The Salted Fish is Rebellious – CH14

Chapter 14

Lin Kecheng asked, “This is -8? Fu Xiuning treats him so much better than me!”

The system responded: “It really was -8 last time.”

Lin Kecheng immediately understood the implication.

The “-8” value was transmitted when they had formed their second alliance. Recently, he had been busy with the school’s anniversary celebrations while Xing Shi was rehearsing. Their alliance had expired three days ago. In other words, Xing Shi’s favorability score was -8 ten days ago, but it might not be the same now.

He instructed, “Form the alliance and have them send the favorability score immediately.”

After giving the order, he turned to Xing Shi with a smile, “Junior, how’s your preparation going?”

Xing Shi replied, “Pretty good.”

Lin Kecheng leaned forward slightly, extending his hand. “Good luck. I hope your rehearsal goes smoothly.”

Understanding his intent, Xing Shi set down his fork and shook Lin Kecheng’s hand.

Both systems activated simultaneously, drafting the contract.

Their hands hovered slightly above the table, positioned diagonally in front of Fu Xiuning.

Fu Xiuning glanced over. This was the first time he had seen hosts form an alliance so brazenly right under his nose, and his first time witnessing it in person.

Although he already knew the details of the alliance ritual and didn’t think much of it, he quickly sensed an energy flow.

It was incredibly subtle; if he hadn’t encountered numerous hosts in the past, he wouldn’t have noticed it.

Whenever a system detached from a host, he could feel an energy fluctuation—just like what was happening now.

However, when the system issued a punishment, there was no such feeling. He had thought that only detachments caused energy flows, but apparently, alliances did too.

Could this be Xing Shi’s reason for forming alliances?

Xing Shi had managed to extract a small surge of energy once again. Satisfied, he withdrew his hand.

The system on the other side requested the favorability value transfer. After consulting its host, it sent the data across.

Concerned that someone might approach him, Lin Kecheng didn’t dare sink into his consciousness. Instead, he asked the system, “What’s the number?”

The system responded: “-8.”

Lin Kecheng was puzzled. “How is that possible?”

The system replied: “The sharing program can’t falsify data. Maybe… Fu Xiuning found the cake so distasteful he gave it to someone he dislikes even more?”

Unconvinced, Lin Kecheng considered having Xing Shi hand over another piece of cake to test the theory.

So, he pushed the dessert toward Xing Shi. “It’s your first rehearsal. I’ve got a lot to handle. You all eat and chat.”

Xing Shi smiled and thanked him. Catching Lin Kecheng’s meaningful look, which gestured toward Fu Xiuning, he recalled Lin Kecheng’s dream of becoming an artist. Playing along, Xing Shi picked up a slice of cake and extended it toward Fu Xiuning. “Boss, want some?”

Fu Xiuning, still mulling over the earlier events, looked at him when he heard the offer.

Xing Shi nudged the cake closer with a smile.

Fu Xiuning accepted it, quietly studying Xing Shi while making small talk. “What position is your program in?”

Xing Shi replied, “Somewhere in the middle.”

Fu Xiuning commented, “They didn’t make you the finale?”

Xing Shi explained, “The student council initially considered it, but they felt that since most of the trainees, except me, aren’t from this school, it wasn’t appropriate. Placing us in the middle ensures the event has consistent peaks.”

Fu Xiuning simply responded, “Hmm,” uninterested in the specifics.

In his mind, he thought Xing Shi’s alliances likely aimed at accessing that energy flow. Otherwise, it didn’t make sense for him to form them weekly.

Was Xing Shi still experimenting, or had he already figured things out?

?Ding Ding?

?Current favorability score: -7?

Just as Xing Shi was about to fork a piece of fruit from the cake, he paused mid-motion, glancing at Fu Xiuning.

Fu Xiuning’s expression remained neutral. He shifted his gaze toward the stage, placing the dessert back on the table.

The system, thrilled, exclaimed: “He keeps looking at you. See? Another point added!”

Fortunately, favorability changes aren’t visible to both parties after an alliance is formed. Otherwise, the system would’ve stopped Xing Shi from forming the alliance. His favorability score fluctuated so much that even a fool could tell he was special to Fu Xiuning.

It was also lucky that this score increase happened post-alliance. Otherwise, they would’ve had to find another excuse to explain the change. And if the next alliance reset to -8 again, Lin Kecheng would ask questions, which would be a hassle.

At that moment, Lin Kecheng was deeply frustrated.

He watched helplessly as Fu Xiuning accepted the cake. His mind was in shambles. “So last time, it was because Xing Shi handed it over too? Why?!”

The system struggled to respond: “Maybe it’s because Xing Shi is from his company? As much as he dislikes him, it’s better than a stranger?”

Lin Kecheng shot back, “Back when he was the student council president, I was under him too! That didn’t stop him from refusing my offerings!”

The system tried to console him: “But look, he put it back; he didn’t eat it.”

Lin Kecheng retorted, “But he didn’t refuse! He accepted it!”

The system fell silent. If it could analyze Fu Xiuning’s psyche accurately, it would’ve helped its host succeed in the strategy long ago instead of being stuck at -5.

Lin Kecheng tried to keep his expression neutral as someone called out to him. He decided to take a breather and walked away.

Fu Xiuning had grown accustomed to hosts analyzing and comparing his every move, so he wasn’t affected by Lin Kecheng’s reaction. Last time, Xing Shi had handed him a bag in public, so he had taken a piece of cake but didn’t eat it. This time, he had no intention of eating it either.

Meanwhile, Xing Shi ate happily.

The student council president noticed and even brought over more snacks for him, making Xing Shi’s day even better.

Halfway through his cake, Xing Shi noticed Yu Yi approaching. He asked, “Did the teacher send you?”

Yu Yi shook his head. After politely greeting the boss and getting an indifferent acknowledgment in return, Yu Yi sat beside Xing Shi and whispered, “The backstage area is packed. Everyone’s staring at us.”

Knowing Yu Yi’s introverted nature and how he only opened up to familiar people, Xing Shi pushed a dessert toward him. “Have some sweets to ease the nerves.”

Yu Yi glanced nervously at Fu Xiuning.

Xing Shi reassured him, “Senior Lin bought it.”

Relieved, Yu Yi unwrapped the package.

The two didn’t linger for long. After finishing their snacks, they returned to the rehearsal area.

Having adjusted his emotions, Lin Kecheng returned to accompany Fu Xiuning for the rest of the rehearsal. “What do you think, senior?”

Fu Xiuning replied nonchalantly, “Not bad.”

Lin Kecheng made a few comments about the performances and discussed some creative ideas for the event, trying to showcase his capabilities.

Fu Xiuning listened absentmindedly.

He was pondering how to keep Xing Shi under closer observation.

As a day student, Xing Shi’s routine revolved around classes and training. Weekends were spent at the company from morning to night, leaving them little opportunity to interact.

Fu Xiuning’s fluctuating favorability toward Xing Shi wasn’t an immediate concern. He wasn’t worried about the main system recalling Xing Shi anytime soon. However, Xing Shi’s peculiarities remained unresolved, and the limited interaction time was a major obstacle.

After some thought, Fu Xiuning recalled something.

Xing Shi’s current body had a father who, based on the system’s hints, seemed to hold significant influence in their industry. The nature of their relationship wasn’t clear, but if it wasn’t outright hostile, the father might ask Qi Changyi to look after Xing Shi. Qi Changyi, being perpetually busy, would likely delegate the responsibility to Fu Xiuning. That would make everything fall into place seamlessly.

The performance on stage ended, causing the hall to stir as people began moving around backstage.

Lin Kecheng straightened up. “Next up is junior Xing Shi and his group.”

Fu Xiuning returned to the present, hearing the music start as the first group of trainees took the stage.

The overall performance was decent. A few trainees lacked stage experience, and their nervousness in front of the screaming crowd was evident, causing them to fall out of sync at times. However, this was only the first rehearsal, and there were two more to go, so adjustments should be possible.

Lin Kecheng finally found his opening: “On the day of the official event, once they’re in their performance outfits, they’ll definitely look even better.”

Fu Xiuning responded with a simple “Hmm.”

Lin Kecheng sighed, “Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time with them. Listening to their dreams for the future makes me want to be an artist too.”

Half-jokingly, he added, “But I’m not as good as they are. At most, I could try variety shows. Do you think I have what it takes, senior?”

Before today, Fu Xiuning might have considered it. But after today, he thought it would be better for Lin Kecheng to stay at school and form an alliance with Xing Shi once a week instead.

He replied, “You’re better suited for planning.”

Lin Kecheng’s expression stiffened as he forced a laugh. “Planning all the time is exhausting. I’m thinking about trying something fresh.”

Fu Xiuning gave no further comment.

Lin Kecheng called for his system: “Does this mean he doesn’t want me?”

The system wasn’t optimistic either.

Xing Shi had previously brought this up with Fu Xiuning, and now the host mentioned it again. If Fu Xiuning were interested, his reaction wouldn’t have been this indifferent.

The system pondered: “If this path doesn’t work, we’ll try another one.”

Lin Kecheng asked, “What do you mean?”

“The other boss of June Culture is Qi Changyi,” the system explained. “If he greenlights you, you’ll get in. Once you make a name for yourself, Fu Xiuning will notice you again.”

Lin Kecheng was, of course, familiar with Qi Changyi—a top-tier celebrity and award-winning actor with immense popularity. He asked, “How do I meet him?”

The system searched its database: “He has a movie premiering soon and will be doing a roadshow in this area. Find an opportunity to get close to him first.”

Fu Xiuning didn’t even bat an eyelid.

Qi Changyi, who had been in the entertainment industry since he was 17, was a seasoned professional. It wasn’t easy to take advantage of him.

Fu Xiuning had come today mainly to figure out the situation with the alliances. Successfully keeping Xing Shi around with a single piece of cake, he had uncovered the truth. Having watched the company’s program, he saw no need to linger further.

Lin Kecheng escorted him to the door, tactfully avoiding any mention of the artist topic to prevent annoyance.

He watched Fu Xiuning drive off, then instructed his system to send a message to Xing Shi to probe Fu Xiuning’s stance. However, he added, “Before he starts probing, we need to discuss the wording carefully.”

At that moment, Xing Shi had just gotten into the company car.

As a rule, participants were supposed to stay until the end of the rehearsal, but given their unique status, they had left early.

Upon hearing the system’s report, Xing Shi remarked, “Looks like his artist ambitions aren’t going smoothly.”

The system commented, “His looks are average, his luck is worse, and with a -5 fate, it’s a no-go.”

Xing Shi chuckled, about to relax and close his eyes, when his phone buzzed.

Taking it out, he saw a message from a world-renowned director: ?Sui sui, Dad’s new movie is premiering. I’ll be doing a roadshow near you. How about I save you a spot??

He paused for a moment before replying: ?Ok, sure.?

On the other end, Director He heard the notification chime almost instantly and thought to himself that it must be a curt “heh.”

Sighing, he opened the message, read it, closed it, then reopened it. The words hadn’t changed. Shocked, he wondered, Did the kid actually agree?

No, it couldn’t be that simple!

He called over his assistant. “Get extra security for the Z City event.”

The assistant nodded. “Don’t worry, we’ll ensure the artist’s safety.”

Director He, looking as though he were defusing a bomb, spoke gravely, “No, you don’t understand. Get even more security.”

The assistant blinked, confused. “?”