Chapter 156 – After the System Upgrade (Part 2)
The system’s cheerful voice chimed in her ears, “Yoho! Host, do you miss me?”
Jiang Pengji replied coldly, “Nope, without you today, I can’t express how peaceful my ears are.”
The system had upgraded, and it seemed to have become even more human-like, its face thicker than before; it no longer whined when faced with a few sharp remarks.
After the upgrade, the system had figured out that since it was bound to Jiang Pengji, separating the two was impossible. No matter how much she complained, deep down, she still needed it. As an omnipotent system, it could fulfill all of her ambitions and desires.
While dealing with Qi Guanrang, Jiang Pengji multitasked and asked the system, “You said the upgrade would take twelve hours; why do I feel like it’s been nearly 24? I thought we’d do the live stream as usual today.”
The system stammered, avoiding the issue, “The estimated upgrade time was incorrect, leading to a much longer duration than planned.”
Jiang Pengji chuckled to herself but decided not to pursue this line of inquiry, instead asking something else.
“You’ve upgraded once, so you shouldn’t be as useless as before, right?” Jiang Pengji had never hidden her disdain for the system, which had made it sad on numerous occasions. “Tell me what you’ve got; if you’re still that useless, I think another upgrade might be in order. Time isn’t an issue; you can upgrade as long as you want.”
Such merciless sarcasm made the system unhappy once again.
With pride, the system declared, “Yesterday you ignored me; today, you might not be able to reach my heights!”
Hearing the system’s tone, Jiang Pengji could almost envision its proud little expression.
“Oh? Do tell! I’m curious how much a useless system could have upgraded.”
The system suppressed its urge to explode, pretending to cough a couple of times before clearing its throat, “Well, host, pay attention! To better provide you with more efficient and convenient service, I’ve added a humanized emotional module during the upgrade, which will facilitate easier communication. To boost your popularity as a streamer and enhance watchability, I’ve also added an instant task board.”
“Instant task board?”
Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow internally but showed no signs of concern.
The system excitedly explained, “The system will instantly analyze the people and situations you encounter, periodically issuing temporary tasks to help you better integrate into this era. Once you perfectly complete the tasks, you can receive generous rewards!”
Jiang Pengji cut to the chase, “Can I decline such tasks?”
The system quickly replied, “No, they are automatically added to the task list. Completing them is beneficial and harmless to you.”
Jiang Pengji snickered inwardly; if completing them was harmless, what about refusing or failing the tasks?
Being forced into someone else’s agenda filled Jiang Pengji with genuine disdain.
The system, now more willful, keenly sensed Jiang Pengji’s reluctance and even repulsion toward this matter.
It cautiously said, “It seems the host is unwilling to undertake such tasks.”
“Why on earth would I agree to tasks forced upon me? What if the content of the tasks contradicts my own wishes? What if I refuse to execute the tasks? Or what happens if I fail?” Jiang Pengji fired off questions faster than the system could respond, “I don’t need the rewards for completing the tasks—who allowed you to unilaterally make these decisions?”
The system was momentarily speechless, then its voice grew a bit firmer, “I hope the host doesn’t act recklessly. This was calculated after countless analyses yielding the most correct and maximized benefits. As your system, your well-being also ensures my well-being; I hope you understand this.”
Jiang Pengji scoffed, “Whether or not you send tasks is up to you; whether to do them is my business.”
After a brief pause, the system insisted solemnly, “Host, please don’t be willful. Completing tasks will ensure a smoother path for you in the future. This conclusion comes from countless calculations, and I hope you don’t squander this good intention. The instant-triggered tasks prioritize your interests and won’t harm you…”
Jiang Pengji elongated her words, “I—won’t—do it!”
After a moment’s silence, the system seriously warned, “If the host insists on this, you will regret it. Remember, benefits and risks coexist; completing tasks brings generous rewards, while failure or refusal means you will bear the consequences of failure.”
Jiang Pengji’s lips curled into a faint smile as she lowered her gaze, hiding the faint hint of murderous intent brewing inside her.
The system’s words sparked rebellion within her, and she snapped back.
“Let me bear it; do you think I, Jiang Pengji, grew up being threatened by others?”
The system nervously paced, realizing Jiang Pengji had fully entered a state of defiance.
The more it urged her, the less she wanted to comply.
Eventually, the system could only grumble, “Trying to help you, and you’re going to make it difficult for yourself.”
It expected Jiang Pengji to be thrilled, so it took the liberty of downloading the instant-triggered task board, aiming to help her rise to the peak of her life. It remembered many systems did just that, and their hosts’ eyes shone at the prospect of task rewards.
But not Jiang Pengji; she was as stubborn as a mule, and her reaction was so intense and resolute.
Her only reply was, “I’m tired today. I don’t want to stream; just be quiet for now. I have a headache.”
Trying to use soft and hard tactics to force her into submission?
Heh, this system seemed to underestimate Jiang Pengji’s true nature.
Not even a mysterious, purpose-unknown system could achieve that, let alone her previous mentor.
Qi Guanrang noticed Jiang Pengji’s slightly pale complexion and couldn’t help but ask with concern.
“Is Lan Ting feeling unwell?”
Jiang Pengji didn’t even lift her eyelids, responding weakly, “The carriage jolted too much; I’ve got a bit of a headache.”
She indeed had a headache; after the system’s upgrade, it was even more annoying than she had anticipated.
Is the carriage bumpy?
Qi Guanrang looked bewildered; he could honestly say that compared to the carriages at the Gongcao manor, the carriages at Liu Residence were remarkably steady!
The two fell silent until they arrived at Liu Residence, just after dinner time.
Liu Zhi and Wei Yuan were chatting cheerfully. Spotting Jiang Pengji and Qi Guanrang returning together, their faces lit up with some joy.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wei Yuan stood up to bid farewell to Liu Zhi.
Having achieved the day’s purpose, there was no need to linger at someone else’s house.
Liu Zhi walked him a few steps out, while Jiang Pengji returned to her courtyard, not even changing her clothes, rolling straight into bed and covering her head.
Before she could even start to drift off, a slightly fearful voice came from outside.
“Young Master, the guest from the outer courtyard requests an audience.”
Jiang Pengji kicked the blanket off in irritation, her face darkening.
Meng Liang came knocking at this hour—he must be bored out of his mind!
