Chapter 5

The favorability program was diligent and professional. As the target approached the scanning range, it provided the latest data.

[Beep]
[Current Favorability: -8]

The system was immediately startled. Seeing Fu Xiuning walking closer, his gaze fixed directly on the host, it hurriedly urged, "Open your eyes quickly, Fu Xiuning is coming! And the favorability has gone up!"

Xing Shi didn't want to move, but it wasn't because he was actually full.

Having suddenly transitioned from a high-risk environment to a peaceful nation, he wasn't sure if others could adapt quickly, but he certainly couldn't. His sleep quality during this period had been poor; he woke up at the slightest disturbance, so he wanted to lie limp whenever he had the chance.

At this moment, the sunlight was just right, the leaves were rustling, and he felt a faint drowsiness rising.

The system was excited, "He shouldn't just be passing by; he's definitely coming for you!"

Xing Shi responded reluctantly, his mental voice clearly lacking energy, "Don't be noisy... Just pretend he doesn't exist..."

The system was shocked, "Are you about to fall asleep?"

As the words faded, Fu Xiuning stopped in front of Xing Shi.

He reached out his index finger, intending to flick up the hood to let the other person feel the midday sun directly.

However, the moment he made contact, his wrist was suddenly grabbed.

Small animals have a keen sense of danger; the cat nearby catapulted into action and bolted away.

Xing Shi opened his eyes and tilted his head slightly to look at the person in front of him.

Fu Xiuning met his gaze and saw that the corners of his eyes were slightly red, but there was no hazy, half-asleep look on his face. Instead, his expression was clear and sharp, radiating a keen edge, as if he had been unsheathed in an instant.

However, this only lasted for a second or two before dissipating.

Xing Shi withdrew his hand, pushed back his hood, and sat up straight, his voice carrying a lazy, sleepy tone: "Hello, senior."

Since they were on campus, he addressed the other party according to their student relationship. Fu Xiuning was dressed more casually today than last time, his light-colored outfit looking both gentle and handsome.

He asked with a smile, "Senior, have you eaten?"

Fu Xiuning replied, "Not yet."

He then asked a question he already knew the answer to: "Do you know I'm your senior?"

Xing Shi said, "You're so famous, Senior, of course I do."

Fu Xiuning asked, "When did you find out?"

Xing Shi had recently familiarized himself with the details of "himself," and the original body had heard of this Senior Fu last semester. He answered, "I've forgotten, but I just think it's quite amazing."

He added, "Since we're so fated, may I treat you to a meal, Senior?"

The system cheered on the spot; the host was finally showing some initiative!

Xing Shi had just said it casually and was prepared to be rejected, but instead, he heard Fu Xiuning say, "Sure."

He was surprised at first, then composed himself, "Only limited to the canteen or restaurants under 200 per head. I'm a poor student, so please don't mind."

Fu Xiuning, who had been planning to let someone else pay for an expensive meal, fell into a subtle silence. "I believe trainees have a salary."

Xing Shi said, "But it won't be issued until next month. How about we owe this meal for now?"

Fu Xiuning didn't commit, simply turning around and saying, "Follow me."

Seeing the host follow, the system was dazed by the sudden surprise, but it still pointed out the flaw. "You have enough money in your card to last through four years of university, and you'll get a salary starting next month. How are you poor? You don't even know how to seize an opportunity when it's given to you."

Xing Shi asked, "Do you really think this is an opportunity for me?"

The system said, "Of course, the favorability has gone up to -8!"

Xing Shi said sincerely, "I love your innocence; you must maintain it."

The system defended itself, "I know that hating someone consumes emotional energy. If it wasn't to a certain degree, that value wouldn't stay constant. Your song had a time limit and didn't fall into this category. I thought it would go back to -10, but look, it's -8 now!"

Xing Shi said, "This shows that with the passing of time, the hatred has faded a bit, but considering his general favorability for others is -5, I am still more of an eyesore to him than others. Why do you think he would have a meal with me for no reason?"

The system said, "Whatever the reason, you have a meal's worth of time to spend with him; you must learn to turn a disadvantage into an advantage!"

Xing Shi didn't want to argue, "You're right. I'll strive to treat him to a good meal. Shut up now."

***

The system immediately went silent to avoid making him annoyed enough to quit.

The school's residential area was well-equipped with many shops.

Fu Xiuning stepped into a cafe and heard a familiar conversation.

"Fu Xiuning is here, seize the chance!"
"I know."

A lean boy rose from a booth at the sound of the voice and called out, "Senior."

Fu Xiuning nodded in response and walked over.

Xing Shi followed behind and took a look. There were three people there. Besides the boy who spoke, there was a man and a woman at the table, with coffee, laptops, and documents spread out.

While he was observing, the three people across from him all looked at him. They couldn't help it; he was simply too striking.

With outstanding features and superior body proportions, he wore a simple pair of jeans paired with a baseball jacket over a thin hooded sweatshirt. The warm color tones added a touch of vitality, making him the focal point wherever he went.

The girl looked at him and then at Fu Xiuning. Seeing the two great campus icons in one frame, she felt she could live at least ten more years.

As a fan of good looks, she had known about Xing Shi since he was a freshman, but the junior only ever went to class or worked part-time, rarely seen on campus. Plus, word was he had a bad temper and was hard to approach, so she hadn't expected to see him here.

Her voice softened by several degrees, "Boss, who is this?"

Fu Xiuning said, "A freshman junior who signed with my company as a trainee. I asked him to add a program for you all."

He introduced the three to Xing Shi: the Student Union President, the Minister of Publicity, and the Minister of Literature and Arts. The event he was adding a program to was the school anniversary.

Fu Xiuning had stepped down from the position of Student Union President last semester, but the people below were his appointees, and the school anniversary was a major event, so they occasionally sought his advice on related matters. Today was one of those cases.

The three knew Fu Xiuning owned an entertainment company, and their eyes lit up when they looked at Xing Shi.

The President was even gentler, "Junior, order whatever you'd like to drink."

Xing Shi said, "Thank you, Senior."

The booth was designed for four, so he pulled up a chair from the side and sat down. Seeing Fu Xiuning begin to review the proposal, he reminded him, "Boss, I don't know how to do anything yet."

Fu Xiuning reassured him, "It's fine, there's plenty of time; you can practice."

Xing Shi's days were packed with classes and training, and now he had to prepare an extra program. He suspected Fu Xiuning had specifically sought him out today just to give him a hard time, so he said, "Alright."

Fu Xiuning, remembering his singing ability vividly, raised his eyes, "There are three rehearsals for the anniversary. If you get cut, you change the program and start over. Don't embarrass me."

Xing Shi nodded obediently, "I have it under control."

Fu Xiuning thought to himself, *You'd better really have it under control*, and withdrew his gaze.

The Minister of Literature and Arts, Lin Kecheng, sat beside him. Once he finished reading, he reported on the progress, "The theme for the school anniversary has finally been decided, the sponsorship is in place, and next is designing the posters and invitations for guests, and so on."

The President chimed in, "Xiao Cheng found the sponsorship, and he contributed many of the details in the proposal. He also wrote the final draft; he's really amazing."

Lin Kecheng waved his hand with a smile, "No, it was a team effort."

The system in his mind praised, "It seems your effort to build a good relationship with the President wasn't in vain; she really did put in a good word for you."

Lin Kecheng said, "Of course."

The system continued, "Your proposal is written very professionally; Fu Xiuning might give you extra points. He added 1 point the day you became a minister, which shows he likes people with ability."

Fu Xiuning remembered this.

Lin Kecheng's "lucky draw" had resulted in planning and management skills. Fu Xiuning had watched the other party join the student union to get close to him, work his way up to the position of Minister of Literature and Arts, and had offered a few pointers along the way. He had even added a point of favorability when the other party got the position—this was likely because he knew what would happen later and found the person a bit more pleasing to the eye.

So, he announced his resignation shortly after. The sound of the host and the system changing from surprise to screaming that day was very melodious and had pleased him.

Fu Xiuning closed the proposal and indicated there were no issues.

The President and the others felt relieved and asked a few questions they had been indecisive about.

Fu Xiuning answered patiently. Seeing Xing Shi finish exchanging contact information with them, he decided to leave.

Lin Kecheng didn't get the anticipated notification of increased favorability and asked, "Senior, what are your plans for later?"

Fu Xiuning said, "Going to eat."

The President noticed that the Boss had come over without eating and felt guilty, wanting to treat him. Lin Kecheng blocked her, "Let me do it. I was just thinking of getting something to eat, so let's go together."

Fu Xiuning refused, "I need to talk to him about company matters. It's not convenient today. Let's go."

The last sentence was directed at Xing Shi, who held the coffee the senior had bought him, said goodbye to them, and followed along.

Leaving the cafe, Fu Xiuning asked, "What are you planning to treat me to?"

Xing Shi said, "Any restaurant under 200 per head."

The system, which had been silent until now, couldn't hold it in, "Didn't you say you were going to treat him to a good meal?"

Xing Shi replied as a matter of course, "That's why I crossed out the canteen option."

System: "..."

Fu Xiuning glanced at him and took him to a congee shop outside the school.

Seafood clay pot congee, 192 per serving, cooked to order.

The two picked a window seat. Fu Xiuning unlocked his phone to reply to messages, while Xing Shi slumped into his chair, looking out the window.

The system watched for five minutes and couldn't help it again, "Say something, are you just going to sit there?"

Xing Shi said, "He's replying to messages, isn't he?"

The system said, "He isn't now!"

Xing Shi sighed in his mind, "But I'm very sleepy."

For the past half-month, he hadn't tried to "攻略" (target/woo) Fu Xiuning. First, his state wasn't good, and second, he wanted to wait for the system to get anxious first.

Now, sitting at the same table as Fu Xiuning, it was the best type of scenario he had envisioned. The opportunity was perfect.

He said, "I'm also very tired, physically and mentally exhausted. If you don't believe me, scan and see."

The system knew it was the truth without scanning. It wasn't just because of the half-month of continuous training, but also because this guy woke up at five every day to run several kilometers, and kept increasing the distance. It would be a miracle if he *wasn't* exhausted!

It said, "Then drink some coffee."

Xing Shi said, "Don't mention it. I drank half a cup, and my brain went numb. I didn't dare to speak rashly for fear of saying the wrong thing."

The system suggested, "Go to the restroom and wash your face?"

Xing Shi complied and went, returning to slump back down, "It didn't work at all; I'm still numb."

The system didn't wait to speak before hearing a familiar voice.

"Senior?"

Lin Kecheng looked surprised and approached with a smile, "What a coincidence."

Fu Xiuning was listening to the conversation between Xing Shi and the system, sensing that Xing Shi might be planning something.

He shifted his gaze from his phone to Lin Kecheng. The system could track his location, so he wasn't surprised by Lin Kecheng's appearance, and responded lightly.

Lin Kecheng said, "I was craving the congee from this shop. I didn't expect to see you here too. What flavor did you order, Senior?"

Fu Xiuning said, "Seafood."

The system saw the host resting his chin in his hand, eyes drooping as if he were about to fall asleep, and became even more anxious.

With an acquaintance of Fu Xiuning's here, the host had even less time. He had finally managed to get a meal with Fu Xiuning, and who knew when the next time would be.

It shouted, "Don't sleep! Wake up!"

Xing Shi gave a soft "Hmm," "That was close, almost fell asleep."

The system raised its volume, "Are you even capable of anything!"

Xing Shi said, "Not really."

"How about this," he said, slowly adjusting his posture, "give me a few level-two penalties to wake me up."

System: "?"
Fu Xiuning: "?"

Since the mission began, they had never heard such an outrageous request.