Chapter 1: The Wrong Person

Chapter 1: The Wrong Person

"Ahhhh! I pulled the wrong person!"

"Main system, report to the main system! Why was I blocked?!"

Wasn’t it just a few complaints behind their back?! How petty! How narrow-minded! Such small-minded people!"

"...Hurry up and let me out! How do I send him back after pulling the wrong person? He’s about to wake up!!!"

"What’s all the noise!" Song Shimu was jolted awake by the frantic voice. Still groggy, he instinctively reached for his blanket, but the rough, thin material, along with a strange, faint scent of disinfectant, made him increasingly alert.

Song Shimu pressed his hand to his forehead and slowly opened his eyes. The glaring white overhead lights left him dazed.

Had... he been brought to a hospital?

Had he finally succumbed to his exploitative boss’s relentless 996 work schedule and ended up in the hospital? Would this count as a work-related injury? How much compensation could he get?

"Even if you get compensated, you won’t be able to spend it, Host. You’re already dead."

"...I’m dead?"

"Yep."

Song Shimu vaguely recalled the voice’s earlier panic and asked, "...Didn’t you say you pulled the wrong person? So, are you the Black Impermanence or the White Impermanence? ...I don’t care which one you are. I’ll allow you to fix this mistake for ten million."

"..."

"By the way, what’s your contact info? I’m open to installment payments."

"...Your death has nothing to do with me. You died from overexertion. I’m not some Black or White Impermanence either. I’m an intelligent system from a higher-dimensional world, designated 073. Our mission is to select suitable individuals to complete tasks and earn a chance at rebirth."

"...Well, I’ve seen everything now..."

Song Shimu patted his head, wondering if he had worked so much overtime that he’d developed a split personality, even hallucinating a system.

"Host, you have now transmigrated into a novel titled *The Extra’s Promotion Record*, becoming its protagonist, Song Shimu. If you can’t find a way back now, the only way to return is by completing the entire storyline."

"*The Extra’s Promotion Record*? Isn’t that the novel I listen to during my commute?" Song Shimu moved slightly and realized his leg was in a cast!

"Am I really dead?" Song Shimu clearly remembered his legs were fine, and he also recalled the novel’s opening where the protagonist was pushed down the stairs by his brother, resulting in a bone fracture.

"Yep."

"...Alright."

Song Shimu quickly accepted his death. After all, seven or eight years of 996 had long since wrecked his body. He had long anticipated the possibility of suddenly dying at home one day.

Now that it had actually happened, he accepted it quickly, even feeling a sense of relief and liberation.

"Host, you are now the true young master of the Qin family. Since childhood, you’ve aspired to become wealthy, starting your own business and running a company. You prefer sticking to your path, even after being recognized by the Qin family, never considering using their wealth or influence to help yourself. Ultimately, you rely on your own efforts to build your own business empire."

Song Shimu recalled the original novel’s content. "How do I remember the protagonist spending his days either working or on his way to work? And during his limited rest time, he’s still battling antagonists and cannon fodder?"

"Correct. These are the necessary hardships the protagonist must endure on the path to success."

Song Shimu fell silent for a moment, covering his light-colored eyes with his arm. The cold glow from the fluorescent light on the ceiling shone on the back of his hand, making him appear distant and lonely.

"The original host was on a 007 work schedule, wasn’t he?"

Song Shimu moved his hand away, his amber eyes under his messy hair shifting to the nightstand beside him. He slowly sat up and reached for the phone on it.

Facial recognition unlocked...

"Pretty much. If you want success, you can’t avoid putting in the hard work. The greater the success, the more you have to give."

"Pretty much. If you want success, you can’t avoid putting in the hard work. The greater the success, the more you have to sacrifice."

"You’ll be revived, gain tens of millions in cash and assets, and a healthy body."

"...But I already have that." Song Shimu looked at the balance on his phone and couldn’t help but smile.

Some people are born to be protagonists, while he was forced to become a young master.

Just waking up to a balance of thirty million—that kind of thing.

"Have... what?" 073 was momentarily caught off guard.

Song Shimu smirked and said, "The Qin family truly lives up to its reputation as a wealthy family with hundreds of billions in assets. They transferred thirty million to me even before taking me back."

"........................" (System 073 is speechless)

Unable to compete with money, 073 decided to play on emotions. "Don’t you want to go back? In this world, you’re not familiar with anyone! Everything belongs to the original host!"

Song Shimu followed up, "Then what about the original host?"

"...Not sure. This novel world has very low luck. The protagonist, who maintained the luck, disappeared. Our system’s main purpose in pulling people here is to sustain the luck."

"Then why were you able to pull me here?"

"...I pulled the wrong person..."

Song Shimu laughed openly. "I have no parents to go back to anyway. It’s perfect for me to be here as both a son and a young master. The person you originally meant to pull might not even be willing, since not everyone can handle a 007 schedule. As a 996 office worker, I’ve long been a 007 reservist."

Playing the role of a young master—every hour less worked per day would be an insult to the money.

"..."

After teasing the system, Song Shimu began to assess the situation. If he remembered correctly, the plot had just begun. The original host’s mother had died in a car accident, revealing the truth about his lineage on her deathbed. Knowing Song Shimu wouldn’t actively seek out the Qin family, she had long entrusted a lawyer to ensure Song Shimu would be recognized by the Qin family.

As for why he was in the hospital now, it was likely because the original host’s background had been exposed. His half-brother, jealous of him, had "accidentally" pushed him down the steps during his mother’s funeral, resulting in a fracture in his left leg.

The next part of the plot should involve the Qin family coming to take the original host home. The first to visit him in the hospital... seemed to be the main antagonist in the novel—Qin Xu.

"Knock knock—"

Speak of the devil, two knocks sounded at the door, followed by it opening. Song Shimu turned toward the sound and met a pair of deep, piercing eyes.

Under the bright white light of the hospital room, the man’s complexion was as fair as jade, his eyebrows thick and pronounced. He wore a well-tailored dark suit that accentuated his excellent physique. As he walked over, his steps were steady and powerful, as if each movement had been meticulously designed. He carried an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.

Song Shimu’s eyes followed the man, and he couldn’t help but marvel. As expected of the novel’s biggest antagonist, the specs were top-tier. Such a handsome face! Those legs! That waist! That figure!

The man walked straight to Song Shimu’s bedside. The light cast a slanting shadow in the depths of his eyes, revealing a hidden sharpness and coldness.

His expression was neutral as he spoke in a detached tone, "Can you leave today?"

Song Shimu didn’t dwell on his lack of greeting and pointed to his leg. "Fractured. Just happened yesterday."

"Oh." The concern seemed merely perfunctory; the man responded with a cold "oh" before changing the subject. "My brother pushed you down the steps."

Now that the truth was out, Song Shimu was the legitimate heir of the Qin family, while Qin Xu had been maliciously swapped by Song’s father in a "passing off a fake heir" scheme. Thus, the brother who was originally Song Shimu’s sibling naturally became Qin Xu’s blood brother.

Song Shimu pondered the certainty in his words and asked skeptically, "You knew?"

Qin Xu slowly took a USB drive from his suit pocket, his expression hostile. "This contains all the evidence you need for your lawsuit."

"A welcoming gift?" Song Shimu raised an eyebrow. Was the villain really this nice? The original story didn’t seem to have this part.

"Host! You’re supposed to collect this evidence yourself! You have to follow the original plot!!"

While waiting for Qin Xu’s response, Song Shimu replied inwardly to the system, "Are you really a smart system? Why are you always teaching me to take detours? Or are you actually a faulty product?"

The underestimated system immediately bristled. "No way! All systems that are sent to bind with hosts have undergone multiple rounds of screening and testing. We’re the most reliable and human-like!!"

Song Shimu feigned understanding. "Then there must be something wrong with your product. You should be called the 'Dimwitted System.'"

"What!!!"

"It was meant to be, but not after seeing you," Qin Xu said.

"?"

Song Shimu looked at him, thinking, Is he showing his hand now? No more acting?

Qin Xu’s dark eyes swept over Song Shimu. "I deleted the surveillance footage."

Song Shimu raised an eyebrow slightly.

"The witnesses I’ve bribed, and the physical evidence, are all in my hands."

Song Shimu understood the implication behind Qin Xu’s words. "You want me to plead with you?"

Qin Xu’s intense gaze was profound as he stood straight by the bed, looking down at Song Shimu with a condescending air.

Song Shimu lifted his head slightly, meeting Qin Xu’s intensely oppressive stare directly.

In their first meeting in the original story, the antagonist had shown some concern for the original protagonist—though without concrete action, at least his words were reassuring.

Now, Qin Xu made his dislike blatantly obvious, not even bothering to pretend.

He was throwing his weight around right from the start.

But Song Shimu, though perhaps not widely experienced, was no stranger to power plays.

He had long become desensitized to such tactics. For him, achieving the desired outcome in the fastest way possible was what mattered most.

He curved his eyes into crescents, his amber eyes shimmering, and a faint smile revealed shallow dimples at the corners of his lips. "Brother, I’m begging you," he pleaded.

"Being stubborn won’t help. Everything—"

Qin Xu froze, completely stunned that Song Shimu would actually beg.

"Host, deviating from the plot, you’ll be punished!!!" the system screamed in his mind.

Maintaining his smile, Song Shimu retorted inwardly, "Why doesn’t the antagonist get punished for deviating from the plot?"

"..." The system fell silent. It didn’t know; it was just a system.

Song Shimu’s eyes flickered, and he followed up, "What kind of punishment?"

"Electric shock punishment! It’s excruciating!"

"Like in other novels? The kind that hurts all over, so painful you wish you were dead?"

"Yes! So I advise the host not to recklessly stray from the plot—"

"Try shocking me first," Song Shimu said with the fearlessness of a newborn calf, determined to rebel against the plot.

073 issued a final warning, "It really hurts. I advise the host not to take it lightly."

"Just shock me once."

"...Fine..."

At the same time, Qin Xu scoffed, clutched the USB drive, and picked up a cup from the table to pour a glass of water. It was unclear who it was for, but it certainly wasn’t for Song Shimu.

Song Shimu looked puzzled, waiting for Qin Xu’s next move, only to see the other place his hand over the cup!

Song Shimu knew something was off!

Just as he reached out to stop him, Qin Xu opened his palm! The unprotected USB drive fell into the water with a "plop"!

Song Shimu rushed to save it, and in his haste, the back of his hand brushed against Qin Xu’s still-outstretched hand.

Warm, dry, and it felt as though something rushed out from within his body...

But Song Shimu’s attention wasn’t on that; he only wanted to rescue the USB drive. However, just as his fingers touched the water’s surface, Qin Xu abruptly flicked his hand!

Song Shimu’s hand was swatted away, and the cup went flying along with it!

"Smash—clatter—ding—"

The sound of the USB drive hitting the floor repeatedly struck at Song Shimu’s indifferent heart.

"What did you do!"

Before Song Shimu could speak, the other snapped at him.

He couldn’t help but roll his eyes, then turned to stare at Qin Xu’s angry expression, unsure for a moment who was really toying with whom.

"Failed to save the USB drive." In his work, Song Shimu had encountered plenty of people who blamed others, so no matter how angry or menacing Qin Xu’s expression was, he didn’t feel afraid. Instead, he found it absurd, thinking, Is this all the antagonist’s intimidation level is worth?

"..." Qin Xu frowned, remaining silent for a long time. The air thickened, and after a while, Qin Xu suddenly reached out and grabbed Song Shimu’s wrist, only to release it instantly upon contact.

Song Shimu: "?"

Before Song Shimu could figure out what he was doing, Qin Xu reached out again. This time, his fingers landed on Song Shimu’s shoulder, resting there for two seconds through the hospital gown before withdrawing...

"?"

Then on his arm, two seconds, withdraw. "?"

Collar, two seconds, withdraw. "?..."

Cheek, pulled back quickly. "......"

Collarbone, pulled back quickly. "............"

Song Shimu couldn't take it anymore, "Are you trying to hit my pressure points?"

Qin Xu's dark eyes swept over Song Shimu several times before he silently bent down, his slender hand grabbing the pristine white bedsheet and swiftly yanked it off!

Song Shimu froze, "What are you doing?!"

"………" Qin Xu remained silent, his gaze scanning Song Shimu's entire body before finally settling on his thin figure.

His stare wasn't exactly intense, but it was far from something an ordinary person could ignore. Without the protective cover of the blanket, Song Shimu felt inexplicably nervous. Though he didn't know why, he instinctively wrapped his arms around himself. "Men and men shouldn't touch each other!"

"...Hah." Qin Xu let out a cold laugh and commanded, "Take your clothes off."

"Huh? You—you—you! What are you trying to do?!" Song Shimu hugged himself even tighter.

"Not going to take them off? Fine, I'll help you!" Qin Xu snorted, a rarely seen obsession flickering in his eyes. He reached up to loosen his necktie and took off his suit jacket!

Seeing his criminal behavior, Song Shimu frantically scrambled to the other side of the bed, ready to leap off and run away even with his injured leg. But just as he reached the edge, his vision suddenly went dark!

Qin Xu had thrown his suit jacket over Song Shimu, accurately grabbing his hand through the fabric and yanked him back!

Song Shimu was dragged back to his original position!

Scared and at a loss for words, Song Shimu thought to himself that this villain was oddly particular—even molesting someone over the clothes...

The restraining hand let go, replaced by the firm, cool texture of a necktie. Song Shimu thrashed like a beached fish, struggling desperately but failing to break free.

He could only scream at the top of his lungs, "Help! Help! Someone save mmmph—!"

Qin Xu's temple twitched. He muffled his mouth with the suit jacket and snapped sharply, "Shut up!"

"Mmph! ...Mmph! Mmm—!" Realizing he couldn't break free no matter what, Song Shimu cursed Qin Xu up and down in his mind. In despair, he thought that taking advantage of others really did bring retribution—his 25 years of virginity were about to be lost just after he died!!!

Qin Xu ignored how desperate the person beneath him was. He grabbed the hem of Song Shimu's hospital gown and was about to pull it up when a shocked exclamation came from outside the door—

"Qin Xu! What are you doing!"

Qin Xu paused, lifting the suit jacket to check on Song Shimu.

From struggling too fiercely, the person beneath him now had disheveled, once soft and obedient hair, ragged breathing, eyes welling with tears, flushed pale cheeks with red marks from being grabbed, and an overall disheveled appearance. At a glance, he truly looked like he'd been assaulted.

Qin Xu: "..."

Qin Xu tossed the suit jacket back over Song Shimu's face, turned around, and said blankly, "Mom, Dad."

Qin's father frowned, his voice filled with clear anger, "Get out here!"

Qin Xu followed his father out of the hospital room. Qin's mother glanced at the person who had swiftly gotten up to find the blanket and then ducked under the covers with a thud, her expression complicated.

In the quiet of the hospital room, Song Shimu was frantically arguing with his system!

"You just said Qin Xu would get electrocuted the moment he touched me?!"