Feng Yongrui had no idea that his (would-be) employer was talking about killing him as casually as if he was talking about the weather.
Feng Yongrui had finished eating the bread and cheese, and he was drinking tea from a porcelain cup. As he drank the tea, he noticed that Dobbin's eyes were following his every move.
Feng Yongrui's lips twitched and he put down the teacup.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" he asked. This guy had been eyeing him like this during the entire meal.
"Hahaha~ Are you sensitive~? Don't worry, I won't bite you~" came the frivolous reply.
Feng Yongrui rolled his eyes and did not say anything. When he was done eating and drinking, Dobbin led him out of the room and showed him where the bathroom was. He also opened a cupboard and told Feng Yongrui where all the towels and new clothes were kept.
When he was done talking, Feng Yongrui took a quick shower, washing away all the grime and dirt in his body. He changed into a fresh set of clothes and returned to his room, where Dobbin was waiting for him.
"The Boss told me to babysit you, so even though I'm very busy and I have a ton of things that need to be taken care of, I'll spend some time with you here," Dobbin said.
Feng Yongrui rolled his eyes and retorted, "Are you sure you're spending time with me because of the Boss' words, or are you actually staying with me to avoid work?"
Dobbin was slightly taken aback and clicked his tongue. "Getting aggressive, are we?"
"I'm not aggressive," Feng Yongrui denied. "I just don't like your tone."
When the words left his mouth, Feng Yongrui once again felt incredulous. He usually wasn't this talkative... If someone were to tease him, he'd usually keep quiet and not say anything, so why was he like this now...?
Maybe it was because he missed the System.
Eh? Feng Yongrui quickly dispelled those thoughts. How could he miss that System... No way... the System was just annoying and bothersome...
"Since I'm still a patient, let me go to sleep for a while," Feng Yongrui decided and told Dobbin.
"Sleeping already? Is your stamina that bad?" Dobbin scoffed.
Feng Yongrui ignored the man's snarky comments and simply said 'goodnight'. When he closed his eyes, though, he did not fall asleep. Instead, he tried to call the System.
***
...Now, let's talk about the System.
When Feng Yongrui was in the Phantom Realm, the System had left him to report the situation to the higher ups. At that time, the System had been scolded so severely that it almost lost a piece of skin (to be precise, metal).
As you may know, the System had a lot of pride, so it had never occurred to it that one day it would become a mouse. Becoming a mouse and being bullied (tickled) by Feng Yongrui was already one of the greatest humiliation that it had ever experienced...
The System's heart was filled with indignation, but when it was transferred into this world, its indignation turned into anger. When the System-mouse opened its eyes, it had found itself inside a rubbish bin.
There was something slimy and sticky all over its fur, and when it tried to move, it stepped on a mushy-like vegetable that was obviously rotten. The System-mouse could not stand it.
The worst part of it all was the smell. the pungent odor of grease, rubbish, rotten food, and flies made it nauseous. With great difficulty, the System had somehow managed to climb out of the rubbish bin.
The System had no idea where it was, and the higher ups didn't help give it directions either, so the System had to wander around in confusion, almost getting killed, trampled on, and eaten several times.
Now, the System was currently resting in a small hole that was just the right size. This small crack in the wall was a convenient place that hid the System-mouse from humans and animals alike.
Since the System had been busy trying to survive all day, its heart was filled with bitterness, so when it heard Feng Yongrui's voice inside its head calling it, the System felt a surge of emotions.
There was a sour feeling inside its heart... When it heard Feng Yongrui's voice that was obviously refreshed and happy the System was obviously annoyed. Why did this dratted human get to enjoy his life, while it was suffering as a mouse?
But... apart from the feeling of annoyance, the System strangely felt a sense of joy blooming inside its heart.
...Maybe it actually missed Feng Yongrui.
No, this was probably some sort of heart disease, the System convinced itself...
***
"System," Feng Yongrui called for the nth time.
"...Host, I'm here," the System's childlike voice sounded in Feng Yongrui's ears. The System sounded a bit aggrieved.
"Where are you, System?" Feng Yongrui asked.
"I-Inside my (temporary) house," the System replied, sniffing.
"Okay. What have you been doing all day?" Without waiting for the System's reply, Feng Yongrui quickly explained what had happened to him.
"So... the Guild Leader of the Enigma guild is taking care of me. After I get better, I'll meet him and work for him," Feng Yongrui explained.
"Host, I seriously don't understand the choice of becoming the prince's study partner is obviously better, why did you end up becoming an assassin?" the System wailed.
"As expected, Host, you can't live without me," it added.
Usually, when the System said things like this, Feng Yongrui would inexplicably feel a tinge of annoyance. But today, hearing the soft, milky voice speaking in an aggrieved tone like this, Feng Yongrui's heart couldn't help but soften.
"Alright, alright," Feng Yongrui sighed. "I can't live without you, that's why I called you right?"
Feng Yongrui heard sniffling sounds from the other side and wanted to laugh. When the System was calmer, Feng Yongrui went straight to business.
"System, what is my main mission in this world again?" He asked.
"You have to make sure all the requirements are met, Host," came the reply.
A blue transparent screen appeared in front of him and Feng Yongrui read the requirements for this world to be stable.
1. Cinderella had to go to the ball.
2. The prince had to dance with Cinderella.
3. At midnight, she had to run away and drop one glass slipper.
4. The prince had to from house to house to find her.
5. The prince and Cinderella had to get married.
All in all, there were five requirements for this world to be stable, and all of them had to be fulfilled. And, based on the information that the System had previously given him, the BUG prince was not simple.
Feng Yongrui talked to the System again.
"What about you, System? Where are you? I know that we're getting separated because we're being punished, but where will you live?" he wanted to know.
"...I have my own set of punishments to complete," the System admitted. While you're doing your mission, I'll have to do my punishments and also make sure that Cinderella, the heroine in this world, is okay."
"I see..."
Feng Yongrui wanted to speak again, but he paused and thought for a while.
"...Will you be okay by yourself?" Feng Yongrui asked, feeling a tinge of worry.
The System was silent for two seconds before it roared in anger.
"What kind of question is that, huh?! Are you doubting this almighty System of yours?? The one who should be concerned about his own life is you! YOU!"
Feng Yongrui: "..."
Fine, the System was back to normal.
After chatting with the System for a few more minutes, the two of them ended their chat and Feng Yongrui opened his eyes. Dobbin was nowhere to be seen, so Feng Yongrui got down from the bed and left his room.
He passed by the bathroom and noticed a flight of stairs. Feeling curious, Feng Yongrui climbed the stairs slowly, wincing every time the wooden boards creaked under his feet.
When he reached the top of the stairs, Feng Yongrui found himself in a large, empty space. Well, it wasn't totally empty. There were two wooden figures that resembled humans on one corner of the room.
Feng Yongrui saw Dobbin standing opposite the wooden figures, his right hand holding a white cloth and his left hand holding a gleaming weapon. It was probably a weapon.
Feng Yongrui's eyes grew brighter and he looked at Dobbin silently, wanting to observe the man in secret. However, less than 3 seconds had passed before Dobbin opened his mouth and spoke.
"Hey, kid, what are you doing standing there?" he asked, not looking up.
"What, are you blinded by my handsomeness?"
Feng Yongrui pursed his lips and did not reply. This was probably the first time he met someone like this. So annoying, and yet interesting as well.
Since Dobbin had already noticed his presence, Feng Yongrui did not hide anymore. He walked closer to Dobbin and looked at the shiny daggers in his hands.
***
System: *starts crying*
Feng Yongrui: System, are you there?
System: Waa~ I missed you~~
Feng Yongrui: Oh, really?
System: N-no.