Fire at the rear

[Host, has something serious happened?] The system became nervous under Qu Shiyao's barrage of questions, and its data stream became somewhat unstable.

"Don't worry, we're safe here for now. We were just slightly affected." Qu Shiyao cleared her mind and felt more at ease.

"The key is, Tongzi, you must ensure that I can leave this world smoothly after my mission is successful."

[You can absolutely rest assured about this host!] Upon hearing that the crisis didn't directly threaten them, the system immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

We signed a mission contract. As long as the mission objective is achieved, the contract will be automatically and forcibly executed, and no matter what happens on the main space side, it won't interfere!

"That's good." Qu Shiyao yawned, and as her nerves relaxed, sleepiness returned.

"As long as it doesn't affect my ability to go home after completing the mission, there are always tall people to hold up the sky if it falls. This is just an ordinary modern urban novel, it's not going to turn into a war between immortals and demons."

"That's right! The world rules restrict it!" the system quickly assured.

Each small world has its own power limit; the supernatural scenes in a modern setting simply couldn't be created.

It paused, then couldn't help but ask cautiously, "So, host, what exactly did you deduce?"

Although it vaguely sensed that something was wrong, the specific details were still a complete mess.

"The cause, the process, and the ultimate goal are all unclear." Qu Shiyao poured herself a glass of warm water, drank it slowly, and her brows relaxed.

"I can only speculate that some kind of evil thing may have infiltrated your rear. This thing is hiding somewhere and doing tampering, causing characters from different original novels to be reborn abnormally."

"Sicheng is one of the cities affected by this force, but the main battlefield is definitely not in our world."

[So that's how it is...] The system relaxed, but the next second, it suddenly realized.

Wait a minute! If something happens in the rear, doesn't that mean something happened in their hometown?!

[Wait a minute! How did that filthy thing break through all the defenses and enter the main space?! And how come it's been able to linger for so long without being cleaned up?!]

The system experienced instantaneous data corruption, and the entire system was trembling, as if its backend database was not very secure.

Qu Shiyao looked at the panicked and erratic system in front of her and helplessly realized that this guy's reaction time was unusually long.

"You should still keep an eye on the recent data, especially the reports about rebirth. I suspect that before long, other mission participants and systems will also encounter similar situations."

The system immediately became serious, and the entire system stabilized: [Understood! I will closely monitor the relevant data!]

Just then, Qu Shiyao's phone vibrated slightly.

She picked it up and saw that it was a message from Su Wanwan.

Looking up, she met Su Wanwan's gaze as she turned to look at her.

Qu Shiyao smiled at her and opened the chat interface.

[Evening Breeze: Shiyao, I have a last-minute assignment. I'm attending Su Yongze's engagement party this Sunday night, and I need a female bodyguard and a few people to create a lively atmosphere.]

[Evening Breeze: The bodyguard needs to be highly skilled to ensure my safety, and also be perceptive and able to cooperate flexibly with me.]

The system, now calm, peered over and was filled with questions:

[Host, isn't her request tailor-made for you? Didn't the doctor say you can have your cast removed this Wednesday? Rest for a few days, and you should be able to have surgery by Sunday.]

Qu Shiyao remained silent and continued reading.

[Evening Breeze: You can decide on the atmosphere team. The bodyguard's fee is 1 million, and each member of the atmosphere team will receive 100,000. I'll cover all expenses, including the evening's attire, makeup, and round-trip transportation. There's only one requirement—don't embarrass me.]

[Host, I think this bodyguard job might be a bit tricky; we need to be careful!]

The system looked at the gleaming "1 million" and became extremely wary, feeling that this money wouldn't come easily.

However, the moment Qu Shiyao saw "1 million", her eyes lit up, and she completely ignored the system's warning.

[Sister Qu: No problem! Leave it to me! (Mission accomplished.jpg)]

At this moment, Qu Shiyao's mind was already playing the numbers "million million million million" on a loop.

System: [...] Well, it won't listen at all; its words are a waste of time.

"By the way, who is Su Yongze?" Qu Shiyao noticed the name mentioned in the information, as there seemed to be no such character in the original work.

Su Yongze is one of the illegitimate sons that Su Wanwan's father brought home after his first wife passed away.

The system quickly connected to the external database, retrieved the relevant information, and then let out a gasp of surprise.

[The power dynamics within human families are truly complex. Her father has brought home 14 women in total, and it's known that 3 more are still living elsewhere. Who knows how many more remain undiscovered.]

[This Su Yongze is two years younger than Su Wanwan, and he was only brought back six months ago.]

Qu Shiyao raised an eyebrow. It seemed that Su Wanwan wanted to take this opportunity to cause some trouble on her own turf.

She looked down and quickly typed a message on her phone.

Before long, the office was filled with the constant vibrations of cell phones.

Everyone picked up their phones and saw a prominent notification pop up in the group chat:

[Sister Qu (Your Mother): @All Members Urgent Hiring Mission! This Sunday evening, we need one female bodyguard and several people to create a lively atmosphere for Mr. Su Yongze's engagement banquet.]

[Sister Qu (your mother): Bodyguards' salaries are 1 million, and the atmosphere team's salaries are 100,000 each! Meals included! Dresses and makeup included! Transportation included!]

The entire office fell silent, with only the sound of increasingly heavy breathing.

"Slurp—!" Suddenly, a clear sound of saliva rang out.

Everyone: "?" Did some sound just get in there?

They looked silently toward the source of the sound.

Jin Yuxi's eyes were wide open like copper bells, and she almost leaned into the phone screen. Her gaze was so intense that it seemed she could burn through the screen.

Although the compensation level is similar to that when I worked for Boss Si before, the key is that this time it's not just one or two spots, but everyone has the opportunity to participate, and there's also good food, drinks and nice clothes to wear!

Not to mention Jin Yuxi, even the usually reserved Lin Weiwei couldn't help but secretly swallow.

[The Rich Woman Arrives (Commoner): Talking about money hurts feelings! It's our honor to serve Miss Su! We're at your service at any time! (Salute.jpg)]

Lin Weiwei was the first to express her opinion in the group, and her tone was incredibly sincere.

Upon seeing Lin Weiwei's polite remarks, Jin Yuxi immediately followed suit.

[Gold and Silver Jewelry (Big Brother): Since Weiwei doesn't really need the money, then transfer her share to my account! I'll collect it for her! I'm signing up for the atmosphere-building team! Give me double the work! (Hands over bank card.jpg)]

Lin Weiwei turned her head and glared at Jin Yuxi, her fingers tapping rapidly on the screen.

[Rich woman arrives (commoner): Get out!!! (Cracks a stick figure with a whip.jpg)]

[Today I'm taking on the role of CEO (Big Sister): I happen to be free Sunday evening, count me in. (Packing my little bag, ready to go.jpg)]

[A Chinese Ghost Story (Little Brother): I'm also signing up for the atmosphere team. (Cat raises hand.jpg)]

Everyone tacitly avoided the bodyguard position.

Regardless of whether she has the ability or not, judging from Su Wanwan's posture, it's clear that she's leaving it for Qu Shiyao.

[Sister Qu (your mother): Then I'll take on the bodyguard job without hesitation~ (shyly covering her face.jpg)]

Qu Shiyao unceremoniously took on the most lucrative task.

Next, she edited the final list.

[Sister Qu (Your Mother): @Final List Confirmed: Bodyguard: Qu Shiyao; Atmosphere Team: Jin Yuxi, Lin Weiwei, Zhang Li, Wang Qian.]

Su Wanwan silently watched the group chat the whole time. Seeing everyone responding positively, especially Qu Shiyao taking on the bodyguard mission, a satisfied smile appeared on her lips.

[Evening Breeze (God of Wealth): Preparations are planned to begin at 6 PM on Sunday. My bodyguards will pick everyone up and drop them off in turn. Everyone will have their makeup done and change into formal attire. An etiquette instructor will also provide some guidance on important points.]

[Evening Breeze (God of Wealth): Remember, be smart once you're inside. Don't let anyone realize that the people I, Su Wanwan, brought out are so low-class.]

The sponsor spoke up, and the group chat immediately erupted with replies like "Received," "Understood," and "I promise not to embarrass Miss Su."

-----------------

"Shiyao! No—!!!"

A terrified scream echoed in the empty office.

Si Cheng jolted awake from his office chair, his forehead covered in cold sweat, his pupils contracted sharply, and his chest heaved violently with rapid breathing.

He looked up blankly, and what came into view was the familiar CEO's desk, with the city's night view outside the window.

Then, with trembling hands, he picked up his phone. Qu Shiyao's number was on the screen, but he couldn't bring himself to press the call button.

A calm but weary voice said: "Let's just leave it at that. Can't we each find our own peace? She already has a boyfriend. No matter how many times we start over, the ending seems to be the same. Let her go, and let yourself go too."

Another voice, however, was full of temptation: This time it's different! It really is different! This time, your relationship won't start out in that twisted way! Maybe the ending will be different!

Besides, they're not married yet, so you still have a chance!

You've been reborn so many times for her, and sacrificed so much, how can you give up so easily?

You can't forget those fleeting moments of warmth and excitement from your past life, and she certainly can't forget the beauty of those times either...

They've only been together for less than a month; maybe it was just a momentary impulse...

Perhaps there is still a chance to salvage the situation...

A jumble of thoughts surged into Si Cheng's mind like a tide, a mixture of struggle, pain, resentment, and longing.

Gradually, that voice, filled with paranoia and temptation, gained the upper hand, slowly eroding reason.

His violently fluctuating emotions gradually calmed down, but his eyes became unusually deep, and a strange red light flashed in his eyes.

That determined, almost twisted resolve reappeared on his face.

"As long as we're not married yet, I still have a chance..." he muttered to himself, his voice hoarse but filled with a fierce determination.

"Even if I get married... I can still..."

In the empty CEO office, he sat alone in a large leather chair, his shadow elongated by the light and cast on the cold floor, making him appear exceptionally lonely and obsessive.