Salted Fish is a Rebellious Person – Chapter 13

Xingshi immediately took off the cat ears.

He knew from the last meal that Fu Xiuning liked his face, but he was still surprised that being cute could increase his score by 2 points.

He couldn’t believe Fu Xiuning actually fell for this.

But the next second, he heard the prompt tone again.

【Didi】
[Current Favorability Value: -7]

Fu Xiuning also didn’t expect the score to increase by 2 points.

Time and time again, he was always affected by this face.

He tried to control his emotions to prevent his favorability value from jumping back and forth. Even though Xingshi and the others would think he was struggling internally, he still didn’t want this to happen too often.

But his true likes and dislikes were beyond his control, and the reminder sounded again. However, instead of reverting to -8 or -10 as he had guessed, it only deducted 1 point.

As he looked at Xingshi, he refused to admit that it might have something to do with the cat ears.

The teachers nearby wore friendly smiles.

They had just seen Fu Xiuning and Xingshi chatting in the corridor, and now their boss was holding a small cake in his hand.

Their boss had always been distant and didn’t easily accept things from others. These two people were definitely not just ordinary alumni—they must have a personal connection.

One of them laughed and asked, “Why are you wearing this?”

Xingshi lied smoothly: “I happened to talk about this with my classmates, and they insisted that I take pictures.”

After saying this, he recalled the artist management system and added, “Teacher, don’t worry, I’ll only take the photos but won’t post them. I’ll show them my phone when I get back.”

The teacher laughed and asked, “Where are you going to take the photo?”

Xingshi replied, “The leisure area.”

The teacher doted on him and said, “Go, go quickly, and come back soon.”

Xingshi left the practice room holding the cat ears.

The system was overjoyed: “How about it, 2 points! Haha! Other hosts work so hard to get 1 point, and we got 2 points in one go!”

Xingshi said: “-7. Thanks.”

The system said: “Well, he’s still trying to escape in his heart. I don’t think he can escape for long.”

Xingshi ignored it and went to the leisure area to casually take a selfie. He looked down at the photo and thought to himself that it wasn’t Fu Xiuning’s fault—he was indeed good-looking.

He took two more photos before going back.

Meanwhile, several teachers were reporting progress to Fu Xiuning.

The song had been chosen, and the movements for each group had been decided. Only the group dance hadn’t been finalized yet.

The trainees had classes as usual during the day, one or two short sessions at night, and then rehearsals. There were still more than 20 days until the first rehearsal for the school anniversary, so there was plenty of time.

Fu Xiuning nodded.

He deliberately chose the door of Xingshi’s practice room, but unfortunately, he didn’t hear about the alliance. He signaled for them to start class and gave up, leaving shortly after.

At 8:15 in the evening, Xingshi’s classes ended, and rehearsals began.

Each practice room had two groups, each taking up exactly half of the space.

Xingshi, his roommate Yu Yi, and Feng Zifan were in the same practice room. However, Xingshi was in a group with others, while Yu Yi was in a group with Feng Zifan.

When Feng Zifan divided the class, he sang songs and danced so-so. Although Yu Yi had a poor foundation, he had a good understanding and made obvious progress. However, his physical fitness wasn’t as good as Xingshi’s, so he was placed in the same group as Feng Zifan.

During the break, they came and sat down next to Xingshi, sighing in unison.

Yu Yi said, “I’m so tired, my whole body aches.”

Feng Zifan pounded his leg and said, “It’ll be fine once the tendons are loosened.”

Xingshi sat back skillfully, stretched out his hand to pull the bag over, and gave each person a small piece of cake.

Feng Zifan opened the box and took a bite, asking curiously, “The boss seems to be quite concerned about this program?”

Everyone around looked over when they heard this.

They had all seen the boss and Xingshi sharing food in the corridor earlier.

To be honest, they were very envious. But since they had been admitted to Z University based on their own abilities and their boss was an alumnus, they could only sigh in envy.

Xingshi answered under everyone’s gaze: “I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”

No one knew whether this was true or not, but they all wanted to make friends with him, so they gathered around to chat. The topics ranged from recently released movies to celebrity gossip, and then to embarrassing moments during the class division.

Meanwhile, Lin Kecheng had just been coaxed by his system.

After learning that the hosts who traveled through time all had amnesia, he felt that he was fine again, but he still didn’t quite understand: “How can he still be so skilled if he has lost his memory?”

The system replied, “Some retain certain instincts.”

Lin Kecheng recalled Xingshi’s reaction that day: “What kind of world was he in before he traveled through time?”

The system replied, “This is personal privacy; only the main system knows.”

Lin Kecheng was fine and was about to go to bed to play on his phone when he received a message from his ally.

Xingshi: [Senior, good news~ I saw Fu Xiuning in the company and told him you wanted to be an artist~]

Lin Kecheng was immediately surprised: [What did you say?]

Xingshi: [Just said it directly.]

Lin Kecheng’s eyes darkened: [You didn’t even ask me before saying that?]

Xingshi: [Huh? Didn’t you say you wanted to be an artist? Of course, the sooner the better. I said so.]

Lin Kecheng’s blood pressure spiked. He thought to himself, “This guy might really be a fool.”

The low score still held him back, but since the matter was already done, he raised his head and asked: [How did he react?]

Xingshi: [He hummed. I think he’s considering it.]

Lin Kecheng didn’t believe him: [How do you know that?]

Xingshi: [I gave him a small cake and told him you bought it. He took a piece. He must be grateful.]

Lin Kecheng and the system: “!!!”

Since they met, Fu Xiuning had never accepted anything from Xingshi.

Even though Xingshi often bought a lot and shared with everyone, Fu Xiuning never took any.

Xingshi had picked so many flavors at the dessert shop before, and he felt a pang of regret when he paid. But now, he felt the money was well spent!

He was surprised: “Does Fu Xiuning like sweets? The information didn’t mention that.”

The system replied: “His preferences in recent years aren’t very obvious, so looking at his information won’t help much. But you bought milk tea for everyone before, and he didn’t want it. Maybe it’s because it was delivered by you this time?”

Lin Kecheng interjected: “I’m at -5, and he’s at -8. What do you think?”

The system thought for a moment and said, “He probably just didn’t want milk tea.” Then it changed the subject: “Just pretend you didn’t know Xingshi told him about this. Next time you see him, bring it up and observe how he reacts.”

Lin Kecheng agreed, lectured Xingshi about discussing things with him in the future, and then closed the chat.

The rehearsals continued on Sunday, and the trainees spent their Saturdays and Sundays in the company as usual.

Another week passed in the blink of an eye, and the trainees had their first comprehensive assessment for class placement. After this, they would have an assessment every quarter.

Xingshi performed as expected and was admitted to Class 2. His roommate Yu Yi, who had been unlucky recently, barely made it into Class 2. Feng Zifan remained in Class 2, where he had been since the initial division. Dazhuang, who was initially at the bottom of Class 2, was surpassed by several people and dropped to Class 3.

The teacher, knowing the trainees were tired, gave them a day off.

Xingshi used the opportunity to return to school and renew his expired alliance with Lin Kecheng. However, the renewal was still only for one week.

After spending some time with him, Lin Kecheng concluded that this guy was probably a fool and easy to use. He said, “Sign a longer contract.”

Xingshi replied, “No, just one week.”

Lin Kecheng grew suspicious: “What’s your favorability value now?”

Xingshi said, “-8. I can show you after we form the alliance.”

On the third day after it had increased to -7, he met Fu Xiuning at the company, and his score dropped back to the normal value of -8, so he was fine with showing it.

Lin Kecheng’s suspicion eased slightly: “Why do you insist on signing for only a week?”

Xingshi answered bluntly: “I told you—I want to see if we can get along. You haven’t helped me at all this week.”

Lin Kecheng: “???”

How dare you, a -8, look down on me?

He held back his frustration and explained, “That’s because I didn’t find the right opportunity.”

Xingshi replied that he’d sign for another week and see how it went. He shook hands with Lin Kecheng, absorbed another small flow of energy, and left with satisfaction.

The days of training passed by uneventfully, and before long, it was time for the first rehearsal of the school anniversary.

The company sent a car to take the trainees to the auditorium entrance. Onlookers nearby saw a group of handsome young men with different styles getting out of the car and almost screamed.

Soon, the news that “a group of trainees came to the auditorium” spread, and everyone scrambled to find connections to watch the rehearsal.

Meanwhile, Lin Kecheng invited Fu Xiuning.

With the system, he had many opportunities to run into Fu Xiuning, but he always felt that directly bringing up the idea of becoming an artist was too abrupt.

So he decided that today, while watching the trainees on stage, would be the perfect time to naturally bring up the topic.

To win favor, he even bought some desserts that were more than twice as expensive as the ones he bought last time.

He placed them on the table and said, “I went out for something this morning, and when I came back, I passed by a dessert shop and bought some. I heard this brand is delicious, senior. Please try it.”

Fu Xiuning, who had met Xingshi several times recently, still didn’t fully understand why the other party had formed an alliance with Lin Kecheng. He agreed to come today because both of them would be present, making it an opportunity to observe.

He replied, “No.”

Lin Kecheng’s smile froze slightly, and he asked the system: “Does he not like this brand?”

The system suggested, “Take them all out and arrange them nicely. Maybe that’ll work.”

Lin Kecheng took out the desserts one by one and said, “Senior, feel free to take any you’d like.”

He waited for a while, but seeing that Fu Xiuning remained unmoved, he wondered if his method was wrong. He took out his phone to contact Xingshi.

Their alliance had expired again, and they had agreed to renew it today.

He complained: “I invited Fu Xiuning—doesn’t that count as helping? Why does he insist on signing for just one week? Does he have some other purpose?”

The system thought for a moment and suddenly exclaimed, “I know!”

Lin Kecheng’s heart skipped a beat: “What?”

The system said, “He’s riding a donkey to look for a horse!”

Lin Kecheng fell silent for a moment: “Rephrase that.”

The system corrected itself: “He’s keeping his options open and could form an alliance with someone else at any time.”

Lin Kecheng thought bitterly that he’d regret it one day, but still sent the message.

Xingshi arrived quickly. When he saw Fu Xiuning, he greeted him with a bright smile, “Boss.”

Fu Xiuning nodded. Not wanting Xingshi to leave too soon, he pushed the small cakes on the table toward him.

Xingshi’s eyes lit up: “For me?”

Fu Xiuning replied, “Yeah.”

Xingshi sat down happily. “Thank you, boss!”

Fu Xiuning said again, “Yes.”

Lin Kecheng and the system: “???”

No, is there something wrong here?