Chapter 3: Beginners Reward, Hard Meeting.
Chapter 3: Beginners Reward, Hard Meeting.
Hao Ren was eating dumplings in a shop when he heard the familiar sound in his brain, *Ding: System update complete!*
The young man smiled and thought, "System, introduce yourself."
*Ding: I am the Omnipotent Husband System. My task is to make you the greatest husband that one can have.*
Hao Ren was confused and asked, "System, don't you think that the introduction is a bit vague?"
*Ding: Everything the system said is self explanatory. However, since the host is not so intelligent, allow me to clarify. The system will make you work hard to achieve greatness and all the effort you make should in the end lead back to the path of being a great husband.*
Hao Ren sighed and remarked, "Fine, so you want me to be an idol husband that every woman wants but only one can have. However, I do not understand the reason behind the activation condition. Why must someone marry me before you activate?"
*Ding: Those who do not support you in your worst, do not have the right to get your best. The omnipotent husband system will not only make you the best husband but also a human who knows right from wrong*
Hao Ren nodded and asked, "So, do I have any beginners reward?"
*Ding: You do have a beginners reward, you also have a task lined up for you. Would you like to see it now?*
Hao Ren stuffed the dumpling in his mouth and sat up straight in his chair as he replied, "Yes, show me."
*Ding: For beginners reward the system will award you with stat points that will promote you to the mark that is above average, technically.*
Hao Ren was yet to register what the system meant when a holographic screen appeared before him.
Strength - 5
Speed - 6
Intelligence - 6
Charm - 4
*Ding: Average men are all one point below you, and impressive men are all above you. The system rates everything out of ten for every stage. You are right now an above average stage one male. You will need to upgrade three stats, strength, speed, and intelligence with constant hard work under the system's guidance.*
Hao Ren held his forehead and tried to calm himself because he felt this reward was a scam. He mumbled, "How come everyone else in novels get millions of yuan or properties? While I am just getting a report card of how bad I am?"
*Ding: Host, you need not fret, your successful implementation of the tasks will get you some materialistic rewards. However, you will not be able to improve if you do not know how bad you are. Do you wish to stay an ignorant average joe for the rest of your life?*
Hao Ren shook his head and he also understood that the system had a skill of sounding wise when insulting him. He took a deep breath and asked, "System, what task do you have for me?"
*Ding: This is the first task system found for you. Get your wife, Han Lingshi to smile because of your actions. The completion criteria is that you maintain your dignity and not act like a fool.*
Hao Ren thought about it and nodded, he asked, "What is the reward?"
*Ding: Get your head out of the material world and chase perfection.*
Hao Ren understood that no matter what he did, the system will not give him any information so it would be a waste of time to keep on asking, the best course of action would be to find out how he can make Han Lingshi smile without sounding like a creep.
He leaned back in his chair and began to think about how the Male leads in many of the novels he read in past would act. However, he found that it was obviously too cringe and that a woman like Han Lingshi might not like it. Then he thought about buying flowers, but stumbled upon the question of which flower he should buy.
After fifteen minutes of deliberation he took out his phone, and searched the internet. The keywords of his search were flowers, acquaintance, girl and not creepy. He found many results and decided to pick up a flower that represented peace and friendship.
He checked the time, and left the shop after paying the bill.
...
Hao Ren arrived at the Empress International building wearing a suit that he had donned for his interview, it was relatively new, and looked very sophisticated. The guards stopped him and asked, "Sir, what is your purpose for the visit?"
Hao Ren replied, "I have an appointment in the administration department, my name is Hao Ren."
The guard said, "Can you please wait while I confirm the situation?"
Hao Ren nodded and patiently waited, the guard communicated over the walkie talkie, and then he frowned as he said, "Sorry sir, but their is no appointment scheduled for you."
Hao Ren frowned, he remembered that Han Lingshi did mention for him to come over after lunch. Then he realized that it was possible that she did not arrange a meeting inside the office but probably asked him to wait outside.
He asked, "Brother, would it be alright if I waited outside?"
The Guard thought for a bit and said, "Yes, it is fine, as long as you do not make trouble or hinder anyone."
Hao Ren gratefully nodded and stood on the sidewalk with the parcel in his hand. He had nothing else to do for the day, and since the lady helped him activate the system, he could at least do this much.
...
In the office, Han Lingshi got busy and did not realize that the sun has set and it was now time to leave for work. She finished a meeting and suddenly realized that she forgot something important. Suddenly, it clicked to her that she was supposed to meet Hao Ren.
She picked up the intercom and asked her secretary if he came around. The latter checked and said, "He did not."
Han Lingshi frowned and decided to leave for the day. She will look for him in the morning tomorrow. She got into the elevator and came to the company gate. The valet had already bought her car to the main gate. The president was always on time, she did not miss on anything and slightest of a mistake could get you fired.
The lady sat in the driver's seat and started her car, she came out of the company gate and just as she turned around, she spotted Hao Ren standing on the side walk, stretching his back. She pressed the break hard.
The security guard rushed up quickly to the side he was about to knock on the window when the glass slid down and Han Lingshi asked, "Who is that man?"
The guard gulped and replied, "I will ask him to leave right away, President."
Han Lingshi furrowed her brows and said coldly, "You will only tell me what I ask you to. Understand?"
The guard nodded quickly and said, "Yes, Ma'am."
Han Lingshi asked with a cold face, "Who is that man?"
The guard replied, "This man came over in the noon, almost right after lunch and I asked him the purpose of his visit. He told me it was for an appointment, but the reception desk denied. He has been standing over there since."
Han Lingshi was shocked, she did not know what to say. If it were anyone else, they might have left already, but she could not understand how Hao Ren managed to stay over. The weather was not good, it was quite hot, and since he did not leave even for a bit, that meant he did not even eat. She felt guilt and angry about this. She was the one who invited him, yet he was denied entry to the company.
She drove the vehicle over to his side quickly.
Hao Ren was stretching his body and thinking whether he should leave or not, when the familiar vehicle drove before him. He looked in through the window and found Han Lingshi gazing at him. He smiled and said, "Good evening, did you just finish your work?"
Han Lingshi was in a daze, she thought he would scold her or throw a tantrum, but he was smiling and asking if she was done with her work. She nodded with much guilt in her heart. She said, "Come in."
Hao Ren hesitated and said, "Ummm, Miss Han, I apologize but I do not think it is good for me to get in at this time. How about we sign the contract tomorrow?"
Han Lingshi thought he was angry and said, "I apologize, I had informed the front desk about your arrival but they seemed to have mixed it up. I have caused you a great deal of discomfort."
Hao Ren was stunned but shook his head quickly as he said, "You do not have to apologize, Miss Han. Empress International is a busy company and such mistakes can happen to anyone. I do not blame you."
Han Lingshi then could not help but try to jab at his hypocrisy and asked, "Why are you not getting inside the car then?"
Hao Ren scratched the back of his head and replied with a silly expression, "You see, I have accumulated a lot of sweat and odor from the day. I do not wish to sully the vehicle such as this one. I have nothing to do tomorrow, if you do not mind, we can sign the contract then?"
Han Lingshi could not understand how this man's brain worked. She wanted to ask him to get in again but realizing that she was already at fault and that probably Hao Ren was already upset and just wanted some time alone and was politely refusing her, she nodded in agreement.
Hao Ren smiled and said, "Umm, Miss Han, would it be alright to exchange contact information to avoid such situations in the future?"
Han Lingshi nodded hurriedly and spoke while taking out her phone from her bag, "Yes, definitely, I agree, and I should have asked you for it earlier. Sorry."
Hao Ren waved his hand, and then exchanged his number with her. Han Lingshi said, "Then I will see you later?"
Hao Ren nodded and suddenly realized something. He raised his hand and extended the brown package in his hands to her as he said, "Umm, I did not know what you may like, but my mother said that we should always bring some gift for people when we meet the first time. Please accept this."
Han Lingshi wanted to shoot him down, but when she saw his exhausted face and eyes filled with anticipation, she nodded stiffly and took the package from him. Hao Ren wanted to see a smile, but realizing that it was not going to come anytime soon, he sighed and said, "I shall get going. Good night, and drive safe."
Han Lingshi did not know what was going through Hao Ren's mind and wished him the same before the young man flagged a taxi and stiffly got in it to go back home. The lady silently watched the whole scene, this was the first time someone has offered her such a treatment. Not only did he wait outside the office, but even showed humility when offered to sit in the car.
Given that they both were married now, he could even threaten her for money and fame. However, Hao Ren was not like that at all. Suddenly, she gazed at the brown paper in her hand. Curious she peeked inside from the open end of the package and surprisingly found a bunch of small white flowers inside.
Coincidentally, these flowers were her favorite, and a gentle curve appeared at the edge of her lips.
...
Hao Ren was leaning back in the seat as the taxi moved while he massaged his sore legs, when the sound went off in his mind, *Ding: Task completed, host made his wife smile. Issuing rewards...*