Salted Fish is a Rebellious Person – Chapter 64

Xing Shi was thinking about what to say when he met Fu Xiuning’s parents.

He’d lived a hard life over the years and had become emotionally indifferent. He once thought he’d never experience something like this in his lifetime—but then he met Fu Xiuning, who managed to irritate him in every possible way. Now, he had to face this hurdle too.

He vaguely remembered seeing Fu Xiuning’s parents at the beach when he was a child. While recalling their faces and staring ahead at the road, the system’s voice snapped him back to reality.

“Three?” he asked.

99 replied, “Yes.”

It added anxiously, “That’s over the six-system limit. Are they targeting you?”

Xing Shi answered calmly, “Obviously.”

99 continued, “Could it be that Shang Shang Qian and the others got exposed?”

Xing Shi said, “Then they wouldn’t just send in systems. They’d kick you out of the group chat and publicly announce my identity to the other hosts.”

99 thought that made sense. “So what should we do?”

Xing Shi signaled for it to keep an eye on the group chat. Then he turned to look at Fu Xiuning beside him. His gaze landed on the faint smile on Fu Xiuning’s face. After a pause, he looked away.

Fu Xiuning noticed the little movement out of the corner of his eye and asked gently, “Nervous?”

Xing Shi said, “No.”

Fu Xiuning replied, “The last time I went home and looked through the family albums, they recognized you—but they didn’t know about our relationship yet.”

Xing Shi refocused. “So what did you tell them afterward?”

Fu Xiuning said, “I just told them directly.”

Xing Shi: “…How did they react?”

At a red light, Fu Xiuning stopped the car, reached over, and took his hand. “They told me to take good care of you.”

Xing Shi said, “They’re that open-minded?”

Fu Xiuning chuckled, “Yeah.”

He had been harassed by both men and women before. His parents had talked with him about his orientation long ago, and their attitude was always: as long as you’re happy. At the time, though, he told them he wasn’t interested in anyone.

Having watched their son become colder and more detached over the years, his parents had worried he might end up alone. Now that he finally had someone he liked, they naturally wouldn’t oppose it.

99 listened to their conversation and was a little curious about the old photos, but most of its focus was on the group chat.

With three new colleagues joining at once, the other two systems were panicking.

You Are All Concubines:
[What’s going on? Three new systems at once?]

Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[Has this ever happened before?]

You Are All Concubines:
[Never. Usually, one leaves and another arrives after a month or two. The total never exceeds six.]

Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[You think it’s because of Xing Shi?]

You Are All Concubines:
[It must be. I’ve had a bad feeling. It hasn’t even been twelve hours since Shang Shang left.]

Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[Right, too many things happening at once. What are the usernames of the three new systems? Are they on a mission?]

The three newcomers still had default numeric usernames and hadn’t changed their IDs.

Each one sent the same message: “Hello.” They all claimed to be from the emergency response department.

The other two systems asked them some follow-up questions, but none of the new ones replied again.

You Are All Concubines:
[Why are they acting so mysterious?]

Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[If you need help, just say so. We’re all colleagues here.]

You Are All Concubines:
[Judging from their behavior, they definitely don’t need us. But what’s going on with those two? Even with something this big, they’re still not speaking?]

Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[@Long Live Face Control @Green Bean Soup, you two okay?]

99 communicated with Xing Shi before replying to them.

Long Live Face Control:
[Thanks for your concern, still mourning. Currently lying down.]

Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[@Green Bean Soup, what about you?]

99 waited a bit and sent another message.

Long Live Face Control:
[Is it even possible not to mourn?]

Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[What are you doing?]

You Are All Concubines:
[Offline?]

Long Live Face Control:
[Maybe? Once, my host and I had a fight. He got so mad he went to a bar, found some random person, and locked me in a dark room just to activate the shield. He’s done it several times. You get what I mean.]

Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[……]

You Are All Concubines:
[…Oh.]

Long Live Face Control:
[Just guessing though, not 100% sure.]

The two systems were stunned.

They had always known its relationship with its host was terrible, but hadn’t imagined how bad it really was. They used to think it just didn’t know how to adapt—but now they finally understood.

You Are All Concubines:
[That’s… advanced level.]

Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[My god, that bad?]

Long Live Face Control:
[Tears… 😭]

Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[But shielding should only activate during the act. It’s been going since last night.]

Long Live Face Control:
[There’s this thing called toys. You can’t imagine how low humans can sink. Last time, he locked me up for three days. Afterwards, he was too weak to move for half a month.]

Gong Xi Fa Cai:
[……]

You Are All Concubines:
[…Ah.]

Long Live Face Control:
[This is making me too sad. I’m going into stealth mode.]

After that, the group chat fell quiet again. The three new systems remained silent.

99 waited for another two minutes, just in case. Then, sensing that the topic had died down, it returned its attention to Xing Shi.

“You’re a genius,” it praised. “That shielding trick? Brilliant.”

Xing Shi replied casually, “Just thought of it.”

99 added, “But we can only use that excuse once. Green Bean Soup talks too much in the group. If it goes quiet again, it’ll be too suspicious.”

Green Bean Soup, afraid that it would be seen through and discarded, quickly said, “Dear, I believe you! I want to be one of your own!”

Xing Shi ignored it.

Green Bean Soup pleaded, “I’m a victim too! If I regain my memories, I might have useful info about the main system!”

99 was tempted. “That might be true…”

Green Bean Soup pressed, “Right?!”

Xing Shi said, “Shut up.”

Green Bean Soup whimpered an “okay” and obediently muted itself.

Fu Xiuning pulled over halfway to let Xing Shi buy fruit. Seeing that he wanted to buy several boxes, he stopped him.

Xing Shi reasoned, “They’re all small boxes. It’s not that much.”

Fu Xiuning said, “We already have plenty at home. Just listen to me.”

Xing Shi haggled with him for a bit, finally negotiated a discount, and began picking out the best boxes of fruit.

Fu Xiuning stood nearby, watching him.

It was winter, and Xing Shi was wearing a light-colored coat. Since the car’s heater was on high, he hadn’t buttoned it up before getting out. Now he stood tall, long-legged, and eye-catching. Many people passing by cast glances his way, but he remained oblivious, focused intently on choosing fruit, appearing particularly well-behaved.

Fu Xiuning’s gaze slowly softened. He stepped forward and held Xing Shi’s hand.

When they arrived at the Fu residence, Fu Pengfeng and Bian Ran had already been waiting expectantly. When the two finally showed up, they hurried out to greet them.

Xing Shi greeted them politely, followed them in while carrying gifts, changed into indoor slippers, took off his coat, and obediently sat on the sofa to chat with them.

Bian Ran grew more and more fond of him. Smiling, she said, “In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown so much. Do you remember much from when you were little?”

Xing Shi replied, “I remember it all. I haven’t forgotten.”

Bian Ran nodded and praised, “You were already such a good-looking child, and now you’ve grown into such a handsome young man. Even more handsome than before.”

Xing Shi said sincerely, “Auntie, I think you’re even more beautiful than I remember.”

Bian Ran was immediately delighted and liked him even more.

She said fondly, “I still remember how you used to come over every day to play with Xiuning, dragging him into whatever mischief you got up to.”

Xing Shi smiled. “I’m still the same now.”

99 was confused. “Wait, what do you mean? You’ve met before?”

Green Bean Soup was surprised. “You didn’t know?”

99 turned to it. “Know what?”

Green Bean Soup went quiet.

99 prompted, “Go on.”

Seeing that it genuinely didn’t know, Green Bean Soup hesitated before whispering, “You should ask Xing Shi. I’m afraid I’ll say something wrong and get scolded.”

Before 99 could follow up, Bian Ran pulled out the family photo albums. This time, there was no need to ask anything.

99 stared in shock. “You actually knew each other before? Why didn’t I find any info about that?”

Xing Shi said, “Maybe it’s a bug because I’m not your host.”

99 asked, “Then how did you always answer my questions so naturally if I had no data?”

Xing Shi replied, completely deadpan, “Confidence.”

99: “?”

Green Bean Soup: “…”

Xing Shi signaled for them to stay quiet so he could focus on spending time with his parents.

Bian Ran wanted to cook a few dishes herself that day. After chatting a bit, she headed to the kitchen. Fu Pengfeng, who always had a stern expression, didn’t want to make Xing Shi uncomfortable. He said a few words, then asked Fu Xiuning to show him around.

Fu Xiuning took Xing Shi upstairs to his room.

His bedroom was on the far left of the second floor—spacious, tidy, and spotless, with barely any signs of it being lived in. It was clear the owner rarely came home.

Xing Shi slowly walked around before stopping in front of a display cabinet.

Inside were all of Fu Xiuning’s trophies, arranged chronologically.

Even after being hunted by the main system for over five years, Fu Xiuning was still brilliant.

But… he could’ve been even greater. Xing Shi silently looked at the scattered trophies won during Fu Xiuning’s high school years.

Fu Xiuning asked, “What are you looking at?”

Xing Shi turned around and praised seriously, “Look at you, Brother, you’re amazing~”

Fu Xiuning couldn’t help but laugh.

Xing Shi had been unusually obedient since buying fruit earlier. When he sat downstairs chatting with his parents just now, Fu Xiuning had almost given in to his mischievous impulses and teased him. Now, he couldn’t hold back at all.

He reached out and pinched Xing Shi’s cheek. “Just a verbal thank you?”

Downstairs, when Bian Ran heard that they had gone up, she brought up some fruit herself. Seeing that her son hadn’t closed his door, she was about to knock when she saw her son’s smiling face through the doorway.

Her heart instantly softened.

It had been so long since she’d seen her son smile like that. He used to be such a good, kind child. Over time, he’d grown cold and distant.

She knew he’d endured too many terrible things. She had even tried taking him out for walks to lift his spirits. Fu Xiuning had always cooperated, but he would occasionally glance back. She realized he’d always known—they were worried, and he had been quietly taking care of their feelings in return.

Sometimes, she even felt bitter.

Bitter at the cruel fate that had treated her son so unjustly.

Xing Shi had his back to the door, but his senses were sharp. He turned his head.

Fu Xiuning looked over and called, “Mom.”

Bian Ran pushed down her emotions, smiled as she placed the fruit inside, then turned and left.

Xing Shi remained upstairs until nearly noon before coming back down.

Lunch went smoothly, and they stayed through dinner.

Bian Ran originally wanted them to stay overnight, but since the next day was Monday and both had school and work, she reluctantly saw them off.

When they returned home, Fu Xiuning pinned Xing Shi to the door the moment they stepped inside.

The kiss was long and lingering. After holding back his desire, Fu Xiuning took his hand and led him inside. “They really like you,” he said. “Next time we get the chance, we’ll go back again.”

Xing Shi called out, “Brother.”

Fu Xiuning turned around. “Hmm?”

Xing Shi said, “There are three new systems in the group.”

Fu Xiuning paused. “When?”

Xing Shi answered frankly, “This morning.”

The smile in Fu Xiuning’s eyes faded instantly, only to return after a few seconds. “It’s fine,” he said. “We’ll just send them packing.”

Xing Shi: “Okay.”

The next day, Fu Xiuning drove him to school as usual. Before Xing Shi got out of the car, Fu Xiuning grabbed his hand. “Contact me immediately if anything goes wrong.”

Xing Shi replied, “Of course.”

Fu Xiuning had been given a brief explanation of Xing Shi’s magical core the day before, which gave him some peace of mind. He watched Xing Shi walk into the teaching building before driving away.

Xing Shi’s class was on the fourth floor.

During the morning rush, the elevator was packed. He didn’t join the crowd, instead choosing to walk through the corridor.

He climbed slowly to the fourth floor and headed toward his classroom. As he passed a window, he caught sight of someone leaning against it—who suddenly lunged at him.

His years of experience in high-risk environments kicked in. He sidestepped immediately.

A blade slashed past, grazing his arm.

The attacker, having missed, turned around and charged again.

Students nearby froze in horror. Screams erupted, echoing throughout the entire floor.