Chapter 12

Lin Kecheng and the system were once again caught off guard.

For a moment, the system even considered reporting to the main system, requesting an anti-fraud program to be installed for them.

They never doubted Xing Shi’s words.

After all, Xing Shi had recently saved Fu Xiuning, and with such a striking appearance—and even arranging meals personally for Fu Xiuning at the school gate—who would have suspected he was at -8?

Lin Kecheng closed the image, reopened it, and it was still -8.

Logically, since his competitor’s score was lower, he should have felt pleased, but his expectations had been raised too high, making the reality all the more jarring.

He asked the system, “Are you sure this can’t be photoshopped?”

The system replied, “Absolutely.”

Lin Kecheng said, “He’s a transmigrator. Could his bound system be more special?”

For the first time, the system was questioned on its capabilities, and it felt wounded: “All hosts use the same system dispatched by the main system. The sharing program is also set by the main system. No forgery is possible.”

Just then, the waiter brought over their meals.

Xing Shi saw Lin Kecheng still had his eyes closed, so he picked up his chopsticks and began eating.

Instead of lowering his consciousness, he used the system to learn Lin Kecheng’s score and said, “That’s just the initial value.”

The system explained, “Fu Xiuning’s favorability fluctuates very little, and it’s only high in front of you.”

It scoffed, “His system bragged so much in the group chat, I thought it would be at least -4 or better. Turns out, this is it?”

Hearing the disdainful tone, Xing Shi reminded it, “You’re at -8 now.”

The system replied kindly, “You’re different.”

Since the alliance was formed, Xing Shi had been keeping an eye on it and had prepared a response: If asked, it had nothing to do with him; he didn’t know; if it had the ability, it could find that energy flow itself.

Luckily, after a few exchanges, he guessed the system hadn’t noticed his little maneuver.

He happily shoveled some rice into his mouth and asked, “What group?”

The system said, “The system’s chat group.”

After this reply, Lin Kecheng opened his eyes.

The system briefly summarized the background, asked the host’s opinion, and opened the group chat.

Usually silent, the group was unusually lively today.

Lin Kecheng’s system exploded into the chat, wanting to announce the arrival of a strong competitor. Even if they didn’t team up, this host would become a public enemy.

But upon hearing Xing Shi wanted to ally, it immediately regretted it and hurriedly sent another message.

“Relax, I was wrong. Disperse.”

The group went silent for a few seconds before flooding with messages again.

“Do you guys believe it?”

“No.”

“No.”

“I suspect they actually allied.”

“@FanaticForLooks, what’s your take? You’ve been silent for ages.”

“Show the favorability points so we can see if it’s really a mistake.”

“@FanaticForLooks”

System 99 opened the group and saw these messages. Having consulted the host, it shared the favorability scores in the group.

The systems opened it and saw the -8.

After a series of ellipses flooded the chat, they began to show concern for the host.

“Bro, what happened?”

“What did your host do?”

“Sigh, really don’t want to talk, don’t @ me.”

“@GodFeedsUs”

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay, not your fault [crying].”

“...”

Of course it’s not my fault! Your host started the trouble!

---

Without warning, he charged in, laid his cards on the table, and kept misleading everyone with his words—a pure troublemaker!

He deserves that -8!

The two systems ended the discussion, closed the group, and focused on listening to their hosts chat.

Xing Shi was explaining his score: “I’m too dumb; I need a teammate to lead me.”

He made a small gap with his fingers awkwardly: “I might have stretched the truth a bit to get you to agree.”

The two on the other side were speechless.

“Is that what you call ‘a bit’ of stretching?”

Lin Kecheng looked at Xing Shi.

That kid had just acted so guileless; he thought he was a naive sweetie, but it turned out he had been the one fooled.

Feeling uneasy, he asked the system if these transmigrator hosts had passed through multiple worlds, receiving the reassuring answer: “They’ve only been through this one.”

He said, “I’m afraid I can’t carry someone like you.”

Xing Shi smiled, “You can. Look at my looks; even Fu Xiuning, though annoyed with me, wouldn’t kick me out. He’d still nurture me well.”

Lin Kecheng felt a pang of envy. He asked the system, “Can these transmigrator hosts choose their bodies?”

The system was speechless.

Its host hadn’t done that before; he thought himself superior, better than everyone else.

Now, with “transmigrator” repeated constantly, its attitude was crumbling.

It comforted him: “It’s random. Since the main system chose you, it means your potential is unlimited, maybe even higher than theirs. What good is a handsome face if you’re a -8?”

Lin Kecheng felt somewhat relieved, adjusted his mood, and focused on the present.

He asked, “How did you lose points?”

Xing Shi said, “I sang a song for Fu Xiuning.”

Lin Kecheng and the system both questioned silently.

Are you kidding us?

Lin Kecheng said, “Junior, if we’re allied, you have to be honest.”

Xing Shi replied, “Really, he was there when the trainees were assigned classes. I sang, then he deducted points. Want me to sing it for you after dinner?”

Lin Kecheng didn’t buy such a flimsy excuse but nodded anyway, then asked, “You saved him; didn’t he add points?”

Xing Shi said, “No.”

Lin Kecheng frowned. That meant if he had taken a hit for Fu Xiuning that day, it probably wouldn’t have mattered. This was really complicated.

Xing Shi asked, “Senior, how long have you been here? Why are you still at the initial score?”

Lin Kecheng said it was recently lowered but didn’t explain why, only that he wasn’t sure what happened.

Xing Shi said, “I see.”

The system commented, “Rising one point in half a year is quite fast. No wonder his system is so arrogant.”

Xing Shi relayed the first two sentences to Lin Kecheng and praised, “Senior, you’re really impressive. I didn’t choose the wrong person.”

Lin Kecheng’s confidence, battered several times, was restored a little.

Xing Shi had training tonight. They finished their meal before class.

Lin Kecheng needed him to do a favor, saw him eyeing the dessert shop, and bought several small cakes.

Xing Shi smiled in thanks and reciprocated by singing a song for him—not the improved pitch from before, but the original version from that day.

Lin Kecheng and the system were utterly discombobulated, almost out of body, leaving with a stunned expression.

Xing Shi then strolled back to the company.

As soon as he reached the third floor, he heard the elevator doors open behind him.

The system said, “Fu Xiuning is right behind you.”

Xing Shi turned and called out, “Boss.”

Fu Xiuning knew the trainees’ class schedule and arrived just on time.

He had prepared an excuse—to check on the school anniversary program’s preparations—but met Xing Shi as he stepped out of the elevator.

He asked, “Just back?”

Xing Shi replied with a hum and lifted the bag, “Senior Lin bought these. Want some?”

Fu Xiuning glanced at it, “That many?”

Xing Shi said, “Maybe he’s trying to bribe me.”

Fu Xiuning took the bag and casually asked, “Bribe you for what?”

Xing Shi said, “He’s considering entering the entertainment industry as an artist.”

Fu Xiuning picked up a cake, looked at it, then put it back calmly, “Hmm.”

Lin Kecheng and the system had already mentioned this in the car—they thought it was too slow to join Fu Xiuning’s company after graduation.

But they were overthinking. Fu Xiuning wasn’t interested in Lin Kecheng’s level-one planning skill. His planning department all had over two years’ experience; Lin Kecheng was average and only caused trouble, so he couldn’t get into his company.

However, becoming an artist was something Fu Xiuning might consider.

The system was baffled: “Why don’t you just say it straight, instead of beating around the bush?”

Xing Shi said, “It makes no difference. If Fu Xiuning doesn’t want him, no amount of beating around will help.”

He laughed, “Besides, I have to maintain my persona. Lin Kecheng thinks I’m dumb and easy to use. I can only continue the alliance after a week.”

The system was truly confused: “Why are you allying with him? Do you need him for something?”

Xing Shi said, “You won’t believe me if I tell you.”

The system said, “Go ahead.”

Xing Shi sighed softly, “Because I’m lonely. In this unfamiliar world with no relatives, having someone in my friends list who stands with me through thick and thin makes me feel better.”

The system was silent.

Fu Xiuning was silent.

After five seconds, the system said, “You’re kidding me, right?”

Xing Shi said, “No.”

The system said, “I don’t believe it. If that’s true, why the dumb-sweet persona…”

Its professional mode kicked in: “Hey, do you think Fu Xiuning might like that kind of persona? He’s been through so much; maybe he prefers someone a bit pure. Others’ purity might be useless, but you’re different. Try it.”

Xing Shi said, “No.”

The system urged, “Just try it.”

Xing Shi refused again. Hearing its insistence and feeling generous today, he said, “Alright then, just this once.”

He looked innocently at Fu Xiuning, “Boss, have you made your choice?”

Fu Xiuning inwardly scoffed, glanced up, unmoved.

He saw the teacher coming out of the office, casually picked a flavor, and returned the bag.

Xing Shi didn’t hear the notification sound, took the dessert, and left, “Give up already?”

The system was not convinced: “That won’t do.”

Xing Shi said, “Then what do you want?”

The system pondered until they entered the practice room, then suddenly said, “The other day someone had a birthday, and someone bought cat ears. They seem to have been left here. Wear them and stroll in front of him, remember to look pure.”

Xing Shi refused.

The system pleaded a few more times, but to no avail. Feeling aggrieved, it said, “If you want to ally, go ahead, I won’t stop you or ask later, but can’t you do this for me just once?”

Xing Shi didn’t mind either way; it was up to his willingness. Since the alliance was mentioned, he said, “Fine, just this once.”

He pulled out the cat ears from a corner, put them on, and turned to leave.

Fu Xiuning and the teachers finished their conversation and happened to pass by.

The two met at the doorway, their eyes locking directly.

[Beep]

[Current Favorability: -6]

Xing Shi: “...”

System: “!!!”

Fu Xiuning: “...”