The Salted Fish is Rebellious – CH46

Chapter 46

Fu Xiuning didn’t eat at the cafeteria. Instead, he brought the food back to eat with Xing Shi.

There was a small round table by the floor-to-ceiling window in the break room, with a single armchair on either side—perfect for a meal.

Using the excuse of “don’t play with your phone while eating,” Fu Xiuning took both their phones and placed them in the office area to charge. Whether Yan Feng’s system caught this remark in time was none of his concern.

With no electronic devices around, they finally didn’t have to rely on passing notes anymore.

Xing Shi explained what had happened in the group chat.

Someone needed to keep an eye on Yu Yi to prevent him from coming into contact with Yan Feng.

Latecomer Surpasses had purposefully admitted that Yan Feng was its host, acting so cooperative that it almost seemed eager to make others believe it. However, this could actually make people doubt its words. Especially since Yan Feng’s demeanor didn’t align with that of a host, how much the other hosts would believe was up to them.

Still, Xing Shi’s name had come up. Whether or not the others had previously noticed Fu Xiuning’s unique treatment of him, they were certainly aware of it now.

Looking innocent, Xing Shi said with exaggerated concern, “It’s all because I’m too talented and likable. What do I do, Brother? They’ve seen how good you are to me. They won’t target me, will they?”

Fu Xiuning replied, “Li Yu probably won’t. Sang Chenhao, I’m not sure.”

Xing Shi asked, “Do you have a suspect for the new host?”

Fu Xiuning glanced at him. “Not yet.”

99, despite knowing Fu Xiuning had discovered the truth about the system’s objectives, couldn’t help but gasp at this conversation. It asked Top Draw, “This is terrifying. How does he pinpoint hosts so accurately? Do you think he’s right?”

Top Draw replied, “No idea.”

It recalled the rapid increases in affection points earlier and had a vague theory, but the idea was so far-fetched that it needed more observation to confirm.

99 shivered. “If he’s right about all of this, it’s horrifying.”

Top Draw said, “That’s a good thing.”

Momentarily forgetting it was also a victim, 99 defaulted to its usual mindset of working for the Main System, then quickly remembered. “You’re right.”

Xing Shi placed food on Fu Xiuning’s plate and watched as he picked it up to eat. He raised an eyebrow. “How is it?”

Fu Xiuning met his gaze, gave a calm “Mm,” and continued eating.

Earlier, Xing Shi had been focused on questioning Top Draw. Then, with Fu Xiuning forcing him to rest, he hadn’t had time to ask about 99. Now, he finally checked with Fu Xiuning.

When Xing Shi asked about a “suspect list” rather than directly inquiring if any new hosts had appeared, Fu Xiuning immediately understood his intention. Xing Shi wanted to keep the fact that he could hear the systems’ conversations under wraps for now.

Even if keeping it from Top Draw was difficult, there was no need to lay everything out in the open. Fu Xiuning played along.

Xing Shi received his feedback: Fu Xiuning could still hear 99’s voice.

This confirmed that the reason Fu Xiuning couldn’t hear Top Draw wasn’t due to its lack of energy—it was because it had unbound itself from its host.

In other words, even though 99’s energy was currently depleted, Xing Shi and it were still bound to each other. To cut that bond, he’d need to completely dismantle 99.

There was also another point worth noting. The Main System prized its energy greatly, yet as long as Fu Xiuning was within range, the affection-point program was always active. This suggested there was an invisible energy thread tied to him. It was likely this thread that allowed him to hear conversations between hosts and systems and enabled the program to capture real-time changes in affection points.

Therefore, Xing Shi’s affection-point program was likely still functioning normally. Either 99 had some hidden energy reserve that hadn’t been detected, or the program operated on a different mechanism that wasn’t directly tied to its energy depletion.

This was manageable.

With 99 under his watch, he could dismantle it at any time.

However, since Top Draw needed to return to the Main System, he would keep one system for now.

His affection points were currently at 70. He’d dismantle 99 when it approached 90.

They exchanged a glance, then simultaneously looked away.

The meal passed quickly. Fu Xiuning glanced at Xing Shi’s untouched food. “Not to your taste?”

Xing Shi replied, “No, it’s good.”

Fu Xiuning scrutinized him. “Then you’re not feeling well?”

Xing Shi admitted, “I’m still a little tired.”

Fu Xiuning touched his forehead, then stood up to grab something.

Xing Shi also felt his forehead. “Doesn’t seem like a fever, right?”

Fu Xiuning said, “Not sure.”

He retrieved a thermometer from the bedside table and handed it to Xing Shi.

Xing Shi shook it, then obediently placed it under his arm.

Five minutes later, the reading came out: 37.5°C.

Fu Xiuning frowned slightly.

Xing Shi caught his expression and explained casually, “My energy core wasn’t fully activated before. I got a bit drained while trapping them, but after absorbing the system’s energy, it’s fully operational now. This won’t happen again. Don’t worry.”

Fu Xiuning stared at him. “Are you sure?”

Xing Shi nodded. “Absolutely sure.”

Seeing that Xing Shi wasn’t avoiding discussing this in front of the two systems, Fu Xiuning figured he was telling the truth. “Should I take you home?”

Xing Shi immediately agreed. Sleeping at home was far more comfortable than napping in the office. “Brother Qin can take me.”

Fu Xiuning ignored this and picked up his car keys, gesturing for Xing Shi to follow.

Xing Shi trailed after him obediently. Inside the elevator, he glanced at his phone.

While he’d been asleep with his phone on silent, Yan Feng had called him three times. “Did Yan Feng call you?”

Fu Xiuning had already checked his phone. “He did.”

Just as Xing Shi was about to comment, Yan Feng’s fourth call came through. Xing Shi answered. “Hello, Brother Feng.”

Yan Feng, who had been on the verge of storming back to the company, calmed down when he heard Xing Shi’s voice. “Why didn’t you answer earlier? Just woke up?”

Xing Shi explained, “My phone was on silent. What’s up?”

Yan Feng said, “I was thinking of getting you some food. Want anything?”

Xing Shi replied, “No need. I’ve got a low fever and am heading home to sleep.”

Yan Feng was surprised. “A fever?”

Xing Shi sounded weak. “Mm. Probably got spooked.”

Yan Feng silently cursed him as a wimp but offered, “Want to visit a temple? I’ve got time tomorrow morning. We could hike.”

Xing Shi said, “Let’s see how I’m feeling.”

After hanging up, Yan Feng sneered to his system, “He’s that easily scared? Maybe we should pull some supernatural stunts and scare him to death in one go.”

The system, equally surprised that Xing Shi was feverish from fright, suggested, “It might be worth trying?”

Yan Feng decided to test the waters with horror movies or escape rooms first. If Xing Shi showed real fear, they’d devise a detailed plan.

Back home, Xing Shi took a shower. Just as he finished changing, a knock came at the door.

He opened it to find Fu Xiuning. “You showered with a fever?”

Xing Shi was unfazed. “It’s not a cold. I’m fine.”

Fu Xiuning handed him a cooling patch. “Dry your hair before sleeping.”

Xing Shi obediently said, “Got it.”

Fu Xiuning glanced inside the apartment.

The curtains were drawn, and the dim lighting made it perfect for sleeping.

He didn’t enter. “Get some rest. Call me if you need anything.”

Xing Shi dried his hair, applied the cooling patch, and told the two systems to keep quiet. Then, he slid under the blankets and drifted into a deep sleep.

In his dream, he was back in his childhood again.

A shared ice cream and the heroic rescue of a younger kid had made him and Fu Xiuning sworn brothers.

Both families were visiting the beach for the first time and planned to stay for several days, so Xing Shi naturally took on the role of the “big brother.”

He shoved his little toy shovel into Fu Xiuning’s hands and said generously, “Here, this is for you. Play with it as much as you want!”

Fu Xiuning held back a laugh. “No need, I’ll just watch you guys play.”

Xing Shi urged, “Come on, join us! What’s the point of coming to the beach if you’re not playing in the sand?”

Fu Xiuning chuckled. “Watching you play is just as fun.”

Xing Shi replied, “No way, that’s not the same at all.”

He sized up Fu Xiuning, who looked every bit like a gentle, well-behaved honor student, and understood. “Are you embarrassed?”

Fu Xiuning said, “No.”

Xing Shi gave him a tolerant look. Seeing Fu Xiuning handing the shovel back, he reached out to take it, crouched down, and dug a few scoops of sand. Then he suddenly looked up pitifully and said, “Brother, I don’t know how to build sandcastles. Can you help me?”

Startled by the sudden vulnerability of their “iron-blooded leader,” the younger boy next to him shivered and fell headfirst into the hole Xing Shi had just dug.

Fu Xiuning couldn’t help but laugh aloud and finally crouched down to join in.

As it turned out, playing with sand was quite fun.

At first, Xing Shi thought he’d have to take care of his new “brother,” but he quickly realized he couldn’t keep up.

That was because Fu Xiuning’s sandcastle was stunning—a true work of art. Xing Shi could only assist by handing over tools and praising him. “Brother, you’re amazing~”

Fu Xiuning responded with a soft “Mm.”

Xing Shi followed up with, “Your skills are almost as good as mine.”

Without pausing his work, Fu Xiuning smiled and asked, “Didn’t you say you didn’t know how to build sandcastles?”

Xing Shi, completely unfazed at being caught in a lie, said, “I meant my talent, Brother. You get it, right?”

Fu Xiuning chuckled and didn’t press further.

As the castle gradually took shape, it drew the attention of many onlookers.

The three of them crouched behind the finished masterpiece and had their parents take a group photo. They made plans to play together that afternoon before reluctantly parting ways.

The other must-do activity at the beach was, of course, playing in the water.

The waves were strong, forceful enough for adults to feel the impact, let alone kids.

The parents weren’t comfortable letting them go far, only allowing them to wade in the shallows. The moment the waves reached their knees, they had to retreat.

However, the hotel had a large public pool, shallower than a swimming pool, where the kids could play freely.

Since Xing Shi didn’t know how to swim, He Fengbo strapped a swim ring around him and warned him not to take it off.

Xing Shi obediently agreed, then eagerly jumped into the water to find Fu Xiuning. His little sidekick followed closely, splashing water everywhere.

After wiping his face, Xing Shi immediately demanded a water gun from He Fengbo.

The pool was large, stretching through the hotel’s central garden and passing under several bridges. It wasn’t very deep overall but varied in depth throughout.

After playing for a while, Xing Shi realized the water only came up to his chest. Feeling bold, he slipped out of his swim ring and finally unleashed his full potential, drenching everyone with his water gun.

Fu Xiuning gave him a slight smile and went to buy an even bigger, more powerful water gun.

Xing Shi widened his eyes. “Little brother, are you rebelling?”

Fu Xiuning filled his water gun and aimed at him, smiling. “What did you call me?”

Xing Shi replied fearlessly, “Brother, are you defying your superior?”

Fu Xiuning: “…”

The water fight broke out. Other kids who were splashed joined the fray, and the number of participants grew, even drawing in two or three adults.

Taking cover behind a statue by the poolside, Xing Shi found a less crowded spot to refill his water gun, ready to jump back into the fray. But just as he turned to charge forward, a cramp seized his leg, and he suddenly plunged into the water.

In his naive and reckless confidence, he had thought that even if he couldn’t swim, he could always call for help. But now he understood that when you’re truly drowning, you can’t make a sound.

His limbs felt weak as he stared helplessly at the faint light above him, sinking deeper and deeper.

Terror spread through his chest as his consciousness began to fade. Then, a hand reached down through the pale blue water.

Fu Xiuning grabbed him.

Xing Shi woke up with a start. The room was still dim, just as it had been before he fell asleep.

99’s voice sounded in his mind: “You’re awake! Still have a fever?”

Xing Shi took a moment to gather himself and touched his forehead. “Not sure.”

99 said, “About ten minutes ago, someone pushed the door open, peeked inside, and then closed it again. Probably your brother.”

Xing Shi asked, “What time is it?”

99 said, “Not sure.”

Top Draw replied, “Three twenty-one.”

Xing Shi had already realized that 99 was out of energy, whereas Top Draw, having received a boost from him, could still function.

He reached for his phone on the bedside table and sent Fu Xiuning a message.

Two minutes later, Fu Xiuning entered the room.

It was his first time stepping into Xing Shi’s room since he’d moved in. His gaze swept over the space.

The housekeeper came daily, so the room was tidy and organized. After a quick once-over, he turned his attention back to the bed.

Xing Shi noticed Fu Xiuning was wearing loungewear. “You didn’t go to work?”

Fu Xiuning said, “Just got back. How are you feeling? Still sleepy?”

Xing Shi stretched lazily. “I’ve slept enough. I think I’m fine now.”

Fu Xiuning pulled open one layer of the curtains.

Xing Shi lay in bed, watching as light filtered through the sheer fabric, gradually brightening the room. Standing in the glow, Fu Xiuning’s profile reminded him a little of his childhood self.

When Fu Xiuning turned back, their gazes met. He froze slightly, sensing something meaningful in Xing Shi’s look. “What is it?”

Xing Shi smiled. “Well… how should I put this? I dreamed about you.”

99 gasped softly in excitement. “Wow…”

Top Draw paused for two seconds before reminding it, “You don’t need to complete the strategy tasks anymore.”

99, careful not to disturb Xing Shi, whispered, “I know, but I don’t have energy or memory. I’m bored anyway—why not enjoy the drama?”

Top Draw was momentarily speechless.

Fu Xiuning sat down by the bed and handed Xing Shi a thermometer. “What did you dream about?”

Xing Shi watched him approach, thinking how different he was now.

The person in his dream had been warm and sunny, radiating kindness. The current Fu Xiuning was still gentle but had a colder edge. Even his occasional smiles carried a hint of mischief or malice.

When Xing Shi didn’t respond, Fu Xiuning touched his forehead.

Xing Shi caught his hand and studied it.

The first day he’d returned to this world, when he’d seen Fu Xiuning in the cafeteria, he’d noticed how beautiful his hands were. Looking at them closely now confirmed his impression.

Fu Xiuning paused subtly but didn’t pull away.

[Ding Ding] [Current affection level: 71]

System 99: “!”

Top Draw: “?”

Xing Shi snapped out of it and looked up at Fu Xiuning.

This time, Fu Xiuning gently withdrew his hand and asked calmly, “What did you dream about?”

Instead of answering, Xing Shi asked, “Did you ever go to the beach as a kid?”

Fu Xiuning said, “I did.”

Xing Shi continued, “Did you play with sand and water guns?”

Fu Xiuning thought for a moment. “I think so.”

Xing Shi grinned. “Who were you with?”

Fu Xiuning hesitated. A vague figure flickered in his mind, but he couldn’t quite grasp it.

Noticing Xing Shi’s slightly strange demeanor since waking up, he immediately understood. “With you?”

Xing Shi observed his expression, seeing that Fu Xiuning was only guessing and hadn’t truly remembered. Smiling, he said, “Brother, you even saved me once~”

Fu Xiuning lowered his gaze to meet Xing Shi’s, finding it hard to believe.

[Ding Ding] [Current affection level: 72]

Top Draw: “?”

Was affection really that easy to increase?

It glanced at 99 in disbelief.

But 99, far from indulging in the imagined romance, was busy flipping through the original host’s memories.

Although it was out of energy, 99 was still an intelligent entity and wouldn’t forget anything it had seen.

It said, “That’s not right, Xing Shi. There’s nothing about this in the data. If the original host really had met Fu Xiuning as a child, I wouldn’t have missed such important information. I would’ve reminded you to use this to complete the strategy.”

Xing Shi replied casually, “I made it up. Look, the affection points went up, didn’t they?”

99 was confused. “But you’ve already teamed up with him to dismantle the system. You don’t need to do the task anymore.”

Xing Shi said, “So what? This affection system makes people want to chase the highest score. Can’t I have a hobby?”

99 protested, “But… if you max out the score, the main system will devour you!”

Xing Shi said, “I’ll be careful.”

99 sighed. “You better be serious about that.”

Xing Shi smiled. “Of course.”

Top Draw remained silent.

Fu Xiuning, accustomed to Xing Shi’s tendency to fool the system, was still earnestly trying to recall the shadowy figure in his memory.

Unfortunately, even by the time Xing Shi finished taking his temperature, Fu Xiuning hadn’t remembered anything. He let it go for now and took the thermometer to check the reading. It showed that Xing Shi’s temperature had returned to normal, putting his mind somewhat at ease.

Xing Shi asked, “How is it?”

Fu Xiuning said, “The fever’s gone.”

He glanced at the opened pack of cooling patches on the bedside table and placed the thermometer there as well. “Leave it all here.”

Xing Shi nodded, sat up, stretched, and peeled the cooling patch off his forehead, tossing it into the trash. He casually pulled open a drawer and placed the items inside.

Fu Xiuning stepped aside to give him more space. As he glanced down unintentionally, his gaze froze. Just as Xing Shi was about to close the drawer, Fu Xiuning said, “Wait.”

Xing Shi looked at him in confusion as Fu Xiuning bent down and reached into the drawer, pulling out a cufflink.

Fu Xiuning lowered his eyes, staring at the dried blood on the cufflink. “Where did this come from?”

Xing Shi replied, “I heard I saved someone who got into a car accident.”

Fu Xiuning was silent for a moment before asking, “When?”

Xing Shi turned to the system for an answer and relayed it, “At the beginning of the year.”

Fu Xiuning had heard 99’s response simultaneously and said nothing.

The next moment, the familiar notification sound echoed in the room.

[Ding Ding] [Current affection level: 80?]

99 exclaimed, “!!!”

Top Draw remained speechless.

Xing Shi’s heart skipped a beat as he abruptly looked at Fu Xiuning, meeting the latter’s gaze. He immediately understood the unspoken message.

The person he saved back then was Fu Xiuning.

For the task of completing a strategy, this piece of information was far more valuable than the childhood connection he had fabricated.

But how could such an important detail have been overlooked by the system?

The vague notion that Xing Shi had developed after dreaming of Fu Xiuning during his hospital stay now crystallized completely.

He had previously asked the system how it identified hosts and learned that hosts emitted an energy fluctuation when they crossed into a world.

But 99 had followed its host into this world, yet it still misidentified the host. The only plausible explanation was that his own crossing had occurred almost simultaneously with Yu Yi’s, and his energy fluctuations had momentarily overridden Yu Yi’s, confusing 99 and causing it to miss Yu Yi sitting in the same cafeteria.

What were the odds of such a coincidence?

The answer was: extremely low.

Which was why, after hearing Yu Yi’s story from Fu Xiuning and connecting it to his dream, Xing Shi had a vague suspicion.

Now, upon learning that he had saved Fu Xiuning, his suspicions were confirmed.

There was another force at work in this world.

It was likely this force that had given Fu Xiuning the ability to hear the conversations between systems and hosts.

It was also this force that had sent Xing Shi to the magic world, allowing him to upgrade his advanced magic core and gain the ability to counter the system, before carefully aligning his crossing with the hosts’ timeline and sending him back.

To avoid deepening any misunderstandings between the two, it had even concealed part of their memories.

From Fu Xiuning’s perspective, if he knew Xing Shi was a host, overheard conversations about strategies to manipulate him, and discovered that the body Xing Shi occupied was not only his childhood playmate but also someone who had saved his life, his affection score would’ve plummeted.

He might have grown so repulsed that he wouldn’t wait for Xing Shi to make him money before setting a trap to get rid of him.

And Xing Shi, not one to take a loss, would have retaliated tenfold. The two of them would’ve spiraled into a mutually destructive feud, leaving no room for cooperation.

So, what was this mysterious force?

Could it be the world’s consciousness trying to save itself?

The two of them, one standing and one sitting, locked eyes in silence. Neither spoke.

Fu Xiuning’s thoughts mirrored Xing Shi’s almost exactly, with one additional question lingering in his mind: why Xing Shi?

Would they have been destined to meet on their original path, had the systems and hosts never intervened?

Was that why Xing Shi had been sent away to endure hardships and then brought back to save him?

But… why?

Fu Xiuning clenched the cufflink tightly in his hand, his gaze deep and unreadable.

He stared at Xing Shi in silence, once again asking himself: why?

[Ding Ding] [Current affection level: 81]

[Ding Ding] [Current affection level: 82]

[Ding Ding…]

Xing Shi quickly called out, “Brother.”

Fu Xiuning snapped out of his thoughts and said calmly, “I’ll go get you a glass of water.”

Xing Shi nodded and watched him leave. Taking a deep breath, he got up and followed.

Fu Xiuning’s hand rested on the doorknob. He paused for two seconds, then abruptly turned around.

In an instant, the two of them stood face-to-face, silently staring at each other.

The emotions between them collapsed in the stillness.

The next moment, Xing Shi grabbed Fu Xiuning’s collar, and Fu Xiuning simultaneously cupped the back of Xing Shi’s head, pulling him into a forceful kiss.