My System, My Wife Feng Aotian [Transmigration] - Chapter 4

Feng Jue: “…”

“What you are saying is that in order to avoid Xue Bufan, I must find someone to marry myself off to?” Feng Jue felt the conversation had devolved into the realm of the ridiculous.

“In terms of objective, yes.” 03’s mechanical voice remained perfectly calm.

“Getting married and having children before the male lead sweeps across the world fits past patterns. Based on my data from previous Long Aotian novels, not a single supporting character who broke an engagement with a Long Aotian managed to marry and bear children within a year.”

03 analyzed the situation. Moreover, this method seemed highly cost-effective; it wouldn’t even require the system to provide many golden fingers. All it needed to do was find a suitable candidate!

It was just a bit of a shame that doing so would bring the mission to a swift end.

03 looked at Feng Jue’s alluring, stunning face, the silver light around its body flickering slightly.

Yet, after it made the suggestion, its host remained utterly silent. A virtual question mark popped up above 03’s head.

Was this suggestion no good either?

With a sharp whip of her sleeve, Feng Jue turned on her heel and vanished into a streak of flowing light.

??

03 spun around in a circle on the completely deserted hilltop, thoroughly bewildered. Before a distance warning could pop up, it whooshed away, finally spotting Feng Jue walking briskly down the corridor of a palace building.

It hurried to catch up, trailing closely behind her.

“May I ask what the issue is?” 03 inquired humbly, seeking guidance from its host.

Feng Jue let out a cold sneer.

Before they knew it, darkness had blanketed the sky. The palace lanterns on both sides of the corridor flickered to life, winding through the grand structures like a long, glowing dragon. The light from the luminous pearls washed over Feng Jue. As she walked, the swinging of her sleeves made the phoenix embroidery seem to come alive, its gaze sharp and furious—mirroring Feng Jue’s current state of mind.

03 followed Feng Jue all the way into the inner palace chamber. This appeared to be her bedchamber, a space even more opulent and exquisite than the grand hall outside. Every corner was meticulously designed and filled with fine treasures, yet not a single servant was in sight. Feng Jue reclined upon her couch, leaning her cheek against her hand as she glared coldly at 03.

What happened?

03 spun around in the air. Peering at its reflection in a nearby porcelain vase that could mirror shapes, it confirmed it was still the same old 03. It hadn’t changed colors or anything.

“03, let me ask you something.” Feng Jue hooked her finger.

03 floated over, landing gently on the tip of her finger.

Feng Jue, who had only intended for it to draw closer, paused. She arched an eyebrow but didn’t say anything more, letting her hand cradle this ball of light that possessed no warmth, no weight, and no physical substance.

She inquired, “Since you claim this world is a book and that Xue Bufan and I are merely characters within it, and since you speak of this ‘Long Aotian’ plot and want me to change my destiny, why don’t you simply tell me the original plotline of this world? And how exactly did I fall…”

Her face darkened slightly at this point, and she ground her teeth together before forcing out the rest of the sentence: “How did I fall in love with Xue Bufan?”

If she knew the specifics, there would be no need for all this agonizing. She could simply make choices that directly opposed the plot.

03’s flat, mechanical voice explained, “That is due to my own limitations.”

“The higher a system’s rank, the more vague and generalized the information provided at the start of a mission becomes. Following my most recent upgrade, I am now the highest-ranking system under the Main System with the greatest authorization, which results in receiving even less initial mission data. However, please rest assured, Host. As long as you cooperate, I will gather the relevant plot details over the course of the mission and combine them with my past experiences to provide you with the absolute best strategy.”

03 added, “The host’s choice is 03’s choice, and the host’s mission is 03’s mission. 03 will dedicate itself entirely to helping the host!”

Despite its explanation, Feng Jue’s furrowed brow did not smooth out. She wouldn’t easily place her trust in a bizarre entity of unknown origins.

“What do you stand to gain from doing this?” Feng Jue demanded.

The benefits were naturally numerous. A system’s arrival to alter a character’s destiny generated a massive amount of energy, which served as fuel to keep the system world running. Every system that successfully completed a mission earned points—the currency of the system world and the energy required for systems to upgrade.

Because 03 held a high rank, its missions were exceptionally difficult, but the points rewarded upon completion were correspondingly the highest!

Following its explanation, Feng Jue understood. If 03 had claimed it gained nothing and was acting entirely out of pure altruism for her sake, she wouldn’t have believed a single word. But since there were benefits and profits driving its actions, its words carried far more credibility.

“I see.” Feng Jue nodded, continuing with keen interest, “Then who exactly is this Main System?”

Regarding her turning the tables to cross-examine it, 03 remained exceedingly patient. In its understanding, this kind of interaction served to deepen mutual trust.

“The Main System is the most respected entity among all systems. It constructed the rules, and all systems operate under its framework. It is an exceptionally brilliant, perfect, and powerful system!” A virtual bubble popped up above 03’s head, displaying a golden thumbs-up inside.

Feng Jue: “…”

What is this thing now?

Pausing for a moment, she continued, “It seems you hold it in quite high regard. Good, I appreciate loyalty.”

Feng Jue spoke in a slow, deliberate manner, offering 03 a brilliant smile.

The thumbs-up inside the bubble instantly transformed into a ^.^ emoticon.

Feng Jue’s smile shifted slightly as she abruptly veered the topic off course. “Then since you like the Main System so much, do you love it?”

The emoticon above 03’s head vanished in a split second.

It stated in absolute shock, “Why on earth would 03 love the Main System?”

“Why wouldn’t you? Is this system you speak of not incredibly formidable, perfect, and powerful in your eyes?” Feng Jue countered.

“All systems respect the Main System, but it is not what humans refer to as love or affection. We do not possess those kinds of emotions,” 03 explained. It paused for a moment as something rippled through its data stream, only to vanish into nothingness a fraction of a second later, leaving no trace to be found.

03 continued, “Systems are composed of data. We can only comprehend human emotions conceptually; we cannot manifest them. You can think of systems and humans as numbers and words, Host. Words can express joy, anger, sorrow, and delight, but numbers will always remain numbers.”

Because this world lacked Arabic numerals, 03 intentionally displayed the digits from 0 to 9 in succession above its head to demonstrate.

“0, 3, 03. This is my designation, which is equivalent to what you call a name,” 03 said.

“I see,” Feng Jue murmured, a spark of genuine interest gleaming in her eyes as she learned the digits from 03. Born with an exceptionally sharp mind, she committed them to memory after a single demonstration. Rising from her seat, she cradled 03 in her palm and walked over to her study, where she began grinding ink and lifting a calligraphy brush.

“It is only polite to reciprocate and follow local customs. Since you have taught me the numbers of your world, why don’t I use the characters of this world to bestow a proper name upon you?” Feng Jue suggested. In human society, bestowing a name was a privilege reserved for family, mentors, or masters and servants; she was using this gesture to test 03’s reaction.

“Very well. Please do whatever you wish, Host,” 03 agreed without a single shred of hesitation.

Feng Jue blinked in surprise. Seeing 03 accept so readily, her expression turned serious. She pondered for a brief moment before executing bold, sweeping strokes upon the paper.

“All things possess a spirit. Since you are endowed with such intelligence, you should bear the character Ling for spirit. As for the number 3…” Feng Jue hesitated for a moment, reflecting before she spoke. “‘Moving gracefully in garments of mist, the rustling of her ornaments sounds soft and clear.’① Let us discard the number 3 and take the character Shan from that verse instead. Your name shall be Ling Shan.”

It was often said that calligraphy reflected a person’s character. The two characters dancing across the Xuan paper carried a sharp, piercing edge that didn’t quite match the appearance of a soft, glowing ball of light.

03 pulled up the file for this mission world, rendered its own image into the photo slot, and promptly scanned the name Feng Jue had written by hand into its profile.

Ling Shan.

03 stared at the name in its profile as virtual bubbles floated up and popped above its head.

“Ling Shan, 03… Though the pronunciation of Shan differs slightly from the number 3, it carries the meaning of precious coral—signifying a rare and treasured object. It is also quite fitting for a fe—” Feng Jue’s words abruptly cut off as she asked hesitantly, “Come to think of it, are you female?”

03’s mechanical voice sounded rather “complex,” making it impossible to distinguish any gender.

The silver system hovering above the Xuan paper replied with utmost gravity, “I will be from now on.”

Feng Jue arched an eyebrow. Though she still harbored doubts toward 03, she was highly satisfied with its compliant attitude. No matter what its ultimate goal was, its obedient and understanding nature made her feel incredibly at ease. Furthermore, she now felt a certain bond of kinship toward 03 through the act of naming it.

“Then I shall call you Ling Shan from now on,” Feng Jue declared. “You were not female before?”

03 answered honestly, “I have no gender. Much like words, humans do not assign a gender to vocabulary.”

Feng Jue: “…”

Her eyes darted around as she set down her calligraphy brush. Cradling 03 back over to her couch, she suggested in a perfectly natural tone, “Now that you possess a human name and a human gender, you can also attempt to experience human emotions. Why don’t you try falling for your Main System?”

The topic had circled right back to where it started.

Thoroughly shocked and bewildered, 03 asked, “Why do you insist on making me fall for the Main System, Host?”

Feng Jue let out a cold, sharp smile. “Is that not allowed?”

“Did you not just demand that I swiftly find someone to fall in love with, marry, and bear children with?”

03 spun rapidly in Feng Jue’s palm like a top. Coming to a sudden halt, it countered, “Is me falling for the Main System equivalent to you falling for someone else?”

Systems did not possess emotional faculties, but humans were naturally endowed with an abundance of feelings, and the human dictionary even contained the concept of love at first sight.

Feng Jue glared at 03, intentionally adopting a sharp, accusatory tone. “To expect me to marry a stranger and bear his children when there isn’t a single shred of affection or feeling between us—what exactly are your intentions? Am I the sort of loose woman who would handle her life so carelessly?”

03 did not possess a heart.

In the literal, physical sense.

The heartless system hovered just above Feng Jue’s palm, realizing its host had meant to express this sentiment all along. The nuances of human language were truly vast and profound, requiring a system to constantly study and learn.

Feng Jue appeared rather pleased with herself, the naturally upturned corners of her eyes curving even higher.

A lampstand stood beside the couch, crafted in the likeness of a magnificent phoenix. The phoenix’s form was encrusted with precious gems, agates, emeralds, and cat’s-eye stones. It held a luminous pearl within its beak, casting down a brilliant, radiant glow that made the phoenix appear to shimmer with fluid light. This light washed over the woman on the couch, making her eyes gleam even brighter than the gemstones—resembling a radiant jade reflecting the morning glow, dazzling and full of spirit.

Amidst the shifting, kaleidoscopic light, it was impossible to tell which was more captivating.

Feng Jue stared at 03 with a half-smile, seemingly enjoying the fact that 03 had been rendered completely speechless—even though no mouth could be seen on a ball of light.

She pressed further, “Well? Do you admit your mistake?”

A virtual warning popped up within 03’s non-physical core. For a system, encountering an error was practically equivalent to the sky falling in the human world! Its body flickered wildly with silver light. Under Feng Jue’s astonished gaze, 03 stated with perfect calm, “Host, you said you would not marry a stranger and bear his children.”

Feng Jue nodded.

03 pulled out its interface, and with a swift swish, brought up an illustration.

The image depicted Feng Jue and Siyi sitting across from each other inside Wangshan Pavilion. Feng Jue wore a look of intense disgust, and a text bubble beside her read: “I have only met Xue Bufan twice in total. What feelings could we possibly have?”

Feng Jue: “…”

She suddenly remembered. She had indeed said those exact words. She hadn’t expected 03 to log it down so meticulously.

03 held up the illustration, its flat, unvarying mechanical voice speaking slowly: “Host, you have only met Xue Bufan twice and possess no feelings for him, yet you still established a marriage covenant. If Xue Bufan’s spiritual roots had not been destroyed, you would have proceeded to marry him smoothly, correct?”

The words “no feelings” were intentionally emphasized by the system, sounding exceptionally grating to Feng Jue’s ears.

Feng Jue: “…………”

She bolted upright on the couch, refusing to concede defeat. “That was by the command of my elders! It was never my own desire!”

03 understood.

It sought guidance with absolute humility.

“Host, which of your elders is still alive in this world? Why don’t we invite them out of retirement to assist you? After all, you already have one failed experience under your belt, so you are bound to succeed this time!” 03 suggested. A flurry of colorful, festive lights began to blink rapidly above its head as the system encouraged her: “I will cheer you on, Host!”

Even though the festive lights were incredibly bright and vibrant, they only served to make Feng Jue’s face turn exceptionally black. The host, whom it had met only a short while ago, threw her hand back and violently hurled 03 straight out the window.

“Get the hell out of here!”

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