermarket to buy some things. Let's part ways here for now. After you go back, calm down and think about what's going on between us. Come find me when you've figured it out."

Before she finished speaking, Qiao Xiao turned and walked towards another intersection, her steps firm and resolute.

Jiang Yu stood there motionless, watching Qiao Xiao's figure gradually disappear into the distance.

He only snapped out of his daze when Qiao Xiao had completely disappeared into the darkness of the street corner.

His heart was already filled with disappointment, as if a huge boulder weighing a thousand pounds was pressing on his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.

He raised his head, looked up at the deep night sky, gently took off his glasses, and carefully rubbed the lenses with his fingers.

The streets were unusually deserted at night, with only Jiang Yu's lonely footsteps echoing beside the empty streets. He was worried about Qiao Xiao, but upon closer reflection, he realized that her abilities were superior to his own, and she was the one who had to protect him, so he gave up on the idea.

Finally, he arrived at the door of that so-called home.

This home was nothing more than a place of residence in name only, more like a cage that imprisoned his freedom.

The place was filled with fake smiles and insincere concern, and every breath he took made him feel incredibly oppressed, as if he were about to suffocate.

Jiang Yu skillfully reached out to the usual spot where the key was kept, and after groping around for a while, he successfully found the familiar key.

When he opened the door, he was greeted by complete darkness. The room was dark, and the cold, desolate atmosphere made his heart sink once again.

The time he spent with Qiao Xiao was always filled with warm lights, cozy and peaceful; but now, all that beauty is gone.

In an instant, Jiang Yu felt as if he had fallen from heaven to hell, with endless darkness enveloping him.

He slowly entered his room, locked the door, frowned, and stared intently out the window, lost in deep thought. He kept questioning himself about what he had done wrong.

"I thought...we were already together," he murmured to himself, his voice low and trembling slightly.

Before he finished speaking, a single, crystal-clear tear slid slowly down his handsome cheek, as if it carried endless sorrow and loss.

Over the years, he has never known how to express love properly.

In his mind, as long as two people can live together and support and care for each other, they are like family.

But only now did he realize that perhaps their feelings for each other were not as deep as he had imagined.

"Am I really that self-centered? Does being more self-centered make one more stubborn? Am I too stubborn, Yan?"

He gazed into the distance, his eyes vacant and lifeless, as if trying to find answers in the vast sky.

The next morning, the sunlight shone as usual on that familiar stairwell entrance.

Jiang Yu arrived early and stood quietly, his eyes fixed on the front, eagerly anticipating seeing that familiar figure appear.

Time passed second by second, but half an hour later, there was still no sign of her.

Jiang Yu's mood became increasingly anxious, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Finally, unable to contain his anxiety any longer, he urgently called out, "Where is everyone? Why aren't they here yet?"

Immediately afterward, he quickly took out his phone and dialed his homeroom teacher's number without hesitation. After the call was connected, he explained to his teacher in a slightly nervous tone that he had encountered a special situation and urgently needed to ask for a day off.

After hanging up the phone, he placed his finger on the dial pad to call Qiao Xiao again, repeating the action while muttering, "Answer the phone! Answer the phone now!"

However, no matter how many times he dialed, all he heard on the other end of the line was a worrying busy tone, with no response for a long time.

An unprecedented sense of panic surged through him. Without thinking, he immediately started running frantically along the nearby streets, glancing around as he ran, not missing any corner where he might spot Qiao Xiao.

Just as he was feeling desperate, a familiar laugh instantly caught his attention.

He suddenly looked up and followed the sound. He saw Qiao Xiao walking side by side with a handsome boy on the path not far away. They were chatting and laughing, looking very close.

The sunlight shone on them, creating a beautiful scene, but to him at that moment, it was so blinding.

Jiang Yu felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, the cold seeping into his bones.

His hands unconsciously clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, but the pain was nothing compared to the agony in his heart.

Despite being filled with anger and resentment, Jiang Yu suppressed his impulse and did not step forward to question them.

It's not so much that he's afraid to face the truth, but rather that he's afraid to hear words that might break his heart.

He could only silently turn around and walk away slowly with heavy steps. Every step felt like stepping on a knife's edge, causing him unbearable pain.

The system captured this scene and quickly informed Qiao Xiao.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiao was first taken aback, then a look of confusion appeared on her face.

"He should be clearer. How am I supposed to know what he's thinking when he's so hesitant?" Qiao Xiao muttered softly.

She had thought she knew Jiang Yu well enough, but at this moment, she was completely baffled.

The handsome young man standing to the side was none other than Liu Ye's half-brother, Liu Xin. He had come at his sister's request to pick up Qiao Xiao and take her to her place for a short visit.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiao's eyes lit up, and she became as excited as a child. Rather than painstakingly trying to win over others, she was more interested in dealing with these seemingly glamorous but actually filthy people.

However, to her surprise, Jiang Yu happened to witness this scene. This was completely unexpected, leaving her momentarily at a loss.

"Automatic Triggering Plot Options"

Option one is to immediately go after Jiang Yu and explain things to him;

Option two is to stay where you are and continue with Liu Xin to Liu Ye's place.

She couldn't help but wonder to herself, "Which choice will increase Jiang Yu's favorability towards me?"

She became increasingly hesitant in her choices, instead agonizing over which option was more advantageous.

Urged on by the system's countdown, Qiao Xiao decided to pursue Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu walked aimlessly through the streets, feeling as if his heart was being torn apart.

"Jiang Yu!" Qiao Xiao called out his name loudly.

Jiang Yu stopped and turned around, his eyes filled with pain and confusion.

"Why did you do this?" Qiao Xiao walked up to him. "You saw me with someone else, and you just left like this, looking so dejected? You don't fight for anything, you just push me away."

Jiang Yu complained softly, sounding aggrieved, "I told you..."

Qiao Xiao retorted, "That's not saying anything, that's just talking nonsense. I don't even know what you're trying to say." She took a deep breath and continued, "So, Jiang, have you thought it through? What exactly is your relationship with me?"

Jiang Yu dared not say much to the angry Qiao Xiao, because she was his benefactor. His feelings for her were too complicated, including admiration, gratitude, dependence, and affection. He couldn't quite put his finger on their relationship; he felt that all of these things existed between them.

At one point, he also felt lost.

Qiao Xiao looked at Jiang Yu, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes. She turned to leave, but Jiang Yu grabbed her arm.

"I...I don't know, but I don't want to lose you," Jiang Yu said, mustering her courage.

Qiao Xiao's heart skipped a beat. She turned to look at Jiang Yu, and their eyes met, creating a slightly ambiguous atmosphere.

"Then you need to understand the relationship between us," Qiao Xiao said softly.

Jiang Yu nodded, looking intently at Qiao Xiao, as if trying to see into her heart through her eyes.

"Give me some time, okay?" Jiang Yu said softly.

Qiao Xiao nodded slightly, "Just a little."

The two walked silently down the street.

System notification: "Jiang Yu's favorability has increased by five. Current favorability is seventy-five."