Chapter 11

"I've been watching your livestreams for a year. Even though you stream whenever you feel like it, they're still pretty entertaining," Nicholas said with a small laugh. "I'm not being impulsive. It's really just about timing." "You're such a low-key rich guy. That's rare," Melody said, sneaking a glance at Nicholas. She had one more thought in mind that she didn't say out loud. Someone like Nicholas, who not only had a nice personality but also looked great, was even harder to find among wealthy heirs. To be honest, even if Nicholas had never sent her those 21 Grand Prize Gifts, or hadn't picked her up in a Porsche that cost at least 100 thousand dollars, if he had really wanted to chase her, she wouldn't have turned him down right away. First impressions were that important. "Oh? So you've seen a lot of flashy rich guys before?" Nicholas asked with a playful smile. "No, I've only seen them online. You know how people say when God opens one door, he closes another? Well, it feels like God didn't close any doors for you. He just opened all the best ones for you!" Melody said. She couldn't help laughing, and Nicholas laughed along with her. They chatted back and forth, and the atmosphere in the car felt really comfortable. There wasn't the slightest awkwardness of a first meeting. It was more like two online friends finally meeting in person after talking for a long time. "We're here already?" Melody mumbled under her breath when the car pulled up at the university's gate. "What's wrong? Don't want to get out?" Nicholas teased. "I just feel really relaxed and happy talking to you," Melody said, sticking out her tongue before unfastening her seatbelt and opening the door. She hesitated for a moment, then turned to look at Nicholas. "Um... if you have time later, could I ask you out for a meal again?" "Sure. Just let me know when," Nicholas said with a friendly smile. "Great." Melody smiled back and got out of the car. "Bye!" She shut the door and waved at him through the window with a sweet smile. "See you," Nicholas said, waving in return. Then, he slowly drove away. "Melody Lane's Affection Factor +5!" On the way back to Delta district, Nicholas heard another notification in his mind from the system, which made him think for a moment. If he remembered right, Melody's Affection Factor toward him had reached about 32 now. "Wow. That's a pretty big jump! 32 points is almost at the stage of flirting," Nicholas thought. He knew a bit about how the system's Affection Factor worked. Generally, zero points meant strangers. Below ten points meant only a faint impression. Around ten points meant a pretty good impression. From about 11 to 30 points, it usually meant a normal friendship. Once it passed 30 points, if it was with someone of the opposite sex, it often meant there was some interest in becoming a couple. If Nicholas wanted to, a few teasing words or a little physical closeness could definitely speed up Melody's feelings for him. "That's why I need money, but I also need to improve my personal qualities," Nicholas thought, glancing at himself in the car's mirror. He couldn't help but curve his lips into a slight smile. ... When Nicholas got to the old apartment building he rented in the Delta District, it was already around 2:30 p.m. He parked his car, grabbed the shopping bags, and headed up to the third floor. By chance, he ran into Queenie at the turn of the staircase. "Hey, Queenie," Nicholas said, greeting her. "Huh?" Queenie looked Nicholas up and down, clearly surprised by how different he appeared. "Wow! This outfit is really nice!" she thought. "Queenie Stone's Affection Factor +2!" Nicholas heard the system prompt in his mind and quietly nodded to himself. Clothes really did make the man. "Did you go on a shopping spree?" Queenie asked, glancing at him again. Her eyes showed genuine amazement. "I haven't seen you in months, and now you're wearing Armani. Wait, is that a Rolex Submariner? Nick, did you finish your little life experience phase and decide to inherit your family business?" Nicholas looked completely different now, especially with Master-Level Piano Proficiency adding to his presence. Combined with a well-fitted outfit, he really did look like a refined young heir. "Queenie, you're kidding," Nicholas said, shaking his head with a smile. "Still, you've changed a lot. Honestly, if I were ten years younger, I'd probably be head over heels for you," Queenie joked, covering her mouth as she laughed. She wasn't the curviest woman around, but she definitely had a nice figure. Her fitted blue top emphasized her ample chest even more. When she laughed, Nicholas couldn't help but notice how they shook with her laughter. "You... you're making me a little embarrassed," Nicholas said, scratching his head with a sheepish smile. If he hadn't known that Queenie's Affection Factor for him was still only seven points, he might have taken her words more seriously and said something wild in return. "Queenie Stone's Affection Factor +3!" A system notification sounded in his mind, making Nicholas pause. She had just added three points for him, bringing the total to ten. "Alright. I won't tease you anymore. I have to go pick up my daughter from her piano lesson. We'll chat later," Queenie said, waving as she passed him on her way downstairs. "Piano?" Nicholas echoed, thinking it over. Sometimes he could hear simple piano notes during the day when he was at home. So, her daughter was studying piano? "Wait!" Nicholas felt like he had caught onto something and suddenly got an idea. He had Master-Level Piano Proficiency now. He could definitely teach a little girl how to play, right? "Queenie's Attractiveness score is 92. Having her as a target for that reward task might not be a bad idea," he thought, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He was referring to that special reward task, which had very generous prizes—Jazona Divine Garden Villa No. 1 and a limited-edition Pagani Zonda. He had looked them up. The properties at Jazona Divine Garden were expensive. They had seaside apartments, large condos, and nine exclusive villas that were extremely rare. It was rumored online that Villa No. 1 was worth at least hundreds of millions, possibly more. Moreover, a property labeled "No. 1" wasn't something one could simply buy with money. Even the villa alone was enough to make Nicholas want to complete the task. On top of that, a limited-edition Pagani Zonda would start at several million. He already felt pretty stylish driving his Porsche Cayenne, which cost well over 100 thousand. Imagine rolling around in a multi-million Pagani Zonda. He'd draw everyone's attention in an instant. "Perfect. Now I have even more motivation. I need to finish that somewhat challenging reward task as soon as possible, for the sake of owning Villa No. 1 and that luxury Pagani Zonda!" Nicholas thought.