Chapter 1: World One [1]

“We’re very sorry. Although Professor Lin didn’t actually commit academic fraud, the impact of the previous public opinion won’t dissipate quickly. After comprehensive consideration, we’ve decided to withdraw our investment.”

“After internal discussion, we will stop funding in the next phase. In view of our previous pleasant cooperation, we will not demand the return of the funds already invested.”

“The university’s R&D budget has already been exceeded this year. It was very difficult to secure one hundred thousand yuan. Student Shang, we hope you can understand.”

“…”

Various voices filled Shang Siyu’s head, waking her from her midday nap. Dazed, she looked at the empty laboratory.

However, waking from the dream didn’t change reality. It was true that her advisor had been affected by the academic fraud allegations and was hospitalized, and it was also true that the original investors and the university had cut off most of the research funding for the project because of it.

【Sign a contract with me, and I can help you change your current predicament.】

A magnetic voice that sounded like a young woman’s suddenly appeared in Shang Siyu’s mind.

Shang Siyu looked around with extreme vigilance. After confirming that there was no one or unfamiliar equipment near her, she pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Is it really just too much pressure? I’m hearing things again.” Shang Siyu muttered to herself, once again choosing to ignore the voice that emerged in her mind.

Shang Siyu had heard that voice more than once. However, as a firm believer in science, she did not believe that feminine-sounding voice; Shang Siyu firmly believed it was an auditory hallucination caused by too much stress.

After murmuring softly, Shang Siyu went to the restroom, scooped up some water with her hands to wash her face, and looked at herself in the mirror.

Shang Siyu, who often spent her time in the lab, had fair skin. Her slightly sculpted features, paired with her inner double-fold phoenix eyes, made the person in the mirror appear cold and somewhat unapproachable.

The stray hairs near her ears were stuck together from the water droplets just now, and faint dark circles could be clearly seen under her eyes. This was the result of Shang Siyu’s three days of staying up late, proof of her urgent desire to do something.

However, the slight dark circles didn’t detract from Shang Siyu’s beauty. Instead, they gave the cold beauty a touch of vulnerability, making it even easier to stir certain desires hidden in some people’s hearts—the desire to possess and conquer her.

After wiping the water droplets from her face haphazardly with a tissue, Shang Siyu went to the storage area and took out some everyday cosmetics, covering the dark circles under her eyes to make herself look more spirited.

Normally, Shang Siyu didn’t wear makeup in the lab.

But today was different. In another half hour, an investor interested in the project would be arriving.

To Shang Siyu and her Senior Sisters and Senior Brothers in the lab, this investor was the last lifeline.

If they couldn’t secure sufficient financial support within the month, the project they were working on would likely be suspended and end up stalled indefinitely.

【You will soon meet an awful person and have an unpleasant experience. Sign a contract with me, and you can avoid these things.】

The familiar voice once again appeared in Shang Siyu’s mind, causing her steps to pause.

However, Shang Siyu still ignored it. She simply stood behind the Senior Sister who had just arrived at the lab, waiting for the investor to come and evaluate the project.

This was normal. A voice suddenly appearing in your head asking you to sign a contract sounded completely untrustworthy.

Shang Siyu was very clear on the obvious truth that you have to pay for what you get. She didn’t believe in free lunches, and she certainly wouldn’t pay any attention to any contract.

Half an hour later, footsteps sounded from outside the lab, followed by the voice of a certain Senior Brother. He was introducing the lab’s project and the current research progress.

“President Xue, our research has reached a very critical stage. At the earliest, in three months, we’ll be able to complete the neural connection, and then…”

As the voice grew louder, the lab’s Senior Brother eagerly opened the door, ushering in a young man in a silver-gray suit.

This President Xue’s expression looked very kind, but the contempt and smugness deep in his eyes weren’t well concealed. At least more than half the people in the lab could see through it.

Seeing through but not exposing it—that’s just how it is.

When you are asking someone for a favor, a bit more patience is indeed needed.

Xue Fan very much enjoyed this feeling of superiority. Especially when he saw Shang Siyu, who had once rejected his confession in high school and had been spoken of as very promising by the neighbors, now a step beneath him. The smile on his face became even more apparent.

Upon discovering that the person interested in investing in the project was once her neighbor and classmate, a flash of surprise passed through Shang Siyu’s eyes, but she didn’t think too much about it.

Shang Siyu didn’t feel any jealousy or envy; she merely sighed slightly in her heart.

She sighed that Xue Fan, who had disappeared before even graduating high school, was now successful and had the money to invest in her project.

“Shang Siyu, what a coincidence! I didn’t expect to meet you here.” Xue Fan spoke up first, brushing aside the lab Senior Brother who had been introducing the project to him, and walked straight up to Shang Siyu.

“What a coincidence.” Shang Siyu said, her tone carrying a hint of happiness at running into a classmate, the corners of her mouth lifting in a faint smile.

When this smile fell into Xue Fan’s eyes, its flavor changed, and his tone also turned condescending.

Xue Fan deepened the emotion in his eyes and said with a smile, “Siyu is also a member of this project team? If I’d known, I should have had you introduce it to me.”

“Yes.” Shang Siyu nodded, slipping into a businesslike state. “If President Xue has any questions, you can also ask me.”

“No rush. It’s rare to run into you, Siyu. How about having dinner together tonight?” Xue Fan said with a beaming smile, taking another small step forward. “Let’s catch up first, we can talk slowly later.”

Hearing the somewhat intimate form of address from Xue Fan’s mouth, Shang Siyu frowned slightly, obviously somewhat uncomfortable with it.

“Sorry, the project has been a bit busy recently. I probably won’t have time for a while.” Shang Siyu said politely. “President Xue, you probably came to evaluate the project, right? Let’s talk business first, shall we?”

In Shang Siyu’s opinion, Xue Fan was merely a former neighbor and classmate. Their relationship hadn’t reached the point of having dinner together privately.

Compared to personal matters, whether the project in her hands could continue was far more important.

“A project evaluation can’t be completed in just one or two days. Besides, if we eat together, we can also talk about the project.” Xue Fan said, the smile at the corner of his mouth receding a bit because of Shang Siyu’s refusal.

“Siyu, I still remember, you were the good student in the Class Teacher’s words, the top of the class. Everyone said you’d definitely become someone.”

“And me, I was the mud that couldn’t even stick to a wall, according to the Class Teacher.” Xue Fan laughed again as he spoke, with a touch of sarcasm in his tone. “It looks like the Class Teacher’s assessment wasn’t very accurate, was it?”

“Siyu, for old times’ sake as classmates, do me the honor?” Although Xue Fan didn’t state it outright, the implication was very obvious.

Shang Siyu was indeed immersed in her research, but she wasn’t completely ignorant of the ways of the world.

Shang Siyu didn’t understand why Xue Fan was so insistent on eating with her, but she knew he was threatening her. If she wasn’t willing to eat with him, then the matter of investing in the project would certainly not progress.

【Because you rejected Xue Fan. He liked you in high school, but you turned him down, making him feel he lost face.】

The familiar voice appeared in Shang Siyu’s mind again, promptly resolving her confusion.

【Now that Xue Fan is somewhat successful, he wants to regain face. He wants you to also experience the feeling of being rejected, to recover the face he lost eight years ago.】

The voice in her mind made Shang Siyu frown slightly. Meeting Xue Fan’s gaze, the petty scheme hidden in his eyes was completely exposed.

“Siyu?” Xue Fan raised his voice and reached out to take Shang Siyu’s hand.

Shang Siyu stepped back, lowering her eyes to conceal the complex thoughts within them. “I’m sorry, President Xue. The project is at a crucial stage. I’ll be staying at the lab for a while and may not be able to spare any time.”

Tch—

Xue Fan, rejected repeatedly, showed an unhappy expression. His hypocritical mask was becoming hard to maintain.

“President Xue, let me continue the introduction for you. This is…” Seeing the atmosphere between the two turn sour, the lab Senior Brother quickly spoke up.

“That’s enough. I’m not in a good mood today, so the evaluation ends here.” Xue Fan interrupted the lab Senior Brother, his direct gaze landing on Shang Siyu.

The lab Senior Brother maintained his fake smile. “Alright, then when will President Xue be free next time? I can…”

“Student Shang is very busy, and so am I. Whenever Student Shang has time, I might have time then as well.” Xue Fan once again cut off the Senior Brother.

“My business card should still be there, right? When the time is right, contact me then.” After saying this, Xue Fan cast a meaningful glance at Shang Siyu, then left surrounded by his entourage.

Xue Fan knew very well how important this project was to Shang Siyu and her beloved advisor. So he was very confident—confident that Shang Siyu would bow her head to him for the project funding.

After Xue Fan left, the lab’s Senior Sisters and Senior Brothers began to comfort Shang Siyu.

“Little Yu, this President Xue obviously isn’t a good person. You don’t have to pay him any attention. If he doesn’t invest, we can look for someone else.”

“Exactly, exactly. I didn’t like him the moment he walked in. So he has some money, so what? He really thinks he’s something, like everyone has to fawn over him.”

“If it really comes down to it, we have some savings. When the time comes, we can all chip in. Maybe we can last until the project succeeds.”

Shang Siyu wasn’t the type to have her mentality ruined because of one Xue Fan. After replying with a smile to the comforting words from her Senior Sisters and Senior Brothers, she quickly threw herself back into the experiment.

【Are you still unwilling to sign a contract with me?】

【Xue Fan won’t let this go. He will continue to pressure you.】

Shang Siyu skillfully ignored the voice in her mind, carefully checking the newly produced experimental data.

【You can not care about yourself, but don’t you care about your advisor either?】

When she heard the word “advisor,” Shang Siyu’s movements paused. The fingers holding the experimental data subconsciously tightened.

“What do you mean by that?” Shang Siyu said in a lowered voice.

【Are you finally willing to respond to me?】

【Sign a contract with me, and you can learn information related to your advisor.】

The voice in Shang Siyu’s mind took on a hint of allure. 【Shang Siyu, are you willing to sign a contract with me?】

Shang Siyu lowered her eyes, secretly surveying her surroundings. “Who are you?”

【I am just a trading system that likes to help others.】

【You can call me System, or by my name, Jing Ke.】