The Salted Fish is Rebellious – CH6

Chapter 6

Fu Xiuning had witnessed a Tier 2 punishment before, though rarely—just nine times in five years.

Those hosts had either collapsed in pain or fainted outright. This was the first time someone wanted to use it to shake off drowsiness.

Not wanting to miss the spectacle, he told Lin Kecheng, “Aren’t you going to order?”

Lin Kecheng took the hint and headed to the counter.

The system also snapped back to attention.

“Tier 2 punishment doesn’t affect you, does it?” it asked. “Last time, you didn’t even react.”

Xing Shi replied, “I can still feel the pain. It’s just too brief. Let’s make it last longer this time.”

“The duration is fixed at five seconds,” the system replied.

Because at a certain level of pain, even a single second feels like an eternity. Five seconds was plenty to leave a lasting impression.

Xing Shi suggested, “Then just do it multiple times.”

The system felt as if they were discussing menu options instead of something that instilled fear in countless hosts.

Speechless for a moment, it finally replied, “…That’s not allowed, including using it to fight drowsiness.”

Xing Shi countered, “It is allowed. What’s the purpose of Tier 2 punishment? To make the host successfully woo Fu Xiuning. I’m asking for Tier 2 punishment to do exactly that. No problem, right?”

The system, stunned by the reasoning, reluctantly admitted, “You’re surprisingly lucid.”

Xing Shi explained, “I figured this out earlier. So, can we do it or not? If not, I can’t guarantee how I’ll perform today.”

The system hesitated for a moment. Seeing Lin Kecheng was about to return, it caved. “Fine. Get ready—three-second countdown.”

On Fu Xiuning’s phone were brief news snippets he could close at any time. He set his phone on the table and looked up. “How are you adjusting to the company?”

Tier 2 punishment struck at that exact moment. Energy surged through Xing Shi’s body instantly.

Some color drained from his face, but his posture remained unchanged, and his tone was steady: “Not bad.”

Fu Xiuning observed him closely, surprised that the system’s punishment seemed to have a muted effect on him. “With all the back-and-forth between school and the company, are you keeping up with your progress?”

Xing Shi replied, “Doing my best.”

Fu Xiuning asked, “Not too hard?”

Without hesitation, Xing Shi said, “I’m young—it’s the time to hustle.”

The punishment ended. The system, relieved to see its host back to normal, was deeply moved, only to hear Xing Shi call for it again.

“One more time,” Xing Shi said.

“No,” the system immediately refused.

Fu Xiuning asked Xing Shi, “Where’s your hometown?” Xing Shi answered “City C” while continuing to reason with the system. “You’ve already done it once. What difference does a second time make?”

“Absolutely not,” the system insisted. “The interval between two Tier 2 punishments is too short. I’d have to file a report, and the main system won’t accept drowsiness as a valid reason. I’ll be penalized.”

Xing Shi was disappointed but satisfied with the answer.

Previously, he’d experienced a strange sense of familiarity during punishment. However, he’d been running at the time, the punishment was brief, and he had just transmigrated, his soul still unsettled in this new world. He’d worried it was a mere illusion.

Now, after today’s experience, he was certain—it felt just like mana poisoning.

In the magical world, everyone possessed a mana core that generated mana, enabling various spells.

There was a rare class of mages whose mana was inherently toxic. If someone was unfortunate enough to be struck by their magic, their mana core would become infected, causing rampant mana within their body and excruciating pain—just like a Tier 2 punishment.

Xing Shi’s mana core was unique, capable of functioning both as a standard mage’s core, releasing elemental magic, and in reverse, absorbing external mana for personal use.

When his core was once infected with poisonous mana, he had directly absorbed and neutralized the poison, a process he was intimately familiar with.

Though he had a different body now, and it was unclear if this method would still work, it provided him with a research angle for dismantling the system.

Feeling pleased, he said warmly, “Boss.”

Fu Xiuning looked at him. “Hm?”

Xing Shi unlocked his phone, tapped it a few times, and slid it forward. “Add me as a friend?”

Fu Xiuning scanned his QR code and sent a request.

Xing Shi accepted it instantly, satisfied.

With the system’s “termination” clause hanging over him, he couldn’t risk breaking ties completely. Using Fu Xiuning as an excuse to request Tier 2 punishments meant they would inevitably stay in touch.

When Lin Kecheng returned, he saw this exchange and teased, “Both coworkers and schoolmates—how come you’re only adding each other now?”

Xing Shi explained, “We don’t usually meet. Today’s the first chance.”

Lin Kecheng chuckled. “Makes sense.”

Sensing Fu Xiuning’s gaze shift to him, Lin Kecheng said, “Work comes first. You two chat. I won’t intrude.”

Before leaving, he gave Xing Shi a word of advice: “Our senior is very busy. If you run into any difficulties, just find me. I’ll help.”

Xing Shi nodded obediently. “Thank you, Senior.”

Lin Kecheng waved it off with a “No problem” and went to another seat.

His system quipped, “What important work could a boss and a freshly signed trainee possibly discuss?”

Lin Kecheng replied, “Even if it’s just an excuse, I shouldn’t stay. Didn’t you see Fu Xiuning looking over? I need to know my place.”

The system agreed. “He’s entering his final year soon, and senior courses are light. It’ll be even harder to see him. You need to act fast. You can’t wait until graduation to join his company and climb the ranks—it’d be way too slow.”

Lin Kecheng hummed in acknowledgment, then picked up a table sign with the restaurant’s logo, snapped a photo for his social feed, and captioned it with a complaint about the slow service, asking friends to cover for him if he was late to class.

Fu Xiuning, having milked Lin Kecheng for amusement, found the newer recruit more intriguing by comparison.

He asked Xing Shi, “Have you thought about your future direction?”

Xing Shi was quick to answer, “I’ll follow the company’s plans.”

Fu Xiuning said, “The company considers personal preferences. Do you have any ideas of your own?”

Xing Shi replied, “Not for now.”

Fu Xiuning nodded and made casual conversation while mentally assessing him.

Likes food, stays calm under pressure, quick thinker, seemingly good-natured—but based on his reaction during the system binding, clearly someone strong-willed and resistant to coercion.

And seemingly immune to some system punishments, though the reason was unclear.

Meanwhile, Xing Shi was evaluating his target.

Clearly a bad personality, but one who liked to wear a “kind” facade and didn’t act like an overbearing boss.

Although Fu Xiuning asked Xing Shi a series of questions, they all seemed offhanded and lacked deeper intent. For now, apart from giving him a hard time, there didn’t seem to be any other purpose to today’s encounter.

The two of them chatted for a while longer until the seafood congee was finally ready.

The clay pot was placed in the center of the table, brimming with fresh ingredients and looking incredibly appetizing.

Fu Xiuning ladled a bowl for himself as a conversation echoed in his ear.

Lin Kecheng’s system spoke: “Don’t let that lunatic come over. He…”

It paused, realizing something. “You did it on purpose! You deliberately framed the restaurant’s sign with Fu Xiuning in the shot so that Shao Jianbai would come here!”

Lin Kecheng replied, “It was just an accident.”

“An accident?” the system snapped. “I’ve been wondering why you’ve been interacting with Shao Jianbai so much. You claimed it was to help resolve potential threats to Fu Xiuning, but in reality, you’ve been provoking him! You want him to attack Fu Xiuning! Didn’t I warn you? If Fu Xiuning dies, we’re all doomed!”

Lin Kecheng calmly responded, “Then I’ll make sure he doesn’t die. I’ll shield him myself.”

The system was exasperated. “And what if you die instead?”

Lin Kecheng replied, “Based on someone’s habits and surroundings, I can calculate their attack trajectory and find ways to avoid vital points. Isn’t that what you’re here for? You know how difficult Fu Xiuning is to deal with. Do you think a single act of saving his life will actually work on him?”

The system fell silent.

Lin Kecheng continued, “Instead of a conventional strategy, I’d rather take a gamble. When I posted that picture, I wasn’t even sure Shao Jianbai would see it. But I won this round. Ready for another?”

The system waited a few seconds before reluctantly agreeing: “Fine.”

Fu Xiuning listened to their detailed discussion without any emotional reaction.

Some hosts, like Xing Shi, were souls who transmigrated into this world. Others were natives selected and bound by the system.

Lin Kecheng fell into the latter category. Once a painfully shy nobody, he had seen himself as chosen by destiny after being bound to the system. The transformation was dramatic; he became the charming and resourceful person he was now.

When someone’s perspective shifted from being a participant in the world to a lofty game player, new doors opened.

Flowers, applause, admiration… With the system’s assistance, Lin Kecheng had risen to where he was today, treating life like a game. People became tools to exploit or discard, and his moral baseline sank lower and lower until he lost all reverence for life.

Fu Xiuning had encountered many such people and was unsurprised.

He glanced across the table.

He’d also seen many who fought against their systems. Xing Shi wasn’t the first and wouldn’t be the last. No matter how they started, they all eventually revealed a different face.

This kid seemed composed now, but who knew what he’d become in the future?

[Beep Beep]
[Current Favorability: -9]

Xing Shi, drawn in by the aroma, ladled a spoonful of congee.

Just as he tasted it, the notification sounded. “Why?” he asked.

The system, monitoring Fu Xiuning, immediately scolded him: “Because you ate his congee!”

Xing Shi replied, “That’s ridiculous. There’s no way he can finish it all by himself. What’s wrong with me having a few bites? I even used a ladle to scoop it into my bowl—not straight from the pot.”

“Put it down now! Aren’t you full? Stop eating!” the system demanded.

Without saying a word, Xing Shi grabbed the ladle and scooped another portion into his bowl.

“!”

This time, he picked out some seafood before placing the ladle back. Taking a sip of congee, he stared across the table.

The system, too preoccupied to reprimand him, anxiously watched Fu Xiuning.

Hearing no further change in favorability, Xing Shi ate a piece of seafood and looked up again.

The system continued to monitor alongside him.

This time, Fu Xiuning didn’t ignore him. He looked up. “What is it?”

Xing Shi raised his bowl. “I’m just having a bit. You don’t mind, do you?”

Fu Xiuning replied, “You’re paying. Do as you like.”

Xing Shi rebuked the system, “See? He’s more reasonable than you.”

The system was on the verge of breaking down. “Then why did he dock points again?!”

Xing Shi thought for a moment. “Maybe spending more time with me made him dislike me more. Being too handsome can be a burden, you know. Sigh.”

“Think of something to fix this!” the system cried.

“I’ll do my best,” Xing Shi replied.

When the meal ended, the favorability remained at -9.

After scanning to pay the bill, Xing Shi walked out with Fu Xiuning. Near the entrance, a male student entered.

Habit honed in dangerous environments made Xing Shi glance at any new arrival.

That glance revealed something troubling.

The student’s expression was tense, his gaze resolute. His left hand gripped his sleeve tightly, palm concealed.

Based on Xing Shi’s experience, there was an 80% chance he was hiding a knife.

When Lin Kecheng spotted Shao Jianbai, he quickly approached.

While Fu Xiuning listened to Lin Kecheng’s system analyze paths of attack, he considered how to send Lin Kecheng to his grave.

In a flash, the three converged.

Seeing Shao Jianbai draw the knife, both Lin Kecheng and Fu Xiuning reacted simultaneously.

Lin paled and moved to shield Fu Xiuning. Fu Xiuning, with a serious expression, grabbed Lin and pulled him aside—not to protect him, but to position him perfectly for Shao Jianbai’s stab.

However, in the next moment, Shao Jianbai vanished from his spot.

Disarm, subdue, takedown… Xing Shi, with a shout of “Careful, Senior!” as he effortlessly pinned Shao Jianbai to the ground.

Fu Xiuning: “…”
Lin Kecheng: “???”

Xing Shi looked up at the two of them.

Maintaining their respective stances, Fu Xiuning and Lin Kecheng stared back at him.

For several seconds, both sides were silent.

Finally, Xing Shi said, “Don’t just stand there. Call the police.”