Franklin Reed's family background is quite good, and the girls he hangs out with are indeed pretty enough, but last time they went out together, those girls just chatted and had fun among themselves, completely in a different circle from these poor students. They didn't even spare them a glance.

　　Even with Franklin Reed trying to smooth things over, nothing really changed.

　　"If it's going to be like last time, then forget it," he said casually. "Besides, I don't have any extra money and don't want to join in the fun. You guys go ahead without me." Lately, he'd put on some muscle, so he didn't look as sickly as before; in fact, he looked a bit more handsome.

　　"No worries, I'll cover your share. How much could it be, anyway?" Charles Parker said offhandedly, slapping George Miller on the shoulder. "It's only fun if everyone goes together. What's the point of going alone? If we don't stick together, we'll slowly drift apart before long. You don't want to stop hanging out with us, do you?"

　　"Again with you covering for me..." George Miller was speechless. "Last time you paid for me too..."

　　"What's the point of saying all that? It's settled then—let's meet at the school gate tomorrow at nine in the morning and head out together, okay?" Charles Parker set the time directly.

　　"Alright." "No problem for me."

　　The other two had no objections. George Miller was basically dragged into agreeing by Charles Parker. Even though he really didn't want to go, he couldn't resist Charles Parker's enthusiasm—it was almost like not going would mean the end of their friendship—so he could only agree reluctantly.

　　After setting the time, they discussed it with the girls, but each of the girls had their own plans and none agreed to go.

　　Alice Bennett, with her red ponytail, stood on the rooftop, her right hand pressing down on her black and purple miniskirt. The spot where she stood was quite windy, and the hem of her skirt kept getting blown upward. Alice Bennett pressed her skirt down with a slightly awkward expression, afraid the wind would flip it up completely and expose her. Even though she was wearing tights, having her skirt flipped up was still something no girl could tolerate.

　　When she heard about the invitation to Bibo Lake, Alice Bennett immediately glanced at George Miller. Ever since the goat milk incident, the two of them had unexpectedly started to see each other as kindred spirits.

　　"George Miller, you're going too?" she blurted out.

　　"No choice..." George Miller gave a wry smile. "Franklin Reed promised me that if I go, he'll let me see his family's jewelry collection... You know what I'm into."

　　Alice Bennett nodded, frowning slightly. Lately, she'd been paying attention to George Miller. This guy was different from the others—he seemed much more mature and steady, and his family situation was somewhat similar to hers. "Doesn't that mean your little sister will be home alone?"

　　"She has archery club practice. She said she's going to compete in some tournament. She's not great at studying, but she's good at other things," George Miller explained. He really had no choice but to go this time. He knew that Franklin Reed's family owned an ancient piece of jewelry that absolutely couldn't be bought anywhere else, something very old, similar to the black pearl he had absorbed the first time.

　　In order to further improve his attributes, he had no choice but to agree.

　　The last time his strength increased, he managed to hold steady at 14th place in the Baiyun Martial Arts School. After delving deeper into the study of potential-absorbing jewels, George Miller vaguely realized that this world might not be as simple as he had once imagined...

5 Outing

　　Bibo Lake.

　　Blue water, green mountains, yellow rocks, and a few scattered white birds gliding slowly across the lake. A cool breeze swept by, and countless ripples instantly spread across the pale blue surface, blurring the reflection of the rolling mountains.

　　A few boys followed the yellow gravel riverbank and quickly found a good spot to settle down, starting to take out tools and supplies from their bags.

　　George Miller glanced over at the girls. Florence Reed and the other girls were standing under the shade of a tree. This dazzling beauty's white, cinched-waist dress fluttered slightly in the breeze, and her pale golden hair was tied to the left side, hanging down. She looked like she could be compared to a princess from an opera. Her skin was so fair and translucent it seemed to glow, and her eyes, cold and proud, were as pure as the bluest sapphire.

　　Turning back, George Miller looked at his own group: himself, Charles Parker, Franklin Reed, and Jack Foster—none of them knew how to dress. Their clothes were a chaotic mix of earth yellow, gray, white, and black, with no sense of style, and the quality wasn't high either. The group looked like a ragtag bunch. Compared to the others, their outfits hadn't seemed like a big deal before, but now the difference was obvious.

　　"That girl's name is Florence Reed. She's a friend of Franklin Reed's who was invited to come and relax. She has such a good aura..." Charles Parker whispered as he squatted down to set up the campfire.

　　"Tsk tsk... Even at school, I've never seen anyone with such presence," Jack Foster added in a low voice. "If I had a girlfriend like that, I'd be unstoppable."

　　"She's a friend of my cousin. I don't know her either, so you guys better take it easy," Franklin Reed explained. "I didn't expect my cousin to bring her along. I just told her to come with her friends." He shrugged.

　　George Miller smiled and squatted down as well, starting to organize the dirty firewood. Compared to the pure and spotless Florence Reed over there, they were dealing with messy rocks and wood, looking like people from two completely different worlds.