How Am I Still Alive?

Dawn Avenue, located in the bustling Dawn Business District of the ancient city, is also the center of administration and education.

The building at number three on the street is the ancient city government office, while at number 133 is the ancient city sports center, where various large-scale sports events are held.

In particular, the Chasers Sports Hall, with its first-class sports facilities and training system, is very popular among the citizens.

After having breakfast and seeing Xia Qin off to work, then playing a couple of games, Lu Ping'an came here to meet his old prey and look for new ones...

"Too slow! It's already nine o'clock! If you don't come soon, we're leaving."

As soon as he stepped onto the track, he was stopped at the entrance by someone.

The not-so-tall figure was drenched in sweat, and the tight, red athletic clothes revealed well-defined muscles. With a spiky haircut that seemed to reach for the sky, the young man looked quite hot.

Lei Huoren, 24 years old, not a student... He was a member of Xia Qin's team and had a peculiar reputation as "a very fast man" according to other people's evaluations.

"...We didn't make a specific appointment, did we?"

"Since we didn't set a specific time, the earlier, the better! Time is precious, especially for us young people. How could you sleep so late? We came here at four in the morning. If you hadn't come, we wouldn't be able to run any further and could only go home."

You came at four? Waiting for over five hours? And you've been exercising this whole time? Is this "prey" a little too disciplined?!

While looking forward to tomorrow's harvest, Lu Ping'an had nothing to say as he saw the eager Lei Huoren in front of him and applied the BUFF.

[Investment takes effect, Life-points -1.]

Before the system prompt had subsided, the disciplined youngster dashed off, disappearing in a flash.

Lu Ping'an couldn't help but sigh, feeling that this "prey" was too disciplined, which in turn made him feel rather like a useless fish.

"As expected from the 'very fast man'. He really is fast."

However, have you just focused on being fast and forgotten something?

Who is this girl in front of me that came with you? How could you leave her behind like this...?

"Hello, you must be Lu Ping'an? My brother introduced me. I'm Lei Shuiyun, a soon-to-be college entrance examination candidate..."

The sister who was left behind by her brother also had a bitter smile on her face. What kind of introduction was that when the person introducing had run off already?

She was not very tall, or rather, her small height and big eyes made her look quite cute. Her plump cheeks were full of helplessness.

Like her brother, her unyielding hair was neatly combed, and with the pink hair clip decorated with a little cat pattern, she looked like a well-behaved girl.

There was also a pink cat pattern on her clothes, making her look even younger than her age mentioned in the intelligence.

Wasn't she supposed to be a high school senior? She looked more like a middle school student.

"Hello, new prey... ahem, Miss Lei, your brother should have told you the specifics, right? What do you think, can you accept the conditions?"

"We should be of the same age, right? Or should I call you senior brother? I heard that you're also going to apply for Ancient City University, Meow?"

"Meow?"

This strange habit made Lu Ping'an frown.

But since Lu Ping'an had been on sick leave for almost a year, it wasn't wrong to call him a senior brother. However, calling him "brother" as soon as they met indicated she had a request, didn't it?

The girl was only fifteen this year, and her smile revealed two dimples. Her carefree eyes were bright and sunny, yet there was a hint of forced and calculated flattery.

"Meow? You must have heard wrong. What I said was 'are you also applying for Ancient City University?' I can accept the confidentiality agreements but, the 500 points per day is a bit... "

This scene reminded Lu Ping'an of his deskmate and first love from his previous life.

When she hadn't done her homework, she would give the strict Director the same pitiful look, trying to gain his sympathy.

So, he laughed.

"Oh, the 500 points were a friendly trial price for your brother. Starting today, it's 1,000."

The young girl's eyes widened, her face in disbelief. Did the price just rise like that? That's too outrageous! Couldn't you see that she was begging you?! It's not easy for a poor student like her!

"How can you be like this, senior brother? Can you help me out? My exams are just around the corner."

With her feigned adoring gaze, deliberately sweet voice, and clenched fists, Lu Ping'an's laughter grew even more joyful.

"The 1,000 points are your brother's friendly price because he's on Xia Qin's team, so we have to give him some face. For you, it's 1,200."

As he watched the girl with wide eyes and disbelief, Lu Ping'an explained a bit more, after all, finding high-quality prey like her was quite troublesome.

"It's very low already, junior sister. The ability has no side effects, and it will allow you to be twice as productive in a day. What's most important before the college entrance exam? Time and condition. A day of extraordinary state for only just over 1,000 points is a very good deal. The price will definitely go up later, as my quota is limited, and then it will be awarded to the highest bidder."

The girl hesitated even more. Was he already raising the price without even trying the product?

"How do I know there are no side effects? Powerful abilities often have hidden side effects. It can't be as miraculous as you say it is... huh?"

Lu Ping'an patted her shoulder, and she froze. The next moment, her eyes widened in shock.

[Lu Ping'an has extended an offer of 'Life Investment' which will grant you 'Life Enhancement' in exchange for 10% of your life return. Do you accept?]

A mechanical voice rang in the girl's ears.

"A high-ranked Rule System power?! How can the voice of the rules be so clear? This should be at least the realm of a 'Conversationalist'."