The Most Random System

Isn't the idiom "A third time's the charm"?

"Xiaolin, did you just say... 'A fifth time's the charm'?"

"Uh-huh." Lin Li nodded.

Sir, I didn't intend it. It's all the system's fault.

Yangliang took a deep breath, counting on his fingers in his mind, one, two, three, four... which means there are two more times.

"Xiaolin... do you guys know of any more chicken farms around here?" Yangliang squinted and asked.

"No such thing." Lin Li shook his head.

"Withholding information is also illegal." Yangliang continued.

"Still no such thing."

"Bufan, do you know?"

"Me? I don't know either. I just listen to Lin Li. It's my first time here, I'm nervous as hell." Bai Bufan shook his head without showing any weakness.

Lin Li gave Bai Bufan an approving look, thumbs up, while Bai Bufan patted his chest slightly, indicating there's no worry at all.

"Next time you two give a thumbs up and pat your chest, could you do it away from me? It feels a bit disrespectful." Yangliang smirked.

Bai Bufan and Lin Li immediately looked out their respective windows in sync and started whistling.

If these two really don't know information about other chicken farms, I'll change my last name to Lin.

But Yangliang just sighed and didn't continue questioning.

Honestly, if I told their parents what they did, or used some legal reasoning, I might threaten Bai Bufan and Lin Li.

As for brotherhood? Three strikes can break up brotherhood; the confession is all in brothers' names.

But there's no need, doing so is a bit cold-hearted, only discouraging the two kids' enthusiasm.

——Even if their enthusiasm is misguided into the positive area.

"Hope it's truly just up to five times." Yangliang could only sigh.

"I'm a very trustworthy person." Lin Li proudly patted his chest.

The amused Yangliang was about to praise him when he heard Bai Bufan ask, "And for the other 90%?"

"Untrustworthiness." Lin Li answered instantly.

The premise of not going beyond five times is that the system doesn't issue related tasks. If it decides to go nuts and make me go all the way dark, things might indeed go beyond five.

Yangliang: "?"

"Is it a percentile system?!"

Yangliang stepped on the gas pedal.

You little brats, I'll smack you two!

...

Didn't smack them.

In the end, Yangliang's heart softened.

They arrived safely at the station, and the records were completed.

Lin Li and Bai Bufan waited at the door for Yangliang to take them back—Yangliang still had some matters to deal with inside.

"Are you heading back to school directly or what?" After snapping an 'ID photo' for Bai Bufan, Lin Li returned the phone to him and then asked.

"Definitely going back to the dorm, I've got some urgent matters to handle later. Oh yeah, Lin Li, I'll log back into the cloud drive account tonight, but I'm using the mobile app, so you can still use it on your computer without any interruption," Bai Bufan said.

"You've got a knack for the NoFap community talent, huh?" Lin Li couldn't hold back, "You really are the familiar binary NoFap warrior, NoFap is either 0 or 1."

"The NoFap community said they were already champions before I came, and they don't welcome me. I'll start tomorrow, definitely tomorrow!" Bai Bufan said, a little embarrassed.

"You understand NoFap." Lin Li expressed high recognition of this.

"Oh, right, Lin Li, I've got a question." Bai Bufan suddenly remembered something and asked.

"Just say it."

"Have you noticed that Uncle Yang seems to treat me a bit worse, like with a touch of aggression, but treats you particularly well? Why is that?" Bai Bufan asked quietly.

The tone, attitude, and eye contact all make this clear.

If he was like this to everyone, one could blame it on his personality, but the contrast is stark—Yangliang's attitude towards Lin Li is completely different, leaving Bai Bufan's 'fragile' heart severely shaken.

"I can explain this." Lin Li thought for a moment and said, "Don't tell anyone, but remember why Uncle Yang specifically asked about your family situation?

Here's the thing, Uncle Yang has unspoken difficulties... so, no children, doesn't want to adopt, and hopes I'll take care of him in old age, obviously he'll be nice to me. Since you're not in the running, he's indifferent to you, get it?"

Bai Bufan suddenly understood.

Lin Li's explanation made everything clear.

Turns out Uncle Yang's a pitiable person too.

"Let's go, I'll send you guys back." Yangliang finally came out from the station and approached the two.

"What's with that look? Bufan, I really must tell you, be mindful of your behavior and gestures outdoors. It's not just outside, but inside as well—don't let yourself influence others, leading them astray." Yangliang noticed Bai Bufan's odd look and immediately advised.

Bai Bufan didn't understand the sarcasm aimed at him. Knowing the truth, he was exceptionally tolerant; he nodded vigorously: "Mm! Uncle Yang, I understand! You keep up the good work too!"

Yangliang: "?"

Something feels odd.

...

"Not really coming to uncle's house for dinner tomorrow?" The car stopped at the neighborhood entrance, and Yangliang rolled down the window to ask Lin Li walking home.

Bai Bufan had already been dropped back at school.

"Not really, thanks, uncle. That would delay your chicken farm sweeps. You should go back and continue interrogations quickly." Lin Li honestly said to Yangliang, turning his head.

His two task progresses hadn't shown up yet, but with previous experience, there's little worry. Still, sooner is better, and Lin Li was quite looking forward to the rewards the system would provide.

Even if it's a Stretch-and-Stare Pill, that'd be something small but handy.

Yangliang: "..."

Is it now assumed I'll work overtime tonight and tomorrow?

Wanting to chat more, Yangliang reluctantly stepped on the gas and drove off, unable to keep the conversation going.

Back home, Lin Li comfortably lay on his sofa.

He was just about to watch some short videos to critique the dancing bloggers when he noticed he received several messages on WeChat.

Turning off message vibration notifications had made him less sensitive to messages.

「Song Luping: Bufan! I just got the news, Tianhong also got busted! Our perfect preparation didn't work! Bufan, you didn't go this week, right?」

「Song Luping: 「image」」

A screenshot of chat logs with others, discussing the arrest news of Tianhong spreading.

After a few minutes without a response from Lin Li:

「Song Luping: Bufan, don't scare me, say something!」

「Song Luping: I'm too afraid to call you, scared you can't pick up, but more scared it's not you answering!」

Ten minutes later.

「Song Luping: 「image」.」

A photo taken by bystanders, and if you look closely, you can see two hooded individuals in it.

「Song Luping: Is that you...」

「Song Luping: Must be you and your buddy.」

「Song Luping: Brother, I'm sorry to you! I'm really sorry! If I had recommended something else, you wouldn't have been caught! Sorry!!!」