Chapter 13
Xing Shi quickly removed the cat ears.
During their last meal together, he realized that Fu Xiuning liked his face, but he was surprised to find out that a cute gesture could raise his favorability by 2 points.
Who would have thought Fu Xiuning would be into that?
But in the next moment, he heard the system prompt again.
[Beep beep]
[Current Favorability: -7]
Fu Xiuning hadn’t expected the 2-point increase either.
Time and time again, that face always had an effect on him.
He tried to suppress his emotions to avoid fluctuating the favorability score too much. Although Xing Shi and his system might think he was struggling internally, Fu Xiuning preferred not to let such occurrences become frequent.
However, genuine likes and dislikes were hard to control. The prompt sounded again, but it wasn’t the drop to -8 or -10 he anticipated. It only went down by 1 point.
He looked at Xing Shi and refused to believe it had anything to do with the cat ears.
The teachers’ smiles were warm and friendly.
They had just witnessed Fu Xiuning and Xing Shi chatting in the corridor, and now the boss was holding a small cake. Their boss had always been distant and unapproachable, rarely accepting anything from others. It was clear these two weren’t just casual acquaintances; there had to be some personal connection.
One of the teachers joked, “Why are you wearing that?”
Xing Shi made up an excuse, “A classmate and I were chatting about it casually, and they insisted I take a picture with it.”
He then remembered the standard artist management spiel and added, “Don’t worry, teacher, I’ll only take the photos and show them on my phone. I won’t post them online.”
The teacher chuckled, “Where will you take the photos?”
Xing Shi replied, “The lounge.”
The teacher, indulgently, said, “Go ahead, but be quick.”
With that, Xing Shi left the practice room, carrying the cat ears.
The system was overjoyed: “How’s that? Two whole points, hahaha! Other hosts work their butts off for just 1 point, but we snagged 2 at once!”
Xing Shi retorted, “ -7, thanks.”
The system teased, “Oh, come on, he’s just in denial. I bet he won’t be able to keep it up for long.”
Ignoring the system, Xing Shi went to the lounge and casually took a selfie. Looking down at the photo, he thought that Fu Xiuning’s reaction wasn’t entirely uncalled for—he really did look good.
He snapped two more photos before heading back.
The teachers were updating Fu Xiuning on the progress.
The songs had been selected, and each group’s choreography was set. Only the collective dance remained undecided. Trainees attended classes as usual during the day, then had one or two evening sessions before transitioning to rehearsals. With more than 20 days until the first school anniversary rehearsal, there was ample time.
Fu Xiuning nodded.
He had deliberately positioned himself outside Xing Shi’s practice room, but unfortunately, he hadn’t overheard anything about alliances. He gestured for the teachers to start the class and left.
At 8:15 p.m., Xing Shi’s class ended, and the group began rehearsing.
Each practice room was shared by two groups, dividing the space evenly.
Xing Shi, along with his dormmates Yu Yi and Feng Zifan, practiced in one room. However, Xing Shi was in a different group, while Yu Yi and Feng Zifan were paired together.
Feng Zifan had been placed in the singing division during sorting, with average dance skills. Yu Yi, despite a weak foundation, had good intuition and noticeable improvement. However, his physical abilities weren’t as naturally strong as Xing Shi’s, so he was grouped with Feng Zifan.
During their break, the three sat next to Xing Shi and sighed in unison.
Yu Yi complained, “I’m so tired. My whole body aches.”
Feng Zifan rubbed his legs. “Once my muscles loosen, it’ll get better.”
Xing Shi sprawled out like a salted fish, dragging a bag closer to distribute small cakes to each of them.
Taking a bite of the cake, Feng Zifan asked curiously, “The boss seems quite invested in this program?”
The surrounding trainees perked up at his comment.
They had seen the boss and Xing Shi sharing food in the hallway earlier.
Honestly, they were envious. But with Xing Shi having earned his spot at Z University alongside the boss as a fellow alumnus, they could only look on with admiration.
Under everyone’s gaze, Xing Shi answered casually, “I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”
The others weren’t sure if he was telling the truth, but they eagerly struck up conversations with him, bringing up a variety of topics—from recent movies to celebrity gossip, and even embarrassing moments from the sorting day.
“My mom went to pray for me. I stayed on the phone with her the whole time, repeating her chants word for word.”
“Little Qiao wore his shirt inside out and didn’t notice until after the re-audition.”
“Everyone was nervous. I remember a guy who kept running to the restroom with diarrhea.”
“Yu Yi had a moment too. He tripped on flat ground and was dazed for several minutes.”
Yu Yi protested, “That was just for a moment!”
“Oh, and did anyone see the guy who sprinted during lunch? I almost thought he was going to slam into a wall—it was like he was going for a bloodbath, but he swerved at the last second. I only saw his back. Who was it?”
Xing Shi casually answered, “Me.”
The room went silent for a second before bursting into laughter.
The trainee who asked was mortified, scratching his head. “What was that about?”
Xing Shi recycled the excuse he had made up earlier.
Lounging contentedly while nibbling on his cake, he half-listened to the chatter and secretly contacted Lin Kecheng through the system.
Lin Kecheng had just been coaxed by his system.
After learning that hosts who transmigrate typically experience amnesia, he felt like he could handle things better, but he still couldn’t fully understand: “He’s lost his memory, so how is he still so skilled?”
The system explained, “Some hosts retain certain instincts.”
Recalling Xing Shi’s reactions that day, Lin Kecheng mused, “What kind of world was he in before transmigrating?”
The system replied, “That’s private information, only accessible to the main system.”
Lin Kecheng had no further questions. Just as he was about to lie down and play on his phone, he received a message from his ally.
Xing Shi: [Senior, good news~ I saw Fu Xiuning at the company and told him about your dream of becoming an artist~]
Lin Kecheng was stunned: [What exactly did you say?]
Xing Shi: [I just told him directly, of course.]
Lin Kecheng’s vision darkened: [Directly? You didn’t think to ask me first?!]
Xing Shi: [Huh? Didn’t you say you wanted to become an artist? Naturally, the sooner, the better, so I told him.]
Lin Kecheng felt his blood pressure rising. This guy must be an idiot.
A low score wasn’t the only problem—now he was actively dragging things down. But what was done was done, so Lin Kecheng nervously asked: [What was his reaction?]
Xing Shi: [He just said “Hmm.” I think he’s considering it.]
Lin Kecheng was skeptical: [What makes you think that?]
Xing Shi: [I gave him a small cake and said it was from you. He took one. Eating it means he owes you, right?]
Lin Kecheng and his system: “!!!”
Since their first meeting, Fu Xiuning had never accepted anything from him.
Even when Lin bought plenty of treats for everyone, Fu Xiuning always abstained.
Xing Shi, however, had managed to accomplish what Lin could not. Thinking back to the assortment of desserts he had painstakingly selected and the sting he felt while paying, Lin now decided it was money well spent!
He remarked in surprise: “Fu Xiuning likes sweets? That wasn’t in his profile.”
The system replied: “His preferences in recent years haven’t been very clear, so reading the files isn’t helpful. But consider this: when you’ve bought milk tea for everyone before, he didn’t take any either. Could it be because Xing Shi was the one who gave it to him?”
Lin Kecheng retorted: “I’m at -5, and he’s at -8. What do you think?”
The system concluded it must simply be that Fu Xiuning doesn’t drink milk tea and redirected the topic: “Let’s pretend you don’t know about Xing Shi mentioning your plans to him. Next time you see Fu Xiuning, bring it up casually and observe his reaction.”
Lin Kecheng agreed, made a mental note to lecture Xing Shi about consulting him before making such moves, and closed the chat.
Xing Shi resumed his rehearsals, spending another routine weekend at the company.
In the blink of an eye, another week passed, and the trainees faced their first comprehensive class reassessment. After this round, evaluations would only occur quarterly.
Xing Shi performed as expected and entered Class 2. His dormmate Yu Yi, who had been grinding hard lately, barely scraped into Class 2 as well. Feng Zifan, who had started in Class 2 during the initial placement, retained his spot. However, Da Zhuang, who had initially been at the bottom of Class 2, was overtaken by several others and was demoted to Class 3.
Knowing the trainees were exhausted, the teachers gave them a day off.
Xing Shi used the break to return to school and renew his alliance with Lin Kecheng, once again opting for a one-week contract.
Having spent more time with Xing Shi, Lin Kecheng was increasingly convinced the guy was a bit dim-witted—perfect for manipulation. He suggested, “Let’s make it a longer term this time.”
Xing Shi was adamant: “No, just one week.”
Suspicious, Lin Kecheng asked, “What’s your favorability score right now?”
Xing Shi replied, “-8. After renewing the alliance, you can check for yourself.”
On the third day since his score had risen to -7, Xing Shi had run into Fu Xiuning at the company, and his score had dropped back to the usual -8. It was open to viewing.
Lin Kecheng’s doubts mostly subsided: “Why insist on a one-week term?”
Xing Shi bluntly explained, “I said I’d see if we’re a good match, and in this past week, you haven’t helped me at all.”
Lin Kecheng was incredulous: “?”
You’re at -8, and you’re criticizing me?
Suppressing his frustration, Lin Kecheng explained, “That’s because I didn’t get the chance.”
Xing Shi responded, “Then let’s try another week and see.”
After shaking hands to finalize the agreement, Xing Shi absorbed a small stream of energy and left, satisfied.
The training days continued, monotonous yet productive, until the day of the school anniversary’s first rehearsal arrived.
The company provided a bus to transport them to the auditorium. Onlookers near the venue caught sight of a group of striking young men exiting the vehicle and nearly screamed in excitement.
News of the “trainees rehearsing at the auditorium” spread quickly, and people scrambled to pull strings to get a glimpse of the rehearsal.
Lin Kecheng invited Fu Xiuning to the rehearsal.
Thanks to the system, Lin Kecheng had many opportunities to run into Fu Xiuning, but bringing up the topic of becoming an artist always felt too abrupt.
Today, however, the rehearsal offered the perfect context. Watching the trainees on stage would naturally lead to the subject.
To improve his favorability, Lin Kecheng even splurged on desserts—double the price of the last batch.
He set them on the table. “I had errands this morning, and on the way back, I passed a dessert shop. I heard it’s very popular, so I picked up some for you, Senior. Have a taste.”
Fu Xiuning, who had seen Xing Shi several times recently, still hadn’t deciphered the latter’s motives for forming an alliance. He agreed to come today because both Lin and Xing were present, making it a good opportunity.
He declined, “No, thank you.”
Lin Kecheng’s smile froze slightly, and he quickly asked his system, “Does he dislike this brand?”
The system suggested, “Just lay them out and let him decide.”
Following its advice, Lin Kecheng unwrapped each item. “Help yourself if you feel like trying any.”
After waiting a while and seeing Fu Xiuning unmoved, Lin began wondering if his approach was flawed. He pulled out his phone to contact Xing Shi since their alliance was up for renewal and they had agreed to do it today.
He vented, “I invited Fu Xiuning over. Doesn’t that count as helping? And yet he still insists on a one-week term. Is he seriously not hiding ulterior motives?”
The system paused, then exclaimed: “I know what’s going on!”
Lin Kecheng tensed. “What?”
The system declared: “He’s keeping his options open while looking for something better!”
Lin Kecheng went silent for a moment. “Rephrase that.”
The system corrected itself: “…He’s reserving the right to switch alliances and form a new one anytime.”
Frustrated, Lin Kecheng sent the renewal message.
Xing Shi arrived shortly afterward and greeted Fu Xiuning with a smile: “Boss.”
Fu Xiuning nodded. Not wanting Xing Shi to leave too quickly, he pushed the small cakes on the table toward him.
Xing Shi’s eyes lit up. “For me?”
Fu Xiuning replied, “Yes.”
Xing Shi happily sat down. “Thanks, Boss!”
Fu Xiuning responded again, “Yes.”
Lin Kecheng and the system: “???”
Wait a second—something here doesn’t add up, does it?
