Evolutionary Superstar

[Chasing_Dawn: I’ll mostly be ready in 10. Should we stick to the plan, or should I head out first and bring back breakfast?]

After sending a message to Su Xiaoran on HappyChat, Lin Haoren took a quick shower and changed into fresh clothes.

Afterward, he checked his phone, but didn’t see a reply from his pretty neighbor. He knew she hadn’t seen his message, but it didn’t matter.

He was only asking out of courtesy; sticking to the original plan was for the best.

After all, if he brought breakfast back, they would have to eat it in one of their two apartment rooms. Neither choice seemed appropriate at this stage.

Thinking of his slightly messy apartment, he decided to clean up.

Ding!

[Removing dust, mopping floor, taking out trash, and cleaning kitchen grease: Housekeeping Skill Proficiency +3]

Nice, another useful skill!

Lin Haoren made a mental note to clean up his rented apartment more often. The Housekeeping Skill provided sufficient motivation.

Although it didn’t contribute to his dream, it was a life skill. Such a skill couldn’t be useless.

In fact, any skill was a useful skill.

Ding!

[Housekeeping Skill has reached beginner-level proficiency, Proficiency: 10/100]

[Beginner-level Housekeeping Skill: Clean more thoroughly, miss less dirt, organize more efficiently.]

Once he was satisfied with his work, he wiped his forehead, grabbed the leash, and called out to Oreo, intending to take him along.

"Let’s go, Oreo."

"Meow!"

Lin Haoren was stunned by Oreo’s unhappy complaint as it walked up to be leashed. He quickly understood the reason for its slight unhappiness.

"Ah, hahaha, so sorry, Oreo. Next time, I’ll remember to take you out for morning runs. No complaints then, alright?"

"Meow!"

Man and cat seemed to reach an agreement.

While waiting downstairs, Lin Haoren’s phone buzzed with a new HappyChat message.

[RanRanCat: I’m so sorry, Brother Lin. I only just saw your message! I’m running a bit late. I’ll be down in 5 minutes (cute_sorry_bunny)]

Lin Haoren checked the time and raised an eyebrow in doubt.

Then, he sent a new message.

[Chasing_Dawn: It’s fine, Ran Ran. Take your time. It’s my lack of consideration that you might not be ready in time. However, it’s already 7:45 am. You...don’t have morning classes today? (confused_headscratch)]

"Sorry, Brother Lin. I’m here. I don’t have morning classes today..." Su Xiaoran explained as she arrived in a hurry. Her gaze quickly fell on Oreo. "Ah, so cute!"

Su Xiaoran’s eyes beamed.

"Can I hold him, Brother Lin? What’s his name?"

"Oreo."

Lin Haoren answered as he handed the leash and Oreo over to Su Xiaoran. Seeing her puppy-like sparkling eyes, he found it hard to refuse.

However, Oreo stared at him with a somewhat betrayed and grumpy gaze.

Human, you betrayed me for beauty?

It didn’t voice its discontent being in the arms of a stranger, but its message seemed easy to read.

Lin Haoren pretended not to see.

"Let’s go and get breakfast."

"Mm!"

About 50 meters outside Hongxing Apartment, several simple breakfast stalls could be found.

Su Xiaoran casually picked one and dragged Lin Haoran over to sit.

"Boss, can I have a small bowl of congee with pickled vegetables, 2 of your signature tea eggs, and a cup of soy milk?"

"Sure thing!"

The boss of Wang’s Everyday Breakfast happily accepted Su Xiaoran’s order.

"What are you having, Brother Lin?" Su Xiaoran turned to him.

Lin Haoren pondered for a moment.

Right now, his body needs nutrients to replenish itself. He also has the system, so it was okay to splurge a bit.

Health comes first.

"Boss, I’ll have 2 pork buns, 3 fried dough sticks with sweetened soy milk, and a bowl of congee with salted eggs."

"Coming right now!" Boss Wang accepted.

Su Xiaoran stared at Lin Haoren strangely and asked, "Can you eat so much in your current state, Brother Lin?"

"Even if I can’t, I have to try."

"Why?"

"There’s no helping it. I’ve neglected my body for too long. Now, it needs a lot of nutrition to recover, especially after a big exercise."

Su Xiaoran found his reasoning convincing and nodded.

The food was quickly brought out and paid for on the spot by Su Xiaoran under her stubborn insistence, totaling 28 yuan.

Lin Haoren felt embarrassed, considering her share didn’t exceed 11 yuan.

"It’s okay, Brother Lin. Since I invited you to breakfast, I should naturally pay," Su Xiaoran said righteously before patting her chest proudly. "I also have money."

Lin Haoren glanced at her strangely.

"Aren’t you still studying in college? How can you have money? Don’t tell me you’re a second-generation rich lady?" Lin Haoren doubted.

"What second-generation rich lady?" Su Xiaoran laughed before she retorted, "I have hands and feet, can’t I earn my own money?"

"I landed a supporting role in A Thousand Lifetimes With You. They’re paying me 15,000 yuan per episode, for a total of 300,000 yuan over 20 episodes."

"So, do you think I have money or not, Brother Lin?" Su Xiaoran asked haughtily, grinning ear to ear.

Lin Haoren’s lips twitched.

They were simply not from the same world. He had struggled for years to land a role, while the other landed one in a big production during her freshman year.

He had naturally heard of A Thousand Lifetimes With You. This was a 100-million yuan production. As such, the pay was much more generous.

Otherwise, a nameless actress would normally be paid around 5,000-8,000 yuan per episode.

"Our Ran Ran’s luck is truly great," Lin Haoren smiled bitterly, feeling envious yet also fortunate for her. At least, she wouldn’t have to struggle like him.

Su Xiaoran blushed before glaring at him with reproach.

"Pah! What do you mean, our Ran Ran? Who is yours? Brother Lin, you are so shameless!" Su Xiaoran laughed before she asked with curiosity, "Did you also study acting, Brother Lin?"

"Mm." Lin Haoren nodded and lightly said, "I’m from the 2019 Acting Class at Jinhai Academy of Drama."

"However, I haven’t been lucky enough to land any roles until now," Lin Haoren casually said. He didn’t think much of it. Now that he had a system, it was just a matter of time before he formally entered the industry.

However, Su Xiaoran felt as if a stone had been weighed on her heart when she heard him.

Indeed, she was very fortunate to land a supporting role.

Many people wanted to become stars, but it was far too common for people to graduate without landing a single role.

The industry was highly competitive, even among extras. Without connections, it was very difficult to enter. After all, the cake was only so big.

Su Xiaoran pursed her lip before asking, "Would you be willing to take an extra role if I introduce you to the production team, Brother Lin?"

Lin Haoren was shocked.

He stared at the kind yet somewhat naive girl in front of him in amazement and wonder. If he could truly land an extra role, his living expenses and rent would be covered.

However, he hesitated.

"If you can introduce me, I would naturally be willing, of course," Lin Haoren said honestly before adding, "But, Ran Ran, you barely know me. Isn’t this too big a favor?"

"If I mess up on set, it’ll be very detrimental to you."