novelraw Chapter 319: Instance Activation, “Scholar” Tang Song
Chapter 319: Instance Activation, “Scholar” Tang Song
Saturday, July 15, 2023 | Clear skies, 24–37°C.
At 5:30 in the morning, Qian Lele woke up right on time. This was when the school’s electricity supply resumed.
The fan whirred softly in the background. The beige floral bed sheet and comforter felt smooth and comfortable against her skin. It had been her best sleep in days—she woke feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
On the small, artsy bedside table sat an elegant lamp and a partially read book, The Courage to Be Disliked. Her teacher, Jiang Yourong, had recommended it to her yesterday, along with some heartfelt advice: she should live courageously, true to herself, without constantly seeking others’ approval.
Qian Lele understood the message, but ingrained habits and her upbringing made immediate change difficult. Her family had never been well-off. During her high school years, her father suffered a stroke, resulting in partial paralysis on his left side due to delayed treatment. He was now undergoing slow rehabilitation, hoping to regain some independence.
Her mother had to juggle earning an income and caring for her father, which took a toll on her health. Meanwhile, Lele had a younger brother still in school.
Since that time, Lele—mature beyond her years—started helping her mother shoulder the family’s financial burden. Her grades gradually slipped. Once a top-performing student, she eventually managed to enter only a mid-tier university: Yan City Normal University.
Determined to change her life through education and pursue her dream of attending university, she had been ceaselessly busy since graduating high school—balancing her studies with part-time jobs. Even her choice of a computer science major was driven by practicality: she had heard it was possible to earn money coding while still in school.
However, the reality was far from her expectations. In the past two years, the programming industry had become fiercely competitive. Even entry-level programmers struggled to find freelance work, let alone students with no hands-on experience.
Occasionally, she earned small credits helping professors build basic websites, but those projects never came with compensation. This left her no choice but to find other part-time jobs—hotel waitress, flyer distributor, sales clerk, street vendor. She’d tried it all.Her luck turned on May 1 this year when her teacher, Jiang Yourong, unexpectedly learned about her situation. Jiang secured her a long-term part-time job at Shimmer Coffee, a role that aligned perfectly with her passion for baking.
Just a few hundred meters from campus, Shimmer Coffee was an upscale boutique café. The hourly wage was ¥15, and surplus cake bases or soon-to-expire food items could be taken home for meals. For Lele, it was the ideal job.
At the time, her hotel coworker, Duan Fang, shamelessly followed her to the café and also managed to sign a contract. However, Duan Fang’s lack of commitment led to frequent customer complaints, and she was eventually dismissed.
...
Lele hugged her adorable husky-shaped pillow and smiled brightly. Barefoot, she stepped onto the cool, glossy tiles and drew back the light curtains, letting the soft morning sunlight fill the room.
She tied her hair into a neat ponytail, used the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and washed her face. After putting her toiletries back in the basin, she returned to her bedroom.
She took out a half-empty bottle of vitamin E lotion, pumped some onto her fingers, and dabbed it on her cheeks, gently spreading it with her fingertips. Her face flushed slightly as she looked in the mirror.
Next, she reached into her backpack’s inner pocket, pulling out a small tube of eye cream. She squeezed out a bit and carefully applied it to her under-eye area.
Every girl likes to feel beautiful, and Lele was no exception, though she rarely showed it. Her fingers brushed against a Chanel lipstick inside the pocket. She had looked it up online—it cost over ¥500, enough to buy a phone! After some hesitation, she decided against using it. She had never worn makeup before and felt too embarrassed to start now.
After tidying up, Lele headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
During the summer break, the school cafeteria opened at 7 a.m., with only a few operating stalls. But she had to be at Shimmer Coffee before 7 a.m., so the timing didn’t work for her.
Fortunately, Jiang Yourong’s kitchen was well-equipped with all the basics.
Lele made a simple oatmeal porridge and cut the bread she brought home from the café into slices, dipping them in golden egg batter before frying them over low heat.
Soon, two simple breakfasts were ready.
Checking the time—just past 6 a.m.—she decided not to knock on the master bedroom door. Jiang had come home particularly late last night and likely needed more sleep.
After enjoying her breakfast, she wrapped Jiang’s portion in plastic wrap and placed it in the refrigerator. Slinging her backpack over her shoulders, she prepared to leave for work.
Just then, the master bedroom door opened.
Jiang Yourong emerged, yawning, in a striped sleep dress. Still groggy, she shuffled out with a sleepy demeanor.
“Good morning, Teacher Jiang!” Lele greeted her warmly. “I made some fried bread and oatmeal porridge. It’s in the fridge since the weather’s so hot. Don’t forget to eat it later!”
“Good morning, Lele.” Jiang rubbed her sleepy eyes and headed toward the bathroom. Suddenly, she stopped, as if remembering something. “Oh, there’s something I haven’t told you.”
“Go ahead,” Lele said.
“You know Tang Song, right?”
“Of course! Brother Song is the part-time tech support for Shimmer Coffee. He’s responsible for the website and the mini-program.”
Jiang smiled. “He’ll be staying here for two weeks, in the master bedroom. You don’t mind, right?”
Lele froze for a moment before quickly shaking her head. “Not at all! Teacher Jiang, I can move back to the dorms so Brother Song can have the secondary bedroom.”
The master bedroom was Jiang’s, and Lele felt awkward about causing any inconvenience. She didn’t want to trouble others, especially someone as kind as Jiang.
Jiang gently ruffled Lele’s hair and said warmly, “There’s no need. After the break, I won’t be here much anyway. Besides, Tang Song is very talented. Building a good relationship with him could benefit your future greatly.”
Jiang knew her own limitations in helping Lele, but Tang Song was different. Earning his friendship could change not just Lele’s life but possibly her social standing.
It was one of the reasons Jiang had readily agreed to let him stay. Of course, she didn’t deny she had a soft spot for him—he was accomplished, after all, and connected to Jin Dongshi and Smile Holdings.
“Got it, Teacher Jiang!” Lele nodded earnestly. “I’ve seen Brother Song’s code—his skills are incredible. I’ll make sure to learn as much as I can from him!”
“Well... okay.” Jiang hesitated but said no more.
Some things, she felt, were better left to unfold naturally. With Lele’s sincerity and kindness, she was confident Tang Song would come to appreciate her. There was no need to push her into currying favor.
“Goodbye, Teacher Jiang. I’m off to work.”
“Bye-bye.”
Jiang watched as the door closed behind Lele. She stretched, her soft, rounded figure accentuating the curve of her sleep dress for a fleeting moment.
After using the bathroom, she returned to her bedroom.
“Dingdong—”
Jiang Yourong’s phone vibrated.
[Tang Song: “Sister Yourong, I’ll probably arrive around 10 a.m. I’m packing up now—got a lot of stuff to bring.”]
She replied with a simple "Got it," then turned over comfortably and went back to sleep.
A nearly two-month summer vacation felt like bliss. But thinking about how it came at the cost of being "Assistant to Director Jin," her heart ached.
If she had known earlier, she would have endured the hardship back then.
Her former colleague, Li Shiqin, who had joined the company at the same time, was now the CEO of a listed tech company. Just recently, at an international conference, Li had been the keynote speaker. Meanwhile, Jiang had been clapping from the audience without even the chance to meet her in person.
That gap in status was staggering.
Over the past four to five years, news about Smile Holdings and Director Jin had never ceased, leaving Jiang constantly frustrated and regretful.
Perhaps that explained her strong reaction upon seeing Tang Song.
At Yanjing Tiancheng.
Tang Song exhaled deeply as he set his two suitcases upright. Everything was ready.
Although he was only staying for half a month, he had to bring plenty of essentials—not just clothes, but also a large box of study materials and books. Most of them covered topics like economics, finance, marketing, and management.
With the Learning Aura boosting his comprehension by +30 and many other buffs enhancing him, Tang was determined to make the most of this time to patch up his knowledge gaps.
After shutting off the gas and water, he locked the door and took the elevator directly to B1.
Soon, his white Bentley Continental emerged from the underground parking lot. The dazzling sunlight enveloped the car, reflecting a brilliant sheen.
The high-quality Naim audio system played energetic music as he drove. Wearing Tang Song’s Glasses, the heads-up display automatically activated, showing clear navigation routes, real-time traffic updates, and safety alerts.
The bustling city unfolded like a moving painting.
Tang parked at a nearby paid lot and called Jiang Yourong before grabbing his suitcases and heading toward the teacher’s apartment.
At the entrance, he saw a chicly dressed female professor waiting in the shade, smiling and waving at him.
She wore a form-fitting dress, exuding the elegance and charm of a mature woman. However, Tang’s gaze remained clear and composed, his demeanor upright—likely due to his "sage mode."
The night before and earlier that morning, he had already relieved himself several times with Wen Ruan, leaving her thoroughly exhausted and likely still asleep.
Entering the complex, Tang noted the clean, orderly stone paths, lush greenery, and neatly arranged bike sheds and trash bins—all leaving a great impression. Though not a luxury community, the environment was superb.
The elevator stopped on the 11th floor with a soft “ding.”
“This is it—Building 2, Unit 1102. Here’s your access card and key.”
“Thanks, Sister Yourong.” Tang placed his luggage down and glanced around.
The apartment appeared to have standard furnishings, nothing particularly remarkable, but its cleanliness and tidiness made it cozy and reassuring.
“This is the kitchen,” Jiang said, pointing things out. “There’s a microwave, fridge, oven, and all the basic utensils and condiments.”
“The bathroom is here. The green basin holds Lele’s stuff; you can use anything else freely.”
“If the water dispenser runs out, just call this number. Mountain spring water costs ¥25 a barrel, and it tastes great.”
...
Next, they moved to the bright and spacious master bedroom, approximately 16–17 square meters. The air conditioner hummed softly, maintaining a perfectly cool temperature.
The bed was neatly made, without a single crease. The air carried a warm, sweet fragrance—distinctly Jiang Yourong’s scent.
“I just took out fresh bedding and pillows,” Jiang said, opening a white wardrobe. “I’ve divided the closet in half. All my clothes are on the right, and the left is entirely yours. That should be enough, right?”
“More than enough,” Tang replied. “I’m only staying for half a month, and it’s summer, so I don’t have many clothes.”
The wardrobe, over two meters wide, offered ample space. Tang’s gaze swept over its contents and caught a glimpse of Jiang’s hanging lingerie.
He couldn’t help but marvel at how unguarded she was around him. No wonder the system quest had sent him directly to her.
After a moment’s hesitation, Tang turned to face her and asked softly, “Sister Yourong, we’ve met before, haven’t we?”
Jiang’s eyes flickered slightly, a hint of nervousness showing. But she quickly smiled brightly, her demeanor graceful. “Six years ago in Beijing, we met by chance. I probably remembered you because you’re exceptionally handsome.”
The cold, noble aura he’d exuded back then had indeed left a deep impression on the younger Jiang.
She didn’t want to mention his connection to Jin Meixiao. She preferred this approachable version of Tang Song and hoped to form a genuine friendship—perhaps planting seeds for her own future prospects.
“Six years ago... 2017?” Tang murmured, his eyes thoughtful.
Back then, he’d been a freshman or sophomore, and Smile Holdings was just starting out. Tangyi Precision was a struggling consumer electronics company on the brink of bankruptcy.
It was also when he recruited Su Yu and founded Tang Zong Entertainment to enter the entertainment industry. Jiang Yourong had likely seen his “in-game self.”
“I guess you really don’t remember me,” Jiang said, a faint hint of disappointment in her smile. “But that’s fine. It was just a brief encounter.”
Tang shook his head. “Sorry, I really don’t recall.”
“That’s okay. We know each other now.” Jiang stepped slightly closer, her warm fragrance filling the air.
Faced with the radiant, elegant, and fair-skinned professor, Tang’s pupils trembled slightly, and his breathing quickened.
Seeing his reaction, Jiang smiled knowingly, her mood improving instantly.
“It’s almost noon,” she said. “Since it’s your first visit, I’ll treat you to a big meal instead of cooking. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Thank you, Sister Yourong.”
“Alright, unpack your things first.”
After lunch, Jiang gave him a rundown of the house rules and mentioned Qian Lele’s schedule before leaving with her handbag.
She had a residence in a busier, more central area of Yan City where she usually stayed during work or holidays.
Once everything was organized, Tang sat at the bedroom desk, sipping water as he surveyed the stacks of books and materials.
“Shua!” The system’s interface unfolded before him.
On the main screen, the Badge - Scholar (Aura) on the 3D avatar’s chest radiated dazzling golden light, filling Tang’s entire field of vision.
Soon, the avatar displayed a magnificent scene—scrolling numbers and characters, glowing campuses and playgrounds, and towering walls constructed of books.
A soft golden glow flowed through it all, enchanting and mesmerizing.
A cascade of text appeared in front of Tang Song:
[Welcome to the Real-Plot Instance: The Scholar’s Self-Cultivation]
Instance Role: Scholar (Tang Song)Role Bonuses: When portraying the assigned role within the instance, achieving a "Role Compatibility" of over 50% grants multiple aura boosts.Mask Effect: Your true self is disguised, and all “outfit” effects are nullified.Initial Compatibility: Automatically set at 50% (cannot fall below this level; higher compatibility yields greater rewards).Role Characteristics:Immersed in the ocean of learning, filled with passion and diligence.Hidden Attribute: Luck +2.Received Buffs: Learning Aura, Self-Discipline Aura.With a sudden burst of excitement, Tang shot up from his chair. His nerves surged with intense elation, a tidal wave of exhilaration washing over him. His eyes sparkled with brilliant clarity as his mind became extraordinarily sharp, swift, and intelligent.
Yet, his heart remained unnervingly calm, steady, and resolute. Thoughts flowed seamlessly through his mind—little fragments of inspiration quickly captured.
Problems he’d faced while designing programming algorithms now had perfect solutions. Questions he’d puzzled over while reading felt like a clogged pipe that had suddenly been flushed clear.
Tang scanned the books on the desk and decisively pulled out the English version of What Is Finance.
Guided by the system’s AI and his judgment, Tang knew this book was perfect for him. It used real-life case studies and an approachable style to explain the logic and basics of finance, rapidly building his financial intuition and analytical skills.
He settled back into his chair and began reading, assisted by Special Vision. Unknown terms were instantly translated and explained. His gaze swept across the text, committing every detail to memory and drawing his own insights.
Thanks to Tang Song’s Glasses, his vision remained pristine even during rapid reading, akin to a precise scanning device, saving him significant time. His reading speed was several times faster than usual.
Reading in English, though slower than translations, allowed him to absorb the nuances and subtle details while improving his vocabulary and language skills.
This wasn’t just a simple Emotion Buff—this was the real deal!
The room grew silent except for the sound of pages turning.
5:00 PM
With a soft “snap,” Tang closed the book.
The knowledge within was fully absorbed and understood, etched clearly in his mind.
But as he leaned back, a wave of dizziness and fatigue swept over him. His body was drenched in sweat, and his heavy breathing betrayed his exhaustion.
He quickly realized the issue.
The Learning Aura had granted him “Comprehension +30” and “Agility +10,” along with numerous other potent buffs. However, his body was still the same as before—continuous, intensive knowledge intake had pushed his limits.
Even a scholar couldn’t study endlessly.
Besides, his Self-Discipline Aura emphasized a balanced lifestyle—regular routines, healthy eating, abstinence, and exercise were all crucial for maintaining stamina and energy. These, of course, were necessary for a fulfilling personal life too.
Tang opened the system interface and focused on the 3D Player Model, entering the Personal Center:
Player: Tang Song (62 Charisma)Role: Scholar (55% Compatibility)Height: 184 cm, Weight: 81 kgAttributes:Physique: 68Endurance: 68Agility: 75Comprehension: 112Comprehension at 112 was extraordinary, far beyond the norm. The 10 points in Agility were likely “mental agility.”
As for the 55% Compatibility, Tang quickly deduced the reason.
Although the Mask automatically adjusted his behavior to fit the role, there were still discrepancies—for example, his businesslike attire and carefully groomed appearance.
At that moment, a crisp system notification rang out.
“Ding! You’ve triggered the Instance Mission: ‘Makeover.’”
Mission Objective: Adjust your appearance and clothing to better align with the current role and enhance your portrayal.Reward: Refresh Card x1.Refresh Card: Use to refresh the instance, with a chance of encountering “special NPCs,” “wild monsters,” or “mysterious shops.”Tang rubbed his temples and quickly devised a plan. He grabbed a towel, took a quick shower, and dried off.
Standing before the mirror, he examined himself.
His hair quality wasn’t great, thinned by years of late nights, overwork, and stress. Normally, he used a blow-dryer and styling products to fluff it up. Now, his hair naturally fell flat—clean but unremarkable.
His gaze shifted to his premium outfit and polished leather shoes. He shook his head, grabbed his keys, locked the door, and took the elevator down.
As he stepped outside, his vision was filled with a golden glow.
He immediately understood—this was the instance boundary. It encompassed not just the Yan City Normal University campus but also nearby facilities, like the commercial street, teacher apartments, parking lots, and convenience stores.
Within this school ecosystem, everything counted as part of the instance. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel{f}ire.net
Tang adjusted his demeanor, adopting a low-profile, composed air as he walked toward the commercial street.
Entering a store called “Lili Fashion,” he found a middle-aged woman snacking on sunflower seeds while watching a drama. She perked up when Tang entered, enthusiastically offering her help.
Tang remained quiet, browsing the racks until he quickly chose a set of clothes: a loose, plain T-shirt, simple blue jeans, and comfortable sneakers.
After changing behind the curtain, he checked himself in the mirror.
His look was clean and understated. Paired with his ordinary hairstyle and serious demeanor, he now exuded the simplicity and focus of a student.
Playing the role of “Scholar” wasn’t difficult for Tang—it was simply a return to his college days.
“Ding! Congratulations, Player. Instance Mission: ‘Makeover’ completed.”
Tang opened the system interface and retrieved the glowing Refresh Card from his inventory. Without hesitation, he activated it.
A bright white light flashed in the air.
[Instance Refreshed: The Mysterious Shop has arrived at "Fuqiang Supermarket."]
[Certain items within the shop have been itemized.][Purchasing and using these items will grant special effects to assist in completing the instance.][Warning to Players: Items may be purchased by others at any time!]A glowing trail of light extended from beneath Tang Song’s feet, leading eastward. At the end of the trail, a prominent shop icon floated in the air, shimmering brightly.
[Location of the Mysterious Shop]
Tang’s eyes flickered as he quickly assessed the situation.
After settling his bill without a fuss, he turned and dashed toward Fuqiang Supermarket.
Behind him, the shop owner smacked her lips in surprise. “What an honest young man—didn’t even haggle for a single cent!”