"This is my friend, Brown Oscar."
After Qi Yuan had saved him from a lovers' quarrel, Adrian unilaterally declared them friends. He was about to introduce Qi Yuan to his friend when he realized his new friend had fallen behind.
Noticing where Qi Yuan's gaze was directed, Adrian explained with a hint of envy in his eyes, "That area is reserved for ability users and wealthy people."
The three of them continued walking forward, with the bustling crowd giving off a festive atmosphere. However, due to the small town's limited population, even with many out-of-towners coming to participate, it wasn't crowded.
"Caroline!"
A female voice called from behind. Caroline heard her name and turned towards the source, running excitedly in that direction.
Two young women were standing there, waving in their direction.
"Lily, Rachel."
Caroline, acting as the intermediary, introduced the two women to them and then introduced Qi Yuan and Adrian to the women.
Lily smiled and greeted them, while Rachel looked to be in a bad mood but still nodded politely.
The three women, reunited after a long time, gathered to chat.
Adrian walked behind with Qi Yuan, looking miserable. "They'll probably chat until the event starts, and my buddies either have girlfriends or have gone to flirt."
After saying this, he realized he might have missed something and added, "Except for you."
"I don't have time to maintain a relationship."
It's futile to argue with love-obsessed people that being single can also be happy; they'll just say you should try it to know how happy it can be.
Since it was just a cover identity, Qi Yuan wasn't worried about being exposed.
"Well, it's a shame about all the pretty women around. Haven't you noticed they've been sneaking glances at you?"
What is it about people who've tasted the sweetness of love that makes them want to play matchmaker?
Qi Yuan looked around with a deadpan expression and indeed saw many women looking in their direction.
When they met his gaze, instead of looking away, they waved in greeting or nodded acknowledgment.
In an instant, many men cast hostile glances his way.
Something wasn't right...
Normally, women should primarily look with admiration, while men would glance twice, harboring thoughts of wanting to catch up to his abilities, and almost never consider him a romantic rival.
This was Qi Yuan's first thought, but then he remembered he had changed his appearance.
Sure enough, the external manifestation of abilities affected others' judgments.
Even with a change to an ordinary appearance, the effect was still notable.
Adrian leaned in close, whispering, "The two ladies in front are also sneaking glances at you, but they're ability users, in a different world from us."
At such close range, they couldn't possibly not hear, so there was no point in trying to hide it.
Qi Yuan followed his gaze and looked over.
Rachel coldly glanced back, "Is talking about people behind their backs what gentlemen do? Don't look at me, it's disgusting."
With that, she strode forward, leaving a gap between them.
"Don't be angry, there's a reason for this," Lily explained with a smile. "She's been pestered by a guy recently, so she might be worried you'll get into trouble. Actually, it's clear she likes you a bit, but unfortunately, you're just an ordinary person. Of course, the same goes for me."
Having said that, she pressed down her skirt and caught up with Rachel.
Qi Yuan didn't feel much after hearing this, only marveling at how cruel the real world of ordinary people could be.
Caroline, on the other hand, seemed lost in thought and sighed.
Adrian, noticing his girlfriend's low spirits, put his arm around her. "What's wrong? Weren't you looking forward to meeting them?"
Caroline forced a smile and whispered in her boyfriend's ear. With Qi Yuan's enhanced physical abilities as an ability user, it was hard not to overhear.
"They're very nice to me, but when Lily and Rachel talk about things, it sounds so interesting, and I can't join in. When I try to bring up topics, they listen attentively. But even though we're close, I can feel that Lily and Rachel aren't really interested."
"They just said that ordinary people and ability users are in two different worlds, and I deeply felt that. Adrian, I'm afraid you'll join that world too."
Qi Yuan quietly moved to the side, letting the couple confide in each other.
It's good that the class divide in Dragon Country isn't so severe. No wonder the country wants ordinary people and ability users to attend school together. If they're separated for too long, even without discrimination, they'll form separate camps.
But it might also be because Dragon Country has too many things to argue about, like the North-South divide or sweet vs. salty food preferences, which are enough for them to battle it out for 300 rounds. One second they're in opposing camps, the next they're on the same side.
Lily and Rachel noticed Caroline hadn't kept up, so they came back to find her.
Seeing the couple embracing, Lily dragged Rachel over to him.
Rachel looked embarrassed, kicking the ground with her toe. "I'm really sorry about earlier."
"Rachel! Guided by fate, I've finally found you!"
A man wearing gaudy, flashy clothes approached, carrying roses. He was well-groomed, with his head held high and chest puffed out, striding towards them.
He dropped to one knee, offering the roses, attracting many onlookers.
Qi Yuan's toes curled, trying to contribute to the construction efforts of Bitfour Country.
Lily also had an odd expression, leaning back tactically.
Rachel stepped back, waving her hands hurriedly, "I'm sorry, Hansen, I just want to level up quickly."
"We can level up together."
Hansen, ignoring others' gazes, continued his passionate confession while reaching for Rachel's hand.
Rachel swatted his hand away without hesitation, coldly saying, "I want to level up on my own."
Hansen stood up, straightening his back, and shouted with full force as if afraid others wouldn't hear, "I'm an illusion-type ability user, the same category as the strongest ability user, Qi Yuan."
Hearing his name, Qi Yuan reflexively turned to look.
After hearing the content clearly, he couldn't help but exclaim inwardly, "Good grief!"
How many times must he have said it for his name pronunciation to be so accurate?
Lily held her head in her hands. Here we go again.
Every time he's rejected, it's the same speech.
Her ears were nearly calloused from hearing it so often, she could even fluently recite what came next.
Don't be so stubborn! I know girls tend to be reserved, I'll give you more time to consider.
"Don't be so stubborn, has this pretty boy deceived you?"
Huh? This time it's different?
She watched as Hansen threw the roses on the ground and came towards them.
Lily snapped back to reality, standing in front of Qi Yuan and demanding sternly, "What do you think you're doing? He's an ordinary person."
"Get out of the way, Lily!"
Hansen clenched his fists, his face turning red as a pig's liver. "I'm sorry, but I don't like you anymore. Now my heart and soul belong to Rachel."
Lily didn't budge an inch, with no intention of moving aside. She rolled her eyes dramatically at Hansen. "As I recall, I never agreed to anything with you."
"I know, girls' damned reserve! Move aside!"
He looked menacingly at Qi Yuan, taunting, "Hiding behind a woman, are you even a man?"