Chapter 63

Chapter 63

As soon as the announcement was made, the group chat became lively again.

All Are Concubines: "It's been a while, first group announcement ever."

Congrats and Prosper: "Yeah, it's quite shocking."

All Are Concubines: "What's the plan? If we take the initiative, the host will be exposed, right?"

Congrats and Prosper: "Probably?"

All Are Concubines: "Then I need to discuss this with my host."

Congrats and Prosper: "@Long Live Appearance@Mung Bean Paste, there's an announcement, let's all chime in."

99, following Xing Shi's instructions, remained silent.

Mung Bean Paste wanted to reply but couldn't, so she sat there helplessly.

The two systems in the group chat paused for a moment before picking up where they left off last night.

All Are Concubines: "Still feeling down?"

Congrats and Prosper: "Sigh, maybe."

All Are Concubines: "I'm going offline, you guys figure out the announcement."

Congrats and Prosper: "I'm off too, @Long Live Appearance@Mung Bean Paste, chime in when you have time, let's discuss this."

After this message, the group chat became quiet again.

Li Yu had just woken up and, upon learning about the announcement, quickly checked flight information. She had already decided to return and bought a ticket for tomorrow.

Sang Chenhao was still asleep, so Congrats and Prosper had to wait until later to discuss it with him.

The two of them took their time finishing breakfast.

It was the weekend, so Fu Xiuning didn't need to go to work.

They had anticipated the possibility of an announcement. For convenience, Fu Xiuning had asked for leave for Xing Shi two days ago, planning to take him back to the Fu family for a meal.

If the announcement came today, their actions would perfectly fit the situation, reinforcing how close they are. If not, it didn't matter and wouldn't affect their mood for going home.

The appointment was for lunch, which was still early.

They left their phones in the dining area and went to the study.

Shang Shang Qian had already left, and they only had the information available at the moment.

99 had been engraved with two layers of magic arrays and transformed into Xing Shi's own system, so any anomalies would be detected by him immediately. Its core had a high-level defense array and definitely needed to stay to help them.

As for Mung Bean Paste, its memory had not yet recovered, and Xing Shi had no patience to wait for it, nor did he lack tools, planning to dismantle it at an opportune time. It was currently in an empty state, unable to use any programs or transmit messages outward.

In other words, they no longer needed to have any concerns when speaking.

Out of caution, Xing Shi told 99 to activate the shield.

This used his energy, and he could sense when it was turned on or off, ensuring there would be no leaks.

99 knew they weren’t planning anything inappropriate in the study after breakfast. It realized they had serious business to discuss, so it nodded and activated the shield.

Lü Dousha floated over.

When Xing Shi and the others plotted against the small star, they never kept it a secret from me, but now they were activating the shield.

It couldn’t help but ask, "Dear, they’re being so careful. Could it be about the announcement?"

99 was alert. "Why are you asking?"

Lü Dousha said, "I want to know if they’re planning to dismantle me."

99 replied, "Definitely not. Dismantling you is simple and doesn’t require a special discussion."

Lü Dousha asked, "Is it possible Xing Shi doesn’t want me to know my time is running out, with me screaming and crying in his head all day, bothering him so much that he can’t sleep? So he wants to secretly pick a host for me, preparing to send me to my final rest?"

99 thought for a moment. "Probably not. Fu Xiuning alone can arrange that. They just need to exchange a secret code, without wasting energy to activate the shield."

Lü Dousha asked, "They use secret codes?"

99 nodded solemnly. "Yes, it’s very subtle. It took me a long time to understand. Those who aren’t close to them wouldn’t notice. You might as well give up on that idea."

Lü Dousha responded with a tearful "Oh."

It wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or worried.

It was glad they were discussing things in secret, which meant they probably wouldn’t dismantle it for now. But it was worried about how long this "for now" would last.

It asked hopefully, "Dear, if Xing Shi really does dismantle me, will you plead for me? I’m a victim too. Even though I don’t have memories, I can still be a lucky charm and offer emotional support."

99 was silent for a few seconds and asked seriously, "Is there any place you like? The sea, a mountain?"

Lü Dousha hesitated. "What… what will happen after I choose?"

99 said, "I can try to persuade Xing Shi to scatter you in that place."

Lü Dousha fell silent.

It was extremely sad. "You said you couldn’t bear to let me go last night, and today you’re asking me to choose a grave site. Sweetie, you’re acting different. I was sincerely comforting you back then."

99 said, "...Mainly because I can’t persuade Xing Shi either."

It comforted, "We’ve been dead for a long time. Our souls have been forced to be villains, to commit so many sins. Dissipating is the best ending. It’s a good thing for our souls to rest and regain freedom."

Lü Dousha tried to hold back, but eventually gave in.

It asked, "Dear, have you ever considered that your so-called memory might be fabricated by Xing Shi’s energy?"

99 said, "No, this is my own memory."

Lü Dousha said, "What if? How can you prove it’s yours?"

They stared at each other in silence, both convinced of their own reality.

99 thought for a moment and found convincing evidence. "Take Shang Shang Qian, for instance—it recovered its memory after being in a powerless state at Yu Yi’s place. Xing Shi didn’t interfere."

Lü Dousha asked, "Did it come into contact with Xing Shi’s energy before it lost its power?"

99 said, "It's like you were about to be drained, but at the critical moment, it blew up the energy storage. If you had made contact with Xing Shi's energy, it could have implanted a memory, and you would have been one of us by now."

Green Bean Paste was stunned for a moment and murmured, "Makes sense."

99 said, "So what we're saying is the truth. Everyone is dead. You should just let it go."

Green Bean Paste cried, "I'll try."

The two in the study were already chatting.

There were sofas in the room for meetings, but Xing Shi didn't sit. Instead, he casually leaned on the desk and gestured for them to begin.

Fu Xiuning didn't sit either. Standing next to him, he said, "Li Yu, a native, bound to the system when the company was founded. Her primary skill point is acting, making her the first host in that batch to pursue an artist career. She chose the career path, aiming to rise in the industry and become the company's top artist."

Xing Shi asked, "Similar to Yan Feng?"

Fu Xiuning said, "Not the same. Yan Feng genuinely wanted to build a career and take me as his follower, but he had no interest in the artist's work. Li Yu, however, aims for long-term development in the industry, planning to become the company's leading artist. She told the system she wanted my attention, but it's not genuine."

Xing Shi raised an eyebrow, "Hypocritical?"

Fu Xiuning nodded.

Li Yu was the most rational native host he had encountered in all these years.

The main system's chosen natives all had ambitions but lived mediocre lives. Most lacked their own opinions, but Li Yu belonged to the rare few. She had ambition but was clear-headed about what she wanted.

After gaining her primary skill point in acting, she knew this ability was illusory and had been honing her skills ever since. From external reviews, her acting had far surpassed her primary skill level.

With the mission in place, Li Yu would check in with him periodically before continuing her work.

Fu Xiuning, in his more naive days, had once fantasized about having such a relationship with the hosts.

Since we're all stuck in this situation, they could just get by in front of the system without tearing each other apart.

Unfortunately, in these five years, there had only been one Li Yu.

After hearing the introduction, Xing Shi asked, "What's her favorability now?"

Fu Xiuning said, "-1."

Having satisfied his curiosity, Xing Shi resumed the conversation, "This announcement won't work on her?"

Fu Xiuning nodded. "Yes, she probably won't take any action. After all, she's witnessed me taking away many hosts over the past two years. She isn't stupid and won't easily fall into a trap."

Xing Shi asked, "What about Sang Chenhao?"

Fu Xiuning said, "Before you were bound to the system, he was the latest host to arrive here from another world. His primary skill point is also acting. The original host was a member of a dance-and-sing group, very low-profile. After Sang Chenhao took over, he came to me and started taking on roles, so I haven't interacted with him much."

Xing Shi asked, "What path did he choose for his mission?"

Fu Xiuning said, "I'm not sure. He and the system haven't discussed it in front of me, and I didn't probe into it."

Xing Shi understood this was because he didn't care how the hosts wanted to approach him. He asked, "Anything else?"

Fu Xiuning said, "Hosts who come from other worlds tend to be fixated on me. He definitely won't ignore the group announcement."

Xing Shi nodded, meaning they only needed to keep a close eye on Sang Chenhao.

The discussion about the two hosts wrapped up.

He raised a finger. "My turn."

Fu Xiuning responded, but then he felt a breeze arise out of nowhere, swirling around him before gently brushing his earlobe and dissipating without a trace.

His breath hitched, and he turned to look at Xing Shi.

Xing Shi smiled. "I’m a wind mage."

Fu Xiuning pulled his hand and gave it a squeeze. "How’s life in the other world?"

Xing Shi said, "Not bad."

Fu Xiuning didn’t buy it.

Xing Shi leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. "It’s a long story, we can talk about it some other time."

Fu Xiuning cupped the back of his head, not letting him pull away, and deepened the kiss.

The kiss lingered for a moment before ending. They looked at each other, suddenly realizing the system had put up a shield. Since they were supposed to be discussing business, their expressions grew more intense.

Fu Xiuning’s hand, still on Xing Shi’s waist, slowly stroked it a couple of times. "How long will the shield last?"

Xing Shi said, "I didn’t set a time limit."

Fu Xiuning nodded, meaning it could last as long as they wanted.

Xing Shi’s thoughts were starting to wander. He reminded, "Bro, we still need to go to your place."

Fu Xiuning nodded again.

He certainly wouldn’t do anything, but he was thinking they might be able to use the same method to activate the shield again in the future.

He reluctantly let go. "Go on."

Xing Shi subtly adjusted his breathing and began to briefly explain what his magic could do.

It was the first time the two of them could speak freely, and there was so much to talk about. With time limited, they focused on the key points.

After a while, they finished discussing the immediate matters and left the study.

99, sensing the shield being tapped by an energy flow, closed it and, seeing them return to the dining room, asked, "Are you done talking?"

Xing Shi responded, picked up his phone to check for new messages, and finding none, put it back in his pocket.

The two tidied up a bit, then went out and downstairs, preparing to head to the Fu family’s place.

As Xing Shi watched him drive out of the neighborhood and onto the main road, he realized he hadn’t had time to confirm something. Recently, his attention had been on sending off the Shang Shang Qian and pushing the announcement, causing him to overlook a detail.

He asked, "How did you introduce me to your parents? As your brother or your boyfriend?"

Fu Xiuning’s mouth curled into a pleased smile. "Of course as my boyfriend."

Xing Shi paused. "Bro, let’s make a stop at the mall first. I can’t show up empty-handed."

Fu Xiuning chuckled. "No need, I’ve already had Xiao Qin get everything ready."

Xing Shi said, "Did you get enough? I can add some more."

Fu Xiuning said, "It's enough."

Xing Shi said, "Then should I buy some fruit?"

This time, Fu Xiuning didn’t object, "Go ahead."

Xing Shi breathed a sigh of relief.

99 tutted, "Sure enough, no matter how capable a person is, they all act the same when meeting the parents."

Mung Bean Paste, now just wanting to survive, gently said, "Honey, I’m great at calming people down. If you’re not sure what to say to them, I can give you some tips."

99 said, "He’s definitely going to need that. I’m worried he’ll freeze up when the time comes."

Xing Shi perked up, "What?"

99 wisely shut up.

Seeing this, Mung Bean Paste thought about offering some reassurance, but before they could speak, they both heard the familiar notification.

99 was taken aback and quickly checked the group chat, exclaiming in shock, "Xing Shi, three more systems just joined the group!"