Shen Yuqing was stunned. The previous plot points could still be considered borderline, but now it was outright fighting and brawling. If this plot point played out, Song Wangzhuo could instantly turn dark—no redemption needed.
And why was the original host so obsessed with having people corner Song Wangzhuo?
Shen Yuqing felt like his brain was about to explode.
Four o’clock—four in the morning, no less!
At that time, he would still be fast asleep!
The system finally spoke up: 【Actually, this time it wasn’t the original host who called for it, but he took the blame anyway.】
Shen Yuqing frowned slightly: 【What do you mean?】
【Do you remember that alpha who played games with you?】 the system asked.
Shen Yuqing hummed in acknowledgment—of course he remembered.
The system explained: 【Song Wangzhuo has a colleague who ingratiated himself with that alpha. But this colleague was jealous that Song Wangzhuo always got high bonuses and commissions, so he whispered some poison in the alpha’s ear.】
Got it.
Shen Yuqing thought for a moment: 【But this time, I wasn’t even there.】
Only his name had been mentioned.
【So for this plot point, Host can choose whether or not to intervene.】 The system said: 【You can go if you want, or skip it if you don’t.】
Shen Yuqing didn’t understand. The previous plot points had all involved the original host being present—why was this one considered a plot point even though the original host wasn’t there?
The system explained: 【The so-called plot points are actually tied to the blackening value.】
Shen Yuqing’s core mission was still to prevent the male lead from turning dark, so any moment where the blackening value fluctuated drastically would be flagged as a plot point.
【Can you explain everything at once next time?】 Shen Yuqing was exasperated. First, there was the third male lead, and now the blackening value was tied to plot points. If he didn’t ask, the system just wouldn’t mention it?
The system made a crying emoji: 【Gomenasai, Host-chan~ Watashi’s energy is limited, so sometimes I naturally forget a little bit of information.】
…A little? More like a lot.
Once again, Shen Yuqing deeply felt that his system was utterly useless.
But useful or not, things were still going to happen.
Shen Yuqing asked: 【When does this plot point start?】
This time, the system could answer. It replied honestly: 【Tomorrow—or more accurately, around four in the morning the day after tomorrow.】
That gave him one full day.
Shen Yuqing needed to carefully consider how to handle this. Judging from the plot fragment, the blackening value this time would definitely skyrocket to an unbelievable level.
But how could he save Song Wangzhuo without revealing himself?
“Little Master Shen, dinner is ready.”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Shen Yuqing realized Pei Yiyan was staring at him with those dull, lifeless eyes. For some reason, for just a moment, Shen Yuqing felt like Pei Yiyan was actually seeing him.
Come to think of it, he still hadn’t asked Pei Yiyan about his recent check-up results.
The servants had already set the table with dishes and utensils. Shen Yuqing’s stomach growled loudly—he really was hungry. He said, “Pei Yiyan, let’s eat.”
Pei Yiyan’s brow twitched slightly, as if surprised that Shen Yuqing had spoken to him.
But Shen Yuqing didn’t pay it any mind. His attention was entirely on the fish the servant had just brought out—his favorite dish!
His stomach growled even louder.
He sat down first, while Pei Yiyan washed his hands before slowly taking his seat.
The Omega took the initiative to say, “Young Master, let me pick out the fish bones for you.”
Shen Yuqing blinked and mimicked to the system in a playful tone: [“Young~Master~let~me~pick~out~the~fish~bones~for~you~”]
[…] The system responded: [Did he really use that many tildes?]
Shen Yuqing lowered his head to hide a chuckle.
However, Pei Yiyan refused, “No need.”
A beta servant brought the final soup course and added, “Young Master Pei, this type of fish only has large bones. You can eat it without worry.”
Meaning there was no need to pick out bones.
The Omega servant glanced at him but said nothing.
Shen Yuqing caught the Omega’s look clearly and couldn’t help asking: [I get the feeling this Omega isn’t here to serve people.]
Instead, it seemed more like they were trying to seduce Pei Yiyan.
The system replied: [No idea. We generally don’t have much data on minor characters like this.] Another useless answer.
Shen Yuqing quietly focused on his meal, but after a few bites, he looked up and asked, “How were your follow-up examination results today?”
Pei Yiyan was drinking soup. Hearing this, he slowly set down his bowl. “Same as before.”
Meaning no progress whatsoever.
Shen Yuqing put a piece of fish in his mouth. “Oh, well don’t lose hope. Have you been exercising and getting more sunlight like I suggested?”
This only reminded Pei Yiyan of Shen Yuqing’s strange behavior toward him recently, which left him deeply puzzled.
Shen Yuqing wasn’t as crazy as before, but he seemed even more eccentric now.
Though whether eccentric or crazy, it made little difference to him.
He replied coldly, “I have.”
Shen Yuqing had asked casually, not expecting an answer. After all, in their two days together, Pei Yiyan had always been distant with him, never speaking at length.
He understood—who could be friendly with someone who had bullied them for so long?
Still, Shen Yuqing sensed Pei Yiyan seemed in a relatively good mood today.
“Meow~ Meow~”
Good Luck’s cries snapped him out of his thoughts. Shen Yuqing looked over to see the cat circling Pei Yiyan’s ankles, pawing at his pants.
He noticed Pei Yiyan’s expression soften slightly.
[Blackening Value: 75, Favorability: -55] Yes!
Shen Yuqing’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t done anything, yet Pei Yiyan’s stats had shifted! Good kitty!
If he’d known Pei Yiyan liked cats, he would have adopted one on the first day!
Pleased by the change, Shen Yuqing ate another bowl of rice, leaving his stomach uncomfortably full all evening.
The food was delicious, but moderation was key.
Rubbing his stomach with one hand, Shen Yuqing scrolled through interstellar gossip news with the other.
Gossip truly was a universal language. Even in interstellar society, scandal was more accessible than ever.
He’d only learned about this today after overhearing classmates discuss it. The gossip updated daily, ranging from trivial civilian squabbles to the secret affairs of high society.
Shen Yuqing was thoroughly enjoying himself until he stumbled upon a shocking post:
[Shocking! Why was the Song Family Mansion lit up late at night? The reason is…]
Shen Yuqing was speechless. In this interstellar era, couldn’t such clichéd headlines be phased out already?
Though he thought this way, his hand betrayed him by clicking on it anyway.
Song Corporation—Song Wangzhuo’s true home.
As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy to win every battle! He was determined to find out why the Song residence was so brightly lit—oh, turns out the young master Song had returned home.
Shen Yuqing felt like his mind was filled with the sound of muted bird calls at that moment. But after the imaginary birds stopped chirping, realization struck him. The young master Song—
That fake heir who replaced the true prince.
