The Salted Fish is Rebellious – CH18

Chapter 18

The moment Fu Xiuning saw Xing Shi, he had a feeling his favorability score might shift.

Resistance was futile; the notification sound still played.

He kept his gaze steady on Xing Shi to avoid a sharp drop and asked calmly, “You dyed your hair?”

Xing Shi toned down his overly radiant smile, thinking to himself that being too handsome truly caused trouble. He replied, “Yeah, the stylist said it’d look good.”

He hadn’t understood what ash blonde or pastel lilac were until he saw wig samples earlier today.

The stylist had wanted to dye his hair pastel lilac, claiming it had a “first-love” vibe. But Xing Shi found that ash blonde resembled the hair color he had in the magic world and chose it for good luck. Once he defeated the main system, he figured he could switch to another color.

The stylist was equally enthusiastic about ash blonde and finished dyeing it swiftly.

The resulting shade was a light gold with a cream-white base, somewhere between camel and white. Unlike the coldness of silver, this tone was warm and gentle. Paired with Xing Shi’s unusually clear complexion, it exuded an air of sophistication.

With pastel lilac Xing Shi was radiant and lively, then ash blonde Xing Shi was elegant and mysterious. Yet, his brilliant smile added a touch of vibrancy, making him exceptionally striking.

Suppressing his inner emotions, Fu Xiuning said, “The place we’re going to will be crowded. Is there a hat upstairs?”

“Yes, I’ll grab it,” Xing Shi replied, turning to leave. Just as he did, the notification sound chimed again.

?Beep Beep?
?Current favorability score: -5?

He stepped into the elevator, silently waiting a few seconds before asking, “Have you disconnected?”

“Nope,” the system replied.

Xing Shi commented, “You’re remarkably calm this time.”

The system huffed, “When you dyed your hair, I figured the score might rise. I also knew he’d resist, and sure enough, it dropped again.”

It added optimistically, “Still, only a one-point drop. Now we’re tied with Lin Kecheng. Soon enough, we’ll surpass him. No rush, stay calm.”

Xing Shi thought, Now you’re the one comforting me, and said, “Mm, no rush.”

The trainees had just finished class, and seeing him approach, they exclaimed, “Holy crap!”

Feng Zifan stared at him as he walked closer, taking a deep breath. “Are you going to break everyone’s heart?”

Xing Shi raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Can’t help it. Natural talent. Lend me your baseball cap.”

Feng Zifan asked, “Why bother with a hat? Just go straight to dinner.”

Xing Shi replied, “I’m heading out for something.”

Hearing this, Feng Zifan not only handed over the cap but also gave him an unopened mask, reminding him to stay safe on the road.

With the hat and mask in hand, Xing Shi returned to the parking lot.

Before stepping out of the elevator, he donned the hat. Spotting Fu Xiuning already in the car, he got into the passenger seat.

Fu Xiuning watched as he fastened his seatbelt.

With his head slightly lowered, the brim of his cap shaded part of his face, leaving the other half’s elegant lines exposed. Even so, he remained striking.

Fu Xiuning averted his gaze.

He had long known he was drawn to this face.

Starting the car, Fu Xiuning drove out with a calm expression.

But by the time he realized this, Xing Shi’s original soul had already dissipated, leaving no chance for them to meet.

?Beep Beep?
?Current favorability score: -6?

Xing Shi stared straight ahead, his expression unbothered.

The system cried, “Why did it drop again?”

Xing Shi replied, “He’s struggling.”

“But this is too fast! Why is he so stubborn? Admitting love at first sight isn’t shameful!” the system protested.

Xing Shi echoed its earlier advice, “No rush, stay calm.”

“…”

It was Friday evening rush hour, and the heavy traffic caused delays before they reached the highway.

Curious, Xing Shi asked, “Boss, where are we headed?”

“Airport,” Fu Xiuning replied.

“Who are we picking up?”

Fu Xiuning’s lips curved slightly. “Director He and Qi Changyi.”

Patiently, he explained, “I mentioned a few days ago that Qi Changyi would be in Z City for a promotional event. Remember? Their flight’s tonight.”

Xing Shi was surprised; he’d thought they were arriving tomorrow.

“Are we having dinner with them tonight?” he asked.

Fu Xiuning nodded. “It’s a rare opportunity. I want to introduce you.”

Xing Shi looked at him. “Boss, there’s something I haven’t mentioned.”

Fu Xiuning played along. “What is it?”

Xing Shi said, “Director He is my dad.”

Fu Xiuning’s face appropriately registered surprise. “What?”

Xing Shi said, “It’s true.”

Fu Xiuning paused for two seconds before asking the obvious question. “With your background, why become a trainee?”

Xing Shi was curious about the same thing.

However, the original host’s memories, much like the brief summary Fu Xiuning likely had, were simplified descriptions of events with no subjective thoughts. Xing Shi had pieced together much of the original host’s intentions through observation and deduction.

He casually gave an answer: “I wanted to prove I could succeed without relying on my family.”

Fu Xiuning accepted this as fact and offered a few warm words of encouragement, supporting the sentiment.

Xing Shi was touched. “Thank you, Boss. You’re so kind.”

Fu Xiuning merely replied, “Mm,” and graciously accepted the praise.

Then Xing Shi changed the subject. “So, can you tell me when you found out?”

Fu Xiuning remained composed. “Hmm?”

Xing Shi reasoned, “The top students in Class 1 are being groomed by the company for talent shows. Shouldn’t you be planning for them instead?”

Fu Xiuning explained, “They’re about to join the company’s training facility. They don’t need me. After the hot search incident, you gained the most followers, so I want to nurture you.”

Xing Shi replied, “But to maximize benefits, shouldn’t you have brought one or two more people along?”

Fu Xiuning said leisurely, “Maybe because you’re my junior from school. If I bring you along, it doesn’t look so strange?”

Xing Shi countered, “Then meeting at a restaurant would’ve sufficed. Qi Changyi is already the company’s co-owner, the movie’s lead actor, and Director He’s relative. His presence is more than enough. Why are you personally picking them up? You’re so eager, it’s like you’re offering me emotional support.”

Fu Xiuning’s smile deepened.

?Beep Beep?
?Current favorability score: -5?

Fu Xiuning knew this kid was sharp and wouldn’t let things slide easily.

Calmly, he sold someone out without hesitation. “Qi Changyi asked about you a few days ago, so I inquired further.”

Xing Shi asked, “…What did he say?”

Fu Xiuning replied, “He said you’re his long-lost younger brother, and he wants to develop a good relationship with you.”

Xing Shi and the system: “…”

So he really does have an ulterior motive, doesn’t he?

Xing Shi let out a neutral “Oh,” slumping in resignation and refusing to ask further.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the airport.

Director He’s flight landed on time. Xing Shi hadn’t even seen them yet when he received a message informing him they had arrived in Z City.

He didn’t respond, instead waiting near the VIP passage. After a while, a group of six emerged.

Two of them were heavily disguised, wearing hats and masks. The other four were less cautious, with some wearing only a hat or mask, and others completely uncovered.

Xing Shi’s gaze landed on a middle-aged man wearing just a hat.

As the man drew closer, his features became clearer.

He was of standard height, slightly plump, with handsome features. He was smiling as he chatted with someone beside him, exuding a gentle demeanor.

An inexplicable wave of sourness surged through Xing Shi’s nose.

It was uncontrollable and seemingly without cause.

In that instant, he felt as if he had returned to the magical continent: the blood-stained dagger from his first deadly fight; the dark, swampy forest where he hid from pursuers; the cold, sleepless nights filled with pain; the blood-drenched valleys where survival seemed impossible.

He had encountered countless people: a witch searching for her sister, brothers who supported each other, a hunter braving a demon’s lair for his wife, and a father seeking vengeance for his child. Yet, as he moved through the world, no city, no home, no place ever felt like his own.

Xing Shi pressed the brim of his hat down and closed his eyes tightly.

The system noticed something was off. “Are you crying?”

Fu Xiuning paused mid-step, subtly turning his head to glance at Xing Shi from the corner of his eye.

Then Xing Shi’s voice rang out, as calm as usual. “What are you thinking? I’m just preparing my emotions.”

The system was baffled. “Preparing for what?”

Xing Shi replied, “To throw myself into Director He’s arms, cry my heart out, and say, ‘Dad, I was wrong. I won’t cause trouble anymore. Let’s live a good life together.’ That way, my sudden personality change becomes believable. Does it work?”

The system was horrified. “No! Don’t joke like that!”

It had only ever casually suggested that Xing Shi reconcile with his family, mentioning it in passing. It never pushed the idea seriously, fearing he’d break character or face potential retaliation from Qi Changyi.

Now the host was contemplating a full-on dramatic breakdown. The system warned, “Stay calm. If anyone gets suspicious, I can’t predict what they’ll do. Director He is very busy. Let’s just get through this and leave. Remember to keep a cold expression.”

Xing Shi said, “I’ll try.”

After their brief exchange, Xing Shi’s emotions finally settled. He lifted his hat slightly.

Fu Xiuning glanced at him casually, noting that his expression was normal with no signs of crying.

During this time, Director He and his group approached.

With Xing Shi’s head lowered earlier, they had only noticed the refined and courteous Fu Xiuning. It wasn’t until now that they spotted Xing Shi.

Director He froze in place, visibly stunned. “Suìsuì?”

Xing Shi looked at him.

Having just endured a sudden emotional surge, he felt he might genuinely be the original host—no reason, just intuition.

Even without memories, it didn’t matter. He had read through the original host’s records.

The conflict between the original host and Director He was straightforward. When Xing Shi was eight, his mother died in a car accident. Director He raised him alone until he was ten, then shifted his focus entirely to his career, leaving little time for his son. By the time he went abroad for film projects, he was essentially absent for all of Xing Shi’s middle school years.

In his second year of high school, Director He announced plans to remarry. To the original host, it seemed hypocritical—neglecting his son but making time for romance. Resentful, he decided he didn’t need a father either.

Director He, feeling guilty, had been treading carefully for the past two years.

Xing Shi thought, If I were the original host, with my current mindset, I’d see this as no big deal.

Children have their lives, and so do parents. While Director He hadn’t been the most attentive, he still visited every year, staying as long as he could. With grandparents and a nanny by his side, the original host had grown up safe and well-fed.

In the face of life and death, these things are trivial.

Xing Shi called out, “Dad.”

Director He hadn’t heard that in years. He immediately responded, walking over and looking him up and down. “You’ve lost weight.”

Xing Shi replied, “I’m doing fine.”

Director He, seeing how composed his son was, hesitated for a moment. Tentatively, he reached out, intending to pat Xing Shi on the shoulder, but someone interrupted.

Qi Changyi removed his mask, his face full of warmth. “So this is Suìsuì? Director He always talks about you. You really are outstanding.”

Director He snapped out of his thoughts and made introductions. “Ah, right. This is Qi Changyi. You probably know him, right? From now on, he’ll look out for you at the company.”

Director He and Qi Changyi had already discussed this in advance.

The strained family dynamics were a concern. Qi Changyi, being only a few years older than Xing Shi, faced less of a generational gap and agreed to take the lead in smoothing things over. Director He trusted Qi Changyi’s character, knowing he wouldn’t intentionally misguide his son, and approved of the arrangement.

From Qi Changyi’s perspective, Xing Shi wasn’t at fault. However, the fact remained that his aunt and Director He had only registered their marriage and hadn’t held a wedding yet, partly due to the family tension. Wanting his aunt to have a happy life, Qi Changyi decided to build a good relationship with Xing Shi. His plan was to approach things steadily and gradually resolve the conflicts.

Xing Shi looked at Qi Changyi and said, “I know him.”

He greeted him politely, “Hello, cousin.”

Director He and Qi Changyi, who had planned to reveal this familial connection later over dinner, were momentarily stunned.

Having delivered the greeting so naturally, Xing Shi left them at a loss for how to proceed.