The Salted Fish is Rebellious – CH8

Chapter 8

This class was dance practice.

Xing Shi removed his baseball jacket, moved to the back row, observed for a moment, and seamlessly joined the routine.

The original host had trained in dance for several years, building a solid foundation. Xing Shi’s agility, honed through high-risk environments, added a touch of brilliance, earning frequent praise from the instructor.

The system was still fuming. “He really is a weirdo!”

Xing Shi focused on the front, his movements smooth and confident.

“None of his thoughts follow normal logic—he’s impossible to handle!”

Xing Shi completed another move and casually adjusted his sleeve.

The system lost it. “Are you even listening to me?!”

Looking relaxed, Xing Shi continued dancing as he replied, “You already said earlier that you expected the favorability score to drop back to -10. Look, it did. You were prepared for this—what’s there to be upset about?”

The system cried, “But I had a -8! I feel wronged!”

Xing Shi offered a suggestion. “Just draw a line through the zero in the middle and pretend it’s an 8.”

The system wailed even louder. “That would make it -18!”

Xing Shi shrugged. “Then what do you suggest? Maybe drink some hot water?”

“?”

The system realized that expecting this unmotivated mule to care about scores was utterly unrealistic and withdrew to calm itself.

Xing Shi had arrived late, and the class was already in its final stages.

At this point, they typically reviewed what they’d learned. The last few moves were new, and Xing Shi struggled to keep up, so he stepped aside to watch the others.

After leading them through the routine, the instructor announced the end of the class.

She walked toward Xing Shi, intending to use the break to help him catch up. However, another instructor suddenly entered and called her away. She gestured for the others to help Xing Shi and left.

One of Xing Shi’s “designated” roommates approached him.

This was Yu Yi, whose delicate and sweet features made him a stark contrast to Xing Shi. Yu Yi also had a weak foundation. The two not only shared a dorm but were also assigned to the same class—quite the coincidence.

As Yu Yi prepared to start teaching, Xing Shi waved a hand. “Hold on, I need to say something.”

Curious, Yu Yi asked, “What’s up?”

Xing Shi replied, “We need everyone here for this.”

He sent a message to the trainees’ group chat, its contents designed to grab attention: “I have something to confess about Boss Fu and a surprise for you all. Meet me in Practice Room Three ASAP!”

The effect was immediate.

Within thirty seconds, trainees from nearby practice rooms began arriving.

Feng Zifan, a fellow trainee, joined Xing Shi with a smile.

Though not in the same class, the two often ate together and had built a decent relationship.

After half a month of interaction, Feng Zifan had Xing Shi figured out. This was someone who avoided unnecessary effort, never caused trouble, and only showed enthusiasm and persistence when it came to food.

“What’s so important that you called everyone here?” Feng Zifan asked.

Xing Shi put a finger to his lips, signaling secrecy, and decided to wait for more people.

Since it was break time, most of the trainees showed up, with only a few absent due to bathroom trips or discussions with instructors.

Once the room was sufficiently full, Xing Shi looked around and began, “Remember on the day we were assigned classes, Boss Fu stood next to me? At the dinner that evening, someone asked me what my relationship with him was, and I said we didn’t know each other. Right?”

The trainees nodded in unison.

Feng Zifan and another trainee, Da Zhuang, who had witnessed the encounter, were internally puzzled. You two met him for the first time that day. Are you about to claim otherwise?

Xing Shi continued, “I wasn’t completely honest.”

He admitted, “I don’t know him personally, but he’s also a student at Z University—my senior.”

This revelation shocked the room, eliciting a variety of reactions.

“But I only heard he was well-off. I didn’t know he was our boss. When I found out during the class assignments, I kept quiet. This time, though, he approached me.” Xing Shi glanced at them meaningfully. “Z University is hosting its anniversary celebration, and Boss Fu asked me to perform. But I thought, why go solo when we could perform together and steal the show?”

He started his pitch. “Z University, a prestigious century-old institution, will have many outstanding alumni attending, all currently excelling in their fields. Boss Fu, being one of the most notable graduates of his cohort, will also be there.”

The trainees, intrigued, began to waver.

June Culture’s first batch of trainees was small but elite, with only five men and five women, most of whom had debuted. Two of the women were currently contestants on a popular reality show and ranked in the top ten. Regardless of whether they made the final group, their success was assured.

This summer, the platform would launch a reality show for male trainees, and the company planned to select participants from this group.

However, with dozens of entertainment companies competing for limited spots, the competition was fierce. Those who failed to make it this time would have to wait for the next opportunity. Now, a chance to make an impression directly in front of the boss was too tempting to pass up.

Someone cautiously asked, “Did Boss Fu specifically say you had to perform solo?”

Xing Shi replied, “No. He just said to put on a show. You all are my ‘guest performers.'”

Feng Zifan asked, “Are guest performers allowed?”

Xing Shi said, “Let me check.”

He messaged Lin Kecheng on WeChat, briefly explaining the situation. Lin readily approved.

Reassured, the group relaxed. Since the school had no objections, they could proceed.

Xing Shi outlined the plan. “I want everyone to have a moment in the spotlight. We’ll divide into small groups, each performing a short segment of music. Once all the groups have gone, we’ll finish with a collective performance. This way, we account for our varying skill levels, and the training load isn’t too heavy. How does that sound?”

Visualizing the performance, the trainees were excited. “Genius!”

Pleased with his efficiency, Xing Shi modestly added, “It’s all thanks to Boss Fu’s opportunity. Let’s not let him down.”

“Of course not!” they chorused.

The system, watching this series of maneuvers, couldn’t help but ask, “Won’t Fu Xiuning be upset that you’re bringing a whole group?”

Xing Shi replied, “Did saving his life make him happy? Look at this -10.”

The system’s mood, which had only just stabilized, collapsed again and fell silent.

At that moment, Fu Xiuning was meeting with the training department staff, including several instructors.

He wanted more information about Xing Shi, which was perfectly reasonable given Xing Shi had saved him. Even if the system noticed, it wouldn’t arouse suspicion.

The first question concerned Xing Shi’s dancing skills.

“Very talented,” the dance instructor praised without hesitation. “He picks up moves quickly, his flexibility is exceptional, and his technique suggests years of training. Yet he’s clearly a beginner. He’s the type who’s naturally gifted—‘blessed by the heavens,’ as they say.”

Fu Xiuning gave a calm “Mm,” thinking that the foundation must have been laid by the original host, and that the interloper had to start from scratch.

He asked, “With his current level, could he join a dance-focused variety show?”

The dance instructor replied, “No, he’s only been learning for half a month. He knows just a few moves and still has a lot to learn.”

Fu Xiuning turned to the others and inquired about his progress in other courses.

The instructors, unsure of his intent, answered objectively.

Compared to dance, Xing Shi’s progress in vocal training was slower; he was just beginning to hit the right notes. However, his vocal range was broad, and his serious attitude suggested that with dedication, he would eventually succeed.

His acting skills were at a standard beginner’s level, unremarkable but solid. What surprised them, however, was his exceptional on-camera presence. His camera test was flawless, the kind of talent often described as “blessed by the heavens.”

With his outstanding appearance, extraordinary potential, and clear room for growth, the instructors had begun to regard Xing Shi almost as their protégé.

They could already imagine the moment when he would stand under the spotlight, fully trained and ready, and the world would go mad for him.

Worried that Fu Xiuning might push Xing Shi into earning money prematurely, they offered their suggestions proactively.

In their opinion, Xing Shi would benefit most from more practice and should wait until next year to join a talent show. Talent shows were great for gaining fans, and with solid basics and high-quality performances, he could easily stand out, amass a huge following, and possibly rise to the top. From there, premium resources would naturally come to him.

As long as he stayed grounded and didn’t cause trouble, his future was a straight path to stardom.

Fu Xiuning understood this perfectly.

If Xing Shi weren’t a host, he would patiently nurture him like a sapling, waiting for the right moment to launch him to the pinnacle of success.

But Xing Shi was a host.

Fu Xiuning nodded to the instructors, dismissing them.

Once the office quieted down, he pondered while working. Near evening, he picked up his phone and pulled up Xing Shi’s contact.

Xing Shi had just finished class and was on a break.

After the next session, he’d be free for dinner.

When he heard the WeChat notification, he glanced at it and saw it was from Fu Xiuning.

Fu Xiuning: “Are you free tonight?”

The system: “!”

It instantly felt better, buoyed by hope.

But before it could celebrate, it watched in horror as its host typed and sent a single word in reply.

Xing Shi: “No.”

The system: “!!!”

Shocked, it exclaimed, “What are you doing?! Why are you rejecting him?!”

Xing Shi, having skipped his midday rest, just wanted to eat dinner and find a place to lounge. He had no interest in dealing with the strategy target.

His response was succinct: “-10.”

The system stammered, “But… but Fu Xiuning reached out to you on his own!”

“He reached out at lunchtime too,” Xing Shi replied.

The system had no counterargument.

On the other end, Fu Xiuning stared at the curt “No” and calmly typed another message:

“What about another day? I’d like to treat you to dinner as a thank you.”

The reply came back in less than a minute.

Xing Shi: “Oh, it’s you, Boss! Sorry, I haven’t updated your contact info, and at first glance, I thought it was someone I didn’t like, so I replied without thinking. I am free today, but there’s no need to treat me—it was just a small favor, nothing worth mentioning.”

Fu Xiuning thought, Smooth talker, but insisted on treating him.

Xing Shi politely declined again before finally, “reluctantly,” agreeing.

Fu Xiuning: “Meet me in the parking lot after class.”

Xing Shi: “Ok~”

The system, having witnessed the entire exchange: “…”

It questioned its host’s integrity. “So now you’re suddenly not bothered by -10?”

Xing Shi replied righteously, “I believe one shouldn’t back down in the face of challenges. One must face them head-on!”

The system: “…”

I don’t believe you for a second!