Volume One, Chapter Five: The Canine System Goes Rogue

After finishing his words, Zheng Yongnian swiftly climbed into his Santana and sped out of the police station before Xie Changkun could even react.

“Hey! Director Zheng, you just promised!”

“Damn it!”

Xie Changkun hadn’t expected Zheng Yongnian to pull such a stunt. Taken by surprise, he could only make an unfriendly gesture from afar as Zheng sped away.

Lin Xianfeng quickly lowered his head, knowing it was best not to get involved in disputes between leaders.

Ye Lin flashed a sly smile, looking at Xie Changkun with a mischievous glint, as if to say, “Director, you’re really something.”

“Everyone, come in!” Xie Changkun glared, motioning with his hand and leading the way inside.

At that moment, a voice echoed in Ye Lin’s mind.

[Successfully prevented the bus arson and rescued 12 people.]

[Reward: Ghost Foot Seven’s Phantom Step.]

Ye Lin’s face darkened instantly.

This damned system was at it again. What kind of nonsense reward was this?

This unreliable system had come with him when he crossed over into this world.

Originally, he was a student at a Traditional Chinese Medicine college, happily studying medicine. Having the system was initially a secret satisfaction.

After all, he was the protagonist—though he didn’t look very upright, the protagonist aura was undeniable.

But what he hadn’t expected was that the first task from this cursed system was to transfer into the police academy.

Failing meant his manhood would shrink by one centimeter.

Damn it. As a cultured, idealistic modern man who had read countless time-travel novels, when was the system ever meant to be in control?

So, he had flat-out ignored the system’s task, spending his days admiring beauties at school and hoping for new missions.

But no, this hellish system didn’t play by the rules.

A month later, his manhood did indeed shrink by one centimeter.

[Due to the host’s neglect of the task, punishment activated. As this is the first mission, the host is granted six more months to complete it; failure will double the penalty!]

Ye Lin nearly dropped the soap in the shower that day from sheer fright.

The damned system was serious.

Staring at what had already diminished, tears involuntarily streamed down his face.

God, would he end up like those eunuchs with pale faces?

No, those men had lost their will, so it was indifferent to them.

But imagine, in the prime of his life, if a beauty were to flirt shamelessly in front of him, only for him to find... nothing.

And yet, the heart still yearned and even grew anxious.

That would be worse than death.

Remembering the disappointment in the eyes of those beauties, Ye Lin clenched his fist. “System, don’t worry. I’ll finish this task properly.”

Ye Lin’s father’s family had been in the traditional medicine business for generations, and attending the Traditional Chinese Medicine college meant he was expected to inherit the family legacy.

If he told his father he was quitting medicine to become a police officer, he’d probably have his legs broken.

Moreover, even if his family agreed, how could a Traditional Chinese Medicine university student transfer to the police academy? They were entirely different systems; it was impossible.

Fortunately, the system didn’t demand the impossible.

Soon, the school announced that the police department, in a bid to recruit more talent, had introduced a 2+2 program: those willing and qualified could transfer to the police academy and graduate as police officers.

Once announced, it was all but deserted.

Truly deserted—no one was interested.

Being a police officer was grueling, low-paying, dangerous, and didn’t allow for family time. Who would want such a life?

University students in Great Xia were not numerous, and medicine graduates almost always secured good jobs. Who would be foolish enough to become a cop?

Despite the Traditional Chinese Medicine college leaders’ relentless promotion, no one signed up.

Until Ye Lin appeared—a savior of sorts.

The college leadership didn’t care if he looked like a policeman or not and forcibly recommended him to the police school.

“You want people? Here’s one. No further discussion.”

The police academy, seeing his roguish appearance, immediately rejected him.

“No way! We recruit police officers, not hooligans! If we take him in, what happens to our image?”

The school persisted: “If you want recruits, he’s the only one. We have no others.” Forced, the police academy relented and admitted him.

What could be done?

Failing the task was not an option.

All this was done behind his father Ye Guolin’s back. When Ye Guolin found out, it was already too late, and he furiously beat his son.

Thankfully, his mother Wang Yuanfeng was fierce enough to chase Ye Guolin away with a roar and comfort her son, or he might have ended up with broken legs.

But for the sake of his manhood, Ye Lin endured it all.

At least upon entering the police academy, Ye Lin felt a rush of relief. “System, I’ve finally done it. Surely there’ll be some reward now.”

Yet, no sooner had he enrolled than the system responded.

[Congratulations on successfully entering the police academy. Previous punishment canceled.]

Damn!

Ye Lin was ready to smack himself with his shoe. After all the effort and his father’s beating, no reward at all.

But since it concerned his manhood, he checked anyway.

Hey, it had grown back.

The system at least had some conscience.

Before he could celebrate, the system issued a new task, leaving Ye Lin dumbfounded.

[Challenge task: Memorize five disciplinary offenses and graduate smoothly from the police academy.]

[Completion of the challenge task grants rewards.]

[Penalty: Failure results in a two-centimeter shrinkage.]

Damn it!

Ye Lin swore loudly.

This damned system!

The police academy was a disciplined force. It wanted him to memorize five offenses and still graduate smoothly?

What?

Did he own the police academy?

“System, big brother, I’m sorry. Can I have a different task?”

“Maybe something easier?”

“If not, system, please just go away. I don’t want you anymore.”

But no matter how he pleaded or tried to awaken it, the system remained silent.

Forced to focus on the task, Ye Lin barely had time to study during his first two years at the police academy.

In the first month, leveraging his medical studies, he memorized the police regulations.

The police leadership was initially pleased. Despite his roguish looks, he was a serious student.

Memorizing the regulations in just a month—impressive!

One day, however, a leader decided to check on the class and found Ye Lin frowning, diligently taking notes.

On a whim, the leader circled around from behind to see what this “talent” was actually learning.

One glance was enough to make the leader’s eyes pop out, nearly spitting blood.