Chapter 34

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Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Lin Yu knew that to any regular person, especially elders like his parents, being featured on TV was an exceptionally proud thing. Due to this, he spent a long moment talking to his mother and also had a brief conversation with his father. After doing so, all his concerns about his current exposure faded away, and he resumed everything he was working on again.

He spent two hours typing out a whole plan and was almost done organizing the concept of the Academic Genius System.

The most important part of the system was executing and writing from the script he had learned beforehand. After racking his brain, he knew that this was the closest thing to an actual working ‘system’.

Moreover, the person who deserved all the credit for his effective tutor assistance plan was Zhao Xiaolu as he learned the theories on Stimulus Value and Pomodoro Intervals through her. Using both theories as its main foundation, he decided to write a cell phone app with JAVAscript.

There was nothing much that needed to be said about Pomodoro Intervals as there were plenty of references in the public market for all kinds of Pomodoro Intervals related programs. Besides, these programs were similar to a timer program, so coding it would not be too complicated.

Stimulus value was slightly difficult though, as the whole idea was basically on making a reward system.

Designing a reward system was actually an easy task since the most common method in most references was the Points Accumulation System. The truly difficult part would be how to design this reward system to be the ideal reward system he envisioned it to be.

If there was no practical use for a point accumulation system, it would only show numbers and nothing else. Without any meaningful rewards for him, a point accumulation system like this would not be considered a reward anyway.

Based on what Zhao Xiaolu had told him, the Stimulus Value in a video game depended on level climbing and competition, which was obviously ineffective in an Academic Genius System; so the only solution would be something that would reward him with a point accumulation and had an actual meaning he could closely relate to.

The ‘relatable, meaningful thing’ he had chosen was the most simple and barbaric choice… It was money!

1The largest income he had, or perhaps the only way he was able to generate income was through the revenue paycheck from B site. He wanted to come up with a method to lock up part of the total revenue paycheck, where it would only unlock the remaining amount through the exchange of his accumulated points.

With that, he would only be able to exchange his revenue paycheck with the points using the points accumulation system. The points would be accumulated using a Pomodoro Intervals based timer, and a small number of points would be given after completing certain goals based on the Pomodoro Intervals. More points would be given after a longer length of time had been completed and was assessed by the Pomodoro Interval. Just like that, a meaningful reward mechanic was made.

A completely opposing system to the reward mechanic would be a punishment system. This concept was simple: he would be required to complete four goals based on the Pomodoro Intervals, which were about two hours long. If he was unable to complete them, a huge amount of points would be deducted.

After designing his reward and punishment system, he had a eureka moment and decided to add a few other reward exchange options like a day off, enjoying a good meal, having a vacation, going on a stroll, and more.

2“Yes, what else can I add… Oh, that’s right, I should include a level system and a meditation assist function.”

Lin Yu’s focus was directed back to his laptop after the phone call. After pondering about something else for a brief moment, he had another idea.

A level system based on the total points accumulated in order to level up that would give a sense of accomplishment to anyone. On the other hand, he would also be held back from exchanging rewards because of the effect that the levels had on him. This would prevent him from randomly exchanging his points to get a day off and keep him focused on the basic reward and punishment mechanic.

The meditation assist function was based on what Zhao Xiaolu had told him and was solely for the purpose of shifting his focus. Instead of relaxing by focusing on his breathing, he changed it to staring at a yoga ball on his cell phone screen. This could train his focus while at the same time, relax his eyes and recover his vision. The system was perfect.

2“Oh right, the missions. How can the ultimate hack not have missions.”

1He slowly entered work mode again as Lin Yu grew increasingly excited after his eureka moment.

Stimulus Value, Pomodoro Intervals, and meditation were the three main things bestowed to him by Zhao Xiaolu. The missions, however, were his own creation.

The most fundamental mission was to extend his reading time, so completing those missions would yield him more points and would be closely tied to the reward and punishment mechanic based on the points accumulation system. There was nothing more to be said about it.

Aside from the most fundamental mission, the other missions were slightly unique. These were missions like convincing someone he was an academic genius, becoming part of an academic geniuses social circle as an academic failure, explaining a study plan or speech in public, and more.

It might not seem odd on the surface, but the reality was that there was a common point shared by these missions; they were an extreme way to invoke embarrassment and attack his self-esteem.

1There was an actual impact that could be felt through the comments and stares by the general audience. Perhaps there were some people who were never bothered by glaring gazes, but the true number of these people were in fact, very little. Most people still lived within the confines of their community.

If anyone determined that you were weak, you might actually begin hating yourself or it would at least affect your self-confidence. Other people only did it for your own benefit, even though they were pretending all along. Regardless, the main goal was to push you in that direction to work harder.

There was an actual term for this in psychology called ‘self-limiting.’

If one had a predetermined ‘height’ and kept hinting at themselves that it would be impossible to accomplish, they would have given up and lose whatever spirit they had before. In the end, they would not truly be able to accomplish said task.

The most common reasons for self-limitations were self-esteem, humility, lack of confidence, and the constant influence of the people around them. If done right, one could use self-limitations to their advantage.

Of course, Lin Yu was unclear about those professional terms and theories. However, he had every right to comment about them as he had more than enough experience in situations like these.

Before he entered college, he actually had a nicotine addiction. However, when he had just entered and moved into a dorm, his few roommates were still strangers to him. When Feng Hai entered and started casually chatting with his roommates, they were passing a cigarette around but he had been forgotten. It was only after a moment that they realized and passed him the cigarette.

That ‘moment’ was not long, but he felt extremely embarrassed and excluded by his circle. When Feng Hai handed him the cigarette, he felt the need to cover up so he told him a lie and said, “No thanks, I don’t smoke.”

A lie had to be covered up and this would require more lies to cover the original. Since he had to spend every moment with his roommates, this lie had to be covered up indefinitely.

Every time they passed him a cigarette, he was too afraid to accept it and embarrassed to buy cigarettes himself so after a long period of time, he managed to quit smoking cold turkey.

1Although this was not considered a major or minor thing, it was a memory he would not like to revisit as he considered it tainted history. However, now that he had an eureka moment and was motivated, that memory had resurfaced. To truly become an academic genius, he would have to step out of his shell, so he designed a series of embarrassing missions.

Thud, thud, thud!

Thud, thud, thud!

While Lin Yu was focused and excitedly typing away at his keyboard, a series of knocks could be heard coming from his door.

“Who is it? What the hell are you knocking for? Are you mad?”

Lin Yu cursed out loud as his focus was broken.

“Greetings, Student Lin Yu. Please open up the door for a moment. I’m an inspector!”

A coarse, middle-aged voice could be heard from behind the door.

“If you’re inspecting then go look for the dorm warden then. What are you doing inspecting my room for…”

Lin Yu’s voice gradually began to slow down before finally, nothing came out from his mouth. His entire expression instantly morphed into an interested look.

“Oh, I’m sorry. It must’ve been a mistake. I’m delivering takeout!”

“Please don’t misunderstand me, student Lin Yu. My family’s burden is heavy so I had to work several jobs. I didn’t even think before speaking, it’s my mistake.”

Once again, the middle-aged sounding voice echoed through the door, but Lin Yu felt sick listening to his explanation.

This mature, middle-aged voice was obviously not a voice that a student could make, so it was impossible to be a prank pulled by a student. Besides, Changhai Vocational College had more feminine men, so only a rare few could have a voice of a similar tone.

Moreover, not explaining at all would have been better as the more explanations were made, the easier it would be to misunderstand.

There was also Student Lin Yu!

‘How do you know my name!’

‘How could you know I was Lin Yu just from judging by my voice! I do not even know who you are!’

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