The System Mistook Me for a Cat

That evening, the buzz surrounding the city representative competition remained at the top of the trending charts. Everyone was discussing the outcome between Jing City and Sea City. The official organizers released all the randomly selected questions and answers from the competition, along with individual video recordings of each question—featuring the special effects that appeared when the answers were correct.

One viewer commented sharply:

"From now on, whenever I think of this knowledge point, this video will pop into my head."

It's unforgettable.

Compared to the heated debates about the competition, the shared virtual projection recordings, the AR rhythm games, and the film scoring segments, what truly excited players and aspiring players was the news that the closed beta had ended, and the second beta test was about to begin!

The closed beta, which allowed 100,000 players to participate without data deletion, would announce the selected participants the next afternoon at 1 PM.

However, before the selection process began, a small controversy arose regarding the allocation of spots—specifically, issues related to scalpers and reselling. Even though identity verification was required, players could still sell their verified accounts to others for login purposes. This had already happened during the closed beta. While sharing accounts among friends and family might seem harmless, cracking down on such behavior felt overly strict. However, when it came to high-priced resales, it naturally upset players who genuinely wanted access to the game.

Chu Tingwu knew that with the system in place, these individuals could be identified, but there still needed to be clear regulations to prevent such practices.

On one hand, the official team accepted reports about scalpers, and successful reports would result in the allocation of additional spots. On the other hand, relying solely on facial recognition for strict real-name verification wasn't ideal, so they decided to create a comprehensive platform specifically for the second beta test.

Other industry peers: "..."

They had already grown accustomed to Wu Voice Group's unpredictable ideas. The company had ventured into multiple industries, and no one knew when they might suddenly release a competing product. Initially, everyone thought Chu Tingwu's company was focused on social media apps and selling cat food and litter. Who could have guessed they would now be manufacturing drones while also selling VR headsets and AR projectors?

This new comprehensive platform essentially consolidated all of Wu Voice Group's products into one place.

Existing partner platforms would still offer their products, but the new platform allowed for the accumulation of points—meaning that purchasing Wu Voice products would grant users higher points and platform levels, increasing their chances of being selected for the second beta test.

With this move, the company had developed several apps: from the cat-focused "365 Cat Census," to the drone control app "Drone View," to the VR login app "VR Window" in collaboration with Fenghua Network, and even the "Starcloud Charity" app for applying and promoting the Starcloud Charity Foundation. The most recent addition was "Xue Bu Tong" (Can't Learn).

While users might not need to download all of them, Chu Tingwu, as the boss, couldn't afford to not have them on her phone. She checked her device and realized that, including the Wu Voice platform, she now had six apps.

However, it wasn't feasible to merge all six apps into one. Instead, they created recommendation channels between them, improved the transition speed, and set up several sub-communities within the Wu Voice platform.

The tech team also added community topics, suggestion portals, and personal blog spaces for users to share content. They even included a trending news ranking, making the platform appear quite comprehensive. However, as more people joined, Chu Tingwu couldn't help but feel a familiar vibe while browsing their updates.

Would this platform end up competing with another app in the future?

The founder of the New Plum app: "...Why do I feel a chill down my spine?"

The New Plum app was busy arranging new hashtags for the city representative competition, with different tags dominating half of the trending chart—most of which were filled with praise.

Since "Xue Bu Tong" had official collaborations, and Wu Voice Group had always maintained close ties with official entities—from the "365 Cat Census" app helping to address stray cat issues, to recent VR livestreams boosting city popularity, AR games enhancing city reputation, and the company's significant donations to various city charity foundations—it could be said that wherever Chu Tingwu went, the spotlight followed.

None of the thirty cities wanted to miss out on this wave of prosperity, and some even proactively extended olive branches, offering the company greater convenience.

However, regardless of how much money "Xue Bu Tong" might earn in the future, how much market share it could capture, or how many hackers might target it (though the system always fended them off), these matters were irrelevant to the key figures in the company at the moment. Their most important task now was—

Helping their boss decide which university to attend!

Chu Tingwu sat at one end of the round table, surrounded by her subordinates, friends, and family. Even representatives from the long-term collaborating law firm and Yarman Neuroscience Laboratory in the U.S. were present to observe.

Chu Tingwu: "?"

It feels like I'm being interrogated.

Of course, that wasn't the case. They were simply discussing which university Chu Tingwu should attend in the future—after all, she could practically choose any top university in the country.

When she won the gold medal, invitations from the two top universities in the country arrived immediately. If it weren't for her stating that she still had commitments (and a remote competition), the professors from both schools would have already been at her hotel.

Even so, the professors scheduled separate meetings over the phone... and made sure their times didn't overlap.

Most of Chu Tingwu's peers had already made their choices, and even the majority of her training class had decided on their paths. But she remained undecided.

She propped her chin on her hand, listening to the lively discussions around her. Teacher Zhang sat to her left, resting his hand on Shi Kuai, who was sprawled on the table, while San Wu Wu perched on the back of the chair to her right. San Wu Wu preferred high places and refused to sit on the chair, instead gazing down at everyone with an air of aloofness.

The seagull drone flew around the room. Chu Tingwu had recently upgraded its exterior, using new materials to make its head rounder and cuter, giving it a goofy yet endearing look.

Everyone had grown accustomed to the seagull drone circling Chu Tingwu and paid it no mind, continuing their heated debate.

The system-controlled seagull drone landed on Chu Tingwu's head, and she switched the hand supporting her chin, allowing the system to perch on her shoulder.

She remained silent, but everyone knew that once she spoke, her decision would be final.

Despite the lively discussion, no one could make the choice for Chu Tingwu.

Chu Tingwu also received calls from her birth mother and stepmother, congratulating her on her gold medal and inquiring about her future plans—

Chu Tingwu gave both the same answer: "I think I'll go traveling first."

Lu Cenyin: "? That's fine, just be safe."

Jian Ling: "Ah... That sounds nice. If you come to my city, let me host you."

Her voice sounded much happier, but Chu Tingwu simply smiled and didn't commit... not because of any strained relationship, but because:

The system mentioned that Jian Ling was currently overwhelmed with homework, so it was best not to disturb her.

Of course, Chu Tingwu only spoke to her two mothers once, but she chatted daily with Chang Yixin, An Shiyan, and others, occasionally popping into the training class group chat.

Her competition journey had ended, but her friends were still preparing for their own battles, so they couldn't chat much.

As a result, even though Chu Tingwu could rig the selection process, none of them had time to play the currently popular "Xue Bu Tong" game.

Oh, and after the second beta test, the game was renamed "Cat Can't Learn," as if shifting the blame for incorrect answers from the players to the cats.

Finally, after everyone at the meeting had voiced their opinions, they turned to Chu Tingwu, silently awaiting her decision. Chu Tingwu: "Hmm..."

"Hua Ke University hasn't reached out to me."

Top University is, of course, excellent, with both its faculty and teaching standards being impeccable. However, Chu Tingwu has no intention of continuing with scientific research. Her desired university major is—

Environmental Protection and Animal Management.

Huake University is ranked first in the nation for this major, but perhaps because the allure of her gold medal was too dazzling, Huake assumed she would inevitably choose between the two top universities or opt for early study abroad. Moreover, Chu Tingwu herself gives off the impression of someone who lacks neither money, time, nor resources, so they didn’t bother sending her any invitations.

Chu Tingwu: Looks like I’ll have to take the initiative myself.

When Chu Tingwu made the call, Huake’s admissions office was in the middle of a group gaming session… Of course, *Cat Cats Can’t Learn* had already been kicked out of the gaming category by parents and transformed into a study check-in app.

Many parents, despite not having beta access or actually playing the game themselves, had heard all the promotional material about how this “game”—no, this educational software—helped students learn in a fun way, even encouraging them to actively pursue knowledge and become addicted to studying. It was practically the dream app, with its only downside being that the second beta testing list hadn’t been released yet.

*Cat Cats Can’t Learn*, the new-era Little Overlord Learning Machine.

The admissions officer currently controlling the app was a beta player who, due to work commitments, hadn’t been able to fly to Wu City for the beta testing. Now, he was filled with regret and was working hard to recommend the game to his colleagues.

Like other universities, Huake had already started early admissions and interviews. Everyone had been busy until now, but when Chu Tingwu’s call came through, a sense of bewilderment still rose in their hearts.

Was it that they didn’t want to invite Chu Tingwu? It was more that Chu Tingwu didn’t need to come to their university! What was she even after?

Chu Tingwu: “Well, I don’t need to go to Tsinghua either…”

Ah, right. For her, studying anywhere was pretty much the same.

Once it was confirmed that Chu Tingwu wasn’t joking and genuinely had the intention to enroll, the admissions office was thrilled. However, they still maintained a sense of decorum and scheduled a time with Chu Tingwu, then took the initiative to visit her to complete the formalities of the interview and signing process.

As for Chu Tingwu’s requests, they agreed to every single one—

Choosing her major? Of course, with her grades, she could pick any major she wanted.

Even though she hadn’t started yet, if she wanted to pursue a master’s degree in the future, she could mention any professors she was interested in, and they would naturally help facilitate introductions.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Chu Tingwu inquired about the course schedule and mentioned her own time commitments—

Aside from traveling (tentatively planned), she also had to return to Fallen Phoenix City for ancestral rites, visit Ji Province to gather with the Chu family, go back to Jin City to visit her teachers and classmates, and fulfill her commitment to shooting promotional ads for the “WU” series of knee braces… Oh, and she also had to check on the horse everyone had entrusted to her care, the real-life inspiration for Raphael, the game’s zoo director.

Her schedule was packed, with little to no free time.

The admissions office thought of something: “Oh, regarding dorm arrangements, we’ll do our best to accommodate you. If you’d like, you can even choose your roommates… However, the dormitory for the Animal Conservation department is located in the old campus, and those dorms don’t have elevators, which might be inconvenient. Maybe we can try to get you a room on the second floor?”

Normally, the female dorms for Animal Conservation would be on the fourth and fifth floors, but the admissions office decided to take matters into their own hands and rearrange the entire department’s dormitory levels.

Chu Tingwu tilted her head, as if pondering or listening to something, before finally smiling and declining.

“No need, I won’t be enrolling for another year anyway.”

Admissions Office: Wait… what does that mean? Is she reconsidering because of the dorm situation?

They started to feel nervous.

Then they heard Chu Tingwu say:

“Since there’s still a year, would the university mind if I sponsored a new dormitory building?”

Complete with elevators, a VR experience room, common AR equipment, and the latest recognition systems… a whole new dormitory building.

Admissions Office: “…”

Chu Tingwu: Why are you rubbing your eyes? Is the office light too bright?

Admissions Office: No, it’s just the blinding glow of money.

Tears of gratitude were practically dripping from the corners of their mouths!