Chapter-06
The Innate Bootlicker Physique
Inside the bar.
Pei Nian’an handed Yu Zhi a glass of wine, only to see Yu Zhi holding the drink in one hand and clutching her backpack tightly with the other—like a mother hen protecting her chick.
Pei Nian’an shot her a look of disgust.
“Why are you holding onto that shabby bag like it’s treasure? What’s the point of hugging it all night?”
“How can you call it shabby?” Yu Zhi grinned cheekily. “This bag carries all the love you’ve given me, Sister Pei~”
Pei Nian’an shuddered, feeling goosebumps prickle up her arms. She frowned.
“Don’t talk nonsense. I only love Brother Chengnian.”
Yu Zhi pouted. This rich young lady was truly the definition of a hopeless romantic—completely immune to reason.
Looking at the bustling crowd in the bar, Yu Zhi felt uneasy as she patted the bundle of cash in her bag.
I can’t keep carrying this around every day… but if I deposit it, the system will automatically take it to pay my debt…
Her eyes drifted to the “walking ATM” beside her—
No, wait, the villainess heiress!
A lightbulb went off in Yu Zhi’s mind.
“Sister Pei,” Yu Zhi leaned closer. “Can I trade you some cash for a WeChat transfer?”
Pei Nian’an looked at her like she was an idiot. “How much?”
“One—ten thousand.” Yu Zhi raised one finger, flashing her sweetest smile.
At the number, and then glancing at Yu Zhi’s bulging bag, Pei Nian’an finally caught on.
“Yu Zhi, are you out of your mind?” Pei Nian’an raised her voice. “You want to exchange my money with me for the same money?”
The nearby rich kids burst into laughter.
Yu Zhi scratched her cheek awkwardly. “Never mind, I’ll just exchange it at the convenience store later…”
Pei Nian’an rolled her eyes, tapped a few times on her phone, and said, “Done.”
Yu Zhi’s phone chimed.
She opened WeChat and saw a 10,000 yuan transfer. Her eyes lit up.
“Thank you, Sister Pei! You’re my fairy goddess!”
She hurriedly unzipped her bag. “The cash is right here, Sister Pei, you—”
“Ugh, just keep it!” Pei Nian’an waved her hand like swatting a fly.
“Who wants your stupid bag? Keep the cash; ten thousand isn’t even worth the trouble of picking up.”
Yu Zhi: “!!!”
The others burst out laughing.
Unbothered by their judgmental stares, Yu Zhi’s eyes sparkled.
“Sister Pei, you’re so generous!”
She hugged her backpack tighter, grinning ear to ear.
So this is what it feels like to live around rich people? To bask in the glory of wealth?!
It was simply too wonderful!!!
When Yu Zhi got home, it was already past 1 a.m.
She tiptoed through the door, only to find the living room light still on.
Shao Jinghe was curled up on the couch. Hearing the sound, she jolted awake.
“Xiao Zhi, you’re back—cough, cough…” She got up quickly, suppressing her coughs. “Mom left you some dinner.”
Yu Zhi looked over to see a bowl of soggy noodles with a fried egg floating beside it.
Shao Jinghe fished a sausage out of her pocket and pressed it into Yu Zhi’s hand.
“Your dad’s asleep. He doesn’t know. Eat quickly!”
Holding that sausage, Yu Zhi’s throat tightened.
Shao Jinghe suddenly doubled over coughing, her thin shoulders shaking.
Yu Zhi rushed to hand her a glass of water.
After two sips, Shao Jinghe’s voice turned hoarse.
“Xiao Zhi, finish eating and go to bed early. You’ve got school tomorrow.”
She turned to leave.
“Mom,” Yu Zhi grabbed her hand. “I have some money now. Let me take you away from here, okay?”
Shao Jinghe froze for a moment, then looked at Yu Zhi and gently shook her head.
“Xiao Zhi, keep your money for yourself. And don’t ever let your father find out…”
“I know! I won’t give him a single cent.” Yu Zhi squeezed her mother’s hand.
“I can take you out right now. We can rent a place—just the two of us, far away from him. Please?”
Shao Jinghe’s eyes reddened, but she pressed down Yu Zhi’s hand firmly. Her voice trembled, yet remained resolute.
“I can’t, Xiao Zhi. This illness… I can’t go without the medicine. I won’t drag you down.”
Then she turned and went back to her room.
Yu Zhi stood silently in the living room, staring at the bowl of noodles topped with chopped scallions.
Then she looked around the tiny apartment—less than sixty square meters, small enough to see everything at a glance.
She sighed and sat down at the table.
[System]: So, when are you planning to move out?
Yu Zhi replied: I’m not. If I leave, Shao Jinghe won’t survive.
She didn’t have any real bond with the original host’s parents, but since she was now living as Yu Zhi, she’d fulfill the responsibilities that came with it.
At 6:30 a.m., the alarm blared like a death sentence.
Half-asleep, Yu Zhi dragged herself out of bed.
She’d checked her class schedule the night before—first period was piano, and Professor Zhou, who taught it, was notoriously strict. Skip class once, and you’d fail.
After rushing through her wash-up routine, she grabbed her bag and ran.
By the time she reached campus, it was nearly eight. She sprinted toward the music building, clutching her bag.
The piano classroom was already filled.
Yu Zhi took a seat in the back and stared at the piano in front of her, anxiety creeping in.
There was only one problem—she had no idea how to play.
Seriously? she thought. I was a tone-deaf office worker in my past life, and now I have to take piano class?
She called out in her mind:
Hey, System! Got any quick way for me to learn piano? I’m not the old Yu Zhi—what if they find out I’m faking it?
[System]: Let me check.
After rummaging around noisily, it finally replied:
[System]: Found one! Skill Exchange Card.
Yu Zhi’s eyes sparkled. Use it! Quick, use it!
[System]: You’re broke. The card costs 1,000 yuan—you can’t afford it.
Yu Zhi: …You’ve got to be kidding me. So I have to pay off my debt before I even get a cheat?
System, are you expecting me to relearn piano from scratch? You still consider me human?
The system hesitated, then said thoughtfully:
[System]: Hmm, you have a point. Rules are dead, people are alive… and I am the one who makes the rules.
[System]: Okay, how about this—if you win Pei Nian’an’s favor, you’ll earn “Affection Points.” You can use those to exchange for items. Deal?
Yu Zhi: Perfect! You’re such a good baby, System! Mwah!
The system flushed red from the praise.
As expected from my chosen host—born with an innate bootlicker physique! it thought.
So sweet-tongued… I almost want to give her free Affection Points right now!
In the classroom, the students began practicing one by one, the overlapping piano sounds creating a chaotic mess.
Yu Zhi sneaked a look at the girl beside her, trying to copy her movements.
Useless. She couldn’t understand a thing.
Just then, Pei Nian’an strolled in, yawning, and sat beside her.
Yu Zhi immediately greeted her:
“Good morning, Sister Pei!”
Pei Nian’an groaned, “What’s good about it? It’s a bad morning.”
Yu Zhi instantly nodded in agreement.
“Sister Pei is absolutely right!”
