Chapter 3 Tutoring, [Tutoring] Bond Activated!

In Su Ze's private chat channel, a message from Counselor Jiang Yuwan made his gaze sharpen slightly.

The phrase "Come directly!" carried an undeniable decisiveness, causing Jiang Yuwan to freeze for a moment on the other side of the screen.

She was accustomed to students' respect and compliance. Such a blunt and domineering command was the first time she had ever heard it from a student's mouth.

She looked around. The hallway had already thinned out considerably.

Most people had already found their places.

Those still wandering around had faces etched with anxiety and despair.

Jiang Yuwan took a deep breath. She was not a naive young girl. As a university Counselor, she understood the harshness of reality better than any student.

In the face of this apocalypse, status, position, even so-called dignity, had all become worthless.

Beds were limited. This was a matter of life and death for the night.

As for Su Ze's public declaration, "Recruiting goddess tenants, if you're not beautiful, don't come! Serious inquiries only!"—while it confused her and even caused some displeasure,

she knew even more clearly that the most important thing right now wasn't dwelling on such matters, but survival.

Furthermore, joining a team with a male member would significantly increase the probability of obtaining a three-star package.

Even if the supplies in a three-star package might be mediocre, it was still far better than a two-star, a one-star, or worse, dying without even getting a chance at a package.

She took long strides, heading quickly towards Dormitory 404 on the 4th floor.

Jiang Yuwan soon arrived at the door of Dormitory 404.

She raised her hand and knocked. The wooden door emitted a dull thud.

The door opened.

Su Ze stood behind the door, his gaze falling on Jiang Yuwan without the slightest hint of evasion.

She wore a beige trench coat over a white blouse and black dress pants. Gold-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of her nose. Even in this environment, she maintained her usual air of cool composure and intellectuality.

Only, within those originally calm eyes, there was now a trace of barely perceptible panic and weariness.

"Student Su Ze." Jiang Yuwan's voice was slightly hoarse, carrying a hint of distance.

Su Ze did not respond, merely stepping aside to make way.

Jiang Yuwan hesitated for a moment, then entered the Dormitory.

The decaying wooden door let out a creak behind her as it slowly closed.

Inside the Dormitory, there were only three rust-stained bunk beds and dim lighting.

"Sit." Su Ze pointed to a lower bunk, his tone calm.

Jiang Yuwan complied and sat down. She looked around. Sure enough, just as others had said in the channels, everyone had the same Dormitory environment.

Su Ze spoke.

"Counselor Jiang, you now have two choices."

Jiang Yuwan's breath hitched. She had a premonition that what came next wouldn't be simple.

"First, become my woman completely and move into my Dormitory." Su Ze's gaze lingered on her face. "Second, continue wandering outside, looking for another Dormitory."

Jiang Yuwan's expression changed slightly. She struggled to maintain her composure. "Student Su Ze, what are you saying? I came to discuss with you..."

"There's nothing to discuss." Su Ze cut her off, his voice devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"I have no obligation to protect any deadweight. Unless, she is my woman."

Jiang Yuwan's lips moved. She wanted to refute, to reprimand, but those words circled in her throat and ultimately remained unspoken.

She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

"I can agree to your terms, but you..."

She paused, her tone carrying a trace of pleading.

"...you have to make me a tenant first. After all, I can't guarantee that you won't... take advantage of me and then kick me out."

Su Ze's expression didn't change at all. He simply looked at her calmly, his words utterly devoid of warmth. "Fine. However..."

"I must remind you. During the novice period, a landlord cannot 'one-click evict' or 'one-click kill' a tenant. But that doesn't mean I can't deal with you by other means."

"If a tenant dies, the spot naturally becomes vacant. Right now, what I'm giving you is your final choice and a measure of dignity. So, after becoming a tenant, don't harbor any illusions about backing out."

These words, like a cold hammer, shattered the last faint glimmer of fantasy in Jiang Yuwan's heart.

As a teacher, she had witnessed the complexity of human nature and understood the harshness of reality.

In an apocalypse like this, morality and rules became blurred. Only strength and survival were the ultimate truths.

Go out?

She likely wouldn't survive the night against the zombies.

Even if she miraculously survived, as a woman with striking looks, wandering outside would inevitably attract countless covetous gazes.

Being Su Ze's woman alone was better than becoming a plaything for the masses.

This was the most dignified, and the safest, path to survival she could choose.

She bit her lower lip, her voice trembling slightly and carrying a barely noticeable plea. "I... I'll keep my promise. But, I... I'm not in a convenient condition these two days. Can it... wait a couple of days?"

Su Ze's brow furrowed imperceptibly.

He stared at Jiang Yuwan, not speaking.

Jiang Yuwan's cheeks flushed instantly, but she steeled herself and lowered her voice. "It's true..."

A moment later, Su Ze spoke, his voice flat. "Show me the 'wound'."

Jiang Yuwan's head snapped up. She hadn't expected Su Ze to make such a demand.

A sense of shame instantly washed over her, but she knew even more clearly that she no longer had the right to refuse.

After a moment's hesitation, she silently loosened some of her clothing, revealing a glimpse of a small white wing.

Her eyes seemed misty, a stark contrast to her usual coolness. She bit her lower lip lightly, looking at Su Ze. "See? I really didn't lie to you."

"Who knows if you prepared that in advance. I need to see the 'wound' and the 'bloodstain'."

"...Fine."

...

A moment later,

Su Ze withdrew his gaze, glancing at her snow-white, delicate hands.

"In that case... we'll change it to 'tutoring'. Hurry up. After what I said in the channel, others will probably come knocking on their own soon."

Jiang Yuwan's body stiffened.

She took a deep breath, her hand trembling as she reached out...

Time seemed to freeze.

The air was filled with an indescribable tension and ambiguity.

Not long after, that particular form of "intimate interaction" concluded.

Jiang Yuwan's chest heaved violently, the flush on her face still present. This was the first time she had ever 'tutored' a male student.

She felt an unprecedented humiliation, but also a sense of relief at having narrowly escaped disaster.

Su Ze had already added her as a tenant of Dormitory 404 on the 4th floor.

Meanwhile, Su Ze nodded silently in his heart.

Fortunately, the system judged this as "intimate interaction" as well. Otherwise, it might have truly been a "bloody battle".

He checked her attributes.

[Player: Jiang Yuwan]

[Dormitory: 4F - 404 (tenant)]

[Personal Attributes: HP 4, STR 4, INT 6, STA 4, SPI 6, SPD 4]

[Skills: None]

[Base Combat Power: 28]

[Equipment: None]

[Backpack: None (0/3)]

[Currency: copper coins 0, Silver Coins 0, Gold Coins 0]

[Evaluation: A rather unremarkable female human. Oh, and a bit aloof.]

...

[Ding! Bond activation successful!]

[Congratulations, host, on obtaining the exclusive bond effect—『Tutoring』: Daily Free Attribute Points +2]

[Ding, obtained today's free attribute points +2!]

The system's notification echoed crisply and pleasantly in Su Ze's mind, like heavenly music.

Just as Su Ze was secretly pleased, a series of urgent knocks suddenly came from outside the door.

He looked through the peephole.

Outside the door stood several exquisitely dressed but now slightly disheveled female students. Their faces bore anxiety and anticipation as they jostled to catch Su Ze's attention.

"Student Su Ze, I'm Li Jiaxin, the class monitor from the class next to yours. I..."

"Senior Su Ze, I'm your junior, Lin Shiyu. Do you remember me?"

"Landlord of Dormitory 404! Please, I beg you, take me in! I'm willing to do anything!"