Many children bring happiness, a shameless start

In the morning, Lip woke up under the teasing warmth of the sunlight.

Opening his eyes, he saw Jessica cuddled up beside him, arms wrapped tightly around herself like a little girl, sleeping soundly. He couldn't help but chuckle, recalling how wild and bold this seemingly innocent girl had been last night.

As he gently brushed his fingers over Jessica's face, lost in thought, a familiar sound chimed in his mind:

[Ding ding ding~]

Lip immediately recognized the system notification. Another task completed.

Could it be… Jessica's pregnant too?

His sharp shooting skills must be top-tier! Lip laughed inwardly, marveling at the accuracy of his "bullseye hits."

After a brief moment of reflection, he understood. The effects of the Like a Dragon and a Tiger capsule had not only boosted his stamina but also heightened his physical capabilities overall. His height had recently surpassed 180 cm, and apparently, his little soldiers had also become livelier.

Curious about his reward, Lip focused on the notification.

[Dear host, congratulations on successfully completing another "land reclamation." You have been rewarded with the skill "Silent" and an epic draw.]

["Silent" skill: The host can choose one of the following three epic abilities:]

[A. Harris Barrett's Stealth Techniques]

[B. Vasily Zaitsev's Sniper Skills]

[C. Kevin Mitnick's Hacking Expertise]

"I choose C!" Lip decided instantly.

Being a thief or a sniper didn't appeal to him—those roles carried too much risk. Instead, mastering cutting-edge technology like hacking promised a prosperous future. After all, the rise of VR, AI, and other innovations was undeniable.

[Congratulations, host, on acquiring epic-level hacking expertise.]

[Would you like to use your epic draw now?]

"Yes." Lip confirmed.

[Congratulations! You have obtained the quantum computing notebook, "Neo."]

[Quantum Notebook Neo: Provides real-time quantum-level calculations, analysis, and functions tailored to the host's needs.]

Lip's jaw nearly dropped. A quantum computing notebook? That was practically an artifact, a tool capable of breaking through all limits of conventional computing.

The name "Neo" brought a grin to his face—an obvious nod to The Matrix. With his newfound skills and this god-tier device, Lip felt unstoppable in the virtual world, destined to rule it.

He leaned down to kiss Jessica's forehead gently. She was still fast asleep, undoubtedly exhausted from her relentless antics the previous night. Lip smiled at the thought and quietly slipped out of bed to get dressed.

After leaving the villa, he drove his Hummer toward the school.

A few blocks from the campus, he parked in an underground garage and continued on foot. His phone buzzed just as he stepped outside.

"Hi, Karen. Missing me already?"

"Hehe, of course!"

"I'm almost at school."

"Me too. I'll be waiting for you at the gate—with a special breakfast just for you!"

"Alright, see you soon."

Lip hung up, only for his phone to buzz again.

"Hi, Mandy!"

"Hi, Lip! Have you had breakfast? I'm grabbing some—want me to bring you something?"

"Uh… I haven't eaten yet. Sure, thank you, dear."

As he hung up Mandy's call, Lip sighed, realizing he was in for a feast this morning.

When he reached the school gate, he saw Karen on the left with a cloth bag holding a food box, while Mandy stood on the right with a brown paper bag.

"This feels like a multiple-choice question," Lip thought, suppressing a laugh.

Resolving to choose both, he walked straight down the middle.

Karen and Mandy spotted him simultaneously and ran over. However, upon noticing each other, Karen's eyes filled with hostility, while Mandy's expression remained calm—though Lip could sense a subtle tension in the air.

To diffuse the situation, Lip smiled and led them both into the school, introducing them to each other along the way. But Karen's annoyance was clear.

As the bell rang for class, Lip bid them goodbye, took their breakfasts, and hurried toward his classroom.

Karen huffed indignantly before heading to her class, while Mandy smiled knowingly. She had already decided to "have a chat" with Karen during the break.

As the school's top student, Lip enjoyed a few privileges, including the ability to eat breakfast quietly in the back of the classroom. It took him nearly ten minutes to finish the two large meals.

Afterward, he began tinkering with his new quantum laptop, immersing himself in a hacking test. Just as he successfully entered the Pentagon's systems, a group of large boys walked into the classroom.

"Hey, Lip. We need to talk," said Wade, the leader.

"Hey, Wade. What's up?" Lip replied casually, shutting his laptop.

"Not here. Let's go to the men's room."

"Alright."

Lip slipped his laptop into his bag, stashed it in the desk drawer, and followed Wade and his four friends. Despite his confidence, Lip remained cautious—his recent fight with Pete had taught him to stay alert.

In the restroom, Wade's gang made sure the area was clear before speaking. Wade then hugged Lip with an enthusiastic grin.

"1870 points! That's amazing!" Wade exclaimed.

"Pretty good," Lip replied, though he wasn't entirely sure what Wade meant.

"Thanks, man! This guarantees us a spot in the top ten league!"

"No problem. Glad to help."

Wade handed Lip a thick envelope. Inside was at least $2,000.

"What's this for?" Lip asked, puzzled.

"Part of it is for your martial arts class. The rest is a token of appreciation!" Wade winked.

Lip tried to decline, but Wade insisted. "Just take it, buddy. Treat yourself to something nice—or someone nice," he joked.

With a laugh, Wade left, leaving Lip shaking his head at his friend's odd logic. Tucking the envelope into his pocket, Lip returned to class, a sly smile on his face.