The System Arrived Four Years Early, but the Anomaly Is Still a Juvenile
Chapter 33

Cheng Shengnan came across Shen Ge’s video while scrolling through her phone in the morning. Seeing the upsetting comments, she had initially wanted to comfort him. But now, watching him enthusiastically reply to every remark, she realized that when it came to mental resilience, Shen Ge had always been the strongest in the company. With that thought, she relaxed.

Returning to her desk, she pulled out two project proposals she had prepared for him and said, “I’ve finished these two drafts for you. You just need to wrap them up.”

“Oh, thanks. But don’t bother—I’m planning to quit. Just settle the accounts for Mr. Chen’s project normally, and you can take these two for yourself.” Shen Ge set down his phone and looked up at her.

“Quit?”

Though his earlier report submission had already sounded like a handover, making her suspicious, hearing him say it outright still caught her off guard.

Shen Ge was the backbone of the company’s Rong City branch. His compensation was nearly on par with hers, and in today’s job market, landing a position with an annual salary of a million yuan wasn’t easy.

“Why? If you don’t mind me asking, what’s the reason? Did you find a better opportunity, or is there something about the company you’re unhappy with?” Cheng Shengnan pressed.

“No, I’m quitting to save the world.”

“…”

The corner of Cheng Shengnan’s mouth twitched. Though she found it ridiculous, she held back the urge to mock him.

“I know Dongsheng Design’s HR has reached out to you multiple times with high offers. If that’s why you’re leaving, I can guarantee you a higher salary before the New Year.” Clearly, she didn’t take his words seriously, assuming he was just making up an excuse to jump ship.

Shen Ge was the pillar of the branch. Not only was his skill level among the best in the entire company, but losing him—along with his long-term clients—would be a massive blow to both the company and her as the branch manager. Naturally, Cheng Shengnan wanted to do everything she could to keep him.

Shen Ge shook his head. “I am ‘jumping ship,’ but not to Dongsheng or any other design firm. I’m joining… the Special Response Department.”

“The Special Response Department?”

“Yeah.”

“To… save the world?”

“Exactly.”

“Why?”

Shen Ge raised an eyebrow, answering in a tone that even he seemed unsure of: “With great power comes great responsibility?”

“…”

In Cheng Shengnan’s eyes, aside from his infuriating mouth, it was hard to find any flaws in Shen Ge.

Her expression turned serious. “Has the situation really gotten that bad? Even someone with your… physique has to go save the world now?”

“Hey, hey, hey—what do you mean ‘my physique’? Who are you looking down on here?” Shen Ge, indignant, immediately moved to unbutton his shirt, ready to show off his “perfectly unified, god-tier abs.”

Shen Ge spent most of his time at a desk, hardly exercised, and never did manual labor. While his figure hadn’t gone to ruin, it was just… fine.

Cheng Shengnan deadpanned, “Remember last year’s company sports meet? Your scores in every event were about the same as mine—in the women’s division.”

“Oh, right. I maxed out intelligence because I was afraid of being dumb,” Shen Ge replied calmly.

Cheng Shengnan fell silent for a moment before finally asking in earnest, “Have you really thought this through? You’re actually going to work in a dangerous place like the Special Response Department?”

“Yes.”

She sighed. If Shen Ge were leaving over work or pay issues, she could still try to persuade him. But if he was joining the Special Response Department… it was like someone with potential choosing to dedicate themselves to serving the country and its people. Asking him to stay and sell real estate with her?

She couldn’t bring herself to say it.

Cheng Shengnan thought back to the past three days, during which Shen Ge had dealt with three “monsters” she could never have imagined before. It was as if, overnight, she no longer recognized this “pillar” of the company.

She still remembered the helplessness and despair she felt on the first day when she was “frozen” and disappeared—especially after Deng Yuqi told her that the creature controlling her fed on living beings. It ate people. That night, she couldn’t sleep at all. She turned on every light in the house and binge-watched Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf until morning.

In just three days, not only Cheng Shengnan’s life, but Shen Ge’s as well, had undergone earth-shattering changes. Though he was doing his best to adapt, it was still a process.

“Will these… supernatural incidents soon be exposed to the public?” Cheng Shengnan asked, after processing his resignation, voicing her biggest concern.

“Maybe. But don’t worry too much. If the sky falls, the government will hold it up.” Shen Ge smiled, as if the horror of the supernatural had never weighed on him.

According to the Special Response Department, the average person’s chances of encountering a supernatural incident were slim. Even the Rong City branch only dealt with a few cases every few years.

Of course, whether that low probability would hold after Shen Ge—an anomaly—entered the picture remained to be seen.

Cheng Shengnan’s expression darkened. The once-ordinary world had completely changed because of these scientifically unexplainable monsters. It was impossible not to feel fear.

What would the future look like?

Would it become like those apocalyptic movies, where monsters roamed freely and humans were reduced to prey, hiding in damp, dark corners just to survive?

Shen Ge noticed her worry and reassured her with a smile: “Honestly, there’s no need to overthink it. Just live your life as usual. If you ever encounter something beyond your understanding, run as far as you can, call the police, and let the professionals handle it.”

“What we’ll be facing aren’t slow-walking corpses or enemies that can be stopped by a metal door. These are supernatural entities with bizarre, unpredictable abilities. So don’t suddenly decide to sell all your assets and build a panic room. Who knows? You might stock it with food today, only to find yourself hosting a monster party in it tomorrow.”

“And definitely don’t be like those ‘geniuses’ who think the apocalypse is coming and decide to carry ten pounds of cement up Mount Tai to train like a superhero before doomsday. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you can’t become a master overnight. Everything takes time.”

“Like I said—if the sky falls, the tall will hold it up. Ordinary folks shouldn’t stress too much. Keep a calm mind, eat well, drink well. Maybe stock up on a few months’ worth of food and water, just in case. But if the world really does end, with no power or running water, living alone in a monster-infested world might drive you insane before the monsters even find you.”

“The cart will find its way around the hill when it gets there.” Shen Ge never wasted energy on unnecessary worries. After all, the apocalypse hadn’t arrived yet—why live in constant fear?

Mindset matters.

As a friend, he didn’t want Cheng Shengnan to live under constant stress, always looking over her shoulder. The most he could do was offer comfort. As for the rest… well, he’d just have to eliminate the supernatural threats before they spread.

Starting with those three ghost cats in the villa.