The Huo Family's Troublesome Maid

Chapter 89: Chapter 89: A Wish

Xi Yunxui slowly lowered herself onto the edge of the bed.

After everything that had happened that day, she needed a moment to process what she was seeing.

She drew in a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, and slowly exhaled.

Then she lifted her gaze toward the translucent panel floating before her.

”System,” she said carefully, ”I have several questions.”

The panel remained suspended in the air.

Xi Yunxui narrowed her eyes.

”First of all, why is my System Progress only three percent?”

She pointed toward the glowing words.

”I remember that when I completed the mission of keeping Hui’s true identity a secret, my System Progress increased to thirty-eight percent. So why did it suddenly drop to three percent after the upgrade?”

She paused briefly before continuing.

”And how did my Affection Points suddenly become sixty-four? I clearly remember having fourteen before the system upgrade.”

Her brows furrowed.

”And what exactly does ’Current Problem Solved: 0’ mean?”

For a moment, the room was quiet.

Then the system responded.

[Host, please calm down.]

Xi Yunxui blinked.

She had expected the familiar mechanical voice she had become accustomed to hearing.

Instead, something about the system’s tone felt different.

It was still mechanical, but there was a subtle softness to it now. Almost as though it had become more human-like after the upgrade.

Xi Yunxui stared at the panel.

”Did you just tell me to calm down?”

[Yes, Host.]

There was a tiny pause.

[The All Works Maid System has undergone an upgrade from Level 1 to Level 2. Certain functions and communication protocols have been enhanced.]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes widened slightly.

”So you really are different now.”

[The host may understand it that way.]

Xi Yunxui nodded slowly.

”Alright. Then explain everything.”

The system immediately responded.

[Regarding the System Progress, the upgrade requirement from Level 1 to Level 2 was thirty-five percent System Progress.]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes widened.

”Thirty-five percent?”

[Correct.]

[Once the host’s System Progress exceeded the required thirty-five percent, the system upgrade was triggered.]

Xi Yunxui stared at the number on the panel.

”So the thirty-eight percent I reached was used for the upgrade?”

[Correct.]

[Thirty-five percent was consumed as the required upgrade threshold.]

[The remaining three percent became the host’s current System Progress.]

Xi Yunxui’s mouth fell slightly open.

”So that’s why it dropped from thirty-eight to three...”

[Correct.]

Xi Yunxui leaned back slightly.

”That actually makes sense.”

She paused before pointing at the next line.

”Then what about my Affection Points?”

The system responded immediately.

[Before the system upgrade, the host possessed fourteen Affection Points.]

Xi Yunxui nodded.

”Right.”

[However, after the system reached Level 2, the Affection Value generated by an individual toward the host became detectable and calculable.]

Xi Yunxui frowned.

”An individual?”

[Correct.]

[The current calculated Affection Value generated by Huo Jingchen toward the host is fifty.]

Xi Yunxui froze.

For several seconds, she did not move.

”...Huo Jingchen?”

[Correct.]

[Huo Jingchen’s Affection Value toward the host is fifty.]

Xi Yunxui’s body stiffened.

Suddenly, the events inside the library came rushing back to her.

Huo Jingchen’s arms wrapped around her waist.

His warm breath against her cheek.

The way his voice had sounded when he quietly asked her to remain in his arms.

Let us remain like this.

Just for a little while.

Then there was his expression when she tried to leave.

You’re leaving again.

Her cheeks slowly grew warm.

Xi Yunxui immediately looked away from the panel.

So... that hug increased my Affection Points?

The realization made her heart beat faster.

She remembered how unusual Huo Jingchen had seemed in the library. Usually, he was so calm and composed that she could barely guess what was going through his mind.

But today....

He had actually seemed reluctant to let her go.

And now the system was telling her that his feelings toward her were worth fifty Affection Points.

Xi Yunxui’s ears grew hot.

She pressed a hand against her cheek.

”That’s...”

She struggled to find the right word.

”That’s quite a lot.”

[Correct.]

Xi Yunxui stared at the system.

”Do you have to sound so calm about it?”

[The system is merely providing accurate information to the host.]

Xi Yunxui’s face became even warmer.

Before she could say anything else, the system continued.

[Regarding the final item, Current Problem Solved refers to the new Daily Problem Requirement function unlocked after the system upgraded to Level 2.]

Xi Yunxui immediately became attentive.

”Daily Problem Requirement?”

[Correct.]

A new line of information appeared beneath the existing panel.

[Daily Problem Requirement: 1 Problem Per Day]

[Failure Penalty: -3% System Progress]

Xi Yunxui’s expression changed.

”Wait.”

She sat up straighter.

”Three percent?”

[Correct.]

[Beginning from tomorrow, the host must solve at least one problem within every twenty-four-hour period.]

[If the host fails to solve at least one problem within the required period, three percent will be deducted from the host’s current System Progress.]

Xi Yunxui stared at the panel in disbelief.

”So if I don’t solve a problem everyday, my System Progress drops by three percent?”

[Correct.]

”But I only have three percent right now!”

[Correct.]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes widened.

”So if I don’t solve a problem today, my System Progress will become zero?”

[Correct.]

Xi Yunxui covered her face with both hands.

”Why did the system upgrade become more troublesome instead of easier?”

[The purpose of a system upgrade is to unlock additional functions and increase the host’s growth opportunities.]

Xi Yunxui slowly lowered her hands.

”That wasn’t an answer.”

[It was an accurate explanation.]

Xi Yunxui stared at the panel, almost able to feel a headache coming.

”So if I keep solving problems, my System Progress can continue increasing?”

[Correct. Successfully resolving qualifying problems will contribute toward the host’s System Progress according to the difficulty, complexity, and significance of each problem]

King C, who had been chewing his carrot nearby, glanced at her.

”What happened?”

Xi Yunxui ignored him.

She was still staring at the system panel.

”Alright. Fine. One problem a day. I can handle that.”

She lowered her hand.

”But you said there was another condition?”

The system paused for a moment.

Then another notification appeared.

[Ding!]

[Level 2 Special Challenge Unlocked.]

[Challenge Requirement: Solve five problems within two days.]

[Challenge Reward: One Wish.]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes widened.

”One wish?”

[Correct.]

She immediately sat up straight.

”What kind of wish?”

[The host may make one reasonable wish upon successful completion of the challenge.]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes began to sparkle.

”A wish...”

For the first time since the system had upgraded, her expression became genuinely excited.

If the system was willing to grant a wish, then this was not something she could afford to ignore.

However, her excitement lasted only a few seconds before she remembered the condition.

”Five problems in two days?”

[Correct.]

Xi Yunxui’s expression became complicated.

”That means I have to solve five problems within forty-eight hours.”

[Correct.]

”And if I fail?”

[The challenge will be considered unsuccessful.]

Xi Yunxui sighed.

”So the system has basically given me a deadline.”

[That is an accurate description.]

Xi Yunxui rubbed her forehead.

”Wonderful.”

She leaned back on the bed and stared at the glowing panel.

Just when she had thought life in the Huo residence was finally becoming peaceful, the system had returned with a new set of rules.

One problem every day.

Five problems within two days if she wanted a wish.

And if she became too lazy?

Three percent of her System Progress would disappear.

Xi Yunxui let out a long sigh.

”System...”

[Yes, Host?]

”Couldn’t you have upgraded into something a little more relaxing?”

There was a brief silence.

Then—

[Host, this system is called the All Works Maid System, not the All Works Relaxation System.]

Xi Yunxui stared at the panel.

For several seconds, she said nothing.

Then she slowly covered her face.

”I knew it.”

King C tilted his head.

”Knew what?”

Xi Yunxui lowered her hands and looked at him with a completely exhausted expression.

”My system has become even more troublesome.”

King C blinked, then looked at the glowing panel before turning back to Xi Yunxui.

”Did it at least give you something good?”

Xi Yunxui thought about the sixty-four Affection Points, then the five-problem challenge and the three-percent penalty, before finally sighing.

”A wish.”

King C’s eyes immediately lit up.

”A wish?”

Xi Yunxui nodded.

”But I have to solve five problems in two days to get it.”

King C’s excitement disappeared.

”Oh.”

He returned to his carrot.

”Then good luck.”

Xi Yunxui stared at him.

”That’s all you have to say?”

King C continued chewing.

”What else should I say?”

Xi Yunxui’s lips twitched as she looked back at the system panel. One problem a day, five problems in two days, three percent of her System Progress at risk, and somewhere inside all of this was a potentially priceless wish.

She had a feeling that her already troublesome days at the Huo residence were about to officially become even more troublesome and tiring.

And somehow, she suspected the system had only just begun making her life difficult.