The robot vacuum glided in without a sound, its red sensor lights flashing like demon eyes in the dim room. Startled, Chi Zhan nearly kicked it out of reflex.
“Why are all three capture targets showing up here?”
Chi Zhan played dumb.
“Three? There are only two. Who’s the third?”
“Chu Xingxiao. He’s the third capture target. And his favorability rating toward you has…”
“…gone past the point of just friends?” Chi Zhan cut in smoothly.
“Not quite. His favorability is currently at 55.”
Fifty-five—an awkward number. Technically still safe, but just a few points away from sixty, which meant the beginnings of romantic interest.
Chi Zhan remained calm. He no longer reacted like he had the first time he heard news like this.
“It’s just a coincidence. Chu Xingxiao is my neighbor. It’s perfectly normal for him to stop by now and then.”
A question mark flickered in the System’s virtual eyes.
“Why would he become your neighbor? According to the original setup, he was supposed to…”
“Supposed to what?” Chi Zhan latched onto the slip.
The System quickly reined itself in.
“Nothing. But regardless, you and he need to keep a proper distance. You understand you two can’t possibly be together.”
“……”
This was starting to feel like the set of some trashy rich-family melodrama.
“I never planned to end up with anyone…” Chi Zhan sighed. “Whatever. The point is, I followed your instructions. Whether they worked or not, that’s on you. The main system found nothing wrong, which means I acted appropriately. My conscience is clear. If you still want to insist this is my fault, then fine—I’ve got nothing more to say. I can resign if that’s what you want. But stop threatening me with other people. It’s childish.”
“I’m not threatening you!” the System snapped.
“I’ve done nothing wrong, yet you accuse me for no reason. What, just because I’m an NPC, I’m supposed to take your crap lying down? Because you’re the ‘System,’ that makes you superior? As for all the promises you dangled in front of me—sorry, but I’m not some naive flower with zero life experience. You might be able to fool others, but don’t think you can just keep waving carrots in front of me and expect me to dance.”
At that moment, his expression turned cold—dangerously cold. The System was stunned into silence.
A normal NPC wasn’t supposed to exude this kind of commanding presence. His tone was calm, his words measured, but they carried an undeniable edge. If the System had been human, it would’ve been thoroughly intimidated.
After a long pause, the System begrudgingly said,
“I didn’t consider your feelings. I apologize. I wasn’t trying to lead you on. If you have any demands, you can bring them to the System.”
Chi Zhan studied it for a beat, then said three words:
“Information sharing rights.”
“Denied!” The System reacted instantly. “You’re just an NPC. You don’t have clearance for higher-level data. It could destabilize the entire world.”
“I won’t tell anyone,” Chi Zhan replied. “The information stays with me. Think about it—if the world collapses, what benefit do I get? I’m just trying to keep everything running smoothly. Since you picked me as your collaborator, but won’t tell me anything, how am I supposed to follow your plan?”
For a split second, the System actually wavered.
It… kind of made sense?
Chi Zhan was naturally calm, restrained, and indifferent to gossip. His demeanor carried a quiet authority that made him convincing.
“I’m not asking for full access. Just a little context,” he went on. “I need it to do my job. You didn’t tell me who the capture targets were, so I couldn’t avoid them. Now what? I started out with just Zhou Yanxing, and suddenly I’m up to three. So who’s really at fault here?”
The System was momentarily speechless. He had a point—if it had told him about the others from the start, things wouldn’t have spiraled like this.
So… maybe it was its fault?
“What do you want to know?”
Chi Zhan knew instantly—he’d won.
As Zhou Yanxing’s chief secretary, he spent nearly every waking hour at his side. Over time, he’d picked up bits and pieces of Zhou’s negotiation style—his commanding tone, his dominant presence. Chi Zhan had only mimicked the surface of it, but it worked.
Even if Zhou the CEO still acted like a grade-schooler when it came to dating, his business acumen was no joke. Imitating him? Always a safe bet.
“First, tell me the real identities of the four capture targets, and the actual rules of this world. If I know the storyline, I can coordinate better with the player.”
“Capture Target One: Zhou Yanxing, eldest son of the Zhou family—one of the three major families. Refused to inherit the family business and instead started his own company in Province A.
Target Two: Cen Chi. Majored in psychology, but thanks to a genius-level IQ, also studied finance, mathematics, chemistry, and more. After returning to China, he became a doctor.
Target Three: Chu Xingxiao. Cut ties with his family after refusing their career arrangements. He’s now a top-tier celebrity in the entertainment world, known both as a singer and producer. Youngest ever winner of the Golden Melody Award.”
“Target Four…” The System hesitated, “…is Qi Song.”
Of course. I knew it.
He wasn’t exactly surprised. And yet—for some reason—his heart sank.
“His favorability toward you is already at 80!” the System exclaimed, its voice practically short-circuiting. “How did this happen?!”
“All four targets like you.” The System sounded completely unhinged. “How did you even pull that off?!”
“……”
You’re asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?
“If you’d told me sooner, maybe we could’ve avoided this. Now? It’s too late.”
The System was spiraling.
In the beginning, it hadn’t been monitoring the others closely. It was just a fragment program, only responsible for tracking Zhou Yanxing’s emotional fluctuations. The main system hadn’t even instructed it to keep tabs on the other capture targets’ data.
