The Salted Fish is Rebellious – CH66

Chapter 66

Xing Shi glanced down at the driver.

He was a middle-aged man, thin to the point of being unwell, with a face utterly devoid of color.

Curious, Xing Shi followed the man to the hospital under the pretense of needing treatment for his own “fall-related injuries.”

At the same time, he had 99 investigate the driver, and it quickly found the basic information: a terminally ill patient.

The man’s family arrived at the hospital in a panic after receiving the news. After a round of communication, the full picture emerged.

The patient was in the late stages of cancer, with doctors estimating he had 3–6 months left to live. He had already stopped treatment and returned home. That morning, he’d said he wanted to go out for a drive to clear his mind. His family hadn’t noticed he’d taken the car keys, and it seemed that he had a medical episode while driving, crashing into the school. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries.

His family bowed deeply, tears streaming down their faces. “We’re so sorry. He must’ve had some kind of attack. He would never intentionally try to hit someone, really!”

Xing Shi quickly helped them up and reassured them, “It’s okay, it’s not his fault.”

It was all an unforeseen disaster.

The man was still in critical condition after the ordeal, and it was unclear if he even had 3–6 months left anymore.

While they spoke, a nearby officer received a phone call from a colleague.

A strange car had broken into the campus, and the security guards had immediately called the police. The squad cars and ambulance had arrived almost simultaneously.

The police split into two groups, one staying at the scene to investigate and the other following the victim to the hospital.

The vehicle was too old to have a dashcam, so they could only rely on the school’s surveillance footage.

From the footage, the driver appeared dazed and not entirely conscious, but the path he took seemed suspicious. If later investigations confirmed he had a medical issue and hadn’t been hired or coerced, it might truly have been just an accident.

The officer hung up the call and gave Xing Shi a long look.

After all, just days ago, he’d been the target of an attack by a mentally ill man wielding a knife. Now, this car incident happened. Wasn’t this too much of a coincidence?

Xing Shi looked back at him innocently. “What’s wrong, Officer?”

The patient’s family grew visibly nervous, fearing that their relative might have lost his mind and deliberately tried to drag someone down with him before dying.

The police hadn’t finished their investigation and couldn’t jump to conclusions, so they gave a few vague reassurances before pulling Xing Shi aside to ask, “Do you have any enemies?”

Xing Shi replied, “No.”

The officer pressed, “Have you had any arguments with anyone recently?”

Xing Shi shook his head. “Nope.”

The officer frowned at him. “What about your relationship with Fu Xiuning? Is everything okay there?”

Xing Shi answered seriously, “He’s my boyfriend. We’re very close—the kind that’s already met the parents and is planning to get married.”

The officer was momentarily speechless. Before he could ask anything else, Fu Xiuning, who’d been informed of the situation by a bodyguard, arrived at the hospital.

Xing Shi walked over to him. “Brother.”

Fu Xiuning scanned him closely. “Where are you hurt?”

Xing Shi replied, “I’m not really hurt.”

Though he’d fallen to the ground earlier, he had used his energy to cushion the impact just before hitting the ground, so he was completely unharmed. After all, he knew someone would be worried.

Fu Xiuning’s expression was grim as he gripped Xing Shi’s hand tightly.

Xing Shi hugged him briefly and reassured him, “I’m really fine.”

Fu Xiuning returned the hug but was careful not to squeeze too hard.

Sensing his caution, Xing Shi teased, “Want me to go home, strip naked, and let you check for yourself?”

Fu Xiuning said, “Sure.”

99 immediately interjected, “Go ahead! I’ll even provide privacy shielding!”

Xing Shi glanced at Fu Xiuning and realized he wasn’t joking. He nodded, “Okay.”

Seeing Xing Shi agree so readily, Fu Xiuning figured he really wasn’t hurt. His tense heart relaxed slightly, and he asked, “I heard the driver’s still alive?”

Xing Shi confirmed, “He’s still being treated.”

Fu Xiuning held his hand and stayed by his side to wait.

The resuscitation didn’t take long—just over half an hour.

The man was successfully saved and even regained consciousness.

99 was once again stunned. “He’s really still alive!”

Green Bean Paste was also shocked but, after nearly being dismantled earlier, wisely kept silent.

99 speculated, “Pouring energy into the body to seize control should be the same principle as with transmigrated hosts, right? Why is he still alive?”

Even systems, though filled with energy, couldn’t directly control a host’s body.

To take control, they would have to replace the person, like a transmigrated host, which would result in the original soul’s disappearance.

The main system claimed it had signed agreements with the originals, and they had willingly ceded their bodies.

Since 99 had learned the truth about the main system, it knew that claim was pure nonsense.

It had assumed the emergency system’s control over humans worked similarly to the transmigrated host scenario, with the energy forcefully taking over the body. But now it seemed the original person could survive the process.

99 asked, “What does this mean?”

Xing Shi didn’t answer. Instead, he walked to the man’s bedside.

The police also approached, hoping to assess whether the patient could talk.

The man was weak, but his mind was relatively clear. After hearing the police’s explanation, he took a while to respond, “I… I felt like I was possessed by a ghost. My body wouldn’t listen to me.”

The police observed his condition, nodded, and decided to wait until he’d rested before asking more.

Xing Shi spoke with the doctor to learn about the man’s prognosis, which wasn’t optimistic. Watching the patient being wheeled away, he exchanged a glance with Fu Xiuning, and the two left together.

99, full of questions, blurted out, “Don’t use your secret codes! Did you find anything new?”

Xing Shi replied, “I’ve figured out the selection pattern.”

99 asked, “What pattern?”

Xing Shi said, “Low soul energy.”

99 suddenly understood. “Oh, right. First, a mentally ill man, and now a terminal cancer patient.”

From this, it could be inferred that the third person the system would use would likely also have some kind of physical or mental vulnerability.

99 asked, “But why did he survive? Different mechanism?”

Xing Shi explained, “I think the mechanism is the same. Previously, it would take a month or two to choose a new host. These weren’t reckless, disposable pawns—they were carefully selected. But each one had similar traits: low presence, average family background, simple social connections. Right?”

99 confirmed, “Right.”

Xing Shi continued, “People like that tend to have low soul energy.”

He added, “I suspect the main system doesn’t avoid choosing people close to Fu Xiuning because it doesn’t want to—it’s because it can’t. Look at how it managed to bind Chai Xiaoyu. Even then, it only assisted with a system; it didn’t take over his body. That’s because Chai Xiaoyu was well-liked, with lots of friends. It couldn’t seize him.”

99 countered, “But other native hosts are all nobodies. Shouldn’t it be able to take over their bodies?”

Xing Shi explained, “Don’t forget the energy it can access is limited. Plus, people like that are easier to manipulate.”

99 found the explanation reasonable and asked, “So why did this driver survive?”

Xing Shi speculated, “Probably because I absorbed the energy in time.”

Unlike systems like 99, which had complex mechanisms to erase memories or execute obliteration, disposable systems had only one purpose: to carry out their attack. Once the attack was complete, their job was done.

Normally, the energy would dissipate gradually over several days. But Xing Shi had absorbed it all in one go, right down to the dregs.

He said, “Hosts and systems originate from the same source, but their manifestations differ. The energy in this man was the same as what Yan Feng had—just without the soul fragment. Do you know what that means?”

Green Bean Paste audibly gasped.

99 thought for a moment, somewhat horrified. “This means… this energy could actually be treated like a transmigrated host. That’s why it can control the person. And if this patient can survive, does that mean the souls of those whose bodies were taken over before were actually still there? That it didn’t immediately force their souls out?”

Xing Shi responded with a soft “Mm.” “At least in the beginning, their souls were still there, but they probably couldn’t last long.”

For one, the original soul’s energy was already low. For another, the energy of a transmigrated host was far greater than what was used on this patient. The original soul simply wouldn’t hold out.

99 grew even more horrified. “So the original soul was forced to watch itself slowly fade away? That’s too cruel!”

Xing Shi replied with another calm “Mm” and left the hospital.

As noon approached, the two of them found a nearby restaurant, had lunch, and then returned home.

Xing Shi instructed 99 to activate the screen, and the two discussed the matter.

As Top Draw and the others had mentioned, with the presence of world consciousness, the main system couldn’t do much if the strategy tasks made no progress. Even with low soul energy hosts, it couldn’t drive their souls out all at once, let alone do more drastic things.

However, the suicide attacks were indeed a hassle and needed to be stopped as soon as possible.

When they exchanged that look back at the hospital, it was because they both realized this could be leveraged.

After finalizing the details, Fu Xiuning stepped out of the study to call Assistant Qin.

99 received a notification that the screen had been lifted and asked immediately, “So… did you strip?”

Xing Shi only then recalled their earlier conversation at the hospital and replied casually, “I did.”

99 checked the elapsed time and asked, “So… just a pure inspection? Nothing else?”

Xing Shi responded, “What else would there be?”

99 couldn’t help but probe. “Maybe… he’s not, uh, capable?”

Xing Shi answered with mock seriousness, “Don’t make stuff up. My brother was just worried about me—keep your thoughts pure.”

99 retorted, “But you two are dating! If you were standing there completely naked and he didn’t do anything, then he’s definitely incapable!”

Xing Shi replied, “Careful, or I’ll tell him exactly what you said.”

99 froze. “What?”

It protested, wounded. “We’ve trashed him together so many times before, and you’ve never tattled. But now, just because I said one thing, you’re going to tell him? You’re totally putting love before friendship!”

Green Bean Paste couldn’t hold back and timidly added, “Um, saying someone’s boyfriend isn’t capable… that’s a pretty serious accusation.”

99 paused for two seconds, then admitted, “Fine, my bad.”

Green Bean Paste comforted it, “Besides, this just shows how much Fu Xiuning respects Xing Shi. His concern for him outweighs his own desires.”

99 instantly latched onto this and swooned. “You’re so right~”

Fu Xiuning hung up his phone and turned to see Xing Shi smiling faintly. “What’s so funny?”

Xing Shi replied, “Nothing. When’s Brother Qin coming?”

Fu Xiuning said, “He’ll be here soon. He’ll drive with the bodyguard.”

Xing Shi obediently said, “Alright.”

Fu Xiuning took two steps closer, stroked his cheek, and kissed the corner of his mouth.

Not long after, Assistant Qin arrived. Xing Shi brought him and the bodyguard back to the hospital.

The patient was asleep, the police were gone, and only the family remained by his bedside, looking exhausted.

When they saw Xing Shi enter with some things in hand, they stood up in surprise. “Why are you here?”

Xing Shi replied, “I came to check on Uncle.”

He explained, “I heard Uncle damaged some of the school’s public property and accidentally hurt two classmates. We’ll cover those costs.”

The family was even more surprised and hurriedly refused. “No, no, this was our mistake. We should be the ones to take responsibility.”

Xing Shi said earnestly, “Auntie, I have my reasons for doing this. It’s not out of pity. Please, let us take care of it.”

The family was confused. “What reason could there be?”

Xing Shi answered, “That’s something I’ll have to discuss when Uncle wakes up. I’ll leave my number with you. Can you call me as soon as he wakes up?”

This was a reasonable request, and the family agreed. “Of course.”

Xing Shi left them his phone number and handed the matter over to Assistant Qin.

Assistant Qin had years of experience handling various tasks for Fu Xiuning and was both patient and amicable.

After some negotiation, they left the family with an emergency fund. If Uncle objected after waking, they could always return it.

Xing Shi stayed with them for a bit longer before politely excusing himself. He headed for the company to train.

When he arrived in the underground parking lot, he looked up and saw Li Yu stepping out of her car.

This was only the second time he’d seen her since Yan Feng’s funeral.

Li Yu noticed him at the same time. They walked toward the elevator together. She asked, feigning ignorance, “I thought you were a trainee. Did you have a gig today?”

Xing Shi replied, “No, just ran into something earlier.”

Li Yu asked, “What happened?”

Xing Shi briefly recounted the incident.

Li Yu, usually aloof, showed a hint of surprise and asked, “You’re okay?”

Xing Shi replied, “Yes, I dodged in time. I wasn’t hurt.”

Li Yu nodded, her expression returning to its usual calm. As they approached the third floor, she said, “Be more careful when you’re out. Try not to wander around too much.”

Xing Shi smiled at her. “Thanks, Sister Li. I will.”

With a ding, the elevator stopped.

Li Yu watched him leave and said to her system, “Ah, so handsome. And his smile makes him even more so.”

Your Majesty said, “He really is. Such a shame, though.”

It then asked, “You made a point of asking where he was earlier. Did you come to the company just to remind him to be careful?”

Li Yu admitted, “Yes. I don’t approve of the main system’s methods.”

Your Majesty sighed. “They really are a bit much, but do you think this is wise?”

Li Yu replied, “Why not? I’m not interfering with the main system’s work. My reminder is my business; whether or not they succeed is theirs. Even if Xing Shi doesn’t wander around, the main system can still find ways to target him. A single warning won’t change anything.”

Your Majesty conceded, “You’re right, Sister~”

Li Yu said, “Let’s go. Time to visit Fu Xiuning.”

Your Majesty said, “Alright~”

Fu Xiuning was sitting in his office. When he heard a knock, he said, “Come in,” and was soon greeted by a familiar voice.

Li Yu said, “Tsk, it’s been a while, and the boss is still as stunning as ever.”

Your Majesty chimed in, “So true!”

Li Yu added, “That face, that aura—just incredible! There are so many types of handsome men in the entertainment industry, but none like this!”

Your Majesty agreed, “Absolutely~”

Li Yu declared, “I could work for him forever. Mama’s making money to support you!”

Your Majesty enthusiastically responded, “Mmhmm!”

Fu Xiuning was used to their antics and remained unfazed.

He thought that part of the reason Li Yu could fool her system so well was her genuine admiration for his looks.

He asked, “What’s up?”

Li Yu placed a gift box on the table and said nonchalantly, “Some souvenirs I picked up on a trip. There’s something for Xing Shi in there too. I ran into him downstairs but didn’t want to go through the trouble of sorting it out. If you have time, bring it to him.”

Fu Xiuning replied, “Alright, thank you.”

Li Yu said, “No problem.” After chatting for a bit, she left.

Fu Xiuning stayed in his office until evening, then went to the cafeteria to have dinner with Xing Shi.

But they didn’t get to eat.

Just as Xing Shi finished picking up his tray, he got a call from the patient’s family. The man had woken up.

He shared the news with Fu Xiuning, and they set their trays aside and rushed to the hospital.

When they arrived, the police were already there, questioning the man.

The patient looked better than before and insisted he had been possessed, saying, “I wasn’t controlled just on that day. It started days ago. Really.”

The police struggled to keep their composure. Just as they were about to push back, they noticed Xing Shi striding into the room.

Their hearts skipped a beat. Worried that the young man had overheard and might try to assault the patient, they hurried to intervene.

But before they could, Xing Shi dodged past them, grabbed the patient’s hand, and declared, “Uncle, I believe you!” His expression was earnest, and his tone was full of conviction. “There really is something wrong in this world! It must’ve controlled you!”

The patient nodded furiously.

Xing Shi encouraged him, “Don’t worry, Uncle. Take your time and explain everything. I believe you!”

The patient replied, “Alright.”

The police: “…”

What the hell are you stirring up now?