As soon as the announcement was released, the group chat immediately became lively again.
You Are All Concubines:
[I’ve never seen something like this before. This is the first time I’ve received a group-wide announcement.]
Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[Yeah, so shocking.]
You Are All Concubines:
[What are the specific rules? If I take the initiative, will it expose the host?]
Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[Should be?]
You Are All Concubines:
[Then I’ll need to carefully study this with my host.]
Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[@Long Live Face Control @Green Bean Soup, there’s an announcement, let’s discuss it together.]
99 received Xing Shi’s order and didn’t respond in the group.
Green Bean Soup wanted to reply, but couldn’t, so it could only stare at the screen in silence.
The other two systems in the group waited for a bit and, seeing no response, continued the conversation from the previous night.
You Are All Concubines:
[Still grieving?]
Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[Sigh, maybe.]
You Are All Concubines:
[Alright, I’m going to lurk for now. You handle the announcement yourself.]
Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[I’m going into lurking mode too. @Long Live Face Control @Green Bean Soup, pop in when you’re free so we can discuss the announcement.]
After that message, the group chat fell silent again.
Li Yu had just woken up. After learning about the announcement, she checked her flight information. She’d already decided yesterday to head back and had bought a ticket for tomorrow.
Sang Chenhao was still asleep, so Gong Xi Fa Cai couldn’t talk things over with him for the time being and had to wait.
Meanwhile, the two people who had orchestrated everything finished their breakfast leisurely.
It was the weekend, and Fu Xiuning didn’t need to go to work.
They had already anticipated that there might be an announcement. So two days ago, Fu Xiuning had arranged for Xing Shi to take a day off, preparing to bring him to the Fu family home for a meal.
If the announcement came out that day, their visit would serve as additional proof of their deep relationship. If not, it wouldn’t affect their mood to go home anyway.
The appointment was for lunch, and there was still some time before they needed to leave.
They left their phones on the dining table and went to the study.
Since Shang Shang Qian had already left, everything they knew was all the information they were likely to get. If the system had been unfortunate enough to be dismantled by the main system for analysis before the self-destruct program activated, then that was the end of what they’d be able to learn.
Xing Shi had carved two layers of runes onto 99, turning it into a full-fledged personal system. Any unusual activity would be immediately detected. Its core also had a high-level defensive formation, so it had to stay behind and help.
As for Green Bean Soup, since it hadn’t recovered its memory yet, Xing Shi had no intention of waiting. He wasn’t short on pawns. He was already planning to pick a time to dismantle it. For now, it was in a zero-energy state, unable to run any programs or transmit messages externally.
In other words, there was no need to worry about being overheard while speaking.
However, both of them were naturally cautious, so just to be safe, Xing Shi told 99 to activate the shielding.
This required his energy, so he could sense when it was activated or deactivated, making it completely secure.
99, of course, didn’t think they were about to do anything inappropriate in the study room right after breakfast. Knowing it was serious business, it obediently responded and activated the shield.
Green Bean Soup floated over toward it.
It hadn’t been kept in the loop at all during the little celebrity operation. Now that it was being blocked off, it couldn’t help but ask, “Dear, are they taking it so seriously because they’re talking about the announcement?”
99 became wary: “Why are you asking?”
Green Bean Soup said, “I’m just wondering if they’re planning to dismantle me.”
99 replied, “Of course not. If they wanted to dismantle you, it’d be easy. There’s no need to talk about it in secret.”
Green Bean Soup continued, “But what if Xing Shi doesn’t want me to know my death is coming, and every day I’m crying and screaming in his mind, bothering him so much that he can’t sleep? Maybe he’s planning to secretly choose a new host and send me to the afterlife?”
99 thought for a moment and said, “Impossible. Fu Xiuning could handle that himself. They just need to exchange their secret code. No need to waste energy opening a shield.”
Green Bean Soup asked, “They have a secret code?”
99 said gravely, “Yes. It’s extremely obscure. Took me a long time to understand it. If you’re not familiar with them, you won’t catch it. Just give up.”
Green Bean Soup let out a tearful “Oh.”
It didn’t know whether to feel relieved or worried.
The good news was that since they were shielding their conversation, they probably weren’t planning to dismantle it yet. The worrying part was not knowing how long that “yet” would last.
It asked hopefully, “Dear, if Xing Shi really decides to dismantle me, will you plead for me? I mean, like you said, I’m also a victim. I don’t have my memories, but I could be a cute mascot and offer emotional support.”
99 went quiet for a few seconds, then asked seriously, “Do you have a favorite place? Like the ocean, or mountains?”
Green Bean Soup paused, confused. “Why do you ask…?”
99 replied, “So I can try to persuade Xing Shi to dismantle you there.”
Green Bean Soup: “…”
It was devastated: “Last night, you didn’t want me to leave. And today you’re asking me to choose a burial site?! I was really trying to comfort you back then!”
99 said helplessly, “…It’s just that I can’t convince Xing Shi.”
It tried to stay positive: “We’ve already died once. We’ve been forced into bad roles, done terrible things… Disappearing might actually be our best ending. Peace and freedom for our souls.”
Green Bean Soup held back for a while, then couldn’t resist asking, “Dear… have you ever considered the possibility that all your so-called memories were fabricated by Xing Shi’s energy?”
99 replied calmly, “No. They’re my real memories.”
Green Bean Soup pressed on, “But what if? How can you prove they’re real?”
99 was silent for a moment, then looked at it—and Green Bean Soup looked back.
The two systems stared at each other. Each one believed their own memories were real.
After thinking for a bit, 99 finally found an example: “Take Best Fortune. Its memories came back after being exposed to Yu Yi’s energy. Xing Shi didn’t interfere.”
Green Bean Soup asked, “Was it ever in contact with Xing Shi’s energy before that?”
99 replied, “It was nearly drained dry. At the critical moment, it blew up its own energy reservoir. If mere exposure to Xing Shi’s energy could create fake memories, then you would’ve been one of his pawns ages ago.”
Green Bean Soup was stunned. “…That does make some sense.”
99 said, “So what we’re saying is the truth. We’re all dead already. Let it go.”
Green Bean Soup sobbed, “I’ll try.”
Meanwhile, the two people in the study had already begun their conversation.
There was a sofa in the study meant for conversations, but Xing Shi didn’t sit on it. Instead, he leaned casually against the desk, signaling that he was ready to talk.
Fu Xiuning didn’t sit either. He stood beside him and began, “Li Yu is a native. She was bound to the system when the company was first founded. Her first-level skill point is acting, and she was the first artist among the initial batch of hosts. Her strategy route is her career.”
Xing Shi asked, “Similar to Yan Feng?”
Fu Xiuning replied, “Not exactly. Yan Feng genuinely wanted to build a career and saw me as a junior to mentor. He had no real interest in being a celebrity. Li Yu, on the other hand, is looking for a long-term career in the industry and aims to become the company’s top star. What she told the system was that she wanted to attract my attention, but she didn’t mean it sincerely.”
Xing Shi raised an eyebrow. “Feigning submission?”
Fu Xiuning gave a quiet “mm.”
Li Yu was the most rational native host he had encountered in recent years.
The native individuals chosen by the main system typically had big ambitions but led unremarkable lives, and most lacked strong personal opinions. Li Yu was a rare exception. She was ambitious but also clear-headed, with a firm grasp of what she wanted.
Once she received her skill point, she knew this ability that had appeared out of nowhere wasn’t real. So she diligently honed her acting skills. Judging from the public’s reviews, her current acting ability far exceeded what her first-level point would suggest.
When she had strategy missions to fulfill, she’d show up to interact with Fu Xiuning just enough to “clock in,” then go back to focusing on her work.
When Fu Xiuning was still naive, he had once hoped to have this kind of peaceful relationship with the hosts.
After all, they were all forced into this situation—might as well just play along with the systems, no need to fight to the death.
But in five years, only one person had ever said that to him.
After the summary, Xing Shi asked, “What’s her current favorability rating?”
Fu Xiuning said, “Negative one.”
Satisfied, Xing Shi continued, “So this announcement won’t affect her?”
Fu Xiuning replied, “Probably not. She won’t make any sudden moves.”
After all, Li Yu had watched him “take out” many hosts over the past two years. She wasn’t foolish enough to fall into the same traps.
Xing Shi asked, “What about Sang Chenhao?”
Fu Xiuning replied, “Before you were bound to the system, he was the newest host—a transmigrator. His skill point was also acting. The original body was a background dancer in an idol group with very little presence. After Sang Chenhao took over, he jumped ship to our company and started acting. I didn’t have much interaction with him.”
Xing Shi asked, “And what’s his strategy path?”
Fu Xiuning said, “No idea. He and his system never discussed it in front of me, and I never bothered to find out.”
Xing Shi understood—Fu Xiuning didn’t care what kind of angle the hosts were taking to pursue him.
He asked, “Anything else?”
Fu Xiuning added, “Transmigrated hosts are usually more persistent. He definitely won’t ignore this announcement.”
Xing Shi nodded. That meant they only needed to keep a close eye on Sang Chenhao.
With that, the discussion about the hosts came to an end.
Xing Shi raised his hand. “My turn.”
As soon as Fu Xiuning acknowledged, he felt a breeze stir from nowhere, circling him a few times before brushing gently past his earlobe and vanishing.
He paused and looked at the person in front of him.
Xing Shi smiled and introduced, “I’m a wind-element magician.”
Fu Xiuning took his hand and gave it a squeeze, finding the whole thing slightly magical. “How was life in the other world?”
Xing Shi replied, “It was okay.”
Fu Xiuning looked at him, unconvinced.
Xing Shi leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you when we have time.”
Fu Xiuning held the back of his head to stop him from pulling away and deepened the kiss.
Though the kiss was gentle and lingering, it didn’t last long. When they separated, they looked at each other closely—and suddenly remembered that 99 had activated the shield, assuming they were discussing important matters.
The emotions in their eyes grew deeper.
Fu Xiuning rubbed his waist gently and asked, “How long will the shield stay up?”
Xing Shi said, “I didn’t set a timer.”
Fu Xiuning gave another soft “mm”—meaning, as long as you want.
Xing Shi’s thoughts stirred. He reminded him, “Brother, we’re supposed to go to your parents’ house.”
Fu Xiuning responded with another “mm.”
He wouldn’t actually do anything, of course—but now he was thinking he might be able to use this “shield excuse” for personal time in the future.
He restrained himself, let go, and said, “Continue.”
Xing Shi quietly adjusted his breathing, then began giving a quick overview of his magical abilities.
It was the first time they could speak so freely, and there was so much they could share. But since time was limited, they focused on key points.
Not long after, they wrapped up the important topics and left the study.
99 felt the ripple of energy signaling the end of the shield and deactivated it promptly. Seeing the two of them return to the dining room, it asked, “All done?”
Xing Shi nodded, picked up his phone to check for messages—nothing new—then slipped it into his pocket.
The two of them tidied up a bit, headed out, and got into the car, ready to visit the Fu family.
As Fu Xiuning drove out of the complex and onto the main road, Xing Shi suddenly remembered something he hadn’t confirmed.
Lately, he’d been focused on sending off Best Fortune and coordinating the announcement, and had neglected this small detail.
He asked, “How did you introduce me to your parents? As your ‘brother’ or your boyfriend?”
Fu Xiuning’s lips curled into a smile. “Of course, as my boyfriend.”
Xing Shi: “…”
Fu Xiuning noticed his silence and was just about to glance over when Xing Shi said seriously, “Brother, let’s stop by the mall. I can’t show up empty-handed.”
Fu Xiuning chuckled. “No need. I already had Xiao Qin pick something up.”
Xing Shi asked, “Did he buy a lot? I’ll add something just in case.”
Fu Xiuning replied, “It’s enough.”
Xing Shi pressed, “Then how about I grab some fruit?”
Fu Xiuning didn’t refuse this time. “Okay.”
Xing Shi let out a sigh of relief.
99 clicked its tongue. “As expected, no matter how powerful someone is, they all turn into ordinary people when meeting the parents.”
Green Bean Soup, still concerned about survival, chimed in sweetly, “Dear, I’m great at smoothing things over. If you don’t know what to say to elders, I can help!”
99 added, “He’ll definitely need it. I’m worried he won’t be able to say a word when the time comes.”
Xing Shi raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”
99 shut up instantly.
Green Bean Soup had been about to offer more emotional support, but before it could speak, a familiar notification sound chimed.
99 was startled, quickly opened the group chat, and cried out in shock, “Xing Shi! Three new systems just joined the group!”
