Salted Fish is a Rebellious Person – Chapter 18

The moment Fu Xiuning saw Xing Shi, he knew his favorability value was about to change.

But resistance was futile—the system prompt still rang.

He forced himself to look at Xing Shi calmly, trying to keep the score from fluctuating too much. “Dyed your hair?”

Xing Shi toned down his overly bright smile.

Being too handsome could be a crime, and it seemed he was guilty. “Yeah, the stylist said it would look better.”

He hadn’t paid much attention to the suggested colors until he saw the wig samples. The stylist had wanted to dye his hair a soft pink, saying it would give him a “first love” vibe. But Mi Jin, with its light golden hue between camel and white, reminded him of his old self in the magic world. He chose it, hoping for good luck—he could always switch colors after dismantling the system.

The result was stunning. The warm beige base gave way to light gold highlights, softening the sharpness of his features and adding an air of mystery and elegance. If his previous appearance was bright and vivid, now he exuded nobility and depth.

Fu Xiuning kept his emotions in check and said, “We’re heading somewhere crowded. Do you have a hat upstairs?”

Xing Shi nodded. “Yeah, I’ll go grab one.”

As he turned toward the elevator, the system prompt sounded again.

[Didi]
[Current Favorability Value: -5]

Stepping into the elevator, Xing Shi waited a few seconds before asking, “Did he disconnect?”

The system replied, “No.”

Xing Shi was surprised. “He’s staying steady this time?”

The system sighed, “I knew your score might go up when you dyed your hair. And I also knew he’d struggle with it. Now it’s dropped again.”

Then, with a rare sense of composure, it added, “This is great. We only lost 1 point. We’re now on the same level as Lin Kecheng. We’ll surpass him soon. Stay calm.”

Xing Shi smirked. “No rush.”

The trainees had just finished class and immediately noticed his new look.

A chorus of “Holy shit!” filled the air.

Feng Zifan walked over, took one look at him, and dramatically clutched his chest. “Are you going to let me live?”

Xing Shi raised an eyebrow and grinned. “No chance. It’s all natural. Lend me your baseball cap.”

Feng Zifan sighed in resignation. “Where are you going? Why do you need a hat?”

“Going out for something,” Xing Shi replied.

Hearing this, Feng Zifan not only handed over his cap but also gave him an unopened mask. “Be careful on the road.”

When Xing Shi returned to the parking lot, Fu Xiuning was already in the car.

Before stepping out of the elevator, he put on the cap, then slid into the passenger seat and fastened his seatbelt.

Fu Xiuning watched him.

The brim of the cap hid part of his eyebrows, but the lower half of his face remained effortlessly captivating.

Fu Xiuning averted his gaze.

He already knew—he liked this face.

Forcing himself to stay composed, he started the car and drove out.

But as much as he tried to suppress it, the truth was undeniable.

[Didi]
[Current Favorability Value: -6]

Xing Shi stared straight ahead, expression calm.

The system, on the other hand, freaked out. “Why did it drop again?!”

Xing Shi answered coolly, “He’s struggling.”

The system fumed. “But this is too fast! What’s the point of resisting? Just admit you fell for him at first sight!”

Xing Shi threw its words back at it. “Stay calm.”

The system: “…”

—

It was Friday evening rush hour, and they got stuck in traffic several times before finally making it onto the highway.

Curious, Xing Shi asked, “Boss, where are we going?”

Fu Xiuning replied, “The airport.”

Xing Shi raised an eyebrow. “Who are we picking up?”

Fu Xiuning’s lips curled slightly. “Director He and Qi Changyi.”

Xing Shi blinked. “Huh? I thought they were arriving tomorrow.”

Fu Xiuning nodded. “Their flight was rescheduled. This is a good opportunity—I’ll introduce you to some important people.”

Xing Shi glanced at him. “Boss, there’s something I haven’t told you yet.”

Fu Xiuning played along. “What is it?”

Xing Shi said, “Director He is my biological father.”

Fu Xiuning’s face showed a flicker of surprise. “What?”

Xing Shi nodded. “It’s true.”

Fu Xiuning paused for two seconds before asking, “With that kind of background, why did you choose to become a trainee?”

Xing Shi had wondered the same thing.

But the original owner’s memories were just basic life summaries—no deep thoughts, no explanations. Most of his understanding came from observing the original owner’s behavior.

So he made something up. “I wanted to prove I could succeed without relying on my family.”

Fu Xiuning took the answer at face value and even offered gentle encouragement. “That’s admirable.”

Xing Shi looked touched. “Boss, you’re so kind.”

Fu Xiuning simply hummed in acknowledgment.

Then Xing Shi asked, “So, when did you find out?”

Fu Xiuning remained calm. “Hmm?”

Xing Shi reasoned, “The top trainees from Class 1 are heading into the talent show. Shouldn’t you be planning for them?”

Fu Xiuning replied, “They’re about to debut, so they don’t need me. You gained the most fans from this trending event, so I want to train you.”

Xing Shi wasn’t convinced. “But wouldn’t it be better to take a few more people with me to maximize the impact?”

Fu Xiuning’s tone was relaxed. “Maybe because you’re my junior, it looks less like pure business if I help you?”

Xing Shi narrowed his eyes. “Then why pick me up from the airport personally? Qi Changyi is the company’s boss, the movie’s lead, and Director He’s relative. Isn’t it enough for him to handle it? You were way too eager to bring me along. Almost like you wanted to make me feel… welcomed.”

Fu Xiuning’s smile deepened.

[Didi]
[Current Favorability Value: -5]

Xing Shi knew he was onto something.

Fu Xiuning, however, smoothly shifted the blame. “Qi Changyi asked about you a few days ago, so I asked around.”

Xing Shi tensed. “…What did he say?”

Fu Xiuning said lightly, “He said you’re the little brother he’s never met and wants to build a good relationship with you.”

Xing Shi & System: “…”

Yeah, this guy was definitely up to something.

Xing Shi exhaled. “Oh.”

He leaned back in his seat and decided not to ask any more questions.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the airport.

Director He’s plane landed on time. Before even seeing Xing Shi, he received a message from him: [I’m in City Z.]

He didn’t reply. Instead, he waited at the VIP exit.

A few minutes later, a group of six emerged. Two were fully covered—hats and masks. The remaining four were more relaxed, wearing either just hats, masks, or nothing at all.

Xing Shi’s gaze landed on the middle-aged man in a simple hat.

As the distance closed, the details became clearer.

The man was of average height, slightly chubby, but had strikingly handsome features. He smiled while chatting with someone beside him, exuding an easy-going warmth.

Suddenly, an unfamiliar tightness rose in Xing Shi’s chest. A stinging sensation surged through his nose.

He didn’t know why. He couldn’t control it, nor trace its source.

For a fleeting moment, he was back in the magic continent—standing bloodied with a dagger, hiding in the dark swamps, enduring freezing nights riddled with pain, barely surviving the Blood Moon Valley.

He had met many people: a witch searching for her sister, brothers relying on each other, a hunter braving the devil’s cave for his wife, a father avenging his child… He walked through countless city-states filled with glowing lights.

But none of them were home.

Xing Shi yanked down the brim of his hat and shut his eyes.

The system was the first to notice something was off. “Wait… Are you crying?”

Fu Xiuning, hearing this, turned his head slightly to glance at the person beside him.

Xing Shi’s voice remained even. “What are you thinking? I’m just… getting into character.”

The system didn’t understand. “What character?”

Xing Shi explained, “I’m about to throw myself into Director He’s arms, cry, and wail, ‘Dad, I was wrong! I won’t act out anymore! Let’s live happily together!’ That should completely rewrite my character setting. Will it work?”

The system panicked. “No! Don’t joke about that!”

Before, it had casually suggested that the host reconcile with his father. Occasionally, it would bring it up, but never pushed too hard. It feared Xing Shi’s personality would collapse—or worse, that Qi Changyi would turn against him.

But now, the host wanted to go all out?

The system anxiously advised, “Calm down. You don’t know how they’ll react. Director He is very busy—just keep it casual this time. Be a little aloof, don’t overdo it.”

Xing Shi sighed. “Alright, I’ll do my best.”

With the moment of emotional turbulence behind him, he slowly lifted his hat.

Fu Xiuning glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. Xing Shi’s expression was normal—no signs of tears.

Director He and his group finally reached them.

Just moments ago, they had only spotted Fu Xiuning. Now, they saw who stood beside him.

Director He was stunned. “Sui Sui?”

Xing Shi met his gaze.

That brief emotional wave earlier had convinced him—he was most likely the original owner of this body. He had no proof. It was just intuition.

But it didn’t really matter. He had already read the original owner’s life history.

The conflict between the original owner and Director He was straightforward.

His mother had died in a car accident when he was eight. Director He raised him alone until he was ten, but then devoted himself fully to his career. As years passed, he became increasingly absent. Eventually, he moved abroad for filmmaking, missing all of Xing Shi’s junior high years.

Then, in his second year of high school, Director He announced he was remarrying.

The original owner was furious—his father had “no time to raise a child” but somehow had time to date? At that moment, he severed ties.

Director He knew he was at fault and had been treading carefully ever since.

But standing here now, with a different perspective, Xing Shi thought—this wasn’t such a big deal.

Parents have their lives. Children have theirs.

Director He wasn’t the most present father, but he had never fully abandoned his son. He came back every year, stayed as long as he could. Xing Shi had never gone hungry, never lacked resources.

In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t worth resenting.

So he simply said, “Dad.”

Director He hadn’t heard that word in years. He instantly responded, stepping forward, eyes scanning his son up and down. “You’ve lost weight.”

Xing Shi replied, “I’m fine.”

Director He hesitated, wanting to reach out—maybe pat his shoulder, maybe ruffle his hair.

But before he could, someone else interjected.

Qi Changyi pulled down his mask and smiled. “So this is Sui Sui. I’ve heard Director He mention you a lot. You’re even more handsome in person.”

Director He snapped out of his daze and made introductions. “Oh, right—this is Qi Changyi. You know him, don’t you? He’s your cousin. Let him take care of you at the company from now on.”

Director He and Qi Changyi had already discussed this beforehand.

A broken family dynamic wasn’t ideal. Since Qi Changyi was only a few years older than Xing Shi, he figured there wouldn’t be much of a generation gap. The plan was for Qi Changyi to slowly build a relationship with him, mediating between him and Director He.

Director He trusted Qi Changyi’s character. He wouldn’t deceive his son.

Qi Changyi, on the other hand, had his own perspective.

Xing Shi’s anger wasn’t unreasonable. But the reality was, Qi Changyi’s aunt and Director He weren’t even officially married yet—they had only gotten their marriage certificate, the wedding was still pending.

He wanted his aunt to live happily, and the best way to ensure that was to build a good relationship with her stepson. He intended to take things slow.

But before either of them could ease into the subject, Xing Shi cut straight to the chase.

“I know him.”

He then greeted politely, “Hello, cousin.”

—

Director He & Qi Changyi: “…”

They had planned to reveal this over dinner.

But Xing Shi had blurted it out so naturally, so seamlessly—

Now what the hell were they supposed to say next?