sack
A lively farewell hot pot feast, filled with plenty of gossip, came to an end.
Qu Shiyao bid farewell to her sisters one by one, hopped on her little electric scooter, and set off on her journey home under the cover of night.
The evening breeze was cool, brushing against my face and taking away some of the heat from the hot pot.
The system was still engrossed in browsing through the "66th Floor Survival Manual" and various gossip it had recorded in her mind's sea of consciousness, the data stream flashing excitedly.
[Host! We're going to be venturing into the 66th floor next week! The main storyline is officially starting! Should we make some strategic preparations beforehand? Like... pepper spray or something?]
"Ready..." Qu Shiyao rode her electric scooter at a steady pace, letting her thoughts drift in the evening breeze.
Suddenly, she turned her car around and came to a steady stop in front of a brightly lit grocery store on the side of the road.
[Host? Why did you stop the car?] The system was puzzled when it saw her walk straight in.
A moment later, Qu Shiyao came out carrying a woven bag with the word "urea" printed on it.
system:【? ? ? 】
[Host?! This bag is...] The system's electronic voice suddenly rose, filled with disbelief and terror.
Are you planning to use it to round up all those assistants on the 66th floor and beat them up?
Good heavens! It almost forgot that its host is a dangerous individual at heart, capable of knocking out a domineering CEO with his bare hands! The "well-behaved" behavior these past few days was clearly an illusion!
Qu Shiyao rolled her eyes dramatically, speechless: "What are you thinking? Do you think I'm the kind of person who would just throw a sack at someone without even knowing what's going on?"
She deftly folded and compressed the huge woven bag, stuffing it into her large, spacious handbag.
The system had just breathed a sigh of relief, and the data flow hadn't fully calmed down yet: [That's good, I thought—]
The next second, Qu Shiyao casually added, hitting the nail on the head: "This is a special gift for CEO Si."
System: [...] As expected! The sack is still going to be used to trap people! Only the target has been upgraded!
【Why? ? ?】The system data is garbled, leaving me completely confused.
[Wasn't Jin Jie's main point today about those assistants who were about to gang up on you? There's a cause for every effect, why are you directly targeting the domineering CEO?]
Qu Shiyao got back on her electric scooter, started it up, and the night breeze caressed her face once more.
Her expression was calm, but the fighting spirit in her mind burned fiercely: "Who do you think leaked the news that I was personally selected by CEO Si to be transferred to the 66th floor? Xu Lixuan? Is he so stupid as to spread the word that his subordinate is being targeted by his boss?"
"And..." she lowered her voice.
"As Sister Jin said, that senior colleague even dared to steal Assistant Wen's job and successfully established himself on the 66th floor. Do you really think President Si's eyes are just for show?"
"He knows perfectly well that things are chaotic down there, yet he still insists on pushing me, someone who has offended him, into the fire. Isn't this a blatant declaration of war? To catch the thief, you must first catch the king, don't you understand?"
By the end, Qu Shiyao was brimming with fighting spirit, wishing she could have a righteous 1v1 showdown with CEO Si right there on the spot.
[It seems Sister Jin didn't explicitly say that the CEO knew...] The system was still a little hesitant.
[With the emperor far away, perhaps the CEO is extremely busy...]
"Does this need to be stated explicitly?" Qu Shiyao scoffed.
"Did you forget that I specifically asked Sister Jin at the hot pot restaurant this afternoon if Assistant Wen often gets his work taken away by Lin Weiwei?"
Qu Shiyao countered logically, "Who is Assistant Wen? He's the CEO's personal bodyguard! His job was stolen, how could the CEO not know? Even if he knew, he still let Lin Weiwei jump around on the 66th floor. What do you think he's after?"
The system had a flash of inspiration and finally connected the dots: [So that's it! That domineering CEO was definitely doing it on purpose! Letting Lin Weiwei and the others cause trouble was all for...]
"Who knows!" Qu Shiyao interrupted the system's wild speculation, her tone somewhat nonchalant.
"Maybe he just enjoys watching a bunch of women fight tooth and nail for him? Relishing that perverted thrill of being surrounded by women? Tsk, I'm too lazy to ponder such a boring CEO fetish."
【Then why don't you buy a few more sacks, host? You can just snatch those little monsters on the 66th floor together and knock them out with clubs, saving you the trouble!】 The system's thinking was instantly swayed, and it even started to offer suggestions.
Having spent a long time with its host, its survival creed has shifted from peaceful resolution to "if you can take action, try not to make a fuss."
"Troublesome." Qu Shiyao's goal was clear, and she acted decisively. "Fighting mobs is too tiring. Let's just take down the boss and have some peace and quiet!"
[That makes sense! Capture the thief first...wait, what?] The system had just expressed its agreement when the data scan suddenly stopped.
[Host, look at the roadside! Isn't that the fish?! It's arguing with someone!]
Qu Shiyao's temple throbbed: "Can't you even call someone by their name properly?"
[Oh, the name doesn't matter! The important thing is that he's entangled with a woman! Looks like there's some juicy gossip!] The system's tone was excited, instantly switching into gossip mode.
Qu Shiyao was speechless, but she still followed the system's instructions to stop the car and peered out.
The next second, her eyes widened slightly; this was truly a big surprise!
Under the dim streetlights, Yi Yu was standing on the sidewalk with a well-dressed young woman.
The woman was agitated and tried to grab Yi Yu's arm, but Yi Yu nimbly dodged to the side.
The two seemed to be arguing intensely, but they were too far away to hear the specifics.
"What are they talking about?" Qu Shiyao simply parked the car in the shadows and switched to spectator mode.
[Leave it to me! Voiceprint capture activated! Simultaneous interpretation in progress!] The system volunteered, its electronic voice carrying a strange excitement.
Let this system see if this fish is corrupting male virtues!
Tears streamed down the woman's face, her voice trembling with sobs and sorrow: "Yi Yu, I really love you~ All these years, can't you even turn around and look at me~ We clearly..."
The system mimicked that mournful tone, dragging out the last syllable in a convoluted manner, successfully making Qu Shiyao feel nauseous and get goosebumps all over: "...System, can't you be normal for once!"
【This is really not my fault! That's just how she talks! Exactly!】The system looked aggrieved.
At this moment, Yi Yu once again avoided the woman's outstretched hand, his brows furrowed, his tone clearly distant and resolute.
Sister Lin, I've said it many times: I only see you as my older sister, and I have no other feelings for you. Please respect my choice and have some self-respect.
[Wow!] The system exclaimed in surprise, [Host! Did you hear that? Sister? You've gained a sister!]
Qu Shiyao looked up at the sky, her heart completely calm and she even wanted to laugh.
The system malfunctions intermittently; you'll get used to it.
The woman seemed completely devastated by the word "sister," and she covered her face, wept, and turned to run away.
Yi Yu stood there, watching her figure disappear around the street corner. The streetlights cast a long shadow of him, making him look lonely and tired.
[Is that all?] The system clicked its tongue, seemingly unsatisfied.
[No exciting moments at all, thumbs down!]
Qu Shiyao ignored it and turned around to continue riding her electric scooter home.
"Sister Shiyao?" Yi Yu's voice, filled with surprise and uncertainty, came from behind.
He turned his head unintentionally just now and saw that familiar figure in the shadows. His previous frustration seemed to have been blown away by the wind.
Qu Shiyao turned around naturally, her face showing no embarrassment at being caught peeping, but rather a candid smile.
"Yi Yu? What a coincidence. I just rode by and saw you talking to a friend, so I didn't go over to disturb you."
The reason is perfect! I was riding by, so it was perfectly reasonable to stop and take a look.
When Yi Yu saw her, her eyes lit up instantly. She quickly approached, her face filled with urgency and panic: "Sister Shiyao! Please don't misunderstand! That... she, she really is just my sister!"
He was afraid that Qu Shiyao would misunderstand something, so he hurriedly explained.
【Ha, men~ Classic line: We're just friends~】The system spoke sarcastically in my mind, skillfully using popular internet memes.
Qu Shiyao forced herself not to laugh out loud.
Yi Yu also felt that his explanation was as weak as a piece of paper, but he still took a deep breath and decided to make things clear, not wanting to leave any possibility for Sister Shi Yao to misunderstand.
"Actually... I'm an orphan. Her name is Tsai Yi-hsuan, and she's the daughter of my first adopted family. We... are not related by blood, and I really only see her as an older sister."
The word "orphan" is like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.
Qu Shiyao's smile faded slightly.
System: 【！！！】The sarcastic electronic voice that was just now suddenly fell silent, and the data stream seemed to freeze.
A huge sense of guilt welled up inside me. Had I gone too far? Could I take back those jokes?
Qu Shiyao's gaze fell on Yi Yu's face, with a hint of scrutiny that was barely perceptible.
His expression showed only tension and unease. Looking at her, his eyes were clear, without the expected grief, resentment, or shame stemming from his difficult past.
He seemed to be simply stating an objective fact, but he was worried about her opinion.
Yi Yu waited anxiously, only to see Qu Shiyao simply look at him quietly for a few seconds. Her bright eyes did not hold the sympathy, pity, or worse... alienation and discrimination that he had expected.
She neither exaggerated by saying "You're so pitiful" nor deliberately avoided the topic.
His gaze was calm, as if he were listening to him say, "The weather is nice today."
He lowered his head slightly, his fingers unconsciously curling slightly, a profound and indescribable sense of loss filling his chest. As expected… it was still…
"Would you like to sit?" Qu Shiyao's voice broke the silence.
She nimbly hopped back onto the electric scooter, picked up another helmet hanging on the front and handed it to him, gesturing with her chin toward the back seat as she casually asked, "Want to grab some skewers? I know a stall around the corner that's really good."
Yi Yu suddenly raised his head!
The light from the streetlamp fell into his suddenly wide-open eyes, as if two bright flames had been ignited in an instant. The light was so dazzling that it dispelled all the gloom and loss, illuminating his entire being.
The loneliness and exhaustion from before vanished, leaving only pure, almost overflowing surprise and joy.
"Okay!" he replied almost eagerly, his voice clear and loud. He quickly stepped onto the back seat, steadily taking the helmet that still held the warmth of her palm, his movements so fast it was as if he was afraid she would change her mind.
The electric scooter restarted, carrying the two of them into the city night.
The evening breeze slipped through the gaps in the helmet, carrying the faint scent of smoke from the barbecue stall.
Yi Yu, sitting in the back seat, couldn't help but smile.
That very evening, I jotted it down in my notebook: July 7th, evening. Sister Shiyao treated me to skewers! Electric scooter back seat secured!
Then I drew a small smiley face on the back.
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