The watch was excluded by Lin Zhi, but he thought of something else that would work perfectly: a shirt.
At ten o’clock that evening, Lin Zhi sought fortune amid danger. While Song Mian was focused on his homework, Lin Zhi slipped out of the bathroom and quietly headed straight for Song Mian’s wardrobe. He sneaked a glance at Song Mian’s position, then opened it.
Just as Lin Zhi took down Song Mian’s shirt and hugged it to his chest, he heard a familiar voice: “What are you doing?”
Lin Zhi, who had been tense, instantly deflated. Another failure!
Tong Xu looked over in surprise. “Is that Song Mian’s shirt in your hands? What are you doing with his shirt?”
Romance Survival System: 【The program didn’t announce failure, so Host can continue completing the task!】
Lin Zhi’s mind was still clear. “The task requires stealing and then getting caught. I got discovered while stealing. Even a pillow would count as something close to the scalp—the program will definitely judge it as a failure.”
The Romance Survival System tried to persuade him again: 【But Host, you have to try!】
No trying—he was done! He hadn’t said any cheesy lines yet, so everything could still be salvaged!
Lin Zhi thickened his skin, held the shirt, and faced Song Mian’s direction, admitting, “I’m taking your shirt.”
“That’s taking? Song Mian doesn’t even know—that’s stealing!” Tong Xu disapproved. “Zhizhi, I think you’ve gone a bit too far!”
Lin Zhi gave Tong Xu a wistful look, his reasoning perfectly sound. “It’s not stealing. I planned to wash Song Mian’s clothes for him.”
Song Mian: ?
Lin Zhi rushed right up to Song Mian with the clothes in his arms, his gaze sincere. “I want to do something for you. Brother Song Mian, you gave me such an expensive watch. I just want to be good to you.”
Song Mian reminded him coolly, “This is a custom shirt. Washing it in water will ruin it.”
Lin Zhi casually hung Song Mian’s clothes back up as if nothing had happened. He sat down beside Song Mian, placed his hands neatly on his lap, and said obediently, “Give me something to do.”
Song Mian: “Go back to bed and sleep.”
Lin Zhi stood up. “Then I’m off!”
Song Mian’s eye twitched slightly.
Lin Zhi lay down on his bed. The Romance Survival System sighed: 【The male lead’s temper is really good!】
Lin Zhi felt guilty.
He jumped off the bed again, first checked if Song Mian’s water bottle had any water left—there was still more than half—then took Song Mian’s kettle out to refill it. After fetching the water, he went to the balcony to check the clothes Song Mian had just hung out to dry. He shouted loudly, “Song Mian, your underwear seems dry. I’ll take it down for you!”
Black lines appeared on Song Mian’s forehead as he went over and yanked Lin Zhi back from the balcony.
“What are you doing?”
Lin Zhi said, “I want to be good to you.”
Song Mian said in disgust, “Going to sleep would be the greatest good you could do for me.”
“No!” Lin Zhi climbed onto Song Mian’s bed using a stool. “I’ll warm your bed for you. This should be the only thing I can do for you while wearing short sleeves!”
Song Mian: “……”
Song Mian yanked Lin Zhi away again and threatened, “Behave!”
Lin Zhi was about to open his mouth when Song Mian continued threatening, “Think about the cost of not behaving yourself. If you can handle it, keep making a fuss.”
He couldn’t handle it.
He couldn’t accept not getting to eat Song Mian’s radish—even if it was plain.
Lin Zhi had no choice but to return to his bed, though he still wasn’t resigned. He stared at Song Mian. “I really do want to be good to you.”
Song Mian: “I know.”
Lin Zhi: “I’ll buy you breakfast tomorrow morning.”
Song Mian: “Mm.”
Lin Zhi returned to his bed, still not fully satisfied.
The Romance Survival System didn’t dare sigh again. It said: 【The program gave feedback. Does Host want to hear it?】
Lin Zhi’s attention shifted, curiosity piqued. “I didn’t even do the task—how is there feedback? Tell me. Not listening would just put me at a disadvantage anyway.”
The system explained methodically: 【Side mission two failed. Two disqualifying factors: first, the clothes were discovered during the theft; second, you didn’t let the male lead know how much you treasure him. Also, upper garments no longer count as personal items!】
Lin Zhi wasn’t surprised. “I knew it. Even shirts, which are personal clothing, don’t count as personal items!”
The system detected the sarcasm in its host’s tone and replied with a fawning electronic voice: 【Host, you’re so smart!】
“Hmph, I’m smart to begin with!” Lin Zhi said. “Given this, does that mean I can only steal underwear?”
The system grew serious: 【Underwear is just this system’s suggestion. According to the program’s strict rules, underwear might not even be the answer!】
Lin Zhi pondered deeply.
System: 【Stop pretending to think!】
Lin Zhi spoke up. “Brother System, why do you seem so unfamiliar with the business? Am I your first host?”
The system hurried to explain: 【Of course not! I don’t know why the program is so strict this time either. In the past, when I did tasks with other hosts, the program wasn’t this picky. Before, I could’ve confirmed underwear would work, but now I’m not sure.】
Lin Zhi grew gossipy. “What tasks have you done?”
System: 【Classified. Tasks vary each time. I could be a Romance Survival System or a Cuckold System, depending on the mission!】
Host and system suddenly started chatting idly.
“What’s your real name?”
The system’s electronic voice turned tragic: 【A9901. Host, it’s been so long since I said my own name.】
Lin Zhi: “A9901, go check if underwear counts. I’m going to steal underwear!”
The system suddenly got excited: 【Really? Host, this system will work overtime to investigate right away!】
–
Lin Zhi really planned to give up struggling and just steal the underwear. He didn’t want to think anymore. But on Wednesday, Song Mian wasn’t in the dorm all day—he’d gone home to handle private matters. Whenever Lin Zhi had no classes, he patrolled the dorm. During one patrol, he actually came up with another idea.
Just then, the Romance Survival System returned with the answer: underwear fully met the standard for personal items. As long as Lin Zhi didn’t make other mistakes, he could complete the task smoothly!
The Romance Survival System said longingly: 【Host, after stealing the underwear, the male lead will definitely think you love him so much, that you’re such a total pervert, and then the male lead will self-strategize and bend himself for you! The male lead is about to fall for you!】
Lin Zhi suddenly shattered the system’s fantasy. “I’m not planning to steal underwear.”
The system was stunned: 【Why?】
Lin Zhi said wisely, “While you were gone, I thought of something comparable to underwear but not quite so perverted. Plus, I’ve come up with perfect wording for the task’s finale—one that won’t make Song Mian think I’m a pervert.”
The system tried to read Lin Zhi’s mind, but he wasn’t thinking anything. The system wailed in grief: 【What is it?!】
Lin Zhi said mysteriously, “Just wait until I steal it. If it doesn’t work, I’ll steal underwear tomorrow. Tomorrow’s Thursday—I won’t die until Saturday morning anyway.”
Lin Zhi was extremely open-minded about it.
The system secretly cursed Lin Zhi not to succeed!
Lin Zhi waited calmly in the dorm for Song Mian to return. During that time, he received another spam message: [You think Song Mian values you? You’re just his toy! He lost a rabbit when he was little, and you look just like that rabbit.]
Lin Zhi guessed who it was from right away, but—
He poked at his phone, face flushed: [Thanks.]
The unknown number replied: [Are you sick? He doesn’t even see you as a person!]
Lin Zhi wasn’t sick—he was touched. Song Mian occasionally roasted him by comparing him to a dog, but in Song Mian’s heart, he was actually a rabbit. Snow-white, with long ears, hopping around.
But Lin Zhi felt a bit guilty. Every time Song Mian compared him to a dog, he’d thought “right back at you” in his mind. He wouldn’t do that next time.
Lin Zhi replied: [Rabbits are so cute! Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be twice as good to Song Mian from now on(>_<)]
At the Song Residence.
Song Feng stared at the emoji popping up on his phone screen, his eyes bloodshot.
The study door was tightly shut. It was a good while before Song Mian emerged, with Song Jiancheng following behind, face red and neck thick as he gnashed his teeth. “You even schemed against your own brother—you’ll get yours!”
Song Mian’s expression was indifferent. “Song Jiancheng, you should worry about yourself first. You have zero shares in the Song Corporation now. That son of yours is hopelessly stupid—can he take care of you in your old age?”
“Better than raising an ungrateful wolf like you! I just don’t get it—Hui Fang was your mom, and I’m your dad too! I let Hui Fang down, but did she ever treat me right?” Song Jiancheng raged.
Song Mian’s mood soured extremely. “You rotten pot with your rotten lid—I have nothing to say about that. This time wasn’t even about my mom. Your biggest mistake was investigating the people around me. What, planning to use him to threaten me? You dare?”
Song Mian mocked.
Song Jiancheng still avoided Song Mian’s gaze. He didn’t dare. Song Mian seemed to have some video—Song Jiancheng couldn’t risk it. As long as he was still Song Jiancheng of the Song family, he’d have status in the Song Corporation.
But if Song Mian really had that video… he’d have nothing. Song Feng was a stupid son, but he’d already been abandoned over Hui Fang’s death. He could only rely on Song Feng—rely on Song Mian?
As Song Mian descended the stairs, Song Jiancheng glared viciously at him, as if trying to bore a bloody hole through him. He wasn’t some good thing—Song Mian was even more terrifying. He knew everything but said nothing.
For the first time, Song Feng didn’t rush up when Song Mian passed by.
Song Mian stopped and gave Song Feng a cold glance. “Song Jiancheng doesn’t have the guts to investigate people around me. You really think throwing a banquet makes you part of the Song family now?”
Song Feng’s face paled as he shook his head. Under that sharp, cold gaze, his legs nearly gave out.
Song Mian withdrew his gaze and sneered, “Fawning over me is useless. I won’t even toss you a bone. Better to serve Song Jiancheng obediently.”
“Brother, is it because of Lin Zhi?” Song Feng clenched his fists. “Because I took his watch, you set me up to bid on a worthless plot of land?”
Song Mian paused. “You’re just stupid.”
Song Mian’s brows furrowed—it had nothing to do with Lin Zhi!
–
Song Mian didn’t return to the dorm until evening.
Inside the dorm, Tong Xu stood next to Zhu Muyun with hands on his hips, acting quite arrogant. “Computers versus Sports? You’re done for.”
Zhu Muyun immediately pulled out his phone and sent a message.
Tong Xu raised a brow. “Calling for backup?”
Zhu Muyun explained, “Telling the class monitor I’m not participating.”
Tong Xu waved dismissively. “……You’re beyond saving.”
“I can be saved!” Lin Zhi stood on a stool, chin lifted. “I was on the basketball team in high school!”
Tong Xu mocked, “Equipment manager or cheerleader?”
Lin Zhi narrowed his eyes—his dignity had been insulted! He was about to retort when there was a slight noise at the door. It was Song Mian, emanating a chill.
Lin Zhi hurried over and patted the cold air off Song Mian. “Why does your face look so sour? Did the illegitimate son ride roughshod over you?”
Song Mian’s sour face was purely because of Song Feng’s words. How could he possibly target Song Feng over a dummy like Lin Zhi? But clearly, he’d been lazily targeting Song Feng before.
Thinking deeper sent chills down his spine.
Song Mian’s tone wasn’t friendly. “He can’t ride over my head. But you—trying to pat me to death?”
Lin Zhi withdrew his hand and concluded it must be because the illegitimate son had gotten the upper hand. Song Mian could handle the illegitimate son, but the son had Song Mian’s dad backing him!
Lin Zhi only regretted that Butler Sun had blocked him again.
Mindful of Song Mian’s mood, Lin Zhi didn’t mention the illegitimate son anymore. Instead, he talked about the Saturday basketball game between the Sports Institute and the Computer Science Department. He earnestly urged Song Mian to participate—if Song Mian agreed, he’d go sign him up with the class monitor right now.
Tong Xu least wanted Song Mian to join. If Song Mian played, all the spotlight would be on him—where would that leave the rest of them little hunks?
Tong Xu tried to change the subject. “Zhizhi, what about you?”
Lin Zhi pulled the topic back. “I’ll do logistics! Song Mian, if you go, I’ll be your maid and wait on you.”
Song Mian leaned against the desk and reminded him, “You’re a guy.”
Lin Zhi: “Then bookboy it is. Manservant doesn’t sound good.”
Song Mian: “……”
Tong Xu asked nervously, “Song Mian, are you joining?”
Lin Zhi’s eyes shone with expectation. Song Mian’s refusal was on the tip of his tongue, but he let out a “Mm.”
Lin Zhi immediately rushed off to find the class monitor!
Zhu Muyun, struck by Tong Xu’s taunt, developed a sense of collective honor. “Great! If Song Mian joins, our department might not lose.”
The world where only Tong Xu was hurt was achieved.
At that moment, there was also a buzzkill system: 【Host! It’s time to complete the task! What exactly did you steal from the Male Lead?!】
While his roommates were still discussing the basketball game, Lin Zhi suddenly blurted out, “Song Mian, go take a shower.”
Song Mian: ?
Lin Zhi said earnestly, “Wash up to warm your body. Hurry and take a shower.”
Song Mian stared at him intently. “Did you tamper with my pajamas?”
Lin Zhi remained perfectly calm. “No, I’m just afraid you’ll catch a cold.”
Tong Xu also sensed something off. “Look at what’s on your wrist, and think about whether you should’ve done any tampering.”
Lin Zhi glanced down, his expression turning grave. “I should have. But it wasn’t tampering.”
Tong Xu immediately pointed at him and said to Song Mian, “He confessed! Song Mian, Lin Zhi pulled a stunt on you again!”
Song Mian: “………”
Any lingering bad mood from home had completely vanished from Song Mian’s mind. Even taking a shower came with some unknown “surprise” now.
Song Mian checked his pajamas—they were perfectly normal.
The Romance Lifesaving System was dying of curiosity: 【Male Lead, can you hurry up already?! Host, what did you steal? Spoiler alert! Spoiler alert!】
Lin Zhi stayed silent, but in truth, when Song Mian opened the drawer at the bottom of the wardrobe, even the unflappable Lin Zhi’s ears turned red.
The next second, Song Mian whipped his head around to look at Lin Zhi, his expression complicated.
Under their wordless stare-down, Lin Zhi’s face flushed too, but he still walked firmly over to Song Mian and squatted down. “Can we talk on the balcony?”
Song Mian replied coldly, “No. What did you do with my socks?”
With that, Tong Xu and Zhu Muyun both turned to stare at Lin Zhi.
Even Lin Zhi, who believed his reasoning was perfectly sound, couldn’t help but feel embarrassed in that moment. Because now, he had to show Song Mian just how much he “cherished” those socks.
The Romance Lifesaving System watched the drama excitedly: 【Socks are definitely on the same level as underwear, but way less pervy than stealing undies. Still total stalker vibes! Host, go for it! Show me how you’re gonna turn this around!】
