The System is Abstract, Luckily, So Am I

"Principal, actually I'm not particularly fond of showing off. How about we skip next week's flag-raising speech?" Lin Li tentatively suggested.

Speaking about this in front of all the teachers and students in the school—a seventeen-year-old really couldn't handle it.

This would be more embarrassing than telling the whole class about his dream of embracing left and right.

Headache. Principal Wang really had a headache now.

He'd almost forgotten about this if Lin Li hadn't mentioned it.

Now all his original plans were ruined.

Should he still post on the official account? Still put up announcements? Still arrange interviews?

After doing all this, could he really advance further on his promotion path, rather than becoming a laughingstock among friends?

He thought he'd pulled off something impressive, but how did it seem like he'd made a huge mess now?

Damn, why did he use the broadcast to call Lin Li earlier? He hadn't expected regret to come so quickly! Now all of Grades 1 and 2 were probably curious about what this 'Lin Li' student had done. He should have quietly asked Xue Jian to bring Lin Li over.

"Since you feel embarrassed, I definitely respect your wishes. If you really don't want to go on stage, forget it." Principal Wang climbed down the pole, smiling and nodding.

The principal was scared? He seemed even less willing to see that scene than himself—then Lin Li wasn't afraid anymore!

"A gentleman treats me as a person of worth, so I must repay him as a person of worth! It's fine, Principal! Since you think it's necessary, how could I care about my face? I accept this speech!" Lin Li declared loudly with emotion.

Principal: "?"

Who the hell said it was necessary? Who the hell treated you as a person of worth?

Don't be sensible when you don't need to be sensible!

"No no no no no—" The principal quickly waved his hands. "I checked the weather forecast. Next Monday's morning assembly will probably be canceled. Let's talk about this later, later."

He was sweating buckets, man. Even if it didn't rain next Monday, the morning assembly had to be canceled—delayed until there were no more assemblies this semester, or even until his term ended.

"No, I want to speak!" Lin Li's voice was powerful and resonant.

"No, you don't want to speak!" The principal's voice was no weaker than his.

Because of their proximity, Yang Liang could see Lin Li's slight smile.

This kid was indeed deliberately stirring things up. But this made Yang Liang feel even more sorry for Lin Li—constantly performing like this to disguise and hide his true heart must be very tiring, right?

Lin Li got goosebumps from this gaze. Why was Yang Liang still playing the gentle mature man persona?

Sister Sun, why don't you just give in to him?

"To prevent Student Lin from possible retaliation afterward, this matter isn't suitable for public discussion right now." Sun Ying spoke up, finally saving the sweating Principal Wang.

"I see, that's such a pity and regret. But our Nansang Middle School will definitely cooperate well with police arrangements." Saying it was a pity and regret, but the principal's mouth was curved like Nike as he wiped sweat from his forehead and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Then Sun Ying looked at Lin Li:

"Student Lin, for our publicity needs, we still need to take at least a few photos. Your case will also be recorded by us. Um, but don't worry—when the article is published, your appearance will be pixelated, we'll use a pseudonym, and we'll... only briefly describe the part where you collected evidence and reported."

As long as they didn't say Lin Li was one of the customers that day, those people couldn't suspect Lin Li even after being released.

Of course, the main reason was that the Demon Suppression Bureau couldn't afford to lose face either.

"Okay." Lin Li nodded. "But can the pseudonym be Little Li?"

"Huh? Why?" Sun Ying was curious.

"Because my nickname is Li Feiyu." Lin Li said seriously.

"That's no problem, I'll just mention it." Sun Ying nodded indifferently, then said: "But Student Lin, now we need you to take two photos with us—one holding the banner, one holding the prize money. Please cooperate."

"Okay."

Lin Li nodded, took the banner Yang Liang handed over, shook it out, and spread it on the coffee table.

[Anti-Prostitution Pioneer]

Lin Li: "..."

Heaven above, I didn't mean to betray you.

Principal Wang, who had originally wanted to ask if he could participate in this group photo, was now glad he hadn't spoken up.

"This is a double-sided banner. If you don't like it, there's another side." Yang Liang said.

The back read [Heroic Youth].

The principal breathed a sigh of relief—thankfully there was this alternative. Any fool would know which was more appropriate.

"Let's stick with Anti-Prostitution Pioneer." Lin Li immediately flipped it back.

Principal: "?"

Damn, there really was a fool.

Lin Li just thought Heroic Youth was too ordinary. Anyway, he'd be pixelated and his name changed to Little Li—holding Anti-Prostitution Pioneer looked so cool.

Principal Wang pondered how his school had cultivated such talent.

Xue Jian was even more puzzled about how he ended up with such a student.

Sun Ying didn't mind. Anti-prostitution was part of their regular work anyway. This was just a title, nothing shameful—otherwise they wouldn't have chosen to print it.

It might even gain some traffic for educational publicity.

"Principal, won't you join the group photo?" Sun Ying thoughtfully asked Principal Wang.

The principal awkwardly waved his hand: "I'm relatively indifferent to fame and fortune. I'll take photos for you instead. Teacher Xue, why don't you stand next to Student Lin?"

"I'm also indifferent to fame and fortune. Let me be camera angle two." Xue Jian firmly refused.

So the two officers had to stand on Lin Li's left and right.

After the banner photo, came the red envelope Lin Li was more looking forward to.

Damn, 3699!

Three days ago this could have bought an imperial-level service at Light Earl Health Club!

A full ten Spring Breeze Elves (Li Kui mold)!

"Three thousand three is the prize money we applied for, the remaining 399 is your original principal." Sun Ying explained.

"Thank you very much." Lin Li showed a completely sincere smile.

After taking photos, Sun Ying handed over another red envelope, saying:

"Besides these things, this is a supermarket card for specific items—it's all written on there. You can exchange it for oil, rice, flour and other daily necessities at designated supermarkets. This is also your reward, specially fought for by Officer Yang as an extra prize from their police station's own allocation. You can thank Officer Yang."

More money!

Lin Li didn't cook much, but converting this kind of card to cash was too simple—people would buy it even at 95% value.

"Thank you Uncle Yang!" So Lin Li again sincerely thanked Yang Liang alone.

Who said Yang Liang's warm uncle persona was fake?

This was Yang Liang's true nature! If Lin Li ever heard such claims again, he'd definitely argue with them!

[Task Two completed.]

[You have received rewards: Constitution Improvement: Charm technique resistance increased by 100%, internal yang energy concentration increased by 50%; Lower-grade Spirit Stone × 5; System Currency × 200.]

[Sacrificing the small self to achieve the greater self—a true hero! Though new to the field, you brought shock to the Demon Suppression Bureau!

The Demon Suppression Bureau grants you the title of Demon-Slaying Pioneer. If not for your insufficient cultivation, they would hate not to directly recruit you as a local Demon Suppression officer!

A gentleman treats me as a person of worth, so I repay him as a person of worth! Having received this title, you must continue practicing demon elimination!

Seek out more local pleasure demon cultivator hideouts and assist the Demon Suppression Bureau in clearing them out.]

[Timed Task Triggered!]

[Task Two: Within one month, discover and deeply cooperate with the Demon Suppression Bureau to clear out three more pleasure demon cultivator strongholds.]

[Reward: Title: Light of Xiling; Random Ability × 1; Lower-grade Spirit Stone × 5; System Currency × 200.]

[Light of Xiling: When equipped, you will emanate righteous light. Righteous cultivation method speed increased by 50%, evil cultivation method speed decreased by 50%. Evil spirits and demons will subconsciously feel some fear toward you.]

Lin Li raised an eyebrow.

Again?

(End of Chapter)