Chapter 9

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Each class session lasted between 45 to 60 minutes. After the last class in the afternoon, they sought out their dance teacher and informed her about the upcoming university anniversary at Z University, hoping she could help choreograph a dance.

The teachers exchanged glances knowingly.

No wonder the boss had been inquiring about Xing Shi’s situation—they were actually alumni.

With the boss’s alma mater hosting the anniversary and his attendance confirmed for that day, they naturally took it seriously and agreed without hesitation.

The trainees cheered and warmly saw the teacher off, excitedly insisting on treating their good brother to a meal. Without this selfless brother, they wouldn’t have had this opportunity.

The “good brother” himself dodged their arms slung over his shoulders. “Nope, I’ve got things to do.”

He added firmly, “Just not tonight. It’s on credit—don’t forget.”

Everyone laughed and teased, “We won’t forget. Now go!”

When Xing Shi arrived at the parking lot, he sent a message to Fu Xiuning.

As Fu Xiuning came down, he looked up and saw someone standing right in front of his car. Almost instantly, the other person looked back.

Xing Shi’s smile was radiant as he waved enthusiastically.

In the glow of the streetlights, his eyes shimmered with light, his warm-toned clothes making him appear bright and dazzling.

He greeted, “Boss~”

[Beep beep]

[Current favorability score: -9]

Xing Shi blinked, puzzled.

System: “!”

Fu Xiuning’s eyes darkened slightly but he calmly responded with a nod, opening the car door.

Xing Shi followed inside and reached to fasten his seatbelt.

The system murmured, “What’s going on? Has he finally remembered you’re his lifesaver?”

Seeing an opportunity, Xing Shi said bluntly, “I’m sleepy. Give me a level two punishment.”

The system fell silent.

After three seconds, Xing Shi prompted, “Come on.”

The system suggested, “How about telling Fu Xiuning something came up and just going back to sleep?”

Xing Shi replied, “I’m already in the car. Wouldn’t standing him up now cost me points?”

System answered, “Not necessarily. I understand now—you can’t judge him by normal logic.”

It clung to the -9 score, “But one thing is clear: the longer you spend with him, the more likely he’ll find you annoying. Let’s go back and think of a strategy.”

Xing Shi was confused.

Had Fu Xiuning caused some psychological trauma?

He refused, “No, I want to eat.”

The system realized it was hopeless and cautiously stayed quiet.

Knowing a level two punishment was unlikely, Xing Shi looked at Fu Xiuning and asked, “Boss, what shall we eat?”

Fu Xiuning slowly drove out of the parking lot, “Anything you want?”

Xing Shi said, “I’m good with anything. Your call.”

Fu Xiuning replied, “Then I’ll take you to Lin Lan Garden.”

Xing Shi didn’t know the place but agreed, “Sounds good.”

He checked with the system and learned it was a membership-only Chinese garden-style restaurant, which pleased him.

Fu Xiuning had a good reputation at school. If he wanted to treat someone to show gratitude, whether genuine or not, the cost at least wouldn’t be cheap.

This was a key reason he agreed to change plans on the spot.

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About twenty minutes later, they arrived.

Lin Lan Garden was styled like an ancient courtyard, with rockeries, flowing water, pavilions, and towers—truly breathtaking.

Night had fallen, and winding corridors were adorned with lanterns, evoking a poetic atmosphere. Elegant private rooms were scattered throughout the courtyard, with attentive waitstaff providing seamless service. The tea ceremony was fluid and refined, the fragrance wafting gently.

Xing Shi heard Fu Xiuning ask about his taste preferences but said he left everything up to him.

Fu Xiuning ordered a few signature dishes, then signaled the waiter away. He lowered his gaze, lifted his teacup, and sipped lightly.

Xing Shi caught the moment and thought sincerely: setting personality aside, this target of his strategy was indeed very handsome—his entire demeanor bore the refined air of a privileged upbringing and excellent education. Truly pleasing to the eye.

Fu Xiuning noticed his gaze and met his eyes.

Xing Shi asked, “Boss, do you come here often?”

“Occasionally,” Fu Xiuning answered.

Xing Shi took comfort, thinking the food here must be good.

Fu Xiuning said, “Their chopped chili fish head is a specialty—you should try it.”

Xing Shi’s eyes lit up. “Great!”

Fu Xiuning withdrew his gaze.

The afternoon’s contemplation culminated the moment he messaged Xing Shi.

He suspected that many of Xing Shi’s anomalies might be because the main system had finally realized he could hear the system and host’s voices, deliberately sending him over to fish for information.

But if it was all coincidence, then Xing Shi, as the first exception in five years, deserved thorough investigation.

There was one problem: based on years of deduction, the main system seemed to value energy highly. Xing Shi kept requesting level two punishments; if the main system detected something odd, it might correct the error and recall him.

Unless... Fu Xiuning frequently stayed close to Xing Shi, making the main system think Xing Shi was useful enough to delay that decision.

So, he faced two paths:

First, he could ignore whether Xing Shi was a trap and invest resources to launch him. Even with a weak foundation, he could learn gradually, and with resources backing him, given Xing Shi’s looks, even if he didn’t become a huge star, minor fame was possible. Then Xing Shi would be like other hosts, working hard to earn money until one day recalled by the main system.

Second, he could keep Xing Shi close.

If Xing Shi was a trap, he could observe what the main system was really up to.

If not, his choice would be risky. Because he’d have more contact with Xing Shi, and his favorability score fluctuated frequently in Xing Shi’s presence.

His true feelings were beyond his control, risking exposure.

In fact, that had already happened today.

He lost one point at lunch after overhearing Lin Kecheng’s scheme to trap him. Xing Shi and the others didn’t know why, only guessing. But the one point lost in the elevator was a real problem. Fortunately, from Xing Shi’s perspective, he had inexplicably lost one point before, so losing another didn’t seem strange.

This time was luck; next time might not be.

If Xing Shi’s system saw through it, all systems would instantly know.

Fu Xiuning sipped his tea again, emotions settling in his eyes.

He was no longer the person from five years ago who suddenly realized he was being targeted, surrounded by hosts, with favorability alerts constantly flashing. He’d tried to remain calm while seeking ways to escape, anxious to regulate his emotions for fear of revealing cracks.

Even if he tried again now to approach hosts and snatch people from the system, he was no longer so naive or foolish in high school. He had no expectations of humanity, didn’t care about being betrayed by hosts, and wouldn’t be disappointed.

He chose the second path.

One reason Xing Shi changed his mind today was to find out why Fu Xiuning had approached him.

Unfortunately, after watching for a while and nearly finishing the meal, he couldn’t read Fu Xiuning’s intentions—it seemed truly just a polite gesture of gratitude for saving his life.

Was that why his favorability score had increased by one after their meeting?

But Xing Shi had not heard any prompt after saving Fu Xiuning earlier that day; he had already sensed Fu Xiuning’s coldness inside, so he thought delayed gratitude unlikely.

Xing Shi considered this and reported the afternoon’s progress: “Senior Lin is very supportive, and the teacher agreed to help us choreograph.”

Fu Xiuning sensed he was slacking. “Hmm, then you all rehearse well.”

Seeing no displeasure on Fu Xiuning’s face, Xing Shi gave up testing and focused on eating.

It was then that Lin Kecheng sent a message.

[Junior, I told the president and others about your external help. Everyone is taking your performance seriously, so I’d appreciate it if you could set up a group chat tonight with me and the participating trainees. This way, if we encounter issues during rehearsals or stage effects, we can communicate anytime.]

Xing Shi replied enthusiastically: [Okay, I’ll create it tonight.]

Lin Kecheng: [Also, I owe you a meal. When are you free?]

Xing Shi: [Senior, you’re too polite. No need.]

Lin Kecheng: [No way, you must let me treat you. If you see Senior Fu at the company, try to bring him along. We survived together—we have to have a drink! [Laughing]]

Xing Shi sent a “Got it” and looked at Fu Xiuning to relay the message.

Fu Xiuning immediately guessed Lin Kecheng’s intent—this was clearly an attempt to use Xing Shi to get close to him.

Xing Shi was both from his company and his lifesaver, a unique identity, making him a new pawn in Lin Kecheng’s eyes.

Lin Kecheng fancied himself a destined one. The system didn’t want to break his confidence, so it hadn’t told him there were multiple hosts. Xing Shi knew about the system but probably hadn’t paid attention to the others.

Fu Xiuning reached out, “Mind if I take a look?”

Xing Shi handed over his phone.

Fu Xiuning saw the group invitation. Lin Kecheng was trying to infiltrate. Every trainee in that group was a potential pawn.

He said, “Don’t get too close to him.”

Xing Shi asked, “Huh?”

Fu Xiuning replied, “Going from an introverted nobody to head of the arts department in such a short time—his rise wasn’t clean. Avoid him as much as possible. Today’s trouble started because of him. He says it’s for my good, but we should wait for the police to investigate.”

Xing Shi absorbed that heavy message and nodded obediently.

Then he called to the system, “You mentioned there are other hosts besides me?”

System: “Yes.”

Xing Shi asked, “Do you know who they are?”

System: “No, I only manage you.”

Xing Shi responded, “Oh... then you say...”

Fu Xiuning returned the phone.

As Xing Shi reached to take it, he continued, “Could Lin Kecheng possibly be...”

Fu Xiuning didn’t hold it tightly, and the phone slipped down slightly.

Xing Shi reached forward, and Fu Xiuning’s hand came up in time. Their hands met, gripping each other over half the phone.

“...a host?”

[Beep beep]

[Current favorability score: -8]

Fu Xiuning had planned to reveal Lin Kecheng’s nature and guessed that the favorability score might fluctuate with Xing Shi’s sharpness, so he had asked for the phone ahead of time.

The timing was perfect.

He calmly withdrew his hand as the system’s joyous voice sounded in Xing Shi’s ear.

“You shook hands, and he actually gave you +1 point!”

“Ahhh, it’s the new year!”

“My -8 is back!”