Chapter 16

Chapter 16

The system, observing Shen Muyun's demeanor, fluttered its wings and grumbled, "Host Master, you can't do this. This is like burning bridges after crossing them. I've provided so many useful clues—you can't just turn your back on me now."

Shen Muyun kicked at the blankets. Despite it being September, the oppressive, muggy heat was unbearable, and his right eyelid began to twitch again—a sure sign that something absurd was about to unfold.

He fixed his gaze on the system, which had yet to depart, and began to demand answers.

"Burning bridges? I should be the one questioning you! Tell me, what useful information have you actually provided? When I fell off the horse, you just stood by and did nothing. If I had lost and signed that contract, could you have taken back the rewards I earned earlier?"

"Um, well, Host Master, please calm down. That's not how it works—that would never happen!"

"Then how does it work?"

The system's screen displayed cute little hearts. "At worst, there's still your brother. He didn't agree to that contract either—it was meant to devour the Shen family's interests. How could he not know? But in the future, I really can't let you participate in such dangerous activities. Winning or losing doesn't matter, but I can't let anything happen to you."

"If you know you can't let anything happen to me, why did you stand by helplessly?"

"Host Master, I admit I was wrong, alright? Besides, I want to return to my original world too. I miss the wraps there—even if there are no wraps, meat-filled buns would do. Even better if there are little mice."

Shen Muyun rolled his eyes at the system. "System, I never knew you were such a foodie. Wait, no—system, what's with the 'little mice'? And what is this 'original world' you're talking about?"

The system's tiny wings twisted awkwardly, scrunching up as it landed on the bed, blinking up at Shen Muyun.

"I come from the same place as you, Host Master. It's been hundreds of years since I've been back. Perhaps my abilities are insufficient, but now the Time-Space Administration has assigned me a mandatory task. Your tasks, well, will only get more complicated. As for the little mouse, it's my pet, named Squeaky. I just miss it, that's all."

Shen Muyun sighed. In his previous life, he died from overwork. In this life, must he also exhaust himself in this endless cycle? No, he had to take it easy. If nothing else, he would seize the day and enjoy life. To hell with the main tasks—happiness comes first.

"System, the meaning of life lies in freedom. Don't get bogged down by all these unnecessary tasks and waste precious time. So what if the tasks are difficult? Isn't it about having the courage to be yourself?"

"Well... Host Master, actually, you're very capable. And the higher-ups intend for you to complete tasks not just to redeem the villain or extend your life, but for something even more important. This is unfamiliar territory, and you need to explore it gradually."

Shen Muyun originally just wanted to lie low and survive, but after hearing the system's words, his hopes for a leisurely life vanished. More rewards? There's no going back anyway—what rewards could there be? Was this just painting a big pie? Whatever, overthinking it was pointless.

"System, what's the use of that gem? I've asked so many times, but your answers are always vague. Is there some hidden meaning to it?"

Shen Muyun's sudden question caught the system off guard.

"That gem was previously sold in the system mall at a high price. It was specially brought out by the new administrator of the Time-Space Administration. Currently, the explanation I've received is that the gem can save your life when necessary. Based on my experience, it might even transport you to a different time or place—essentially, a fresh start. Host Master, you're amazing. I hope this will be my final task as a system."

Shen Muyun felt somewhat reassured by this. After all, he could handle whatever came his way—it shouldn't be too difficult.

"Beep beep beep! A new task has been assigned. Host Master, please accept it."

A small envelope with pink wings appeared on the system's screen—why did it look so flirtatious?

Shen Muyun reached out and tapped the screen. A new task appeared in bold letters: "September 26th is Lu Huainan's birthday. Please attend his birthday party on time and complete the hidden task. Reward: 500,000 tokens."

Lu Huainan's birthday? Interesting. Shen Muyun hadn't celebrated his own birthday since he turned eighteen, believing that each birthday only made him older. If he didn't celebrate, wouldn't he stay eighteen forever? But Lu Huainan, turning thirty, was still so enthusiastic about it.

He looked at the screen again. Wait, the reward was 500,000 tokens? Why so much? Could this be some legendary-level difficulty task?

"Host Master, aren't you going to check the hidden task?"

Shen Muyun then noticed a small, inconspicuous envelope below the main one, sealed with a pink heart-shaped wax stamp.

A sense of unease inexplicably rose within him. This task was definitely problematic—he shouldn't accept it. His sixth sense urged him not to open the envelope, as if it were Pandora's box.

"Host Master, such a pretty little envelope—don't you like it? Would you prefer a different style?"

The system perked up immediately and switched to a black-and-gold envelope trimmed with tiny diamonds, making it look far more luxurious than the original.

Shen Muyun still didn't tap it. "I can attend the birthday party, but I don't want to accept any other hidden tasks. As for the tokens, I can earn them through main tasks. I just want to enjoy life—I've been a corporate slave for ten years. Now that I finally have a chance to take it easy, just let me rest."

The system hovered discontentedly in front of him. "Respected Host Master, you must understand that the items in the system mall are all helpful for your tasks. To exchange for them, you need tokens. So, if there's a way to earn more tokens, you should actively explore it. Opportunities like this don't come often. If you miss it, who knows how many main tasks you'd have to complete to match the rewards of one hidden task?"

Shen Muyun frowned, glanced out the window, and thought back to his original intention—wasn't it to live more comfortably?

"System, if I don't do this hidden task, will there be any penalties?"

The system quickly searched through relevant information. "Beep beep beep! Host Master, it shows here that if the hidden task is unrelated to the main storyline, there are no penalties. But if it's connected to the main storyline, then such a hidden task cannot be skipped. If forcibly skipped, it could lead to instability in the subsequent plot, or even the collapse of this world. You know what the world ending means—we would..."

Shen Muyun understood the system's implication. This was a trap—a big one.

Reluctantly, he opened the black-and-gold envelope. The task that appeared left him stunned.

"System, explain this to me. What does 'pursue Lu Huainan' mean? Does 'pursue' mean becoming brothers? The Lu and Shen families are already old friends—what's there to 'pursue'? You'd better give me a reasonable explanation."

The system's cheeks flushed a faint pink. "Well, Host Master, life has both career paths and emotional paths. This one refers to your emotional path. It doesn't mean becoming brothers—you should understand what it means."

"Ridiculous! What kind of absurd task is this? It's impossible! System, is this a side quest? Tell me, can't I just focus on my career?"

The system looked at Shen Muyun apologetically and continued, "Host Master, actually, this kind of task isn't too difficult. Compared to those with high risks, it's not unacceptable. Besides, it's 500,000 tokens! The most expensive item in the mall right now is only 990,000 tokens. This is a great deal!"

Shen Muyun found the task utterly absurd and even began to question Lu Huainan's previous actions. "System, is it possible that Lu Huainan's behavior is also under your control? Is that why he acted that way before?"

"NoNoNo! That's impossible, Host Master! Lu Huainan is the male lead in this book. The Time-Space Administration can't interfere with the original characters or events. So, his actions were entirely voluntary. What's wrong, Host Master? Are you starting to feel something? To be honest, my data shows that Lu Huainan is a high-quality man—he's pursued by many in Jiangcheng, but he never reciprocates. There were even rumors circulating for a time that he likes men. Maybe you really have a chance!"

Shen Muyun gently massaged his temples. What nonsense was this? He didn't care about Lu Huainan's preferences or interests. "System, I'll definitely attend Lu Huainan's birthday party, but this 'pursue' thing is unnecessary. I already owe him a favor—I can't possibly..."

"Host Master, isn't it a human saying that one should repay kindness tenfold? So, if you offer yourself, wouldn't that settle the debt immediately?"

"Settle the debt? Wouldn't that just make me owe him more? Are you moonlighting as a matchmaker for the Time-Space Administration? That's not a good side hustle—who knows what 'quality matches' are waiting for you? You might end up being chased and criticized instead."

The system scratched its head sheepishly. "Host Master, the Time-Space Administration doesn't offer such services. This is the higher-ups' idea—it has nothing to do with me. It's not my problem."

"That's not how you use that phrase, system. If this is a side quest, I request to permanently disable side quests."