Chapter 12: The Ignition Point

Yan Ningxi frowned. "Luring me?"

The system instantly realized it had misspoken.

*Cough, cough, cough, host, you didn’t hear anything.*

“...” Yan Ningxi suddenly felt like she had been tricked, but with lives at stake, this wasn’t the time to dwell on that. “Then can you at least tell me when that man will commit the crime?”

*No, host. If I tell you directly, the mission will be deemed a failure.*

“What happens if I fail?”

*Your entire family will lose their lives.*

“What?” Yan Ningxi exploded. “So, I can only succeed from now on? If I fail, my whole family dies?”

*That’s right, host.*

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

*There’s no use telling you in advance. The system is automatically bound to you, and the mission starts automatically. Even if I told you beforehand, you couldn’t refuse, so why waste your time and increase your chances of failure?*

Yan Ningxi was speechless.

She really felt she’d been duped.

“Then why was I chosen to be bound to this system? Is it really because of some so-called random test of justice?”

*Of course not. That’s only one reason. As for the others, no comment.*

Yan Ningxi was left speechless.

Seeing Yan Ningxi distracted, Chi Xiaoxuan recalled how she had asked to borrow money from her a few days ago. She quickly opened WeChat and transferred a sum to her.

Hearing the notification, Yan Ningxi checked her phone and found she had received twenty thousand yuan. She looked at Chi Xiaoxuan in confusion.

Chi Xiaoxuan noticed her puzzlement and, seeing that everyone around was immersed in work, leaned in quietly to explain, “Ningxi, I’m really sorry. My husband manages all the finances at home. When I asked him for money a few days ago, he said it was all locked in fixed deposits and he couldn’t spare twenty thousand right now. But I borrowed that amount from a relative. Here, take it for now; pay me back when you have the money.”

Since her first day at the company, Yan Ningxi had heard plenty of gossip.

The most unbelievable was that Chi Xiaoxuan handed over her entire salary to her husband every month.

It was said that after receiving her salary, her husband gave her only a thousand yuan pocket money each month because she ate at home in the morning, at the company cafeteria for lunch, and again at home for dinner.

She bought her clothes, cosmetics, and sanitary products with that thousand yuan.

Many people remarked that usually, a man who truly loves a woman gives his salary to her, not the other way around.

But Chi Xiaoxuan seemed bewitched, completely unbothered by this, saying it didn’t matter who managed the money since they were family.

She also claimed her husband was good at investing, turning money into more money, so it was best to let him handle it.

Everyone thought she was a bit infatuated, but she didn’t see it that way.

Aside from this, her work ability was flawless.

Yan Ningxi didn’t take it to heart and knew Chi Xiaoxuan was telling the truth. “Xiaoxuan, you don’t have to apologize. It’s my fault. Knowing your family situation, I shouldn’t have put you in a difficult spot. I’m the one who should apologize.”

“Are you really not angry?”

Yan Ningxi glanced toward Chen Yongzhi’s direction, then smiled. “Not angry.”

She had acted recklessly out of desperation before, with no boundaries.

She just hadn’t expected Chi Xiaoxuan to borrow money from others for her.

She felt touched.

Seeing no supervisors nearby, Chi Xiaoxuan continued, “Then take the money. That way, I’ll know you’re really not upset.”

Now that Yan Ningxi had the money, she didn’t hesitate to offer to pay it back. “I’ve already raised some funds. You borrowed money and owe someone a favor. You should repay it quickly.”

Chi Xiaoxuan’s eyes moistened. Yan Ningxi must still be angry.

Seeing her expression, Yan Ningxi quietly told her about the bravery award she had received. “That’s why I don’t need to borrow money for now. If you don’t believe me, you can search online. Someone probably uploaded a video of the incident two days ago. The keyword is...”

Chi Xiaoxuan hurriedly followed her instructions. Sure enough, she found the video online and said in surprise, “I saw a video before, but I was afraid to watch it because I might have nightmares. So, I just skimmed it. The faces around were blurred out, but this person’s build does look like you.”

“That’s me,” Yan Ningxi smiled. “But don’t spread this around. You know, we need to keep a low profile at work.”

Chi Xiaoxuan nodded, convinced she wasn’t angry anymore. “Alright, I’ll listen to you. Is your brother’s medical bill covered now?”

“Not yet, but that part isn’t needed for a few months. I can raise it gradually. Meanwhile, I can save from my salary. It should be enough in a few months,” Yan Ningxi said.

When she borrowed money from Chi Xiaoxuan, she hadn’t mentioned what illness her brother had.

Chi Xiaoxuan assumed it wasn’t too serious.

“That’s good.” Chi Xiaoxuan returned the money to her relative, then noticed Yan Ningxi frequently glancing in one direction. “Are you looking for someone?”

Yan Ningxi turned back to work, offering a casual excuse. “No, just feeling uneasy with so many people around today.”

Chi Xiaoxuan said, “The factory hasn’t been too busy lately, so they don’t need many people to oversee things there.”

Yan Ningxi nodded.

With so many people in the company, if a fire broke out, accidents during evacuation would be more likely.

She had to keep a close watch on Chen Yongzhi.

But half an hour later, Chen Yongzhi hadn’t gone anywhere except the leadership office, sitting at his desk working all the while.

Strange—why hadn’t he done anything yet?

Or was the place he planned to set fire not the company, but somewhere else?

Perhaps he had even set up a timed incendiary device like those in the movies?

Yan Ningxi’s expression grew tense.

If it was somewhere else, she might not be able to put out the fire in time.

Where could it be?

Could it already be burning?

Was the fire too large—had someone been hurt?

Should she just call the police?

Would they believe her?

If she alerted them and spooked Chen Yongzhi without cause, and he hadn’t committed the crime, they worked at the same company, and she surely wouldn’t be able to stay there.

Losing her job would be a heavy blow to her family, and she might even be suspected of having mental issues.

Getting fired right after graduating would look bad on her resume; many companies would doubt her abilities, making future employment difficult.

Had it come so soon that she’d have to confess to the police about having the system?

Chi Xiaoxuan glanced up casually and saw Yan Ningxi breathing rapidly, her face flushed, sweat beading on her forehead.

“Ningxi, why are you so hot? Are you feeling unwell? Did you get heatstroke?”