“Old Third, three-legged toads are hard to find, but there are plenty of two-legged people—be strong!” As that familiar voice sounded behind him, a sturdy hand landed on his shoulder.

“Hmm?”

Brian Clark turned around and saw a handsome young man with red lips and white teeth standing behind him. With the memories of his previous self, he recognized him at a glance.

His name was Jason Reed, his roommate. His college experience was nothing short of legendary: he slacked off for three years, then quietly managed to win over a young female professor in his senior year, planning to get married right after graduation—truly proving that choices matter more than effort.

“Uh... you saw everything?”

Brian Clark rubbed his flushed old face.

Jason Reed gave a thumbs up, holding back a laugh. “I watched from the roadside for quite a while. I didn’t expect you could handle a threesome—didn’t know you were into such kinky stuff!”

“I...”

Brian Clark glanced around, his brows drooping as he pleaded, “Bro, keep this a secret for me.”

Jason Reed pointed at the WeChat group chat on his phone and slapped his thigh. “You should’ve said so earlier! I already sent the video to the boss and the fourth!”

“You little punk, you’re really quick with your hands!”

“Hmph!”

Jason Reed glanced back, clenching his fist angrily. “I was really pissed off just now. That chick isn’t a good person. Want me to call my father-in-law and have him notify the show’s producers to kick those two jerks out?”

He wasn’t bluffing—his girlfriend’s dad was the sponsor of this music talent show. Getting a few contestants in or out was a piece of cake.

His roommate was a warm-hearted, straightforward guy. Hearing him say this, Brian Clark was truly grateful, but asking someone to take revenge seemed unnecessary. The most important thing now was to improve himself and successfully bind this system.

“Second Bro, I’m really touched you’d go to such lengths for me.”

After thanking him, Brian Clark waved his hand and casually made up an excuse. “But there’s no need to trouble yourself. Backstabbing isn’t my style—I prefer to handle things with my own strength.”

“Tsk tsk tsk!”

Jason Reed widened his eyes, a revenge plot playing out in his mind. “That’s impressive. Have you found a new partner yet? If you have, just say the word.”

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.”

Brian Clark looked at the countdown flashing before him and said anxiously, “If you really want to help, can you find me a female partner as soon as possible? Preferably within twenty minutes.”

“Huh?”

Jason Reed scratched his head, a bit troubled. “Find you a partner in twenty minutes? Why the rush? Picking the right one should take at least half a day.”

“There’s no time for that. I’m off.”

As expected, Brian Clark sighed, not daring to delay any longer. He turned and hurried toward the campus, racking his brain for memories of his previous self to find a suitable candidate.

Jason Reed watched his roommate’s hurried back, shaking his head in confusion. He was about to head to the snack street in front of the school gate to buy something, when he happened to catch a glimpse...

What’s this?

Whoa, damn, it’s like craving ice and getting hail!

“Wait up, Old Third!”

Jason Reed quickly caught up to Brian Clark, who hadn’t gone far, and excitedly pointed to the entrance of the snack street. “You lucky dog! Isn’t that girl Grace Carter?”

“I don’t know why you’re in such a rush, but if you need a partner, she’s perfect! Your childhood friend really blew me away at last year’s school anniversary gala. If you team up with her for the competition, you’ve definitely got a shot at knocking out those two jerks!”

Grace Carter... childhood friend?

Brian Clark looked at his roommate, whose eyes were burning with the fire of revenge, and was momentarily stunned.

Following his finger, he saw under the dappled shade of the trees across the path, two girls in supermarket promo uniforms walking arm in arm, chatting and laughing as they headed toward the school gate.

The taller girl caught Brian Clark’s attention, and a memory surfaced in his mind.

His previous self and this girl named Grace Carter had been childhood friends, knowing each other since they were little, so close that they even applied to the same university.

But ever since he started dating in college, their relationship had grown more and more distant.

The reason was that his girlfriend wouldn’t let him get too close to other girls, not even his childhood friend. The last time they ran into each other on the street, they just nodded and didn’t even speak.

Brian Clark’s nose tingled.

You can always find another girlfriend, but if you lose a childhood friend, can you go back and start over?

His roommate was right—his previous self’s childhood friend was indeed very talented in singing.

She majored in music performance, was highly professional, especially skilled in folk singing, had represented the school in many competitions and won many awards, and was considered a promising student by her teachers, who all thought she should join a professional arts troupe after graduation.

Ask her to be his partner?

After a brief thought, Brian Clark frowned slightly.

She’s skilled in folk singing, but for a talent show aimed at young people, that’s like using a good knife for the wrong job—her strengths might not shine...

[Double Partner Entertainment System binding time remaining: 00:13:59.]

The flashing transparent panel in front of him constantly reminded Brian Clark that there was no time to be picky.

“You’ve really helped me out—I’ll go ask her!”

Brian Clark patted his roommate’s arm in thanks, didn’t waste a second, and immediately ran over, stopping the two girls in their tracks.