translator: baumkuchenย editor: serefina
In front of Chi Xiaochi was a digital display that only he could see. On the display was the original hostโs current body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, surrounding temperature, and so on. Of particular interest was a conspicuous bar divided into two colours, red and blue.
The blue bar represented the regret level, while the red bar represented the goodwill level, both with a maximum value of 100 points.
The blue bar was currently stuck at 9 points, while the points of the red bar were steadily decreasing due to Chi Xiaochiโs line of โDoes it cost youโ.
ใใ
Chi Xiaochi sighed, โWhy is it that people donโt like to hear the truth?โ
The system wanted to roast him a little, but held back.
ใใ
Yang Baihua was disappointed, saying, โXiao Cheng, how could you talk like that?โ
Chi Xiaochi didnโt panic, and simply replied amicably, โOld Yang, donโt misunderstand. My meaning was that my big brother is just looking out for us. With a car, our lives will be so much easier. I donโt have a need for it, but you could use it to drive to work, right? Itโll give you a lot more face in front of your colleagues too.โ
His attitude was very pleasant, as if his prior remark that was full of โกโก was simply a statement of fact.
Seeing the two-point increase in the goodwill level, the system thought, heโs giving him the stick followed by the carrot. His means arenโt bad.
ใใ
Yang Baihua calmed himself down.
This child had been spoiled rotten since young and didnโt know the impact of his words. He feared that he completely hadnโt realised just how hurtful his prior words were.
Thinking of this, Yang Baihua gathered the patience of a father dealing with their own child, and coaxed him, saying, โXiao Cheng, cars are consumables. Have you ever thought about how much it costs to own a car? How much it would cost to pay for gasoline each month, how much it would cost to buy a parking lot, have you thought about it? Is this something we afford right now?โ
โIโll earn money to provide for you!โ Cheng Yuan nonchalantly placed his hands behind his back, his smile sincere and gentle enough to make oneโs heart melt. โMy demos are almost complete. When theyโre done, theyโll earn us some money.โ
Yang Baihua helplessly replied, โHow many times have I told you, this isnโt a proper job.โ
โBut I like music.โ
โJust because you like it doesnโt mean it can put food on the tableโฆโฆ Nevermind, letโs not talk about this.โ Yang Baihua generously gave in. โWe shouldnโt quarrel.โ
โAlright, letโs not talk about that.โ Cheng Yuan walked forward, closing the gap between him and Yang Baihua. He gently said, โActually I was also thinking that we can use this car to fetch your mom and dad. Mom, dad, and third sister are coming to visit next week. When they come, you can even drive them over to Xiaoyanโs school to bring her out for a meal. The last time Xiaoyan came over, didnโt she also ask when you were going to buy a car?โ
ใใ
Those two matters just so happened to poke at Yang Baihuaโs weak spot. He was silent.
As he spoke, Cheng Yuan raised his head to look up at Yang Baihua.
Upon meeting his burning gaze, Yang Baihuaโs heart skipped a beat.
It was currently winter. Under the light of the evening streetlamps, Cheng Yuan let out a breath of white fog. In the haze of white mist, his fair and radiant face was enveloped in an exquisite halo of light that could move peopleโs hearts. The circle of fluffy feathers lining the hood of his white down jacket moved slightly in the evening wind, sticking to his slender, white porcelain neck, gently tickling it. All at once, he felt a squeezing, burning sensation in his heart.
ใใ
Meanwhile, ย Chi Xiaochiโs attention was on translucent card currently displayed on the operating board in front of him. Its contents were as follows:
Name: Beauty Halo (Trial Edition)
Duration: 10 minutes
Quantity: 1
Quality: Excellent
Type: Single use only
Points required: 0 (Free trial)
Description: Your simple smile is more radiant than the shine of Gold Coating Silver egg fried rice, more warm than a simmering pot of pork broth soup, more tender than the meat bursting out of a freshly snapped crab leg, and more fascinating than the red oil oozing out of the yolk of a salted duck egg. No delicacy can compare to your smile, illuminated by the dim lights.
ใใ
โฆโฆNice metaphor.
ใใ
Chi Xiaochi asked, curious, โDid the person in charge of writing these descriptions come from a family of chefs?โ
The system was silent for a moment. โ……09 is the one of the first-generation AIs. It started out as data, it just likes studying recipes.โ
Chi Xiaochi found these words to be a little strange.
Started out as data?
Is there such a thing as turning into data?
Before he could ask further, the system butted in with a reminder, โMister Chi, your task.โ
Chi Xiaochi: โOh, oh.โ
ใใ
Seeing Chi Xiaochi gather himself once more, the system felt slightly gratified.
When he first took on Chi Xiaochi, heโd immediately noticed that this new host was a little more difficult to handle.
After receiving and reading the information of this world, Chi Xiaochi pondered to himself for quite a while. His very first question was: โLater when we see him, can I directly run that surnamed Yang over with a car?โ
The system: โ……โ
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Jtl Wljbmtl rjlv, โGbcโa kbggs, kfโgf pera vlrmerrlcu atlr.โ
Lf qjerfv obg j ktlif ibcufg, atfc mbcalcefv, โVlcmf Jtfcu Tejcโr ojwlis lr rb glmt, lo jcs jmmlvfca bmmeggfv, atfs mbeiv vfolclafis tfiq mbnfg la eq.โ
Ktf rsrafw rjlv, โ……Tbe gfjiis kjca ab tla tlw klat atf mjg.โ
Chi Xiaochi said, โNo, no, weโre just discussing a possibility.โ
The system said, โMister Chi, youโre dealing with a living, breathing human being here.โ
Chi Xiaochi made a show of being earnest, โOh. But itโd be an accident, no? It wouldnโt be intentional.โ
The system tried to reason with him, โ……Mister Chi, the laws of this world arenโt very different from those in your original world. Those who purposefully attempt to harm others will be thrown in jail. Furthermore, if you run your target over, how are you planning on leaving this world?โ
ใใ
Leaving the task world depended on the regret level.
Only when the regret level reached 100 points, would the host be able to leave the current world, and be sent to the next task world.
The system brought up the regret level in order to dissuade Chi Xiaochi from this immoral idea. Who knew that Chi Xiaochi would seriously start to analyse in a reasonable and justified manner, โItโs said that people regret the most in the moment before death.โ
The system: โ……โ
Chi Xiaochi continued, โEven if he doesnโt die and only becomes disabled, heโll still have a long life ahead of him to regret.โ
The system: โ……โ You can shut up now.
Chi Xiaochi understood the systemโs silence. He sighed, โFine. You, this little comrade, really donโt have a sense of humor.โ
โฆโฆHowever, the system could hear the clear disappointment in Chi Xiaochiโs voice.
ใใ
For this reason, the system could not rest assured, and even thoroughly looked over the information he had on Chi Xiaochi once more.
ใใ
โฆโฆRight, Chi Xiaochi definitely was an actor, not some convict with a criminal record.
Even though he had enoughย black material to cover the heavens; bad-tempered, smoked in public places and led teens astray, uncultured and unashamed, on bad terms with his parents, and had dirty py dealings with all kinds of old men, etcetera, his messy matters too numerous to count, most were just rumours, and it was hard to tell the truth from the lies. ย
After simply filtering out the tabloids, the system thought, it should be fine, this host just has a somewhat independent, unconventional personality, with some slight mental issues. With some kindness and gentle guidance, there shouldnโt be any problems.
ใใ
Anyway, Chi Xiaochi had done quite well so far, putting the free skill card to good use. A quick check showed that Yang Baihuaโs goodwill level, which had been at a steady decline, already showed signs of rejuvenation.
Every new host was liable to twelve free single-use skill cards. These props had numerous different functions, but they could only be used once. If after trying them out, the host found them useful, they could enter the systemโs shop and exchange the goodwill points of the host for props to be used in various situations as needed.
ใใ
Like right now.
Looking at Cheng Yuan, Yang Baihua lightly swallowed.
Heโd known that Cheng Yuan was attractive, but no matter how attractive the person, after a while, anyone would get accustomed to it. But just now, when he looked at Cheng Yuan, heโd regained the itchy feeling in his heart from when theyโd first started dating.
The snow-white rabbit that had been lovingly raised since young raised its round, black eyes, attentively staring at him with eyes full of fascination.
Such an outstanding person whole-heartedly relied on him and thought only of him.
โฆโฆThis was only right.
Yang Baihua enjoyed this feeling of โbeing back on trackโ.
Holding back a smile, he asked, โYou still remember my cousinโs called Xiaoyan?โ
Cheng Yuan replied with no small amount of pride, โOf course I remember. If it has to do with you, I remember everything.โ
ใใ
In that moment, Yang Baihua felt the urge to kiss him.
But out of the corner of his eye, he just happened to catch a glimpse of Xiao Liu from the photocopy room next door on his way out, twirling his keys as he exited from the revolving door of the company and discussing with two other colleagues where they would be going for barbeque tonight.
Remaining calm and collected, Yang Baihua angled his body, quietly blocking Cheng Yuan from view. His hand, which originally had been raised halfway to stroke Cheng Yuanโs face, was also lowered and naturally shoved into his pocket, โNext time when you want to add something to our home, donโt forget to discuss it with me first. This home belongs to the two of us, doesnโt it?โ
ใใ
Chi Xiaochi sneered internally.
This home belongs to the two of us? Discuss?
The double bed that could fit your entire family, did you ever discuss it with me?
ใใ
However, โCheng Yuanโ wouldnโt have thought of such things.
According to his personality, he would just know that Yang Baihua had silently agreed. They could keep the car.
Cheng Yuanโs eyes brightened, and his loving gaze towards Yang Baihua became even more intense.
Yang Baihua smiled and offered, โIโll drive.โ
Cheng Yuan volunteered, saying, โYouโve worked hard the entire day, Iโll drive.โ He pulled open the back door of the car, and playfully bent his knee, โBoss, please get on first. Iโll go throw away some trash.โ
Yang Baihua laughed, and readily sat inside. As he looked over the carโs interior, he couldnโt quite conceal the envy in his eyes.
When would he be able to be like Cheng Jian, able to just casually gift someone a car?
ใใ
Cheng Yuan, carrying a nearly-empty mineral water bottle, ambled over to the trash bin by the side of the road.
Yang Baihua spent most of his time facing a computer screen, so his eyesight wasnโt the best. He didnโt see the cigarette butt floating in the water bottle.
ใใ
When Chi Xiaochi tossed the bottle into the recycling bin, the empty bottle collided with the inside of the bin, making a soft noise of crumpling plastic.
Chi Xiaochi asked the system, โDo you see it now?โ
The system: โEn.โ
โโCheng Yuan majored in vocal music. He had always lovingly protected his vocal cords, staying far away from smoking and drinking.
Chi Xiaochi had smoked half a cigarette. Even though heโd used chewing gum to hastily cover it up, the smell of cigarette smoke still lingered in his mouth and on his cuffs. However, his current lover hadnโt noticed any irregularities at all. He hadnโt asked even a single question.
Of course, this was just a casual test by Chi Xiaochi and didnโt confirm anything.
However, in his opinion, this was just one of the small signs of Cheng Yuanโs tragic fate.
ใใ
Upon returning to the car, as Cheng Yuan was putting on his seatbelt, he said, โWhen Mom and Dad arrive, letโs go pick them up from the train station together.โ
Yang Baihua visibly froze for a second.
Of course, Cheng Yuan wouldnโt notice anything strange about Yang Baihua, and so continued to speak, โMy driving is very steady. When the time comes, we can bring Mom and Dad to fetch Xiaoyan, and then bring them to visit Yunzhi Temple, and go to the suburbs to soak in the hot springsโฆโฆโ
Yang Baihua replied uncomfortably, โ……Letโs talk about this some other time.โ
Cheng Yuan, like a little trumpet, enthused, โThen Iโll play my new demo for you. Youโll be my first listener, how about it?โ
Yang Baihua was very happy heโd changed the subject. He went along with it, replying, โLetโs hear it then.โ
Cheng Yuan dug out his phone, tapping it a few times.
Melodious and pure music drifted out of the loudspeaker, incredibly pleasing to the ear. Yang Baihua had been busy working for the entire day, and the music that flowed into his ears seemed to sooth his tense nerves.
Sitting back against the comfortable leather seat, he drifted off to sleep.
ใใ
The system couldn’t help but remind him, โMister Chi, you donโt need to use skill cards so frequently.โ
Chi Xiaochi had just used a hypnosis card on Yang Baihua that would last half an hour.
Chi Xiaochi himself wasnโt as stingy, โIโm just trying it out. Anyways, itโs not like goodwill points are hard to earn.โ
ใใ
โฆโฆThis judgement wasnโt wrong.
A personโs goodwill towards another was naturally always in flux. When couples argued, their goodwill to one another would sink straight to the lowest, to the point that theyโd be itching to just strangle the other to death. On the other hand, in their most passionate moments, it would be like blending oil in honey and their goodwill value would naturally steadily increase.
Just now Chi Xiaochiโs excellent techniques had brought Yang Baihuaโs goodwill level back up to 72 points, exactly the same as where they had started.
ใใ
Chi Xiaochi summarized, โFor a car that didnโt cost him anything, his goodwill level directly dropped by 14 points.โ
The system: โ……โ Werenโt the last 10 points lost because you went and provoked him.
Chi Xiaochi continued his analysis, โWith the Beauty Halo card that lasted 10 minutes and a some gentle coaxing, the goodwill level returned to its original value. A Beauty Halo card that lasts this long only costs 5 goodwill points. Looking at it like this, goodwill points really are easy to grind.โ
The system: โ……โ
ใใ
Just now, had Chi Xiaochi deliberately provoked Yang Baihua in order to test the extent to which the goodwill points would drop?
Also the word โgrindโ gave the system a bad feeling.
ใใ
Chi Xiaochi said, โMoving forward, as long as Yang Baihuaโs goodwill level is passable, itโs fine. Weโve got an extra 12 goodwill points to spare, so help me take a look at the shop. Letโs see what we can buy.โ
The system was shocked.
In order to leave the worlds quickly, his previous hosts had all persistently followed the targetโs every whim, first and foremost grinding the goodwill level up to 100 points before doing anything else.
After all, no one knew if insufficient goodwill points would have an impact on the progress of the task.
This was the first time the system had seen such a reckless warrior who dared to remain at the passing mark right from the start.
The system flipped through the store, โThe things you can buy with 10 goodwill points would be a 30 minute long โBeauty Haloโ, a 5 minute long โKarate Black Belt Buffโ, a 1 hour long โPainlessness Buffโ, a 5 minute long โHeartthrob Haloโ……โ
Chi Xiaochi listened carefully as the system went over it once, โBuy the first one.โ
After a successful purchase, he asked, โIs there a longer lasting โHeartthrob Haloโ?โ
The system said, โThere is. The longest lasts 1 hour, and costs 40 goodwill points.โ
Chi Xiaochi muttered to himself, โThen Iโll have to save up some more.โ
โฆโฆFrom Chi Xiaochiโs tone, the system got the impression that to him, Yang Baihua was like a meat-producing pig. Today heโd chop off the front legs, the next day heโd chop off some pork belly. After he chopped some meat off, itโd grow back, and when it did, heโd chop it off again, in a cycle without an end.
ใใ
The slightly terrified system said, โThe remaining two points can only buy a few small props and adult products.โ
Chi Xiaochi: โOho.โ
The system: โ……Mister Chi, we are proper systems.โ
Chi Xiaochi didnโt say anything, but he was evidently amused.
The system was incensed by his amusement, to the point where his data even showed some slight fluctuations, โWe donโt provide that kind of service. Adult products refers to small physical props that can enhance relationships, like flower bouquets, river lanterns, fireworks and so on.โ
Chi Xiaochi said, โGet a firework.โ
โA firework costs 3 points.โ
Chi Xiaochi simply said, โOkay, one then.โ
The system: โ……โ
Chi Xiaochi: โWhat are you so stunned for? The one who’ll be failing is me.โ
The system helplessly thought, of course itโs you, who else would it be, me?
ใใ
After a successful purchase, the clear sound of a bell rang out, indicating that the item had been placed in storage.
Chi Xiaochi waited for a long time, โWhereโs the fireworks?โ
The system replied, โThe targetโฆโฆโ Was still lying there like a corpse, dead to the world.
โWho said it was for him?โ Chi Xiaochi said, โNow, light it up.โ
ใใ
The system was a little confused, but did as instructed.
An eight-core firework burst into the sky, drifting down like a snowline, falling like a shooting star, dyeing the dark dome of the night sky with a moving tapestry of light.
The firework had exploded in the distance. Light travelled faster than sound, so as the light, like a string of pearls, scattered into the night sky, Chi Xiaochi suddenly opened his mouth and said to the system, โ……This is for you.โ
His words hadnโt finished before, with a loud bang, the noise of the firework exploding arrived, late.
ใใ
The system stared at the dissipating stars in slight shock.
The rearview mirror of the car reflected Chi Xiaochiโs face. He was smiling.
Even though Chi Xiaochi was using Cheng Yuanโs face, his true smile bore no resemblance whatsoever to Cheng Yuanโs innocence. His peach blossom eyes were curved, showing three parts evilness mixed with 7 parts indifference and laziness. It had its own intoxicating charm, an attractiveness that made it impossible to tear oneโs eyes away.
Chi Xiaochi said to the system, โFrom today onwards Iโll be troubling you, please take care of me.โ
The system: โ……โ
Even though he was a little touched, the system inexplicably felt that that sentence wasnโt quite right. It felt a bit like the last meal of a death row inmate before he was sent off to the firing squad.
ใใ
Very quickly, the system realised the problem. โThis isnโt the road to Yang Baihuaโs house.โ
Chi Xiaochi replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, โOf course not. If not why else would I have hypnotised him?โ
The system: โ……โ
Chi Xiaochi glanced the the in-built GPS, confirming his destination before continuing, โ…..Thereโs a place I want to visit.โ
The author has something to say:
warning: spoilers for the identity of the ML
The ML is the still-unnamed systemโ
Not spicy chicken Yang.
Posting from my phone is tough orz
Anyways, I’m still overseas and can’t post updates regularly yet, but here’s a new chapter to tide you guys over in the meantime~
Also, say hi to the new editor for this story, serefina! o/
Now on to the… food porn? (is this actually Fantasy Farm lmao)
Gold Coating Silver egg fried rice,
a simmering pot of pork broth soup,
the meat bursting out of a freshly snapped crab leg,
the red oil oozing out of the yolk of a salted duck egg,
they all can’t compare to your simple smile, illuminated by the dim lights.
(ใโฝใ) I got inspired and did some fanart… but then I got stuck at the sketch phase hahahaha _(:3ใโ )_
omg I really like the MC! MC is so confident and cool !
That art!!!! Ahh i shouldn’t have clicked tge spoiler hahaha
Anyways that firework scrne was so wholesome :3
MC is out to cause problem, amen? Amen! ๐
Iโm loving this story and the MC already! -excited fistpump-
So SPOILER is the ML? That fireworks is such a grand props to woo his system. If yes, how would he turn “data” into actual person? This MC is really interesting..
(edited out a spoiler)
Huh? Sorry commenting in wrong place. I think I accidentally pressed it.
Yepp! It waz revealed in the spoiler-y AN in the summary area
MC grinding out goodwill points lol. Thank god ML isn’t the scum gong but the spoiler has me intrigued ๐!
Thanks for the chapter!
thanks 4 the chapter………
The MC is too cool! Thanks for the chapter.
AHH this MC is so awesome! Love his totally chill coolness.
I REALLY want to read the spoiler but… I shan’t.
MC is simply the best. ๐. I hope he doesnโt have to bed th scum .
Thank you.
That spoiler is so tempting… Thanks for hiding it with code. Looking forward to reading more!
Love the MC, been a while since reading a brutal MC like ZYS of QWFoD. I’ll cheer over whatever the MC does to the scum-gong YBH. fist pump
YZS is still one of my favorite MCs of all the novels Iโve read, I support vicious MCโs!
MC figuring out the hacks to speed-run(over) this task(scumbag with a car)
Oh hoho. This boy is clever and ruthless, fufufu fu. I hope he can reach the goal soon.
Thanks for the chapter!
Oh thank goodness ๐ญ If scum yang was the ML I would have vomited blood
I love the MC, hes so smart and “evil”. I’m camping here till the next update!
hahahaha MC is so cute putting out fireworks for his system + driving such a nice car at the same time lol
scum gong thinks MC will let scum like him touch MC’s car hahaha
BUT my favorite part had to be the food pics at the end ahahah
Thank you for the chapter!!
Your fanart of Chi Xiaochi looks like me when I’m smiling down at my sketch pad thinking what the fcuk.
Thanks for translating!
He is flirting with the system to get in its good graces LOL i like this MC, he is bold
This… is fhe first time I’ve seen the MC do a celebratory for their system. It’s quite fascinating.
Chen Liguo, is this you? ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ MC and system’s interactions are like from the Perfect Destiny. Hahahahahahaha i so love it. But, i didn’t expect… system is the ML?! This is so new to me. I only read MC as a system, but… hohohohohoho~~~~ i wonder how this novel will turn out.
Thanks for the chap! ๐๐๐๐๐
Spoilers
Lmao I love the identity of ML. Though if the system is just data… what about my smut ahh?? Also the system seems like the uke here! Hahaha
Darn it.. I cannot not commenting this…
MC is smooth ๐!!!
*crackling like witch.. He.. He.. *
I do buy you that MC โช~ แ( แ )แ Hermoso ๏ผใ๏ฟฃโ๏ฟฃ๏ผ
your artwork is super cute โฅโฅ but mc is savage LOL
hi!! new here! i love this mental case shou
looking forward to more~
thank you for translating ๐
Having a bit of spoiler is fine with me. What about the picture of ML? Wonder ML system have a body…? So much to look forward to…
Thanks for another chapter!
I like this!!!๐๐
Thank you for the chapter โค
Wow, this is the first time I read about a -beeepspoiler- become the ML. Now, I want to ask something; who’s the top and who’s the bottom? And how they’re going to do ‘it’? Will this novel be a PG rated and not NC-17 one?
Thank you for the chapter!
Is that your fan art, translator-San? So amazing, ah!
I love the fantasy farm reference in the note. Haha
just started reading this so its a lil weird that most of the comments are from years ago. but i just wanna say that translator-san’s art skills is so lovely~ thank u for your trans and fanart! <3
I had a feeling it was as the spoiler said.
Shippo ML com o Sistema
Cringe
Aaaaaaa I really love this already ><
Thanks for the chap!
I have a question. Chi Xiaochi didn’t know Baihua, Xiao Cheng did, is that right? Xiaochi transmigrated to Cheng’s body? I got a little confused
MC is so cool I’m swooning. Also this novel is going to make me very hungry with those descriptions….
Reading this for the second time and i still love it.!!โค๏ธโค๏ธ
cxc is so cool a a a a a
Love the system xD poor system ๐๐๐๐
“But I like music.”
“Just because you like it doesn’t mean it can put food on the table…… Nevermind, let’s not talk about this.” Yang Baihua generously gave in. “We shouldn’t quarrel.”
Toxic BF โ๏ธ๐
Chi Xiaochi: “Oho.”
The system: “…… Mister Chi, we are proper systems.”
XD