Salted Fish is a Rebellious Person – Chapter 01

Xing Shi stood silently, a puzzled look in his eyes.

He was indoors. To his left was a dining area, simple and fresh in design. To his right was a long food counter, crowded with people and bustling with noise.

If he wasn’t mistaken, this appeared to be a restaurant.

But what was going on? Shouldn’t he be in the magical world?

Years ago, he had inexplicably traveled to a magical world where technology was primitive, strength was revered, and nearly everyone possessed a magic core. Life there was harsh, and the only way to survive peacefully was to grow stronger. He had worked tirelessly, finally upgrading his magic core and ascending to the ranks of the masters.

Upgrading the core had been grueling. It took him three days and nights to break through, leaving him so exhausted that he fell asleep immediately afterward.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself here.

Familiar skin tone, familiar clothes, and a familiar world brimming with life.

Was this a dream? Or had someone cast an illusion spell on him while he slept?

But his residence was protected by an advanced defensive magic circle, and he carried magic stones that resisted illusions. It was nearly impossible for someone to trap him without triggering an alert.

That left one possibility:
He had traveled through time again.

He was back in normal human society.

As this thought surfaced, the world seemed to come alive. His heartbeat quickened, sweat beaded on his forehead, and the mouthwatering aroma of food filled the air.

Following the scent, he turned toward the nearest food counter.

Chinese food!

Fresh, hot Chinese food! He hadn’t tasted it in years!

Just as he pivoted on his toes, a cold voice echoed in his mind:

[System 99, successfully bound to host.]

Xing Shi froze mid-step.

At a nearby table, Fu Xiuning paused while picking up a piece of vegetable. He resumed eating calmly, listening to the rest of the system’s announcement.

[Host, please follow the instructions to capture the mission target, or face elimination.]
[Mission Target: Fu Xiuning]
[Beep Beep]
[Current Favorability Value: -5]

Fu Xiuning remained composed.

Years ago, he had begun hearing these system announcements. At first, he thought they were auditory hallucinations, but soon, hosts started surrounding him, attempting to “capture” him.

He had tried to play along, but the systems’ favorability programs were precise. Any fluctuation in his favorability value within their scanning range would be immediately updated.

This meant that no matter how kind he acted, his actual favorability value only plummeted. Unable to deceive the systems, he stopped pretending altogether.

After periods of anxiety, frustration, and anger, he had grown adept at toying with these hosts, one batch after another.

It had been over a month since he dealt with the last host. He’d recently speculated that the systems were restocking, and sure enough, one had arrived today.

He took a sip of water, waiting to see how this newcomer would react.

Meanwhile, the system continued:
“Host, you may communicate with me telepathically to avoid causing inconvenience in daily life.”

Xing Shi said nothing.

Neither the system nor Fu Xiuning found this surprising. A normal person encountering such a bizarre situation would need time to process it.

The system offered options:
**”Host, you may ask questions at any time. Currently, you can choose to:

1. Check information about the mission target, Fu Xiuning.
2. Check your own information.
3. Participate in the novice lottery.”**

Xing Shi blinked, collecting his thoughts.

He had fought monsters and demons, seen dismembered corpses on roadsides, and witnessed countless strange and gruesome sights. Unless faced with an extreme situation, nothing could faze him.

The voice in his mind lacked any mechanical or electronic tone. It was calm and cold, its emotions unreadable.

Since he could communicate telepathically, he decided to share his excitement:
“That’s amazing!”

The system and Fu Xiuning both thought: He seems to have calmed down.

They weren’t surprised by his reaction. Many people, after enduring miserable or mundane lives, saw the system as a ticket to the pinnacle of life. These individuals were typically more accepting, cooperative, and enthusiastic.

The system, satisfied, was about to guide him further when Xing Shi exclaimed with excitement:
“Fried! Sauce! Noodles!”

System: “?”
Fu Xiuning: “?”

What did that have to do with anything?

System: “Host…”
Xing Shi: “I can smell the noodles with soybean paste!”
System: “Host, please…”
Xing Shi: “Jajangmyeon!”
System: “Are you even listening to me?”
Xing Shi: “Shut up! Nobody is stopping me from eating noodles with soybean paste today!”

The system’s tone turned cold:
“If the host refuses to cooperate, the punishment protocol will be initiated. In severe cases, the host will be eliminated.”

Xing Shi: “But there’s fried noodles with soybean paste right here!”

System: “Initiating Level One Punishment Protocol. Countdown: 3 seconds.”

Xing Shi didn’t flinch.

Years of hardship had dulled his temper, but one thing he could not tolerate was being threatened or controlled.

He remained still, testing the system’s mechanism and punishment effects, ready to plan his counterattack.

Fu Xiuning, observing the scene, thought to himself: First-level punishment is the mildest, but it’s still unpleasant. Hosts usually tremble, cry out, or turn pale. Without exception.

He scanned the area with interest, but the host’s voice betrayed no pain.

Xing Shi: “I don’t feel anything. Is your countdown done yet? Is your sense of time different from ours?”
System: “?”
Fu Xiuning: “?”

The system stammered:
“You’re… okay?”

Xing Shi: “Oh, so the punishment is over? That’s it?”

Relieved, he declared:
“Great! I’m off to buy noodles with soybean paste. Bye~”

The system faltered, its calm demeanor cracking:
“No, why are you okay?!”

Xing Shi ignored it and ordered his noodles, savoring every bite.