After Being Bound to the Scummy Alpha System, I Became Famous Thanks to My Face Blindness - Chapter 45

In an instant, Tan Shiyi’s expression darkened.

She didn’t want to respond to Pu Xiaoyu. Turning away, she continued feeding the little penguins.

Pu Xiaoyu didn’t press further, only watching her with an intense, unabashed gaze.

The penguins were adorable, tilting their heads and staring eagerly at the small bamboo basket in Tan Shiyu’s hands, tottering and waddling along, following her every step.

But Tan Shiyi no longer felt the relaxed ease she had a moment ago.

She quickly finished scattering the fish, returned the basket to a nearby staff member, removed her disposable gloves, took off the protective suit, and sank into a hallway bench, staring absently at the fish swimming behind the glass.
Pu Xiaoyu came up and sat beside her. “So, did my words put pressure on you?”

Tan Shiyi’s voice was flat, devoid of emotion. “Miss Pu, I really think you shouldn’t joke around with me.”

Pu Xiaoyu smiled. “Joke? How am I joking? I’ve always been serious. It’s just that all this time, your eyes were only on Tang Ling—not me. Haven’t I already told you that you and Tang Ling aren’t a good match?”

Tan Shiyi gave a self-mocking laugh. “You’re right. We really aren’t compatible. That’s why we’ve never been together. Please don’t make random assumptions anymore.”

“Oh?” Pu Xiaoyu leaned closer. “So, you two argued as friends, then?”

Tan Shiyi frowned. “Shiyi Pu, aren’t you worrying a bit too much about things that have nothing to do with you?”

Pu Xiaoyu’s tone was teasing. “Nothing to do with me? I’m just caring about my future girlfriend—what’s wrong with that?”

Tan Shiyi felt goosebumps all over. She stood, putting distance between herself and Pu Xiaoyu. “Miss Pu, I think I should go back. I don’t want to disturb you any longer today.”

“Are you really going to run away from me so quickly?” Pu Xiaoyu stood and followed her. “So, I take it that means I’ve been rejected?”

Biting her lip, Tan Shiyi said, “You’re very good, it’s just that I’m not planning to date anyone right now.”

“Not planning to date anyone,” Pu Xiaoyu repeated with a smile. “Even if it was Tang Ling confessing to you today, you still wouldn’t want to date?”

Tan Shiyi’s patience was wearing thin. She didn’t understand why Pu Xiaoyu kept dragging Tang Ling into the conversation, entangling her in this way.

Coldly, she said, “No matter who it is, I’m not planning to date. I’m at a crucial point in my career, and I should focus fully on work. Isn’t that what you told me, Miss Pu?”

Pu Xiaoyu studied her for a long moment, then chuckled softly. “Has anyone ever told you that your icy demeanor makes you incredibly appealing?”

Tan Shiyi could no longer stand it. “Miss Pu, it’s getting late. I need to go back to training. We’ll meet another time.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Pu Xiaoyu stepped closer, draping an arm over her shoulders. “Why so unteasing? Calm down. I’ll take you to get something delicious to eat.”

Tan Shiyi forcefully shook off her arm, offering a polite but strained smile. “Sorry to disappoint you. I really can’t take jokes like this—please go eat by yourself.”

Then she turned to a staff member nearby, who was watching the scene curiously. “Could you please show me the way to the exit? It’s my first time here, and I’m not very familiar with the route.”

She glanced back at Pu Xiaoyu, heart still racing. Luckily, she didn’t follow. With the staff around, she finally felt some sense of safety. Otherwise, she had no idea how she could have escaped today.

Pu Xiaoyu remained where she was, shaking her head with a faint, inscrutable smile.

She opened Weibo and posted the photo she had just taken of Tan Shiyi: “Today’s ad shoot location: the aquarium.”

It quickly went viral:

• “Ahhhh, hubby finally posted a pic! Let me see, why isn’t it a selfie?”

• “Ooh, is this a marine life conservation ad? She’s feeding the little penguins!”

• “Nope, it’s a swimsuit ad—the location just happens to be the aquarium. The ad will be released in a few days.”

• “That’s Tan Shiyi! Congrats on your second collaboration after Summer Equation!”

• “This photo is literally girlfriend POV. So sweet. I ship this CP so hard.”

• “Just asking, is Tang Shi doomed now? qwq”

After the second half of the third public performance aired, the Tang Shi CP had faced a lot of doubt. Despite being in the same group, they hadn’t appeared together as a CP. On top of that, they hadn’t interacted much on other platforms, and many new fans weren’t as firmly committed.

Pu Xiaoyu’s post shook their stance further.

Even Tang Ling herself felt unsettled.

By evening, Tan Shiyi hadn’t returned after training. The other girls had gone to dinner, leaving her alone in the practice room, idly scrolling through her phone.

She happened upon Pu Xiaoyu’s Weibo post.

In the photo, Tan Shiyi wore a bulky protective suit, looking like a clumsy little bear, her face lit up with a pure, simple smile. The entire image radiated warmth and gentleness.

Tang Ling felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her—chilling her to the bone.

This was the kind of smile Tan Shiyi had never shown her.

Clearly, this wasn’t a work photo. Tan Shiyi had finished shooting but hadn’t returned—she was out enjoying the aquarium with Pu Xiaoyu.

The realization left Tang Ling agitated.

She tried to reason objectively: this was probably good for Tan Shiyi. She no longer had to suffocate in such a confined environment; she could get out more, relax, and heal from the harm Tang Ling herself had caused.

Subjectively, though, Tang Ling couldn’t control her emotions. For the first time, she felt a possessiveness toward Tan Shiyi. She didn’t want to see that pure, unguarded smile on anyone else’s face. She wanted to keep every expression of Tan Shiyi’s just for herself.

Even knowing this was selfish and capricious, she couldn’t stop it.

She belatedly realized that she might—no, that she did like Tan Shiyi.

Not “might.” She did like her.

Unfortunately, Tan Shiyi would never like her back again.

Just then, Xiao Nan’s sniffling voice echoed in her mind.

“Host, I declare I’m shipping you two! You’ve finally realized your feelings for Shiyi!”

Of all things, what Tang Ling found most annoying right now was this two-faced, split-personality customer service system.

“Can you not be so dramatic? No one cares about your ships here. Just—stay away from me.”

Xiao Nan choked up.

“Host, I’ve truly turned over a new leaf as a customer service rep. I admit I used to waver between love and performance metrics, but after the past few days, I’ve realized—business achievements only bring fleeting satisfaction. You and Shiyi have been fighting, and I’ve been miserable too. I mean, I’m just a program written by the system. For me to achieve this level of self-awareness isn’t easy! How about giving me another chance?”

Tang Ling: “…”

There were too many things wrong with that speech, she didn’t even know where to start.

So now this program was admitting it was just code—yet here it was talking about career goals and the thrill of love like a human being?

Tang Ling said coolly, “What kind of chance do you want?”

Xiao Nan immediately replied, “I want to help you win Shiyi back!”

“Heh.” Tang Ling sneered. “No thanks. The mess I’m in now? I owe that all to you.”

Xiao Nan whined pitifully, “But I’ve really learned my lesson this time. After all, this is my first job as a customer service system.”

Tang Ling: “?”

Tang Ling: “Wait—weren’t you the one who bragged about how many scummy Alphas you’d coached before me? You said you were a professional in rehabilitating bad Alphas, remember?”

Xiao Nan muttered softly, “I might’ve exaggerated a little.”

Tang Ling: “…”

Figures. No wonder everything had turned into such a disaster.

Tang Ling’s expression hardened. “Fine, then tell me—how am I supposed to chase her now? After everything that’s happened, what face do I even have to do that?”

Xiao Nan fell silent.

Tang Ling pressed on, “Let’s say I somehow do win her back. What then? Once my ‘scummy value’ drops, what happens to me? Do I end up hurting her all over again? Or let myself turn into an N-class Omega? Are you kidding me?”

Xiao Nan hurriedly said, “You won’t, Host! We don’t have many days left together anyway. The scummy value won’t affect you forever.”

Tang Ling’s heart stirred. “What do you mean?”

Xiao Nan explained, “Host, remember the system’s punishment mechanism? During the binding period, if your scummy value falls below zero, you’ll regress into an N-class Omega. But—if you complete your secondary differentiation while your value stays above zero, you’ll no longer be under the system’s threat. That means you’ll automatically be unbound.”

Tang Ling’s eyes lit up. “My birthday is July twelfth.”

Xiao Nan quickly chimed in, “Exactly! About twenty days from now, you’ll complete your secondary differentiation. By then, you’ll be free from the system’s control! Until then, we just have to keep your scummy value stable. Once that’s done, you can safely pursue Shiyi!”

Joy flickered in Tang Ling’s chest. Whatever else happened, breaking free from the system was good news. She tried not to show it, keeping her tone frosty.

“So? What’s your grand plan?”

Xiao Nan stammered, “I don’t really have one yet, but I’m willing to brainstorm with you! I’ve truly changed. I want to be a customer service rep who contributes to society! I don’t want you to look back someday and feel only hatred for me.”

Tang Ling: “…”

What kind of nonsense was that supposed to be?

Tang Ling warned, “Let’s get one thing straight—I’m not going to follow your every word. Don’t try to control me.”

Xiao Nan rushed to say, “Of course! I promise, this time I’ll only be your loyal assistant!”

At that moment, the door to the practice room opened.

Tan Shiyi stepped inside. Contrary to what Tang Ling had imagined, there was no lightness or relief on her face—only exhaustion.

Noticing Tang Ling’s gaze, Tan Shiyi looked up briefly.

For a fleeting second, their eyes met—then both quickly looked away.

Tang Ling knew this version of Tan Shiyi all too well. Her voice dropped. “She’s got something on her mind.”

Xiao Nan’s tone suddenly turned sly. “Host, I have an idea. Not sure if I should say it.”