Chapter 2: The Test Results Are Real

After sitting down, Mianmian Ruan unscrewed her thermos and took a sip of water.

Her colleague, Weiwei Xu, who sat beside her, leaned over and whispered, “Mianmian, you were so brave just now! How did you dare scold Bald Li like that? Aren’t you afraid he’ll make things difficult for you?”

Bald Li was the nickname employees used in private for Hao Li. His receding hairline had left him with only a few strands remaining.

Thinking of the life-extension system that had forcibly bound itself to her, Mianmian pressed her lips together, deliberately raised her voice, and said, “I’m not afraid. From now on, he won’t be able to exploit me. Whenever I’m treated unfairly, I’ll fight back bravely!”

She was already on the verge of losing her life—what was there left to fear?

It was only Bald Li. If he really dared try anything underhanded, she’d make sure to put him in his place!

After saying this, she cast a pointed glance at those who typically liked to order her around.

From now on, she’d refuse anything that wasn’t her responsibility!

Weiwei Xu gave her a thumbs up. “You’re awesome!”

She thought Mianmian Ruan had changed. Previously, Mianmian had been known for being soft and easygoing, never losing her temper, easy to talk to. As long as someone spoke with a bit of authority, she wouldn’t dare refuse.

But today had truly left her with a new impression.

Having just clawed her way back from the brink of death and then stood up to Bald Li, Mianmian Ruan was actually exhausted. Still, she forced herself to get her work done, so Bald Li wouldn’t have an excuse to pick on her.

She printed out the proposal she’d stayed up all night revising. Initially, she’d wanted to ask Weiwei Xu to deliver it to Bald Li for her, simply because she didn’t want to see him.

But remembering the life-extension system she’d been bound to, she decided to use Hao Li as another test subject.

So, she took the proposal to him herself.

Knocking on the office door, she heard Hao Li’s irritable voice: “Come in!”

She placed the proposal on his desk. “Supervisor Li, this is the revised proposal. You said the client was waiting, so I printed it out.”

Hao Li, still seething from being scolded in front of so many employees, narrowed his eyes. “Didn’t you just say you’d burn the proposal for me? So why are you handing it in now? If you have the guts, don’t submit it!”

Mianmian fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Supervisor Li, I really did want to burn it for you, but you’re sitting here perfectly fine. If you really can’t stand me, you could always die before me—I’ll make sure to burn it for you then, and you’ll definitely receive it in the afterlife.”

Hao Li slammed his desk in fury and jabbed a finger at her.

“You… Mianmian Ruan, get out!”

“Get out right now!”

A mechanical voice echoed in Mianmian’s mind:

Congratulations, Host. You’ve once again provoked Hao Li into a fit of helpless rage. Reward: 20 points, +2 days of life.

She glanced at the cold panel floating before her eyes, where a red number ticked down. With each tick, her life slipped away by another second.

And it was all because of this balding wretch before her!

With her dwindling life hanging by a thread, she retorted again, “Sorry, I really don’t know how to roll. Supervisor Li, could you demonstrate it for me? I’m a quick learner—maybe after watching you, I’ll get the hang of it. With your rounded figure that can’t even fit a belt, your rolling must be quite the spectacle!”

Hao Li’s temples throbbed with anger. He grabbed the files on his desk and hurled them at her. “Mianmian Ruan! You’re finished! Just wait to be fired!”

Again, the mechanical voice sounded in her mind:

Congratulations, Host. Consecutively infuriating Hao Li has earned you: 30 points, +3 days of life.

Mianmian shot Hao Li a disdainful look. “Just you wait, old man!”

She was nearly out of time—what was there to fear?

It was all this bastard’s fault!

Back at her desk, Weiwei Xu sidled over again. “Mianmian, you went into Bald Li’s office—did he yell at you?”

“He did, but I yelled back.”

The experiment had proven fruitful; she was now certain she’d truly been bound to a life-extension system, and provoking others was the key to staying alive.

If not for that, she’d probably be dead already.

“You really went head to head with him? He’s so petty—I wonder what he’ll do to you.”

“I’m not afraid of him.” With her life on a countdown, there was nothing left to fear.

Thanks to her bold confrontation with Hao Li, no one in the office dared take advantage of her for the time being.

Even Xiaofei Li and Yali Fang, who usually bossed her around, didn’t dare ask her to do anything.

Mianmian went to the pantry to fill her water bottle and grabbed some biscuits to replenish her energy.

For a lowly office worker like her, it took a lot of courage and energy to go a few rounds with Hao Li.

If it weren’t for the system, she’d have put up with things as usual.

But from now on, whether it was Hao Li or anyone else, she’d tolerate nothing.

With little time left, she just wanted to be herself.

She stuck it out until the end of the workday, then left with her canvas bag.

Once home, exhausted, she boiled some frozen dumplings from the fridge, ate them, and collapsed on the sofa, too tired to move.

Thinking of her binding to the system, there were still many things she didn’t understand, so she started a conversation with it:

“System, why did you bind with me?”

The system replied in its mechanical monotone: Host, you were detected by the main system as your vital signs approached the critical threshold, thus meeting the binding criteria. So, you were forcibly bound; otherwise, you would have died instantly.

“I see. Then tell me about your functions.”

When she first got bound to the system, all she knew was that points could upgrade the system or be exchanged for money, and could also extend her life. Everything else was a mystery.

Since they were bound now, she decided to learn all she could about this thing that could keep her alive.

This is a Provocation System. By provoking others, you earn life points and credits. Credits can be exchanged for money—one point equals a thousand yuan.

Credits can also upgrade the system. As it levels up, you’ll unlock all kinds of unexpected surprises, including random gift packs or lotteries. Please work hard to extend your life and upgrade the system.

“What happens if I run out of life points and die? What about you?”

If you die, this system… will not be affected.

“You’re lying—you hesitated just now!”

The system paused for three seconds. …In any case, if you work hard to earn points, you can both extend your life and become rich, along with unforgettable surprises. Why not give it your best effort?

Mianmian figured the system was probably tied to her. If she died, the system would likely crash as well.

But since it was unwilling to say more, there was nothing she could do.

“System, do you have a name?”

I’m the seventh sub-system under the main system. You can call me Subsystem Seven.

“Subsystem Seven? That’s not a great name. It’s too easy to mix up with ‘seven-tenths’ or ‘seven-tenth drunk.’ I’ll give you a new name—how about 007?”

She was especially fond of the old 007 movies.

…You’re the host, so whatever makes you happy.

“007, your voice is so cold and emotionless. Can’t you change it to something warmer?”

She didn’t want to keep hearing such an icy, mechanical tone—it sounded as if it might announce her death at any moment.