Fu Xiuning had seen the system’s second-level punishment in action before. It was rare—only nine instances in the past five years—but memorable.
Every host subjected to it had collapsed or fainted from the pain. Yet here was someone actively requesting it as a wake-up method.
Amused by the absurdity of the situation, Fu Xiuning decided to indulge his curiosity. He turned to Lin Kecheng and said, “Why don’t you go order the food?”
Lin Kecheng, sensing the subtle dismissal, tactfully went to the front desk.
The system, meanwhile, snapped back to its senses.
“The second-level punishment doesn’t work on you?” it asked incredulously. “You didn’t even react last time.”
“I can still feel the pain,” Xing Shi admitted, “but the duration is too short. Let’s make it longer this time.”
“The time limit is only 5 seconds,” the system explained.
At that level of pain, even a single second felt endless. Five seconds was more than enough to leave a lasting impression—or trauma.
“Then let’s do it more frequently,” Xing Shi suggested casually, as though ordering refills at a restaurant.
The system was speechless. It felt like they weren’t discussing a punishment that terrified countless hosts, but rather a menu item.
“That’s against the rules,” the system finally choked out. “You can’t use punishment to wake up from a nap!”
Xing Shi countered, “It’s not against the rules. What’s the purpose of second-level punishment? To help the host capture Fu Xiuning, right? I’m requesting it now for that very reason. So, is it okay or not?”
The system hesitated. “…Aren’t you already awake?”
“I’ve already analyzed this. So, are you going to do it or not? If not, I can’t guarantee how well I’ll perform today.”
Faced with this twisted logic, the system wavered. Seeing Lin Kecheng returning, it reluctantly compromised. “Fine. Get ready. Countdown: 3 seconds.”
Fu Xiuning, scrolling through short news updates on his phone, noticed Xing Shi’s slightly pale complexion but otherwise unchanged demeanor.
He set his phone down and asked, “How are you adapting to the company?”
At that exact moment, the second-level punishment hit. Energy surged through Xing Shi’s body, sharp and invasive.
Though the color drained from his face, his posture remained steady, and his tone was unaffected as he replied, “It’s going okay.”
Fu Xiuning observed him carefully. The punishment seemed… muted. Was the system’s punishment somehow less effective on him?
“Can you keep up with the pace of balancing school and the company?” Fu Xiuning asked.
“Doing my best,” Xing Shi replied calmly.
“Isn’t it exhausting?”
“Young people should work hard while they can,” Xing Shi said, his voice steady even as the punishment ended.
The system, seeing that Xing Shi’s condition had improved after the punishment, was about to relax when Xing Shi called it again.
“Do it again,” he demanded.
The system refused. “No.”
Hearing Fu Xiuning ask, “Where are you from?” Xing Shi replied, “City C,” while reasoning with the system. “It’s already been used once. What’s the harm in using it again?”
“The interval between two second-level punishments is too short!” the system protested. “I’d have to file a report explaining the situation, and the main system would never approve a reason as ridiculous as ‘waking up from a nap.’ I’d get punished instead!”
Disappointed, Xing Shi let it go. Fortunately, he’d already gotten the answer he wanted.
The punishment’s sensation had felt oddly familiar, like being poisoned by a magical source back in the magic world.
In that world, every individual possessed a magic core that generated a magical source, which could then be used to create various forms of magic. However, some rare magicians had toxic magical sources. If infected by their magic, one’s own magic source would become contaminated, causing excruciating pain throughout the body—just like the second-level punishment.
Xing Shi’s magic core had been unique. Not only could it produce elemental magic like a typical magician, but it could also reverse its flow, absorbing and transforming other magical sources.
When his magic source had been poisoned, he simply absorbed the contamination and converted it into usable energy. He was intimately familiar with this process.
Now, in his new body, he wasn’t sure if the same ability still applied. But the similarity gave him an idea for dismantling the system.
Feeling unexpectedly cheerful, he looked at Fu Xiuning and said, “Boss.”
Fu Xiuning raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”
Xing Shi unlocked his phone, tapped a few times, and handed it over. “Can you add me as a friend?”
Fu Xiuning scanned the QR code and sent a request.
Xing Shi accepted instantly, satisfied with the result.
He knew he couldn’t go against the system too openly yet, so he’d have to use Fu Xiuning as an excuse to request more second-level punishments in the future. This meant they would inevitably have more contact.
When Lin Kecheng returned, he saw the two exchanging contact information.
He joked, “You’re from the same company and are even alumni. Why are you only adding each other now?”
Xing Shi explained, “We don’t usually meet. Today was a rare chance.”
Lin Kecheng chuckled. “Fair enough.”
He noticed Fu Xiuning glancing his way and excused himself tactfully. “Work is more important. You two chat—I won’t disturb you.”
Before leaving, he turned to Xing Shi. “Our senior is very busy. If you ever need help, come to me. I’ll take care of it.”
Xing Shi nodded obediently. “Thank you, senior.”
The system, however, was less tactful.
“What kind of important work could a boss and a newly signed trainee possibly have to discuss?” it grumbled.
Lin Kecheng’s system replied, “Whether it’s an excuse or not, he knows better than to stick around. Didn’t you see Fu Xiuning’s expression? He’s clearly hinting for him to leave.”
Lin Kecheng nodded, opened his phone, and snapped a photo of the restaurant’s logo for his WeChat Moments. He added a caption: The food is taking forever. If I’m late for class, cover for me, brothers!
Fu Xiuning, meanwhile, turned his attention back to Xing Shi.
“Have you thought about what direction you want to develop in the future?” he asked.
Xing Shi replied earnestly, “I’ll follow the company’s arrangements.”
“The company will consider personal preferences,” Fu Xiuning said. “Do you have any ideas?”
“Not yet,” Xing Shi admitted.
Fu Xiuning nodded and made a mental evaluation.
He’s calm under pressure, sharp, and has a strong will. He’s also good at adapting to adversity and seems to have a decent temperament. However, he’s immune to certain system penalties, which is unusual.
Xing Shi, meanwhile, was forming his own opinions about Fu Xiuning.
Bad temper. Likes to pretend to be “kind.” Doesn’t act like a typical boss. Today’s antics seem more about tormenting me than anything else.
Finally, the seafood porridge arrived.
The casserole was placed in the center of the table, brimming with fresh ingredients.
As Fu Xiuning scooped himself a bowl, Xing Shi noticed Lin Kecheng’s system arguing with him about something.
“Don’t let this psycho come over,” the system warned.
But before Xing Shi could process their conversation, the door opened, and a boy walked in.
Xing Shi’s instincts immediately kicked in. He noticed the boy’s tense expression, determined eyes, and the way his left hand clutched his sleeve.
There was likely a knife hidden inside.
When Lin Kecheng saw the boy, Shao Jianbai, he quickly stepped forward.
Fu Xiuning, meanwhile, was calmly considering how to send Lin Kecheng to the hospital—or worse.
In an instant, Shao Jianbai drew his knife.
Lin Kecheng instinctively moved to shield Fu Xiuning, but Fu Xiuning, with a serious expression, dragged Lin Kecheng aside, seemingly to protect him but actually positioning him in harm’s way.
Before anything could happen, their vision blurred.
Shao Jianbai was no longer where he had been.
In a flash, Xing Shi had disarmed, restrained, and knocked him to the ground.
“Senior, be careful,” Xing Shi said casually, pinning Shao Jianbai with ease.
Fu Xiuning: “…”
Lin Kecheng: “???”
Xing Shi glanced up at the two of them, who were staring at him as if he were the troublemaker.
They exchanged silent looks for a moment.
Finally, Xing Shi broke the tension. “Don’t just stand there. Call the police.”
